Toubkal Winter Ascent
A tough trek to climb Toubkal in full winter conditions.

Toubkal offers the seasoned trekker and mountaineer an excellent winter challenge. Between December and March the snows fall on the Atlas mountains, and indeed in several regions there are small downhill ski resorts. During this period the mountains change their appearance from being very arid and brown, and take on a much more severe character. A winter ascent of Toubkal requires excellent physical fitness and a good degree of stamina. Anyone who hikes the British hills in winter will have a good appreciation of what is required. We approach the mountain via the normal route from Aremd and can make use of the excellent Neltner Refuge which remains open througout this period. Ice axe and crampons are required, although the route is not steep and it involves little exposure

Season
December - March

Grade
Tough

Duration
6 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 Contingency day

DAY 5 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 6 Return to London
A morning flight via Casablanca takes us back to London.