My daughter asked me to join her on this trip in preparation for her trek to Everest Base Camp. ... Louise Swiggs, 2018 See more reviews
The trip was well organised and everything went to plan. The travel and trek information and... Graham Seals , 2018 See more reviews
We love this experience, it was challenging however so insightful to be immersed into another... Danielle Clifton, 2018 See more reviews
Had never been to Morocco before and I must admit it took me by surprise. I'm not sure what... Donald Edwards, 2018 See more reviews
A whirl wind trip with amazing memories! Amazing scenery, welcoming locals, a fun group and a... Susie Morton, 2017 See more reviews
If you're seeking a challenge and awe inspiring scenery, this climb is hard to beat. Easily... Joseph Mateo, 2016 See more reviews
I absolutely loved my trip, which included the relaxed delights of Marrakech (sitting on a roof... Louise Gilchrist, 2016 See more reviews
I took part in a private group's 5 day trip climbing up Toubkal. From the moment you start... Jennifer Mullen, 2016 See more reviews
Another faultlessly organized Exodus trip that did exactly what it said on the tin. We actually... Peter Rogerson, 2016 See more reviews
Itinerary Include flights Expand all Day 1 Fly to Marrakech Depending on your arrival time, there may be time to independently explore this wonderfully colourful city. Hotel Gomassine or similar Day 2 Morning transfer to Imlil; short walk to Arroumd for lunch. Afternoon walk to Toubkal Base Camp refuge After breakfast, we leave Marrakech and drive to Imlil. Continuing on foot from here to Arroumd which is a short walk of approximately one hour. After lunch, we follow winding mule tracks for another 5 hours. This is a stunning walk through the breathtaking mountain scenery of the valley of Ait Mizan. We may stop for a visit to the Marabout of Sidi Chamharouch before continuing on to Toubkal Base Camp (3207m) for dinner. Les Muflons Refuge or similar Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner Day 3 Early ascent of Toubkal, return to the refuge for lunch and continue to Arroumd We start very early for our Toubkal ascent (4am), walking over rocky paths as there is less vegetation at this altitude. There are long sections of scree, where the climb becomes challenging due to the loose rock. Once we pass the 4000m point, we can appreciate the magnificent panoramic views across the tranquil valleys and lower summits of the High Atlas Range. The achievement of standing on the summit is unforgettable and the views from the summit are simply magnificent. To the north we can see the fertile plains of the Magreb and Marrakech, and to the south, the wild rugged landscape of the pre-Sahara. All around us are the many jagged peaks of the High Atlas stretching into the distance. We descend to the refuge for lunch, then continue our descent to Arroumd and our gite for the night. This is a long but extremely rewarding day of walking. Hotel Aremd or similar Meals included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner Day 4 Short walk to Imlil; return to Marrakech for guided tour The short walk down to Imlil is followed by the drive back towards Marrakech, where we have a guided tour. Taking in the main sites we learn about the history, culture and architecture of this wonderful city. We then have free time to explore the Djemaa el Fna and the souk, a must for some serious bargaining for souvenirs. Hotel Gomassine or similar Meals included: Breakfast Day 5 Fly to London. For those on group flights, these depart in the morning and will arrive in the UK the same day. Meals included: Breakfast
Morocco There are no mandatory vaccination requirements. Recommended vaccinations are: Tetanus, Typhoid and Hepatitis A.
Hotels, Gite & Refuge In Marrakech we will spend 2 nights in a 3 star hotel with en suite rooms, and a small swimming pool. We enjoy one night in a cosy family run gite, with good sized room and shared facilities and a large roof terrace with views up to Toubkal. At Basecamp, you will stay in large dormitory-style rooms with basic facilities, but there is hot running water and showers and a small shop selling soft drinks and snacks.
