Morocco

6-Days Mt Toubkal & Sahara Desert

15

Hike North Africa's Tallest Mountain and sleep under the stars of the Sahara Desert - 6 Days.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival to Marrakech and drive to the Atlas Mountains

You will be picked up from Hotel Ali cafe in Jamaa elfna square at 19h30 and pass via Menara airport at 20h00 to grab the rest of the group (if it is the case) then drive 1h30 straight to Imlil at the foothill of Mt Toubkal. You will be welcomed by local team and have a fresh diner followed by trek briefing. You will stay in triple and quadruple rooms with shower.

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You will have breakfast around 7h30. Around 8h30 you will start the trek. You’ll give your main bag to the muleteers, and then hike for 3 hours to the tiny settlement of Sidi Chamharouch. Here your cooks will serve up lunch, and you can also get fresh orange juice from one of the local stools. Afterwards, you continue for another 3 hours to Refuge de You start very early at around 5am, you will have breakfast. After this, we begin the hike with a slow and steady pace upwards.

After 2-3 hours you’ll aim to reach the summit of Mt Toubkal (4,167m) at sunrise! From here you can look down from the snowy summit, to the green Anti-Atlas mountains, and then finally the vast Sahara desert! After taking some time to enjoy the views, we’ll then head downhill for 6 hours to Imlil.

, where you’ll stay for the night.

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You start very early at around 5am, you will have breakfast. After this, we begin the hike with a slow and steady pace upwards.

After 2-3 hours you’ll aim to reach the summit of Mt Toubkal (4,167m) at sunrise! From here you can look down from the snowy summit, to the green Anti-Atlas mountains, and then finally the vast Sahara desert! After taking some time to enjoy the views, we’ll then head downhill for 6 hours to Imlil.

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After breakfast we drive towards the south east of Morocco. First will visit ait benhadou kasbah, ouarzazate city and rose valley. By the end of the day will arrive to Dades gorges. Night in the hotel.

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Today you'll make your way to the real Sahara Desert, for a hike or camel ride across the dunes of Merzouga. In the late afternoon, you'll arrive at your traditional Berber camp in the desert, and sleep under the stars. 5hours drive.

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Today you will first see the sunrise, get your breakfast and return from the dunes to the main center. Meet your minibus for a long but spectacular route back to Marrakech. Arrive to Marrakech by 8pm.

15 verified reviews

Rated 5.0
Suzanne
Suzanne

(Dec 2022)

Fabulous The Mt Toubkal guides were amazing The whole experience was amazing will def be recommending this part of the trip to every one I meet . Guides were so experienced , helpful and friendly Sahara desert experience was fantastic I was so well looked after New Years Eve in Dades Gorge is a night I will remember for a very long time Thank you Skyhook Adventures - you will see me again

Lydia
Lydia

(Oct 2022)

Excellent experience from start to finish. Hussain & his team were professional and offered support, advice and encouragement throughout the trek and subsequent adventures. Would 100% recommend.

Alex
Alex

(Sep 2022)

They boys we’re phenomenal, we felt safe, and everything was included, would recommend to anyone with ears

FAQs

Included - Airport and in-country transfers - Certified guide for Toubkal trek - Porters - Food all meals for mountain trek - Accommodation in Imlil & Toubkal refuge. - Accommodation in Dades valley hôtel in triple and quadruple rooms with diner and breakfast - Driver-guide for sahara trip - Accommodation in tent in Merzouga dunes with diner and breakfast. - mineral water 1'5 L per day offered. - camel ride - visit of Ait benhadou kasbah. Excluded - International flights - lunch meals for sahara trip - Winter climb equipment - Tips for guides and porters - Travel insurance

The summit day on Toubkal can be 9-12 hours (with lots of breaks) so you do need a good level of fitness. We recommend training with jogging or sport 1-2 times a week, in the run-up to your trip. 

The local guides use mules to carry your main bag, so that you can just carry a small bag with water, sun cream and waterproofs whilst trekking. 

