Mt Toubkal Long Weekend - Morocco Trekking Holiday

Essential Information

Trip Profile

3 days point-to-point walking with full porterage. Crampons may be needed for April and October departures. Altitude maximum 4167m, average 2600m.

Accommodation

2 nights 3-star hotel, 1 night gite, 1 night refuge.

On our route through the mountains, we stay in small refuges in dormitory-style rooms with basic facilities, however all huts are clean and provide a warm Berber welcome. Please be prepared for the Toubkal Base Camp Neltner) to be the most basic due to its location and popularity. The dormitory rooms are larger with beds very close together and although they are working on improving the bathroom facilities these are currently still very limited. Thanks to the refuge's association with Club Alpin Francais there is a wonderful atmosphere in the main lounge which more than makes up for the basic mountain facilities.

All the hotels we use are of a similar standard, clean and functional although the rooms and facilities may be basic and limited and the breakfasts simple. Our hotel in Marrakech has a swimming pool.

Food

All breakfasts, 2 lunches and 2 dinners included.

Reality Check

This is a short but challenging trek to an area of outstanding scenic and cultural interest. Although not technically difficult, you should be an experienced walker as trails can be very stony. Most routes follow mule trails but there are some rough paths that involve walking on scree. All 3 days walking include full porterage and you should be prepared for a long day walking on summit day (8-9 hours).

The temperature at a particular time of year can make a difference to how tough this trek feels. Please note that Morocco can get very hot during the summer months of July and August and departures during this time may not be suitable if you struggle with the heat. Be prepared as well for some stormy weather during the summer. There can be snow patches in late April/early May and from the end of September so crampons may be needed for these departures.

We will advise no more than two weeks before departure if extra equipment (such as crampons) is necessary. Altitude maximum 4167m, average 2600m.

Altitude Warning - This trip goes to high altitudes where there is a risk of being affected by Acute Mountain Sickness. Please refer to the Altitude Warning in the Trip Notes for further information. One night is spent over 3000m in the most basic mountain refuge throughout the trip, which is understandable given its remote location. Our hotel in Marrakech is of a good standard and usually has a swimming pool to help relax after a challenging trek. If you would like more time to acclimatise, then please see our week-long itinerary - Mt Toubkal Climb (trip code: TMM). Alternatively, for a more strenuous trek including an introduction of how to use crampons and ice axe, try our Mt Toubkal Winter Climb (trip code: TMW).

Please note Ramadan runs from 9th July to 7th August in 2013. During Ramadan, our local guides and drivers choose to work and so we continue to run trips in this period. However, it does need to be recognised that the energy levels of our local staff may be a bit lower and that some restaurants may be closed during the day. Having said this, Ramadan is a unique time to visit a Muslim country - each evening the streets empty for an hour while everyone breaks their fast, and there's a feeling of festivity in the air every night.

Normal group size and age

Normally 4 to 16, plus guide and local staff. Minimum age 16.

Icons explained

The vast majority of Exodus adventures are adult group holidays. Groups are always small in size. We strongly believe that this adherence to small groups means a better experience for all; more time with your guide, less waiting around and a reduced impact on the communities and environments visited.
Each group is generally made up of like-minded travellers - with singles, couples and friends all joining in together. All these trips are suitable for single travellers, but if you prefer to travel with clients booking individually, please see our Solo Departures page.

Fitness is important and you may have to improve yours before departure. Most treks at this grade compare to extended walking in mountainous terrain such as the Lakes of Snowdonia, but usually at significantly higher altitudes; climate and remoteness can also play a part. Previous trekking experience is desirable, but not vital if you are confident of your physical condition.

Walking & Trekking: Trips are wholly trekking-focused or simply include a significant number of walking days during the itinerary.

For those clients who wish to travel with a group of other solo/single travellers, on certain trips we have set aside departure dates that are specifically recommended for clients booking individually. Solo departures are aimed at taking away that concern that you may be the only solo traveller when you arrive overseas. Look out for the solo departures (marked with a grey icon's') by checking the notes in the dates and prices table.
However, please note that we inform any couples, or friends travelling together, who enquire about these dates that the trip is recommended for solos, but we do not refuse bookings from non-solo travellers, and we are therefore not able to guarantee that a solo departure will be exclusively made up of solo travellers.