Toubkal trekking

4 Peaks of the High Atlas Mountains

Summer only. Prices are per person based on:

2-3 people US$ 1,535
4-5 people US$ 1,360
6-12 people US$ 1,225

per person

4 Peaks of High Atlas Mountains

Overview

North Africa’s is highest mountain a centerpiece with an incomparable view of Marrakech. It often shocks people with its unexpected silvering of snow, but it’s also easier to ascend in the summer.

Day to day itinerary

You’ll arrive at Marrakech Airport where you will be picked up and taken to the riad, where you will spend the night.

After breakfast, you will be driven to the starting point of your trek. You’ll head south into the foothills of the Atlas. Your route follows the picturesque Zat Valley into the village of Arba Tighedouine (800m), where you’ll meet your muleteers and trekking team. You’ll start your trek, heading along the broad valley towards the village of Talatast, which is known for its pottery. Beyond this traditional Berber settlement, the valley narrows and the fields become terraced. You’ll pass walnut groves as you make your way to your overnight camp at the village of Aït Stimane at 1200m.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included.

Today, you will walk to the Yagour Plateau, trekking through sparse forest of juniper and oak, whilst seeing good views of Bou Oughiwl and Aghoujdid. The village of Ouarzazt is considered the gateway to the Yagour Plateau, and beyond its terraced fields of corn, you’ll climb into a desert world of red and yellow rock. This area is well-known for petroglyphs (rock carvings) and you will be able to see some of the best examples. You’ll camp at Yagour Plateau at 2300m.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included.

After breakfast we cross the plateau we traverse alpine meadows and traditional grazing areas to reach a wonderful terrace giving fantastic views over the Ourika Valley. We now descend more than 1000m to reach the bustling village of Setti Fatma, which is both a pilgrimage sight and a popular holiday resort. We take our lunch beside the river in the welcome shade of some poplar trees. In the afternoon we continue our trek towards the gorge of the Ourika and set up camp among the terraces of the Berber village of Agadir Aït Boulmane where we will camp for the night at 1500m.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included.

You’ll start the day by following a mule track through the beautiful valley and passing the little visited villages of Tamatert and Amenzel. You’ll climb to the foot of the Tizi Boukchoud pass and you will camp here at 2500m.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included.

The first thing you will do today is do the 470m climb to the Tizi Boukchoud (2976m). From the col, you are treated to a superb view of the northeastern ridges of the Toubkal massif. As you descend from the pass, you’ll enter the gorge of the Tifnoute River and then go on to Adouz (2700m), at the foot of the first peak, Adrar n’Dern.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included.

Today you’ll start early to traverse Adrar n’Dern. The highest point of this peak at 4001m provides terrific views of the surrounding ranges and valleys. From the summit, you’ll follow the ridge southwest and descend to the head of the Tinzart Valley, where you will camp near Tizi Ourai at 3000m.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included.

Today, you’ll have a shorter day and mostly walk downhill. You’ll climb to the col of Tizi n’Ourai, from where there are great views of Toubkal and the distant Anti Atlas. You’ll get to a descending mule trail, and you’ll pass several small villages. Tonight, you will stay in a basic gite in the Berber village of Amsouzart at 1740m.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included.

After leaving Amsouzart, you’ll climb steadily through the green and pleasant valley. Above the village of Ait Igrane, the path begins to get steeper, and after a long series of zig-zags over the moraine boulders, you’ll be confronted by the breathtaking sight of Lake Ifni, the biggest lake in the central part of the Atlas. You’ll take a path which traverses high above the north side of the lake to reach its western end, where you’ll eat your lunch. Above the lake, you’ll go through the upper valley of the Assif a Moursaine, climbing steeply through the mouth of a gorge to reach crude tent platforms at a stream confluence.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included.

After breakfast, you’ll start walking again to get to one of the most spectacular pass crossings in the Atlas, the Tizi-n-Ouanoums at 3650m. It takes 3 to 4 hours to reach this rocky col, which is situated between the two highest peaks in the Atlas: Toubkal and Ouanoukrim. You’ll turn west below the pass, and traverse across scree slopes to reach the Tizi Ouagane, from where you’ll start the climb to Ouanoukrim at 4088m. There are some rocky scrambling sections, which are straightforward but require a hands-on approach. From the top, the views of Toubkal and the surrounding mountains are spectacular. You’ll start your descent to the refuge at 3206m, where you will spend the night camping.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included.

