Mount Toubkal:
The Toubkal massif is made up of rocks of various kinds. We find in particular on the summits of andesite and rhyolite, dark rocks of volcanic origin.
Glaciers have left characteristic marks of their passage in the form of trough valleys. During the Würm glaciation, the current valley of Assif n’Ait Mizane (the valley of the Toubkal refuge) was occupied by the longest glacier in the Atlas. It was 5 km long.
The word Toubkal would be a deformation of French origin of the same Berber name Tugg Akal /toug-akal/ which means “she who looks up at the earth”
Where is Mount Toubkal?
One of the most beautiful mountains of the High Atlas Mountains chain, which passes in the countries of the Maghreb, as Mount Toubkal or Mount Toubkal is the highest mountain peak in the Atlas Mountains chain, which has a height of 4165 meters and is 60 km south of Marrakesh.
It has two types of slopes, The first is the high slopes to which most people tend to practice climbing, which are covered with snow in the winter season, so people practice skiing, and the second is the low or lower slopes, which individuals go to for recreation and enjoying the scenery, you will need two full days to reach the top of a mountain Toubkal and the landing thereof.
On the first day, you will leave from the village of Imlil in the morning and walk for about five hours to the shelter, where you will spend the night. Then on the second day you will go to the summit in a period of four to five hours, then head down to the shelter, then return to Imlil, the best period to climb Mount Toubkal is late April to October and great care must be taken when climbing the mountain.
Toubkal Ascent 2 Days:
Day 01: Transfer by Minibus to the High Atlas/Imlil village 1800m/Refuge Toubkal (3200m).
At 8am our taxi or minibus driver (minibus for more than 4 participants) will pick you up at your hotel or fix the starting point in advance, example Jammaa El fena place near Café FRANCE, drive towards Toubkal, 1h 30 by car from Marrakech to reach the village of Imlil starting point of your hike, in the village you will meet our local team, guide and muleteer, start of trek to the refuge of Toubkal?
crossing of Village Armed then we continue along the assif Ait Mizan to reach the marabout of Sidi Chamharouch, place of lunch, in the afternoon a climb of 400 m to reach the refuge of Toubkal, night at the bivouac or refuge (refuge in winter, bivouac in summer).
Elevation M: 1450 m Elevation D: 30 m Walking time: 6 hours Accommodation: in a tent or refuge.
Day 02: Toubkal Refuge – Ascent of Mt Toubkal – Armed 1900m
Departure early in the morning for the ascent of Mount Toubkal, the highest in North Africa, is done without difficulty, after 2 hours of climbing we will reach a pass at 3900m which covers the Siroua massif and the hamadas of southern Morocco, we continue successively towards the geodesic point 4167m.
very wide 360 ° view on all directions: valleys, surrounding peaks, the Anti Atlas, the pre-Saharan mountains and the plain of Marrakech. Descent by the same path, continuation along the Assif Ait Mizane, lunch and visit of marabout Sidi Chamharouch, place of pilgrimage, to reach the village of Armed where we will find our car, return to Marrakech.
Toubkal Climb 3 days
Itinerary Day per Day:
Day1: Marrakech – Imlil
After arrival in Marrakech, you wil be transferred to the little village of Imlil. Here you will be able to explore the area and you will spend the night in a guesthouse.
Day 2: Imlil – Toubkal Refuge
Today we begin our trek. Heading along the Ait Mizane Valley, we first past the village of Aremd and then into the shrine of Sidi Chamarouch. We then continue east and by crossing the flood plains our route takes us along mule tracks and up into the high rocky cliffs above the valley.
Crossing the river we eventually come to the pastoral shrine of Sidi Chamarouch, which attracts tourists and pilgrims. From here the trail continues to climb steadily, snaking and zigzagging its way up to the snowline and the Toukbal Refuge (3206m), our stop for the night.
Approx: 4 to 5hrs walking.
