10 days / 9 nights · Hiking & Trekking
Desert & Atlas Adventure
A 10-day active journey: climb Mount Toubkal, hike and climb in the Todra Gorge, ride quads and 4×4s in Erg Chebbi and sleep under the desert stars.
- Duration10 days / 9 nights
- Start & endMarrakech (hotel pickup)
- Tour typePrivate or small group
- Activity levelModerate to challenging (Toubkal at 4,167 m)
- Best seasonSpring and autumn (April–May, September–October)
- AccommodationMountain guesthouse, refuge, kasbahs, desert camp
- Meals9 breakfasts, 9 dinners, 2 trek lunches
- Local team in MarrakechWe plan and run your trip ourselves
- Free, no-obligation quoteNothing to pay to ask
- Reply within 24 hoursBy WhatsApp or email
- Fully adjustableChange any day of this itinerary
Overview
This is Morocco for active travelers. You start in the High Atlas with a two-day trek to the summit of Toubkal, the highest peak in North Africa, guided by a local mountain guide with mules carrying the luggage.
Then the adventure moves south: the kasbahs of Aït Ben Haddou, hiking in the Dades Gorges, a day of climbing or hiking in the Todra Gorge, and finally the Sahara, with quads, buggies, a 4×4 expedition, sandboarding and two nights in a desert camp.
Highlights
- Summit of Toubkal (4,167 m), the highest peak in North Africa
- Trek through the Berber villages of the Imlil valley
- Rock climbing or hiking in the Todra Gorge
- Quad or buggy ride in the Erg Chebbi dunes
- A full-day 4×4 expedition and sandboarding
- Two nights in a desert camp under the stars
Route
- Marrakech Day 1
- Imlil Day 1
- Toubkal Day 3
- Aït Ben Haddou Day 4
- Dades Gorges Day 5
- Todra Gorge Day 6
- Merzouga Day 7
- N'Kob Day 9
- Ouarzazate Day 9
- Marrakech Day 10
Itinerary
This is a sample itinerary. Every day can be adjusted to your pace and interests.
| Day | Route | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Marrakech to Imlil in the High Atlas | Mountain guesthouse in Imlil |
| 2 | Trek to the Toubkal refuge (3,207 m) | Mountain refuge (shared dormitories) |
| 3 | Toubkal summit (4,167 m) and back to Imlil | Mountain guesthouse in Imlil |
| 4 | Over the Tizi n'Tichka to Aït Ben Haddou | Kasbah guesthouse in Aït Ben Haddou |
| 5 | Skoura and a hike in the Dades Gorges | Guesthouse in the Dades Gorges |
| 6 | Climbing and hiking in the Todra Gorge | Guesthouse near the Todra Gorge |
| 7 | Quads in Erg Chebbi and a camel trek | Desert camp in Erg Chebbi |
| 8 | 4×4 desert expedition | Desert camp in Erg Chebbi |
| 9 | Through the Draa Valley to Ouarzazate | Kasbah hotel in Ouarzazate |
| 10 | Back to Marrakech | End of the tour |
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Day1
Marrakech to Imlil in the High Atlas
Drive to the mountain village of Imlil at the foot of Toubkal. Meet your mountain guide and take an afternoon walk through walnut groves to the village of Aroumd.
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Day2
Trek to the Toubkal refuge (3,207 m)
Hike up the Mizane Valley past the shrine of Sidi Chamharouch to the Toubkal refuge, while mules carry the luggage.
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Day3
Toubkal summit (4,167 m) and back to Imlil
Start before dawn to reach the summit early, with views over the whole Atlas range, then descend all the way to Imlil. A gentler valley trek can replace the summit.
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Day4
Over the Tizi n'Tichka to Aït Ben Haddou
A rest day on the road: cross the High Atlas by the Tizi n'Tichka pass to Aït Ben Haddou, with time to explore the ksar at sunset.
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Day5
Skoura and a hike in the Dades Gorges
Through Ouarzazate and the Skoura palm grove to the Dades Valley, with an afternoon hike among the Monkey Fingers rock formations.
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Day6
Climbing and hiking in the Todra Gorge
A day in the Todra Gorge: a half-day rock climbing session with an experienced local instructor, suitable for beginners, or a hike over the cliffs to the nomad plateau.
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Day7
Quads in Erg Chebbi and a camel trek
Drive to Merzouga. In the afternoon, ride a quad or buggy in the Erg Chebbi dunes, then follow your camel guide to the desert camp at sunset.
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Day8
4×4 desert expedition
Explore the desert by 4×4: black volcanic plains, nomad camps, old mines and the village of Khamlia. Try sandboarding before a second night under the stars.
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Day9
Through the Draa Valley to Ouarzazate
Cross the desert via Alnif and N'Kob to the palm groves of the Draa Valley and Ouarzazate.
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Day10
Back to Marrakech
Cross the High Atlas one last time and arrive in Marrakech in the afternoon.
What's Included
Included
- Private transport in an air-conditioned vehicle with a local driver
- Official mountain guide and mules for the Toubkal trek
- 9 nights' accommodation, including one night in the Toubkal refuge and two in a desert camp
- 9 breakfasts, 9 dinners and 2 lunches during the trek
- Quad or buggy session, camel trek and a full day by 4×4
- Rock climbing session with equipment in the Todra Gorge
- Fuel and parking
Not included
- Lunches outside the trek, and drinks
- Personal trekking gear (boots, sleeping bag liner)
- Travel insurance with mountain rescue cover
- Flights
- Tips for guides, muleteers and drivers
Accommodation
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Nights 1 and 3Mountain guesthouse, Imlil
A Berber family guesthouse with views of the Toubkal massif.
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Night 2
Toubkal refuge (3,207 m)
A simple mountain refuge with shared dormitories, at the start of the summit path.
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Nights 4–6Kasbah and gorge guesthouses
Aït Ben Haddou, then family-run stays in the Dades and Todra gorges.
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Nights 7–9Desert camp and Ouarzazate kasbah
Two nights among the Erg Chebbi dunes, then a kasbah hotel in Ouarzazate.
Good to Know
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Fitness and altitude
The Toubkal summit day is long and reaches 4,167 m. You should be used to hiking 6 to 8 hours. A valley trek is possible instead.
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Best time to go
April–May and September–October. In winter, Toubkal needs crampons and more experience, and we adapt the programme.
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What to bring
Broken-in hiking boots, warm layers for the refuge and the desert nights, a hat, sunscreen and a sleeping bag liner.
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Insurance
Travel insurance with mountain rescue and adventure activities cover is required for this tour.
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Quads and climbing
Quad and buggy rides and climbing sessions are run with experienced local partners and safety equipment.
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Money
Bring cash in dirhams for drinks, lunches and tips. There are no ATMs in Imlil or the desert.
FAQ
Do I need climbing experience?
No. The climbing session in the Todra Gorge is adapted to beginners, and you can choose a hike instead.
How fit do I need to be for Toubkal?
You should be comfortable hiking 6 to 8 hours with steep sections. No technical climbing is needed in spring and autumn.
Can someone in our group skip the summit?
Yes. Non-hikers can stay in Imlil or do a gentle valley walk while the others go to the summit.
Is Toubkal possible in winter?
Yes, but it becomes a winter ascent with crampons and an ice axe. We adapt the programme and the guide team.
Is there a minimum age for quads and buggies?
Yes. Minimum ages depend on the vehicle and our partner's rules; tell us the ages in your group when you book.
Can this tour be private?
Yes. It can be private for your group, or you can join a small group on set dates.
