Trip overview
A mountain day an hour and a half from Marrakech: Asni, the village of Imlil, a guided walk to Aroumd among walnut trees and lunch at a Berber house facing the Toubkal massif.
- Duration1 day
- Starts inMarrakech
- GroupPrivate or shared · 1–12 people
- DifficultyModerate
- LanguageEspañol
- DeparturesDaily departures all year round
Highlights
- The village of Imlil, at about 1,740 metres, gateway to Toubkal National Park
- Weekly Asni souk (Saturdays only)
- Walk with a mountain guide to Aroumd along a mule track
- Views of the peaks of the Toubkal massif
- Lunch at a Berber house with bread baked there
- The Rheraya valley, with walnut trees, apple trees and mud-brick houses
- Back in Marrakech by mid-afternoon
- Times
- 8:30 to 17:30
- Altitude
- 1,740 to 1,900 m
- Walking
- About 3 h in total
- Lunch
- In a Berber home
What the day looks like
Imlil is about 65 kilometres from Marrakech, at the head of the Rheraya valley. You don't climb any summit.
When to go
- March – JuneGood timeA green valley, with apple trees in blossom in spring.
- July – AugustMixedCooler than Marrakech, but the sun is fierce at midday.
- September – NovemberGood timeGood light and walnut season.
- December – FebruaryMixedSnow and ice; the road is sometimes closed for a day.
Imlil or Ourika
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1: Marrakech – Asni – Imlil – Aroumd – Marrakech
8:30 Pick-up from your riad or hotel in Marrakech. 9:30 Stop in Asni; on Saturdays, a walk round the weekly souk. 10:15 Arrival in Imlil and introduction to the mountain guide.
10:30 Walk up to Aroumd, an hour to an hour and a half along a mule track, with stops for photos of the valley and the Toubkal massif. 12:30 Lunch at a Berber house: tagine, home-made bread and mint tea. 14:00 Walk down the river path to Imlil, about an hour. 15:30 Departure for Marrakech. 17:00 to 17:30 Arrival at your accommodation.
On the private option the timings change to suit your group: if you want to walk more, the guide suggests a longer loop through the surrounding villages.
What's included
Included (5)
- Pick-up and drop-off at your accommodation in Marrakech
- Air-conditioned transport with driver
- Local mountain guide during the walk
- Lunch at a Berber house
- Bottled water
Not included (4)
- Mule for part of the way (optional)
- Extra drinks
- Tips for the guide and driver (optional)
- Travel insurance
Important information (5)
- The walk adds up to about 3 hours up and down, on dirt and stone paths.
- Up there it's a lot colder than in Marrakech: pack a fleece or jacket even in spring.
- The Asni souk is only held on Saturdays.
- With snow or ice, the guide shortens the route or picks a safer path.
- In the villages, ask permission before photographing people.
Prices per person
Shared
Shared transport, mountain guide, walk to Aroumd and lunch at a Berber house
Private
Car and mountain guide just for your group, flexible timings and lunch at a Berber house (price per person, based on 2)
Fixed price per person, whatever the size of your group.
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
Do you need to be fit to go to Imlil?
It's enough to be someone who walks regularly. The climb to Aroumd takes an hour to an hour and a half on a wide path, with some stretches of loose stone, and the descent takes another hour. The guide sets a steady pace and stops when needed. If anyone has knee problems, they can ride part of the way up on a mule and come down slowly.
Can you see Toubkal from Imlil?
From the village, the summit of Toubkal is hidden by other mountains. On the walk you see the peaks around it, several of them over 3,000 metres, and the valley that climbs towards the refuge. To see Toubkal up close you have to carry on several more hours uphill, and that's a two- or three-day trek.
What do you eat at the Berber house?
Usually a tomato and cucumber salad, a chicken or vegetable tagine, bread from a clay oven, fruit and mint tea. For vegetarian diets or allergies, tell us when you book and the family will cook something different. You eat in the family's sitting room or on the terrace, looking out over the valley.
Can you do it in winter?
Yes, from December to February the trip almost always runs, and with snow the valley looks beautiful. It's cold and the path can be icy, so bring boots with a good grip, gloves and a hat. On the odd day the road to Imlil closes for a few hours because of snow; if that happens, we let you know the evening before and change the date or the route.
