MT TOUBKAL CLIMB

8 days from GBP649 to GBP779 including flights
Tripcode: TMM

Countries Visited: Morocco

Review your Exodus adventure now

Our Clients’ Reviews

Average Review Rating: from 44 reviews.

Paul Gofton

MT TOUBKAL CLIMB

Written October 2011
A great trip which is challenging but not technical with the reward of standing on the highest peak in the Atlas mountains. The trip is in my opinion very good value for money.
Read full review
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Reaching the top of mount Toubkal this was the reason for going. Knowing that at that time I was the highest person (well along with the rest of my group) in North Africa.
What did you think of your group leader?
Rashid was very good , knowledgeable and always had a smile on his face.
On the first day the pace he set appeared brisk taking into acount the temperature and that he had not had time to gauge the capabilities of the group. He always however had a colleague bringing up the rear. Thereafter, particularly on summit day the speed was more sedate.
Went out of his way to arrange mule rides for some of the group on the final days descent to Imlil
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
First if travelling by own steam, when arriving at Marrakech airport make sure you ask what the airport fare to the Hotel is before agreeing taxi ride. The trip notes give you an idea what to pay. taxi drivers will try to take advantage.
We travelled in September and it is hot when the sun rises above the mountains, particularly at the lower altitude and as there is little shade. Make sure you have plenty of water .
Be careful what you eat the day before you start on the walk having a dodgy stomach can seriously ruin your trip.
The refuge (base camp) is fairly basic we had a room for 16 hence it may be difficult to sleep also you are up early on the two summit days .
The climb up to Toubkal is not technically difficult although the path is rough and dusty and a times is fairly steep. My opinion is that the descent is trickier as there are points which can be slippy so walking poles may assist.
Food on the trip is generally good a lot of cooked vegatables. If you like alcohol be warned the Hotel in Marrakech may be one of the few places you can order it.
Try the Italian Ice cream restaraunt about fifteen minutes from the hotel on the way to the Souks (which will take around 45 minutes to walk).
Is there anything else you would like to add?
if you are an experienced hill walker in The Lake District or Scotland this trip will not present too may problems. Your fellow group members and expedition leader will no dobt drive you on and if you do get tired you can always ride on a donkey !.
Go for it.
Jenny Allen

MT TOUBKAL CLIMB

Written October 2011
What a beautiful place the Atlas Mountains are. I kept thinking how lucky I was not to be at my desk at work and enjoyed every footstep on the dusty trails and every breath of mountain air.
Read full review
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
The walks took us up and over a high pass before descending into the valley of Aroumd. It was a long days walk, but so beautiful along the way and we stopped at various points to gather our breath, cool down in the shade, acclimatise, chat to the group and take in the views. After a comfortable night in the Gite (for the girls at least) there followed another long walk the next day which took us up through the valley pass to the Neltner Refuge (Toubkal basecamp). But when I got too tired there was a backup ... the mule ! What a way to travel. I think I'll be trading in my car very very shortly. There were stops for drinks and snacks along the way, so again, a very manageable day. However, all those little luxuries disappeared for the summit day, but the hard uphill battle was soon forgotten when we reached the top and looked out at the mountains spread out beyond. Stunning.
What did you think of your group leader?
Our leader (Rachid) was very kind and friendly. Our bags were always there before us, our rooms ready, and Rachid spent time explaining the culture and sights as we travelled along.
However, the pace was a bit too fast for me (I am notoriously slow - and this group were also extremely fast) so I quickly lagged behind. This didn't bother me in the slightest though - apart from on the day after the ascent when I would have liked to have done another walk, but didn't think I could keep up with the pace set, so I didn't go (went litter picking around the Refuge instead in an eco warrior kind of way!). The assistant guide (Hammid) was always at the rear of the group, so I was always in safe hands. Plus he had the "emergency" mule, so was quite a popular fellow. Rachid also stopped frequently enough so that I (and other laggers) could catch up, and that was fine.
Rachid and Hammid worked hard the whole week to make sure the trip ran smoothly and that we had good lunches and dinners. No mean feat for a large group. Legends both.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
A couple of bits of advice - (1) take a thin sheet / sarong as this is useful for the more basic accommodation units (like the Refuge) to separate you from the rather over-used mattresses and concrete pillows ! (2) unless you are the dominant snorer, ear plugs are quite useful..., but be prepared for a broken nights sleep at the Refuge anyway as the dorms are quite big and altitude has a funny effect on some people. (3) take some coloured pencils, crayons and small notebooks - the kids in the villages go mad for these and you will probably be cleaned out in a matter of minutes (I was).
I really enjoyed the food that was prepared by our cook, but some of the others in the group didn't enjoy so much vegetarian food or the sweet / spiced (cinnamon) flavours. However, it's fresh fare and someone else cooks and does the washing up - how can anyone complain about that...!
Is there anything else you would like to add?
I loved this trip and would like to go back and amble through the mountains at a more leisurely pace (with maybe a couple of mules just in case I got tired...!). Conversations with the locals took a long time, and sometimes I had to rush off to catch up with the group. But I guess that's the clash of cultures ...!
GERARD GILL

