VERY TOUGH LONG WEEKEND Mount Toubkal - Highest Peak in North Africa (4167m)

Welcome to the captivating Atlas Mountains where we embark upon a high altitude adventure to summit North Africa’s highest mountain peak - the mighty Jebel Toubkal (4167m). Admire the rugged beauty of the Moroccan Atlas mountain range while immersed in the traditional Moroccan culture in a spectacular long weekend of tough and exhilarating hiking. A short trip especially developed for fit adventurers keen to challenge themselves and hike up North Africa’s highest summit and enjoy traditional Berber hospitality. And to top it all off we’ve added a night in Marrakech at a central Moroccan style hotel.

This trip is also great training for Kilimanjaro and Nepal or other big international adventures you are considering - it's tough and a perfect first adventure into high altitude peaks.

ONLY 1 DAY OFF WORK REQUIRED - long weekend adventure

This trip is run with local Mountain guides and has been designed and planned especially for Outdooraholics so that you will have the chance to explore the area on a much deeper level as well as to truly experience its beauty and uniqueness with the help of the local guides.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Incredible short break and hiking to the top of Mt Toubkal (4167m) in the magnificent Atlas mountains
• Experience Berber hospitality at Toubkal Mountain Refuge
• Taste traditional Moroccan cuisine
• See a traditional Berber mountain village in the High Atlas Mountains
• Stay at a basic but well located hotel in the heart of Marrakech
• Mules will take your luggage to the mountain hut
• Short trip easy to be extended, should you want to stay in Morocco extra days
• As with all of our foreign trips we keep numbers small, intimate and fun and this trip is limited to just 13 hikers

Video - LINK

HOLIDAY DESCRIPTION

On this 3 day Moroccan exploration, we will challenge ourselves with an ascent of Jebel Toubkal (4167m) nestled in the Atlas Mountain Range and the highest mountain in North Africa. We’ll experience Berber culture and Moroccan cuisine in Toubkal Mountain refuge before we hike to the summit. We then have time to explore Marrakech and stay in a centrally located basic hotel.

We’ll be picked up from Marrakech airport and driven to Imlil village where our hike begins. Once our luggage is loaded on the mules, we begin the ascent to the Toubkal Mountain Refuge (3207m) where we’ll spend our first night high in the mountains. Next morning is the exhilarating climbing of Mt Toubkal followed by descent down to the refuge for lunch. After our meal we descend to Imlil and get a transfer to Marrakech for our hotel stay in the heart of the city. In the evening you’ll have some time on your hands for a stroll around central Marrakech and a bit of exploration.

This location is so great that Sir Richard Branson has bought a villa here and we actually met him on the trails in October 2017.

Important Notes

Although it’s a short trip, these are very tough mountain hikes on steep paths with rocks and boulders for long sections and on the second day about 10 to 12 hours of hiking. There are also long ascents and descents. This is a trip only suitable for very fit and experienced hikers. This is our toughest hiking trip.

Hiking boots with ankle protection are essential due to the rough, uneven and rocky terrain - you will have to climb over boulders and rocks and sections of loose scree. You should be prepared for early starts and late finishes, this trip is exhilarating but exhausting and is not for everyone.

Altitude Warning

Please note that we are hiking to a high altitude of 4167m, some people are fine, some get signs (usually mild) of altitude sickness. We are spending our first night at the Neltner Refuge which is at 3207m and will help with acclimatisation. The following day we hike to the summit (approx 1000m ascent) and on reaching the summit we will usually descend within about 15 to 30 minutes. There are tablets available that you can buy in advance to help reduce or eliminate the effects of altitude sickness - we cannot advise on this but please see your Doctor for details. Should you experience signs of Acute Mountain Sickness like headaches, nausea, dizziness or breathing difficulties, tell your guide immediately and you may need to descend back to the Mountain Hut, although this is rare.

*Please note that your luggage while hiking will be transferred by mules. Therefore, there is a luggage limit of 15kg per person, but about 10kg should be aimed for and please pack into a large rucksack (no suitcases or hard bags please).

ITINERARY

Saturday

Hike: Imlil to Neltner Refuge
Distance: 8 miles (12km)
Grading: Tough - Mountain
Ascent: 1500m
Hiking time: 5 to 6 hours

Our private transfer will pick us up from Marrakech Menara Airport and take us to the village of Imlil. At Imlil we’ll load our luggage on the mules and start our hike having lunch about 1 hour in. Rising through the secluded Atlas mountain valleys and through several picturesque passes, we will reach the small basic Mountain Refuge under the top of Mt Toubkal - Neltner Refuge (3207m), where we will spend the night. Please note: The Refuge is a mountain hut and is very basic accommodation in large mixed gender dormitories with bunk beds. Food is also very simple and basic.

