10 Day Morocco Trip: Toubkal Summit & the Sahara
For travellers who want to move: three days on the slopes of Toubkal, then the gorges and the Sahara, with something physical every day and a balloon over Marrakech to finish.
See the day-by-day routeAbout this 10 day Morocco trip
This 10 day Morocco trip is our most active route, from the summit of Toubkal to the dunes. You climb the highest peak in North Africa, then walk the gorges and the Sahara.
First, you walk from Imlil to the Toubkal refuge with a mountain guide and mules. Then you reach the summit at sunrise and descend to Imlil. After that, you cycle in Skoura, hike in the Dades and climb in the Todra Gorge. Next, you ride camels to a camp and walk with the caravan deep into Erg Chebbi. Finally, you return to Marrakech for a balloon flight at sunrise. As a result, this 10 day Morocco trip has something physical every day. It is private, on your dates.
Highlights of this 10 day Morocco trip
- Summit of Toubkal, 4,167 m
- Night at the Toubkal refuge
- Cycling in Skoura
- Dades canyon hike
- Rock climbing in Todra
- Camel ride & desert walk
- Two nights in the dunes
- Hot air balloon over Marrakech
10 day Morocco trip: day by day
- 1dayDay 1
Marrakech to Imlil
Drive to the foot of the High Atlas and take a warm-up walk to the village of Aroumd.
- 2dayDay 2
Up to the Toubkal refuge
Walk up the valley past the shrine of Sidi Chamharouch to the refuge at 3,207 m, with mules carrying the bags.
- 3dayDay 3
Summit day
Start before dawn to reach the summit of Toubkal at sunrise, then descend all the way to Imlil.
- 4dayDay 4
Tichka pass & Aït Benhaddou
An easy morning, then over the Tichka pass to the ksar of Aït Benhaddou for a walk at sunset.
- 5dayDay 5
Skoura cycling & Dades hike
Cycle through the Skoura oasis, then hike among the red rock folds of the Dades canyon.
- 6dayDay 6
Todra climbing & camels
Rock climbing in the Todra Gorge, then Merzouga and a sunset camel ride to the desert camp.
- 7dayDay 7
Walking in the dunes
Walk with a desert guide and the camels to a quieter camp deep in Erg Chebbi, with sandboarding on the way.
- 8dayDay 8
Back west to Ouarzazate
Sunrise from a dune, back to Merzouga by camel, then the long road west to Ouarzazate.
- 9dayDay 9
Over the High Atlas to Marrakech
The Tichka pass and its Berber villages, and a free evening in Jemaa el-Fna.
- 10dayDay 10
Balloon & departure
A hot air balloon over the palm grove at sunrise, then your transfer to the airport.
What’s included in this 10 day Morocco trip
Included
- 9 nights of accommodation as listed (riads, guesthouses and a desert camp)
- Breakfast every morning
- Dinner and breakfast at the desert camp
- Private transport in an air-conditioned vehicle with driver
- Pick-up in Marrakech and drop-off in Marrakech (hotel, riad, airport)
- Camel ride as described in the programme
- Mountain guide and mule for the luggage
Not included
- International flights
- Lunches and drinks
- Entrance fees to monuments and museums
- Optional activities (for example quad, buggy or balloon) unless listed
- Travel insurance
- Tips for drivers and guides
Draft based on this programme – our team confirms the exact list with your quote.
Where you stay
- Night 1Guesthouse in Imlil
- Night 2Toubkal refuge
- Night 3Guesthouse in Imlil
- Night 4Riad near Aït Benhaddou
- Night 5Riad in Dades Valley
- Night 6Desert camp
- Night 7Desert camp
- Night 8Riad in Ouarzazate
- Night 9Riad in Marrakech
Comfort level: Standard + – comfortable riads, guesthouses and a traditional desert camp, chosen by our team. Luxury camps and riads are possible on request.
Best time for this trip
June and September to October are best: the Toubkal path is usually free of snow and the desert is not too hot. In July and August the summit is fine but the Sahara is very hot; in winter the summit needs mountaineering experience.
- JanAvoid
- FebAvoid
- MarPossible
- AprPossible
- MayGood
- JunBest
- JulPossible
- AugPossible
- SepBest
- OctBest
- NovPossible
- DecAvoid
What to bring for this trip
- Broken-in walking boots
- Warm fleece and down jacket for the summit
- Windproof and waterproof jacket
- Hat and gloves for the summit morning
- Headtorch for the early start and the camp
- Sleeping bag for the refuge
- Trekking poles
- Scarf or cheche for sand and sun
- High-factor sun cream and sunglasses
- Refillable water bottle
Booking & payment
- How to book
- Send your request; we confirm the programme and the price in writing on WhatsApp or by email.
- Payment
- A deposit secures your booking and the balance is paid on arrival.
- Cancellation
- Our cancellation conditions are sent with your quote, before you pay anything.
- Weather & changes
- If the weather stops an activity, we adapt the day or replace the activity.
10 Day Morocco Trip: your questions
How fit do I need to be for this 10 day Morocco trip?
You need good fitness for the Toubkal summit day, which is long and reaches 4,167 m. The rest of the 10 day Morocco trip is active but easier: cycling, canyon hikes, beginner climbing and desert walks.
When can I climb Toubkal?
From May to October the path is usually free of snow. In winter the summit needs crampons, an ice axe and winter experience, so we may suggest a lower walk instead.
Do I need a guide for Toubkal?
Yes, a licensed mountain guide is required. Our guide leads the climb, with mules for the bags.
Where do we sleep in the desert?
Two nights in desert camps in Erg Chebbi: the first reached by camel at sunset, the second deeper in the dunes after a day walking with the caravan.
Can I do this 10 day Morocco trip without the summit?
Yes. We can replace the Toubkal climb with valley hikes around Imlil and keep the rest of the trip the same.
What our travellers say
A holistic experience
Booking a trip with Moroccan active adventures gave us the most memorable new years celebration of our lived. Our guide Mouhssin was especially talented at turning down deserted mountain/desert roads and finding beautiful riads…
Activities on this trip
Read more about each experience – what to expect, who it is for and what to bring.
Camel & horseback treksDay 6 – Todra climbing & camelsDetails →
Desert camping & stargazingDay 6 – Todra climbing & camelsDetails →
Hot air balloon rideDay 10 – Balloon & departureDetails →
Cycling & mountain bikingDay 5 – Skoura cycling & Dades hikeDetails →
Hiking & trekking adventuresDay 1 – Marrakech to ImlilDetails →Optional activities
Add one or more of these to your 10-day trip. They are not included in the price – ask us and we add them to your programme.
Optional · extraQuad & buggy ridesQuad or buggy ride in the Erg Chebbi dunesSee the activity →
Optional · extra4x4 & off-road safaris4x4 tour around the dunes and nomad familiesSee the activity →
Optional · extraAuthentic culinary experiencesCooking class or food walk in the medinaSee the activity →Optional · extraWellness and relaxationTraditional hammam and spa timeSee the activity →Optional · extraAtlas zipline adventureZipline in the Atlas foothillsSee the activity →
Optional · extraHelicopter tourScenic flight over Marrakech and the AtlasSee the activity →Request this 10-day trip
Fill in the form and press send: your request comes straight to our team’s inbox (or WhatsApp, if you prefer) and we reply with the full programme and a clear price.
- No payment to send a request
- Private tour on your dates
- Or write to us: +212 600 643 098
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