Overview
This is a luxury trekking trip to Morocco which offers stunning accommodation at the world-renowned Kasbah du Toubkal and an itinerary based on your individual desires which can include a climb of Mount Toubkal as an alternative to the trekking itinerary or as an add-on after. Your own personal mountain guide will be on hand for the duration of your stay to help with planning daily treks in the valleys of the High Atlas mountains or guiding you to the summit of Mount Toubkal. You can choose to walk as little or as much as you like on the valley treks option.
Guests will stay full board in luxury accommodation at the Kasbah du Toubkal, which was described by Condé Nast Traveller as “having the best rooftop views in North Africa”. There are deluxe rooms but also luxury suites offering the highest standard, plus a hammam on the premises and a wonderful rooftop restaurant.
We will initially be based in the trailhead village of Imlil (just 40 miles from Marrakech) before trekking to a fabulous mountain lodge in the remote Azzaden Valley where peace and tranquillity prevail. The valley of Azzaden is a spectacular location and the Lodge is very comfortable offering similar levels of facilities to the Kasbah’s Garden House and allows guests to stay right in the heart of the stunning Atlas Mountains without having to compromise on comfort and style. Its architectural style is such that it complements the environment of the surrounding villages and the local environments, but there is also underfloor heating and a private hammam.
All trekking is fully supported with a mule and muleteer to carry your luggage whenever required. Our treks take us from the village of Imlil along footpaths and mule tracks which wind through the lush, irrigated terraces, apple orchards and walnut groves to other villages where you will have a glimpse into a way of life that has barely changed for centuries, and where traditional Berber values and hospitality have been largely unaffected by the outside world.
The High Atlas Mountains, which dominate the skyline to the south of Marrakech, have always played an important role for the city, not least with regard to commerce. Whilst Marrakech is in itself a fascinating city, a whole new experience awaits those who venture south into the mountains. With several peaks above 4000 metres, the Western High Atlas is part of a larger chain of mountains that spreads from the Atlantic Coast in the west to Tunisia in the east. The mountains are home to the indigenous Berber people who have inhabited Morocco for at least 5000 years. The Berbers live in small clusters of earthen adobe houses which cling precipitously to mountainsides and are often only accessible by mule or foot.
This experience is as much about relaxing and being hosted in beautiful lodges, as it is about trekking in Morocco and soaking up the vistas, atmosphere and culture of the regions we visit. Everything is tailored to the desires of your party be they active and adventurous, or sedate and relaxed. This trip is very much about you! It's also possible to add on other elements such as a desert visit or a climb of Mount Toubkal.
Dates & Bookings
Itinerary
Trekking in style - itinerary
Six day, five night itinerary with option to add three day / two night climb of Mount Toubkal.
Day 1: Private transfer from Marrakech Menara Airport or your accommodation in Marrakech to Imlil (approximately 90 minutes) where you will meet your personal mountain guide and have the opportunity to discuss your preferences for walks and treks. Depending on your arrival time, there will be the option of an introductory walk in the area. Dinner and en-suite accommodation at the Kasbah du Toubkal.
Day 2: A day to relax and enjoy free time in the Imlil area, or a chance to explore the Imlil valley with your personal mountain guide. This can be separate morning and afternoon walks or one full day walk. Alternatively, you may wish to venture further afield to an outlying valley. A picnic lunch will be provided if required or lunch will be served at the Kasbah du Toubkal plus dinner.
Day 3: A supported trek of 5-8 hours’ duration with guide, mule and muleteer to the remote mountain lodge in the Azzaden Valley, a beautiful setting barely touched by the modern way of life. A picnic lunch enroute with dinner and luxury accommodation is provided. There is an easy, medium or hard route to choose from (see the descriptions below) and you may wish to enjoy a relaxing hammam (steam bath) on arrival.
Day 4: After breakfast, a day to explore the stunning Azzaden Valley. There are several treks of varying lengths to choose from (see the descriptions below for two alternative options). For example, a moderate walk amongst the villages of the Azzaden Valley or a taxing 7-hour circular route passing the Lepiney refuge hut and the Tizi n’Tzikert col at 2930 metres, or indeed anything in between. Other options of a similar length include the slightly easier and very beautiful 7-hour circular walk passing the cols Tizi n’Teouti at 2450 metres and Tizi n’Tougdalt at 2700 metres. A picnic lunch en route will be provided on full day walks, otherwise lunch will be served at the lodge.
Day 5: After breakfast, depart Azzaden Trekking Lodge and trek back to Imlil via a route of your choice with your guide. A picnic lunch en route will be provided. Dinner and en-suite accommodation at the Kasbah du Toubkal will be provided.