Day 3: Toubkal Refuge – Summit – Refuge – Imlil – Marrakech
Early in the morning we make our attempt on the summit of Jebel Toukbal, the highest peak in Northern Africa. Our route takes us up the south cirque, crossing the stream above the refuge.
The walking is relatively straightforward, but the ice 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 summit you will see that the vistas across the surrounding landscape are quite breathtaking. From here 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.
We will retrace our steps when we return down the mountain and head back towards Imlil. Transfer back to Marrakech. Approx. 9hrs walking.
Toubkal National Park summer Trek 8 days
From the Atlas to the heart of the medina of Marrakech, this Moroccan adventure offers us an astonishing combination of sporting challenge, magical encounters and spectacular landscapes. We will experience the hospitality of the Berber people in the High Atlas region where the highest peaks are located, including Toubkal at 4,167 m … From the top, the reward is fantastic: a panorama over the whole region.
Day 1:Marrakech – Imlil (1750m) – Camp of Toubkal (3200m)
Transfer to Imlil, from where we will start our trek. We will first cross magnificent gardens and apple and walnut orchards to arrive in Aremd. Our path continues on a mule trail very popular with pilgrims from Sidi Chamharouch, marabout confined under a white rock at the corner of the two wadis. Continue to the two shelters to camp nearby. Dinner and overnight in tents.
Walking time: 5h. Elevation: + 1450m. Transfer time: 1h30
Day2: Ascent of Toubkal (4167m)
Departure at dawn by a steep and rocky path without any difficulty to arrive at the highest peak of Morocco and North Africa. Magnificent view on the chain of the High Atlas and the neighboring valleys, the Siroua and the borders of the desert. Descent to base camp. Dinner and overnight in tents.
Walking time: 5 to 6 hours. Difference in height: + 1000m / – 1000m.
Day3: Ascent of Timzguida Ouanoukrim (4089m) and Ras Ouanoukrim (4083m)
Very early departure for the ascent of the second highest peak of the Atlas. Climb to the Tizi Ouaguane pass (3750m). Passage through a more technical and sporty slope to reach the small plateau of Ouanoukrim and then its summit. View of the entire Anti Atlas chain and the Souss plain. Dinner and night in tents near the refuge.
For those who do not feel like attacking a second ascent, it is possible to stay and rest at the base camp.
Walking time: 6 to 7 hours. Elevation: + 900m / -900m
Day 4 :Camp du Toubkal – Col de Aguelzim (3550m) – Azib Tamsoulte (2250m)
Morning climb via a mule track to reach the Aguelzim ridge. Dominant view of the Tazagharte massif, the Azzaden valley and the great plain of Haouz. Then descent to the waterfalls and the sheepfolds of Tamsoulte. Dinner and overnight in tents.
Walking time: 5h. Elevation: + 350m / -1300m.
Day 5:Azib Tamsoulte (2250m) – Tizi Oussem -Id Issa (1750m)
We continue our descent to the Berber villages and the green valley of Azzaden, passing through the beautiful village of Tizi Oussem, where we will have lunch with the locals. Then descent through terraced crops to Id Issa. We will arrive at our cottage which overlooks the entire valley, and will take advantage of the hammam to relax our muscles. Night and Berber evening in a cottage.
Walking time: 3h30 – M: 50m / D: 500m
Day 6: Id Issa – Col du Tacht (2000m) – Im Oughlad (1400) – Marrakech
After breakfast, we take the direction of the Tacht pass, from where we will have a panoramic view of the Imlil valley. Then we will arrive at the village of Imi Oughlad. Lunch in the shade of the walnut trees before finding our vehicle for the return to the ocher city. Massage to relax and night in a riad in Marrakech.
Walking time: 4h00. Difference in height: + 250m / -600m. Transfer time: 1h15.
Including:
- Transfer by car to the mountain.
- Transfer by car from Imlil to Marrakech.
- Full board during the 2 day trek.
- night at the refuge with half board./ Camping
- Mule for transporting food and bags during 2 days of trek.
- The services of an English-speaking guide.
Not including:
- The drinks
- Tips