October 2026
A very good experience. A superb, very well organised outing with our guide Youssef! Very good communication with Mohamed! Toubkal in one day! Mission accomplished! I recommend it
Translated from French
Imlil Village Day Trip from Marrakesh
An easy day in the mountains: a walk through Imlil's walnut groves and lunch in a Berber family home, back in Marrakesh by evening.
- Duration
- 1 day
- Level
- Easy
- Highest point
- 1,960 m
- Starts
- Imlil, 1.5 h from Marrakesh
- Price per person
- Price on request
The trek
Only have one day? This trip takes you from the noise of the Marrakesh medina into the calm of the High Atlas for an easy walk through the orchards and villages of the Imlil valley, with lunch in a Berber family home and views of Jbel Toubkal, the highest mountain in North Africa.
Imlil sits at 1,740 m, where the road ends and the mule paths begin. It is the starting point for every Toubkal trek, but it is also a beautiful place in its own right: a cluster of stone and earth houses surrounded by terraced fields, walnut trees that are hundreds of years old, apple and cherry orchards, and irrigation channels that carry snowmelt from the peaks to every field. Life here still follows the seasons, and a day in the valley is a glimpse of a very different Morocco from the one you see in the city.
You walk with a local guide who grew up in the valley and knows every family on the path. The pace is gentle and there is plenty of time for photos, questions and mint tea. You do not need any hiking experience, special equipment or a high level of fitness; comfortable shoes and curiosity are enough.
It is also the best way to find out whether a longer trek is for you. Many of our guests come back for the 2‑day or 4‑day Toubkal trek after a first taste of the mountains on this day trip, and your guide is happy to show you where the summit trail begins and answer your questions about the climb.
Is this trek for you?
This trip suits almost everyone: families with children, couples, solo travellers, older visitors and anyone who enjoys a gentle walk in beautiful scenery. The walking is about 3 to 4 hours at an easy pace, with a climb of around 220 metres from Imlil to Aroumd and back, on wide paths and village tracks.
If you would like a longer walk, your guide can extend the route over the Tizi n'Tamatert pass for wider views, adding an hour or two. If you have a little more time, the 3‑day Berber villages trek lets you spend nights in the mountains and see three valleys.
Day by day
A sample itinerary for the Imlil Village Day Trip from Marrakesh. Your guide adapts it to the weather, the season and the group.
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Day 1 Marrakesh, Imlil and Aroumd
We collect you from your riad or hotel in Marrakesh at around 9:00. The road crosses the flat Haouz plain, where olive groves and palm trees give way to red earth villages, then climbs into the foothills through Tahanaout and Asni, the market town of the valley. Beyond Asni the road follows the Rheraya river up a narrowing gorge, with the snowy peaks appearing ahead, and reaches Imlil after about an hour and a half. Here you meet your local guide over a glass of mint tea. The walk starts along the village lanes and climbs gently through walnut and apple orchards, crossing irrigation channels and passing small fields of barley, potatoes and onions. After about an hour you reach Aroumd, a village of stone houses built on a rocky spur at around 1,960 m, with Toubkal rising at the head of the valley. Lunch is served in a family home: fresh salads, a vegetable or chicken tagine cooked over a wood fire, bread from the clay oven and seasonal fruit, followed by mint tea poured from a height. In the afternoon you walk back down to Imlil by a different path, with time to visit a walnut grove, a small cooperative or the village shops, before the drive back to Marrakesh, arriving at around 18:00.
When to go
The day trip runs all year, and every season has its charm. In spring, from March to May, the orchards are in blossom and the terraces turn bright green. Summer is a welcome escape from the heat of Marrakesh: the valley is usually several degrees cooler than the city, and the walnut trees give plenty of shade.
Autumn brings golden light, the apple harvest and the walnut harvest in September and October. In winter the peaks above Imlil are often covered in snow, which makes for spectacular views, and the walk itself usually stays clear of snow. Dress in layers in winter: mornings can be close to freezing even when the afternoon is sunny.
- Jan: winter, snow likely
- Feb: winter, snow likely
- Mar: best conditions
- Apr: best conditions
- May: best conditions
- Jun: best conditions
- Jul: summer, hot valleys
- Aug: summer, hot valleys
- Sep: best conditions
- Oct: best conditions
- Nov: best conditions
- Dec: winter, snow likely
Weather in Imlil right now
Live forecast
Loading the live forecast…
Forecast data from MET Norway / yr.no, CC BY 4.0. Summit figures are model estimates for 4,167 m. Mountain weather changes fast, so your guide makes the final call.
Where you sleep and what you eat
Lunch is the heart of the day. You eat with a local family in their home, usually in a salon with low tables and cushions, or on a terrace with views over the valley when the weather is warm. The meal is cooked by the family with produce from their own fields and the weekly market in Asni.
A typical lunch starts with Moroccan salads of tomatoes, cucumber, peppers and onions, followed by a tagine of vegetables or chicken with olives and preserved lemon, fresh bread and seasonal fruit, then mint tea. Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free meals are easy to arrange if you tell us when you book.
There is no overnight stay on this trip. If you would like to spend a night in the mountains, ask us about adding a night in a guesthouse in Imlil, or choose one of our multi-day treks.
Getting to Imlil from Marrakesh
Every departure of the Imlil Village Day Trip from Marrakesh starts in Imlil, a mountain village at 1,740 m at the head of the Mizane valley, about 65 km south of Marrakesh. We collect you from your riad or hotel in Marrakesh in the morning; the drive takes around an hour and a half, crossing the Haouz plain and climbing through Tahanaout and Asni, where a big Berber market is held every Saturday, before the road follows the river up to Imlil.
