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Morocco: Mount Toubkal Summit

Six days. The highest peak in North Africa. Ancient Berber villages, dramatic gorges and the vast, humbling silence of the Sahara Desert. This is Morocco at its most elemental — led by Alfie, built for those who want more than a holiday.

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Duration
6 Days
Marrakech to the Sahara
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Summit
4,167m
Highest peak in North Africa
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Group Size
Small Group
Intimate, hosted by Alfie
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Price
£899 pp
All meals & activities included

Atlas Mountains to the Sahara

This six-day adventure takes you from the maze of Marrakech's medina to the roof of North Africa and beyond. The journey begins in the village of Imlil — the gateway to the High Atlas — where you'll trek through the Azzaden Valley, sleeping in traditional Berber refuges as the mountains close in around you.

The centrepiece is the ascent of Mount Toubkal itself: 4,167 metres, an early start, a climb through the dark and a sunrise from the summit that you will never forget. From the top, on a clear day, you can see the curve of the Sahara stretching south. You'll be heading there next.

After descending from the summit, the route takes you east through the cinematic landscapes of the Draa Valley, past the iconic Kasbah of Ait Benhaddou — a UNESCO World Heritage Site — and into the sculpted gorges of Dades and Todra before the dunes of Merzouga appear on the horizon.

The final night is spent under the stars in nomadic tents in the Sahara, riding camels into the dunes to watch the sun go down over a sea of sand. Six days. Two worlds. One journey that changes your sense of what's possible.

Trip Highlights

Toubkal Summit

Toubkal Summit at Sunrise

An early alpine start, headtorches cutting through the dark, and the reward of watching North Africa wake up from 4,167 metres. One of the great summit experiences on the continent.

Berber Villages

Berber Villages & Valley Life

Trek through the Azzaden Valley passing remote villages, terraced fields and the cascading Ighouliden waterfalls — a world that feels entirely apart from the modern one.

Ait Benhaddou

Kasbah of Ait Benhaddou

The most famous kasbah in Morocco — a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the backdrop to countless films. Walking its ancient walls as the light turns golden is genuinely extraordinary.

Dades Gorges

Dades & Todra Gorges

Two of Morocco's most dramatic natural wonders. Towering terracotta walls, lush palm groves and the feeling of being somewhere genuinely remote. Unforgettable driving country.

Sahara Desert

Sahara Desert & Camel Ride

Arrive in Merzouga as the sun drops, board your camel, and ride into the dunes. Spend the night in nomadic tents under a sky full of stars. Nothing quite prepares you for it.

Tizi N'Tichka Pass

Tizi N'Tichka Mountain Pass

The winding road over the High Atlas at 2,260 metres — panoramic views, dramatic drops and a transition from the green valleys of the north to the ochre landscapes of the south.

Full Itinerary

Day 1

Marrakech — Imlil — Azib Tamsoult

  • Transfer from Marrakech to Imlil, the gateway to the High Atlas
  • Begin trekking through the Tizi-n-Mezzik mountain pass with picnic lunch in the Azzaden Valley
  • Descend to Tamsoult for your first night at a refuge or camp
  • Trek duration: approximately 5 hours
Day 2

Azzaden Valley — Toubkal Base Camp

  • A longer day climbing deeper into the High Atlas through the Azzaden Valley
  • Pass the Ighouliden waterfalls and the dramatic Aguelzim Mountain
  • Arrive at Toubkal Refuge — a gathering point for trekkers from around the world
  • Overnight at the Niltner Hut or Mouflon refuge
  • Trek duration: approximately 7 hours
Day 3

Summit Day — Toubkal 4,167m — Aremd Village

  • Early alpine start in the dark — headtorches on, summit ahead
  • Ascent to the summit of Mount Toubkal, highest peak in North Africa
  • 360° panoramic views stretching from the Atlas Range to the edge of the Sahara
  • Descend to Aremd village for a well-earned rest
  • Trek duration: 8–9 hours
Day 4

Imlil — Ait Benhaddou — Dades Gorges

  • Drive east from Imlil through Asni and the Moulay Brahim Gorges
  • Cross the spectacular Tizi N'Tichka mountain pass at 2,260m
  • Visit the UNESCO-listed Kasbah of Ait Benhaddou
  • Explore Ouarzazate — Morocco's 'Hollywood city'
  • Overnight in the dramatic Dades Gorges
Day 5

Todra Gorge — Merzouga — Sahara Desert

  • Morning drive through the lush Palm Grove of Todra and into the towering Todra Gorge
  • Continue east through Erfoud towards Merzouga and the Sahara
  • Board your camel and ride into the dunes for sunset
  • Night in nomadic tents beneath an extraordinary desert sky
Day 6

Sahara Sunrise — Draa Valley — Marrakech

  • Wake before dawn for sunrise over the dunes — completely unmissable
  • Return to the hotel by camel for breakfast and a shower
  • Drive back to Marrakech through the stunning Draa Valley passing Rissani and Alnif
  • Arrive in Marrakech in the afternoon for transfer to accommodation

What's Included

Included

  • All accommodation throughout (refuge, guesthouse, desert camp)
  • All meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner every day
  • English-speaking guide throughout
  • All transportation from Marrakech
  • Mule and muleteer for luggage on the mountain
  • Camel ride into the Sahara dunes
  • Overnight in nomadic desert tents
  • Visit to Kasbah of Ait Benhaddou
  • Travel insurance
  • Alfie Laurence as your dedicated trip host

Not Included

  • International flights to Marrakech (RAK)
  • Drinks (alcoholic and soft drinks)
  • Lunches during the desert tour section
  • Entrance fees to kasbahs and studio tours
  • Tips for local guides and staff
  • Personal expenses

Two Worlds in Six Days

Mountain air and desert silence. Ancient villages and endless skies. Morocco gets under your skin in a way few places do.

