Morocco: Mount Toubkal 2024

9th Aug 2024 - 13th Aug 2024

5 days/Morocco /Challenging

Overview

Mount Toubkal is located in the High Atlas Mountain range and is a spectacular peak for you to discover. Jbel Toubkal is Morocco’s highest peak and offers a tempting challenge to adventurous and fit trekkers. This non-technical peak, at 4,167m altitude, offers great trekking in the rugged and dramatic Toubkal National Park.

The first recorded ascent of Mount Toubkal was in 1923 although the mountain is likely to have been summited long before this by Berber tribesmen during hunting trips. This 5-day trip takes you on a journey through the High Atlas Mountains of Morocco to the highest peak in Morocco and all of North Africa, the famous Mount Toubkal at 4,167m.

There is also the option to extend your stay after the trek to explore more of Morocco for an additional cost.

You don’t have to fundraise to join an open challenge but you can support a charity of your choice if you wish. See the costs tab for more details.

A Challenging Trip. You will be camping for two nights, the summit day is tiring, the terrain is steep and you will trek for up to 8 hours a day, starting early in the morning. Although tough, this challenge is achievable for anyone with a good level of fitness who has trained appropriately. It is important that you stay positive, remember your goal, and keep your own steady constant pace. The hard work pays off after you reach the top and are greeted by spectacular views.

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This trek is accompanied by professional English-speaking local guides who have an excellent knowledge of trekking in the region and are first aid trained. You will also be supported by a full support crew of cooks, muleteers (and mules) and a Different Travel Company UK tour manager.

The terrain is generally very stony and dry with some sections of loose scree and small boulders you may have to scramble over. There may be snow on the ground. Towards the summit there may be exposed areas but your guides will offer you support throughout. There will be lots of uphill sections and subsequent descents so it is very important that you have done adequate training on hills before departure.

Temperatures in the Atlas Mountains in June can reach highs of 33°C but wind chill may make this feel colder and temperatures can drop to around 5°C after the sun sets. Some snow may remain on the higher slopes of Toubkal and if conditions require it you may need to use crampons (which can be hired in Imlil if required – approx. €5 per day). It is unlikely that snow will fall during the trek, however it is not impossible. Although the temperatures and conditions above are historically accurate, climate change can impact the seasons so you may experience uncharacteristic conditions during the trip which are out of our control. Should this happen the guide will assess the situation and make decisions to ensure the best enjoyment and ultimately the safety of the group as a whole.

Typically breakfast comprises bread, eggs and hot drinks. Lunch will be bread, cold salad, fresh and dried fruits. Evening meals tend to begin with a hot or cold salad, followed by a tagine (a traditional fish, chicken or lamb stew with vegetables served in a clay pot) served with bread and couscous (made from semolina) accompanied by vegetables. A cup of sweet mint tea is commonly used to end the meal.

You will stay in a guesthouse in Imlil for one night before the trek, camp near the refuge on the mountain for two nights and then spend the final night of the challenge in a hotel in Marrakech. While camping you will be provided with a foam mattress but you will need to bring your own sleeping bag suitable for temperatures as low as 0°C.

There are shower facilities at the hotel and guesthouse but there are no bathing facilities at camp. It is recommended that you bring a small pack of baby wipes however, during the trek you maybe able to use the shower at Toubkal refuge (for a fee). You should bring your own towel and environmentally friendly toiletries. Toilet facilities at camp will be a hole dug into the ground, covered by a privacy tent. Toilet paper is not provided so you will need to bring your own. During the trek you will need to pack up any toilet paper you use and dispose of it properly at camp. NEVER leave toilet paper or other litter on the trail.

You must be aged at least 18 to participate unaccompanied. It may be possible for you to participate if you are aged 16 or 17 years old if you are accompanied by a parent or guardian–please contact us for advice. There is no upper age limit. An ideal candidate for the trek would be someone who enjoys being out of their comfort zone and trying something new.

You are strongly advised to train to a good fitness level before departure to ensure fast recovery from each day’s walk. The distances covered may not be great but you must be prepared for, and be capable of, trekking for many hours a day on steep, rough terrain while carrying a daypack of around 6-8kg in weight. If you attempt to complete the trek without training, it will be unnecessarily challenging and will hinder your experience, and the experience of your teammates.

This trek is graded challenging. You will be camping for two nights, the summit day is tiring, the terrain is steep and you will trek for up to 8 hours a day, starting early in the morning. Although tough, this challenge is achievable for anyone with a good level of fitness who has trained appropriately. It is important that you stay positive, remember your goal, and keep your own steady constant pace. The hard work pays off after you reach the top and are greeted by spectacular views.

