Kasbah du Toubkal

About Kasbah du Toubkal

Close Panel

About an hour and a half's drive from Marrakech, the Kasbah du Toubkal is perched above the village of Imlil at the base of Mount Toubkal at an altitude of 1,800m. Built and operated with the support of the local Berber community, the Kasbah is an ideal base for exploring the beautiful scenery and fascinating cultures of the Atlas Mountains.

The Kasbah was originally the summer home of the local feudal chieftain, but was a crumbling ruin until it was restored and rebuilt in the 1990s using traditional methods and local labour and materials as a Berber hospitality centre. The Kasbah retains close ties with the local community, employing and training local villagers and helping to provide services such as an ambulance, hamman and school for the village of Imlil.

There are a range of rooms to suit a wide a range of budgets, from en-suite rooms to a self-contained 3 bedroom house. There is no swimming pool, but the green terraces of the Kasbah provide an ideal place to sip mint tea and enjoy the beautiful scenery or you can relax in the traditional hamman. The Kasbah is an ideal base to explore the nearby villages and the staff will help to discuss trekking options and arrange local guides.

The Kasbah du Toubkal is a very popular destination with both groups and individual travellers, and its 15 rooms are often booked many months in advance. There is a minimum stay of two nights. Stays at the Kasbah can be combined with stays at the more remote Toubkal Lodge (owned and run by the same people), a great base for trekking in the High Atlas.

Read about Tribes' eco-rating system

Information

Open Panel

Highlights

Experience traditional Berber hospitality.
Great location in the Atlas Mountains.
Ideal base for relaxing or exploring the local villages.
Excellent Berber food.
Cool respite from the summer heat.

Situation

Perched on a hill overlooking the village of Imlil. The Kasbah is only accesible on foot, about a 10-15 minute uphill walk from the road in Imlil.

Activities

Walking in the Atlas Mountains, exploring the local Berber villages, relaxing and enjoying the view.

Facilities

15 en-suite rooms, hamman, restaurant. The Kasbah is not liscenced, so if you want alcohol you should bring it with you from Marrakech.

Open

All year round

Best time

Winters can be very cold in the Atlas Mountains and the Kasbah can occasionally be inaccesible. This is a good place to visit in the summer to escape from the heat of Marrakech.

Pricing guidelines for Morocco

Open Panel

We hope the following will give you a rough idea of costs. These are quoted per person based on twin share for two people, without international flights but including internal flights. We’ve used good standard accommodation throughout. There are nearly always ways to spend more money than we’ve suggested (!), but these prices show a good and realistic range for each type of trip.

International flights will add from about £200 depending on the season and route (unless the airlines have special offers). We offer flights with Royal Air Maroc which has daily flights to Marrakech as well as good connections to other cities.

For a specific personal quote based on any tailor made itinerary you have in mind, please contact us and we’ll be happy to help you.

Example tripPrice per person
9 day holiday including the desertBetween £1500 and £2000
2 weeks holiday taking in various sites in Morocco, using good accommodationBetween £1500 and £2500
5 day short break (one destination)From about £500+
1 week trekking holiday (eg Toubkal trek)Between £600 and £800

Tribes Advisor

Open Panel

What really struck me about this place, towering above the tiny village of Imlil with 360 degree views of the Atlas Mountains and Mount Toubkal, was the atmosphere around the Kasbah. The staff go well beyond hospitable, beyond friendly. Customers and staff seem to greet each other like old friends, forming their own little community up here on the hillside. Wandering around the Kasbah's gardens and roof terraces together wearing traditional slippers and Berber cloaks, supplied by the Kasbah, it is as if they have lived here for years. The way of life in Imlil and the Atlas Mountains seems to reflect through the Kasbah, you feel part of the community here. Indeed, those wearing cloaks even look like the local farmers.

This pioneer for responsible and sustainable travel doesnt just look after their environment and its people; they have created a hotel that allows its guests to feel like they are part of Imlil. During their short stay from the moment you walk though the doors to a traditional Berber welcome, guests belong to this community. How many places can you go on holiday and say that?

5% of the room rates go to the local community, their whole staff is made up of the locals from Imlil and most of the village gains some emplyoment from Kasbah du Toubkal. They have bought two ambulances for Imlil, set up Education For All to help rural girls in Morocco go to school, formed a rubbish collection system in the village, the list of incredible things the kasbah has done to support its local community goes on.

Simon Gresswell, visited November 2010

Morocco