A 2-day overnight trek in the Atlas Mountains, usually starting from Marrakech and based out of the village of Imlil, is a very popular option.
Here are the two main types of 2-day overnight treks you’ll commonly find:
- The Imlil and Azzaden Valley Trek (Moderate Difficulty)
This is a classic and highly scenic route, focusing on the beautiful valleys and Berber villages.
Day 1: Transfer from Marrakech to Imlil. Trek over a mountain pass like Tizi Mzik (around 2,484m to 2,684m) to the Azzaden Valley. You often pass a waterfall and stay overnight in a traditional guesthouse (Gite) in a Berber village like Tizi Oussem. (Approx. 5-6 hours walking)
Day 2: Descend or trek through the Azzaden Valley, passing through more Berber villages (like Id Issa or Matat) and maybe another smaller pass like Tizi Oudid (around 2,000m), before returning to Imlil for the transfer back to Marrakech. (Approx. 5-6 hours walking)
Highlights: Stunning valley views, juniper forests, Berber culture, and an authentic guesthouse stay.
- The Mount Toubkal Ascent (Challenging Difficulty)
This is a much more strenuous option designed to summit Mount Toubkal (4,167m), North Africa’s highest peak, in just two days.
Day 1: Transfer from Marrakech to Imlil. Trek up the valley, past the shrine of Sidi Chamharouch, to the Toubkal Refuge (Base Camp, around 3,200m) where you spend the night. (Approx. 5-7 hours walking)
Day 2: An extremely early start (e.g., 5:00 AM) to climb to the summit of Toubkal. After photos and views, you descend back to the refuge for lunch, and then continue all the way down to Imlil for the transfer back to Marrakech. (Approx. 8-10 hours walking)
Highlights: Summiting North Africa’s highest peak, high-altitude trekking, and spending the night in a mountain refuge.
Note: This option requires a good level of fitness and proper gear, especially outside of summer, as it involves significant altitude gain and loss over a short time. A guide is required by local regulations.
