The 2-day trek to Mount Toubkal, the highest peak in North Africa at 4,167 meters 13,671 ft, is a challenging but very popular and rewarding adventure in Morocco’s High Atlas Mountains.

It’s typically organized as a guided tour departing from Marrakech.

Typical 2-Day Itinerary
The itinerary is intense and requires a good level of fitness due to the significant elevation gain and long hiking hours, particularly on the second day.

Day 1: Marrakech – Imlil – Toubkal Refuge

Morning: Early pickup from Marrakech and transfer (approx. 1.5−2 hours drive) to the Berber village of Imlil (about 1,740m), which is the starting point of the trek.

Trek Start: Meet your local guide and muleteers. The trek begins, usually following the Ait Mizane Valley.

Mid-Day: Pass through villages like Aremd and stop at the pastoral shrine of Sidi Chamarouch (approx. 2,350m) for lunch.

Afternoon: Continue the steady, rocky ascent following mule tracks up to the Toubkal Refuge (also known as Neltner Refuge) at about 3,207m.

Overnight: Dinner and overnight stay in the shared dormitory-style accommodation at the refuge.

Walking Time: Approximately 5−6 hours.

Day 2: Refuge – Toubkal Summit – Imlil – Marrakech

Pre-dawn Start: Wake up very early (around 3:30 am to 4:30 am) for an early breakfast.

Summit Ascent: Begin the final, steep ascent to the Toubkal summit, often in the dark with headlamps, to reach the top in time for or shortly after sunrise.

Summit: Reach the summit (4,167m) and enjoy panoramic views of the High Atlas, the Marrakech Plain to the north, and potentially the Anti-Atlas and Sahara direction to the south.

Descent to Refuge: Descend back down the same route to the Toubkal Refuge.

Lunch & Final Descent: Have a rest and lunch at the refuge, then continue the long descent all the way back to Imlil.

Evening: Transfer back to Marrakech.

Walking Time: Approximately 8−12 hours total for the day (up and down the summit, then down to Imlil).