The 6-Day Ourika Valley to Toubkal Trek is a dramatic east-to-west traverse of the High Atlas Mountains — starting in the lush Ourika Valley at Setti Fadma and ending at the summit of Mount Toubkal (4,167 m), the highest peak in North Africa. This is the only trek in our range that begins from the Ourika side, giving you a completely different entry point into the Atlas.
Days 1–2 take you through the scenic Ourika Valley villages, past ancient walnut groves and terraced fields, then up and over the dramatic Tizi n’Tacheddirt pass (3,200 m) with panoramic views of Jebel Bouiguenouane (3,882 m) and Jebel Aksoual (3,842 m). Day 3 descends through the Imenane Valley to Imlil, where the route pivots west. Days 4–5 cross the Tizi M’zzik pass (2,489 m) into the Azzaden Valley, ascending via the Ighouliden Waterfalls and Aguelzim Pass (3,560 m) to the Toubkal Refuge (3,207 m). Day 6 is summit day.
The entire route lies within the Toubkal National Park (established 1942). This is a moderate to challenging trek running mid-May to October only due to the high passes. It’s ideal for hikers who want a truly unique approach to Toubkal — arriving from the east through valleys and villages before the final summit push from the west. For the classic Toubkal circuit via Lake Ifni, see the 6-Day Toubkal Circuit. For a shorter summit, see the 4-Day Toubkal Ascent.
In short: A linear traverse from the Ourika Valley to the Toubkal summit — the only trek that begins from the eastern side and ends on North Africa’s highest peak. This trek is available from mid-May to October only, due to high mountain conditions and pass accessibility outside this period.
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 periods of snow. Additional costs may apply due to extra logistics.
Transfer from Marrakech to Setti Fadma in the Ourika Valley. Visit the famous cascades. Begin trekking west through hillside villages — Agadir n’Ait Boulmane, Tadrart, Tiourdiou — through corn fields, walnut groves, and olive orchards. Arrive at the ancient village of Timichi (2,000 m). Overnight in Berber family home.
Day 1 Stats: Walking: 5–6 h | Distance: ~12 km | Terrain: mostly ascent along the valley
The most demanding day of the first half. Ascend for 2.5 hours along mule trails to the Tizi n’Tacheddirt pass (3,200 m) — panoramic views of Jebel Bouiguenouane (3,882 m), Jebel Aksoual (3,842 m), and Jebel Angour. Descend past Iaabbassen village (2,030 m) to Tacheddirt (2,300 m). Overnight in Berber guesthouse.
Day 2 Stats: Walking: 6–7 h | Distance: ~13 km | Elevation: +1,200 m / −900 m | Highest point: 3,200 m
Descend through the Assif Imenane Valley, passing Berber hamlets. Climb to Tizi n’Aguersiwal pass (~2,000 m), descend via winding mule tracks to Aguersiwal village for lunch. Continue along the river bed to Imlil (1,740 m). Overnight in guesthouse.
Day 3 Stats: Walking: ~6 h | Distance: ~12 km | Terrain: descent with one moderate pass
Trek from Imlil up long mule tracks to Tizi M’zzik pass (2,489 m) with panoramic views of the Imlil Valley and Mount Toubkal. Descend to Azib n’Tamsoult (2,250 m) for lunch by the stream. Visit the Ighouliden Waterfalls (Irhoulidene Cascade). Return to Azib n’Tamsoult for overnight in basic refuge.
Day 4 Stats: Walking: 5–6 h | Distance: ~10 km | Elevation: +750 m / −490 m | Highest point: 2,489 m
Challenging ascent through the Azzaden Valley, past the Ighouliden area and over the Aguelzim Pass (3,560 m) with spectacular Atlas panorama. Descend to the Toubkal Refuge (3,207 m) — the Neltner Hut. Dinner, equipment check, and summit briefing.
Day 5 Stats: Walking: 6–7 h | Distance: ~10 km | Elevation: +1,310 m / −350 m | Highest point: 3,560 m
Pre-dawn departure. Summit Mount Toubkal (4,167 m) in 3–4 hours. 360° panoramic views. Descend all the way past the refuge, via Sidi Chamharouch and Aremd to Imlil (1,740 m). Transfer to Marrakech.
