Jbel Toubkal ascent: 4,167 m from Imlil via the Toubkal refuges in two or three days

Which route should you choose?

Almost everyone climbs Toubkal by the same path. It leaves Imlil (1,740 m) and climbs the valley to Aremd (sources give 1,900 m or 1,950 m). It then passes the shrine of Sidi Chamharouch (2,350 m) to the two refuges at 3,207 m. On summit day it climbs the South Cwm (Ikhibi Sud) to the col of Tizi n'Toubkal (3,940 m) and the summit ridge. The routes below differ mainly in how many nights you spend at the refuge and in the season. The North Cwm (Ikhibi Nord) is a quieter summit line, about 1,000 m of climbing in 3 to 4 hours, often used as a descent variation with your guide.

One GPS route gives about 27 km and 2,250 m of climbing from Aremd to the summit and back; from the refuge to the summit and back is about 8.3 km. If you want more than the summit, the longer Toubkal circuit loops around the massif over several days and has its own page.

3-day Three days, two nights at the refuge itinerary at a glance

The itinerary below is the three-day plan with two nights at the refuge. It gives a shorter summit day and a little more time at altitude than the two-day climb. Day 1 climbs about 1,450 m to 1,500 m. The path goes through Aremd, across the floodplain and up to the shrine and tea stalls at Sidi Chamharouch, then on to the refuges. Sources give anything from about 3.5 to 7 hours; one timed party took 2 hours to Sidi Chamharouch and 2.5 hours more to the refuge.

Day 2 starts before dawn, typically between 4 and 6 am. The path climbs about 960 m over scree and boulders, marked with painted stones, to Tizi n'Toubkal and along the ridge to the metal summit pyramid. Allow about 2.5 to 3 hours up, then about 2 hours back to the refuge. Day 3 is the walk down to Imlil, about 5 to 6 hours on one source and about 3.5 hours for a fast timed party. Some groups use day 2 to acclimatise and climb on day 3 instead; on the two-day plan, the summit and the descent to Imlil are done on the same day.

1. Day 1 Imlil Toubkal refuges (Refuge du Toubkal / Les Mouflons) via Sidi Chamharouch 2,350 mnight at 3,207 m
2. Day 2 Jbel Toubkal summit Toubkal refuges summit 4,167 mnight at 3,207 m
3. Day 3 Toubkal refuges Imlil night at 1,740 m

Altitudes: Imlil 1,740 m on three sources (others say about 1,700 m); Sidi Chamharouch 2,350 m on two sources; the refuges 3,207 m on four sources (one page also gives 3,204 m). Walking times vary a lot between sources and seasons; snow makes every day longer.

What it really costs

Package prices depend on group size, the number of nights and what is included, so compare them on the booking sites. The figures below, as of November 2026, are approximate and none is official; they help you check what a package covers if you arrange the guide yourself in Imlil. You may take at most 2,000 MAD in banknotes out of Morocco, and it is wise to take out cash in Marrakech before going up to the mountains.

Fees and estimates checked on 6 November 2026.

Insurance that covers Jbel Toubkal ascent

Choose a policy that covers trekking and mountaineering to 4,167 m, including mountain rescue and helicopter evacuation. If you go between December and March, check it covers crampons and an ice axe. Rescue in the Moroccan mountains is carried out by the Gendarmerie, the Civil Protection and the army; when three people died in an avalanche in the Toubkal area in January 2026, the recovery involved all three.

Emergency numbers: 15 for ambulance and fire, 19 for police in towns, 177 for the Gendarmerie Royale in the countryside and mountains. The US State Department rates Morocco Level 2, exercise increased caution (reported current in September 2026); the UK government's Morocco safety page has a section on hiking. Read both before you book.

Staying connected in Morocco

An eSIM installed before you fly works in Morocco, and tourist SIM stands are found at airports. Maroc Telecom is reported as the strongest network in rural areas. Imlil has good 4G, but the signal drops on the way up and there is none at the Toubkal refuge. Tell someone your plan before you leave Imlil, download offline maps, and carry a power bank.

Getting there and where to stay

Fly into Marrakech (RAK), the gateway for Toubkal. Imlil is about 65 km south of Marrakech, under two hours by road via Asni. If there is no flight to Marrakech from your city, fly to Casablanca and connect there, or check for seasonal nonstops to Marrakech.

Gear: rent or buy

In summer nothing technical is needed, but the summit day is long, on loose scree, and above 4,000 m. Nights at the refuge are just above freezing even in summer, and early mornings above about 3,600 m can be below freezing. In winter, usually December to March and sometimes into April, the route is under snow and ice and becomes a mountaineering ascent. Crampons, an ice axe and winter boots are essential. Avalanches do occur: three people, a guide from Imlil and two Moroccan visitors, died in one in January 2026. Most winter accidents happen on the frozen south-southwest face.

• Broken-in boots with ankle support for scree and bouldersBuy
• Warm jacket, hat and gloves for the pre-dawn start and the summit windRent or buy
• Headlamp for the start, usually between 4 and 6 amBuy
• Trekking poles for the long, slippery descentRent or buy
• Crampons and ice axe from about December to March (sometimes November and April); ask your guide what fits your bootsRent
• Sleeping bag; ask your operator whether you need your own at the refugeRent or buy
• Water bottles plus purification tablets or a filterBuy
• Sun hat, sunglasses and high-factor sunscreenBuy
• Passport, needed at the police posts on the approachBuy

Add a few days in Morocco

Toubkal is close enough to Marrakech for a short trip. Two small changes give a fuller one.

Frequently asked questions