Kasbah du Toubkal

Kasbah du Toubkal is the number one property of choice for comfortable hotel accommodation in the village of Imlil and the High Atlas Mountains of Morocco. The Kasbah (1820 metres) is Just 60 kilometres from Marrakech and set on a hilltop 100 metres above our reception in Imlil. It is a 15-minute walk – mules carry your luggage.

The Kasbah is also in the Toubkal National Park and set dramatically below the towering flanks of Jbel Toubkal, the highest mountain in North Africa standing at 4167 metres. Imlil, and its surrounding valleys, is a world apart from the bustle of the city and a place of peace and seclusion. The award-winning unique hotel offers fourteen comfortable en-suite rooms, three of which can be used as a private self-contained house.

In addition, there are three family rooms. The delightful garden and large terraces offer unparalleled views of the surrounding mountains. Our friendly and knowledgeable local Berber team will make every effort to ensure your stay is as enjoyable as it can be.

We offer trekking packages including stays at our Trekking Lodge and the ascent of Mount Toubkal which can include a riad or hotel stay in Marrakech and Essaouira and even a stay in the desert of Marrakech (Agafay).

The journey from Marrakech to the village of Imlil, where the Kasbah is situated, is a drive of approximately 75 minutes. The Kasbah is then an uphill 15-minute walk or mule ride. Guests luggage is brought up to the Kasbah by mule. The Kasbah has a remote reception in the centre of Imlil village that is open from 09.00hrs to 17.00hrs. Guests should go the village reception where they will then be looked after.

GARDEN HOUSE – SUITES
On the south side of the Kasbah and slightly lower down is the Garden House. This is a 3-bedroomed house with its own entrance and a stunning lounge with an open fire and a 12 metre plate glass wall looking up towards the mountains and the peak of Jbel Toubkal.

It is especially suitable for those guests who wish to have more privacy and their own private lounge, dining room and kitchen. There is no need, although it would be a shame, to even visit the Kasbah.

BERBER SALONS
Berber Salons are not traditional hotel rooms but rooms based on local custom. Each salon is named after the village it faces. The downstairs area is set out like a traditional room and would serve as a seating area during the day and couches would be slept on at night.

We have added a sleeping gallery as used in mountain refuges to add flexibility. In the galleries we have placed mattresses where beds will be made up for you and towel provided. If your group number exceeds the places on the sleeping galleries, sleeping sheets and bags will be provided to use on the couches.

An area of the roof terrace has been reserved for each room where carpets will be set out so you can sleep under the stars. We will provide sleeping sheet, sleeping bag and mat to make your evening comfortable.

TOUBKAL ASCENT
The ascent of Jbel Toubkal (4167m), North Africa’s highest mountain, is achievable during the summer months without specialist climbing skills. Most people who are reasonably fit and determined can achieve this goal and the views are magnificent – on a clear day you can see the Sahara.

During the winter months the summit is only accessible to those climbers with crampon and ice-axe experience. Some equipment is available from local guides but you are strongly advised to bring your own. Climbing and walking in the High Atlas requires an open mind. It is important to keep a sense of perspective and take a gentle pace. If the weather is hot it is also vital to drink plenty.

It is not uncommon to find that your appetite fades at the Neltner Hut; this is quite common at this sort of altitude. If you have not walked at heights of 4000m before do not be surprised at the slow pace, which is certainly the best way to get to the top no matter how fit you are.

KASBAH, MARRAKECH & COAST
We have put together three great packages giving you the chance to enjoy the peace and quiet of the High Atlas Mountains, with either the lively and bustling city of Marrakech or the laid-back coastal town of Essaouira.

All options include staying at Kasbah du Toubkal and one of the seven-day package includes a stay in our fabulous Riad Les Yeux Bleus. The other 7-day package includes the peaceful coastal town of Essaouira with its long sandy beach and historic old town.

YOGA RETREATS
The Kasbah has numerous terraces for yoga as well as a spacious conference room if an indoor environment is required. Yoga mats, blocks, blanket and belts are available. There are two hammam for the use of guests as well as a massage table and a private massage area for those bringing their own masseuse.

