Imlil and the High Atlas - a day from Marrakech
Imlil is 65 km from Marrakech and about 90 minutes by road. The village sits at 1,740 m, directly beneath Jebel Toubkal which at 4,167 m is the highest mountain in North Africa. It is the closest place to Marrakech where the landscape changes completely - walnut terraces, mule tracks and snow on the peaks well into May.
€109 per vehicle
Reviewed September 2026 by Ahlam Giyat, travel editor at Taxi Maroc Aéroport, Marrakech.
Mount Toubkal stands at 4,167 m - the highest point in Morocco, the Atlas, North Africa and the Arab world. Imlil, at the end of the road, is where the normal ascent begins.
The drive
South from Marrakech through Asni, then a steady climb up the Mizane valley. Unlike the Tizi n'Tichka road, this one is smooth rather than a chain of switchbacks - worth knowing if anyone in the car gets travel sick.
About 90 minutes each way. Your driver waits in Imlil for as long as you want and brings you back the same day.
What people actually do there
Most visitors walk from the village up toward Sidi Chamharouch, a shrine at about 2,300 m - roughly two hours up, ninety minutes down, on a clear mule track. You do not need a guide for that, though a local guide is easy to hire in the village and costs little.
The Toubkal summit itself is a two-day trek with a night at the refuge, not a day trip. Anyone who tells you otherwise is selling something.
In winter the upper tracks hold snow and crampons become sensible. In July and August Imlil is around 10 °C cooler than Marrakech, which is most of the reason people come.
What is included
- Private vehicle and driver, Marrakech to Imlil and back
- The driver waits - no fixed return time
- Free child seats
- Not included: mules, local guides, meals, entrance to any private garden
- No deposit, free cancellation up to 24 hours before
Frequently asked questions
How far is Imlil from Marrakech?
About 65 km, roughly 90 minutes by road.
How high is Imlil?
1,740 m. Toubkal, above it, is 4,167 m - the highest peak in North Africa.
Can I climb Toubkal in a day?
No. It is a two-day trek with a night at the refuge.
Do I need a guide?
Not for the walk to Sidi Chamharouch. For anything higher, yes.
Is it cooler than Marrakech?
In summer, by around 10 °C. In winter there is snow on the tracks above the village.
Sources & official information