Overview
The 2 Days Tour from Marrakech to Imlil offers a complete change of scenery from Morocco’s famous desert tours — instead of dunes and kasbahs, you’ll find snow-capped peaks, terraced fields, and traditional Berber villages that feel untouched by the modern world. Imlil is the main gateway to Jebel Toubkal (4,167m), the highest mountain in North Africa, and the surrounding valley is one of the most beautiful — and undervisited — places in the entire country.
The drive from Marrakech takes just 90 minutes, but the transformation is extraordinary. Within an hour of leaving the city’s red walls, you find yourself climbing through walnut orchards, past roadside waterfalls, and into a landscape that could be confused with the Swiss Alps were it not for the mud-brick villages and mule tracks that wind between them. The Imlil valley is inhabited by the Amazigh (Berber) people, who have lived in these mountains for centuries, farming terraced plots of barley and apricots and raising sheep and goats on the high pastures.
Your guide will lead you on foot through the valley, visiting the villages of Aroumd and Around and stopping at a local Berber home for a traditional lunch of freshly baked bread, olive oil, honey, and a steaming pot of mint tea. You’ll learn about the rhythms of mountain life — the harvest seasons, the wedding traditions, and the extraordinary architecture of the kasbahs built directly into the cliff faces. The scenery at every turn demands that you stop and simply look.
Overnight in Imlil in a traditional gîte or mountain lodge, where simple, hearty food and wool blankets make the cold mountain nights deeply satisfying. The villages are at their quietest after dark, and looking up from the courtyard you’ll find a sky as star-filled as any desert.
On the second day, you can choose to hike higher toward the Toubkal refuge at 3,207m for breathtaking views of the Atlas range, or explore the terraced orchards and irrigation channels of the lower valley before your guide drives you back to Marrakech, arriving in time for a late afternoon in the souks.
Highlights
- Drive from Marrakech through stunning High Atlas mountain scenery
- Arrive in Imlil, base camp for Jebel Toubkal, Africa’s highest peak
- Trek on foot through traditional Berber villages of Aroumd and Around
- Visit a local Berber family home and share a traditional mountain lunch
- Overnight in a mountain gîte with views over the valley
- Optional morning hike toward the Toubkal base camp (3,207m)
- Experience authentic Amazigh Berber mountain culture up close
- Cross ancient irrigation channels and terraced barley fields
- Breathe crisp mountain air and discover waterfalls on the trek
- Return to Marrakech via the dramatic Tizi Mzik route
Day by Day Itinerary
Day 1: Marrakech to Imlil — Valley Trek & Village Visit
Depart Marrakech in the morning, driving south into the foothills of the High Atlas. The road climbs steadily, with the city giving way to olive and almond groves and then to open mountain slopes. Arrive in Imlil (1,740m) and meet your local mountain guide. Begin a gentle trek through the valley, descending to the village of Aroumd, which clings to a rocky outcrop above the valley floor. Visit a local Berber family for a traditional lunch — a spread of flatbread, locally pressed olive oil, fresh cheese, and mint tea prepared over an open fire. In the afternoon, continue along the valley trail to the village of Around and the small Kasbah du Toubkal. As evening falls, return to your gîte in Imlil for a Berber tagine dinner and a night under the Atlas stars.
Day 2: Morning Hike & Return to Marrakech
Rise early for the most rewarding option of the trip — a morning hike on the trail toward the Toubkal base camp refuge. Even a two-hour ascent rewards you with panoramic views of the entire Imlil valley and, on clear days, the Marrakech plain far below. Return to Imlil for a breakfast of fresh amlou (almond and argan paste), honey, and coffee. After breakfast, your driver returns you to Marrakech, arriving by early afternoon with time to explore the medina at your own pace.
What’s Included
- Private transport Marrakech–Imlil–Marrakech in a comfortable vehicle
- Professional English-speaking guide and certified local mountain guide
- Traditional Berber lunch with a local family in Aroumd village
- Overnight in a mountain gîte or lodge in Imlil (breakfast included)
- Tagine dinner at the gîte on Day 1
- All trekking on marked mountain trails
- Drinking water throughout
What’s Not Included
- International flights to and from Morocco
- Travel insurance (strongly recommended for mountain activities)
- Personal lunches beyond the included village lunch
- Tips for guide and driver
- Optional high-altitude gear (available to rent in Imlil)
- Visa fees where applicable
- Personal expenses
Travel Tips
The best time for this tour is April to October. Snow closes the upper trails from December to March, though Imlil itself remains accessible year-round. Bring good walking shoes or light hiking boots — trainers are fine for the valley trails but not for the upper mountain. Mountain weather can change quickly, so pack a light waterproof layer even in summer. Altitude affects some people above 3,000m — the optional Toubkal hike on Day 2 is entirely voluntary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do I need hiking experience for this tour? A: No — the valley trails on Day 1 are gentle and suitable for all fitness levels. The optional Day 2 morning hike to the Toubkal refuge is more demanding (a 1,400m altitude gain) and requires basic fitness, but you can skip it and enjoy a leisurely morning in Imlil instead.
Q: Can I summit Jebel Toubkal on this tour? A: The summit (4,167m) requires 2 full days from Imlil and is not included in this 2-day tour. We offer a separate Toubkal summit expedition — ask us for details.
Q: What is accommodation like in Imlil? A: Imlil has several comfortable mountain gîtes and small lodges. Rooms are simple but clean, with warm blankets, and some have en-suite facilities. The Kasbah du Toubkal is the most famous option if you’d prefer a more luxurious stay.
Q: Is this suitable for children? A: Yes — children aged 6 and above generally cope well with the valley trails. The mountain environment is exciting for kids and the village visits are a wonderful cultural experience for families.