Tour Overview

This 6 –days trek includes Toubkal ascent and walks past several Berber villages with a more detailed view on one village chosen according to personal preference. Besides wonderful views from the Toubkal mountain, the green Ourika valley (Setti Fadma village) with a river cutting it in half is another hidden gem of this walk. The trek continues up to Tacheddirt pass (3200 m) offering a view over the majority of the Atlas summits. The adjacent village of the same name lies in the heart of Imnane valley where most of the trekking routes start. It leads over the Tizi Mzik (2500 m) and Toubkal National park with the Tamsoult waterfalls. The hike up the highest North African peak is just a cherry on top and a nice ending to the whole trek.

  • Grade: C
  • Duration: 6 days
  • Destination: Imlil
  • Accommodation: Refuge
  • Note:  From November till April this trek requires crampons and ice-axes.

Tour Details

cd-icon-location 6 DAYS MOUNT TOUBKAL AND BERBER VILLAGES

Marrakech - Imlil - Tacheddirt 

We leave Marrakech after breakfast and drive to Imlil via Asni. Imlil is the principal trailhead for walkers, and a busy market town. There is a constant movement of people coming down from the mountains, and an equal supply of activity from those about to embark on their adventure. We meet our mule team and once all our gear is loaded we begin walking along the valley towards Tacheddirt, some 8kms beyond Imlil. Soon the trail begins to rise as we climb up to the pass at Tizi n’Tamatert (2,279m). We then descend to the pretty village of Ouaneskra and continue, for a further half-hour or so, to Tacheddirt (3,000m), where we generally camp near the river. Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner.

Day 1
cd-icon-location 6 DAYS MOUNT TOUBKAL AND BERBER VILLAGES

Tacheddirt - Azib Likemt

Crossing the valley we begin a long, slow ascent to the pass at Tizi Likemt (3,555m). The going is quite tough as there is a considerable amount of loose scree on the ground. At the top we enjoy our first fine view of the Toubkal massif before a long downhill descent to the village of Azib Likemt, where we camp for the night.  

Day 2
cd-icon-location 6 DAYS MOUNT TOUBKAL AND BERBER VILLAGES

Azib Likemt - Tizi n'Ourai - Amsouzert 

This long, but relatively easy, day takes us through a variety of contrasting landscapes. From Tizi n’Ououraine (3,120m) we enjoy further views of the Toubkal massif, including the summit, the east face and the Ifni Dome (3,876m). The trail leads on towards Amsouzert, one of the most striking villages in the region, where we spend the night – dormitory-style – in a simple village Gite.

Day 3
cd-icon-location 6 DAYS MOUNT TOUBKAL AND BERBER VILLAGES

Amsouzert - Ifni Lake

West of Amsouzert are several small villages, which we explore as we make our way towards Ifni Lake, the only lake in the massif. It is a memorable sight, surrounded by rocky mountains and giant heaps of rubble, and is unusually deep. We expect to arrive by lunchtime and spend the afternoon relaxing at the shore. We camp tonight in this area.

Day 4
cd-icon-location 6 DAYS MOUNT TOUBKAL AND BERBER VILLAGES

 Ifni Lake - Nelter Hut

By now we should be both fit and acclimatised, and ready to tackle the hardest day of the trek. We make our way along a steep path that leads up a seemingly endless scree slope. At length we reach the pass at Tizi n’Ouanoums (3,664m), a narrow ledge between two shafts of rock. From here it is a long zigzag descent to Nelter Hut, a mountain refuge where we spend the night (or alternatively camp outside).

Day 5
cd-icon-location 6 DAYS MOUNT TOUBKAL AND BERBER VILLAGES

Mt. Toubkal Summit - Imlil

We leave before dawn, following a well-worn route to the summit. If conditions are good it should take no more than 2-3 hours to reach the summit, where we enjoy expansive views of the entire Atlas range and the Marrakech plains beyond. Returning to base, we then descend fairly rapidly to the villages of Sidi Chamharouch and Aremd, before following the Mizane River, along a well-forested trail, to the trail head at Imlil. If you are staying in Marrakech, you will be taken there by car at the end of the day.

