Mount Toubkal Trek

• Orientation Meeting: 6pm

Say hello, or Salaam Aleikum, to Morocco. Your journey with Intrepid begins here with a group meeting at 6pm in your hotel lobby where you’ll meet your group leader and fellow travelers. If you’d like to grab some yummy and unique street food this evening, you’ll have the option of taking a stroll with your group leader to Djemaa el-Fna, the square in the center of the Medina. You can expect a very busy and bustling scene here each night as people gather to see singers, drummers, fortune tellers, dancers, and other street performers in this lively square.

Please be sure to attend the group meeting this evening as you will need to provide insurance and emergency contact information at this time. If you are going to be late, please let an Intrepid representative, your travel agent, or the hotel know. If you journey out to Djemaa el-Fna this evening, you are likely to encounter ‘snake charmers.’ Intrepid does not support this practice and encourages travelers not to support this industry. If you would like more information, please visit Intrepid’s page concerning animal welfare: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/us/animal-welfare

• Travel: Drive to Imlil Village (1.5 hours)
• Activities Included: Imlil to Aroumd Guided Trek
• Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner 
• Hiking Distance: Approximately 2MI / 3.2KM
• Elevation Gain/Loss: 855ft
• Accommodation: Mountain Gite

Get up early this morning for a more thorough orientation meeting at 8am where you guide will brief you on everything you need to know for your trekking adventure before setting off into the mountains for your first hike. Drive away from the hustle and bustle of Marrakech and across plains and open country to arrive at Imlil village, with a stop at Tahanaoute along the way, an ancient marketplace that boasts views of stunning valleys and the Atlas Mountains. From Imlil village (which is 5709 ft above sea level), take about an hour hike to your first mountain base in Aroumd (sitting at 6561 ft above sea level). Once you arrive, take a more leisurely stroll around this city built on a hill before retiring to your accommodation for the night. Your group will be staying in a traditional village house called a gite. The rooms are furnished in traditional Amazigh (Berber) fashion with the low couches that serve as beds, many cushions and carpets, and tables. If the weather is nice, you can sleep out on the terrance under the stars if you’d like. 

• Activities Included: Aroumd to Jebel Toubkal Basecamp Guided Trek
• Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner 
• Hiking Distance: Approximately 6MI / 10KM 
• Elevation Gain/Loss: 4100 ft/ 1250 m
• Accommodation: Mountain Refuge

Today your group will begin the climb to the summit of Mount Toubkal, the tallest mountain in North Africa. Pack up your gear on mules this morning and leave Aroumd, crossing the floodplain of Ait Mizane Valley. The mules carrying your gear and luggage are an essential part of Amazigh (Berber) culture and way of life as they are used to plough fields, carry burdens, and perform other tasks. Your trail will follow a series of switchbacks up the mountain side and you’ll pass the site of pilgrimage of Sidi Chamarouch which houses the tomb of the local Muslim holy man or marabout. There is a shrine made of large white stones at this location, but only Muslims are permitted to cross the bridge and approach this place. Continue on more zigzagging trail and trek across the valley above the river. You’ll soon arrive at Neltner where the Toubkal base camp is located (10,522 ft above sea level). Your accommodations tonight are simple but clean and in line with the local atmosphere. Dining rooms and facilities are shared and the rooms with bunk bed-type platforms will be shared with other trekkers. Eat up at your included dinner tonight and call it an early night before journeying up the mountain tomorrow. 

• Activities Included: Mount Toubkal Guided Summit Trek
• Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner 
• Hiking Distance: Approximately 2MI / 3.5KM
• Elevation Gain/Loss: Approximately 7110ft (total ascent, descent, and return hike to Aroumd)
• Accommodation: Mountain Gite

Today is another early start as you gear up for your summit trek. The terrain that leads up to the top of this over 13,000 foot mountain is rocky and can involved some scrambling, but the views from the top are worth it. Truly the roof of North Africa, take your time once you reach the peak to enjoy the scenery and take in the silence of the morning. On clear days, you will be able to see the whole Atlas Mountain Range, the coast of the Atlantic to the west and the Sahara Desert to the east. Once you’ve had your fill of the gorgeous views, trek back down to basecamp where you’ll enjoy a hearty lunch before the downhill trek back to Aroumd. Your local host will be waiting for you with dinner prepared in celebration of your achievements today. 

• Travel: Drive to Marrakech 
• Meals Included: Breakfast 
• Hiking Distance: Approximately 2MI / 3.2KM
• Elevation Gain/Loss: 855ft
• Accommodation: Hotel

Say goodbye to the Altas Mountains today as you hike back to Imlil village after breakfast. Then take the 1.5 hour drive back to Marrakech for the rest of the day. After checking into the hotel, the schedule is cleared for you to explore this bustling city on your own. You can head over to the Photography Museum if you’d like where you’ll see the history of this country captured in stunning images or pick up some dinner at one of the restaurants with a view on many of the rooftops in the city, especially those that surround Djemaa el-Fna.

• Activities Included: Medina Walking Tour, Palais Bahia
• Meals Included: Breakfast 
• Accommodation: Hotel 

Have a change of pace today in the city of Marrakech with leisurely strolls and free time to explore. This morning after your included breakfast, your group will set out on a walking tour of the Medina led by your guide where you will walk through many old marketplaces, called souqs, that sell various items such as pottery, woodwork, carpets, and spices. You will then visit the Bahia Palace, built in the 1800s with stunning architecture. Once you’ve had your fill of the palace, the rest of the day is your’s to explore this fascinating city. There are many options for visiting a hammam (your guide can recommend one) where you can enjoy a traditional Moroccan bath and massage. If you’d like to experience more of the food of this unique location, you can join the Taste of Marrakech Urban Adventure tour for a guided experience focusing on the local cuisine. 

• Meals Included: Breakfast

Your adventure with Intrepid ends this morning after your group enjoys one last breakfast together. If you’d like to stay longer in Marrakech, Intrepid would be happy to book additional accommodations for you if availability allows. There are many other fantastic opportunities and experiences here to enjoy, so don’t miss out on this amazing destination.