Combine the best of Morocco's desert and mountains on this 9-day guided adventure
Can’t decide between an exciting trek and a fascinating desert adventure for your trip to Morocco? With the Toubkal Trek and Erg Chebbi Tour, you don’t have to choose. This tour is like an adventure highlight reel for Morocco.
Begin by trekking in the Atlas Mountains, from the town of Imlil to the summit of Mount Toubkal. After returning by foot to Imlil, drive out into the Sahara Desert to explore more incredible landscapes and scenery, including the Dades Gorge and the Todra Gorge.
You’ll also experience the richness of Moroccan history and culture. Tour the ancient fortified dwellings known as Kasbahs, and the city of Ait Benhaddou, which is so scenic that it is a popular choice for filming Hollywood movies. You’ll never forget your camel ride through the desert at sunset, nor your night spent in a traditional Berber camp. Don’t miss the Moroccan adventure of a lifetime!
Highlights of The Mount Toubkal and Erg Chebbi Tour
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Toubkal Trek and Erg Chebbi Tour Itinerary
Day 1 Arrive in Marrakesh
Welcome to Morocco! Arrive at Marrakesh Menara International Airport and transfer to your hotel. If you get to Marrakesh early then you can explore this marvellous city on your own.
Overnight Location: Riad Viewpoint, Marrakesh
Distance: N/A
Meals: None
Day 2 Transfer to Imlil and Trek to Azib n’Tamsoult
Begin the day by driving to the popular trailhead town of Imlil (1,780 m/5,840’) to begin your trek. Trek through the Imlil Valley and over the Tizi n’Mzik Pass (2,450 m/8,038’) to reach the Azzadene Valley. Pass the Ighouliden waterfalls and stay in Azib n’Tamsoult refuge for the night.
Overnight Location: Tamsoult Refuge (2,250 m/7,382’)
Distance: 6 hrs
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3 Trek to Toubkal Refuge
Trek steeply up and out of the Azzadene Valley today to reach the Aguelzim Pass (3,560 m/11,680’). Stop here to rest and eat lunch while enjoying incredible views of the Atlas Mountains. Continue trekking to reach the Toubkal Refuge where you’ll spend the night in the Niltner Hut. This refuge is a very popular place to stay and you’ll probably share a bunk-style bedroom with other trekkers heading to the Mount Toubkal summit in the morning.
Overnight Location: Toubkal Refuge (Niltner Hut)
Distance: 9-10 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4 Summit Mount Toubkal
Get an early start today for the trek to the summit of Mount Toubkal (4,167 m/13,671’). If the weather is clear you’ll discover spectacular views from the summit looking out across the Atlas mountain range and the iconic Sahara Desert. Then begin the long trek down, past the Toubkal Refuge, and all the way back to the trailhead in Imlil. This long day of trekking will take approximately 8-9 hours to complete. You’ll gain about 900 m of elevation, then descend nearly 2,500 m as you return to Imlil.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Imlil
Distance: 8-9 hrs
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5 Transfer to Dades Valley
Begin your desert tour today. Your guide and vehicle will meet you at 9:00 AM at your hotel in Imlil to drive through the beautiful Atlas Mountains. Drive over the majestic Tizi n’Tichka pass, then drive through a series of native Berber villages to reach the desert. As you drive through the Sahara Desert, take note of the riverside oases. You’ll also see many Kasbahs (ancient fortified buildings that are protected homes for families and livestock) dotting the barren hillsides. You’ll stop along the way, choosing between taking a hike or visiting the Ouarzazate Film Studios. When you arrive at the Dades Gorge, there will be time to take a hike if desired, or simply relax at your hotel.
Overnight Location: Dar Essayaha, Dades
Distance: 6 hrs
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 6 Sunset Camel Trek and Sahara Camping
After breakfast at your hotel, leave the Dades Valley and drive to Todra Gorge. This massive fault divides the High Atlas Mountains and rises up 300 m in a beautiful canyon. Here you’ll find a number of Berber villages and palmeries where large date palms are grown. Here you can hike and explore the lovely, green, palm-filled oasis. After lunch, continue driving deeper into the desert to Merzouga, where you can purchase supplies for your time in the desert. Continue driving to a Kasbah where you will pick up camels. Take a 1.5-hour camel trek through the desert at sunset, then spend the night in a Berber desert camp. Dinner tonight is a delicious traditional Moroccan meal in the Berber camp.
Overnight Location: Desert camping
Distance: 5 hrs
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 7 Transfer to Ait Benhaddou
Wake up early enough to enjoy the remarkable desert sunrise, then ride your camel back to the Kasbah. Here you can eat breakfast and freshen up. Leaving the desert behind, drive to the ancient fortified city of Ait Benhaddou. There are numerous Kasbahs here, and the incredible scenery has made it a popular choice for filming Hollywood movies, including Gladiator, The Mummy, Lawrence of Arabia, and Alexander. Explore this amazing area together with your guide, then spend the night in a nearby hotel.
