Climb Mount Toubkal (4167m) in a Weekend

Overall a good trip, but with lots of room for improvement! Plus points: Lovely guides, great food, inexpensive and a great weekend adventure. However this was sadly overshadowed at times by some simple school boy errors: Lack of information about the amount of time spent on the heat! C40 degrees, with the first day and half of day 2 spent over 30 degrees! Forget the mountain bit the big hike getting to the refuge, then back again to the mini bus was far too long, and just padding in my opinion. Summit day started at 2. 00, and by c10. 30 we were back at the refuge. Undoubtedly the toughest stretch due to the high winds, darkness, steep incline and terrain (rocky and scrambly). This is what I came for. After a fantastic lunch we then spent from c1. 00 until 6. 00 on a tedious, baking hot, boring walk back to the bus! Why, why, why???? Silly! We then had 30 minutes hanging around for a mini bus, that was also baking hot! There was AC, but the driver had all the windows down, so again a very hot and unpleasant drive. Also no AC in Rhiad Khadia, a sweltering night before the trek, and very little sleep had. Those in the view point rhiad did have AC, again a silly thing, easily addressed! Finally a lack of water whilst trekking! Water provided only at meal times! This was utterly ridiculous! I was prevented from buying water at the little make shift shops enroute as I didn't have change. The guide also stated that there was water on the minibus, and that it wasn't far at that point. Not true, we were 1. 5 hours away at that point. Timings and distances were wildly off, again an annoyance that I felt we were treated as idiots really. Water is a basic human need, not a luxury! I spent £10 on a small bottle of water as I didn't have change and was simply very dehydrated and needed a drink. My biggest complaint was the refuge, grim beyond belief, like a nightmare, something from a horror film! In summary, a great no frills trip, eaitiful summitt and great if you don't mind lowering your standards to eye watering levels.

We completed this later in May ! We had perfect hot weather, the views and walk was stunning . The catering was incredible considering you’re so high up. Everything was thought of , the guides were kind and caring and professional. The only reason it’s 4 instead of 5 would be down to the fact we didn’t reach summit by sunrise and the walking pace was just too slow but we were a group of mixed abilities and some struggled with altitude. All in all this experience will be a core memory.

Much better adventures wete amazing from the word go . They constantly kept me updated which made the experience amazing . The staff were profesional, polite and friendly ,i would highly recommend much better adventures to anyone who is looking for an adventure holiday 10 out of 10 .

What a great experience to undertake this adventure. Whilst a difficult challenge for me, i was supported by the amazing guides and smooth organisational plans of Much Better Adventures and the in country teams. An unforgettable experience and a huge thanks to everyone who made this trip possible. I also had the pleasure of climbing with likeminded individuals who supported each other at every step of the journey. Would definitely recommend to others who want to undertake a great experience.

Climbing Toubkal was epic, challenging and humbling. Everything was well organised and ran as described. It’s excellent value for money for such a special experience. Our guides from Aztat Treks - Mustapha, Abdullah and Jaouad - were incredible. The group needed to split and they managed it with care, respect and professionalism. They went above & beyond to ensure the whole group all had the best experience possible and we’re so grateful for their kind expertise.

Tips for if you’re thinking about booking it:

• Make sure you read the info really carefully. Day 2 especially is a long, long day. You need to really like a hike!

Tips for if you’ve booked it:

• The kit list is good!
• In the refuge, I slept in my thermal top & pants inside the sleeping bag & liner and this was warm enough.
• If you’re struggling with anything at all, just tell the guides. They’re lovely and just want to help.
• Guides bring enough water for you to top up along the way.
• Have the welcome dinner on the first night - it was lovely to meet the group and start the walk with loads of jokes already under our belt.
• Take dirham with you for snacks and tips.
• If you can, get to Marrakech a day before to have time to sleep and explore. A transfer can be arranged from where you’re staying to the trip riad.
• You can hire almost anything you need in Imlil. We hired poles for 60 dirhams each.

What a trip! We went at the end of May - a perfect time as it's not too hot or cold. The first day is about 5 hours, but easier - it's a slow climb up to the refuge, but the scenery is beautiful. I did feel a little nauseous because of the altitude, but it passed in a few hours. We chose to go for the sunrise, which meant a 2am start, and leaving by 3. 15am. The summit day was tough!!! It's 6 hours up and down, and you're scrambling in parts. Make sure you drink enough water and to eat small amounts regularly to keep your energy up. The sun hadn't quite burnt through the clouds so maybe arriving an hour later would have been better, but you're so relieved to get to the top, and everyone in our group made it - and the view was worth it! Then it's an hour's rest at the refuge, and then 5 hours back down the mountain. Overall an amazing trip with a great group. Bring plenty of snacks (although you can buy at little shops along the way), and drink enough water. You also do need to train - make sure you're fit enough to do this, so it's enjoyable. The guides were incredible, two of the nicest, kindest people you could met who did everything they could to ensure the group were safe and had a good time. Would highly recommend!