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Reviewed October 2018 Louise Swiggs Trip: Mt Toubkal Long Weekend Amazing My daughter asked me to join her on this trip in preparation for her trek to Everest Base Camp. It was hard but amazing in equal measure and I’m so glad I did it! Keeping positive and being part of a great team are key to completing the trek. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? The sense of pride at reaching the summit was immense. Having not had much sleep the previous few nights and then the unexpected heavy snow made the achievement even more worthwhile. If you are lucky to get a clear sky at the top, like we were, the views are breathtaking. What did you think of your group leader? Lahcen was fantastic - patient and kind and we felt completely safe with him. We had a 2nd guide, Mohammed, at the back of our team of 8 on the summit day who was equally great. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? It took us 6hrs (with breaks) on the 1st day to get to the Refuge. It felt like we would never get there! Due to the unexpected snow we were given crampons at the Refuge but thankfully it wasn’t icy so we didn’t need them. The timings of the summit day were longer than the itinerary suggested so I began to have doubts but dug deep and made it! We got up at 3am, left at 4 and reached the summit at 8. Magnificent 🎉 We spent about 45mins at the top taking pictures, snacking and taking in the scenery. It took 3.5hrs to get back down to the Refuge for a hearty lunch then a further 3.5hrs to make the final descent to the gite for the night. This last bit was draining but you know you are on the final stretch. Bring snacks but there are lots of places to stop en route to the Refuge. Our group did not have any problems with altitude sickness. The guides walk at a gentle pace which helps you acclimatise. Is there anything else you would like to add? A head torch and warm clothes needed for the Refuge which is very basic with limited lighting and heating only in the communal room.
Reviewed October 2018 Graham Seals Trip: Mt Toubkal Long Weekend Mount Toubkal 2018 The trip was well organised and everything went to plan. The travel and trek information and description was informative and correct. There were no unpleasant surprises. I would personally rate the trek a 6 in difficulty due to the 8 hour trek on the first day and the 13 hour trek on summit day as well as the snow we encountered 700metres from the summit. I would also like to say just how good our tour guide Larchen was. He was very friendly and extremely helpful and professional in every way. This really helped the actual trek run smoothly and made it so enjoyable What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Reaching the summit, a magical moment. What did you think of your group leader? As stated above, Very very good. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Yes. Be prepared for very changeable weather, hot weather at the foot of the mountain, heavy rain and cold and snow on route to the summit during September. The Refuge will be very very basic, with no heating and limited power for lighting Is there anything else you would like to add? No
Reviewed September 2018 Danielle Clifton Trip: Mt Toubkal Long Weekend Mount Toubaki We love this experience, it was challenging however so insightful to be immersed into another culture and to experience a trek through the Atlas Mountains. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Making it to base camp What did you think of your group leader? Fantastic Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Be prepared for night time climbing
Reviewed July 2018 Donald Edwards Trip: Mt Toubkal Long Weekend Amazing trip in an incredible country Had never been to Morocco before and I must admit it took me by surprise. I'm not sure what I expected really but it was so much more than my expectations; I'll certainly be back. I arrived in Marrakech the evening before the normal arrival day, Exodus booking me into the arrival hotel and arranged transfer from the airport which simplified things. Climbing Mount Toubkal itself is a fear challenge in such a short time and I was worried about my fitness. Abdul, our guide, though insisted we all took it slowly; which we did, and we made it. It's tough, but entirely doable. Loved the stay on the mountain in the mountain hut, though didn't sleep much, which meant the 3am rise was actually a relief. Heading off in the darkness, with just the small patch of light created by your head torch is an amazing experience, only beaten by standing at the summit. The quality o food on the trip was amazing, given we were on the side of a mountain. Lovely, fresh food and lots of it; believe me you will need it on summit day. After the long descent we'd have eaten most out of house and home, but there was more than enough to satisfy us all. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Setting off in the darkness, in my own little bubble of my head torch light. What did you think of your group leader? Abdul was incredible. Always smiling, chatty and proud of his country. He talked to us about his country and its customs, his life but was also interested in ours. He couldn't do enough for us all throughout the trip. Dinner in Marrakech on the final evening was amazing and he's a pretty good singer. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? A water bladder is very useful; I actually had a bladder and a water bottle, the bottle I regularly topped up whenever possible. Head torch is essential for the early morning climb. A wide brimmed sunhat, or something which covers your neck, and suncream also. I would also recommend walking poles. Is there anything else you would like to add? A great first experience with Exodus, it won't be my last. Very smooth and using local guides really gives a feel for the country, which in my view will always make it a better experience.
Reviewed May 2018 Julia Porter Trip: Mt Toubkal Long Weekend Brilliant weekend A brilliant adventure, and all in a weekend! What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Obviously getting to the top, but the walk through villages, drinking tea in small hostels along the way, and the views. What did you think of your group leader? Hesham was a great leader, tolerant and friendly who would go that extra mile for us. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Exodus as usual took care of everything, so much to pack in to a short space of time. I wondered if the tour of Marrakesh would prove too much but was really interesting, again so much to see but makes me want to go back!
