Mt Toubkal & High Atlas

Itinerary 

Day1: Arrival in Morocco 

Airport transfer to hotel check in and chill out. Then you have the afternoon and evening to explore/get lost in Marrakesh old city and markets. Haggling over anything and everything that catches your eye.

Day2: From Marrakesh to the High Atlas 

After breakfast, you will leave the hustle and bustle of Marrakech behind and journey south towards the High Atlas Mountains. The scenic drive takes you through the beautiful Ourika Valley, with its terraced fields and traditional Berber villages clinging to the hillsides. You will arrive at Imlil (1,740 m), the gateway to the Toubkal massif.

The trek begins with a gradual ascent through the stunning Mizane Valley. The path winds alongside a flowing river, past walnut groves, and through the small Berber villages of Aroumd and Sidi Chamharouch, a sacred marabout (shrine) popular with pilgrims. This is where you’ll stop for lunch cooked by an incredible local chef who will stay with us for the duration making sure your tummies are never empt. After approximately 5-6 hours of trekking, you will arrive at the Toubkal Refuge (3,207 m), your base camp for the night. 

Day 3: Acclimatization and the Ascent of "Twin Peaks"

This day is dedicated to acclimatization, which is crucial for a successful summit attempt. Instead of tackling Toubkal's main summit, you'll undertake a shorter, but no less spectacular, trek to the nearby "twin peaks," of Ouanoukrim (4,083 m), where you’ll quite likely be one of the only teams on the mountain. The views from these peaks are breathtaking, offering a panoramic perspective of the surrounding mountains and valleys. You'll return to the warmth and comfort of the refuge in the afternoon. This is an excellent opportunity to relax, eat, play cards, and prepare your gear for the pre-dawn summit climb. A substantial dinner will replenish your energy reserves.

Day4: Summit day and return to civilisation 

The most challenging day begins early, with a pre-dawn wake-up and a quick breakfast. Guided by the beam of your headtorch, you'll begin the rocky track winding up the mountain. The path is demanding but the sight of the sunrise painting the surrounding peaks in hues of gold and orange is an unforgettable reward. After approximately 3-4 hours of ascent, you'll stand triumphantly on the summit of Mount Toubkal (4,167 m), the highest point in North Africa. The 360-degree panoramic views from the top are simply magnificent, stretching from the peaks of the Atlas Mountains to the vast expanse of the Sahara Desert on a clear day.

After savouring the moment, you will begin the long descent back to Sidi Chamarouch, via the far less travelled ridge where you’ll be able to check out the wreckage of an old plane that crashed in the 1970s. At Sidi Chamarouch you'll have a well-deserved lunch before continuing your journey all the way down to the village of Armed, and eventually, back to Imlil where you’ll spend the night and the evening is yours to explore the beautiful town.

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Day5 : Departure 

Depending on everyone’s flight times you’ll have time in the morning pick up some last minute deals haggling in Imlil or even go and experience a traditional Hamam which is exactly what the body needs after a good adventure. Then its off to the airport leaving Morocco behind you, until next time.