Day 4

cd-icon-location 6 DAYS MOUNT TOUBKAL AND BERBER VILLAGES

Marrakech – Imlil – Tacheddirt

We leave Marrakech after breakfast and drive to Imlil via Asni. Imlil is the principal trailhead for walkers, and a busy market town. There is a constant movement of people coming down from the mountains, and an equal supply of activity from those about to embark on their adventure. We meet our mule team and once all our gear is loaded we begin walking along the valley towards Tacheddirt, some 8kms beyond Imlil. Soon the trail begins to rise as we climb up to the pass at Tizi n’Tamatert (2,279m). We then descend to the pretty village of Ouaneskra and continue, for a further half-hour or so, to Tacheddirt (3,000m), where we generally camp near the river. Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner.

Day 1

cd-icon-location 6 DAYS MOUNT TOUBKAL AND BERBER VILLAGES

Tacheddirt – Azib Likemt

Crossing the valley we begin a long, slow ascent to the pass at Tizi Likemt (3,555m). The going is quite tough as there is a considerable amount of loose scree on the ground. At the top we enjoy our first fine view of the Toubkal massif before a long downhill descent to the village of Azib Likemt, where we camp for the night.

Day 2

cd-icon-location 6 DAYS MOUNT TOUBKAL AND BERBER VILLAGES

Azib Likemt – Tizi n’Ourai – Amsouzert

This long, but relatively easy, day takes us through a variety of contrasting landscapes. From Tizi n’Ououraine (3,120m) we enjoy further views of the Toubkal massif, including the summit, the east face and the Ifni Dome (3,876m). The trail leads on towards Amsouzert, one of the most striking villages in the region, where we spend the night – dormitory-style – in a simple village Gite.

Day 3

cd-icon-location 6 DAYS MOUNT TOUBKAL AND BERBER VILLAGES

Amsouzert – Ifni Lake

West of Amsouzert are several small villages, which we explore as we make our way towards Ifni Lake, the only lake in the massif. It is a memorable sight, surrounded by rocky mountains and giant heaps of rubble, and is unusually deep. We expect to arrive by lunchtime and spend the afternoon relaxing at the shore. We camp tonight in this area.

Day 4

cd-icon-location 6 DAYS MOUNT TOUBKAL AND BERBER VILLAGES

Ifni Lake – Nelter Hut

By now we should be both fit and acclimatised, and ready to tackle the hardest day of the trek. We make our way along a steep path that leads up a seemingly endless scree slope. At length we reach the pass at Tizi n’Ouanoums (3,664m), a narrow ledge between two shafts of rock. From here it is a long zigzag descent to Nelter Hut, a mountain refuge where we spend the night (or alternatively camp outside).

Day 5

cd-icon-location 6 DAYS MOUNT TOUBKAL AND BERBER VILLAGES

Mt. Toubkal Summit – Imlil

We leave before dawn, following a well-worn route to the summit. If conditions are good it should take no more than 2-3 hours to reach the summit, where we enjoy expansive views of the entire Atlas range and the Marrakech plains beyond. Returning to base, we then descend fairly rapidly to the villages of Sidi Chamharouch and Aremd, before following the Mizane River, along a well-forested trail, to the trail head at Imlil. If you are staying in Marrakech, you will be taken there by car at the end of the day.

Day 4

Important Information

Included:

  • English speaking guide and cook
  • Muleteers and mules for luggage
  • All the meals during the  trek + mineral water, coffee and tea
  • Comfortable accommodation
  • Excursion with local guide
  • Transportation from and to Marrakech

Not included:

  • Travel insurance
  • Lunches
  • Soft drinks
  • Tips and personal expanses