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Grand Toubkal Traverse

15 DaysChallengingExpeditionTraverseLong distanceCampingSummit ClimbMorocco
Duration
15 days13 full trekking days
Distance
~190 kmAvg. 13 km / day
Highest point
4,167 mMount Toubkal summit
Passes
6 over 3,000 mIncluding Tizi Likemt & Tizi n'Ouanoums

Trip highlights

  • Complete east-to-west crossing of the Toubkal Massif
  • Toubkal summit, Lake Ifni and six high passes
  • Village homestays, refuges and wild camps
  • Visit to the 12th-century Tinmel Mosque

The Grand Toubkal Traverse is our signature expedition and one of the most complete trekking journeys in the High Atlas. Starting in the Ourika Valley in the east, you cross the entire Toubkal Massif on foot — over the Oukaïmeden plateau, through the high villages of the Imenane Valley, over Tizi Likemt into the remote Tifnoute Valley, past Lake Ifni and up to the summit of Mount Toubkal — before continuing west through the Tazaghart and Azzaden valleys to the Agoundis and the historic Tinmel Mosque.

Fifteen days on the trail let you experience the High Atlas as few visitors ever do: isolated communities that see a handful of travellers a year, hidden trails known only to local shepherds, nights in village homes, refuges and wild camps, and a crew of guides, muleteers and cooks who become your mountain family. It is a serious undertaking, carefully paced, and fully organized by our local team from start to finish.

Itinerary

Day by day, from trailhead to summit and back.

  1. Day 1Marrakech – Setti Fatma – Timichi

    Drive into the Ourika Valley to Setti Fatma and meet your crew. A gentle first walk up the valley brings you to the village of Timichi for your first night in a Berber home.

    OvernightBerber homestay, Timichi
  2. Day 2Timichi – Oukaïmeden

    Climb out of the Ourika Valley on shepherd trails to the high plateau of Oukaïmeden, famous for its prehistoric rock carvings and summer pastures.

    OvernightMountain gîte, Oukaïmeden
  3. Day 3Oukaïmeden – Tacheddirt

    Cross the ridge separating Oukaïmeden from the Imenane Valley and descend to Tacheddirt, one of the highest villages in the region.

    OvernightBerber homestay, Tacheddirt
  4. Day 4Tacheddirt – Tizi Likemt – Azib Likemt

    Climb to the Tizi Likemt pass (3,555 m), the gateway to the wild eastern side of the massif, and descend to the shepherd pastures of Azib Likemt.

    Wild camp, Azib Likemt
    OvernightWild camp, Azib Likemt
  5. Day 5Azib Likemt – Amsouzart

    Follow the river down into the remote Tifnoute Valley, past terraced fields and isolated hamlets, to the village of Amsouzart.

    OvernightVillage guesthouse, Amsouzart
  6. Day 6Amsouzart – Lake Ifni

    A short, gentle day climbing to Lake Ifni (2,295 m), the only natural lake in the High Atlas. Afternoon to swim, rest and explore the shoreline.

    Wild camp, Lake Ifni
    OvernightWild camp, Lake Ifni
  7. Day 7Lake Ifni – Tizi n'Ouanoums – Refuge Toubkal

    Climb the long scree slopes to the Tizi n'Ouanoums pass (3,664 m) and descend into the Toubkal cirque.

    Refuge Toubkal Les Mouflons
    OvernightRefuge Toubkal Les Mouflons
  8. Day 8Toubkal Summit

    After a week of acclimatization, a pre-dawn start brings you to the summit of Mount Toubkal (4,167 m) for sunrise. Return to the refuge for a rest afternoon.

    Refuge Toubkal Les Mouflons
    OvernightRefuge Toubkal Les Mouflons
  9. Day 9Refuge Toubkal – Tizi Melloul – Refuge Tazaghart

    Cross the high Tizi Melloul pass to the western side of the massif and descend to the small, remote Tazaghart (Lépiney) refuge beneath towering cliffs.

    OvernightRefuge Tazaghart (Lépiney)
  10. Day 10Refuge Tazaghart – Tizi Oussem

    Descend the Tazaghart gorge to the Azzaden Valley, passing the waterfalls of Azib Tamsoult, and finish in the village of Tizi Oussem.

