Climb Mount Toubkal (4167m) in a Week
Hike a circular route to summit North Africa’s highest peak, acclimatising in the remote foothills and exploring bustling Marrakech
What's Included?
Activities & Certified Guides
All itinerary activities with expert, English-speaking Berber guidesAll Accommodation
2 nights in a riad, 2 nights in mountain refuges and 1 night in a guesthouseMeals
All your breakfasts, 3 lunches and 3 dinnersTransfers
Both airport transfers and transfers to and from ImlilPorterage
Mules and muleteers to carry your overnight luggage during your climbSmall Like-minded Groups
Solo-friendly by design, join our small n’ sociable groups of up to 14 like-minded, active and outdoorsy people…
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What's it like?
Trek the top of Mount Toubkal in the High Atlas, catching an epic sunrise on the tallest mountain in North Africa
Enjoy a relaxed pace as you hike the lesser-trodden Azzaden Valley over four days, sleeping in cosy mountain huts and a Berber village guesthouse
Delve into the sights, sounds and flavours of Marrakech's captivating medina and kick back in a peaceful, traditional riad
Short on time? Try our much-loved classic Climb Mount Toubkal in a Weekend
Key Information
Day 1
Explore Marrakech
Fly into the colourful city of Marrakech and head to your traditional riad in the historic medina. Spend the rest of the day exploring the souks and the iconic main square, Jemaa el-Fnaa – a place that’s been beguiling travellers for centuries. By day, throw yourself into the hustle of market traders and the typical orange juice vendors who inhabit the famous plaza, or retreat to one of the many rooftop bars overlooking the square to people watch over a glass tea or a tasty tagine. Nighttime is the busiest time in the square, with exotic smells flowing from the tempting food stalls and the ambient sounds of street performers, magicians and traditional dancers entertaining the gathered crowds. After sampling the atmosphere, return to the calm of your riad to prepare for the mountain adventure ahead.
Day 2
The foothills of the Atlas Mountains
Hiking
Driving
Drive through the lovely Moroccan countryside and into the foothills of the Atlas mountains. Meet your guides at the Imlil trailhead and follow quiet trails through the Azzaden Valley to the Ighouliden waterfalls. Away from the main walking routes of Mount Toubkal, the first two days of this trek are perfect for seeing a hidden and often missed side of the Atlas mountains. After lunch in the middle of a juniper forest, continue to the Tamsoult Refuge (2250m) where you’ll spend the night beneath a vast, starry mountain sky.
Day 3
The Aguelzim mountain pass
Hiking
Today is a challenging day, starting with a steep uphill section out of the Azzaden Valley and over the Aguelzim mountain pass at 3560m. After lunch at a scenic lookout, with a spectacular view across the Atlas mountain range, continue hiking to Les Mouflon mountain refuge. Bed down and get a good night's rest ahead of an early start to the tackle summit tomorrow.
Day 4
Summit Mount Toubkal
Hiking
Leave in the darkness of the early hours of the morning and clamber to the summit of Mount Toubkal (4167m), arriving in time for a beautiful sunrise over the Atlas Mountains and the Sahara Desert. You'll have time to bask in your accomplishment and bag some epic pics before beginning the long walk down. With over 2000m to descend, your legs will be thankful for the stop in the village of Armed (2000m), where you can enjoy a final evening in the mountains over a glass of mint tea and views of the mountains you have just traversed.
Day 5
Head back to Marrakech
Hiking
Driving
After a relaxing breakfast, enjoy a short morning walk down to the trailhead at Imlil where you'll meet your driver. Wave one last goodbye to the Atlas Mountains and begin your journey back to Marrakech – you'll be back in your riad by lunchtime. You're free to spend the rest of the afternoon exploring Marrakech, picking up any last-minute souvenirs or just relaxing in the serenity of your riad. In the evening, you can head out with your fellow adventurers to explore the local food scene, perhaps indulging in celebratory farewell meal.
Day 6
Goodbye Marrakech
Relax over one last Moroccan breakfast and – if you have time – explore the city some more, before heading back to the airport in time for your flight home.
The Area
Logistics
Starts
Marrakech Airport (RAK)
Any time on Day 1
Ends
Marrakech Airport (RAK)
Any time on Day 6
Transfers
Private transfers between the airport and your riad are included for any time you choose to arrive on Day 1 and any time you depart on Day 6, or if you have booked additional pre- or post-trip accommodation with your host.
If you are making your own arrangements to extend your stay in Morocco, private transfers between Marrakech Airport and Marrakech City are not included, but can be arranged with your host for an additional cost. Please see Optional Extras for details.
Travel options
There are daily flights to Marrakech from major airports across the UK and Europe.
Day 1
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 2 – Day 3
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 4
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 5
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 6
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
What is the food like?
Moroccan food is a unique blend of sweet and savoury flavours. Local specialities include tagines (stew cooked in an earthenware pot), couscous and bastillas (flaky pastries stuffed with meat and dusted with cinnamon and sugar). Food is often spiced with cumin, turmeric and ginger. Meals on the trek are fresh, healthy and cooked by your Berber muleteers. Breakfast will usually feature bread, jam, cookies, fruit, juice, coffee and milk, while lunch will feature salad, tomatoes, carrots, lentils, beans, rice or pasta, fish (sardines, tuna) and seasonal fruit. Dinner will usually include soup, a classic Moroccan tagine, couscous, olives, nuts and fruit.
Vegetarians, vegans and other dietary requirements and allergies can be catered for – please just request this on your passenger info form.
What is the accommodation like?
