Toubkal Summit Hike & Morocco Sahara Desert Tour

Your adventure will begin early in the morning with a drive from Marrakech to Imlil, the gateway to the Mount Toubkal hike. Meet your guide, muleteer, and cook, who will take care of your belongings before you start with a short hike to Aroumd village (2000m). Next, you will cross the flood plain of Ait Mizane and start a 1207m hike. Zigzag and a series of switchbacks following mule tracks past the holy shrine of Sidi Chamharouch until you arrive at Toubkal Hut (3200m) late in the afternoon for dinner and an overnight stay.

We will wake you up at dawn for a 4-hour hike. The ascent to the Toubkal summit will be by climbing over steep, rocky fields and hiking in the snowy winter.

After 4 hours of hiking, you will reach the summit of Toubkal (4167 m). Enjoy the magnificent view of the roof of North Africa: look to the east, and you will see the Sahara desert. To the west, the Atlantic coast lies behind the peaks of the Nfiss Valley.

Celebrate your success with a packed breakfast before hiking to the base of Toubkal Hut for lunch. In the afternoon, hike down to Imlil and enjoy your hotel’s well-deserved hammam, dinner, and overnight.

After breakfast, it’s time to leave the Toubkal summit hike behind you and start your Morocco Sahara desert tour.

As you cross Tizi N’tichka Pass towards Kasbah Ait Ben Hadou, you’ll pass by an earthen village listed as a world heritage site. This village was also used as a set for numerous Hollywood epics. Once you arrive, you will meet your local guide for a short visit. Then, you’ll have lunch at leisure before continuing on to Ouarzazate. You will easily spot Atlas Film Studios at the city entrance on the left. If you wish to visit, guided tours are scheduled throughout the day. We will continue to the oasis of Skoura, famous for its most preserved Kasbah in Morocco: Amridil. This one is worth a visit to learn about the oases’ Berber culture, architecture, and lifestyle. In the afternoon, we continue to Boumalne Dades, driving past the road of 1001 Kasbahs and the Valley of the roses. You might want to stop at local artisanal distilling factories to learn about the process. Arrive at your lodge located next to Dades Canyons for dinner and overnight. 

Today, we’ll be heading to Tinghir, a former French military bastion from the 20th-century occupation. It was also famous for its large Jewish community and silver jewelry craftsmanship. After breakfast, your journey will take you to Tinghir. You’ll meet your local guide for a walk through the oasis and to the majestic Todgha Canyons. In the afternoon, we’ll continue to Rissani, a holy city famous for being the birthplace of the Alaouite dynasty – the current ruling dynasty of Morocco. We’ll visit the dates market before continuing to Merzouga. Upon arrival, you’ll meet your camel caravan and cross Erg Chebbi dunes for another great adventure. Pick one of the sand dunes to watch the sunset over the horizon while they change color. Finally, arrive at your desert camp just before dark. After settling in your tent, prepare yourself for a delicious Moroccan dinner under the stars. Then it’s time for a cozy evening next to the campfire, entertained by local nomads playing Tam Tam drums.

After watching the sunrise (optional), you’ll have breakfast, then take a camel ride back to the camp operator’s lodge. Then, you’ll meet your driver for a long ride back to Marrakech past Ouarzazate and the High Atlas Mountains. Finally, your Atlas hiking and Sahara desert tour will end at your Marrakech riad, hotel, or a location of your choice.