5-Day Mt Toubkal Ascent and Sahara Desert
This is a quiet express tour with long distances to drive every day but is doable; for those with extra time, it will be possible to climb Toubkal over three days, followed by a four-day desert tour. The Perfect Express Toubkal Ascent Trek and Erg Chebbi Desert Tour begins with a pick-up from Marrakech and arrives in Imlil, where you will meet the team. After two nights in the mountains, you will then start an express desert tour, which will take you through very nice and scenic areas in the south of Morocco.
Activities
- Accommodation as specified in the itinerary
- Meals, drinks and laundry as specified
- Scheduled flights/Private charters as specified in the itinerary
- Private transfers as specified in the itinerary
- Private sightseeing and excursions as specified in the itinerary
- National parks, concession and landing fees where applicable
- Emergency medical evacuation insurance
- Domestic/international departure tax, fuel and safety levies from airports and airstrips unless otherwise stipulated
- Administration Fee
Itinerary
Day1: Marrakech - Imlil - Base camp of Toubkal
Drive from Marrakech to Imlil and trek to Toubkal Refuge via Aremd and the Mizane Valley. Leaving the city behind, we drive south today, towards the jagged peaks and deep valleys of the Toubkal Massif. Crossing the Haouz Plain, we pass through the tiny town of Asni, from where our road starts to climb towards the Massif's foothills. Below us, the Oued Rhirhaia valley stretches into the distance, and small villages cling to the sides of the steep hills as we meander towards the village of Imlil. Here, we leave our vehicle and, accompanied by our mountain guide, we begin our trek, first towards the village of Toubkal.
The Berber villagers have farmed these lands for generations, growing corn, potatoes, and walnuts from the rugged terrain. Heading east across the flood plain, our route follows mule tracks up into the high rocky cliffs above the valley, and after crossing a river, we eventually reach the pastoral shrine of Sidi Chamarouch, which is visited by pilgrims and tourists alike (though entry to the marabout shrine itself is restricted to Muslims only). The village is situated beside a small waterfall, with a disorganized collection of houses that blend together into a chaotic mass. The village is beside a small waterfall, and from there the trail climbs steadily, zigzagging and snaking its way up to the snowline and the Toukbal Refuge (3206m), our overnight stop. The walk takes about 5 or 6 hours. The village is a disorganized collection of houses that seem to melt together into an anarchic mass.