Photo: M. Ed. ↗THE JOURNEY IN DETAIL
Four thousand metres above Berber villages.
Jebel Toubkal at 4,167 m is the highest point in North Africa and the most accessible four-thousander in the world: two hours by road from Marrakech. Rather than going straight up and back, we make a circuit of the Imlil and Azzaden valleys, sleeping in Berber houses and mountain refuges so that acclimatisation happens on its own. Mules carry the loads, as they always have here.
- The 4,167 m summit, the highest in North Africa
- The Azzaden valley circuit and the Tizi Mzik pass
- Berber guesthouses and mint tea
- The Marrakech medina and Jemaa el-Fnaa
With old friends or new ones
Join a group or arrange a separate departure for your own team. Before travelling, we get to know each other, discuss everyone's experience and find suitable dates. You can also prepare together.
DAY BY DAY
Your daily itinerary.
A provisional itinerary. Weather, group readiness and local conditions may change the order and length of the stages.
- DAY 1 · City walk and briefing
Marrakech, the medina and a briefing
We gather in a riad in the Marrakech medina at 470 m. In the evening a walk on Jemaa el-Fnaa and a kit check: the trek needs everything from a sun hat to a down jacket.
Overnight: Riad in Marrakech - DAY 2 · 12 km, 750 m of ascent
Imlil and the Tizi Mzik pass
Ninety minutes by road to Imlil at 1,740 m, then the first stage over the Tizi Mzik at 2,489 m into the Azzaden valley. The path threads walnut groves and barley terraces.
Overnight: Gite in the Azzaden valley, 1,800 m - DAY 3 · 10 km, 800 m of ascent
Azzaden and the village of Tizi Oussem
An acclimatisation day: we climb to shepherds’ azibs at 2,600 m and come back down to sleep. In the evening, dinner with a Berber family and a tagine shared from one dish.
Overnight: Gite in Tizi Oussem, 1,850 m - DAY 4 · 12 km, 1,700 m of ascent
Tizi n’Aguelzim to the refuge
The biggest walking day: the Tizi n’Aguelzim at 3,560 m, reached by a long scree zigzag. The col gives the first view of the Toubkal summit pyramid, then a traverse to the refuge at 3,207 m.
Overnight: Toubkal refuge, 3,207 m - DAY 5 · 10 km, 960 m of ascent
Toubkal summit, 4,167 m
A five o’clock start up the south couloir: 960 metres of ascent and four hours on coarse scree, or on snow in crampons in spring. A metal pyramid marks the top, with the Sahara on the horizon. Back at the refuge by lunchtime.
Overnight: Toubkal refuge, 3,207 m - DAY 6 · 14 km, 1,500 m of descent
Down to Imlil via Sidi Chamharouch
Down the Mizane valley past the whitewashed shrine of Sidi Chamharouch at 2,350 m, a Berber place of pilgrimage. We reach Imlil by lunchtime and drive to Marrakech, where a hammam is waiting.
Overnight: Riad in Marrakech - DAY 7 · City time and transfer
A free morning in Marrakech
A free morning for the Majorelle gardens, the Bahia palace or simply coffee on a rooftop. An afternoon transfer to the airport, with a stop for argan oil on the way.
Overnight: —
Included in the estimated price
Six nights: a riad in Marrakech, gites and the mountain refuge
Full board on the trek, breakfasts in Marrakech
A licensed local mountain guide and a cook
Mules for the main baggage throughout
Toubkal National Park fee and registration
Transfers from Marrakech to Imlil and back
Crampon and pole hire in the snowy season
Not included in the price
Flights to the meeting point
Personal travel insurance and visas
Personal equipment
Single-room supplements and personal expenses
Lunches and dinners in Marrakech
Tips for the guide, cook and muleteers
Single-room supplement in the riad
YOUR PREPARATION
Arrive ready for the route.
No special technique is required, though in April the upper couloir holds snow and we use crampons. Ivan asks for two months of building up to five or six hours of uphill walking, and explains how to behave at altitude if this is your first four-thousander.
Prepare with IvanROUTE QUESTIONS
BEFORE WE MEET ON THE TRAIL
What to prepare in advance
- Broken-in trekking footwear and a suitable daypack
- Rain gear, an insulating layer and spare socks
- Poles, if you are used to them
- Personal items within the agreed luggage allowance and suited to the accommodation
Once we choose a date, we agree on the equipment list, meeting point and transfer time. Please wait until the programme is confirmed before booking flights.