Price
Duration
Max People
Min Age
Tour Type
Reviews
No reviews yetOverview
Toubkal Hike and Morocco Desert Tour:
A spectacular hike to the top of Mount Toubkal and an excursion into the Moroccan Sahara Desert are on the agenda for this 5-day adventure that combines the best of Morocco: the Atlas Mountains and the Sahara Desert! First, you'll soak up the local culture by sleeping in the refuges of the High Atlas. Then, share bread with the Berbers and desert camps in Merzouga, and learn to play Tam Tam drums with the nomads.
Trekking to Mt. Toubkal and tour in the Moroccan Sahara Desert Highlights:
- The highest peak in North Africa: Mount Toubkal.
- Discover the Berber way of life through rugged mountains and Berber villages.
- Discover scenes from Game of Thrones and Gladiator at Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou.
- Discover the red sand dunes of Erg Chebbi on camelback.
- Stay in a Sahara desert camp like a nomad.
- Admire the dramatic changes in landscape from the Atlas Mountains to the Sahara Desert.
Included/Excluded
- Private transfer from Marrakech to Imlil (modern A/C vehicle)
- Local French/English speaking mountain guide licensed for the Toubkal ascent trek
- Mules for transporting luggage and meals in Toubkal
- Box lunch water, banana apple and chocolate
- Night at the Toubkal refuge
- Meals and mineral water (full board) during the Toubkal trek
- Second night in a lodge in Imlil
- Pick up from Imlil village on day 3
- Modern air-conditioned 4x4 or van driven by an English-speaking river guide for the desert portion of the excursion.
- Third night at Auberge Panorama or Hotel Babylon (private rooms with bathroom) with dinner and breakfast.
- Sunset camel rides in Erg Chebbi.
- Fourth night in a Sahara desert camp located on the edge of Erg ChebbiPrivate tents with shared bathrooms - Showers available in the morning at the camp operator's lodge - Dinner and breakfast included.
- Upgrade to luxury camp with private tent available when booking the desert excursion (€70 per person).
- Lunches and drinks for the Sahara Desert excursion
- Local guides during the Sahara Desert portion if applicable
- Entrance fees to museums and historical sites, if applicable
Tour Plan
Day 1: Marrakech - Imlil - Toubkal Refuge
Your epic adventure will begin early in the morning with a drive from Marrakech to Imlil, the gateway to the Mount Toubkal trek.
You will meet your guide, muleteer, and cook, who will take care of your belongings before starting a short hike to the village of Aroumd (2000m).
From there, you will cross the Ait Mizane floodplain and begin a 1207-meter ascent. Zigzagging along mule trails with a series of switchbacks.
You will arrive at the Toubkal refuge (3200m) by late afternoon for dinner and an overnight stay.
Day 2: Refuge du Toubkal - Sommet du Toubkal - Imlil
Wake up at dawn for a 10-hour hike. The ascent to the summit of Toubkal will require climbing through steep rock fields that require hiking skills during the snowy winter season.
After 4 hours of walking, you will reach the summit of Toubkal (4167 m). Enjoy the majestic view of the roof of North Africa: Look east and you will see the desert plains of the Sahara. To the west, the Atlantic coast stretches behind the peaks of the Nfiss Valley.
You will celebrate your success over breakfast before climbing to the base of the Toubkal refuge for lunch. In the afternoon, we descend to Imlil for a well-deserved Hammam, dinner and an overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 3: Imlil - Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou - Boumalne Dades
After breakfast, it’s time to leave the Toubkal summit trek behind and begin your journey through Morocco’s Sahara Desert.
You’ll cross the Tizi N’tichka Pass heading toward the Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah, a UNESCO World Heritage site and the backdrop for many Hollywood epics.
Meet your local guide for a short tour of the village to explore this 17th-century structure. After a free lunch, continue to Ouarzazate. At the city’s entrance, on your left, you’ll easily spot the Atlas Film Studios. Guided tours are available throughout the day if you wish to visit.
Next, we’ll head to the Skoura oasis, renowned for Morocco’s best-preserved kasbah: Amridil. It’s well worth a visit to learn about the culture, architecture, and lifestyle of the Berbers of the oases.
In the afternoon, we’ll proceed to Boumalne Dades, passing through the Route of 1001 Kasbahs and the Valley of Roses. You can stop at local artisanal distilleries to learn more about the production process.
You’ll arrive at your hotel on the edge of the Dades canyons for dinner and an overnight stay.
Day 4: Boumalne Dades - Tinghir - Merzouga
After breakfast, today’s journey will take you to Tinghir, a former French military outpost during the 20th-century occupation. The town was also renowned for its significant Jewish community and its craftsmanship in silver jewelry.
Meet your local guide for a walk through the oasis and the majestic Todgha canyons.
In the afternoon, we’ll continue to Rissani, a holy city famous as the birthplace of Morocco’s current ruling dynasty, the Alaouites. Visit the date market before heading to Merzouga.
Upon arrival, you’ll meet your camel caravan and set off directly toward Erg Chebbi for another epic adventure.
Stop at the top of the sand dunes to watch the sun set on the horizon as the dunes change color. Just before nightfall, you’ll arrive at your Moroccan Sahara camp, nestled in the middle of nowhere.
After settling into your tent, enjoy a delicious Moroccan dinner under the stars, followed by a cozy evening around the campfire, entertained by your nomadic hosts playing Tam Tam drums.
Day 5: Merzouga - Ouarzazate - Marrakech
An early wake-up call to witness the sunrise (optional), followed by breakfast and a camel ride back to the camp operator’s lodge.
Meet your driver for a long journey back to Marrakech, passing through Ouarzazate and the High Atlas Mountains.
Your trek through the Atlas Mountains and the Sahara Desert will conclude at your riad, hotel, or a location of your choice in Marrakech.