Climb Mount Toubkal (4167m) in a Weekend

I have always dreamed of trying mountain climbing, and I finally decided to take the plunge. It was a wonderful experience to share this adventure with Better Adventures, as I found it easy to connect with the other group members. I discovered Better Adventures through a Facebook advertisement, and it seems the algorithms truly excel at bringing together the right people.

The trip was brilliant guides were super until the last 2 Kilometres

Really well organised trip , plenty of food and water . The location and views were amazing . Definitely recommend

When I booked this trip, I first thought that it would be rushed, due to the short timeframe. However, that was not the case. I arrived early on the first morning and was picked up and driven to my riad. The riad was lovely, very accommodating and very central to Marrakesh old town. I met up with some others who were on the same trip. After some introductions, a few of us had a walk around a few souks, landmarks and found a lovely restaurant to have dinner. We had a relatively early night and were all excited for what lay ahead the next morning.

I woke up for a lovely traditional breakfast with other members of the group and waited for our pick up to take us to the mountain foothills. The journey there was well organised and within and hour or so, arrived at the starting. Everyone was excited and shortly after getting dropped off, we were on our way.

The walk to the refuge was excellent. We stopped at a few little cafe/ shops along the way to have some refreshments and got to know our guides. I have to say, they were very friendly and knowledgeable. The pace they set along the way ensured everyone arrived at the refuge.

The refuge itself had everything we needed and the food that was provided when we were there, was typically Moroccan. After dinner, we settled in for sleep in a shared dormitory, anticipating an early morning rise to push to the summit for a sunrise.

We woke early, a little tired, but were ready to push to the summit of Toubkal. The trek up was steady, steep in parts but generally not too bad, following a nice trail. You could definitely feel the effects of altitude, but again, the guides gauged this well and the pace was steady for the group.

Owing to the early start, we were one of the first groups to summit. There was a sense of relief and achievement from the group and we all congratuled each other. After the obligatory photos, we started are decent back to the refuge. We had lunch, ensured our kit was ready to be transported and began the trek back to our starting point. It was a long day but everyone was euphoric after their achievements.

After our journey back to our riads, we showered and made our way back into the city for food and some light refreshments. We soaked up the atmosphere, did some last minute shopping in the souks and said goodbye to friends made.

The following morning, I was picked up on schedule, driven to the airport and got ready to fly home. I had a moment to myself to reflect on trip and only had positive thoughts for the whole experience.

Much Better Adventures delivered an excellent experience, from start to finish. The logistics were perfect, the guides so friendly and approachable and the food and boarding, very good. If you're thinking that you're not fit enough for this trek, think again. The guides were outstanding and paced both days walking to a tee. Thank you MBA, can't wait for the next one!

Amazing experience, challenging yet worth the rewarding views!

Great memories and a fantastic hike. It was much harder than the moderate that the trip states, particularly the times scales, temperature changes and altitude however we all knew what we were signing up for. Particular thanks to Mustafa the guide who sorted out my hand after I slipped on the way down

Cannot fault this trip at all. Fantastic organisation from the moment we landed until the flight home. It was a tough trek but our whole team reached the summit with the support from our amazing guides. They were welcoming, friendly supportive and kept us so well fed throughout. Thank you so much for an adventure that will never be forgotten.

My 2nd trip with MBA and a fantastic experience from start to finish!

What a great adventure. Beautiful scenery, friendly and helpful guides, delicious food, and a very rewarding walk. It was a challenge but 100% worth it. We were fortunate with the weather, not too hot and not too cold. Only issue was difficulty getting a good nights sleep, but it was only for one night. Overall fantastic trip.

The guides Mustapha and Abdou that took us up the mountain were amazing. So friendly, supportive and motivational. Always cheerful and happy to help. We had an absolutely amazing time and will be back again! Sunrise was beautiful.

The staff in riad viewpoint were great and friendly, rooms and showers were beautiful.

Trip of a lifetime!!

MBA were excellent throughout this trip with their organizational practice and attention. From pick up at the airport and right through the trip, everything went seamless.

Marrakesh itself is an experience and although short, was enough to sample the city and get a feel for the vibrancy and Moroccan way of life.

However, this trip is extremely challenging and I cant understand why the difficulty rating matches that of the 5 day trip.

The 1st trek to base camp took nearly 11 hours and the summit day was a 15 hour ascent and descent. This is far longer than what is advertised and really pushed the group to their peripheral capabilities.

The group was above average with a lot of experienced 'trekkers' and fitness enthusiasts who all confirmed that the rating should be upgraded to the highest level.

I am glad I did the trip and I would 100% book with MBA again. However, the Toubkal climb in my opinion would be far more enjoyable completing it through the 5 day plan rather than the weekend schedule.

MBA please review the trekking times and rating to give the customer a better idea of what to expect.

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.