3-Day Imnane and Imlil Valleys Trek in the Atlas Mountains

The trek is graded moderate, with around five to six hours of walking each day and steady climbs to passes at 2,000m and 2,340m. If you walk regularly and are comfortable with a full day on your feet, including some uphill sections, you should enjoy it.

No previous mountain experience is needed. Some longer walks or hill days in the weeks before your trip will help your legs and make the climbs feel easier, especially if you plan to try the optional Taoudja ascent.

No. The whole route is walked on mountain trails and paths between villages, so there is no rope work or scrambling. Some sections are steep or rocky underfoot, particularly on the way up to the passes and on the descents.

Good walking boots with grip make a real difference on loose ground. Your guide sets a steady pace and there are regular stops for breaks, views and lunch.

On the second day, from around Tizi n'Tamatert, there may be the chance to make an extra climb towards Taoudja, one of the higher peaks in the area at around 2,700m. It adds height and effort to the day and rewards you with wider views over the surrounding valleys.

Whether it goes ahead depends on the weather, local conditions and how the group is feeling. Your guide will make the call on the day, and if you would rather skip it you simply continue on the main route.

The standard plan is to walk up the valley from Aroumd towards Chamharouch, at around 2,300m, a well-known stop on the route to Mount Toubkal, with lunch by the river.

If you would like a gentler or more cultural day, or the weather points that way, you can explore the Berber villages, mountain trails and waterfalls around Aroumd instead. Either way, the day ends with your transfer back to Marrakech.

Both nights are spent in traditional Berber guest houses, the first in the village of Amssakrou and the second in Aroumd, the last major village before the Toubkal trail. Staying in villages rather than hotels is one of the highlights of the trip, giving you a real sense of mountain life.

Guest houses are traditional rather than hotel-style, so it is worth packing with that in mind. In Aroumd you may also have the chance to try a traditional Berber hammam where one is available.

Your own mountain cook travels with the team and prepares fresh traditional lunches along the trail, with dinners and breakfasts served at the guest houses. All meals during the trek are included, from lunch on the first day to lunch on the last.

If you have dietary requirements or allergies, mention them when you book so the team can let you know what is possible and plan the meals in advance.

You are collected from your accommodation in Marrakech and driven into the mountains to Agersioual, where the walk begins after a glass of Moroccan tea with your mountain team. At the end of the trek a transfer brings you back to Marrakech.

Bookings need to be made at least 24 hours in advance. Your exact pick-up time and any details the team needs about where you are staying will be confirmed after booking.

Bring worn-in walking boots, warm layers for cooler mornings and evenings, a waterproof jacket, and sun protection including a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen. A small daypack is useful for carrying water and anything you need during the day.

A head torch, a refillable water bottle, personal toiletries and any medication you need are also worth packing. Some cash is handy for personal extras and for tipping your mountain team if you wish.

Mountain weather can change quickly, so your guide keeps an eye on conditions throughout the trek. The route has built-in flexibility, which means the optional Taoudja ascent can be dropped and the final day can switch to the lower villages and waterfalls if needed.

Bringing a waterproof and warm layers means you will be comfortable whatever the day brings. Your guide will always choose the safest option for the group.

The first two days pass through villages such as Amssakrou, Ikis and Tinghrine, which sit away from the main Toubkal trail and see far fewer walkers. This part of the trek feels quiet and gives you more chance to see everyday village life.

On the final day, around Aroumd and on the way to Chamharouch, you join the Imlil side of the mountains, where you are more likely to meet other trekkers heading towards Mount Toubkal.