Day 6: After breakfast, depart Imlil and return by private transfer to Marrakech Menara Airport or to your accommodation in Marrakech. Alternatively you can add on the ascent of Mount Toubkal (this is a minimum of 2 x days extra, ascending to Refuge du Toubkal on day 6, summiting Toubkal on day 7 and descending on day 8 for your transfer back to Marrakech).
Walks from the Kasbah du Toubkal to the Azzaden Valley Lodge;
Easy (5 hours): From Imlil toward the road taking down to Asni until the village of Aguersiwal then we follow up the country road heading for the village of Matat , from this village 1 hour walk through the juniper trees will take us to get to the pass of Tizi Oudide 2100m from where we could enjoy a stunning view in good conditions. 1 more hour downhill will take us to get to the Toubkal Lodge which sets on the top of the hill above the village of Id Aissa.
Medium (6 hours): We set of for 6 hours walking from the Kasbah du Toubkal up via a long switchback mule tracks westwards to Tizi M’zik (2450m). Our short clothes stop here due to and respect all traditions and culture of this valley. After the break we start our descent through the forest of juniper trees to the village of Tizi Oussem , from here we follow down the Ait Ouazzaden valley tell the village of Id Aissa where the Toubkal Lodge sets above.
Hard (8 hours): After an early breakfast at Kasbah du Toubkal , we strike out for about 8 hours walk towards the south, up to the Berber village of Armed (1850m). After this take the very steep climb to the right up to Tizi n’Tizikerte 3100m. From the pass we head down to Azib n’ Tamsoult then follow down the Tamsoult gorges until we get to the village of Tizi Oussem then to Id Aissa.
Walks from Azzaden Valley Lodge;
5 hours walk to the south of Azzaden Valley Lodge
Hiking up along the Assif n’Ouazzaden valley, passing through walnut groves and several Berber villages, up through the Tizi Oussem, on to the hamlet of Tizi oussem (1850m) and the Azib n’Tamsoult (2250m), from here we hike for 1h30 further to the Tamsoult Waterfall (2400m) also known as the Irhouliden Cascade where we should have our picnic. Allow another 2 hours back to the Toubkal Lodge.
4 hour circle walk visiting the villages
Head down to the Azzaden River bed and cross to the opposite bank of the valley then up to the village of Tizi iZggar through the barley, corn fields and walnut groves. After enjoying some mint tea with a Berber family we head back via Tiziane and Taddart villages.
Toubkal in style - itinerary
Six day, five night itinerary with summit of Mount Toubkal included.
Day 1: Private transfer from Marrakech Menara Airport or your accommodation in Marrakech to Imlil (approximately 90 minutes) where you will meet your personal mountain guide and have the opportunity to discuss your preferences for walks and treks. Depending on your arrival time, there will be the option of an introductory walk in the area. Dinner and en-suite accommodation at the Kasbah du Toubkal.
Day 2: A supported trek of 5-8 hours’ duration with guide, mule and muleteer to the remote mountain lodge in the Azzaden Valley, a beautiful setting barely touched by the modern way of life. A picnic lunch enroute with dinner and luxury accommodation is provided. There is an easy, medium or hard route to choose from (see the 'Walks from the Kasbah Du Toubkal to the Azzaden Valley Lodge' descriptions above) and you may wish to enjoy a relaxing hammam (steam bath) on arrival.
Day 3: The Toubkal summit part of the tour starts with a relatively easy day to the remotely located Lepiney Refuge, situated in the upper Azzaden valley. Lipiney Refuge is a small hut pleasantly located near a waterfall with views which are completely dominated by the cliffs of the Tazaghart plateau, which at 650m are the biggest in the area. As darkness falls the lights of Marrakech can be seen in the distance. For less experienced walkers and for those wanting to keep the nights in mountain huts to just one, but still summit Toubkal, we recommend returning to Imlil (via a different route) on day 3 to spend a night at a local riad.
Day 4: Today is much more challenging as we cross the Tizi n’Ougelzim pass (3650m) before descending to the Refuge du Toubkal (also known as Neltner - 3,200m), our base camp for the summit of Mount Toubkal (4,167m). (If you chose to sleep at a riad in Imlil on day 3 then our trek today is on the direct route to Refuge du Toubkal via Sidi Chameroush).
Day 5: An early start will see most people summit Toubkal in about 3 hours before spending another couple of hours on the descent back to our base camp at Refuge du Toubkal for some welcome R&R. After lunch we hike down the valley and back to Imlil, a walk of about 12kms which takes four hours. The path is good and passes several places to get drinks and souvenirs before reaching Kasbah du Toubkal for a well-earned hammam before dinner.
