Toubkal (4,167m)

Included:

• Guides, porters and muleteers
• Airport transfers
• Accommodation
• Food & purified water

Excluded:

• International flights
• Tips
• Any visa fees (not needed for UK citizens)
• Personal travel/rescue insurance

Start: Your guide will meet you at Marrakech airport at 7 pm, or hotel Ali in the Old Medina (Jemaa el-Fnaa) of the city at 6:30 pm. If you have arrived early, we recommend you spend a few hours exploring Marrakech city. It can often take around 1 hour to get through security at Marrakech airport. Please ensure your flight arrives before 6pm.

End: For return flights, you will be dropped back at the airport for 12 pm (midday) on the last day of your trip. You can also be dropped in Marrakech city if you would like to stay on.

The summit day can be 9-12 hours (with lots of breaks) so you do need a good level of fitness. We recommend training with jogging or sport 1-2 times a week, in the run-up to your trip.

The minimum age for this trek is 18, or 16 with a parent/guardian.

You can see the latest NHS advice at https://www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk/destinations/africa/morocco.

Yes, you can leave anything you don't need.

Yes! Many people choose to do this, and you can use the trip Facebook Group to arrange to meet other people from your team.

The local guides use mules to carry your main bag, so that you can just carry a small bag with water, sun cream and waterproofs whilst trekking.

The muleteers have been trained by a UK-based vet on ethical treatment of the mules. They use modern harnesses and follow strict weight limits.

You stay in a hostel in Imlil and a mountain hut on the mountain. The lodge will offer twin shared rooms, with intermittent internet and warm showers.

The mountain refuge is very basic, and showers do not always offer warm water, with basic style toilets. The mountain hut does sell snacks. It is worth taking small denominations of cash, as they sometimes do not have change available.

Wifi is available in the hotels on the first and last nights, however it can be unreliable given the remote location. There is no internet available in the mountain refuge, and phone signal can be poor.

Each group is typically 12 people, with a maximum of 14.

The guides will provide you with 1.5L of water each day. Water is also available from natural springs and at various village stores along the way. You may want to consider taking purification tablets with you for any spring water. 

You will follow a sensible acclimatisation plan that works well for most participants. This includes regular breaks and a gradual increase in the altitude at which you sleep.

Altitude affects everyone in different ways. However, the key is to mention if you are experiencing any symptoms to your guide (headache/nausea) as soon as you feel them.

Winter season (Nov – Mar)

Winter can be quite cold on Mt Toubkal, with temperatures on the summit going as low as -20 °C. March starts to warm up with a higher chance of rain.

Early/late season (Apr– May & Oct)

Temperatures at lower altitudes can reach 26°C, with little chance of rain. The summit can still go as low as -10°C with wind chill.

Summer (Jun – Sep)

June has a higher chance of rain, but still stays warm. July to Sept are the hottest months with temperatures at the lowest altitudes reaching 30 °C. The summit of Toubkal can be as low as -10°C with wind chill.

The weather will usually go from one extreme to another, with highs of 30°C in Marrakech and lows of around -10°C (with patches of snow) on the summit of Toubkal towards the beginning and end of winter.

Documents

• Passport & visa if needed

• Travel insurance details

• Boarding passes for flights

• Wallet

• Pen for filling in arrivals form

Clothing

• 2-3 base-layer t-shirts (e.g. running t-shirts)

• Fleece/soft-shell jacket

• Waterproof jacket

• Insulated jacket for warmth, if possible (from e.g. Rab, Alpkit, Mountain Equipment)

• Spare clothes for Marrakech

• Underwear

• Base-layer trousers (optional)

• Trekking Trousers

• Waterproof trousers

• Shorts

• Swimwear for Marrakech (optional)

• 4 thick wool mountaineering socks

• Warm Gloves and Hat

• Walking Boots

• Footwear for Marrakech

Other

• Large rucksack for the mules/porters

• Daysack (25-35L)

• 3L of water bottles (Minimum)

• Sunglasses

• Suncream

• Sunhat

• Insect repellant

• Glasses/contact lenses (if needed)

• Sleeping bag (2-3 season)

• Bathroom items including travel towel

• Electronics - Head torch, travel adaptor (French plug style), phone & charger

• Lipsil

• Book/mp3 player (optional) • Walking poles (optional -Available to rent for €3)