Imlil is a village in the High Atlas Mountains of Morocco. It is a good starting point for a trekking holiday or for climbing Mt. Toubkal the highest mountain in North Africa (4167m). Imlil village has a variety of shops and "pensions" as well as being a base for guides and trekking parties. The route to Toubkal starts in the village. Its a progressive community and money from tourism goes into a variety of projects organised by the Village association such as litter collection and disposal and a new Community Hammam opened in November 2004.
Imlil is a base for mountain guides and muleteers who work in the area surrounding Jebel Toubkal. It is also a main entry point for those wishing to trek in the mountains in this area. The valley in which Imlil lies is periodically flooded. The most obvious evidence of the most recent flood (1995) is the wreckage of cars on the valley floor north of Imlil. At this point in the mountains, it becomes true Berber country. The almost constant hustling continues, but it feels of a much less threatening nature.
There is an Imlil Village Association which is using money from tourism to address the problems it brings, like litter, as well as start new projects. A local "tax" has been agreed by many of the businesses providing tourist facilities to fund projects. To date a Land Rover Ambulance has been acquired so that the valley population has a safer way of getting to hospital, litter collections have been started and in December 2004 a village Hammam (Community Bath house) has been opened on the little road up to the school. Oddly, while the villages in the next valley don't have running water or electricity, Imlil has its own mobile phone mast: The villagers never stop texting each other. The Imlil Association is part of the "Valleys of Imlil Association" which is an umbrella organisation which other villages are able to join to promote and plan ecologically responsible tourism and infrastructure.Its a great place to go.
What to do?
Trekking is one of the very best things Morocco has to offer In the High Atlas, the country boasts one of the most rewarding mountain ranges in the world. If you are used to the Pyrenees or Alps, here you will feel you are moving a century or so back in time. For all trekking activities (for guides, maps or information) one can pass by Imlil Bureau des Guide just near the main parking. An official mountain guide for Toubkal ascent costs 400 dh/day. Imlil is the starting point for the ascent of Mount Toubkal, the highest mountain in North Africa. There are many guided treks up to the mountain and two refuges,Refuge de Toubkal and Les Mouflons at 3200m altitude for an overnight stay. You should seek guidance locally as to weather conditions.
Imlil is approximately 60 km south of Marrakech, and it can be reached by road through the foothills of the High Atlas Mountains. Grand taxis regularly run to and from Marrakech. The drop off point in Imlil is the scrubby space next to the Hotel-Cafe Soleil at the bottom end of the village, by the river.
By far the quickest and easiest way to get to Imlil from Marrakech is to take a grand taxi, which leave frequently when full (especially in the mornings) from the grand taxi station near Sidi Mimoun Garden. The price for a seat in a grand taxi (May 2015) is 50dh, and the journey time around 75-90 minutes. The road is now fully paved, even beyond Asni. If you can't find a grand taxi then there are other options. It takes about 80-90 minutes to get from Marrakech to Asni by bus. There are buses from the central bus station which ostensibly leave every 30minutes (but often don't for hours). Small minibuses to Asni also leave when full from in front of Sidi Mimoun Garden. A quicker way is to take a petit taxi to the out-of-town grand taxi park (15dh - if you're better at haggling you can get this lower). From there, a grand taxi will take you to Asni (90dh split between 6). Once in Asni there are minibuses and grand taxis that will take you the remaining 18km to Imlil (30 minutes in a minibus (9dh), or 20 minutes in a taxi).
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