8-Day Trek: Toubkal Circuit and Ascent

Day 1: Marrakech

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

Day 2: Oukaimeden – Ouaneskra

Early departure by minibus to the heart of the Atlas, 78 km away, to Oukaimeden (ski resort, 2,600 m), where we meet our team of muleteers and cooks. Visit of 2,000-year-old rock carvings. After lunch we start the 1½-hour climb to the Eddi pass (2,900 m), with beautiful views of Angour (3,600 m) and Akswal (2,912 m). Long descent to the pretty village of Ouaneskra (2,200 m). Night in tents. Walking time: 4½ hours.

Day 3: Imi Ourghlad

We walk down the Imenane valley through the villages of Tamguist and Ikkis, then on to Amsakrou. Lunch in Arg, then up to the Arg pass (1,780 m) and down the Ait Mizane valley to Imi Ourghlad (1,400 m), where we sleep in tents. Walking time: 6 hours.

Day 4: Tizi Oussem

Departure at 7:30. We walk through the village, fill our water bottles and climb gradually through a forest of red junipers, thurifer junipers and firs to the Tacht pass (2,100 m). 30 minutes past the pass, a spring and a rest in the shelter of the rocks. After lunch, a 1½-hour descent to the village of Tiziane (1,800 m). Camp at Tizi Oussem. Walking time: 5½ hours.

Day 5: M’zik

We climb the path through the hamlets, with a beautiful view of the Tazarhart plateau (3,800 m), and make a detour to see the Irhoulidene waterfall. We cross the forest and take 3 hours to climb the M’zik pass (2,500 m), then descend to Aberdoun (2,200 m) for lunch. We continue to M’zik, where we stay in a gîte. Walking time: 5 hours.

Day 6: Neltner refuge

Climb to the Neltner refuge (3,207 m) via the “Marabout of Sidi Chamharouch”, a saint venerated by pilgrims seeking relief from spiritual ills, also called the sultan of the devils. We continue to the refuge along a steadily rising path. Night in a tent or in the refuge depending on availability.

Day 7: Toubkal ascent – M’zik

Ascent to the summit of Toubkal (4,167 m). The path skirts the ascent slope: the first 200 m are steep, then it eases; between 3,700 and 3,850 m it steepens again, and finally comes the ridge followed by an arête. In all, about 3½ hours up and 2½ hours down. At midday, lunch and descent to M’zik. Accommodation and dinner in a gîte.

Day 8: Marrakech – airport

Transfer to Marrakech. Free time and transfer to the airport for your return flight.