Climb Mount Toubkal (4167m) and Sleep in the Sahara
Trek across the beautiful Atlas Mountains to North Africa's highest peak and sleep in the desert
What's Included?
Activities & Certified Guides
All itinerary activities with local, professional, English-speaking guideAll accommodation
2 nights in a riad, 1 night in a mountain refuge, 2 nights in hotels and 1 night in a Berber campMeals
All meals in the mountains and breakfast and dinners in the desertTransfers
To and from the airport and everything in betweenPorterage
Mules and muleteers to carry your overnight luggage during your climbSmall Like-minded Groups
Solo-friendly by design, join our small n’ sociable groups of up to 14 like-minded, active and outdoorsy people…
What's it like?
Experience the best of Morocco - from the highest point in North Africa, to the wild scenery of the northern Sahara
Climb to the summit of Mount Toubkal and be rewarded with the sunrise of a lifetime
Take a road trip to the desert and trek by camel to a Berber village to sleep surrounded by rolling sand dunes
Key Information
Day 1
Check out the sights and smells of Marrakech
Your host will meet you at the airport and take you to your traditional riad accommodation in Marrakech’s historic medina. You'll then get the chance to spend the day exploring the city’s colourful souks, wander the UNESCO-listed main square and indulge in some amazing Moroccan food.
Day 2
Hike to the Toubkal Refuge
Hiking
Wake up early and drive through the foothills of the Atlas Mountains to Imlil, where you'll meet your support crew and start your trek. Ascend the dramatic Mizane Valley, passing Berber farming villages and stop for lunch on the trail. In the afternoon you’ll arrive at the refuge where you can settle in, meet other hikers and refuel with a well-earned dinner cooked by your support crew. Sleep well before your summit attempt tomorrow.
Day 3
Summit Mount Toubkal
Hiking
Wake while it’s still dark and begin your ascent. Reach the final ridge and finish the climb to the top (4167m) in time to watch the sunrise over the mountains and the distant Sahara. Rest up and then begin the descent back to Imlil where you’ll sleep soundly in a comfortable hotel.
Day 4
Road trip to the Dades Valley
Driving
Take a scenic drive over the Atlas Mountains and descend toward the unworldly landscape of the Sahara Desert, passing Kasbahs (fortified homes) and oases. You'll also have the option to stop at the Ouarzazate Film Studios and Ait Ben Haddou, famous as the filming location for movies and TV shows including Gladiator and Game of Thrones. Arrive in the Dades Valley and take a hike to explore it or just relax back at your hotel.
Day 5
Road trip to Todra Gorge and camel trek to the Berber camp
Driving
Drive through Todra Gorge, an impressive canyon with sheer, 160m cliff walls and then take a short hike to a date palm oasis. Rendevous with your camels in Merzouga, gear up and ride into the desert. Arrive at a traditional Berber camp surrounded by dramatic dunes and enjoy dinner around the fire before sleeping under the stars or in a comfortable, carpeted Berber tent.
Day 6
Sunrise camel trek and road trip back to Marrakech
Driving
Wake early and enjoy a sunrise camel trek back to Merzouga. Eat breakfast, shower off the desert and then drive back to Marrakech, stopping along the way for photos, exploration and food. You’ll arrive at your riad in the early evening in time to find a restaurant for couscous or a tasty tajine before collapsing into bed.
Day 7
Time to go home. What a week.
Relax over your last Moroccan breakfast, explore the town some more if you have time, then transfer to the airport to catch your flight home.
Day 1
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 2
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 3
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 4
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 5
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 6
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 7
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
What is the food like?
Moroccan food is a unique blend of sweet and savoury flavours. Local specialities include tajines (a stew cooked in an earthenware pot), couscous, and pastilles (flaky pastries stuffed with meat and dusted with cinnamon and sugar). Food is often spiced with cumin, turmeric and ginger.
Meals on the trek are fresh, healthy and cooked by your Berber muleteers. Breakfast will usually feature bread, jam, cookies, fruit, juice, coffee and milk, while lunch will feature salad, tomatoes, carrots, lentils, beans, rice or pasta, fish (sardines, tuna) and seasonal fruit. Dinner meanwhile, will usually include soup, a classic Moroccan tajine, couscous, olives, nuts and fruit.