Overnight Location: La Rose du Sable, Ait Benhaddou
Distance: 5-6 hrs
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 8 Transfer to Marrakesh
Leave Ait Benhaddou and travel through the Ounilla Valley to reach Telouet Kasbah. You will have an opportunity to explore the ruins of this Kasbah, which was at one time an important location on the region’s trade routes. After lunch, drive again over the Tizi n’Tichka Pass to return to Marrakesh. If you have the energy, explore the open-air night markets in Jemma el-Fnaa
Overnight Location: Riad Viewpoint, Marrakesh
Distance: 4 hrs
Meals: Breakfast
Day 9 Departure
Sadly, your adventure in Marrakesh just came to an end. After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight.
Overnight Location: None
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast
Mount Toubkal and Erg Chebbi Tour Dates and Prices
This guided tour of Mount Toubkal and Erg Chebbi is always run as a private tour for your group only and the pricing always depend on the size of your group and your departure dates.
Prices below are per person sharing a double or a triple room:
- Guided Groups of 4: from $995 USD per person*
* - Please note that the pricing might change depending on the size of your group and your travelling dates.
Book NowAccommodation on the Mount Toubkal and Sahara Tour
Accommodation along your trek will be in simple Berber gites and guesthouses for an authentic experience of Moroccan life and culture. Camping is an option during the summer months. On the desert tour, stay in hotels and guesthouses for 3 nights and spend 1 night camping in Nomadic tents.
Before your trek, stay in a 3-star Riad (bed and breakfast) in Marrakesh. Rooms are double occupancy, and single travelers will pay a supplement.
In some cases, accommodation listed below may need to be substituted for other, comparable accommodations.
Single Rooms and Solo Travelers
You can pay a supplement to have a private room in hotels as a solo traveler. In mountain huts you will share a room. In some cases, there may be other solo travelers, and if desired we can try to match you with participants of the same sex.
Hotels on Standard Tour
Riad Viewpoint, Marrakesh ★★★★
Lovely Moroccan-style rooms await you, as well as a beautiful rooftop terrace with a great view. For an extra treat, request a room near the terrace!
Tamsoult Refuge
Dormitory-style accommodations at their best! Enjoy a comfortable, clean night with friendly staff. Delicious Moroccan meals are prepared from ingredients grown on-site, and don’t miss the sunset from the terrace.
Toubkal Refuge
The perfect place to rest and eat a hot meal before summitting Mount Toubkal. This no-frills, stone building heated with wood fires is a part of the Toubkal adventure!
Hotel Dar Adrar, Imlil (Guesthouse) ★
A small, clean, and comfortable guesthouse in central Imlil with en suite facilities and cozy fireplaces in each room.
Dar Essayaha, Dades
This beautiful hotel, surrounded by beautiful views from all around, is a true gem. The service here is great and the building itself is full of atmosphere and historic touches.
Desert camping, Merzouga
Camp in nomadic tent under the starry sky for the most authentic Saharan experience!
Rose Du Sable, Ait Benhaddou (Bed and Breakfast)
This guesthouse is basic, but the rooms are big and clean. The location is great – right next to the Kasbah!
Riad Viewpoint, Marrakesh ★★★★
Lovely Moroccan-style rooms await you, as well as a beautiful rooftop terrace with a great view. For an extra treat, request a room near the terrace!
What’s included in the Mount Toubkal and Sahara Tour?
Meals
8 breakfasts, 3 lunches, and 6 dinners are included. All meals, as well as mineral water on the trek, are included. Lunches are not included during the Sahara Desert tour.
Accommodations
Accommodations for 8 nights are included as described.
Transportation during the Tour
All transportation as described in the itinerary is included. Transfers to and from the airport are also included.
Also Included
- Mountain guide and cook on the trek
- Mules for luggage transport on the trek
- 4x4 or mini-bus tour in the desert
- Camel ride on the dunes
- Airport Transfers to and from the Marrakesh airport
Not included
- Flights to and from Marrakesh
- Lunches during the desert tour
- Soft drinks or alcoholic beverages
- Entrance fee for monument visits
- Personal gear
- Travel insurance
Optional Extras
- Gear rentals (€2-5 EUR/day per item)
Frequently Asked Questions about Mount Toubkal Summit & Sahara Tour
Aztat Treks (also known at Atlas Trek Shop) is a trekking holiday specialist based in Morocco. Learn about the incredible history, culture and food of Morocco with brothers Mohamed and Ibrahim and their handpicked team of guides, drivers, cooks and muleteers. Aztat has been featured in The Guardian, BBC Radio, Lonely Planet and the Sunday Times.
Learn MoreMount Toubkal Summit & Sahara Tour Map
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