Early in the morning, you’ll make your attempt to reach the summit of Jebel Toukbal, the highest peak in Northern Africa. Your route takes you up the south cirque, crossing the stream above the refuge. The walk is relatively straightforward, but the scree and the altitude will make the going quite difficult in parts. The views along the way make the journey more than worthwhile. When you reach the the summit, you will see that the vistas across the surrounding landscape are quite breathtaking. There are unrestricted views in every direction, from the Marrakesh Plain to the High Atlas in the north, and as far south as the Anti-Atlas and the Sahara. You will retrace your steps when you return down the mountain and spend the night at the camp near the refuge again.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included.

Today, you’ll start with an ascent to Tizi Tadat at 3800m, where you get a superb view of yesterday’s route. For those who wish to, there is the opportunity to bag your fourth 4000er of the trip. To reach the summit of Bouguinoussen (4025m), you have to climb from the col along a rocky ridge. The route up to this summit is the most technical of the trek and does involve more scrambling than the previous peaks and the leader will go through the route and summit attempt, which is optional. You’ll return via the same route. The round trip is about 2 hours. From the col of the Tizi Tadat, you’ll descend to the Tazarat refuge and then go to the last camp at Tamsoulte at 2300m.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included.

The final climb of this mountain odyssey takes you across the Tizi Mzik, and gives you the reward of a magnificent view across to the summit of Ouanoukrim and over the beautiful valley of Imlil. You’ll descend on a good trail to reach Imlil, from where you will go back to Marrakech.

Breakfast and lunch are included.

You have a free day in Marrakech. The city’s dazzling centre, the Djemaa el Fna square, is an enthralling and exotic Eastern experience populated by snake-charmers, acrobats and storytellers. You’ll be able to have a meal at one of the small food stalls that appear only at night to serve up delicious kebabs, seafood, soup and salads. You’ll explore the medieval medina and markets heaving with a colourful mixture of bright carpets, piled fruit and dyed skeins of wool. Behind some small gates, you will discover handsomely-wrought sultan’s tombs, ancient palaces and Koranic schools. The numerous terraces are great for people-watching and, in the evening, a refreshing visit to a steamy hammam (a Turkish bath) is recommended.

Breakfast included.

Transfer to Marrakech Airport.

Bhutan

Bhutan Tour

Gallery

  • Fruit market in Marrakech
  • Kutubiyya Mosque Marrakech
  • French cannon in Marrakech
  • Kutubiyya Mosque Marrakech
  • Kutubiyya Mosque Marrakech
  • Toubkal trekking
  • Toubkal trekking
  • Toubkal trekking
  • Toubkal trekking
  • Toubkal trekking
  • Toubkal trekking
  • Toubkal trekking
  • Toubkal trekking
  • Toubkal trekking
  • Toubkal trekking
  • Toubkal trekking
  • Toubkal trekking
  • Medina of Marrakech narrow street
  • Marrakech view
  • Medina Marrakech
  • The Bahia Palace, Marrakech
  • The Bahia Palace, Marrakech
  • Ben Youssef Madrasa, Marrakech

    • Included in the price

    • Guests are fully escorted by a local mountain guide, muleteers and a cook
    • Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner (except in Marrakech)
    • Accommodation: 3 nights in Marrakech, 1 night in a basic gite and 10 nights camping
    • Transport: minibus or 4×4 car

    Not included in the price

    • International flights
    • Travel insurance
    • Sleeping bags
    • Walking poles
    • Meals not already mentioned
    • Tips
    • Soft drinks

    Departure & return location

    • Your hotel in Marrakech

    Meeting time

    • 8am

    Why book this trek?

    • Climb the 4 peaks of the High Atlas Mountains including the highest mountain of north Africa, Mt Toubkal at 4167m
    • Beautiful scenery
    • Experience the Berber way of life

    What to bring?

    You need to prepare as you would for a trek in any mountain region; it can be warm and sunny during the day but the weather in the mountains can quickly change from sunshine to snow and cold winds (during autumn through to late spring). Please do not leave any rubbish behind after your trip; carry out what you carry in.

    Our treks are tailored to match the season and your level of fitness. You have the choice of staying in Berber guesthouses, from where you can take daily walks, or you can go on the Atlas Mule Trek for 2+ days. On the mule treks, you usually have the choice of staying in Berber guesthouses/with families or doing wild camping in 2-person tents. 

    In addition to what you’d regularly pack, here is a checklist:

    • Good walking boots and socks
    • Comfortable shoes/slippers for the camp/guesthouse
    • Trekking trousers
    • Lightweight waterproof over-trousers / rain-pants

    Contact us

    Get in touch by phone | WhatsApp | email with your preferred dates for your trip

     +44 7761 228972

      WhatsApp

      info@malaikatravel.com

    or fill in the enquiry form