If you are flying in, Marrakesh Menara airport is about 20 minutes from the medina, so most people arrive the day before the trek and spend a night in the city. If you are already in the mountains, for example staying in Imlil, Aroumd or Ouirgane, we can meet you there instead. Tell us where you are staying when you book, and we will confirm the pickup time the evening before.
Altitude and safety
The walk is easy and at moderate altitude, so altitude sickness is not a concern. The paths are good but can be uneven and dusty, so wear shoes with a good grip. The sun is strong in the mountains even when the air is cool, so bring a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen, and drink plenty of water.
Your guide knows the valley well and carries a basic first-aid kit and a phone. Children should be accompanied by an adult at all times, especially near irrigation channels and the river.
Tips and money
Tipping is customary in the mountains and makes a real difference to the guides, muleteers and cooks who look after you. As a rough guide, many trekkers give around 10% of the trek price, shared between the team at the end of the trip. It is never compulsory; give what feels right for the service you received.
Bring Moroccan dirhams in small notes for tips, drinks and snacks bought on the way, and souvenirs in the villages. Withdraw cash in Marrakesh before the trek: card payments are rare in the mountains and you should not count on finding a cash machine.
What to pack for this trek
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What's included
- Return transfer from your riad or hotel in Marrakesh
- Licensed local guide for the walk
- Home-cooked lunch with a Berber family, with mint tea and drinking water
Not included
- Tips for your guide and driver
- Soft drinks and snacks bought on the way
Before you go
Read our notes on fitness, seasons and altitude, or the questions trekkers ask most.
What trekkers say
October 2026
We climbed Toubkal after completing the 10‑day grand tour of Toubkal. Nothing to fault in the organisation, from the pickup in Marrakesh to the return. Everything was perfect and just as we hoped. A special mention for the excellent cooking
Translated from French
September 2026
A superb experience for a first 4,000 m peak, full of traditions and landscapes. Our guide Yassine was great and looked after us all the way up! I recommend it!
Translated from French
August 2026
My father and I have just come back from an extraordinary trekking experience in the Atlas Mountains, including the ascent of Mount Toubkal. I can’t recommend Saeed Rashid and the whole Toubkal Hiking Experts team highly enough… Read the full review on Google
Translated from French
April 2026
Climbing Toubkal with Hassan as my guide was a wonderful experience. He is incredibly strong and experienced, and always made me feel confident, even on the most demanding sections… Read the full review on Google
Translated from French
April 2026
My four-day trek in the Atlas Mountains was unforgettable thanks to Yassin! Very friendly, he introduced me to Berber culture, its villages and its people, and showed me breathtaking landscapes, all while looking after my wellbeing and my meals. I couldn’t have done it without him! A big thank you!
Translated from French
Questions about the Imlil Village Day Trip
Can't find your question? Ask us on WhatsApp. We usually reply within a few hours.
How long is the walk?
About 3 to 4 hours at an easy pace, including stops. The full day, including transfers, lasts about 9 hours.
Is the day trip suitable for children?
Yes, it is a gentle walk on good paths and suitable for most ages. Younger children may enjoy riding a mule for part of the way, which can be arranged locally.
What time do we get back to Marrakesh?
Around 18:00, depending on traffic and how long you linger over lunch.
Is lunch included?
Yes, a home-cooked lunch with a local family is included, with mint tea.
Will we see Mount Toubkal?
On clear days Toubkal is visible from the path near Aroumd. Clouds sometimes cover the summit, especially in the afternoon.
Can I extend the walk?
Yes, your guide can add the Tizi n'Tamatert pass for wider views if you would like a longer day. Let us know when you book.
What should I wear?
Comfortable walking shoes, layers, a hat and sunglasses. Modest clothing covering shoulders and knees is appreciated in the villages.
Book the Imlil Village Day Trip
Tell us when you'd like to go and who's coming. We reply with availability and a clear quote, usually within a day.
Price on request per person
Compare our treks
See how the Imlil Village Day Trip from Marrakesh compares with our other treks, or let the quiz below suggest one.
Sort by:
| 2-Day Mount Toubkal Trek from Marrakech | 2 | Challenging | 4,167 m | Yes | €170 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4-Day Mount Toubkal Trek | 4 | Moderate to challenging | 4,167 m | Yes | €250 |
| 6-Day Mount Toubkal Trek | 6 | Challenging | 4,167 m | Yes | €350 |
| 7-Day Mount Toubkal Trek from Marrakech | 7 | Challenging | 4,167 m | Yes | €450 |
| Mount Toubkal via Azzaden Valley | 3 | Challenging | 4,167 m | Yes | €195 |
| 3-Day Berber Villages & 3 Valleys Trek | 3 | Moderate | 2,489 m | No | €195 |
| 3-Day High Atlas Mountains Hiking Tour from Marrakech | 3 | Moderate | 3,172 m | No | €195 |
| 6-Day Hike in the Atlas Mountains | 6 | Moderate to challenging | 3,172 m | No | €350 |
| Imlil Village Day Trip from Marrakesh | 1 | Easy | 1,960 m | No | On request |
| 10-Day Morocco Tour: Toubkal, Kasbahs and Sahara | 10 | Moderate | 4,167 m | Yes | On request |
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