Mt Toubkal Climb

• Four nights’ camping, one night in a gite with shared facilities, and two nights at three-star hotels
• Five days of walking
• Altitude maximum: 14,671ft (4,167m); average: 8,530ft (2,600m)
• Travel by minibus
• Group normally 5 to 16, plus local leader. Minimum age: 16

All breakfasts, five lunches and five dinners included. Moroccan food is excellent though not particularly varied. Breakfasts usually consist of porridge, bread and jam, and coffee or tea. Main meals will often be tajines of meat and vegetables with a great mix of herbs and spices and light, fluffy cous cous. Salads will often comprise of both cooked and raw vegetables including tomatoes, smoked peppers and aubergine (eggplant). When eating out, meals are reasonably priced –(approximates) Lunches: 60 to 100 Dirham (US$6-10) Dinners: In cities 80 to 200 Dirham (US$8-19) and in small towns villages 60 – 100 Dirham (US$6-10) Soft drinks in restaurants : 10 to 20 Dirham (US$1-1.90) Alcohol: Beer 30 to 50 Dirham (US$2.85-5)– Wine 150 Dirham (US$14) and more Vegetarians can be catered for but there is a fairly limited choice of vegetarian couscous, tajine or omelettes. This is particularly the case during the more rural sections of the trip. Please note that if you have any special dietary requirements you should inform the Exodus Office prior to the trip. If you have a specific medical/dietary need (e.g. coeliac or vegan) you may find it helpful to bring some food with you from home. If you have any special dietary requirements, you should inform your sales representative prior to the trip. If you have a specific medical/dietary need (ie coeliac or vegan) you may find it helpful to bring some food items with you from home.

In spring and autumn, Marrakech is warm to hot (maximum daytime temperatures around 25C-30C/77F-86F) with pleasantly cool nights. In the High Atlas, the sun is strong, but the air is cool and the nights can be cold. Mornings are clear but cloud in the afternoon is usual, often bringing showers and occasional storms.

During summer, Marrakech is very hot (33C-42C), as are some of the lower valleys of the High Atlas. At medium altitudes, the days will be hot and the nights warm.

Only above 9,840ft (3,000m) will you require warm clothing. During the summer, the sky should be clear but, as in all mountain areas, the weather can be unpredictable and late August can have stormy weather. Rain can be experienced on all treks, usually showers but sometimes storms. In April/May and occasionally in October there may be a little snow lying at the higher altitudes.

This trip has been rated Activity Level 5 (Challenging). For more information on gradings, visit the Activity Level Guidelines.

Difficulty

This is a challenging yet non-technical trek to an area of outstanding scenic and cultural interest. Although this trip is 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 five walking days include full porterage and you should be prepared for a couple of long days with some boulders and steep sections (maximum eight to nine hours). Jebel Ouanakrim requires a small amount of scrambling near the summit, but it is optional.

Weather

The temperature can alter the difficulty of the trek. Morocco can get very hot during July and August and departures during this time may not be suitable if you struggle with the heat. Also be prepared for some stormy weather, even during summer. There can be snow patches in April/early May and from the end of September, so crampons may be needed for April and October departures. Free-to-use crampons and ice axes will be provided in these circumstances. From May to June, snow can occasionally block some passes in the mountains and force your leader to change the itinerary. As with any trek in mountainous/high altitude areas, safety is paramount and your leaders may amend the itinerary to ensure the group is safe.

The temperatures in Morocco are hot in the summer months.  Expect it to be hot to very hot in the desert from May through to September.

Morocco can get cold in the winter months though usually daytime temperatures are mild. It is advisable to pack winter clothes for November through to March when night time temperatures especially in the desert and the mountains can drop considerably. During these months there can also be rain throughout the country. As Morocco is generally mild to hot it is not set up for colder temperatures and so there may not be heaters available. Please pack winter clothes and nightwear to ensure you are comfortable. Of course you can also ask for more blankets from the hotels. Please be prepared for the colder months.

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 below for further information. To keep a circular itinerary, this holiday offers four nights’ camping, with two of these spent over 9,845ft (3,000m).

Accommodation

Two nights are spent in wild camps as official campsites do not exist in some areas we visit. On the treks we use mules to carry personal gear so only a light daypack is required, occasionally carrying a share of the picnic lunch. Our Marrakech hotel is of a good standard and has a swimming pool to help relax after a challenging trek.

Alternative trip

If you would like a more strenuous ascent of Mount Toubkal, using an ice axe and crampons, please see our winter itinerary – Mount Toubkal Winter Climb (trip reference: TMW).

Ramadan

Ramadan is expected to run from approximately 10 March-10 April 2024 and 28 February-29 March 2025. One of the most important periods in the Islamic calendar, it is a special time to visit a Muslim country. Each evening, the streets empty as people head home to break the fast, followed by an air of festivity upon their return. Our leaders and drivers choose to work at this time so we continue to run trips; however, their energy levels may be slightly lower than normal. Many tourist sites, restaurants and shops will have an amended schedule, but your tour leader will know how to adapt the itinerary to still experience all the inclusions on this trip and maximise your experience during this special time.