An unforgettable weekend with a fantastic group of people—so well organised from start to finish!

I climbed in late May, and we were lucky with the conditions. At the summit, it was a mild +1°C, with clear blue skies and no wind. That said, mountain weather can change quickly. Our guide, Abdul, mentioned it had been -19°C just the week before—so definitely come prepared for anything!

The ascent is amazing, taking you across varied terrain and even through a couple of ice fields. The descent, especially on summit day, is tough—you start early from the refuge to reach the top, then head all the way back down to Imlil. It’s a long day, but the sense of achievement makes it absolutely worth it.

Having also climbed Kilimanjaro, I can honestly say this trek is brilliant. Highly recommended!

A great weekend.

The whole weekend was fantastic from start to finish. Communication prior to the trip was excellent, I felt safe and well organised! The accommodation and food were great throughout but the real standout of the trip was the guides. They were kind, funny, knowledgable and encouraging. Nothing was ever a trouble for them, they paced everything just right, it felt slow and steady but given the distance it was just right to give everyone in the group the best chance to summit. Would highly recommend this trip.

What an awesome trip, Great company, great food and really caring, professional guides who took care of the entire group and set a steady pace up the mountain. The Riads in Marrakesh were also really nice, clean and with friendly hosts. I must admit being dropped back in the medina on a hot Saturday night after being in the mountain was a culture shock - the heat, noise and crowds were something to behold .

What a great way to spend the weekend.

Our pickup at the airport was very smooth, clearly signposted and the driver very friendly.

The first night we stayed in Riad Khabia which was excellent. Our hosts were attentive and our room very comfortable and clean. We used the indoor pool to cool off and met some of the other trekkers there.

We decided to explore Marrakech on foot and not eat in the Road the first night but the breakfast we got the next morning was very authentic and tasty. Mint tea #1 (of many).

Pickup the next morning was on time and organised well, we were met by the local operator. The drive to Imlil was short and comfortable.

In imlil I was able to rent trekking poles for the hike before getting ready for the trek. The hike up to the refuge was hot but easy and took our group about 5-6 hours with plenty of stops along the way to top up on refreshment or buy local merch. We climbed from c1700m to c3100 and arrived at the refuge late afternoon.

The refuge was very busy but luckily our group got a room where we could all stay together. The refuge is set up as a dorm with bunk beds and communal eating and bathroom facilities. This was what we expected but I must say the beds were more comfortable than expected. Top tip: take earplugs if you struggle to sleep.

Dinner was excellent and we had local food with mint tea. We had no dietary preferences but there was enough meat and veggies for all tastes.

We all voted on a summit attempt to arrive at the top for sunrise. That meant breakfast at 2:30am! We headed out around 3am and arrived in the clouds unfortunately but we made it to c4167m.

The way down was relentless along the snaking screed tracks and I definitely needed those hiking poles.

We were back at the refuge for about 9am where we had ‘lunch’. Rested for an hour then headed all the way back to Imlil and onward to Riad Khabia where we passed out!

Great people, great challenge, great company.

we went on this trek on 22 may 2025 excellent adventure very helpful guides and all co workers . lovely scenery, and weather hot. very nice accommodations,before/ after the adventure . will be looking at another much better adventure holiday ,as always very well planned with helpful guides and you meet and make friends from the group . keep up the good holidays MUCH BETTER ADVENTURES. from darren +julie

Climbing Mount Toubkal with Much Better Adventures was an unforgettable experience! The guides were extremely helpful & friendly and having the adventure with a group of 12 like-minded individuals was incredible! Felt like a once-in-a-lifetime trip which couldn't have been better!!

If you're craving a high-altitude escape that delivers both challenge and unforgettable scenery—without devoting weeks to preparation—climbing Mount Toubkal in a weekend with Much Better Adventures might just be your perfect thrill.

The adventure kicks off early in Marrakech, where you're scooped up and whisked away into the heart of the High Atlas Mountains. The shift from bustling souks to serene valleys is immediate and dramatic. A short transfer later and we were in Imlil, the trailhead village nestled at the foot of Toubkal, meeting our expert local guide and mule team. The hike to the refuge is no joke—around 5 to 6 hours uphill, climbing through rugged valleys, Berber villages, and snow-fed streams. The air gets cooler as the altitude climbs, and the peaks close in like stone giants. We arrived at the Refuge at 3,200m just as the sun dipped behind the mountains, bathing the landscape in golden light. After a hearty meal our heads were ready to hit the pillow and the alarm was set for 2. 30am! Summit Push and Descent: Summit day starts in the dark. Headlamps glowing, breath misting in the thin air, we began the ascent around 4 a. m. The route is steep and unforgiving, with sections of loose scree and patches of snow. The pace was steady and well-managed by our guide (who were absolutely amazing may I add). We reached the summit: 4,167 meters of raw, panoramic glory. Standing at the top of North Africa with the jagged Atlas range stretching endlessly in every direction is nothing short of epic. You feel small, exhilarated, and completely alive.

