6 Days Climb Mt Toubkal Atlas Mountains And Sahara Camel Ride

Trek to the summit of Jebel Toubkal (4165 m); return to Imlil Early this morning, we make our attempt on the summit of Jebel Toukbal, the highest peak in Northern Africa. Our route takes us up the south cirque, crossing the stream above the refuge, and then heading across one of the mountain's numerous scree fields, where we will have to negotiate a seemingly endless carpet of boulders and rocks. The walking is relatively straightforward, but the scree and the altitude will make the going quite difficult in parts; however, the views along the way make the journey more than worthwhile. Cresting the ridgeline, we find ourselves on the plateau, from where it is a short walk to the summit, and the vistas out across the surrounding landscape are quite breathtaking. From here, there are unrestricted views in every direction, from the Marrakesh Plain to the High Atlas in the north and as far south as the Anti-Atlas and the Sahara. Pliny, the great Roman scholar, once described the High Atlas Mountains as "the most fabulous mountains in all of Africa," and from our vantage point high above the valley, it is easy to understand why. Retracing our steps, we then return down the mountain and head back towards Imlil—overnight in Imlil or something similar.

You will be picked up from your accommodation in Imlil at 9 am and head out over the Atlas Mountains, driving over the stunning Tizi-n-Tichka mountain pass. You’ll pass through lots of Berber villages, and once you’re in the desert, you’ll see riverside oases and barren hillsides dotted with kasbahs (fortified dwellings that house families and their livestock). Along the way, you will have the option either to take a break and visit the Ouarzazate Film Studios or stop for a hike. Once you reach Dades Gorge, you have the option of going for a hike or relaxing at your hotel. Overnight in Dades. (Total driving time: 7 hours.).

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer from the Dades Valley to Todra Gorge, a massive fault dividing the High Atlas mountains, rising up 300 meters in a narrow valley with palmeries and Berber villages. Here, you can go for a hike to explore the Palmery, a green oasis full of large date palms. After lunch, you’ll head further into the desert to the gateway town of Merzouga to pick up supplies for your desert trip. You will then drive on to a kasbah to pick up your camel. At sunset, you’ll trek for an hour and a-half by camel to a Berber camp, where you will enjoy a traditional Moroccan dinner and sleep under the stars or in tents at a desert camp. (Total driving time: 6 hours)

Wake to a desert sunrise and then return to the Kasbah by camel. You will then have a chance to freshen up and enjoy breakfast. Once you are refreshed, you will head out of the desert for a drive to Ait Benhaddou. This is an ancient fortified city containing countless kasbahs and has been the atmospheric subject of numerous Hollywood movies (The Mummy, Gladiator, Alexander, Lawrence of Arabia, etc.) You will have the chance to walk around the buildings and explore with your guide. You will overnight in a hotel close to Ait Benhaddou. (Total driving time: 5–6 hours)

Travel along the Ounilla Valley to the Telouet Kasbah, a crumbling kasbah that was once an important stop for traders. Explore the Kasbah, and then after lunch, you will head back over the Tizi-n-Tichka Pass to Marrakech (total driving time of 4 hours). End of 6 Days Climb Mt. Toubkal Atlas Mountains and Sahara Camel Ride Tours.