Morocco·1 - 5 January 2025
Climb the highest mountain in North Africa, enjoy amazing Berber hospitality & celebrate in the incredible city of Marrakesh
ENQUIREJust a few hours flight from the UK and a world away lies the High Atlas Mountains of Morocco and the mighty Toubkal, its tallest peak at 4167m. Known among the Berber people as ‘Idraren Draren’ (Mountains of Mountains), the High Atlas Mountains are a distinct in their red colour and run across Morocco for 1000 km, separating the Mediterranean coastline from the Sahara desert. Climbing Toubkal is an exhilarating experience and one of the best short adventures within striking distance of London, combining a unique mountain environment with unbeatable culture and hospitality. Climbing in winter adds an extra level to the challenge. In February there will likely be cold conditions and snow on the ground necessitating the use of crampons and ice axe to reach the summit, making it the perfect proving ground for future climbs in the Alps, Andes or Himalayas and one hell of a climb in its own right. Our four night, fully guided adventure starts at Marrakesh airport, from where we head to the mountain town of Imlil and the excellent Read dar Imlil for a welcome dinner, rest, acclimatisation and final preparations for the climb. From here we begin the trek, heading up the mountain, passing through Berber settlements, and sandstone gorges to the Refuge du Toubkal, our launchpad for the summit. After reaching the summit of North Africa's highest peak we return for a second night in the refuge, before descending to Imlil and heading to Marrakesh for our post climb celebrations.
Our base in Imlil is the excellent Riad Dar Imlil.
TSA founder Oliver Browne leads this expedition alongside the best hand-picked local guides.
Enjoy extra comfort with private twin rooms at Toubkal mountain refuge as standard.
It's hard to think of a better high mountain & city combination than Toubkal and Marrakesh. Celebrate post climb in this incredible city.
Oliver is the founder True Summit Adventures, a certified Mountain Leader and an experienced alpinist and adventurer.
Oliver has climbed many peaks of four, five, and six thousand metres including Mont Blanc, Kilimanjaro (6 times), Louche East, Mera Peak and Chimborazo as well as touching Camp 3 on Mt Everest before becoming unwell with Covid19.
He has climbed Toubkal once, in August 2022, when the local guides said the weather was the worst it had been in 30 years!
Oliver will be assisted by a hand-picked team of local guides and porters.
A detailed breakdown of all we've managed to pack into this five day expedition to North Africa's highest peak
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We ask that you arrive by 1pm on day one of this expedition. A variety of suitable great value flights are available from the UK and further afield to Marrakesh Menara Airport (RAK).
Having passed through immigration, you'll be met by our team and taken by road to the village of Imlil, 1800m above sea level. As the gateway to Mount Toubkal, this is also the place to rent technical kit you may need such as crampons and ice axes.
Accommodation for the night is at Riad Dar Imlil, an excellent eco-hotel where we can relax and prepare for the climb. In the evening, we have a welcome dinner of delicious local cuisine.
Today we meet the local mountain team and the mules which will carry our main bags, so our hike can begin.
Day one sees around six hours of walking, starting out by trekking up the Mizane Valley. We pass the village of Aremd, and the shrine of Sidi Chamarouch, where we stop for lunch.
The afternoon sees us continue our steady progress until we reach the Refuge du Toubkal at 3207m.
The refuge provides basic, but comfortable accommodation in private twin rooms along with excellent regional food, typified by warm and fragrant tagines.
After a traditional breakfast we begin the summit push at dawn. We move up the south cirque over scree, and cross the stream above the refuge, enjoying the incredible views as we go.
The trail gradually winds its way upwards for four to five hours before we hit the summit. We'll stop briefly for photographs and to admire the achievement of reaching North Africa's tallest mountain.
We then descend back down to the refuge for a well deserved dinner and rest.
After breakfast at the refuge we descend back to Imlil. Here we say goodbye to the local guiding team. We'll also enjoy a well-earned lunch before making the 1.5 hour journey to Marrakesh where the celebrations can begin in earnest.
There will even be time for a massage and hammam steam bath before heading to one of Marrakesh's famous night spots for dinner.
We overnight at the Riad Bahia Salam in the historic heart of Marrakesh.
Flight times allowing, we have the opportunity to explore the souks of Marrakesh and tuck into more fantastic local cuisine with brunch at one of the city's famous lunch spots.
We'll then say our goodbyes as luggage is loaded into our vehicles for the return journey to the airport.
The perfect first night's accommodation, this excellent riad is situated deep inside Toubkal National Park and close to the town of Imlil, the gateway to the High Atlas Mountains.
Opened in its current guise in 1999, the Refuge du Toubkal is a European-style mountain refuge which remains true to Moroccan mountain heritage.
A super comfortable contemporary Moroccan-style hotel 300 metres from Marrakesh's Jamaâ El Fna Square. You can relax in the pool or enjoy views of the Atlas Mountains from the rooftop terrace.
All Transport Once in Morocco
Accommodation at Dar Imlil
Permits
Guided Ascent of Toubkal
Satellite Phone
Private Twin Rooms at Refuge du Toubkal
Thursday Night Welcome Dinner
All Meals on the Mountain
Accommodation at Riad Bahia Salam
International Flights
Insurance
Sunday Night Dinner
Alcoholic Drinks
Monday Brunch
Tips to High Mountain Crew
Snacks
Conditions on Toubkal in winter can be cold and windy, but the summit push is relatively short at just 4-5 hours. Anyone with a good level of fitness and determination should be able to make it.
A night in Imilil, (1800m) and a night at the Refuge du Toubkal (3200m) should provide ample opportunity to acclimatise ahead of the summit push.
A good level of fitness is required. This equates to being able to comfortably hike 5-7 hours a day for three days running.
Weather in February in the High Atlas can vary massively. It's best to prepare for cold conditions and adhere to the kit list you'll be provided with.
I loved Toubkal and the whole experience of climbing in the High Atlas and then decompressing in Marrakesh. It was the second trip I have done with Oliver, who made the climb up Toubkal a climb I’ll never forget!
Toufic Y, FX
