Morocco
Toubkal Winter Ascent (4167m)
Hike the Highest Mountain in North Africa - in Winter Conditions.
Book confidently, knowing that if your trip is cancelled, you’ll be offered a full refund.
Itinerary
You will be picked up at 8 pm from Marrakech Airport, or 7:30 pm in the city center. You will be driven to the village of Imlil, where you will enjoy your welcome dinner, and take in the spectacular panoramic views of the High Atlas Mountains. All food, accommodation and transfers are included on this trip.
In the morning you’ll give your main bag to the muleteers, and with your day bag on your back, you will hike for around 3 hours to the tiny settlement of Sidi Chamharouch - here your cooks will serve up lunch. There is also some freshly squeezed orange juice available in the local stalls, which is not to be missed! Afterwards, you continue for another 3 hours to Refuge de Toubkal, where you’ll stay for the night.
Today you'll head up Ouanourkim Peak (4088m), which offers wonderful views of the High Atlas Mountain Range. There may be an opportunity to summit the mountain, but the focus is on gaining experience with your crampons (spikes for your boots), and your ice axe. In the afternoon, you'll head back down to the mountain refuge for dinner.
You start at around 4 am, with a slow and steady pace upwards. After 2-3 hours you’ll aim to reach the summit of Mt Toubkal (4,167m) at sunrise! From the snowy summit, you can look down to the green Anti-Atlas Mountains, and the vast Sahara Desert beyond! After taking some time to enjoy the views, you'll head back down to the mountain refuge.lunch in the refuge and walk down to Imlil. Have a nice hot shower and a delicious diner in front of a cheminee.
Following a nice breakfast, you will be driven back to Marrakech airport. There is also an option to be dropped off in the city center, if you prefer to explore the town.
A guided 2 hours tour to explore the city is offered optional for those who are still staying in marrakech.
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Wed 1 Feb 8:00AM Sun 5 Feb 5:00PM | £360 (£139 deposit) Based on£360 GBP | Book 12 spaces |
Wed 8 Feb 8:00AM Sun 12 Feb 5:00PM | £360 (£139 deposit) Based on£360 GBP | Book 12 spaces |
Wed 15 Feb 8:00AM Sun 19 Feb 5:00PM | £360 (£139 deposit) Based on£360 GBP | Book 12 spaces |
Wed 22 Feb 8:00AM Sun 26 Feb 5:00PM | £360 (£139 deposit) Based on£360 GBP | Book 12 spaces |
Wed 1 Mar 8:00AM Sun 5 Mar 5:00PM | £360 (£139 deposit) Based on£360 GBP | Book 12 spaces |
Wed 8 Mar 8:00AM Sun 12 Mar 5:00PM | £360 (£139 deposit) Based on£360 GBP | Book 12 spaces |
Wed 15 Mar 8:00AM Sun 19 Mar 5:00PM | £360 (£139 deposit) Based on£360 GBP | Book 12 spaces |
Wed 22 Mar 8:00AM Sun 26 Mar 5:00PM | £360 (£139 deposit) Based on£360 GBP | Book 12 spaces |
8 verified reviews
Rated 5.0
Jeremy
Traveled Mar 2022
An amazing, challenging climb! Unfortunately the weather turned us back about 1 hr from the summit, but the experience of climbing and hiking in a major winter storm was still epic. Our hosts and guides took excellent care of us at all times. They had the utmost care for our safety and comfort. Everyone was so friendly and welcoming. I look forward to trying summit again.
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Jonathan
Traveled Feb 2022
What a trip! Fantastic experience to summit Toubkal with the help of Houssain and my guide Rachid. Bad weather meant we had to delay the attempt, but Houssain took me on a two day trip to local Berber villages instead. When the weather allowed for it, I managed to summit Toubkal and stick to the original schedule. I highly recommend this to anyone looking to try out mountaineering. I've definitely gotten an appetite for more.
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John
Traveled Feb 2022
From the pick up in Jemaa el fna to the very end this was brilliantly run. I met Omar at the agreed meeting point and picked up the second traveller a bit further away. In Imlil we met Mohammed who cooked a wonderful dinner for us in front of the fire and met Hussain our host. The guide Ibrahim met us the following morning and we went up to the refuge. The refuge was well equipped having wifi and multiple log burners to keep us warm in the winter. The ascent of Toubkal was done very well and felt safe throughout, Ibrahim knew the mountain inside and out. We summited in great weather and Ibrahim done his best to get us up during a good weather window. The next day just me and Ibrahim made the attempt at the second summit but weather turned us back. A long trek back down to Imlil that afternoon but not before yet more excellent food. In Imlil once again I was welcomed as though it was my home. Everyone I met was brilliant, very friendly, very welcoming, it was well organised and I’d use them again in a heartbeat. The food was fantastic, I didn’t expect to eat so well half way up a mountain but everything was cooked fresh and to cater for any specific needs.
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Brigitte
Traveled Oct 2021
We had a fantastic time from start to end . Recommend it thoroughly. Hussein, Mohamed and Ibrahim were great hosts and guides .
