Toubkal Summit Trek 1

Short version of Toubkal climb

Summary

This is our shortest Toubkal Summit Trek and is recommended only for those with previous experience of hiking at altitude and a good level of fitness.

START / FINISH - Marrakech.

Activity code: ITCTTM15m

Difficulty: GRADE TWO - between easy and moderate, hiking mostly along zig-zagging mule tracks at upper valley levels for about 6 hours each day. The actual summit climb is non-technical but can be hard going due to the terrain and altitude. Good boots are essential. For anyone who leads a reasonably active life, hiking always involves some effort. Full support team.

Duration: 2 Days

This two day itinerary to the summit of North Africa's highest peak is recommended only if your time is very limited; we recomend that you have both confidence and experience of this type of trek. We include a night at (or camping nearby) the Toubkal Refuge so you can get an early start and a full day to tackle the summit; however, day 2 will be a very long one as you will also need to descend all the way back to Imlil.

Essential Information

The months from December through to mid-April could possibly preclude the Toubkal summit climb due to sudden, heavy snowfalls. We shall advise you of adverse climatic conditions and an alternate nearby peak to climb, such as Jbel Aguelzim (3547m), prior to your setting out from Marrakech

PRICES - most of our holidays are bespoke so the ultimate cost of each trek is based upon:

  • The number of people in your group
  • Where you are starting from and to where you wish to travel at the end of the hike;
  • Whether you are including any accommodation (e.g. in Imlil or Marrakech)
  • Extras such as WC tent, etc.

All our "from" prices are for a private group of 4 persons; if you are a larger group then the price will be discounted but if there were just 2 persons the cost would be slightly higher. The prices are inclusive for land arrangements only (starting and finishing in Marrakech), please contact us to arrange accommodation in Marrakech or Imlil as well as flights from your preferred airport.

MEALS - examples of food & drink during trekking:

  • Breakfast - tea, coffee, milk, bread, butter, jam, cheese plus porridge in the winter and cereal in summer.
  • Picnic lunch - fresh Moroccan salad, cheese, slicing sausage, tinned tuna fish and sardines, bread, fruit, mint tea.
  • Dinner - Tajine (chicken or mutton with vegetables), spaghetti, cous cous (main courses rotate depending on duration of trek), bread, coffee, tea, cake, fruit.

It is recommended that you bring (depending upon season): good walking boots; sleeping bag (3 seasons); waterproofs and fleece/duvet jackets, hats, balaclavas or ear muffs; gloves; rambler or ski pole; personal toiletries; small First Aid kit, thermal underwear (Dec-May); day pack; filled water bottles; torch and batteries (LED head torches are excellent), penknife (remember not to pack in hand baggage for flight); towel, sunscreen, insect repellent, hygienic wipes, nibbles and/or dried fruit. Drinking chocolate if preferred to tea and coffee, camping mug (otherwise it is small Moroccan tea glasses for everything), energy sweets and toilet rolls could come in handy!

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Gallery

Based upon 4 persons travelling.

Prices from £212 per person

What's included on your High Atlas Trek ?

  • English-speaking, licensed, experienced local guide
  • Full support team to carry your luggage and general equipment (by mule)
  • All accommodation (modern igloo tents / Berber houses / mountain refuge)
  • All meals during your trek
  • Private transfers from Marrakech to Imi Ourghlad & Imlil to Marrakech
  • Full insurance and emergency back up.
  • All local taxes.

Itinerary

After a slightly early breakfast at your hotel/riad in Marrakech depart for an exhilarating two hour drive south up through gorges and over high passes to the Berber town of Imlil (1740m). Imlil is set in the upper foothills of the High Atlas mountains, a main trailhead in these parts with mule paths branching out in all directions. After loading up your main luggage on to the mules your guide will lead you away from Imlil and strike out for some 4km towards the south up to the Berber village of Aroumd (1843m) and the hamlets of Taourirt, Targa and Imoula. Your guide will stop at Aroumd for you to visit this rather singular village in the Assif Ait Mizane Valley, built seemingly house upon house on a large moraine spur, overlooking ancient irrigated terraced fields of fruit trees and vegetables.

A further 8km south and you arrive at the equally-quaint village of Sidi Chamharouch, a Berber village set beside a waterfall and small stream, again with its pise homes seemingly built somewhat chaotically one into another. This village is a place of pilgrimage for devout Muslims and it is where there is a marabout shrine - forbidden to non-Muslims and said to be a relic of a pre-Islamic religious cult. Here your guide wil prepare your field picnic within full view of mighty Jbel Toubkal, prior to setting off up to the Toubkal Refuge for dinner & overnight accommodation.

  • Trekking Time: 5-6 hours
  • Overnight at Toubkal Refuge (3200m)
  • Meals: Lunch, Dinner.

A very early breakfast today as you and your guide set out to attain, after a three hour, non-technical but steep climb, the highest peak in the Maghreb (4167m). The panorama from here is simply stunning. This remarkable climb and view is what you have come so far for. Whenever you are ready, your guide will lead you on the Ikkhibi Sud or South Cirque for a straightforward two to three hour descent back to the area near the Refuge for a picnic (this descent can be steep in places and the route is covered with many loose stones so we would recommend walking pole(s) for this section for anyone with aching joints or who is not 100% sure-footed).

Day 2 of this hike can be very long and if possible we would recommend taking the three day option for the climb of Mt Toubkal to truly enjoy the experience.

After your picnic set off towards the north along steeply descending, zig-zagging trails of the higher slopes of the Valley of the Assif n'Isouhouanem n'Ouagounss towards the Berber village of Sidi Chamharouch (3106m). Before entering the village your guide will draw your attention to a special tree, sacred to the local Berbers, on which they hang strips of coloured cloth and pile up stones around the trunk. After a brief stop here to relax, particularly welcome on a hot day, descend high above the valley of the Assif Ait Mizane, down zigzagging trails around granite and basalt grey rocks for about 8km to the village of Aroumd (Aremd) (1840m), commanding one of the more fertile valleys of the High Atlas mountains with terraced, irrigated plots and fields of maize, onions and fruit trees on all sides. As it is a very long day we will usually arrange a second picnic here prior to continuing on along the floor of the valley, then up a well-defined mule track zig-zagging above the river for some 4km to arrive, at around 5 in the evening, after a long day's activity, back at the Berber village of Imlil and a welcome glass, or two, of mint tea in the home of our senior guide prior to your return to Marrakech and arrival around 7pm.

  • Trekking Time: 9-11 hours
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.

Flexible Tailor-Made Holidays

  • We believe passionately that no two holidays should be the same.
  • With our flexible tailor-made holiday options you can travel at your own pace.
  • Rediscover a city, a resort or an island in a weekend or longer.
  • Take a small group tour or embark upon a more adventurous trip.

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Why book trekking with us ?

  • Andy & Head Guide, Houcine, have many years of experience of treks in Morocco.
  • Routes are fully tried & trusted.
  • Timings are based on individual bookings, allowing for amendments & short cuts.
  • A wealth of experience - contact us to discuss your individual requirements.
  • NO hidden extras. NO groups. FULLY Insured.