Nestled in the Moroccan High Atlas mountains near the summit of Jebel Toubkal—the highest peak in North Africa—the Kasbah du Toubkal has established itself as a prominent example of community-focused tourism. Located in the village of Imlil, the kasbah offers visitors access to the region’s striking landscapes and serves as a base for trekkers exploring paths less traveled.
The kasbah’s origins date back to the late 20th century. In 1978, Mike McHugo arrived in Imlil while running adventure holidays and encountered a dilapidated summer residence of a local pasha. Together with his brother Chris and local guide Hajj Maurice (born Omar Ait Bahmed, who later adopted the name after completing the pilgrimage to Mecca), they embarked on a long process of bureaucratic navigation and construction to restore the building. The Kasbah du Toubkal officially opened in 1995, initially operating as a modest facility catering mainly to school groups.
Over the years, the kasbah expanded in tandem with growing tourism spurred by broader regional developments, including the ascent of King Mohammed VI and the popularity of riads in Marrakech. It evolved into a charming complex characterized by terracotta buildings surrounding a courtyard lush with blooming flowers, blending traditional Berber architectural styles with modern amenities such as a hammam and an infinity pool.
Despite Imlil’s transformation—from a rural outpost marked by adobe houses and ancient irrigation channels in the early 2000s to a burgeoning tourist destination served by winding mountain roads—the kasbah has maintained a sense of timelessness. It also survived the devastating Al Haouz earthquake of September 2023, which struck the Atlas valleys late at night, claiming nearly 3,000 lives and severely damaging multiple settlements, including nearby villages in the Azzaden Valley.
The Azzaden Valley, accessible from the kasbah via trekking routes, remains largely agrarian and less frequented by tourists. Many of its adobe structures were rendered unsafe by the earthquake, prompting residents to relocate to newly built concrete homes higher up the valley slopes ahead of winter. The Kasbah operates a satellite trekking lodge there, managed by Omar Id Bassour, which mirrors the main kasbah’s architectural character and offers hospitality amidst a rural setting.
Locals acknowledge ongoing shifts as younger generations increasingly migrate to urban centers in pursuit of opportunities beyond the challenges of mountain agriculture. Nevertheless, traditional village life endures, with residents continuing seasonal harvests and welcoming visitors with customary Berber hospitality.
The kasbah positions itself as more than a hotel, describing itself as a “Berber hospitality centre” rooted in community values. A 5 percent levy on guest bills supports local infrastructure projects, including Imlil’s first ambulance and a waste disposal system, as well as educational initiatives through the charity Education for All Morocco. This effort has funded six boarding houses across surrounding valleys, enabling over 800 girls to attend secondary school.
Hajj Maurice, who oversees the kasbah’s daily operations, emphasizes a commitment to preserving the original ethos of the project, reflecting a deep connection to local culture and enduring optimism for the region’s future. Following substantial repairs and upgrades after the earthquake, the kasbah reopened within three months and has continued welcoming visitors seeking to experience the Atlas Mountains’ natural beauty and the hospitality of its Berber communities.