Reviewed May 2017 Susie Morton Trip: Mt Toubkal Long Weekend Beautiful but brutal (on the legs) A whirl wind trip with amazing memories! Amazing scenery, welcoming locals, a fun group and a mountain worth conquering!! What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Making it to the top!! The altitude on such a short trip (up and down the mountain) does play a factor on this trip, so making it to the top felt a huge achievement. The views were breath taking, literally!! What did you think of your group leader? Aziz was an excellent leader - very well organised, calm and coped well with a large group with differing abilities/needs. Aziz also had an excellent team around him, we were well looked after by the full team and the food was fantastic (both in terms of quality and quantity). Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Even though this is just a weekend trip, don't underestimate how exhausting it will be. My fitness levels were ok but I would have enjoyed this trip a little more had I trained a wee bit more beforehand. That said, everyone had sore legs the day after the climb, it's a long ascent/descent day! Change money at the airport in Marrakech (after security but before going through to landside) as you can't change money at the hotel. Or use ATMs near hotel (which we did without any issues). Consider doing the trip in early April to get the chance to climb on snow (without it being full on winter) for me having to use crampons added to the fun of the trip. Is there anything else you would like to add? It's great to see exodus offering weekend mountain breaks. Definitely consider this trip if your time is tight but also consider doing the 8 day trip if you've got the time available - I'd have loved to have stopped to explore more of Morocco, even for an extra day or two.
Reviewed October 2016 Joseph Mateo Trip: Mt Toubkal Long Weekend An inspirational climb up Mount Toubkal If you're seeking a challenge and awe inspiring scenery, this climb is hard to beat. Easily reached from the centre of Marrakesh you get a real sense of the region, it's beauty and it's Berber heritage. This is my fifth time in Marrakesh and this climb has been the most memorable of all my visits and one that I'll remember in future years. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Being above the clouds is pretty damn spectacular. The experience is quite surreal as you've had to concentrate on the climb, putting one foot in front of the other for hours. All that is forgotten in a moment as you see your first glimpse of sunlit mountains surrounding you and cloud below. An awe inspiring sight and a real privilege to have been able to set foot on that ground. If you can do that, you can do anything. What did you think of your group leader? The group leader was amazing. Never stopped smiling throughout the trip. He ensured we were all safe and taken care of at every stage. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? For the night at basecamp I would definitely take ear plugs with you as sleeping quarters are cosy and some people talk in their sleep... Is there anything else you would like to add? Doing this trip has given me a real craving to do more of them. I would recommend it to anyone who's looking for a once in a lifetime experience.
Reviewed October 2016 Louise Gilchrist Trip: Mt Toubkal Long Weekend Mount Toubkal - long weekend I absolutely loved my trip, which included the relaxed delights of Marrakech (sitting on a roof terrace drinking mint tea and visiting a beautiful tiled hammam) and lung-busting strenous walking and scambling to the summit of Mount Toubkal. I'm so grateful for the wonderful guides who helped me during the stay, particularly Abdi who held my hand and helped me get up and down the moutain! I'm also really grateful to the other members of our group who were funny, inspiring and kind. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? About half way up Mount Toubkal, turning round and seeing the sun slowly illuminating the slopes below: one by one they turned from black to orange and suddenly we found ourselves illuminated in the blazing African sunshine. It was a strange sensation - as we were so high up, the air still feel cool and chilly so I kept my woolly hat on! What did you think of your group leader? Just amazing. Our group leader was my cousin Jae and our main guide was Abdul. Both were wonderful - patient, kind, encouraging and they worked really long hours to make sure everyone on the trip was having the best possible time. Thank you Jae and Abdul. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Get as fit as possible - I wouldn't have made it to the top without lots of help from Abdi! Also, bring walking poles. And I'd recommend buying some goodies from Mrs Mills Bakes Cakes to help you keep your energy up!! Is there anything else you would like to add? Just to say thank you again - I'm going to remember this trip for years and years...
Reviewed October 2016 Jennifer Mullen Trip: Mt Toubkal Long Weekend The top of North Africa! I took part in a private group's 5 day trip climbing up Toubkal. From the moment you start climbing up through the Berber villages, traversing walnut tree groves and zigzagging into the hills, you are won over by the beauty of the Atlas mountains. Make no mistake, you have to work hard for the views, therefore sturdy boots and plenty of water are essential. Read the trip notes, as items such as a head torch are also non negotiable (I suspect the lady I saw wearing Ugg boots probably wasn't an Exodus customer, as they gave us excellent preparation advice on what not to wear!). This jouney will challenge you physically and you do need a good level of fitness. Some parts are a bit rough, such as scrambling over boulders and scree, but the view from the top is breathtaking. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? I'm not a religious person at all, but watching one of the guides quietly praying on a rock surrounded by dawn mountains felt like I was inside a Khaled Hosseini novel. What did you think of your group leader? Abdul was a legend with his local knowledge, patience and cheeky smile. Mohammad set the pace on the way down....you could tell he had done the climb 450 times! Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Get fit, break in new hiking boots well in advance and don't forget to sun screen your neck (1 week later mine still matches my fuschia bedroom curtains!) Is there anything else you would like to add? Exodus genuinely go the extra mile to give their customers the best possible experience. The passion and knowledge of their staff are outstanding.
