Combining a Mount Toubkal climb with a Sahara Desert tour typically involves a multi-day adventure that includes trekking to the summit of Mount Toubkal, the highest peak in the Atlas Mountains of Morocco, followed by a desert experience in the Sahara.

The Mount Toubkal climb is usually a 2- to 3-day trek that starts from the village of Imlil and involves hiking through the beautiful Toubkal National Park, reaching the summit at 4,167 meters (13,671 feet) above sea level.

After completing the Mount Toubkal climb, the Sahara Desert tour typically includes a journey to the desert region, such as Merzouga or Zagora. This part of the trip often involves camel trekking into the desert, camping under the stars in traditional Berber camps, and experiencing the unique landscapes and culture of the Sahara.

Combining these two experiences allows travelers to enjoy the natural beauty and adventure of the Atlas Mountains and the Sahara Desert in a single trip, providing a diverse and memorable Moroccan experience.

Combining a Mount Toubkal climb with a Sahara Desert tour is an adventure that combines the best of both worlds: the physical challenge of summiting North Africa’s highest peak with the cultural and scenic wonders of the Sahara Desert.

Benefits of Combining the Two: Mount Toubkal climb with a Sahara Desert tour

• Unique and unforgettable experience: This combination tour offers a diverse range of activities and experiences, from trekking and mountaineering to exploring the desert and learning about Berber culture.
• Efficient use of time: By combining the two tours, you can maximize your time in Morocco and experience two of its most iconic destinations in one trip.
• Acclimatization for Mount Toubkal: The Sahara Desert tour can help you acclimatize to the altitude before attempting the Mount Toubkal climb, reducing the risk of altitude sickness.
• Cultural immersion: The desert tour provides an opportunity to interact with local Berber communities and learn about their traditional way of life.

Challenges to Consider:

• Fitness level: The Mount Toubkal climb is a challenging trek, requiring a good level of fitness. The Sahara Desert tour is less physically demanding but still involves some walking and exposure to heat.
• Time constraints: Combining the two tours requires a minimum of 5 days, which may not fit into everyone’s schedule.
• Cost: Combining the two tours can be more expensive than booking them separately.

Tips for Combining the Two: Mount Toubkal climb with a Sahara Desert tour

• Book in advance, especially during peak season.
• We are a reputable tour operator that offers a well-organized and safe itinerary.
• Train adequately for the Mount Toubkal climb.
• Bring appropriate clothing and gear for both the desert and the mountain.
• Stay hydrated and protect yourself from the sun and altitude.
• Respect local customs and traditions.

Overall, combining a Mount Toubkal climb with a Sahara Desert tour is an incredible adventure that offers a unique and unforgettable experience in Morocco.

5-Day Mount Toubkal Climb with 3-Day Sahara Desert Tour

Itinerary

Arrival

On arrival at Marrakesh Menara International Airport, once you have passed through immigration and retrieved your luggage, please look out for your Team Toubkal driver carrying a placard with your name who will transfer you to your hotel or traditional Riad in Marrakesh.

Briefing

You will be collected from your Riad at 8 a.m. and transferred to Imlil, where you will meet your guide. Your guide will do a briefing and check your equipment. There are shops to rent equipment in Imlil Center if required. 

Trek

Mount Toubkal Climb

Day 1: Marrakech, Imi Oughlad, Tizi Ntachte and Tiziana

Starting your day early in Marrakech, you’ll wind your way up through the Moulay Brahim Gorge and the upper valleys, taking in the stunning scenery along the way. As you arrive at the foothills of the High Atlas Mountains, you’ll meet up with your Berber muleteer crew, who will accompany you on your trek.

You’ll begin your trek with a 2-hour acclimatisation hike up switchback mule tracks, heading in a north-westerly direction towards the Tiz N tachete. Here, you’ll have the opportunity to stop and look back down on the Imlil and Azzaden valleys, taking in the breathtaking views before continuing for another half an hour to Imi N Ifri, where you’ll enjoy a delicious field picnic.

After lunch, you’ll embark on a slow hike for about 2 and a half hours in a south-west direction, along a dirt track, until you reach the Assif N’ Ait Azzaden and the beautiful red clay terraced village of Tiziane, situated at an altitude of 1750 metres. Here, you’ll be surrounded by snow-covered mountains and the flowing river, creating a picturesque landscape that will stay with you forever.

