
Trip Ref #8472
DURATION
4 nights
LOCATION
Morocco
ANNUAL LEAVE
3 days off work
SEASON
May—Oct
GROUP SIZE
Up to 14 people
MEETING POINT
Marrakech Menara Airport
ACCOMMODATION
Mountain hut · Hotel · Campsite
DIFFICULTY
Challenging
No technical experience required, but a very good level of physical condition and fitness is needed
Experience the best of Morocco - from the highest point in North Africa, to the wild scenery of the northern Sahara
Climb to the summit of Mount Toubkal and be rewarded with the sunrise of a lifetime
Take a road trip to the desert and trek by camel to a Berber village to sleep surrounded by rolling sand dunes
Day 1
Hike to the Toubkal Refuge
Hiking
5-6hrs · 10km · 1540m up · 130m down
Wake up early and drive through the foothills of the Atlas Mountains to Imlil, where you'll meet your support crew and start your trek. Ascend the dramatic Mizane Valley, passing Berber farming villages and stop for lunch on the trail. In the afternoon you’ll arrive at the refuge where you can settle in, meet other hikers and refuel with a well-earned dinner cooked by your support crew. Sleep well before your summit attempt tomorrow.
Day 2
Summit Mount Toubkal
Hiking
10hrs · 17km · 1130m up · 2530m down
Wake while it’s still dark and begin your ascent. Reach the final ridge and finish the climb to the top (4167m) in time to watch the sunrise over the mountains and the distant Sahara. Rest up and then begin the descent back to Imlil where you’ll sleep soundly in a comfortable hotel.
Day 3
Road trip to the Dades Valley
Take a scenic drive over the Atlas Mountains and descend toward the unworldly landscape of the Sahara Desert, passing Kasbahs (fortified homes) and oases. You'll also have the option to stop at the Ouarzazate Film Studios and Ait Benhaddou, famous as the filming location for movies and TV shows including Gladiator and Game of Thrones. Arrive in the Dades Valley and take a hike to explore it or just relax back at your hotel.
Day 4
Road trip to Todra Gorge and camel trek to the Berber camp
Drive through Todra Gorge, an impressive canyon with sheer, 160m cliff walls and then take a short hike to a date palm oasis. Rendevous with your camels in Merzouga, gear up and ride into the desert. Arrive at a traditional Berber camp surrounded by dramatic dunes and enjoy dinner around the fire before sleeping under the stars or in a comfortable, carpeted Berber tent.
Day 5
Sunrise camel trek and road trip back to Marrakech
Wake early and enjoy a sunrise camel trek back to Merzouga. Eat breakfast, shower off the desert and then drive back to Marrakech, stopping along the way for photos, exploration and food.
Included
Guides
Local, professional, English-speaking guide
Accommodation
1 night in a mountain refuge, 2 nights in hotels and 1 night in a Berber camp
Meals
All meals in the mountains and breakfast and dinners in the desert
Transfers
To and from the airport and everything in-between
Porterage
Mules and muleteers to carry your overnight luggage during your climb
Not Included
Flights to and from the meeting point
Travel insurance
Tips for your guides
Some meals as described
Day 1
Mountain hut · Mixed dorm
Day 2
Hotel · Twin share
Day 3
Hotel · Twin share
Day 4
Campsite · Twin share
Day 5
Departure day
What is the food like?
Moroccan food is a unique blend of sweet and savoury flavours. Local specialities include tajines (a stew cooked in an earthenware pot), couscous, and pastilles (flaky pastries stuffed with meat and dusted with cinnamon and sugar). Food is often spiced with cumin, turmeric and ginger.
Meals on the trek are fresh, healthy and cooked by your Berber muleteers. Breakfast will usually feature bread, jam, cookies, fruit, juice, coffee and milk, while lunch will feature salad, tomatoes, carrots, lentils, beans, rice or pasta, fish (sardines, tuna) and seasonal fruit. Dinner meanwhile, will usually include soup, a classic Moroccan tajine, couscous, olives, nuts and fruit.
Most dietary requirements can be catered for, just let your host know in advance.
What is the accommodation like?
The Atlas Mountains
You'll stay in a mixed dorm in a mountain refuge en-route to the top of Mount Toubkal. Facilities are basic, however, there is a fun, social area where you can meet other climbers from all around the world.
Imlil and the Dades Valley
You'll stay in a twin room in small but comfortable hotels with unique decor and ensuite bathrooms.
The Sahara
You'll stay in a traditional Berber camp in the desert in permanent, carpeted tents with full beds, or, if you prefer, blankets for sleeping under the stars.
Upgrades
For solo travellers looking for their own space, an optional private room and single tent can be booked for an extra charge, see Optional Extras for the price. Please request this at the time of booking (this is subject to availability). This is only available for the nights in Imlil, Dades and in the Berber camp, not for the night spent on the mountain.
The Area
Logistics
Starts
Marrakech City Centre or Marrakech Menara Airport
09:30 or 10:40
Ends
Marrakech Menara Airport or Marrakech City Centre
17:30 or 18:30
Transfers
You'll picked up on arrival or from your accommodation in Marrakech and dropped off in time for departure or back to the city centre if preferred. You are free to book any flight home that departs after 20:00.
Travel options
There are regular flights to Marrakech from airports across the UK and Europe.
What about all the carbon?
We've crunched the numbers to work out the total carbon footprint of this trip, and plant enough trees to suck 2x as much back out the atmosphere.
