Mount Toubkal Expedition – 4,167 m
Climb Toubkal, the highest mountain in North Africa, and up to three more 4,000 m peaks in the High Atlas – with Berber village hospitality, porters and mules, mountain hut nights and a lively evening in Marrakesh to finish.
Next open trip: Saturday 5 to Thursday 10 December 2026 – £879 per person. Private group dates available.
“The Toubkal trip with Dave (and a lovely bunch of people) was fabulous and we enjoyed everything about it! Dave’s an inspiring mountain leader with boundless energy and (seemingly) limitless good humour, great skills and a plan for everything.”
Hamish – Toubkal expedition
More Than Just Toubkal
At 4,167 m, Mount Toubkal is the highest peak in the Atlas Mountains and in all of North Africa, rising from the heart of the stunning Toubkal National Park. It’s the perfect introduction to higher mountain summits – just over 4,000 m, and only a short flight from the UK.
But this is more than just a Toubkal trip. Over six days we aim to get you to the summit of four 4,000 m peaks – Toubkal, Toubkal West, Ras Ouanoukrim and Timzguida – with Berber village hospitality, porters and mules to carry the heavy bags, three nights in the mountain refuge and a lively night in Marrakech to finish.
The summits aren’t technical, but they do involve some moderate scrambling – similar to Crib Goch in Snowdonia or Striding Edge in the Lake District. It’s suitable for anyone with some mountain walking or scrambling experience, and can be run in summer or winter conditions.
Bag Four 4,000 m Summits
Most Toubkal trips climb one mountain. We base ourselves at the Toubkal Refuge for three nights, giving us two full summit days to climb four of the highest peaks in North Africa – weather and fitness permitting.
Toubkal
4,167 m
The highest mountain in North Africa, climbed on Day 4 via its south cirque. The summit is marked by a metal tripod, with huge views across the High Atlas and, on a clear day, towards the Sahara.
Toubkal West
4,030 m
Toubkal’s rocky western top, added on Toubkal summit day if time and fitness allow – a quieter, more adventurous top that takes your 4,000 m peak total to four!
Ras Ouanoukrim
4,083 m
Climbed on Day 3 from the col of Tizi n’Ouanoukrim, with fun scrambling on the ridge and big views back to Toubkal.
Timzguida
4,089 m
Ras’s neighbour and the second-highest summit of the trip, a short ridge walk away – making Day 3 a two-summit day and the perfect warm-up for Toubkal.
Route Map and Elevation Profile
From the mountain village of Imlil, we walk up the beautiful Mizane Valley past the Berber village of Aroumd and the shrine of Sidi Chamharouch to the Toubkal Refuge at around 3,200 m – our base for three nights.
From the refuge we climb Ras Ouanoukrim and Timzguida on Day 3 – great acclimatisation – then Toubkal and Toubkal West on Day 4, before walking back down the valley to Imlil on Day 5.
- Start and finishImlil, 1,740 m
- Mountain baseToubkal Refuge, c. 3,200 m
- Highest pointToubkal, 4,167 m
- Distance on footc. 37 km over 5 days
- Biggest climbc. 1,200 m (Day 2)
- Summit daysAround 8 hours each
Tap the map or profile to open it full size.
Elevation profile
Six Days in the High Atlas
Marrakech to Marrakech, with five days in the mountains. Distances and times are approximate.
Marrakech to Imlil and Aroumd
Meet at Marrakech airport at 2 pm for a 1.5-hour transfer through stunning scenery to the mountain village of Imlil. From there it’s a short walk – a couple of hundred metres of climbing, great for acclimatisation – to our hotel in Aroumd, with superb views of Toubkal. Sort kit for the mountains, then a group meal together.
Aroumd to the Toubkal Refuge (3,200 m)
An early start as the bags are loaded onto the mules and porters. We follow the spectacular trekking path through the foothills, past the shrine of Sidi Chamharouch, climbing from around 2,000 m to the refuge at 3,200 m. It’s done at a leisurely pace, with at least two stops at the tea huts on the way and plenty of photo opportunities. Relax and take in the views in the afternoon.
Ras Ouanoukrim (4,083 m) and Timzguida (4,089 m)
Our first big summit day – and the perfect acclimatisation for Toubkal. Weather permitting, we climb to the col of Tizi n’Ouanoukrim, then scramble up the 4,000 m peaks of Ras and Timzguida – two summits over 4,000 m in a day – before returning to the refuge.
Summit day – Toubkal (4,167 m) and Toubkal West (4,030 m)
The big one. Now well acclimatised, we head up the south cirque for the summit of Toubkal – the highest point in North Africa. If time and fitness allow we add Toubkal West too, taking your 4,000 m peak total to four, before returning to the refuge for a well-earned dinner.
Down to Imlil and on to Marrakech
A glorious walk back down the valley to Imlil at your own pace, then a transfer to Marrakech. The huge market city is a sight to behold – we’ll enjoy a fun and lively night out in the old town.
Home – or stay on in Marrakech
Transfer to the airport for your flight home, or stay longer and explore Marrakech.
Every effort is made to stick to the itinerary, but this is adventure travel in a remote mountain region. Weather, road conditions and the health of the group can all affect the plan – and cheerfulness in the face of adversity is a real asset in the mountains.