The Mountain

The Atlas has a raw, unforgiving beauty. Trekking days are long and honest — your legs earn every view. Evenings at the refuge are shared over hot food and the particular warmth that comes from a hard day in the hills with good company.

The Summit

Day three is the one everyone talks about. The pre-dawn start, the cold, the headtorches, the moment the sky turns pink behind the Sahara and you realise you're standing on top of an entire continent. It's a feeling that stays with you.

The Road South

After the mountains, Morocco shifts gear. The landscape turns amber and ochre, the roads wind through gorges and past kasbahs. There's a cinematic quality to these valleys — as if the world has been rendered in terracotta and gold just for you.

The Desert

The Sahara is humbling in the best way. Vast, quiet, indifferent to time. Watching the sun rise over the dunes on your final morning — having come from a summit three days before — is one of those rare experiences that puts everything into perspective.

Meet Alfie

Alfie Laurence

Alfie Laurence

Trip Host & Tour Leader

Alfie has stood on the summit of Mount Toubkal himself — in winter, in the dark, in the cold — and knows exactly what it takes to get a group there safely and joyfully. The photo on this page is proof.

A multilingual tour leader fluent in Spanish, Portuguese, French and English, Alfie brings a rare combination of logistical precision, cultural knowledge and genuine warmth to every trip he leads. He doesn't just take you to places — he helps you understand them.

With a background in education and personal development, Alfie designs every trip around the belief that the best travel changes the way you see yourself as much as the world around you.

Toubkal summiteer
4 languages spoken
5+ years leading trips
North Africa specialist
"
We have just returned from the most epic adventure in Costa Rica led by Alfie Laurence. We had a blast — learnt to surf, whooshed down white water rapids, rode for the first time in 50 years, kayaked, visited waterfalls, hunted for elusive, mythical birds and of course ate the best food ever. Alfie's attention to detail was extraordinary. Anyone booking one of his tours is in for a treat.
Louise & Nick Beamish — Costa Rica Adventure, 2025
I've been on a lot of trips, but I have never had anyone as hard-working, charming, efficient and organised as Alfie. He is fully present from the moment he wakes up until we all go to bed.
Kara, Canada — Spain Cultural Student Trip, 2025

Your Booking Journey

1

Get in Touch

Drop Alfie an email to check availability and ask any questions.

2

Secure Your Place

Pay a deposit to confirm your spot on the trip.

3

Receive Your Pack

Kit list, flight advice, what to expect — everything you need.

4

Final Balance

Remaining payment due 90 days before departure.

5

Marrakech Awaits

Fly in, meet the group, and let the adventure begin.

Frequently Asked

This is a challenging trek and the summit day (Day 3) is genuinely demanding — around 8–9 hours of hiking with significant elevation gain. You don't need to be a mountaineer, but you should be comfortable with long days on your feet and sustained uphill walking. Preparation matters: get some long hill walks in before you come. Alfie will pace the group well and no one gets left behind, but this trip rewards those who arrive ready for it.
Spring (April–June) and autumn (September–November) are the sweet spots — stable weather on the mountain, warm but not extreme in the desert, and beautiful light throughout. Summer can be very hot in the Sahara. Winter is possible but requires crampons and ice axes on the summit, which adds complexity. Alfie will advise on the best timing for your group.
Good walking boots (broken in — not new), a warm mid-layer and a windproof jacket for the summit, a head torch with spare batteries, a sleeping bag (3–4 season for spring/autumn, lighter in summer), sunglasses, sun cream, a day pack and a refillable water bottle. A full kit list is sent after booking. Most equipment can also be hired locally in Imlil if needed.
International flights to Marrakech (RAK) are not included, giving you the flexibility to book from whichever UK airport suits you best. Marrakech is well served from most major UK airports. Alfie will share guidance on the best flight times once you've booked your place.
Accommodation is simple but characterful throughout — Berber guesthouses and mountain refuges on the trekking days (basic beds, hot showers, warm common areas), a hotel in the Dades Gorges, and nomadic tents in the Sahara for the final night. The desert camp in particular is something special. You're not in five-star hotels, but you are somewhere far more interesting.
Absolutely. The shared challenge of a summit like Toubkal creates a particular kind of bond between people, and solo travellers often find these trips form some of their most lasting friendships. Alfie builds a group dynamic from day one — by the summit, you'll feel like you've known each other for years.

Ready to Climb North Africa?

Spaces are limited. Get in touch to check availability, ask questions or secure your place — no pressure, just a conversation about whether this trip is right for you.