The Armland Hiking Club is organizing an ascent of Mount Toubkal in the Atlas Mountains.
Mount Toubkal—also known as Jebel Toubkal—is the highest peak in the Atlas Mountains, North Africa, and Morocco. It is located in the southwestern part of Morocco, approximately 60 km south of Marrakesh. It is a prominent peak and a popular destination for mountaineers.
Day 1: Marrakech
It doesn’t matter at what time you arrive; we will be waiting for you at the airport in Marrakech. We then transfer you to the hotel in the center of the city. You can spend the afternoon visiting Marrakech.
Day 2: Marrakech – Imli 1740ml – Toubkal Refuge 3027m
Drive from Marrakech to Imlil and trek to Toubkal Refuge via Armed & the Maizane Valley Leaving the city behind we drive south today, towards the craggy peaks and plunging valleys of the Toubkal Massif. Crossing the Haouz Plain we pass through the tiny town of Asni, from where our road begins to climb towards the foothills of the Massif. Below us the valley of the Oued Rhirhaia stretches out into the distance and small villages cling to the sides of the steep hills as we meander our way towards the village of Imlil. Here we leave our vehicle and, in the company of our mountain guide, begin our trek, heading along the Maizane Valley, first towards the village of Armed and then onto the shrine of Sidi Chamharouch. Built on a moraine spur overlooking the valley floor, Aremd is the largest village in the valley and provides an interesting mix of traditional terraced farming, gites and streets that seem to be permanently gridlocked by goats and cattle. For generations the local Berber villagers have worked these lands, producing corn, potatoes and walnuts from the harsh landscape. Continuing east and crossing the flood plain our route takes us along mule tracks and up into the high rocky cliffs above the valley. Crossing the river, we eventually come to the pastoral shrine of Sidi Chamharouch, which attracts tourists and pilgrims alike (although only Muslims are allowed to cross the stone bridge to visit the marabout shrine itself). The village sits beside a small waterfall, a jumbled cluster of houses that seem to melt together into an anarchic mass. From here the trail continues to climb steadily, snaking and zigzagging its way up to the snowline and the Toubkal Refuge (3206m), our stop for the night. Approx 5hrs walking.
Day 3: Refuge 3207m – Toubkal Summit 1740m – Refuge 3207m – Imlil valley 1740m
Trek to summit of Jebel Toubkal(4165m); return to Imlil Early this morning we make our attempt on the summit of Jebel Toubkal, the highest peak in Northern Africa. Our route takes us up the south cirque, crossing the stream above the refuge and then heading across one of the mountains numerous scree fields, where we will have to negotiable a seemingly endless carpet of boulders and rocks. The walking is relatively straightforward, but the scree and the altitude will make the going quite difficult in parts, however, the views along the way make the journey more than worthwhile. Cresting the ridgeline, we find ourselves on the plateau, from where it is a short walk to the summit and the vistas out across the surrounding landscape are quite breathtaking. From here there are unrestricted views in every direction, from the Marrakesh Plain to the High Atlas in the north and as far south as the Anti-Atlas and the Sahara. Pliny, the great Roman scholar, once described the High Atlas Mountains as “the most fabulous mountains in all of Africa” and from our vantage point high above the valley it is easy to understand why. Retracing our steps, we then return down the mountain and head back to the refuge where you stop for lunch, then keep walking downhill via the same route to imlil valley where you will spend the night at a guesthouse.. – overnight
Day 4: Imlil valley – Kasbah Ait Ben haddou – Ouarzazate city
You will be picked up from your accommodation in Imlil at 8.00am and head out over the Atlas Mountains, driving over the stunning Tizi-n-Tichka mountain pass. You’ll pass through lots of Berber villages, and once you’re in the desert, you’ll see riverside oases and barren hillsides dotted with kasbahs (fortified dwellings that house families and their livestock). Along the way, you will have the option either to take a break and visit the Ouarzazate Film Studios. Overnight around 5h drive.
Day 5: Ouarzazate – Dades Gorges
Drive from Ouarzazate to Dades valley. It will take around 3h drive. Check in at a guesthouse. Then, you have some time to explore this place.
Day 6: Dades valley – Todra gorge – Merzouga
Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer from the Dades Valley to Todra Gorge – a massive fault dividing the High Atlas Mountains, rising up 300 metres in a narrow valley with palmeries and Berber villages. Here, you can go for a hike to explore the palmery, a green oasis full of large date palms. After lunch you’ll head further into the desert to the gateway town of Merzouga to pick up supplies for your desert trip. You will then drive on to a Kasbah to pick up your camel. At sunset, you’ll trek for an hour-and-a-half by camel to a Berber camp where you will enjoy a traditional Moroccan dinner, and sleep under the stars or in tents at a desert camp. (Total driving time 5hours)
Day 7: Merzouga – Marrakech
Wake up early, just prior to sunrise, we have a 1h30 camel ride at sunrise to explore the area further and we head back to Merzouga on our Camels. When we reach Merzouga, have breakfast & have the opportunity to shower and then we begin our journey through the stony desert and over the Atlas Mountains, with plenty of stops for photos. Lunch stop on the way. Then, keep driving to Marrakech. Around 8h drive. Overnight
Day 8: Day trip to Essaouira city
Today, after breakfast you go on a day trip from Marrakech to Essaouira.
Day 9 : Transfer to Marrakech airport.
Price:
2 to 4 Pers: 800 Euro/ person
5 to 8 Pers: 760 Euro / person
9 to 14 Pers: 720 Euro / person
Included
• Private Airport Transfers
• 3 nights in Marrakech (Hotel/riad: B & B)
• Private Transport to and from Marrakech (A/C Transport)
• Qualified English speaking guide
• Mules to carry the luggage and food during the trek
• Accommodation in local house, tent or refuge
• Full board on toubkal trek + coffee and tea
• 1 overnight in desert camp
• Camel Ride
Not Included
• Travel insurance
• Entrance fees
• Tip
• Drinks (water, soda, wine, beer, etc…) and items of a personal nature
• Meals in Marrakech (dinner & lunch)
• Lunch during desert trip
