Toubkal Winter Ascent (4167m)

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.