Day 6 Stats: Walking: 9–10 h | Distance: ~19 km | Elevation: +960 m / −2,430 m | Highest point: 4,167 m
Season: This trek runs mid-May to October only. The Tizi n’Tacheddirt (3,200 m) and Aguelzim Pass (3,560 m) may be snowbound outside this period. Snow conditions in early season should be checked with your guide.
Morning : Pickup from Marrakech (~8:00 am) and drive (~1h15) to Setti Fadma in the Ourika Valley. Meet your guide and mule team. Optional visit to the famous Setti Fadma cascades (six to seven waterfalls above the village).
Afternoon : Begin trekking west along the Ourika Valley, passing through hillside villages: Agadir n’Ait Boulmane, Tadrart, Tiourdiou, and Izouggaghene. The path winds through corn fields, terraced irrigated plots, and groves of walnut and olive trees. Lunch in the village of Zaouia Mohammed.
Evening : Arrive at Timichi (2,000 m) — an ancient multi-layered terraced village surrounded by 100-year-old walnut trees. Dinner and overnight in a traditional Berber family home.
Overnight : Berber family home in Timichi (2,000 m)
Morning : After breakfast, trek west along well-defined mule trails through the upper valley to Iaabbassen (2,030 m). Continue ascending toward the Tizi n’Tacheddirt pass (3,200 m) — the rocky lower levels of the mighty Jebel Angour range (3,616 m).
Afternoon : At the pass — stunning panoramic views of Adrar n’Ineghmar (3,892 m), Jebel Bouiguenouane (3,882 m), and Jebel Aksoual (3,842 m). Picnic lunch with these peaks in full view. Descend for 2 hours to Tacheddirt (2,300 m) — the oldest and most atmospheric village in the Toubkal massif, set among terraced irrigated fields.
Evening : Relax in a Berber guesthouse amid stunning mountain countryside.
Overnight : Berber guesthouse in Tacheddirt (2,300 m)
Morning : Descend through the Assif Imenane Valley, passing Berber hamlets. Climb to the Tizi n’Aguersiwal pass (~2,000 m) and descend on winding mule tracks.
Afternoon : Lunch at Aguersiwal village. Continue along the river bed to Imlil (1,740 m) — the main trekking hub of the Atlas. Rest and prepare for the high-altitude stages ahead.
Evening : Dinner in a guesthouse in Imlil. This is the transition point — the first three days were the Ourika traverse; the final three are the Toubkal approach.
Overnight : Berber guesthouse in Imlil (1,740 m)
Morning : From Imlil, climb long winding mule tracks to the Tizi M’zzik pass (2,489 m) — panoramic views of the Imlil Valley and Mount Toubkal (4,167 m) rising ahead. Cross into the Azzaden Valley.
Afternoon : Descend to Azib n’Tamsoult (2,250 m) for a picnic by the stream. Visit the spectacular Ighouliden Waterfalls (also known as the Irhoulidene Cascade) — a year-round cascade in the upper Azzaden Valley.
Evening : Return to Azib n’Tamsoult for dinner and overnight in a basic mountain refuge.
Overnight : Mountain refuge at Azib n’Tamsoult (2,250 m)
Morning : The hardest pre-summit stage. Ascend through the upper Azzaden Valley past the Ighouliden area toward the Aguelzim Pass (3,560 m) — a demanding climb through increasingly alpine terrain.
Afternoon : Spectacular panoramic views of the entire Atlas range from the pass. Lunch en route. Descend to the Toubkal Refuge (3,207 m) — the Neltner Hut — where you share the base camp with trekkers from around the world.
Evening : Dinner at the refuge. Equipment check and summit briefing. Early night.
Overnight : Toubkal Mountain Refuge (3,207 m)
Pre-dawn : Departure ~4:30–5:00 am. Ascend the zigzag trail across scree slopes to the summit of Mount Toubkal (4,167 m) in 3–4 hours. After five days of acclimatization, you arrive fully prepared.
Morning : At the summit — 360° panoramic views: the Atlas range, the Marrakech plains and Haouz to the north, the Anti-Atlas and Sahara horizon to the south.
Afternoon : Long descent past the refuge, via Sidi Chamharouch and Aremd to Imlil (1,740 m). Lunch en route.
Return : Transfer from Imlil to Marrakech (~1h30), arrival ~5:00–6:00 pm.
Trek ends — a complete traverse from the Ourika Valley to the summit of North Africa’s highest peak.