Reviewed July 2016 Peter Rogerson Trip: Mt Toubkal Long Weekend Mount Toubkal Long Weekend - June 2016 Another faultlessly organized Exodus trip that did exactly what it said on the tin. We actually stayed on in Marrakech for 2 extra nights as, our group of 5, had not been before. I can imagine it being quite a rush otherwise, which is obviously what the trip is all about - doing the mountain in a weekend. Marrakech was a lot nicer than I imagined before I went, wide boulevards, gardens and very friendly people. It's only the centre with the souks and markets that are busy are touristy. The hotel is about 40 minutes walk from the centre, but cabs are plentiful and cheap and at least the walk is straight forward. We were there in Ramadan, which was actually fine as all the restaurants (& bars) were still open, but empty and it didn't inconvenience us at all. Marrakech feels quite cosmopolitan and open, although I did find people really didn't like having their photo taken, even from a distance. There seems so much for sale in town, far more than would be possible for tourists to purchase, so sales techniques are tough - you should be prepared for that. The mountain itself is fine - on the first day you walk for 2.5 hours, have lunch, and then for a further 3, until you reach the refuge, which is surprisingly solid and well built. Mules take your main luggage and the muleteers will prepare your food for you at the refuge. The beds are in dormitory rooms, which if full, would be very cozy, but our group of 6 had a room to ourselves and plenty of room. The climb to Toubkal summit starts early on day 2 and is a stiff climb of around 3-4 hours, depending on breaks. You only really begin to appreciate the views once you're approaching the summit as up to that point, you're walking through a valley staring at the Toubkal mountain in front of you. The views from the top, however, are amazing and worth the climb. The temperature in June was, on day 1, HOT .. I got very sunburned so take hats and cream. The climb to the summit required only a thin fleece (June). On the way down, you will slip on the scree slopes, and likely end up on your backsides a few times, but it's great fun. Once back at the refuge for lunch, you then head back down the valley to the hotel in Imlil, which is basic, but actually very pleasant (but they don't have beer) and then back to Marrakech. June departures do not need warm clothes (although apparently waterproofs if it rains - it didn't for us). I managed with a light fleece on the summit day. The heat means you will drink a lot of water, so a bladder for your rucksack is very useful. You can buy water at regular intervals on day one, but not between the lodge and summit. The lodge does sell soft drinks, but these can run out late in the day (as everything is brought up by mule) so buy some drinks on the route through the valley on day one. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? I wouldn't call Toubkal a particularly impressive mountain from a distance and you only really get the views across the Atlas range when close to the top, but when you are close to the summit, the views open out before you and you will have some great views across the Atlas range. However, the only answer to the question has to be finally making it to the top, which of course was why we were there. What did you think of your group leader? Hameed was our guide - very experienced, he had climbed Toubkal over a hundred times I think he said. He was partaking in Ramadan, i.e. no food or drink from about 3 am until 8pm, which, if true, was a staggering achievement as we were drinking half a dozen litres of water during this time. We were a small group of 6 and there were no issues across the weekend. He was also very happy to take us out to restaurants that sold beer on the final night of the tour in Marrakech, even though he didn't eat or drink himself. A solid performance. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? I've mentioned a few things in the summary, but Toubkal, although a stiff climb on the summit day, is very accessible, however, I have to be honest and say it's not the most attractive of mountains for views - it's quite rocky and the first day you are walking through a valley. In June, however, it's hot and sweaty on the first day, and pleasant on the summit day. If you are genuinely looking to tick off a mountain in a weekend, then this would seem to be ideal. Is there anything else you would like to add? I don't think so - but perhaps if you're thinking of this as a training exercise for Kilimanjaro, for example, it's actually very different and can't be climbed in the same way. Nothing prepares you for altitude - Toubkal won't prepare you for that, it's not high enough, and there are walks in Snowdonia or the Lakes that would prepare you just as well, although that's just my opinion.
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