The descent is a fast march back to the refuge for a brief rest and meal, then all the way down to Imlil. Your knees will hate you, but your heart will be full.

Can honestly say that the organization was flawless—clear communication, sustainable tourism practices, and fantastic local guides who know every contour of the mountain. The group was small, the vibe was supportive, and everything from food to transport was seamless. And best of all, it was done with minimal environmental impact and maximum cultural respect. This isn’t just a weekend hike—it’s a full-on adventure packed into 48 unforgettable hours. If you're up for a physical challenge, crave high mountain drama, and want a story worth retelling, climbing Toubkal with Much Better Adventures delivers in every possible way. Now what's next!?

Mount Toubkal trek was an unforgettable amazing experience that we highly recommend to active individuals who love a good challenge. It is a challenge hole with all terrain and bitterly cold on the summit. Good organising team from Asia, Mohammed to our lovely guides Jewab & Hassan us, made us super safe and we fall in love with the mountains. Both guides were excellent easy going to get along too. Their knowledge as well as the being superhumans they were good hosts for amazing foods at Le Mouflons. They are best guide we could have hoped for. From the airport pickup & drop off everything was perfectly arranged, the Riad was perfect and located 4mins walk across the wall into the main busy market area. It is very safe and people are so nice. Imlil has shops you can buy drinks, chocolates, crisps, sweets, etc and also many rental shops for extra kits. You can rent from Broken boots til mittens. . Team took excellent care of us, cooking plenty of delicious meals, making sure we always had everything we needed, water and delicious Moroccan teas throughout. Our guides and muleteers and also in Imlil you can rent anything from gloves, boots, hiking poles! Great adventure will never forget the sunrise on top the summit. Highly recommend and don’t think about it just go and do it!

This was the hardest physical thing I've ever done, but the guides, cooks and all other staff were fantastic. Special mentions for Mustafa and Said, both of whom were patient, professional and helpful. I owe a lot of gratitude to Said in particular, who supported me down the mountain whilst carrying my bag - an absolute hero. The food was excellent too, which set us up for the walks. Make no mistake, Toubkal is extremely challenging - but you're in the best hands with these guys. Thank you for a unique and life changing experience.

Very well organised, excellent guides, lovely group dynamics and great food. Challenging hike on the second day. Very cold on the top - lots of layers and a good pair of gloves is essential!!

This was my first solo trip and I couldn’t of picked a better company to take this trip with. Everything was seamlessly planned and carried out according to plan exactly as described. The group of people all amazing which made that trip even better. I have had the best time ever thanks to much better adventures and am already planning which one next. Our guide Juward was amazing. We had so much fun. If you are having doubts about doing one of these trips solo just do it! Much better adventures have made the entire trip worry free and are seriously fantastic!

Amazing experience. A great group of people to share this climb with. However do not underestimate this climb. Altitude was a slight concern for most of the group. Lots of scree and falls on the descent. Very well organised. Fantastic local guides, kind, patient and friendly. Wonderful food, we were looked after all weekend. I would recommend much better adventures and aztec treks who were the local guides.

Was a great long weekend adventure with two amazing guides who were very helpful through out the hike and summit. They adjusted the pace when needed and helped get some of the other people on the trip down the mountain when they showed signs of altitude sickness. Very professional team!

To start of with i cannot praise MBA staff enough. From the Riad staff, Drivers, Cooks and even the Donkeys and there handlers, all brilliant.

But highest praise goes to the guides who take you on the Journey, your safety and happiness is there number 1 priority, we had a few in our group of 13 who were effected by the altitude and cold and the guides were pro-active in dealing with this. I really can't complement them enough.

Food is very good also, plenty of choice and all very nice and most importantly of all none of us had any toilet issues!!

As for the hike itself its amazing and it is one of the hardest things ive done, in parts it really is a case of head down and crack on, but so rewarding both when you summit and get back down!!

Kit wise go of the list provided, it realky does cover everything. Definitely need two pairs of gloves and windproof top and bottoms. It can get very windy in parts, it went as low as -13 for the last part of the summit and the wind hit 55-60kph. Sunglasses or ski goggles are a must as the dust gets whipped up in parts.

Also bring loads of snacks as we were out for 6 plus hrs for the summut walk and back down. They will provide water for you at regular points to top up your bottles.

