Hiking Toubkal in the Atlas Mountains of Morocco was on my list for years. I finally did it with my wife and brother to mark my 40s.

In this two-day adventure, we started from the charming village of Imlil (1740m) and made our way up to the Refuge du Toubkal (3207m), where we spent the night. On day two, we pushed to the summit (4167m) and were rewarded with breathtaking views.

This hike is not technical but quite strenuous due to the altitude, especially the last portion after the refuge. Not everyone makes it to the summit. My brother stopped at 3800m and my wife at 4000m. But whether you make it to the top or not, the journey is incredibly rewarding. The views along the way are spectacular, with imposing peaks, deep valleys, and the welcoming Amazigh people making the ascent unforgettable!

💡Planning to take on this adventure? Here are some useful tips:

▶Distance & Average Time
◉Day 1: Imlil to Toubkal basecamp, passing by Sidi Chamharouch (15km; 5 to 6 hrs walk).
◉Day 2: Toubkal basecamp to Summit (3km; 3 to 4 hours), then down to Imlil. 10 to 12 hours in total.

▶Guide
◉Mandatory: You must be accompanied by a local guide by law. There is a police checkpoint at the beginning of the trail, so bring your passport. Your information will be registered at both the police station and the basecamp. Guides are responsible for safely bringing down anyone who goes up.
◉Booking: You can check Bureau des Guides – imlil Guides, which is an association of licensed and experienced guides: [ Ссылка ]
We arrived early in Imlil and their office was closed, but we found Hamid, who was heading up with two mules. Easy peasy! 😆

▶Refuge
◉Choice: There are two refuges at Toubkal Basecamp. Choose based on your needs. We picked the Refuge of Toubkal.
*Refuge du Toubkal: [ Ссылка ]
*Refuge les Mouflons: [ Ссылка ]
◉Dormitory: not ideal for a light sleeper like myself. People wake up at different times to reach the summit by sunrise. If you have someone snoring, your night is done. Camping outside might be a better option for light sleepers.
◉Food: Plenty of food for lunch and dinner, though we couldn’t finish it all. Breakfast was light for the ascent ahead. The refuge sells snacks and refreshments if you need them.
◉Shower: There is hot water available to shower and refresh.

▶Miscallenous
◉Sunrise: If you want to reach the summit by sunrise, be prepared to wake at 3am. Bring a headlamp.
◉Snacks: Buy your next day’s breakfast in Imlil (fruits, msemen, etc.). Also, pack dates and raisins (you'll need them when the altitude starts weighing on you. ). You’ll find stores along the way for meals, water refills, basic snacks, and refreshments. No need to overload your backpack. Bring cash as credit cards aren’t accepted in the mountains.
◉Layers: It's windy and cold up there. Have some layers, especially if you start hiking during the night. Don't forget gloves and hat.
◉Trail: rocky for the most part. Slippery in the upper section between the refuges and the summit. You'll be lucky to find shade. Have sun protection.
◉Driving: It is harder to drive in Marrakeck (with all the motorcycles) than to reach Imlil. We drove early morning so there was almost nobody. One parking is where the Bureau des Guides is.
Other options would be taxis from Marrakech or going on a group tour and they'll take care of everything for you.

💖Feel free to ask me questions. Hit the like button, share, and subscribe for more adventures!

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