10-Day Trek: Toubkal and the Desert

Day 1: Marrakech

Arrival at Marrakech airport, pick-up by our local partner and transfer to the city centre. Accommodation.

Day 2: Imlil – M’zik

Breakfast at the hotel and transfer Marrakech – Imlil – M’zik. Accommodation in a gîte (shared dormitories and shower). Lunch and a walk around the Imlil valley: we visit the villages of Acheim, Tagardit, Targa and Imoula and return via Anhene and M’zik (about three hours). Everything is irrigated by channels and full of walnut trees and maize.

Day 3: Neltner refuge (3,106 m)

We leave at 8:40 and climb 200 m to Around along the valley floor to the marabout (holy tomb) of Sidi Chamharouch (2,310 m). From here the path climbs along the left bank of the river. We stop for lunch at 2,719 m and continue to the refuge at 3,106 m.

Day 4: Mount Toubkal (4,167 m) – Imlil

An early start: after a 3-4 hour climb we reach the summit of Toubkal (4,167 m), followed by a long descent to Imlil. Shower, dinner and a comfortable night on a mattress.

Day 5: M’zik – Dades Gorges

We leave Imlil by road for the Dades Gorges, driving down to Asni and Tahanaout, where we leave the Marrakech road for Tnine de l’Ourika and then Ait Ourir. There we join the main Marrakech–Ouarzazate road and stop for lunch. Arrival in the Dades and the rest of the day free. Hotel accommodation.

Day 6: Dades Gorges, Todra Gorges and Tinghir

We drive to Boumalne. The spectacular rocky “penitent” formations make the already stunning journey even more impressive. We pass Tinghir and go up into the Todra Gorges for a 2-hour walk before returning for lunch. Hotel dinner and accommodation.

Day 7: Tinghir – Merzouga

We head towards Erfoud via Tinejdad, without going up to Errachidia, arriving around 11:30. We visit the fossil polishers and continue to Merzouga. The dunes are close to the hotel and we take a long walk in the magnificent sand desert. We sleep on mattresses with a sleeping-bag liner, or on the terrace if you prefer, to watch the sunrise over the dunes.

Day 8: Merzouga – Ouarzazate

Departure for Ouarzazate via Rissani, cradle of the Alaouite dynasty and Morocco’s first imperial city. Arrival in Ouarzazate and the rest of the day free. Accommodation.

Day 9: Ouarzazate – Marrakech

Visit of the Taourirt Kasbah — several films have been shot here in Ouarzazate, and in these kasbahs in particular. Then on to Marrakech, arriving with the rest of the day free to visit the city. We recommend visiting the Menara gardens and their pool, the Saadian Tombs where the city’s founders rest, the Bahia Palace, residence of the former vizier, and the Koutoubia with its splendid minaret, ending in the impressive Jemaa el-Fna square, a fabulous souk by day and a magical show by night. Accommodation.

Day 10: Marrakech – airport

Breakfast and transfer to the airport for your return flight.