Enjoy 12.5% Off Outdoor Gear
In need of a few more items? All bookings receive a 12.5% discount to use at Cotswold Outdoor, Snow + Rock and Runner's Need.
What's provided?
- Sleeping bag (you can bring your own if you like)
What do I need to bring?
- Warm jacket
- Waterproof jacket
- Warm hat and light gloves or mittens
- Light-weight, breathable hiking shirts and trousers
- Broken-in hiking boots of hiking shoes
- Sun protection (hat, sunglasses, sun block)
- First aid kit
- Personal toiletries
- Sanitary supplies (toilet paper, wet wipes, and ziplock baggies to carry stuff out)
- Head torch
- Day-pack
- Water bottle
- Towel
- Sleeping bag liner
Pre/Post Trip Accommodation Double/Twin Room
Payable Before Departure
Pre/Post Trip Accommodation Double/Twin Room
… Per Night
Pre/Post Trip Accommodation Single Room
Payable Before Departure
Pre/Post Trip Accommodation Single Room
… Per Night
Optional Private Room Upgrade
Payable Before Departure
Optional Private Room Upgrade
…
Our guides Hussain and Hassan were excellent.
The well-organised trip, great group & beautiful country.
Our other guides Houssaine and Abdul were fantastic. Mount Toubkal was breathtaking and we got to see so much of the country in such a short space of time.
Friendly helpful hosts. Houssaine was brilliant. Lovely group of travelers who all got on. Morroco was beautiful and the tour got to see so much of it.
Great experience with a lovely group. Excellent guides, Hussain and Hassan, who were very helpful and supportive during the climb up Mount Toubkal.
The organisation of the trip as a whole and in particular our guide Hussain was great. Everything happened as planned and on time.
The trip was really well organised and squeezed a phenomenal amount of experiences into a short space of time. The guides were friendly, helpful and professional. The mountain and the desert are both breathtaking landscapes and the trip feels like a good work out.
Really great trip with some lovely people. Such a diversity of fascinating landscapes...
The personal highlights were: being part of the mountains, climbing in the dark with head-torches, and also the early morning camel trek, with the rich colours of the sand and sky contrasting beautifully; all set within the unique deadened silence of the desert. So peaceful.
The organisation was outstanding from start to finish and everything ran very smoothly.
Great accommodation and plenty of good food which seemed to appear on the table as soon as we sat down.
A special mention to Houssaine, our guide, who was so attentive, considerate, and sensitive to everyone's needs - as well as having a great sense of humour.
Highly recommended and very good value for money.
The only improvement could be extending by a day, so that the last day could be broken up more - and not just a functional drive back to Marrakech.
I'd definitely consider returning to area to see more at some point.
Everything was great.
The sunrise on Toubkal was great.
No technical climbing experience is needed, however, the elevation, loose footing and time involved in climbing Mount Toubkal means a moderate to high level of fitness is required. The camel trek, though potentially a little uncomfortable, is easy for most travelers.
Sure can! Over 50% of our travellers travel solo, it’s a great way to meet like-minded people.
From April to October, daytime temperatures in the Atlas Mountains are typically warm (25 - 30°C) but cool off considerably at night, and the higher you go, the cooler it gets. In the winter, daytime temperatures are still warm (10 - 20°C), but nighttime temperatures can drop below freezing. Afternoon storms are always possible, but the amounts are small and generally don’t prevent anyone from enjoying the trek.
View detailed weather for the climb here on Mountain Forecast
The desert is considerably hotter than the mountains, though nighttime temperatures drop significantly and can even approach freezing in the winter.
If you have extra luggage and would like to leave it in Marrakech your host will look after it for you.
We recommend checking out the country specific information here and also talking to a travel nurse.
For current advice about travelling in Morocco, have a read of the UK Foreign Office pages here.
Tips are not included in the trip cost. These are entirely at your discretion but there is an expectation to tip for good service. Your guide will help with advice however we suggest a minimum of 150 - 200 Dirham per person.
Of course, you are free to tip more or less and the amount should be reflective of your perception of service and quality - a tip is not compulsory and should only be given when you receive excellent service.
Our recommended travel insurance provider is Campbell Irvine.
Travel insurance is compulsory for all of our adventures and you are required to provide your policy information before departing.
Your insurance should include adequate protection for overseas medical treatment, evacuation/repatriation, your baggage and equipment and the specific activities involved on your adventure. We also strongly recommend it includes cancellation and curtailment insurance, should you be unable to join your trip for specific reasons such as illness.
We fully endorse Campbell Irvine as their insurance offers all of the above, so get in touch with them or call on 020 7938 1734 to get your insurance sorted. We suggest that you book travel insurance as soon as you book your adventure, just to cover you for any last-minute life changes. We know you’re an active lot and injuries do happen!
We automatically convert prices from the local currency that a host receives to your chosen currency. We update our exchange rates on a daily basis so this does mean that prices displayed on the site are subject to currency fluctuations, which is why you may see them change over time.
If you wish to change the currency you pay in, head to the bottom of the page.
All of our group adventures are specially designed for adults to enjoy (18+) as we want these adventures to bring together outdoorsy people who are truly like-minded. Children can be accommodated on some private departures.
You're in good company. Our adventures are typically made up of a mix of solo travellers and small groups of two or three friends who simply love adventure, pushing themselves and meeting awesome like-minded people. See here for more info about our lovely bunch of Much Better Adventurers.
Want to book a private trip? Just tap ‘Private Group’ in the dates and prices tab.
Your trip is led by carefully curated local hosts and expert guides. See here for more info about the guides we work with.
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