Day 6: After breakfast, depart Imlil and return by private transfer to Marrakech Menara Airport or to your accommodation in Marrakech.
Cost
Trekking in Morocco in style cost £995.00
Based on two people sharing a standard room at the Kasbah du Toubkal hotel.
Includes:
- Return transfer from Marrakech riad or airport
- Standard twin room at the Kasbah du Toubkal with ensuite bathroom
- Ensuite room at the Azzaden trekking lodge with bath, shared lounge and balcony
- Accommodation provided at the mountain huts (Lepiney & Toubkal Refuge) if you choose the 'Toubkal in Style' option
- All food and tea / coffee on a full board basis (starting with lunch or the evening meal on day 1, ending with breakfast on day 6)
- Registered trekking guide, mule and muleteers
- Use of a private hammam when staying in all accommodation in the mountains
- 5% levy donated on your behalf to the Village Association
Not included in the price:
- Alcoholic beverages, tips, personal shopping, international air travel, additional trips or activities outside of the itinerary and medical insurances / treatments.
Supplements
- Single person supplement (standard room only): £700.00 extra
- Exclusive use of the whole mountain lodge: £420 per person
Kasbah du Toubkal upgrades per night:
- Superior room (ensuite with bath and shower, private balcony or outside area): £70.00
- Deluxe room (ensuite with bath and shower, private terrace or balcony): £100.00
- Junior suite (upstairs private salon with Berber couches, further lounge area and private terrace and mountain view, downstairs ensuite twin bedroom with bath/shower): £200.00
- Apartment suite (ensuite bath and shower. fully fitted kitchen, dining area, lounge and choice of private balcony or terrace with panoramic view, wall of glass): £315.00
Please note that due to recent changes in the National Park rules, helicopters are not now allowed to provide private transport.
Payments
A deposit of £100 is required on booking to secure your place and we ask that the remaining balance (trip price minus the deposit) is paid in full 6 weeks prior to your departure.
Fitness and clothing
Fitness and clothing
You do not need to be super-fit for this trip and the attraction is that you can tailor it with your personal mountain guide to a level of trekking that suits your wishes. Fitness in general depends on your choice of climbs with some options being moderately demanding with some long days of sustained walking, or others are less demanding and more relaxed in distance and challenge.
You will of course enjoy the trip all the more if you are in good physical shape. As a minimum guide, you need to be comfortable walking on fairly hilly terrain for more than 3 hours with a small pack of around 5kg. You also need to be able to do this for a number of days in a row if you prefer a more challenging itinerary. It is also important that you are relatively agile and steady on your feet. There are some sections of descent on sometimes loose scree and rubble which will require care and agility to safely navigate.
Please do speak to us and/or a relevant medical professional if you have any doubts or concerns. Using trekking poles can be of great help for balance on loose ground and to take some of the strain off your knees.
Clothing for treks in Morocco:
- Holdalls (no suitcases) which the mules will carry
- Daysack for use on most days for the treks
- Walking boots or walking shoes with ankle support, sandals or light shoes
- Walking trousers for trekking, normal trousers/jeans and shorts
- Warm jumper or fleece for the mountain nights
- Shirts and T-shirts for hiking and in the hotel
- Waterproof/windproof top, plus an umbrella
- Hat and gloves for cold mornings
- Swim costume
- Sun hat, sunglasses and sunscreen
- Toiletries
- Some personal first aid - make sure to include rehydration sachets, anti-diarrhoea tablets, insect repellant, wet wipes
- Water bottle
- Trekking poles - available to borrow at the Kasbah
- Camera, charger
Local benefits
Local benefits
In keeping with our commitment to the local community, a 5% charge is included in your trip price - this is in favour of the local Village Association “Association des Bassins d’Imlil” and Education For All (Morocco).
The Association Bassins d’Imlil covers the whole of the surrounding valleys. This association provides the ambulance that you see in Imlil which provides a service to the local population and visitors; other community projects that have been undertaken include the rubbish clearance system and the provision of the village Hammam. Education For All helps provide college education for girls from the rural High Atlas.
We provide the excellent rates of pay for our trekking and mountain guides.
We comply with the highest code of standards for the care of mules.
Photos
Extras
Extra nights
Double room in the Riad Chala or Riad Marrakech in the centre of the city. Bed and breakfast.
Choose a scheduled date or contact us to set up private dates or a bespoke itinerary. The minimum deposit is £100.00 and the balance is due four weeks before travel.