Day 2: Tizziane – Tizi ntaghrhourt – D’kend

After a hearty breakfast, you’ll begin your hike up along the Assif N’Ait Oussaden Valley, passing through lush walnut groves, and ascending up to Tizi N’Taghrhourte, which stands at an altitude of 1995m. From here, you’ll continue on a rare almost flat stretch until you arrive at the Assaka Spring, where you’ll stop for a field picnic in the midst of an awesome silence, taking in the beautiful scenery around you. This leg of the hike will take about 2 and a half hours of relatively easy walking.

In the afternoon, you’ll continue your hike down along the edges of the forest until you reach the Berber village of D’kend (1870m) or Agouns n Assoul. Here, you’ll have dinner and spend the night in a bivouac or gite, experiencing the old buildings in the village and immersing yourself in the local culture.

This leg of the journey will allow you to experience the natural beauty of the Assif N’Ait Oussaden Valley, with its lush vegetation, refreshing spring, and serene atmosphere. As you continue along the hike, you’ll have the opportunity to interact with the local Berber community, learning about their customs and way of life, making this journey not only a physical adventure but also a cultural one.

Day 3: D’kent Tizi, and Tgdalte, Azib Tamsoult

After breakfast, you’ll set off on a morning’s 3-hour hike up through groves of walnut trees and fields of corn and barley. Along the way, you’ll encounter many sheep and goat herders, greeting them as you pass by. You’ll then traverse the Tizi N’Tagdalte and begin your descent amongst the juniper trees until you reach a small spring set amongst the trees. Here, you’ll stop for a picnic, enjoying the refreshing surroundings and the natural beauty of the area.

After your picnic, you’ll continue on the winding tracks of the upper slopes for approximately 3 hours until you reach a small river at the beginning of the valley of Assif N’Azzaden. From here, you’ll begin your ascent up to the summer village of Tamsoult, where you’ll spend the night in a camp with Berber people playing traditional music.

This leg of the journey will take you through some of the most stunning landscapes in the region, with groves of walnut trees, fields of corn and barley, and winding tracks of upper slopes. You’ll also have the opportunity to interact with the local sheep and goat herders and immerse yourself in the Berber culture, experiencing traditional music and spending the night in a camp with local people.

Day 4: Aazib Tamsoult, Tizi Aguelzim and Toubkal Refuge

After breakfast, you’ll set out eastwards through the beautiful waterfalls of Igholiden on a moderately difficult hike up winding mule tracks. This leg of the journey will take you to Tizi Aguelzim, which stands at an altitude of 3550m. From there, you’ll continue hiking for a further 3 hours southeast until you reach the Toubkal Refuge, which marks the spring snowline at 3207m.

Here, you’ll have your dinner, either in a bivouac around the refuge or inside the mountain hut, depending on your preference. The Toubkal Refuge is situated in a green valley with clouds, and the surroundings are breathtakingly beautiful.

This leg of the journey will be moderately difficult, but it will take you through some of the most spectacular landscapes in the High Atlas Mountains. Along the way, you’ll see stunning waterfalls and ascend to Tizi Aguelzim, where you’ll have a panoramic view of the surrounding mountains. Finally, you’ll arrive at the Toubkal Refuge, which will be your base for the next part of the journey.

Day 5: Toubkal refuge, summit Jbel Toubkal, around village

Starting with an early breakfast is a good idea, as it will give you the energy you need for the steep climb ahead. The 3-hour climb to the highest peak in North Africa will be challenging, but the stunning panorama from the top will make it all worth it.

After reaching the peak and taking in the stunning views, you can start your descent back to the refuge for a well-deserved picnic lunch.

After lunch, you will set off towards the north along steeply descending, zigzagging trails of the higher slopes of the Valley of the Assif n’Isouhouanem n’Ouagounss towards the Shrine of Sidi Chamharouch. This pilgrimage shrine is an important religious site for Muslims and is located beside a waterfall. Although non-Muslims are forbidden from entering the shrine, you can still appreciate its beauty from the outside.

Another two hours of downhill trekking will bring you to the village of Around, from where most of the treks start their treks to many different places. Your overnight stay in a guest house will give you a chance to rest and relax after a long and challenging day. Make sure to get a good night’s sleep so that you’re ready for more adventures tomorrow!