Like i mentioned earlier it really was a epic adventure!!

Thank you for the experience of a lifetime. The Sherpas were amazing The food was outstanding The way the whole thing is organised is just perfect.

Wow what can I say! what a trip this was. I travelled with my husband and my brother in law and we arrived a day before the trip started. The organisation is second to none, it's like a well oiled machine. The people, guides and everyone in-between were amazing, friendly and wanted nothing more than for you to enjoy the whole experience. We loved exploring Marrakech, but it was so lovely to get to the mountains. The 2 days climbing are long and are not to be sniffed at. They are not kidding when they say you need a good level of fitness! This is hard. Two long days of hiking, at altitude. Some people were effected more than others. I've never experienced a headache quite like it. You go up and down in 48 hours so there's no time for acclimatisation, its tough on the mind and body. The views are breath taking, we were treated to a lovely cloud inversion. I will never forget the feeling of relief and elation when I got to the top. The guides are invaluable! They want you to get to the top safely. They help and encourage you every step of the way. Our guides were amazing especially Abdul. The refuge is a challenge in itself, no hot water, not much light, cold and noisy. It's a rude awakening after a long hike up from Imlil. However, it is what it is and its part of the experience. Don't expect to sleep much. The food throughout the trip is lovely, tasty and plentiful! Pack what it says on the kit list and you can't go far wrong. I loved this experience so much, the group were so lovely and definitely helped make the trip even more memorable! We had some lovely times and laughs and it really does add to the whole experience. Book the trip, book the trip book the trip ! You won't regret it !

Excellent, well organised trip. Good doors and great company

An Experience of a Lifetime. Conquering my first 4,000m peak on this trip was absolutely incredible—but it wasn’t easy, especially doing it in August. The heat is intense, so you really need to take that into account. The days are long, the exhaustion is real, and the altitude hits harder than you’d expect (even for members of our group who didn’t feel it until that last few hundred metres). Having a solid fitness level is absolutely key.

Luckily, our group had two guides, which was a game-changer. One guide could stay back with anyone struggling a bit, so the rest of the group could keep pace without feeling rushed or held back. That setup worked perfectly and kept the whole group dynamic positive and in the end all 9 of us summited!

The food was consistently good—proper fuel for long days—and the guides were incredible. They made sure we always had water, shared helpful tips, and genuinely cared about getting us through it. Quick pro tip: bring earplugs for the mountain huts and pack loads of high-energy snacks. I fell over a lot on the summit day, mainly on the way back down with it being sheer scree for ages but all part of the fun!!

The last day? Brutal. The hardest, longest stretch by far. There were moments where I seriously questioned if I’d make it, especially on those never-ending, winding tracks in the heat. But a lot of it is mental and the reward is worth it if you dig deep. I would highly recommend- just make sure to train hard before hand to be in good shape.

Thanks to Aztat Treks - Mohammed & Samir for your support

Had a fantastic weekend hiking Mount Toubkal. Much better adventures were great at communicating, and nothing was too much bother. Aztak Treks were great, the two guides were very friendly and supportive.

I had a great experience hiking Mount Toubkal and still highly recommend it, but there are definitely areas for improvement. If this is meant to be a two-day, one-night hike, it's crucial for the group to depart on time or even start earlier to accommodate varying trekking paces. Our group was among the last to arrive at the lodge, resulting in a late dinner at 7:30 p.m. This timing was less than ideal, given that breakfast was at 3:00 a.m., followed by over 12 hours of hiking.

While I understand the importance of keeping the group together, if there are three guides, allowing the faster hikers to move ahead would enhance the overall experience. It seemed to put undue pressure on those who needed more time and led to frustration for faster hikers who were frequently waiting. This resulted in more time on the mountain than necessary.

Overall, it’s a fantastic hike, but I found the logistics of how it was run more challenging than the hike itself. It’s a significant physical effort (which I love), but it was frustrating not to be able to move at a reasonable pace. Many fellow hikers shared this sentiment.

Very well organised trip from meeting at the airport in Marrakech, all the delicious food along the hike to waving goodbye on the last day. Thanks to guides Sa'id and Abdullah for running around after us and making sure the whole group made the summit. This is a mixed ability tour which is a challenge for some - so don't expect to be steaming up the mountain at a fast pace! Plenty of stopping for the group to catch up. Sunrise over the Atlas is worth the trip! Highly recommended 👍

I can not even describe how much I appreciated this trip. It has been officially my best weekend to date. Absolutely every minute of this trip was perfect… the guides were amazing, the accommodation was amazing, the food was amazing and last but not least… the mountain was AMAZING! I am 100% booking again with MuchBetter, literally just tossing up which one to do!!