With 14 en suite twin or double bedrooms and three Berber salons/family rooms, the Kasbah can support groups of up to 28 people in double occupancy, and more if the Berber salons are used. The Kasbah offers healthy and fresh local cuisine, with vegetarian options, and can accommodate special diets if requested. During your stay, all meals are provided.

Our services are tailored to suit you and your students and all quotes are created around your specific requests. We will, of course, help you build a programme and advise you of any extra activities you may wish to include.

THE HIGH ATLAS MOUNTAINS
The High Atlas mountains, so important to Marrakech, can often be seen from the city and the views are magnificent. However, a whole new experience awaits those who venture into them. Treat yourself to a trip to the Atlas and visit the home of the Berbers, the original inhabitants of North Africa.

The tranquillity of Berber village life provides the perfect contrast to the hubbub of the city. Kasbah du Toubkal is situated in the Toubkal National Park and is beyond the main road system.

From the village of Imlil, footpaths and mule tracks mount through lush, irrigated terraces, apple orchards and walnut groves to other villages where the way of life has changed little for centuries and traditional values and hospitality are unaffected by the outside world.

The Kasbah is perched on a great rock outcrop above the main village with panoramic views of the mountains, valleys and waterfalls. It is reached by a short walk (15 min) or mule ride from the village of Imlil.

THE KASBAH & THE COMMUNITY
Mike McHugo first visited the Imlil Valley in 1978 to do reconnaissance for adventure trips for his company (Hobo Travel that would become Discover Limited in 1986). During this trip the first person he met was Omar Ait Barmed, a young mountain guide who would become his lifelong friend and business partner.

Omar inherited the nickname of Maurice following formal training in France as a Ski Instructor. He is now known affectionately through the area as Hajj Maurice having been on the Pilgrimage to Mecca.

This friendship, of now over 25 years, is the basis of Discover’s business in Morocco and the pre-requisite to the purchase and development of Kasbah du Toubkal. In 1989 when revisiting Imlil with their mother the McHugo Brothers decided to find who owned the ruin.

After lengthy search and convoluted negotiations Discover purchased the ruin believing they could be a safe pair of hands to become part of tourism development but putting the benefits to the local community at the core. The ruling value being that we were guest of the local community and have much to learn from them.

In 1991 a postcard of the derelict kasbah was produced with the following caption “Discover Limited has plans to develop a small hotel designed and built on sustainable principals, which will compliment the site and be of benefit to visitors and the local inhabitants.”

In 1995, Kasbah du Toubkal was formally opened and a brass plaque on the door proclaimed “Dreams are only the plans of the reasonable – dreamt by Discover realised by Omar and the Worker of Imlil.” Benefits to visitors is now widely recognised by the travel press and books who give it glowing coverage.

The Kasbah’s benefits to the local community are wide ranging – the building is carried out by local inhabitants, staff are recruited locally, mule transport that is a significant service is distributed around the more than 100 local muleteers, meat and vegetables are bought locally as are most services. Extensive training has taken place to create the world class team.

SUSTAINABLE TOURISM
Sustainable tourism along with Eco (Ego?) tourism and responsible tourism are phrases that have been both over used and abused in recent years. All of these terms have now moved into mainstream vocabulary but are widely used by the travel industry as a greenwash where the walk is talked but not walked.

Discover Ltd. defines sustainable/responsible tourism as one where what they do today always has an eye on the future, as the African aphorism states “we do not own the world we only borrow it from our children’s grand children.”

With this in mind Discover has effectively given a veto to its local management committee on all its activities and sourcing options at the same time working with them to enhance their understanding of the international tourism market and services.

In addition to working with the local community in Imlil the company’s management has developed deep relationship with the Moroccan authorities both in the Marrakech Region and in Rabat.

These relationships have resulted in Discover presenting its project and management approach both to Moroccan meetings at the Tourism Assise but also to international conferences in Kenya, Thailand and Zambia.

The need to create a shared view on the future of rural tourism at a time when the Moroccan national tourism strategy is to aggressively embrace an increase in tourist numbers is one of the most critical challenges at this time.

Rooms: 14

Price: from 184 EUR per night

Source: www.kasbahdutoubkal.com