3-day Sahara Desert Tour

Day 6: Imlil, Tizi n’ Tichka, Ait Benhdou, Ouarzazate, Valley of roses, Boumale Dades

Starting with a transport from Imlil towards Boumale Dades, you will get to see the stunning High Atlas Mountains and Tizi n’ Tichka pass along the way. It’s great that you’ll have the chance to pass by many different Berber villages and see the traditional ways of producing cosmetic products like Argan oil.

Your next stop is the phenomenal fortress of Ait Benhaddou. Walking through the river of “the salty river” to reach the Kasbah will be an adventure in itself, and the Kasbah itself is a great example of Moroccan clay architecture. It’s impressive that Ait Benhaddou is listed as a UNESCO world heritage site, and it’s clear why with its great walls and high towers.

After exploring Ait Benhaddou, you’ll get to discover the beautiful city of Ouarzazate, also known as the Ouallywood of Morocco. It’s great that you’ll have the chance to see the city’s international airport and the biggest station for solar energy in the world. Being a perfect site for shooting movies and series, it’s exciting that you’ll get to see two of the main studios in Morocco to shoot movies and rent the materials.

Finally, you’ll head to Boumalne, where you’ll spend the night in the valley of roses. It’s great that you’ll get to see the beautiful scenery and nature of the area. Enjoy your night and get a good rest for more adventures tomorrow!

Day 7: Boumalne Dades, Merzouga Desert

After breakfast, you’ll continue your journey to Todra Gorges, also known as Toudgha Canyons. It’s great that you’ll have the chance to stop here and have a walk through the canyons, as this place offers some of the best views with canyons that are about 300m high and a river running in between them.

After exploring the Todra Gorges, you’ll continue your journey towards the desert, passing by many beautiful Berber villages and the cities of Tinegher and Tinjedad. Finally, you’ll arrive at the last destination of the day, the golden dunes of the desert. It’s great that the camel ride is usually seen as the highlight of all Morocco tours, and after a cup of tea, you’ll have a fabulous tour by camels to the campsite, where you’ll overnight with stars and dance waiting for you.

Day 8: Merzouga Sahara Desert Tour

After sunrise, you will have breakfast and be ready to tour the beautiful desert surroundings. You have two options: either take the camels or the 4×4 car to explore the desert. You choose!! Today will be another unique and different day because you will discover and visit more places.You are going to visit the Berber Nomads in the tenets where they live; they are living in nature with their goats and sheep. That’s the source of their income. Also, they are known for hospitality and generosity. Then, we make it to the next place called “Galab El Nas,” from where you will catch more fabulous desert scenes. Next, we will visit the famous mine in the area, used to be a french property.The tour will be finished by enjoying a local music called Gnawa or Gnaoua people in the centre of Khamlia village. Here, you will spend some time interacting with their lifestyle and their unique music.

Day9: Merzouga-Palm Tree valley-Marrakech

After breakfast at the luxury campsite, you will ride on the camels back to Merzouga. We will depart for Marrakech through a different route, traveling through Alnif, then stopping at Nkob for lunch. In addition, you will drive directly to Marrakech through the Ait-Saouen valley. You will be in Marrakech during the evening.

Departure

A driver will collect you from your hotel around 3 hours before your departing flight and transfer you to Marrakech Menara International Airport, ensuring that you arrive there at least 2 hours before your flight departs. Please let us know if you’d like to be collected earlier.

5 Day Mount Toubkal Climb with 3 day Sahara Desert Tour

This incredible eight-day adventure in Morocco, where you will challenge yourself with the ascent of Mount Toubkal, the highest peak in North Africa, and immerse yourself in the stunning beauty of the Sahara Desert. This adventure will take you through awe-inspiring mountainous landscapes, traditional Berber villages, and the vast, mesmerising Sahara desert, giving you a unique opportunity to experience both the mountains and the desert in one unforgettable journey. You will witness the breathtaking beauty of the Atlas Mountains, meet friendly locals, taste delicious Berber cuisine, and experience the traditional Bedouin hospitality in the Sahara. Each day of the trek will bring new experiences and challenges, making this journey an unforgettable one. Get ready to explore the Atlas Mountains and the Sahara Desert, an adventure of a lifetime!