Morocco·21 - 25 November 2024
Climb the Highest Mountain in North Africa, Enjoy Amazing Berber Hospitality and 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 late autumn adds an extra level to the challenge. In November there will likely be cold conditions and possibly snow on the ground necessitating the use of crampons and ice axe to reach the summit, making it the perfect training 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 Kasbah du Toubkal 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.
Climbing Toubkal is a totally unique mountain experience and one of the best short adventures possible.
TSA Founder, Oliver Browne will lead this expedition alongside experienced, hand-picked local guides.
Accommodation at the refuge will be in private, twin rooms for maximum privacy and comfort.
It is hard to think of a better high mountain / city combination than Toubkal and Marrakesh. Celebrate post climb in this incredible city.
Oliver is a certified Mountain Leader, experienced adventurer, alpinist and the Founder of True Summit Adventures.
Oliver has climbed many mountains of four, five and six thousand metres as well as touching 7000m on Mount Everest in spring 2021 before becoming ill with Covid19.
He has climbed Toubkal once; in August 2022 when the weather was said to be the worst for that month in 30 years. Still it was a great experience and he loved climbing North Africa's highest peak.
Oliver will be assisted by a team of local guides and porters.
A Day by Day Guide to This Five Day Epic
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Our team will be on hand to collect you from the airport and drive you to Imlil, 1800m where our adventure begins.
Accommodation for the night is at the former hilltop fortress Kasbah du Toubkal; now an excellent eco-hotel where we can relax and prepare for the climb. In the evening we have a welcome dinner and enjoy delicious local food.
Technical kit such as crampons and ice axe will be available to rent in Imlil.
Today we begin the hike up the Mizane Valley, passing the village of Aremd and shrine of Sidi Chamarouch, where we stop for lunch, 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, normally tagine.
The hike takes around 6 hours and mules will carry your main bag.
After a traditional breakfast we begin the summit push at dawn, moving up the south cirque over scree and crossing the stream above the refuge enjoying incredible views as we go.
The trail winds its way gradually upwards for 4 to 5 hours until we reach the top where we stop to take in the incredible views and the all important summit photos.
We then descend back down to the refuge for a well deserved dinner and rest.
We hope you are feeling rested after the big climb!
Today after breakfast at the refuge we descend back to Imlil where we say goodbye to the local guiding team and enjoy a well earned lunch before making the 1hr 30 ins journey to Marrakesh where the celebration begins in earnest.
There is time for a massage and hammam before heading to one of Marrakesh's best night spots for dinner.
For those guests unable to stay for the final evening there will be a separate transfer to the airport.
It is time to say our goodbyes.
We hope you have enjoyed your time in Morocco and your ascent of Toubkal and its unique mountain environment lives long in the memory.
Transport will be on hand to take you to the airport, but first we can tour the souks and enjoy a brunch at one of Marrakesh's famous lunch spots.
This lovingly restored former fortress above Imlil is now one of the best mountain accommodations in the world.
Opened in its current guise in 1999, the Refuge du Toubkal is a European style mountain refuge that remains true to its Moroccan mountain heritage.
All Transport Once in Morocco
Guided Ascent of Toubkal
Private Room at Kasbah du Toubkal
Private Twin Rooms at Refuge du Toubkal
Thursday Night Welcome Dinner
All Meals on the Mountain
Satellite Phone
International Flights
Insurance
Last Night Accomodation in Marrakesh
Sunday Night Dinner
Alcoholic Drinks
Monday Brunch
Tips to High Mountain Crew
Conditions on Toubkal winter can be cold and windy, but the summit push is relatively short; c. 4-5 hours. Anyone with a good level of fitness and determination should be able to make it.
A night in Imilil, (1800) and a night at the refuge (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 3 days running.
Weather at the end of November and beginning of December can vary massively so it is best to prepare for cold conditions and adhere to the kit list.
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
