Mount Toubkal Ascent
Make the ascent of the highest mountain in North Africa. A really varied trip and ideally suited for a long weekend.

Situated on the northwest corner of Africa, Morocco is a land of great contrasts, from the white-washed houses on the fertile Mediterranean coast to the arid brown mountains of the interior. The highest peaks of the Atlas mountains are located in the Toukbal Region, this trek will explore the best of this area summiting Djebel Toubkal (4167m), the highest peak in North Africa. From here we will have outstanding views of the High Atlas stretching South across to the Sahara.

The Atlas mountains stretch southwards from the Mediterranean in a great arc spanning nearly a thousand miles. Centuries ago, the famous Roman geographer Pliny described the Atlas Mountains as ‘the most fabulous mountains in all of Africa’. For us they are a trekkers paradise offering an incredible variety of scenery and a superb network of trails.

We begin in the ancient city of Marrakech where we are able to explore the exotic souks in the old Arab quarter and visit the famous Medina. The snow-capped summits of the high Atlas Mountains provide a magnificent back-drop to the ochre coloured buildings of the city.

Season
April - November

Grade
Strenuous

Duration
5 days

DAY 1 Fly to Marrakech
Our flight departs from Heathrow, taking us via Casablanca before arriving in the evening in Marrakech where we shall be transferred to our hotel.

DAY 2 Marrakech- Imlil- Refuge Toubkal
Today we drive to the start of our trek, a two hour journey across the Haouz plain to Imlil (1740m) in the beautiful Mizane Valley. This is one of the most verdant valley’s in the High Atlas and the region’s fertile valleys support a thriving agricultural community. From Imlil we begin our trek with a pleasant walk through delightful groves of walnut trees to the Berber village of Aremd (1950m). Our local guides are from this village and may treat us to some traditional Berber hospitality. From here we head up to Sidi Chamharouch an Islamic shrine, and then on to the recently extended and comfortable Refuge Toubkal at a height of 3,207m.

DAY 3 Summit Djebel Toubkal- return to Aremd
The climb to the summit of Toubkal takes around four hours from the Refuge. Nowhere on the climb are there any technical difficulties, but it is a long and tiring ascent up long scree slopes. The initial part of the climb is done in the very early hours of the morning when it will still be dark, but by the time we reach the Tizi-n-Toubkal col at 3941m the sun will have risen and we will be rewarded with sensational views across the entire Atlas chain. From the col the route ascends a ridge line towards the summit at 4167m from where we have views in all directions. To the north we can look down over 7000 feet to the village of Aremd, whilst to the south we can gaze over the line of rocky peaks stretching out across to the Sahara. After a long rest and numerous summit photographs we begin our descent back to the refuge, which we should reach in time for a late breakfast. We then pack up our camp and trek down to Aremd and our village accommodation.

DAY 4 Aremd- Imlil- Marrakech
After a leisurely breakfast we make the short walk down to Imlil where our vehicles will be waiting. Here we say goodbye to our guides and return to our hotel in Marrakech. We then have the afternoon to explore this magical city that is as bustling and vibrant now as it was a thousand years ago. There is much to see and do, barter your way to a bargain in the souks, eat al fresco from some of the stalls in the old square, or simply get lost among the endless alleyways and bazaars. The main square, the Djemaa is a spectacular pageant of singers, tumblers, sorcerers, herbalists, raconteurs, impostors, preachers and snake charmers, all competing for your eye. Marrakech is a city that never sleeps, and there is much to entertain in the evening, such as the many bars, clubs and casinos. After a day indulging our senses we retire to our comfortable hotel.

DAY 5 Return to London
A morning flight via Casablanca takes us back to London.