Vegetarians, vegans and other dietary requirements and allergies can be catered for - please just request on your passenger info form.
What is the accommodation like?
Marrakech
In Marrakech, you'll stay in a beautiful riad - traditional Moroccan houses with an interior garden or courtyard. The exact riad you stay in will be confirmed nearer the time based on availability and group size. All are chosen for their excellent reputation, location, beautiful decor and welcoming service.
The Atlas Mountains
You'll stay in a mixed dorm in a mountain refuge en-route to the top of Mount Toubkal. Facilities are basic, however, there is a fun, social area where you can meet other climbers from all around the world.
Imlil and the Dades Valley
You'll stay in a twin room in small but comfortable hotels with unique decor and ensuite bathrooms. You'll usually stay in Dar Adrar in Imlil and Dar Essyaha in the Dades Valley.
The Sahara
You'll stay in a traditional Berber camp in the desert in permanent, carpeted tents with full beds, or, if you prefer, blankets for sleeping under the stars.
Upgrades
For solo travellers looking for their own space, an optional private room and single tent can be booked for an extra charge, see Optional Extras for the price. Please request this at the time of booking (this is subject to availability). This is only available for the nights in Imlil, Dades and in the Berber camp, not for the night spent on the mountain.
This trip has been rated as Challenging
No technical climbing experience is needed, however, the elevation, loose footing and time involved in climbing Mount Toubkal means a moderate level of fitness is required. The camel trek, though potentially a little uncomfortable, is easy for most travelers. There is a lot of distance to cover on this trip, Morocco is a big country! The driving times listed include stops for sightseeing and eating however so most find it pretty easy going and a nice time to relax having climbed a mountain in the first part of the trip.
What will I need to carry?
Mules will carry your main overnight luggage during the trek and you will need to carry your daypack with your daytime essentials (extra layer, snacks, water etc.). For the welfare of the mules, please ensure your main overnight luggage is in a soft-sided bag and weighs no more than 15kg.
From April to October, daytime temperatures in the Atlas Mountains are typically warm (25 - 30°C) but cool off considerably at night, and the higher you go, the cooler it gets (you may even need gloves on a summit day in August!) In the winter, daytime temperatures are still warm (10 - 20°C), but nighttime temperatures can drop below freezing. Afternoon storms are always possible, but the amounts are small and generally don’t prevent anyone from enjoying the trek.
View detailed weather for the climb here on Mountain Forecast
The desert is considerably hotter than the mountains, though nighttime temperatures drop significantly and can even approach freezing in the winter.
In the summer (June, July, August), daytime temperatures have been known to approach 45°C in the desert and in Marrakech so please ensure that you come prepared with sun protection, light and airy clothing and electrolytes/rehydration solutions if travelling at this time of year. If it becomes unsafe to camp in the desert due to extreme summer temperatures, your host will accommodate you in a nearby hotel instead.
The Area
Logistics
Starts
Marrakech Menara Airport
Arrive anytime on Day 1
Ends
Marrakech Menara Airport
Depart anytime on Day 7
Transfers
Private transfers between the airport and your riad are included for any time you choose to arrive on day 1 and depart on day 7, or if you have booked additional pre or post trip accommodation with your host.
If you are making your own arrangements to extend your stay in Morocco, transfers are not included but can be arranged with your host for an additional cost. Please see Optional Extras for details.
Travel options
There are regular flights to Marrakech from airports across the UK and Europe.
Please note that mobile boarding passes are not accepted at Marrakech airport. You will need to present a printed boarding pass on departure.
Enjoy 12.5% Off Outdoor Gear
In need of a few more items? All bookings receive a 12.5% discount to use at Cotswold Outdoor, Snow + Rock and Runner's Need.
What's provided?
- Sleeping bag (you can bring your own if you'd rather)
What do I need to bring?
