Trip overview
Climb Jebel Toubkal, 4,167 metres, the highest summit in North Africa: 3 days from Imlil with a mountain guide, mules for the luggage and a night in a refuge.
- Duration3 days / 2 nights
- Starts inMarrakech
- GroupPrivate or shared · 1–12 people
- DifficultyChallenging
- LanguageEspañol
- DeparturesDaily departures all year round
Highlights
- Climb Jebel Toubkal, 4,167 metres
- Authorised local mountain guide
- Mules to carry the luggage to the refuge
- Night in a refuge at the foot of the summit
- Sunrise on the highest summit in North Africa
- Berber villages of the Imlil valley
- Sidi Chamharouch shrine
- Transfers from and to Marrakech
Who it's for
Imlil is about 65 km from Marrakech, an hour and a half by car; you go with a mountain guide and mules carry the luggage.
It suits you if…
You're fit and used to walking for several hours in the mountains. Without snow you don't need climbing skills, but the height gain is serious.
- Over 1,400 m of ascent on day 1
- About 950 m on summit day
- Almost 2,400 m of descent back to Imlil
Pick something else if…
You've never been above 3,000 metres and your schedule is tight. Leave a spare day in Marrakech and, if you're unsure about your fitness, ask us.
Ask about your caseWhen to go
- June – SeptemberGood timeNormal route without snow. At the summit at sunrise it can be close to 0 °C.
- October – November and April – MayMixedSometimes there's snow higher up.
- December – MarchMixedWinter high mountain conditions: crampons, ice axe and previous experience. The guide decides if you go for the summit.
Before you book
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1: Marrakech – Imlil – Toubkal Refuge (3,207 m)
We pick you up in Marrakech at 7:30 and an hour and a half later we're in Imlil, at 1,740 metres. There you meet the guide, we load the luggage onto the mules and start walking through walnut trees and orchards towards the village of Aroumd.
The path follows the Mizane river valley, climbing all the way, to the shrine of Sidi Chamharouch, a local pilgrimage site where we have lunch. From there it zigzags up through stony country to the refuges, at about 3,200 metres. It's 5 or 6 hours of walking. Hot dinner, getting ready for the next day and an early night.
Day 2: Toubkal ascent (4,167 m) and descent to Imlil
We get up around 4:00, have breakfast and set off with head torches. The path climbs over loose rock to the Tizi n'Toubkal col, at about 3,940 metres, and from there along the final ridge to the summit, marked by a metal pyramid. It's 3 to 4 hours of ascent.
From the top you can see the Anti-Atlas, the southern valleys and, on clear days, the Sahara on the horizon. After the photos we go down to the refuge to collect the luggage and eat, then carry on to Imlil. In total it's 9 or 10 hours of walking, and you'll feel the descent in your knees. Dinner and overnight in Imlil.
Day 3: Imlil – Walk through the villages – Marrakech
The last day is the easiest. Breakfast on the terrace, looking at the massif you've just climbed, and a short walk through the valley villages to see how the terraces are farmed and how the stone and mud houses are built. If there's a chance, we have tea with a Berber family before heading back to the vehicle.
Mid-morning we set off for Marrakech and stop in Asni, which has a market on Saturdays. We arrive at midday and drop you at your accommodation, with the afternoon free to rest or go to a hammam, which you'll appreciate after two days in the mountains.
What's included
Included (6)
- Return transfers between Marrakech and Imlil
- Authorised local mountain guide
- Mules and muleteer for the luggage to the refuge
- One night in a mountain refuge and one night in Imlil
- Full board during the trek, except lunch on day three
- Cook or refuge meals depending on group size
Not included (5)
- Sleeping bag and personal mountain gear
- Crampons and ice axe in winter (can be hired in Imlil)
- Bottled drinks
- Tips for the guide and muleteer
- Travel insurance with mountain cover
Important information (5)
- Bring your passport: it's recorded at the park access checkpoints.
- You need broken-in hiking boots, warm layers, a head torch and a sleeping bag.
- From December to March the route is usually snow-covered and you need experience with crampons and an ice axe.
- The guide may call off the summit because of bad weather or a participant's health.
- We recommend arriving in Marrakech at least one day early to rest.
Prices per person
The vehicle and driver are paid per day and shared between the travellers, so the price per person goes down the more of you there are. Accommodation is charged per person per night (2 nights).
| Travellers | Standard | Superior |
|---|---|---|
| 1 person | €650 | €740 |
| 2 people | €365 | €455 |
| 3 people | €270 | €360 |
| 4 people | €223 | €313 |
| 5 people | €194 | €284 |
| 6 people | €175 | €265 |
- Standard: Comfortable hotels and riads, standard desert camp
- Superior: More characterful accommodation and a superior desert camp
- Children aged 3 to 11: 3% less than an adult.
- Groups of more than 7 people travel in two vehicles. The booking calculator takes this into account.
Payment and cancellation
You pay a 15% deposit when you book. The rest is paid on the first day of the trip, in cash or by bank transfer. You can also pay it by PayPal or card, with a 5% surcharge.
Private: free up to 48 hours before the start. If you cancel in time, we refund the full deposit.
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Leave a reviewFrequently asked questions
Is it hard to climb Toubkal?
It's demanding, but not technical in summer. The difficulty lies in the height gain, the altitude and the length of summit day, which is more than 9 hours of walking. With good physical preparation beforehand, such as long mountain walks in the preceding weeks, most fit people make it.
What's the best time of year to climb Toubkal?
From June to September the route is free of snow and it's the simplest option. May and October are also good months, although there may be snow higher up. In winter the climb requires crampons, an ice axe and experience on snow. At any time of year the nights at the refuge are cold.
Do I need a guide to climb Toubkal?
Yes. Since late 2018 the authorities have required climbers to go with an authorised mountain guide, and passports are checked on the route. Our trip includes a local guide from the Imlil valley. As the rules can change, we recommend always checking with official sources before you travel.
