Imlil Trek

Who they are

Imlil Trek is the trekking brand of Extra Mile, a travel agency based in Marrakesh that, according to its website, has been organising trips for more than a decade. It works under Extra Mile Travel's tour operator licence 16D/19, authorised by Morocco's Ministry of Tourism, and says it has operator insurance. The website does not give the names of those in charge or the year the brand was founded.

Its base is the Imlil valley, in the High Atlas, at the foot of Toubkal (4,167 m), the roof of North Africa. The Imlil office is the starting point for all the routes.

Guides and what routes it runs

Its guides hold the CFAMM qualification, the Tabant mountain-guide training centre, which is the official qualification in Morocco; since 2019 climbing Toubkal requires an accredited guide. The website says they are trained in navigation, acclimatisation to altitude, first aid and cultural interpretation.

It runs the Toubkal ascent in two, three or four days, a Toubkal circuit via Lake Ifni in six days, and crossings of the valleys and Berber villages of the High Atlas, from two to six days, some as far as the Ourika valley. All routes are private for your group and the price per person falls the more people you are. The website sets no maximum group size or minimum age; if you are going with minors, ask. The prices of what we collect are in the offers on this page.

What is included

It includes the private return transfer from Marrakesh, with pick-up at the door of the riad or hotel, the guide, all meals, accommodation in a refuge, guesthouse or camp, bottled water and a route map. Muleteers and mules carry the luggage. It does not include flights, the travel insurance, which they require, personal equipment, equipment hire (such as crampons in winter), tips or nights in Marrakesh.

When to go

It operates all year. The best seasons are April and May and September and October. In summer it is hot in the valleys, but up high it is fine. In winter, above about 2,500 m, crampons and an ice axe are needed.

Booking and cancellation

You request a no-obligation quote through the website, by email ([email protected]) or by phone (+212 631 066 966). To confirm you have to pay a deposit, whose amount they do not publish; the rest is paid on the date and in the way agreed, by PayPal, card or bank transfer. If it is not paid on time, they may cancel the booking without refunding the deposit.

If you cancel 15 days or more ahead, the deposit is refunded in full; with less, it is not. If it is they who cancel for reasons beyond their control, such as the weather, road closures or official restrictions, they refund everything.

Languages

The website, customer service and guides work in English, French and Spanish, according to their terms.