- Day-pack (carried by you)
- Rucksack or duffle bag (carried by mules)
- Warm jacket
- Waterproof jacket
- Warm hat and light gloves or mittens
- Light-weight, breathable hiking shirts and trousers
- Broken-in hiking boots of hiking shoes
- Sun protection (hat, sunglasses, sun block)
- First aid kit
- Electrolytes/rehydration solutions (especially if travelling during the summer)
- Personal toiletries
- Sanitary supplies (hand sanitiser, toilet paper, wet wipes, and ziplock baggies to carry stuff out)
- Head torch
- Water bottle
- Towel
- Earplugs (optional)
- Sleeping bag liner
Pre/Post Trip Accommodation Double/Twin Room
Payable Before Departure
Pre/Post Trip Accommodation Double/Twin Room
… Per Night
Pre/Post Trip Accommodation Single Room
Payable Before Departure
Pre/Post Trip Accommodation Single Room
… Per Night
Optional Private Room Upgrade
Payable Before Departure
Optional Private Room Upgrade
…
Private transfer between Marrakech Airport and Marrakech City (per vehicle)
Payable Before Departure
Private transfer between Marrakech Airport and Marrakech City (per vehicle)
…
Pros: - Both Mount Toubkal
Pros:
- Both Mount Toubkal and the Sahara are unique places and being there is definitely a memorable experience; especially riding into the Sahara at sunset
- Guides are locals; all of them very friendly & fun
- You get to experience a few remote places in Morocco and get to see how locals live outside of the cities
- All the people in my group were great, which contributed immensely to having a good time
Cons:
- The stay in the Sahara is too short. With only one night spent there you don’t really have time to enjoy it as you arrive in the evening, have dinner and leave very early (6am) the next morning
- The lunch stops on the way to Sahara are in the most touristic places; food is decent but the places don’t look great at all
Overall a good trip, albeit very rushed, but I knew this before booking. You get to see a lot of places during the trip, but don’t have time to fully enjoy any.
unforgettable,
My trip to Morocco to climb Mt Tobuk and sleep in the Saharah with my dear friend was one of the best things I have ever done and I loved every moment of it, even when my feet were killing me and I couldn't walk down the stairs for achy limbs after the walk!!! I was not sure what to expect from a group trip but sooon discovered I was in the best of company and my trip was going to be so much richer for it. I am a fairly fit 53 yr old and found the hike tough and the altitude got to me a little, but the rewards are tenfold,the view and space from the top will stay with me forever, be prepared for a long day and an early start. Our guide was briiliant and paced us perfectly, he was so knowledgeable, experienced and enthusiastic and hard working looking after us all fantastically. There is quite a lot of miles between the Atlas Mountains and Sahara Desert, I loved watching the world go by, bus banter and music and stops at various points of interest and having a rest but be aware that best part of two days are spent like this if travel is not your thing. Then the desert...equally amazing, I have always wanted to go, there are a few other tour groups and it was busier than I expected but I still got to experience the vastness, heat and beauty of the place from my camel and the camp was super comfy, glamping style accomadation. Finally Marakesh what a place, ancient, bazars, facinating, leave space in your luggage so many great things to buy and have a Haman Massage too, it was a wonderful way to finish the trip. Thankyou so much for the best ever trip, I will certainly be looking to do another.
What a week
Incredible week with alot packed in from climbing Toubkal to exploring the desert. Definitely recommend to go if you want to experience different cultures and feel a sense of achievement
Awesome trip
Amazing trip, confident and competent guides, lots packed in. Not for faint hearted. You've gotta like hiking and be OK with long bus rides between locations. If you can handle that...then this is for you. Worth adding g a few days on after to see more of Marrachesh or Morocco.
Excellent
Cannot fault anything with this trip. The accommodation was way better than I expected and the guides were excellent. For anyone thinking of doing this in the future I’d say to make sure that you feel you are able to climb the mountain as it was a lot harder than I expected. However, the guides managed to get me to the summit when I thought of giving up. Also just prepare yourself for long drives.
Worth every penny
Amazing adventure loved every bit of it. The climb was tough and we walked all day to sumit and back down again. Loads of stops between the climb and the Sahara to visit local villages and places of interest, the Sahara, the camp and the camels were amazing.Our tour guide was lovely, interesting, kind, thoughtful and kept us going when we felt like giving up.
An efficient journey through the
An efficient journey through the mountains, desert and countryside of Morocco. Excellent value for money.
Toubkal challenge and Berber glamping!
Very comprehensive pre departure info and kit list. Very good local guide. Knowledgeable and experienced. Very encouraging and mountain guides very helpful on long way down from Toubkal. Distances covered in mini bus too great for comfort really and timings on trip not always accurate .
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