Winter season (Nov – Mar)

Winter can be quite cold on Mt Toubkal, with temperatures on the summit going as low as -20 °C. March starts to warm up with a higher chance of rain.

Early/late season (Apr– May & Oct)

Temperatures at lower altitudes can reach 26°C, with little chance of rain. The summit can still go as low as -10°C with wind chill.

Summer (Jun – Sep)

June has a higher chance of rain, but still stays warm. July to Sept are the hottest months with temperatures at the lowest altitudes reaching 30 °C. The summit of Toubkal can be as low as -10°C with wind chill. 

Documents • Passport & visa if needed • Travel insurance details • Boarding passes for flights • Wallet • Pen for filling in arrivals form Clothing • 2-3 base-layer t-shirts (e.g. running t-shirts) • Fleece/soft-shell jacket • Waterproof jacket • Insulated jacket for warmth, if possible (from e.g. Rab, Alpkit, Mountain Equipment) • Spare clothes for Marrakech • Underwear • Base-layer trousers (optional) • Trekking Trousers • Waterproof trousers • Shorts • Swimwear for Marrakech (optional) • 4 thick wool mountaineering socks • Warm Gloves and Hat • Walking Boots • Footwear for Marrakech Other • Large rucksack for the mules/porters • Daysack (25-35L) • 3L of water bottles (Minimum) • Sunglasses • Suncream • Sunhat • Insect repellant • Glasses/contact lenses (if needed) • Sleeping bag (2-3 season) • Bathroom items including travel towel • Electronics - Head torch, travel adaptor (French plug style), phone & charger • Lipsil • Book/mp3 player (optional) • Walking poles (optional -Available to rent for €3)

You will follow a sensible acclimatisation plan that works well for most participants. This includes regular breaks and a gradual increase in the altitude at which you sleep. Altitude affects everyone in different ways. However, the key is to mention if you are experiencing any symptoms to your guide (headache/nausea) as soon as you feel them.

You stay in a hostel in Imlil and Ouarzazate. camp in the desert, and a mountain hut on the mountain. The lodge will offer shared rooms, with intermittent internet and warm showers.

The mountain refuge is very basic, and showers do not always offer warm water, with basic style toilets. The mountain hut does sell snacks. It is worth taking small denominations of cash, as they sometimes do not have change available. 

You'll camp in the desert with very basic facilities.

Absolutely! We get lots of solo travellers on the trips. Once you sign up you'll also be added to a private Facebook group, where you can meet all the other people before you go.  

Basic accommodation includes: Hotel Ali, Riad Omar, Hotel Imilchil 

Luxury accommodation includes: Riad Africa, Riad Anya   

Maximum group sizes are 12.

You can see the latest NHS advice at https://www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk/destinations/africa/morocco. 

The guides will provide you with 1.5L of water each day. Water is also available from natural springs and at various village stores along the way. You may want to consider taking purification tablets with you for any spring water.  

The currency used in Morocco is Moroccan Dirham (MAD).

You can take out cash at ATMs in the airport, as well as various locations on the trip. Please check with your bank that your card is accepted in Morocco before travel, and we highly recommend bringing two cards in case you have any issues. 

Please note: your bank may charge transaction fees when you use your card in Morocco. 

Start: we meet you at Hotel Ali cafe at 19h30 or at the qirport at 20h00 then drive to Imlil. End trip around 20h00 in marrakech famous square

The minimum age for this trek is 18, or 16 with a parent/guardian. 

Wifi is available in the hostels, however it can be unreliable given the remote location. There is no internet available in the mountain refuge, and phone signal can be poor.

Your head guide is Lahouceine

All trips on Skyhook are run by small, hand-picked local guiding companies. For this trip your guides run Atlas Vertical, based in Asni.

By booking through Skyhook you'll be joining a small-group trip. This can make it nice and sociable (you'll be added to a group chat after booking), and guarantees great value for money!

Lahouceine