Toubkal · Dades · Merzouga
5-Day Toubkal and Sahara Tour
Climb Mount Toubkal on the first two days, cross the High Atlas towards Dades and the Todra Gorge, then ride a camel to a desert camp in Erg Chebbi before heading back to Marrakech.
- Duration
- 5 days, 4 nights
- Start and finish
- Marrakech
- Main destinations
- Imlil, Toubkal Refuge, Mount Toubkal, Ait Benhaddou area, Dades, Todra Gorge, Merzouga, Erg Chebbi
- Accommodation
- Mountain refuge, riad or similar in Imlil, a stay in the Dades area and a desert camp
- Highest point
- Mount Toubkal, 4,167 m
Overview
This programme links two very different Moroccan landscapes. The first two days follow the Toubkal route from Imlil: a night at the refuge, a summit attempt, and a return to Imlil for a night in a traditional riad or similar accommodation.
From there the journey turns east. You cross the High Atlas towards the Ait Benhaddou area and the Dades region, continue past the Todra Gorge to Merzouga and ride a camel into the Erg Chebbi dunes for dinner and a night at a desert camp.
The final day is a sunrise camel experience followed by the long drive back to Marrakech. Driving days are long and times are approximate. We confirm the final itinerary, meals and inclusions with you when you enquire.
Day-by-day itinerary
Times are approximate and depend on pace, weather and conditions.
This is the proposed route. It is not a list of what the price includes: inclusions, transport and price are confirmed with Said before booking.
- Marrakech
- Imlil
- Aremd
- Sidi Chamharouch
- Toubkal Refuge
Travel from Marrakech to Imlil, then trek up the valley through Aremd and Sidi Chamharouch to the Toubkal Refuge, where you spend the night.
- Walking: approx. 6–7 hours
- Overnight: Mountain refuge
- Toubkal Refuge
- Mount Toubkal
- Imlil
An early start for the summit of Mount Toubkal, followed by the descent to the refuge and on to Imlil.
You spend the night in a traditional riad or similar accommodation in Imlil.
- Walking: approx. 9–11 hours
- Overnight: Traditional riad or similar, Imlil
- Imlil
- Atlas mountain pass
- Ait Benhaddou area
- Dades
Today is a scenic day on the road, crossing a High Atlas pass and continuing towards the Ait Benhaddou area and the Dades region.
Visits to Ait Benhaddou and the nearby film studios are optional along the way; entrance fees and guided visits are not part of the programme.
- Driving: approx. 7 hours
- Overnight: Dades area
- Dades
- Todra Gorge
- Merzouga
- Erg Chebbi camp
Continue east past the Todra Gorge towards Merzouga and the edge of the Sahara.
Later in the day you ride a camel across the dunes to your camp, where you have dinner and spend the night.
- Driving: approx. 6–7 hours
- Camel ride: approx. 1.5–2 hours
- Overnight: Desert camp, Erg Chebbi
- Merzouga
- Marrakech
Wake early for a sunrise camel experience, then have breakfast before the long journey back to Marrakech.
The programme ends with the return travel. No overnight in Marrakech is included, and arrival time depends on conditions on the road.
- Driving: approx. 9–10 hours
What the programme covers
Included
- One night at the Toubkal Refuge
- One night in Imlil
- One night in the Dades area
- One night at a desert camp in Erg Chebbi
- Mountain guide and cook during the trek
- Mule support during the mountain trek
- Full board during the mountain trek
- Camel experience in the dunes
- Breakfasts and dinners for the rest of the trip (exact meals confirmed before booking)
Not included
- Trekking equipment (rental available at the meeting location, paid separately)
- Travel insurance
- Soft and alcoholic drinks
- Tips and personal expenses
- Lunches during the desert part of the trip
- Entrance fees to monuments and sites
- Transport
- Transport may be included or arranged separately, depending on the agreed package. Arrangements and pricing must be confirmed with Said before booking.
- Trekking equipment
- Trekking equipment is not included in the price. Required equipment can be rented at the meeting location. Contact Said to discuss your needs and rental costs.
Contact us for the final itinerary and inclusions.
Practical notes
- Three of the five days include long drives. Times are approximate and depend on traffic and conditions.
- Accommodation is a traditional riad or similar in Imlil and a comparable stay in the Dades area. The exact properties are confirmed when you enquire.
- Arrival in Marrakech on day 5 cannot be fixed in advance. Please do not book onward travel for the same evening without checking with us first.
Questions about this trek
No. The programme finishes with the return journey to Marrakech on day 5. Arrival time depends on road conditions.
Visits to Ait Benhaddou and the nearby film studios are optional stops along the route. Entrance fees and guided visits are not included.
The inclusions listed on this page are confirmed with you when you enquire, together with the price and exact meal coverage, before anything is booked. Transport may be included or arranged separately, and trekking equipment is not included.
Trekking equipment is not included in the price. Required equipment can be rented at the meeting location. Contact Said to discuss your needs and rental costs.
Transport may be included or arranged separately, depending on the agreed package. Arrangements and pricing must be confirmed with Said before booking.
Weather and conditions can change plans, particularly on the mountain, so timings and outcomes cannot be promised. Your guide will explain the options on the day.
Keep exploring
More treks from Marrakech
5 days, 4 nights
Price on request