Imlil Trek - Roof of North Africa

Toubkal Summit from Imlil

Summary

A trek up the main Toubkal path to the refuge via Aroumd & Sidi Chamharouch on the first day and a summit climb on the second.

Activity code: ITCTdsAK05

Difficulty: GRADE TWO - between easy and moderate, hiking mostly along zigzagging mule tracks at upper levels for about 6 hours each day. The actual summit climb is non-technical but can be hard going. Good boots are recommended. Suitable for anyone who leads a reasonably active life. NB. hiking at altitude (from 3000m to 4167m) always involves some effort.

Duration: 2 Days

This itinerary is recommended only if you have both confidence and experience of this type of trek. We have included a night at or camping nearby the Toubkal Refuge so that you can enjoy a full day to tackle the summit but day 2 will be a very long one as you will also need to descend all the way back to Imlil.

This hike is designed to start by walking directly from your accommodation in Imlil, e.g. Douar Samra. All hikes include a guide, all meals and full back; this hike also includes a night at the Toubkal Refuge. All hikes are tailor-made so can be arranged for any number of people on any start date.

Essential Information

The months from December through to mid-April could possibly preclude the Toubkal summit climb due to sudden, heavy snowfalls. We shall advise you of adverse climatic conditions and an alternate nearby peak to climb, such as Jbel Aguelzim (3547m), prior to your setting out from Marrakech

All our "from" prices are for a private group of 4 persons; if you are a larger group then the price will be discounted but if there were just 2 persons the cost would be slightly higher. The prices are inclusive for land arrangements only (starting and finishing in Imlil), please contact us to arrange accommodation in Marrakech or Imlil as well as flights from your preferred airport.

MEALS - examples of food & drink during trekking:

  • Breakfast - tea, coffee, milk, bread, butter, jam, cheese plus porridge in the winter and cereal in summer.
  • Picnic lunch - fresh Moroccan salad, cheese, slicing sausage, tinned tuna fish and sardines, bread, fruit, mint tea.
  • Dinner - Tajine (chicken or mutton with vegetables), spaghetti, cous cous (main courses rotate depending on duration of trek), bread, coffee, tea, cake, fruit.

It is recommended that you bring (depending upon season): good walking boots; sleeping bag (3 seasons); waterproofs and fleece/duvet jackets, hats, balaclavas or ear muffs; gloves; rambler or ski pole; personal toiletries; small First Aid kit, thermal underwear (Dec-May); day pack; filled water bottles; torch and batteries (LED head torches are excellent), penknife (remember not to pack in hand baggage for flight); towel, sunscreen, insect repellent, hygienic wipes, nibbles and/or dried fruit. Drinking chocolate if preferred to tea and coffee, camping mug (otherwise it is small Moroccan tea glasses for everything), energy sweets and toilet rolls could come in handy!

* Should you not wish to bring a sleeping bag all this way, we can provide extra blankets for the fairly cold overnight in the Toubkal Refuge (applies all year due to the altitude). Please advise at time of reservation.

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Gallery

Based upon 4 persons travelling.

Prices from £137 per person

What's included on your High Atlas hike ?

  • Experienced, licensed, English-speaking mountain guide throughout
  • Full support team.
  • 1 night at the Toubkal Refuge
  • All Meals (as listed).
  • All local taxes.

Itinerary

Setting out after breakfast from your accommodation in the Berber town of Imlil (1740m), heading south for some 4 km up to the Berber village of Aroumd (1843m), passing alongside the mountain hamlets of Taourirt, Targa, and Imoula. Your guide will make a stop at Aroumd in the Assif Ait Mizane Valley, built seemingly house upon house on a large moraine spur, overlooking ancient irrigated terraced fields of fruit trees and vegetables.

From Aroumd carry on for a further 8km to the equally-quaint village of Sidi Chamharouch, a Berber village set beside a waterfall and small stream, again with its pise homes seemingly built somewhat chaotically one into another. This village is a place of pilgrimage for devout Muslims and it is where there is a marabout [shrine] – forbidden to non Muslims and said to be a relic of a pre-Islamic religious cult. Here your guide will prepare your field picnic by the river, within full view of mighty Jbel Toubkal, at 4167m the highest peak in the Maghreb, prior to setting off up to the Toubkal Refuge for dinner, and overnight accommodation in the Refuge.

  • Trekking Time: 5-6 hours
  • Overnight at Toubkal Refuge (3200m)
  • Meals: Lunch, Dinner.

A very early breakfast today as you and your guide set out to attain, after a three hour, non-technical but steep climb, the highest peak in the Maghreb (4167m). The panorama from here is simply stunning. This remarkable climb and view is what you have come so far for. Whenever you are ready, your guide will lead you on the Ikkhibi Sud or South Cirque for a straightforward two to three hour descent back to the area near the Refuge for a picnic (this descent can be steep in places and the route is covered with many loose stones so we would recommend walking pole(s) for this section for anyone with aching joints or who is not 100% sure-footed).

After your picnic set off towards the north along steeply descending, zig-zagging trails of the higher slopes of the Valley of the Assif n'Isouhouanem n'Ouagounss towards the Berber village of Sidi Chamharouch (3106m). Before entering the village your guide will draw your attention to a special tree, sacred to the local Berbers, on which they hang strips of coloured cloth and pile up stones around the trunk. After a brief stop here to relax, particularly welcome on a hot day, descend high above the valley of the Assif Ait Mizane, down zigzagging trails around granite and basalt grey rocks for about 8km to the village of Aroumd (Aremd) (1840m), commanding one of the more fertile valleys of the High Atlas mountains with terraced, irrigated plots and fields of maize, onions and fruit trees on all sides. As it is a very long day we will usually arrange a second picnic here prior to continuing on along the floor of the valley, then up a well-defined mule track zig-zagging above the river for some 4km to arrive, at around 5 in the evening, after a long day's activity, back at the Berber village of Imlil and a welcome glass, or two, of mint tea.

  • Trekking Time: 9-11 hours
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.

Flexible Tailor-Made Holidays

  • We believe passionately that no two holidays should be the same.
  • With our flexible tailor-made holiday options you can travel at your own pace.
  • Rediscover a city, a resort or an island in a weekend or longer.
  • Take a small group tour or embark upon a more adventurous trip.

Travel Knowledge

  • We have all travelled extensively and will be happy to share our experiences.
  • Personally-chosen hotels, riads, guest houses & apartments in places we know and love.
  • Individual sightseeing recommendations and route planning.
  • Add excursions, activities and food & wine experiences (one of our passions).

Why book trekking with us ?

  • Andy & Head Guide, Houcine, have many years of experience of treks in Morocco.
  • Routes are fully tried & trusted.
  • Timings are based on individual bookings, allowing for amendments & short cuts.
  • A wealth of experience - contact us to discuss your individual requirements.
  • NO hidden extras. NO groups. FULLY Insured.