Choose Your Season
Winter expedition
In winter the High Atlas is transformed by snow and ice. We carry crampons and ice axes and give full training in their use – making this a superb introduction to winter mountaineering, and a great step towards bigger mountains. Don’t have your own? Crampons and ice axes can be hired at a small extra cost.
Summer expedition
Outside the winter months the trails are clear of snow and the scrambling is on warm, dry rock – a fantastic first 4,000 m expedition for experienced hill walkers. The same four peaks, the same refuge base and the same Berber hospitality.
Everything Taken Care Of
From the moment you land in Marrakech, everything is organised for you – transport, rooms, food and even the mules. All you need to do is enjoy the mountains.
Included
- An experienced UK guide with a first aid qualification✓
- All in-country transport, including airport transfers✓
- Assistant guides, porters and mules to carry your heavy bags✓
- One night’s hotel in Aroumd, near Imlil✓
- Three nights at the Toubkal Refuge✓
- One night’s hotel in Marrakech✓
- All food except the last evening meal✓
- Winter skills training on winter trips✓
- Trip photos from your guide✓
Not included
- Flights–
- Travel insurance–
- Tips for the local team–
- Alcoholic drinks and personal spending money–
- Personal kit (crampons and ice axes can be hired)–
- Extra nights before or after the expedition–
Price
£879
per person for the December 2026 trip. Private group dates priced on request.
- Dates5–10 December 2026
- MeetMarrakech airport, 2 pm
- Highest pointToubkal, 4,167 m
- Accommodation2 hotel nights, 3 refuge nights
- Winter kitCrampons and axes can be hired
Booking
Get in touch to book a place on an open trip or to arrange a private group date. A 30% deposit secures your place, with the balance due one month before departure.
Fitness and Experience
Previous experience of altitude isn’t necessary – we’re careful to ensure a gradual and thorough acclimatisation. To have a good chance of reaching the summits we recommend a clean bill of health, a good basic level of fitness and some experience of mountain walking or scrambling.
You don’t need to be an athlete, but the fitter you are the more you’ll enjoy it. You’ll be walking in the mountains for five days in a row, including two big summit days of around eight hours each, so you need to be comfortable exercising on back-to-back days. As a rough guide, being able to complete a half marathon at a slow pace is about the level of fitness required.
Previous scrambling experience helps but isn’t essential – and harder, more exposed scrambling can be added for groups who want it.
Training: walking, running and cycling all help – anything that gets your heart rate up. The best training of all is getting out in the mountains. Our free mountain training plan will help you prepare, and make sure your boots are worn in and comfortable!
A Night in the Red City
After the mountains we head back to Marrakech for an afternoon and a lively evening in the old town. The Medina is where the souks, history and culture are centred – a maze of markets, spice stalls and craft workshops, with some of the best street food you’ll ever taste served up in the main square each evening.
We aim to stay in a traditional riad within walking distance of the Medina – the perfect place to relax after the trekking. Most riads and bars in the old town don’t serve alcohol, but there are rooftop bars with views over the city skyline.
Want to stay longer? Many people add a few extra days in Marrakech before or after the expedition – it’s also a great place to meet a partner or friends. Just ask and we’ll happily share our recommendations for where to stay.
Good to Know Before You Go
Your guide
Led by Dave Talbot, an AMI-qualified mountaineering instructor, with a trusted local team of assistant guides, porters and muleteers.
Altitude
Above 4,000 m the air is thin. The night in Aroumd and three nights at the refuge help you acclimatise, and we go at a steady pace.
Refuge life
The Toubkal Refuge is a busy, friendly mountain hut with dormitory beds and hearty meals – bring a sleeping bag liner and earplugs.
Insurance
You’ll need travel insurance that covers trekking and scrambling to 4,167 m, including mountain rescue – and winter mountaineering on a winter trip.
Flights
We don’t book flights, so you can tailor your trip. Fly into Marrakech in time to meet the group at the airport at 2 pm on Day 1.
Kit list
A detailed kit list is sent when you book, including winter equipment for winter trips. Dave is always happy to advise on what to bring.
What Our Groups Say
“The Toubkal trip with Dave (and a lovely bunch of people) was fabulous and we enjoyed everything about it! Dave’s an inspiring mountain leader with boundless energy and (seemingly) limitless good humour, great skills and a plan for everything.”
HamishToubkal expedition
“My second event with Dave and yet again he did not fail to put on a fabulous adventure. Dave has amazing attention to detail – every aspect of the trip had been thought about, ensuring a safe but exceptionally fun, relaxed time for all.”
AliceMorocco & the Atlas Mountains
“Highly recommended. Dave was a great guide, super fun and a good photographer too, capturing all the best bits of our expedition.”
Ms A. ChallansGuided challenge
“Outstanding experience. Brilliantly organised with everything taken care of for you. A great set up for people of all abilities to allow access to your first 4,000 metre peak. All of us made three 4,000 metre peaks in winter conditions – a great big tick on the bucket list.”
C. JepsonToubkal winter expedition
“Rather than adding a mountain guide as a tag on to your group, this trip was more like adding a very capable friend who sorts everything out for you and makes the admin side super easy.”
Amanda C.Toubkal expedition
Toubkal Expedition Video
Mount Toubkal expedition with Dave Talbot
Toubkal in Pictures
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Toubkal Questions
Book Your Toubkal Expedition
Ask about the December 2026 trip or a private group date, and Dave will send you the information pack.