Toubkal Ascent Trek - 3 days from Marrakech

Toubkal Summit Trek 2 Days

Summary

This is our shortest sensibly-paced Toubkal Summit Trek; the middle day is all about the summit so there is less pressure to ascend quickly.

START / FINISH - Marrakech.

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: 3 Days Trek ONLY / 6 Days Holiday version

Tackling the trek to the summit of North Africa's highest peak is best done over three days, even if your time is limited. We include two nights at (or camping nearby) the Toubkal Refuge so that you can enjoy a full day to tackle the summit and relax a little prior to your descent on day 3. If you are still feeling fit and wish to make good use of the spare time later on day 2 your guide will have a fantastic mini-hike up to Tizi Ounoums to view the incredible Lake Ifni and Toubkal from a new angle. Your guide will vary the route up and down where possible to avoid retracing your steps.

Holiday version also includes:

Round trip airport transfers (Marrakech)

2 nights on BB at the fabulous Ksar Anika or another of our riads in Marrakech

1 night on HB at the Douar Samra in the hamlet of Tamatert (near Imlil)

Private guided city tour of Marrakech (half day)

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!

Itinerary:

 Day One: Imlil - Toubkal Refuge 3208m

Depart from your riad/hotel in Marrakech 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 will prepare your field picnic within full view of mighty Jbel Toubkal, prior to setting off up to the Toubkal Refuge for dinner and overnight accommodation.

• Trekking Time: 5-6 hours

• Overnight at Toubkal Refuge (3200m)

• Meals: Lunch, Dinner.

Day Two: Refuge -Toubkal Peak 4167m - Refuge Neltner

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).

This afternoon, your guide will take you on a gentle hike south-eastwards for a couple of hours up to the head of the Assif Ait Mizane Valley and Tizi n'Ounoums (3664m) which, from this high point, gives a tremendous view of the trail you've covered and of the distant cobalt green outline of Lake Ifni. When ready, return to the area of the Toubkal Refuge for a welcome dinner and overnight accommodation in the Refuge.

• Trekking Time: 6-9 hours

• Overnight at Toubkal Refuge (3200m).

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Day Three: Refuge - Imlil - Marrakech

Breakfasted and ready, time to 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 zig-zagging trails around granite and basalt grey rocks for about 8km to the village of Aroumd (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.

Here your guide will prepare a final picnic 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 2 to 3 in the afternoon 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 5pm.

• Trekking Time: 4-5 hours

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.

What's not included?

Personal insurance

Tip

Drinks

Equipements ( crampons axes can be rented in our equipements shop)

YOU WILL EXPLORE:

Led by a local guide.

Enjoy a day away.

Multiple departure times.

Climb Toubkal.

Visit Imlil.

WHAT IS INCLUDED:

• Expert, Berber, English-speaking mountain guides

• Departure from your hotel or Riad

• Driver speaking English

• Transport

• 2 nights

• Option of lodging with a Berber family for a night. By choosing rural tourism, you support the local economy, through generating incomes for the inhabitants

• Camping tents and mattresses

• All meals during the hike

• The services of muleteers, a mule for two hikers

• Cook

WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED:

• The drinks

• Insurance repatriation

• Traditional Tips

• Services not mentioned.

IMPORTANT INFO:

This Marrakech trekking tour itinerary is only suggested, so if you have different travel plans, ideas, please contact us by email or phone and we organize your custom Marrakech to Toubkal and Atlas mountains tour.

COST FOR THIS TREK:

All our holidays are tailor-made 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.

MEALS ARE NORMALLY:

• 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.

WHAT DO YOU NEED TO BRING?

• Good walking boots and socks / good trainers for valley treks

• Personnel First aid Kit

• 3 to 4 season sleeping bag ( winter) or light Sleeping bag ( Summer)

• Crampons, Ice axes and Gaiters for Winter treks ( Nov to April )

• Lightweight waterproof over-trousers / rain-pants

• Water bottle or camel back (recommended)

• Soft-sided bag (50-80 litres)

• Lightweight daypack

• Sunglasses

• Sunscreen

• Torch and batteries

• Towel & all personal toiletries

Most of those equipment can be rented locally from our equipment shop in Imlil:

1. Crampons :

2. Ice Axe :

3. Walking boots :

4. Sleeping bags :

5. Rain Jackets :

6. Walking Poles :

7. Back packs :

8. Stoves :

HOW DO YOU BOOK & PAY?

Find the tour you are interested in then contact us via E-mail to discuss your tour and check availability. Or send us by whatsapp +212 660 642 013

To confirm your booking we ask you to pay a 20% deposit. This can be in Euros, pounds sterling or US dollars online via bank account. The balance is paid in Morocco by cash – again in Euros, sterling or dollars – at the beginning of the trek.

NB: if you can't carry cash, you can always pay again the balance online by bank few days before departure.

Contact us for more information about Price and details for your trip: www.toubkal-ascent-3-days-trek.com