    OvernightVillage guesthouse, Tizi Oussem
  11. Day 11Azzaden Valley – Agoundis Valley

    Leave the last familiar trails behind and cross the high ground west of the Azzaden into the rarely visited Agoundis Valley.

    Wild camp, Agoundis Valley
    OvernightWild camp, Agoundis Valley
  12. Day 12Agoundis Villages

    A slower day moving between the villages of the upper Agoundis, with time to share meals, visit communal granaries and learn about life in one of the most isolated valleys of the High Atlas.

    OvernightBerber homestay, Agoundis Valley
  13. Day 13Agoundis Valley – Ijoukak

    Follow the Agoundis river down through walnut groves and red-earth villages to Ijoukak on the Nfis river.

    OvernightVillage guesthouse, Ijoukak
  14. Day 14Ijoukak – Tinmel Mosque – Ouirgane

    Visit the 12th-century Tinmel Mosque, birthplace of the Almohad dynasty, then walk the final stage through the Nfis Valley towards Ouirgane.

    OvernightGuesthouse, Ouirgane
  15. Day 15Ouirgane – Marrakech

    A farewell breakfast with the crew who carried you across the massif, then the transfer back to Marrakech.

What's included

Everything that's taken care of — and what to arrange yourself.

Included8

  • Meals

    This trek includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

  • Transfers

    All necessary transfers (bus, taxi, private transport, etc.) as described in the itinerary are included.

  • Berber village homestays

    You stay with local families in traditional village homes. Expect simple, comfortable rooms, shared facilities and a very warm welcome.

  • Accommodation in refuges

    During your trek, you stay in refuges. These are simple in nature but fully equipped. Do not expect too much luxury.

  • Camping equipment

    On camping nights our crew carries and sets up sleeping tents, a dining tent, mattresses and all cooking equipment.

  • Professional guide

    During your trek, you will at all times be accompanied by an English speaking guide.

  • Muleteer for luggage transport

    A muleteer will be there to assist with transporting all the necessary equipment, luggage, food, etc.

  • Water

    Drinking water is available at the start of the trek and at every accommodation. If you want extra water carried by the mule, you’ll need to buy or fill it yourself and hand it over to the mule handler before setting off.

Not included7

  • Traveling to and from

    This trip does not include costs for transportation (flights, bus travel, etc.) to your destination.

  • Personal expenses

    Personal expenses such as souvenirs, drinks at the bar and other similar expenses are your own responsibility.

  • Crampons and Ice Axe

    In case you are summitting in winter, crampons and an ice axe are recommended. These are not provided by your trekking company.

  • Sleeping bag

    You must bring your own sleeping bag with you. You can rent a sleeping bag from your trekking company.

  • Tipping

    Gratuities for the guide are not covered by the trek's price. The amount to tip is at your discretion, yet if you've received excellent service from your guide, considering a generous tip is appreciated.

  • Travel Insurance

    Your international travel insurance is your own responsibility. It is important that your travel insurance also covers adventures at a high altitude. Discuss your itinerary with the insurance company before your trek.

  • Accommodation before and after the trek

    Before and after the trek you have to take care of your own accommodation in Marrakesh.

Frequently asked questions

When Is the Best Time to Climb Mount Toubkal?

The best seasons to climb Mount Toubkal are spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November). These bring mild temperatures and the weather conditions tend to be more stable, making the trek more enjoyable. Spring usually offers clear skies, while autumn provides cooler temperatures after the summer heat.

While Mount Toubkal can be climbed all year round, winter (December to February) brings snow to higher elevations, including the summit, making the ascent more challenging. Winter conditions require equipment like crampons and ice axes to complete the trek safely. In summer (June to August), lower areas can be very hot, but the higher elevations of Toubkal remain cooler, making it manageable for trekkers with more experience.

Is Climbing Mount Toubkal for Me? - Difficulty

Mount Toubkal is a non-technical but hard trek, largely due to the high altitude, with the summit reaching 4,167 meters (13,671 feet). While no technical skills are required, good physical fitness is essential, as you’ll cover up to 12 kilometers (7.5 miles) in a day with ascents reaching 1,400 meters (4,593 feet). Even seasoned trekkers can find the altitude demanding, so acclimatization is important. Also, keep in mind that for winter treks, additional equipment like crampons and ice axes are necessary due to snow and ice on the trails.

