Toubkal & desert
Trek Mount Toubkal and explore the Sahara Desert , combine high-altitude adventure with camel rides, dunes, and Berber culture in one unforgettable journey.
Overview
Begin in the Toubkal area where you will be surrounded by the beautiful Atlas Mountains and given the chance to hike, visit Berber villages and absorb the region’s distinct culture. The highest peak in North Africa, Mount Toubkal itself, provides spectacular views and a tough, but not to strenuous mountain hike for the more adventurous of travelers. Having basked in the mountain scenery, the trail continues south to the desert. You will move from the mountains with it’s unforgiving terrain to the bleakness of the Sahara Desert. Here, you have the opportunity to live the magic of the desert: with camel rides over the dunes, bedouin camps under the starry sky and unforgettable sunrises and sunsets. Last, the tour ends at Fes, one of the oldest and most cultural cities in Morocco. Fes is famous for its finely preserved architecture and crafted medieval houses, crowded souks, and maze-like lanes that take you back in time. Explore the old town medina, traditional artisan workshops and taste the flavors of Moroccan culinary in the lively city restaurants. All told, this is a varied and memorable tour of Morocco which highlights Morocco’s stunning natural beauty, rich cultural heritage, and beautifully enchanting landscape from the mountains to the desert, finally winding its way to Fes, one of Morocco’s most atmospheric cities.
What Trip Includes
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Early in the morning, depart from Marrakech by vehicle and drive to the village of Imlil, the starting point for your trek in the Toubkal region. Upon your arrival in Imlil you will meet your guide, then set off on your trek to the Toubkal Refuge for the night. The trek should take approximately 5-6 hours depending on your pace and the condition of the path. As you ascend through the mountains you will enjoy spectacular mountain and valley views, so take the time to soak them in along the way. You will arrive at the Toubkal Refuge, situated at just over 3,207 meters (10,522 feet). Take advantage of a delicious meal prepared for you by the refuge staff after your trek, and get ready for rest. You will spend the night in the Toubkal Refuge, resting and acclimatizing for the summit attempt tomorrow.
Rise early and head to the summit of Toubkal with the goal of reaching the top for sunrise. The climb typically takes roughly 3-4 hours from the refuge.
The route will continue climbing across rocky terrain and some scree slopes as you follow your guide.
You will reach the summit of Toubkal, where you will get to see the stunning 360-degree views of the Atlas Mountains around you, which is an awe-inspiring experience.
Take some time to celebrate your moving achievement and take pictures before beginning to climb back down from Toubkal.
The climb back down will take you back to the Toubkal Refuge for some breakfast and a short rest before continuing back to Imlil (including all your amazing mountain views along the trek).
You will arrive back in Imlil in the afternoon, marking the end of your ups and downs of Toubkal.
Overnight, you will spend the night in imlil
Following a breakfast, depart Imlil en-route to Dades Gorges. On your journey to Dades, you will see beautiful valleys and Berber villages, explore the beautiful Tizi n’Tichka pass (a must-see). Depending on the time of departure you’ll have a stop in Ait Ben Haddou to visit the site, and probable stop for lunch with the beautiful Dades area for check in your overnight accommodation.
Take in the breathtaking rock formations and gorges of the Dades Valley in the morning. Then depart for Merzouga, a spectacular region of the Sahara and its monumental sand dunes. Arriving in the late afternoon, you will go on a camel trek into the Erg Chebbi dunes to see the sunset! You will spend the night in a traditional Berber desert camp with dinner under the stars.
The next day you will wake up early to see the sunrise in the Sahara Desert. You will ride camels back to Merzoga village. After this you will depart from Merzouga towards Fes by travelling through Ziz Valley, Erfoud, The Middle Atlas mountains. You will arrive in Fes in the evening of the same day to end your tour arrangement.
FAQ
The tour offers guided trekking in Toubkal National Park, a trek to the summit of Mount Toubkal, transport to and from the desert, camel rides, camping in traditional Berber tents, meals, and an experienced guide throughout the trip.
The combined tour is generally a 5-day trip – 2 days in Toubkal National Park, and 3 days in the Moroccan desert.
You should be at least a reasonable level of fitness. There’s a will be some challenging parts of the trek on the way to Mount Toubkal, but anyone who is active could do it. The desert should not take too much physical effort, although you may have to do some walking on sand dunes.
Essential items include sturdy hiking boots, comfortable clothing for hot days and cool nights, a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, a sleeping bag for desert camping, and personal toiletries. A more thorough packing list will provided as part of the booking process.
There is no set age limit, but we suggest that participants are at least 12 years due to the physical requirements of the hike. Minors must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Yes, meals are included in the cost of the trip. You will experience the traditional Moroccan diet prepared by local cooks and chefs both in the mountains and also in desert camps.
The best time of year to have this experience is on April and October when the weather is perfect for trekking and being in the desert.
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