Mount Toubkal Ascent — 3 Days from Imlil
3 days
Duration
35 km
On foot
3,663 m max
Max altitude
4,251 m↑
Total ascent
Apr–Oct best
Best season
Three days to climb North Africa's highest summit (4,167 m) from Imlil. A steady walk up the Aït Mizane valley to the Toubkal refuge (3,207 m), a dawn ascent of the summit, then an unhurried descent through Berber villages. Accredited guide, muleteers carrying the bags, nights in the refuge — demanding but within reach of any regular hiker, no technical gear needed.
This itinerary is a base — Tanaza adjusts, adds and removes any part of it for you.
from €350 pp · based on 2 travellers · international flights not included
Day by day
Day 1
Marrakech → Imlil → Toubkal Refuge
11 km · 1,470 m↑ · 5 h · 30 m max
Day 1
Marrakech → Imlil → Toubkal Refuge
11 km · 1,470 m↑ · 5 h · 30 m max
Morning transfer from Marrakech to Imlil (1,740 m), an hour and a half of road to the foot of the High Atlas. You meet the guide and the muleteers, take a last coffee on the village square, then set off on foot up the Aït Mizane valley. The path crosses Aroumd and its walnut terraces, follows the river to the shrine of Sidi Chamharouch (2,350 m), then begins the long, steady climb to the Toubkal refuge (3,207 m). Arrival in the late afternoon: hot tea, an early dinner and an early night — the wake-up call is at 5am.
Refuge · Lunch, Dinner
Day 2
Toubkal summit day (4,167 m)
13 km · 960 m↑ · 7 h · 30 m max
Day 2
Toubkal summit day (4,167 m)
13 km · 960 m↑ · 7 h · 30 m max
Headlamps on around 5am, to be high up for sunrise. The south couloir zigzags up a steady scree slope to the col (3,940 m), and the final ridge leads to the summit in under an hour. On a clear day the view runs to Jbel Siroua and the first dunes in the south, and along the whole Atlas chain to the north. An hour at the top for photos and rest, then a careful descent by the same route. Back at the refuge for lunch and a free afternoon: a nap in the sun or a short walk to the high lake. Second night at the refuge.
Refuge · Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3
Refuge → Imlil → Marrakech
11 km · 4 h
Day 3
Refuge → Imlil → Marrakech
11 km · 4 h
An unhurried breakfast, then the long descent back to the valley — the same path in reverse, but with the whole landscape spread out in front of you this time: Sidi Chamharouch, the gorges, the terraces of Aroumd. A late lunch with a local family in Imlil, tajine and mint tea, before the drive back to Marrakech in mid-afternoon. Drop-off at your accommodation around 5pm.
Breakfast, Lunch
On the trail
Included in this price
- Accredited mountain guide, French- and English-speaking
- Return private transfers Marrakech ↔ Imlil
- 2 nights in a mountain refuge, dormitory
- All meals from lunch on day 1 to lunch on day 3
- Muleteers and mules to carry the bags
- Water and tea at every stop
- Toubkal National Park entry fees
- The agency's professional liability insurance
To plan for
- International flights and airport transfers
- Nights in Marrakech before and after the trek
- Drinks, personal snacks and showers at the refuge
- Personal equipment: mountain boots, warm jacket, sleeping bag
- Travel and repatriation insurance (compulsory)
- Tips for the guide and the muleteers
- Crampon and ice axe hire in winter (November to March)
International flights are never included — you book those yourself
Frequently asked questions
Do I need mountaineering experience to climb Mount Toubkal?
No. From April to October, Toubkal is a walk-up: a path and a long scree slope, no ropes, no crampons, nothing technical. What it asks for is stamina — three days of 4 to 7 hours on foot, with 1,470 m of climbing on day one and 960 m on summit day. If you hike regularly and can manage a six-hour day with real ascent, you are ready. The guide sets the pace for the group, not for the fastest walker.
Will I get altitude sickness on Toubkal?
You might, and it is a fair thing to ask. The profile is quick: Imlil (1,740 m) to the refuge (3,207 m) in a day, summit the next morning. Headaches, broken sleep and breathlessness are common at this height and usually harmless. Two nights at the refuge helps. Your guide climbs this every week, watches the group, and will slow down or turn someone around without drama — dropping 500 m nearly always settles it. Drink more than you feel like, walk slower than you want to, and eat even without an appetite.
When is the best time to climb Toubkal, and will I need crampons?
April to October. The path is clear of snow, the refuge is open, and the summit goes in ordinary hiking boots with no technical kit. July and August are hot in the valley but fine up high — one reason summit day starts at 5am. November to March is a different climb: snow, ice, crampons and an ice axe required, and a guide working in winter mode. That gear can be rented locally, at extra cost. For a first 4,000 m peak, aim for May, June or September.
What is included in the price, and what do I pay for on top?
From €350 per person, the trek itself is covered: an accredited mountain guide, return private transfers Marrakech ↔ Imlil, two nights in the refuge, full board from lunch on day 1 to lunch on day 3, muleteers and mules to carry your bags, water and tea at every stage, and Toubkal National Park entry fees. On top of that you will need: flights and airport transfers, your nights in Marrakech before and after, travel and repatriation insurance (mandatory), personal gear, drinks and showers at the refuge, and tips for the guide and muleteers. Groups run from 2 to 12 people.
What is a night at the Toubkal refuge actually like?
The refuge sits at 3,207 m below the summit, and it is the only accommodation on the mountain — both nights are spent there. Sleeping is in a shared dormitory, so bring a sleeping bag; nights are cold even in midsummer. Meals are included, cooked on site and eaten together. Showers and drinks are paid separately, directly at the refuge. Bring a headlamp — summit day starts around 5am in the dark. The mules carry your main bag up, so you walk with a day pack only.
Your agency
Tanaza
Licence 1234567 · Based in Imlil
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