The summit of Toubkal is 4,167m however exposure to altitudes above 3200m (the elevation of your campsite) is limited to the trek from camp to the summit (4,167m) and back over the course of 4-6 hours. As such there is only a small chance of altitude related symptoms.

Your kit list can be downloaded here.

The tour manager for this trip is …

Liv

Itinerary

Day 1 (Friday 9 August 2024)

London – Marrakech – Imlil (1740m)
Depart London for Marrakech. On arrival you will transfer by road to Imlil village (approx. 1.5 hours), passing green valleys and attractive scenery en-route. Imlil is the departure point for treks to Toubkal and you will stay overnight here at a traditional guest house. You can enjoy the rest of the afternoon to explore before a briefing and dinner this evening.
Meals: Lunch, dinner
Overnight: Guesthouse

Day 2 (Saturday 10 August 2024)

Imlil – Camp (3200m)
After breakfast, you will meet with the local muleteers and begin the trek to camp with a long ascent along the valley. Halfway through the trek you will reach Sidi Chamharouch (devil’s king) (2350m) a small Islamic shrine believed to heal mental illnesses. Nearby there are some shops and restaurants where you will stop for lunch. After lunch you will continue your trek and will arrive at camp which is the base for the next two nights.
Trekking: Approx. 4 hours
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Overnight: Camping

Day 3 (Sunday 11 August 2024)

Camp – Toubkal Summit (4167m) – Camp
You will depart early this morning to trek to the summit of Mount Toubkal at 4,167m – the highest peak in North Africa! The ascent will take 4-6 hours and you will be rewarded with stunning views over the Atlas Mountains and even as far as the Sahara. After savouring the views and celebrating your achievement you begin your descent back to camp. The rest of the afternoon will be at your leisure allowing you the opportunity to rest.
Trekking: Approx. 6 hours
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Overnight: Camping

Day 4 (Monday 12 August 2024)

Camp – Imlil – Marrakech
This morning you will leave the camp to trek back to Imlil village where you will be met by the vehicle and driven back through the Houaz lowland to the vibrant, bustling and exotic city of Marrakech (journey approx. 1.5 hours) for a celebratory dinner and overnight stay at a hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Trekking: Approx. 4 hours
Overnight: Hotel

Day 5 (Tuesday 13 August 2024)

Marrakech – London
Some free time* this morning to explore the exotic city of Marrakech before flying back to London (*subject to flight times)
Meals: Breakfast

There is also the option to extend your stay after the trek to explore more of Morocco. See Costs + how to pay tab for more details.

Notes: The day-to-day program is subject to weather, general conditions and the progress of the group. While we do not anticipate any changes to the itinerary, we cannot be held responsible for changes made due to unexpected circumstances. Ultimately the safety and health of the group takes priority in all circumstances.

Costs & How to pay

Registration fee: £345
and then either…

Self-funded: £575

or

Sponsorship: £1150

or

Flexi: £575 trip costs and £575 sponsorship for a charity* of your choice

SELF-FUNDED

This option is for those who choose to pay the trip costs (flights, accommodation, food, guides etc.) themselves. There is no sponsorship required although if you wish to raise sponsorship for a charity you are welcome to do so.

A registration fee is payable at the time of booking.
Trip cost balance is payable to Different Travel 10 weeks prior to departure.
You are welcome to fundraise separately for any charity of your choice but this is not mandatory. Any fundraising undertaken cannot be used for your trip costs.

SPONSORSHIP

This option is for those who wish to raise sponsorship to cover both the costs of the trip (flights, accommodation, food, guides etc.) and a donation to their chosen charity. There is a minimum sponsorship amount for each trip that you are required to raise in order to participate.

A registration fee is payable at the time of booking.
The minimum sponsorship must be paid to the charity 12 weeks prior to departure.
The amount the charity receives is at least 50% of the minimum sponsorship total.

FLEXI

This option is for those who choose to pay the trip costs (flights, accommodation, food, guides etc.) themselves while still raising some funds for the charity.

A registration fee is payable at the time of booking.
Trip cost balance is payable to Different Travel and your fundraising is payable to the charity 10 weeks prior to departure.
Any fundraising undertaken cannot be used for your trip costs.

OPTIONAL TRIP EXTENSION

2-night shared occupancy (twin or triple) extension: £170

Two additional nights’ accommodation* with breakfast plus a return airport transfer based on 2 people sharing a twin room.

*You will be accommodated in the same hotel as is used for the group during the main trip. This is TBC but is likely to be Hotel El Andalous or similar.

2-night single occupancy extension: £215

Two additional nights’ accommodation* with breakfast plus a return airport transfer in a single occupancy room.