Ascent of Toubkal in Morocco
In summary
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Sports
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Duration8 days
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LevelConfirmed
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DestinationDjebel Toubkal / Morocco
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AgeFrom 18 - 75 years
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CO₂-Emissions1532.37 kg CO2
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Type of stayIn a group
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Languages
English
French
Arabic
In a few words
This trek has become our small travel agency's best-seller over time, probably because it's an exceptional trip in every way, and word gets around! The adventure isn't just about the trails with their breathtaking scenery and the ascent of Mount Toubkal, which rises to 4,167 meters; it's also about the human connection. Like all great high-altitude adventures, this trek is a true mini-expedition that takes us to the roof of North Africa after three absolutely essential days of acclimatization. And with any expedition comes logistics. This logistics is handled by a whole team of Berber guides, muleteers, and cooks with whom we share six unforgettable days, every time. This trip is a total immersion in wild nature and a welcoming Berber culture. You have to experience it to believe it!
The highlights
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One French guide and at least one local guide for quality supervision
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All-inclusive trip package (flights, local transport, full board, supervision, etc.)
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Never more than 12 people to limit heterogeneity and ensure everyone's safety
Photos
Sport
Level
Hiking / Trekking
The expert's opinion
You must be comfortable on technical (rocky) terrain and capable of completing five consecutive days with elevation gains of at least 1000m. However, we don't require any specific high-altitude experience, as the aim of the trip is to introduce you to high altitude and how to manage your exertion. For those who are very comfortable at altitude, there are numerous variations and "bonus" options available on this trek (this is also one of the reasons why we have several guides, so we can split the group if needed!).
In figures
Hiking
- Average duration/day: 5h
- Average distance/day: 10 km
- Average daily elevation gain: 775 m
- Average daily descent: 748 m
- Exposed Passages: Yes
Management
English
French
Arabic
The trip is led by Étienne Loisel, a state-certified French mountain guide and founder of our travel agency. He is your main point of contact. With extensive experience trekking around the world, he has also completed several impressive expeditions on his own. He is always accompanied by a Moroccan guide specializing in the Atlas Mountains and a team of muleteers and cooks. Depending on the group size, another French guide may join Étienne and the local guide.
Brahim is an experienced Moroccan guide who knows all the tricks of the trade in his mountains. He lives in Aremd, the last village at the foot of Toubkal.
Program
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Flight from France to Marrakech
- Transportation Plane - 03h30 - 2500km
- Accommodation Cottage
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner included
Meet at Paris CDG airport late morning for the early afternoon flight.
Arrived in Marrakech in the late afternoon.
Direct transfer by minibus to Aremd (last village at the foot of Toubkal).
Overnight stay in a cottage in the heart of the village.
Day 1 -
Step 1: Aremd - Tamsoult Refuge
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 6h
- Distance 13 km
- Positive elevation gain 920 m
- Negative elevation 400 m
- Accommodation Refuge
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
First stage of the trek, beginning of acclimatization.
- Hike starting from the Aremd gîte, passing through Tizi Mzik (2480m) and possibility of an optional variant for the ascent of Tassgimout (2650m).
- Overnight stay at the Tamsoult refuge (2200m)
Day 2 -
Step 2: Tamsoult Refuge - Adrar Hadj
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 6h
- Distance 10 km
- Positive elevation gain 1000 m
- Negative elevation 1000 m
- Accommodation Refuge
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Second stage of the trek, continuing acclimatization:
- Round trip ascent of Adrar Hadj (3140m) via the Tizi Tzikert (2950m)
- Option to return via the Iroulidene waterfall
- Overnight stay at the Tamsoult refuge (2200m)
Day 3 -
Stage 3: Tamsoult Refuge - Mouflons Refuge
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 8h
- Distance 13 km
- Positive elevation gain 1400 m
- Negative elevation 400 m
- Accommodation Refuge
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Stage 3 of the trek, continuing acclimatization:
- Ascent of Aguelzim (3540m)
- Alternative route via Mont Aguelzim (3650m)
- Descent to the Mouflons refuge (Toubkal refuge)
- Overnight stay at the refuge
Day 4 -
Stage 4: Ascent of Toubkal
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 6h
- Distance 12 km
- Positive elevation gain 1100 m
- Negative elevation 1100 m
- Exposed passages Yes
- Accommodation Refuge
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Stage 4, the ascent of Jbel Toubkal (4167m):
- Departure at night with headlamps towards the Imouzzer valley
- A short detour to the top of the aircraft engine wreckage
- Optional round trip to the summit of Imouzzer (3966m)
- Ascent of Toubkal via the North Ridge
- Descent via the normal route
- Optional round trip to the summit of Toubkal West (4018m)
- Overnight stay at the Mouflons refuge
Day 5 -
Stage 5: Mouflons Refuge - Aremd
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 4h
- Distance 10 km
- Positive elevation gain 900 m
- Negative elevation 900 m
- Exposed passages Yes
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 5h
- Distance 10 km
- Positive elevation gain 100 m
- Negative elevation 1200 m
- Accommodation Cottage
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Step 5:
- Optional: departure at 3:30 am from the refuge for the ascent of Ras Ouanoukrim (4083m) and Timesguida (4088m) and sunrise at the summit.