Helen
Traveled Feb 2020
Just completed the Toubkal winter trip. I felt looked after from start to finish. It was an amazing experience and I would definitely recommend it.
Kamal
Traveled Jan 2020
Very good and gained experience and confident since this was my very first climb. Thanks to guides and SHA
Kriszti N
Traveled Jan 2020
It was a really good experience and trip all together. I highly recommend this journey for everyone, but one thing to make clear, it's not for unskilled hikers. This trip takes bit of an experience, otherwise the person who attends it can easily fail. I mean I thought I am experienced enough because I climbed up till 2500 meters but this was different, I really felt it and it wasn't easy. The acclimatisation hike was the hardest for me, after reaching the peak was way more easier but still I should have a mental fitness to reach myself with the thoughts "I can do this". We started around 5.30 and it was pretty cold and heavy wind, and close to the top is the hardest cuz I saw the peak and still it took another 10-15 minutes to reach it on rocky road in the heavy wind. So it's not that easy how it seems and it takes bit of an experience I think. But I am really happy I made it and we reached the peak first, so it was really great. Food and accommodation was as I expected and it was pretty enough for all our needs. :)
Sam
Traveled Dec 2019
Incredible time!!
FAQs
Documents
- Passport & visa if needed
- Travel insurance details
- Boarding passes for flights
- Wallet
- Pen for filling in arrivals form
Clothing
- 2-3 base-layer long sleeve t-shirts (e.g. running t-shirts)
- Fleece/soft-shell jacket
- Waterproof jacket
- Insulated jacket for warmth (e.g. Rab, Alpkit, Mountain Equipment)
- Spare clothes for Marrakech
- Underwear
- Base-layer trousers
- Trekking Trousers
- Waterproof trousers
- Shorts
- Swimwear for Marrakech (optional)
- 4 thick wool mountaineering socks
- Warm Gloves and Hat
- Walking Boots that are well insulated, waterproof and good ankle support.
- Footwear for Marrakech
- Wool hat
- 2 – 3 pairs of gloves
Miscellaneous
- Large rucksack for the mules/porters
- Daysack (25-35L)
- 3L of water bottles
- Sunglasses
- Suncream
- Sunhat
- Insect repellant
- Glasses/contact lenses (if needed)
- Sleeping bag (comfort rating of -5 degrees Celsius)
- Bathroom items including travel towel
- Electronics - Head torch, travel adaptor (French plug style), phone & charger
- Lipsil
- Book/mp3 player (optional)
- Walking poles (also available to rent for €3)
Included:
- Guides, porters and muleteers
- Airport transfers in Marrakech
- Accommodation
- Food & water
- Specialist equipment
Excluded:
- International flights
- Tips
- Any visa fees (not needed for UK citizens)
- Personal travel/rescue insurance
The summit day can be 6 - 8 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.
We would recommend a good pair of hiking boots. They need to be warm, waterproof and have good ankle support. For those a little technically minded, a B2 boot, or similar would be ideal.
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.
The local guides use mules to carry your main bag. You just need to carry a small bag with water, sun cream and waterproofs whilst trekking.
Start: There is an airport pickup from Marrakech Airport at 8 pm, on the first day of your trip. Alternatively, if you have arrived early, we recommend you spend a few hours exploring Marrakech city. You can be picked up from the main Medina, in the city center (Jemaa el-Fnaa) at 7.30 pm.
End: For return flights, you will be dropped back at the airport for 5pm on the last day of your trip. You can also be dropped in Marrakech city center if you would like to stay on.
Each group is typically 12 people, with a maximum of 14.
Yes! Many people choose to do this before the trip. You can use the trip Facebook group to arrange to meet other people from your team.
The minimum age for this trip is 18, or 16 with a parent/guardian.
On the first and last nights, you'll stay in a comfortable hotel in the village of Imlil. A variety of rooms are available, but usually, you will be sharing with one other person from the team.
During the middle two nights, you'll stay in a mountain refuge which is very basic, with dormitory-style accommodation.
Winter season (Nov – Mar)
Winter can be quite cold on Mt Toubkal, with temperatures on the summit going as low as -18 °C. March starts to warm up with a higher chance of rain.
You will spend most of your time with the Berber-people of the Atlas Mountains who are very friendly and welcoming. However, if you decide to visit Marrakech before/after the trek, there is a higher risk of crime. You can see the latest travel advice from the FCO at https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/morocco .
Wi-Fi is available in the hotels on the first night, however, it can be unreliable given the remote location. There is no internet available in the mountain refuge, and phone signal can be poor.
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 must get appropriate travel insurance for winter hiking up to 4,169m. Popular providers include the BMC and Dogtag. Please check that your insurance includes mountain rescue.
While it is the intention to adhere to the itinerary described, there is a certain amount of flexibility built into the itinerary and on occasion it may be necessary to make alterations. Your guide will make dynamic risk assessments throughout the whole trek, and his or her decision is final.