Trekking in Morocco: climb Jebel Toubkal and trek the Sahara with camels.

This is a combined trekking tour package that includes a trek through the Sahara Desert, visits to kasbahs used in Hollywood films and evenings under the stars.

This trekking adventure is a perfect combination of the Toubkal Valley and the Azzaden Valley. It will take you through the Azzaden Valley and up to the Tizi ‘n Agelzim peak before climbing  Mount Toubkal (Jebel Toubkal), the highest mountain in North Africa. The second part of the trip will be dedicated to the Erg Chebbi and Ait Benhaddou kasbahs in the Sahara Desert.

3 days climbing Jebel Toubkal will allow us to get used to the high altitude before we get to Toubkal’s peak. Most people make this ascent in only 2 days which can cause issues with high altitudes.

We will continue our adventure with the desert where we’ll spend 4 days. This will give us plenty of time to visit many places on the way such as the Ait Benhaddou kasbahs before we drive along the Assif n Ounilla Road. On the way, we can stop at the famous Glaoui kasbah in Telouet. This Kasbah is normally not included in other programs but because we have the time, we will be able to visit it.

Day 1 : Marrakech / Imlil / Azib’n Tamsoult

Our trek will begin by travelling from Marrakech to Imlil, which is located 1,780 metres above sea level (ASL). We will set off on a 6 hour trek of the Imlil Valley, heading out to the Azzadene Valley, and passing through Tizi N’Mzik at 2,450 m ASL, the refuge at Azib n’Tansoult and the beautiful Ighouliden waterfalls.

We’ll keep going till we get to the Lipeney mountain refuge at 3,000 m ASL where we’ll stay for the night.

Day 2 : Azib n Tamsoult / Agelzim / Toubkal Base Camp

Today involves a fairly stiff climb from the Azzadene Valley to the Toubkal Refuge over the Aguelzim Mountain Pass at 3,560m ASL. Lunch will take place in a site surrounded by spectacular views over the Atlas Mountain Range. Overnight in Toubkal Refuge (Niltner Hut) where we’ll likely be sharing a bunk room with other trekkers looking to tackle Jebel Toubkal early the next morning

Day 3 : Toubkal Ascent / Imlil

Today, we will trek up Jebel Toubkal early in the morning. The peak is at 4,167 metres above sea level and, weather permitting, we’ll be able to enjoy stunning views of the High Atlas Mountains and of the Sahara Desert to the south.

We will then take  the long way back down and passing through the refuge and using the well-worn path back to Imlil. This is a fairly long day with 8-9 hours of trekking, involving 900 m up and almost 2,500 m back down.

Your overnight stay will be in Imlil.

Day 4 : Imlil / Dades Valley

Today, your trekking adventures will continue when you are picked up at 9.00am and taken to the Atlas Mountains. You’ll drive through the stunning Tizi-n-Tichka mountain pass and pass through many Berber villages. Once we get to the desert, we can discover the riverside oases and stark hillsides that surround the kasbahs.

Along the way, we will have the option to either take a break and visit the Ouarzazate Film Studios or to go for a hike. Once we reach the Dades Gorges (where we’ll spend the night), we’ll again have the option of either going for another walk, or relaxing at the hotel.

Day 5 : Dades Valley / Todra gorges / Merzouga

We’ll have breakfast at the hotel before we are transferred from the Dades Valley to Todra Gorges for the next stage of our trek. The Todra Gorge divides the High Atlas mountains and rises up 300 metres in a narrow valley of palm groves surrounded by Berber villages. Here, we can go for a hike to explore the palm groves and the green oasis full of large date palms.

After lunch we’ll trek further into the desert to the gateway town of Merzouga to pick up supplies for our desert trip. After that, we’ll that drive to a kasbah where we’ll meet with our camels. At sunset, we’ll ride camels for an hour-and-a-half to the Berber camp where we will enjoy a traditional Moroccan dinner, and sleep under the stars in the desert.

Day 6 : Merzouga / Ait Benhaddou

In the morning, we will wake up early to enjoy the amazing desert sunrise and then return to the kasbah by camels to freshen up and enjoy breakfast. Once we are finished we will head out from the desert to Ait Benhaddou. Ait Benhadou is an ancient fortified city containing countless kasbahs that have featured in numerous Hollywood movies (The Mummy, Gladiator, Alexander, Lawrence of Arabia to name but a few). We’ll have the chance to walk around the buildings explore the site with our guide. The overnight stay will be  in a hotel close to Ait Benhaddou.

Day 7 : Ait Benhaddou / Marrakech

Today we will travel along the Ounilla Valley to the Telouet Kasbah, a crumbling kasbah that was once an important stop for traders. We will explore the kasbah and then after lunch, will go back to Marrakech through the beautiful Tizi-n-Tichka Pass.

What s including

Trekking in Atlas
Transport
Guide
Hôtels riads
Camp site in Sahara
With bed and breakfast
Camel Ride
Dinner and Breakfast
Muel

What s not including

Tipping
Food during the Trip
Entreences fees to monuments historiques
Travel insurance
Drinks
Lunches