The 5-Day Berber Villages & Toubkal Round Trek is the ultimate Atlas Mountains experience — three full days immersed in Berber village culture through the Ait Oussaden and Azzaden valleys, followed by a two-day summit attempt on Mount Toubkal (4,167 m) via the spectacular Tizi Aguelzim pass (3,550 m). This is the approach route from the west — through the Azzaden Valley and past the Ighouliden Waterfalls — rather than the standard direct route from Imlil.
Days 1–3 follow the proven Berber villages route: Imi Oughlad → the Ait Oussaden valley (Tiziane, D’knt) → Tizi Oussem and Tamsoult in the Azzaden Valley. Day 4 ascends through the Azzaden Valley past the Ighouliden Waterfalls and over the dramatic Tizi Aguelzim pass (3,550 m) to the Toubkal Refuge (3,207 m). Day 5 is the pre-dawn summit push on Mount Toubkal (4,167 m) followed by the long descent via Sidi Chamharouch to Imlil.
The entire route lies within the Toubkal National Park (established 1942). This is a moderate to challenging trek, ideal for hikers who want the deepest possible Atlas experience — culture, scenery, and summit in a single trip. Three days of village acclimatization make the summit significantly more achievable. For the villages without the summit, see the 5-Day High Atlas Berber Villages Hike; for a faster summit approach, see the 4-Day Toubkal Ascent.
In short: Three days of Berber village trekking as natural acclimatization, then a spectacular two-day Toubkal approach via the Azzaden Valley and Aguelzim pass — the most thorough way to summit North Africa’s highest peak.
Imlil Trek operates under Extra Mile Travel (License #16D/19), a licensed Moroccan tour operator based in the Imlil valley with over a decade of experience organizing treks in the Toubkal National Park.
Note: Prices are for the 2026 season and may increase during winter. Additional costs may apply for porters, crampons, ice axes, and extra guides required for safety in winter conditions.
Transfer from Marrakech through the Moulay Brahim Gorge to Imi Oughlad (1,450 m). Acclimatization hike through cornfields, pine, and juniper to Tizi n’Tachte (2,000 m) with views of the Imlil and Ait Oussaden valleys. Lunch at Imi n’Ifri. Descend to the red-clay terraced village of Tiziane (1,750 m). Overnight in guesthouse.
Day 1 Stats
Follow the Assif n’Ait Oussaden valley through walnut groves to Tizi n’Taghrhourte (1,995 m), then along a rare flat stretch to Assaka Spring. Field picnic in the silence. Afternoon hike along forest edges to D’knt (1,870 m). Overnight in guesthouse.
Day 2 Stats:
Morning hike through walnut groves, cornfields, and past shepherds to the Tizi n’Tagdalte pass through juniper forest. Picnic at a hidden spring. Afternoon descent to Tizi Oussem (1,850 m) and continue to the summer village of Azib Tamsoult (2,250 m) at the head of the Azzaden Valley. Overnight in hut/camp.
Day 3 Stats:
The most demanding day before summit. Trek up the Azzaden Valley past the Ighouliden Waterfalls. Continue on a challenging climb to the Tizi Aguelzim pass (3,550 m) — spectacular views of the Atlas Mountain range. Descend to the Toubkal Refuge (3,207 m). Dinner and overnight.
Day 4 Stats:
Pre-dawn departure. Steep 3-hour climb to the summit of Mount Toubkal (4,167 m) — 360° panoramic views across the Atlas, the Haouz plains, and the Sahara horizon. Descend via the south cirque (Ikkhibi Sud) back to the refuge. Lunch. Continue descending north through the Ait Mizane Valley past the Sidi Chamharouch shrine (2,500 m) to Imlil (1,740 m). Transfer to Marrakech.
Day 5 Stats:
Seasonal note: This trek runs year-round. In winter (November–April), crampons and ice axes are required for the Tizi Aguelzim pass and summit attempt. The village days (1–3) are comfortable year-round.
Morning : Pickup from Marrakech (~8:30 am). Drive south (~1h30) through the Moulay Brahim Gorge with views of Jebel Toubkal (4,167 m), Aglzim (3,650 m), and Aksoual (3,884 m). Arrive at Imi Oughlad (1,450 m). Meet guide and mule team.
Afternoon : Acclimatization hike through cornfields, pine, and juniper to Tizi n’Tachte (2,000 m) — viewpoint over the Imlil and Ait Oussaden valleys. Lunch at Imi n’Ifri. Gentle descent to the red-clay terraced village of Tiziane (1,750 m).
Evening : Dinner and overnight in guesthouse.
Overnight : Berber guesthouse in Tiziane (1,750 m)
Morning : Trek along the Assif n’Ait Oussaden valley through walnut groves to Tizi n’Taghrhourte (1,995 m) and a rare flat stretch.
Afternoon : Field picnic at Assaka Spring in extraordinary silence. Descent through forest to the remote Berber village of D’knt (1,870 m).
Evening : Dinner and overnight in guesthouse.
Overnight : Berber guesthouse in D’knt (1,870 m)
Morning : Hike through walnut groves, cornfields, and past shepherds. Traverse the Tizi n’Tagdalte pass through juniper forest. Picnic at a hidden spring.
Afternoon : Descent to Tizi Oussem (1,850 m) and continue up through the Azzaden Valley to the summer village of Azib Tamsoult (2,250 m) — the staging point for tomorrow’s Aguelzim crossing. Views of the Tazaghart Plateau (3,900 m) towering above.
Evening : Dinner and overnight in hut/camp. Early night recommended — tomorrow is a big day.
Overnight : Mountain hut / bivouac at Azib Tamsoult (2,250 m)
Morning : After breakfast, trek up the narrowing Azzaden Valley. Pass the spectacular Ighouliden Waterfalls — one of the highest cascades in the Atlas, crashing down into a cliffed gorge. Picnic lunch with panoramic views of the Atlas range.
Afternoon : Begin the challenging ascent to the Tizi Aguelzim pass (3,550 m) — steep, rocky terrain rewarded with extraordinary views of the Toubkal massif and surrounding peaks. Descend to the Toubkal Refuge (3,207 m).
Evening : Dinner at the refuge. Early night — summit attempt tomorrow at dawn. After three days of village acclimatization, your body is well prepared for high altitude.
Overnight : Toubkal Mountain Refuge (3,207 m)
Early morning : Pre-dawn departure (~5:30 am). Steep 3-hour climb to the summit of Mount Toubkal (4,167 m) — the highest point in North Africa. Extraordinary 360° panoramic views — north toward Marrakech and the Haouz plains, south toward the Anti-Atlas and Sahara Desert horizon.
Morning : Descend via the south cirque (Ikkhibi Sud) back to the refuge for a packed lunch.
Afternoon : Continue descending northward along steep zigzagging trails through the Valley of the Assif n’Isouhouanem n’Ouagounss toward the sacred Sidi Chamharouch shrine (2,500 m) — a pilgrimage site beside a waterfall. After another 2 hours downhill, reach Imlil (1,740 m).
Return : Transfer from Imlil to Marrakech (~1h30), arrival around 5:00–7:00 pm.
Trek ends in Marrakech — Berber villages explored, Azzaden Valley traversed, North Africa’s highest peak conquered.