Despite its physical demands, this trek offers a true adventure, especially if you're used to trekking in the Alps or other familiar ranges. And don't forget you will be hiking with a skilled team of guides and muleteers, who will provide expertise and support, and will do their best to make the journey both manageable and enjoyable.

What Is and How to Prevent Altitude Mountain Sickness

When you climb above 3,000 meters, altitude sickness becomes a possibility. Since you’ll be sleeping at 3,200 meters on your first and possibly second night of the Toubkal trek, it’s important to recognize the symptoms so you can take action if needed. Altitude sickness symptoms can appear within a few hours at high altitude and may include nausea, shortness of breath, headaches, dizziness, fatigue, and difficulty sleeping. If left unchecked, it can take away from the experience and make physical exertion feel much harder.

Getting to Morocco and Marrakesh

Most trekking adventures in Morocco begin in Marrakech, a vibrant and well-connected city that acts as the main entry point to the Atlas Mountains. Traveling to Morocco is convenient, with numerous international flights arriving daily at Marrakech Menara Airport (RAK).

Marrakech is accessible via direct flights from various major European cities:

  • Amsterdam (KLM, Transavia)
  • Paris (Air France, Transavia, easyJet, Ryanair)
  • London (British Airways, easyJet, Ryanair)
  • Madrid (Iberia, Ryanair)
  • Frankfurt and Munich (Lufthansa, Ryanair)
  • Brussels (Brussels Airlines, TUI Fly)

If you're traveling from outside Europe, you can easily connect through cities like Madrid, Paris, or Casablanca before flying into Marrakech.

Transportation upon arrival is hassle-free. Our local team in Morocco will greet you at Marrakech Menara Airport and provide a direct transfer to your accommodation in the city. When your adventure concludes, we’ll ensure your return transfer to the airport is just as smooth.

All you need to do is step off the plane—we’ll handle the rest.

What if the dates I want are not available?

Most of our treks show availability on the date-picker when you select your preferred dates. We do our best to keep it as accurate as possible.

If your chosen date isn’t available, you’re always welcome to contact us — we’ll gladly check for alternatives or let you know if there have been any last-minute cancellations.

If I book now, can I immediately arrange the rest of my trip?

We recommend waiting until your trek is fully confirmed before booking flights, train tickets, or other travel arrangements.

Once you place your booking, our team will begin a manual confirmation process. This means we’ll contact the local partners and accommodations to secure your selected dates. Only after everything is confirmed on our end will we send you an official confirmation of your trek.

We completely understand the desire to plan your trip as soon as possible, but to avoid any changes or additional costs, it’s best to wait until your booking has been officially confirmed.

How do I know if this trek is right for me?

To choose the right trek, it’s important to consider your fitness level, previous trekking experience, and the specific needs of your group. Start by reviewing the trek details, especially the daily distances, elevation gain, and the trail difficulty rating. We use the following grading system:

  • T1 (Easy): Well-marked paths, no exposure. Suitable for beginners and families.
  • T2 (Moderate): Uneven trails, some elevation. Good fitness and sure-footedness needed.
  • T3 (Demanding): Longer stages, rocky terrain, exposed sections. For experienced hikers.
  • T4 (Difficult): Alpine terrain, steep and exposed. Only for well-trained, confident trekkers.

Are you new to trekking? Then go for T1 or T2 treks — they’re ideal for beginners and casual hikers. Have you done long-distance hikes before? Then T2 or T3 routes are likely more up your alley. Pick a trek that matches your fitness and comfort level. All logistics are arranged — you just need to choose the right route.

Still unsure? Our trekking experts are happy to help.

Can meals be adapted to my dietary requirements?

In many cases, yes. After booking, we’ll ask you to share any dietary requirements you may have. We’ll then pass this information on to our local partners and (where applicable) the accommodations.

Most treks can provide vegetarian options. Other dietary requirements, such as food allergies, lactose intolerance, or gluten intolerance, depend on the region and local availability. We’ll pass your requirements on, but we can’t guarantee they can be met throughout the trip.

Keep exploring Toubkal

More routes in the High Atlas, and the guides our team wrote to help you prepare.

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