- Descent back to the refuge and retrieval of those who did not take the option
- Descent to Aremd via the Toubkal valley and passage through Sidi Chamarouch
- Last evening in the Atlas Mountains at the Aremd guesthouse
Day 6 -
Step 6: Aremd - Imlil
- Transportation Minibus - 01h30 - 100km
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 1h
- Distance 2 km
- Negative elevation 235 m
- Accommodation 2-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Step 6:
- Descent between Aremd and Imlil through walnut groves and waterfalls
- Transfer by minibus to Marrakech
- Lunch in Marrakech
- Free time in Marrakech in the afternoon
- Dinner and last evening in Morocco
- Overnight stay at Riad Omar
Day 7 -
Return flight to France
- Transportation Plane - 03h30 - 2500km
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
- Transfer by minibus from the hotel to the airport
- Morning flight
- Arrival at Paris CDG in the early afternoon
- End of stay
Day 8
Note
Flights are scheduled to depart from Paris CDG. However, departures from other airports are possible if you prefer, provided the ticket prices are comparable to those from Paris CDG. If not, we can still arrange a flight from your preferred airport for an additional fee.
The entire program is obviously given as an indication. It may be modified depending on the weather conditions, the abilities of each participant (we have a minimum of 2 guides for the entire stay, and even 3 on the day of the Toubkal ascent, so it is quite possible to make groups of different levels if necessary).
Accommodation
Family-run guesthouse managed by the family of our Moroccan guide, Brahim. Meals are prepared by the cook from our expedition. Comfortable accommodation with hot showers.
Hot showers. Dormitories.
Access
It is perfectly possible to depart from another airport if you wish, subject to equivalent fares and corresponding schedules.
Go to the starting point
You can contact us directly if you wish to depart from a different airport. We will review this possibility and inform you of any additional costs.
Price details
The price includes
- Return flight tickets from Paris CDG (or from the airport of your choice if the fares are equivalent)
- Local minibus transfers (round trip between Marrakech and Aremd)
- Full board on the first evening and last morning
- The trip will be led by a French state-certified mountain guide and a Moroccan guide.
- The transport of the baggage following the group on the backs of mules and the teams of muleteers to lead them
The price does not include
- Your insurance policies, if any
- Your personal snacks
- Transportation costs to reach the meeting point at Paris CDG airport
Options
- Flex fare and insurance
Practical information
Specific formalities
Specifics
Before your departure, check with the embassy or consulate regarding the entry and stay requirements for your destination country. You can also find this information on the France Diplomatie website ( https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/dossiers-pays/ ).
In the case of flights with stopovers operated by different airlines, also check the entry requirements of the countries you are transiting through.
It is your responsibility to ensure you are in compliance, particularly regarding the validity of your identity documents (for example, some countries require your passport to be valid for at least six months after your return) , visa requirements, necessary vaccinations, and health recommendations. And don't forget to consider any customs restrictions and other potential requirements of your destination or transit country.
ℹ️ Information may change up to the departure date, remember to regularly check official websites.
Equipment
Equipment to bring
- One "follower" bag weighing a maximum of 15kg (suitcases are strongly discouraged). This will be your hold bag on the plane.
- 1 hiking backpack (preferably equipped with a waterproof rain cover). This will be your cabin bag on the plane.
- Sunglasses and sunscreen
- 1 bath towel (+ 1 swimsuit, optional)
- 1 duvet and/or 1 silk sheet
- 1 headlamp + 1 external battery (to recharge your personal devices)
- 1 pair of hiking poles (optional)
- Personal snacks to nibble on during hikes
- 1 bottle or flask of water (1.5 L minimum)
Clothing to bring
- 1 pair of hiking boots (preferably high-top and waterproof)
- 1 waterproof jacket (Gore-Tex type) and/or K-Way and/or rain poncho
- 1 pair of waterproof over-trousers (optional)
- 1 warm down jacket (preferably compressible)
- 1 or 2 fleece jacket(s)
- hiking clothing (breathable t-shirts, pants, shorts, socks)
- 1 cap/hat
- 1 beanie + 1 pair of lightweight gloves
- Your change of clothes, outfits for evenings in the accommodations
The Etienne team
An independent agency with a family atmosphere, our local expert Étienne designs personalized, high-quality hikes. He keeps his groups small to ensure personalized guidance, attentive to everyone's well-being. His flexible itineraries adapt to the pace of the hikers and favor secluded locations. Thanks to a rigorous selection of trusted partners, Étienne guarantees an authentic and immersive experience, expertly managed from start to finish.