Marrakech
You'll stay in a beautiful riad – a traditional Moroccan house with an interior garden or courtyard. The exact riad will be confirmed nearer the time based on availability and group size; however, all are chosen for their excellent reputation, location, beautiful decor and welcoming service.
On the trek
In the mountains, you'll stay at Tamsoult mountain refuge (at 2250m) and Les Mouflon mountain refuge. Facilities are basic, with bunk-bed dorms; however, there is a fun, social area to relax in the evening and chat with other climbers from all around the world. On your way down after the summit, you will stay in a well-appointed guesthouse in the Berber village of Armed.
Upgrades
For solo travellers looking for their own space, an optional private room can be booked for an extra charge for the nights in Marrakech, see Optional Extras for the price. Please request this at the time of booking (this is subject to availability and they are very limited due to the layout of traditional riads).
This trip has been rated as Challenging
Full days of scenic hiking, loose footing, high altitude - you'll need a fairly good level of fitness for this one. The views make the effort more than worthwhile!
Allowing two extra days on the mountain (compared to our classic 3–night trip) gives more time for acclimatisation to the altitude, as well as breaking up the long summit day and descent. The final day of trekking involves just a short couple of hours down to Imlil, meaning you return to Marrakech with time to explore the city in the afternoon and enjoy a celebratory meal in the evening.
What will I need to carry?
Mules will carry your main overnight luggage during the trek and you will need to carry your daypack with your daytime essentials (extra layer, snacks, water etc.). For the welfare of the mules, please ensure your main overnight luggage is in a soft-sided bag and weighs no more than 15kg.
Spring and autumn temperatures in Marrakech average 10-25°C, and it rains a small amount (roughly seven days each month). From June to September it gets quite hot in the city, averaging 15-35°C, and it only rains a few days each month. In the height of summer, daytime temperatures in Marrakech have been known to approach 45°C on occasion – so please ensure that you come prepared with sun protection, light and airy clothing and electrolytes/rehydration solutions if travelling at this time of year.
In the Atlas Mountains, from March to October daytime temperatures average 25-30°C but it cools off considerably at night, and the higher you go the colder it gets (you may even need gloves on a summit day in August!) Night time temperatures can drop below freezing at and above the mountain refuge. Afternoon storms are always possible, but they are usually quick and generally don’t prevent anyone from enjoying the trek.
View detailed weather for the climb here on Mountain Forecast
I went on the mount Toubkal trip in September when the earthquake hit. The company was very organised, friendly and efficient. Unfortunately we didn't get to summit due to it not being safe. The guide Mohamed and his team looked after us so well and I can't thank them enough. They still looked after us , cooked us every meal and gave us a place to stay when they didn't even know if their own family's were alive. Apart from the earthquakes the trip was great as we got to hike with beautiful scenery and had an amazing team. I will be there next year to summit! 🙌
Fantastic trip, if your thinking about doing this trip then I could t recommend it enough. From when you land to when you finish is organised faultlessly. Hosts and guides are welcoming and work there socks flof to accommodate l. Food was lovely, there is also plenty of food is enough to have 3 plates full at each meal. The climb is high to the mountain but the route is gradual, IE alot of zig zagging to gain height. The last day is the toughest out of the 3 but well worth it. The accommodation on the mountain Had alot more facilities than I expected, shower and power for charging,
Communication by MBA and the local tour guides was unparalleled. Our trek guide, Mohammed, was exceptional. 100% would recommend. Note that the last day of walking is a big day out so ensure to bring plenty of snacks and take lots of breaks to appreciate the views!
Brilliant trip , if you haven't climbed a mountain outside of the UK before MT Toubkal is a great challenge to start with , local guides are great and the Atlas mountains provides views that will take your breath away.
Super trip! Three days of hiking between mountain refuges, led by local Berber guides who introduced us to the landscape and Berber culture. The walking got progressively harder, and we acclimatised to the altitude gradually. Summit day was a real tough slog through snow but the views from the top were sensational.
Fantastic experience, the guides are amazing, knowledgeable and strong as an ox (or a mule!) as they carried the bags for those who weren’t feeling great. They looked after us well and fed us regularly with yummy snacks. The scenery was stunning and it felt so good to reach the top. If you’re just going to climb the mountain I’d totally recommend either a day before or a day after to venture into Marrakesh to see the city too. It’s an experience! The Riads were beautiful, the mountain huts were much bigger than expected, but don’t expect luxuries like hot water or electricity, or high levels of cleanliness.
Cannot recommend MBA and this trek highly enough. Great choice of local hosts and guides. Was well supported all the way through the trip, will definitely take mother trip with them in the future
This is an excellent trip and I would definitely recommend. The mountains were beautiful, the guides were experts and extremely helpful. If you can, extend your stay to experience more of Morocco. You definately need to be physically fit to do this trip and make sure you bring lots of warm layers for the last day if you are doing this in autumn or spring - coldest I have ever been!
Fantastic trip. Our local guides were amazing and so so helpful. Can't fault them.
Accommodation in the refuges is basic (as expected). Expect cold showers, 7-25 people sleeping in a room and simple food. Each night there was bread, tagine of some sort and a western style pasta (spaghetti). If you have a sensitive stomach bring cereal bars etc to snack on. Kendal mint cake was a life saver for the nausea caused by altitude sickness! Bring earplugs and wet wipes! Our climb in October was pretty chilly with minus temperatures reached on summit day - don't skimp on the cold weather clothing! Painkillers and anti-altitude sickness tablets were a life saver.
The hike itself it totally doable if your generally active! The last day is the toughest but the guides will bend over backwards to help you get to the summit. Large groups make pacing a bit of a challenge.
If you're thinking of booking it - do it!