Mount Toubkal Circuit and Climb

A spectacular trek in the High Atlas Mountains - Ascent of North Africa's highest peak, Mount Toubkal - Time to explore magical Marrakech

Completing a splendid circuit trek of Mount Toubkal (4167m / 13672ft) and the opportunity to climb to its summit, this Moroccan holiday provides the best of the Atlas Mountains within just a week and a half. Offering varied and picturesque scenery, rugged trekking trails, lofty peaks and passes, along with the guarantee of a cheerful welcome from the Berber people, Morocco's Atlas Mountains are the perfect choice for dedicated hikers and trekkers. Our trek takes us across the central spine of the Atlas Mountains, by way of several pretty Berber villages and the cobalt-blue Lake Ifni, to the Neltner Refuge below Toubkal. From here, a straightforward trail leads to the highest point in North Africa, Mount Toubkal, which commands far-reaching views across the Atlas and southwards to the Jebel Sahro ranges and the distant Sahara Desert. This spectacular short trek, which includes 2 nights in the vibrant city of Marrakech, gives a real taste of Morocco.

Trip Guide
The maximum altitude attained on this trek is not great and we spend only one night at just above 3000m / 10,000ft. This means that altitude acclimatisation is not usually a problem. However this trek does involve some days with a good deal of ascent and descent and one or two of the days (although broken with leisurely lunches in the shade) are quite long. Additionally, the summer months in the High Atlas can be hot and July and August particularly so. This does have an effect on trekking performance. For most of the trek we follow well established trails between valleys and villages which are suitable for mules and very straightforward for trekkers. On the ascent of Toubkal and whilst trekking up to the passes on our route, we will encounter zig-zag trails on scree. Because this is a short trip we have only given it the MODERATE grade.

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Itinerary / Highlights

Day 1. Rendezvous at the group hotel in Marrakech. Complimentary airport transfers are provided. KE group package services begin with the evening meal. Hotel.

Day 2. Morning sightseeing tour of Marrakech, with English speaking tour guide. After lunch drive to Imlil and make the short walk to the start point of our trek at Aroumd (1900m. / 6234ft.). Gite.

Day 3. Acclimatisation day around the Aroumd Valley. One option is to trek to a col at 2660m. / 8727ft. in the nearby Mezzik Valley. Return to Ait Souka. Gite.

Day 4. Trek above Imlil towards the traditional Berber village of Tamatert. Crossing the Tizi-n-Tamatert (2279m. / 7477ft.) we descend to our camping place above Ouaneskra (2500m. / 8200ft.).

Day 5. A tough hike up to the Tizi-n-Likemt (3550m. / 11647ft.), passing multi-coloured hillsides and rocky peaks.. After lunch a long descent to our streamside camp at Azib Likemt (2550m. / 8366ft.).

Day 6. We follow the Assif Tinzart upstream through a narrow gorge and cross the Tizi-n-Ouria (3109m. / 10,200ft.). After lunch, a long descent to the valley floor. Camp (1750m. / 5741ft.).

Day 7. Trekking through a green and pleasant valley we reach Lake Ifni,. After lunch and a swim we continue to a high camp. Camp (c.2295m. / 8500ft.).

Day 8. Trek to one of the most spectacular pass crossings in the Atlas, the Tizi-n-Ouanoums (3650m. / 11,975ft.). Descend to camp below Mount Toubkal, near the Neltner Refuge (3207m. / 10,522ft.).

Day 9. After an early breakfast we set off on the steep ascent to the summit of Jebel Toubkal (4167m. / 13,671ft.) and return to camp for lunch. In the afternoon we descend to the comfortable Gite at Ait Souka.

Day 10. Short walk to Imlil to meet our transport back to Marrakech and the group hotel. Afternoon free for sightseeing and early evening watch the remarkable central square of the Djemaa-el-Fna come alive.

Day 11. KE group package services end after breakfast. Complimentary airport transfers are provided.

Other Details

Accommodation Details

5 nights hotels and lodges, 5 nights camping