6 Days Toubkal Circuit Trek and Berber Villages Itinerary

Pick up from Marrakech after breakfast (8am) and drive to Imlil via Asni. Imlil is the principal trailhead for walkers and is a busy market town. You’ll meet your guide and mule team in Imlil and set off along the valley towards Tacheddirt, some 8kms from Imlil. The trail climbs up the pass at Tizi n'Tamatert (2279m) and then down to the pretty village of Ouanesekra and then onto Tacheddirt (2314m) where you usually spend the night camping at the river-side. You’ll spend this night among nature and wake up to the calming sound of water and chirping birds.

This morning starts with a long slow ascent across the valley and up to the pass at Tizi Likemt (3555m). It is fairly tough going with a long ascent and loose scree on the ground. From the pass, there is a fine view of Toubkal and its sister peaks. Then it is a long downhill descent to the village of Azib Likemt (2600m), where you camp for the night. Another energizing night in the nature. Today was an exhausting yet exciting day, you deserve a good rest!

Today, for perfect balance, the journey is easier than the previous day. The trek takes you through a variety of landscapes including more fantastic views of Toubkal and the Ifni Dome from Tizi n’Ououraine (3120m). The trail leads on towards Amsourzerte (1797m), arguably one of the nicest villages in the region, where you’ll spend the night in a simple village gite, hosted by the native inhabitants of the region.

Heading West out of Amsourzerte, you pass through several small villages on your way towards Ifni Lake, the only lake in the High Atlas Mountains. The Lake is surrounded by towering peaks, scree and rubble and is a pleasant place to set camp and spend the afternoon relaxing at the shore. Rest well, you’ll need lots of energy for tomorrow!

Today is the hardest day, heading up a long steep path up a scree slope towards the pass at Tizi n'Ouanoums (3684m), a narrow ledge between two shafts of rock. From here it is a long zigzag descent down a precipitously steep scree slope to Nelter Hut, a mountain refuge where you’ll spend the night. The dorms at Neltner tend to be crowded with other trekkers aiming to tackle Toubkal early next morning so in the summer and when the weather allows we typically camp at the Refuge. Congrats, you’ve done it!

Today is a long day with an early start, tough going but very rewarding. From the Refuge, the trail zig-zags up the South Col, a long and moderately steep scree slope ascending 750m to the Tizi-n Toubkal Pass. From the pass, the trail traces a dramatic ridge to the summit, with spectacular mountain views to the N/S/E/W. The trail is set well back from the precipitous drop of the ridge. The walking is relatively straightforward but occasionally difficult in places and requires a strong sense of determination. The views, however, are well worth it – you’ll be able to see across the Marrakech Plain to the High Atlas Mountains in the north and the Anti Atlas Mountains and the Sahara in the south. You’ll retrace your footsteps back down the mountain to the refuge for lunch and then on down to Imlil and back to Marrakech. Today was a long day taking between 8-10 hours depending on your pace.