Sunday

Hike: Neltner Refuge - summit - Imlil
Distance: 13 miles (21km)
Grading: Tough - Mountain
Ascent: 1000m
Descent: 2500m
Hiking time: 10 to 12 hours

Today we make the ascent of Mt Toubkal (4167m). We wake at approx 3:00am and after a quick breakfast we start our ascent in dark aiming to hit the summit to see sunrise, which depends on the group pace. Passing boulders and accompanied by magnificent views of several peaks, in 3 to 4 hours of walking we arrive at the distinctive metal tripod which marks the summit. The summit rewards with spectacular views on every side - we’ll see incredible high Atlas peaks and admire stunning views of the Atlas range along with far-reaching views towards the Sahara Desert - truly memorable sights.

Descending Toubkal, we come down to the Refuge for lunch and then to Imlil, where we get a transfer back to Marrakech for our hotel stay and an evening to explore Marrakech. Please note, the hotel in Marrakech is very basic but well located. Please don't expect Western Europe Hotel standards.

Monday

Our long weekend trip ends after breakfast. Should you want to stay more days, feel free to arrange these for yourself. You could also book a later flight in the evening to spend another day in Marrakech. Alternatively it works well to come out on Friday, have time in Marrakech and then meet the group on Saturday.

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COST & PAYMENT

£263. Click “Attend” to pay the £263 by PayPal.

Trip payments are non-refundable and non-transferable. When the trip is sold out fully paid spaces can be advertised to the same gender, for details: FAQ

START AND END TIME

Times are local time i.e. the times for Morocco are in Moroccan time.

We suggest the inbound group flights below, for anyone on these 2 flights or at the airport at this time we arrange a complimentary transfer to the accommodation at 10:40am. If you arrive later you will need to make your own way to the accommodation (we wait for the suggested flights if delayed)

OPTION 1: Inbound flight 11.05.2024
British Airways 6:30am from London Heathrow (LHR) to Marrakech (RAK) 10:10am
Flight: BA746

OPTION 2: Inbound flight 11.05.2024
Ryanair 6:35am from London Stansted to Marrakech (RAK) 10:15am
Flight: FR3556

RETURN

The trip ends at the hotel in Marrakech. You can take a bus or taxi to the airport the following day, the hotel can arrange a taxi for you if you like.

FOOD

A simple breakfast and lunch are provided as well as dinner at the Neltner Refuge. On the night in Marrakech you can explore and find your own choice of restaurant for dinner. Vegetarian and vegan food can be catered for but will be a more limited choice. Some dietary requirements such as gluten free, nut free cannot be catered for.

We need to be aware of all dietary requirements prior to booking, please email us to verify if they can be catered for first: info@outdooraholics.co.uk

THE PRICE INCLUDES:

• Experienced English speaking local guide
• Saturday lunch and dinner, Sunday breakfast and lunch, Monday breakfast
• 1 night stay at Toubkal Mountain Refuge in mixed gender dormitories (simple accommodation)
• 1 night stay in Marrakech in a central, basic but functional hotel (twin rooms)
• Airport transfer upon arrival
• Full porterage on hiking days for up to 15kg of luggage
• All transport as per the itinerary
• Local taxes

THE PRICE EXCLUDES:

• Flights
• Drinks and personal expenses
• Breakfast on the day of arrival
• Dinner in Marrakech
• Transport to the airport for the outbound flight (buses cost a few pounds)
• Tips for local guide and their staff
• In the unlikely event of snow crampon hire of 7 Euros
• Travel insurance

INSURANCE

It is essential that you have travel insurance that covers the cost of emergency medical treatment and also the activity of hiking (up to 4200m in this case). It is also recommended that this covers illness, cancellation and curtailment. You will be required to provide a copy of this before the trip. Without it we cannot accept you onto the trip and no refund will be due in this case.

Outdooraholics cannot verify policies or what they cover so please confirm with your insurer. The guide accepting your policy is not an indication that we confirm it is valid or covers what we list, only your insurers can confirm this.

There are lots of insurers who cover hiking, for example the BMC: LINK

You will also need to ensure you have all valid documents to visit this country including a passport and Visa if you require one.

SAFETY - Your guide is a trained hike leader. Outdoor activities involve a risk of personal injury. Please bring suitable hiking footwear and hiking clothes such as warm clothes, waterproof jacket and trousers - CLOTHING TIPS

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