Hiking in the Highest peak in North Africa – *Toubkal Mountains*

Challenge yourself to climb the highest peak in North Africa in 2 or 3 days. The tour starts and finishes in the vibrant city of Marrakech, and includes transport to and from Imlil . We will trek with a local English speaking guide , a local cook and mules to carry our luggage. It’s a challenging walk rather than a climb, and anybody in good physical condition can reach the top. Make sure you bring your camera; the views from the summit are spectacular. Mount Toubkal 4167m is the highestpeak in NorthAfrica, and is a trekking peakinvolving no climbing two days involve walking in crampons holding an ice axe for security (Nov to April ) . The itinerary has been designed for keen walkers, as the ascent is non-technical, but involves some easys crambling and snow slopes.

DAY 1 :Drive from Marrakech to Imlil and trek to Toubkal Refuge

Leaving the city behind we drive south today, towards the craggy peaks and plunging valleys of the Toubkal Massif. Crossing the Haouz Plain we pass through the tiny town of Asni, from where our road begins to climb towards the foothills of the Massif. Below us the valley of the Oued Rhirhaiastretches out into the distance and small villages cling to the sides of the steep hills as we meander our way towards the village of Imlil. Here we leave our vehicle and, in the company of our mountain guide, begin our trek, head in galong the MizaneValley, first towards the village of Aremd and then onto the shrine of Sidi Chamarouch. Built on a moraine spur overlooking the valley floor, Aremdis the largest village in the valley and provides an interesting mix of traditional terrace farming, gites and streets that seem to be permanently gridlockedby goats and cattle. For generations the local Berber villagers have worked these lands, producing corn, potatoes and walnuts from the harsh landscape. Continuing east and crossing the flood plain our route takes us along mule tracks and up into the high rocky cliffs above the valley. Crossing the river we eventually come to the pastoral shrine of Sidi Chamarouch, which attracts tourists and pilgrimsa like (although only Muslims are allowed to cross the stone bridge to visit the marabout shrineitself). The village sitsbesides a smallwaterfall, a jumbled cluster of housesthatseem to melttogetherinto an anarchic mass. Fromhere the trail continues to climbsteadily, snaking and zigzaggingitsway up to the snowline and the Toukbal Refuge (3206m), our stop for the night. Approx 5hrs walking.

DAY 2 :Trek to summit of Jebel Toubkal (4165m); return to Imlil

Early this morning we make our attempt on the summit of Jebel Toukbal, the highest peak in Northern Africa. Our route takes us up the south cirque, crossing the stream above the refuge and then heading across one of the mountains numerousscree fields, where we will have to negotiable a seemingly endless carpet of boulders and rocks. The walking is relatively straightforward, but the scree and the altitude will make the going quite difficult in parts, however, the views along the way make the journey more than worth while. Cresting the ridgeline we find ourselves on the plateau, from where it is a short walk to the summit and the vistas out across the surrounding landscape are quite breathtaking. From here there are unrestricted views in every direction, from the Marrakesh Plain to the High Atlas in the north and as far south as the Anti-Atlas and the Sahara. Pliny, the great Roman scholar, once described the High Atlas Mountains as « the most fabulous mountains in all of Africa » and from our vantage point high above the valley it is easy to understand why. Retracing our steps we then return down the mountain and head back towards Imlil Prior To drive back to Marrakech.
NB :
If time allows, we recommend to do it over 3 days to acclimatize enough before reaching the Toubkal summit. Please Don’t hesitate to contact us for more detail