MT TOUBKAL CLIMB

Written October 2011
Great Trip, fantastic scenery and a great guide..
Read full review
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Scenery was amazing..
What did you think of your group leader?
Mohammed was an excellent guide..
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Last day is pretty openended so book a walking trip of the city
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Two days in the ciy is enough, people are great but be careful of the snake charmers..if they get your camera it'll cost you to get it back..
Sean Turner

MT TOUBKAL CLIMB

Written September 2011
First 4000m peak for my wife and first time on an "organised" trek for me so wasn't sure how I would get on being led by someone else but had a ball and would recommend it to anyone - stress free mountain climbing - walk, eat, sleep - superb!
Read full review
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Hmmmm.....topping out on Toubkal was great as it was the main objective and it was superb to see my wife Susies happy wee face having climbed it - very proud of her, but I also really enjoyed Toubkals South Summit as I was the only one on it and the day after we bagged Ounakrim which was more challenging and quieter - our group being the only ones there instead of the 50 or so people on the summit of Toubkal the day before.
What did you think of your group leader?
Couldn't have asked for anyone better. Abdullah was knowledgeable, professional, very experienced and you couldn't meet a more likeable guy.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
These things are all relative depending upon your previous experience but, if you are a competent UK hillwalker comfortable on the higher UK mountains, you should be OK. A lot of the terrain higher up is loose and can be steep - think the Scafells, the Mamores Munros, Ben Nevis from the Carn mor Dearg side rather than the tourist path. My Susie has done around 60 Munros and isn't a fan of heights and she managed fine. Doing this the long way around gives plenty of time to acclimatise and get used to the type of terrain you will encounter on summit day. The trip is well supported and you only carry your own daypack. Plenty of food - more tending to veg than meat and typically Moroccan - though we also got chips in the high hut which was good.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
As I said earlier this was my first experience of being organised by someone else - I am used to climbing and walking with friends and I usually do the organising which can be stressful at times - accomodation, food, route finding etc. My wife thought that this type of thing might not suit me but she fancied it for her 40th birthday so we booked - she half expected me to spend the week a bit frustrated at being "led". On the contrary I enjoyed the majority of it - eat, walk, eat, walk, eat, sleep was pretty much the order of the day with nothing much else to think about - stress free for me. Certainly helped that we had a great crowd to walk with and Abdullah had his head well screwed on - he knew when to take things a little quicker or slower etc - very experienced in the Atlas mountains. Occasionally it would have been nice to do my own thing but no complaints from me and I think we are now planning on something else for next year - probably Kili.
Jennifer Macdougall

MT TOUBKAL CLIMB

Written September 2011
A great trip for those who like to stretch their muscles amid stunning backdrops. The walks varied in length and steepness, but were very achievable with a good starting level of fitness. Lots of fun being in a group, with constant chatter and altitude-induced fits of giggles!
Read full review
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Climbing Toubkal was an obvious highlight - the steady trip up, the views from the top, and the scree running on the way back down. The mountains were beautiful, and the sunsets and stars also spectacular. We also had some great meals cooked for us on the road, and exploring the local food stalls on the last afternoon in Marrakesh gave us some unusual culinary experiences!
What did you think of your group leader?
Mohamed was an excellent leader - patient, friendly and organised. He kept the group together well.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Be prepared for dorms, early starts and the occasional tepid shower... but when approached with the right spirit, it all adds to the experience. Also - buy proper walking socks. They're the best!
James Bowman

MT TOUBKAL CLIMB

Written August 2011
Very enjoyable holiday. Tougher in terms of difficulty of terrain than I was expecting. Didn't enjoy Marrakech as much as the mountains.
Read full review
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Reaching the summit of Mt Toublkal.
What did you think of your group leader?
Excellent. Very friendly but I also had complete confidence in his abilities to lead the group.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Take walking sticks.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
No.
Satu Hietanen
MT TOUBKAL CLIMB

Written July 2011
Beautiful country, wonderful people, interesting culture and great food... A perfect getaway to a completely different world in just three hours.
Read full review
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
The ascent of Mt Toubkal was great but the highlight of the trip was, without a doubt, the optional ascent of Mt Ouanakrim on the following day. This ascent is more technical (requires a bit of scrambling) and therefore lots of other groups don't do it. We were very lucky to be the only ones on the trek and at the summit on that day. The weather played part perfectly too - 2/3 of the way up we had the most beautiful view over the mountain range - brilliant early morning sunshine over a sea of clouds. And the view from the summit was even more spectacular.
What did you think of your group leader?
It was great to have a local Berber as a guide. Rachid was a great leader; easy to get on with, well organised, funny, very knowledgeable and always smiling. In addition to enjoying the mountains we learned a lot about the life in the Atlas and in Morocco in general.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Take gloves and an extra warm layer (I had a light down jacket with me in July) if you feel cold easily. It gets cold in the evenings (if you want to sit outside) and the early start on the summit day can be chilly too.
You can buy water and snacks throughout the trek but it's good to have small notes with you as the change of 100 dirhams is often a problem.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Just go for it! If you like trekking and the mountains, you'll have a great time.