2-days-mount-toubkal-trek-morocco

DAY 1: MARRAKECH – IMLIL – SIDI CHAMCHAROUCH – TOUBKAL REFUGE
DAY 2: TOUBKAL REFUGE – SUMMIT – RETURN TO IMLIL

The Toubkal Challenge

The Atlas Mountains range of North Africa runs south-west through Morocco and peak to the south of Marrakech in the region of the High Atlas. They are remote, barren and awesome and attract plenty of international trekking tourists. The Toubkal Challenge is to climb their highest peak, Mount Toubkal. This is North Africa tallest mountain and although its height reaches 4167m, it is a possible achievement for anyone feeling in good physical fitness.

The full package

You can choose to approach the summit trek over a number of days. One of the package tours that we offer is the 2-day- Mount Toubkal trek. This is a great option for those who are travelling with a short amount of time to spare. What we offer is an all-inclusive package, complete with a personal guide who will ensure that all your needs are met. When you are trekking in parts of the Atlas Mountains, you are now required to be accompanied by a local resident, so we offer experience local tour guides, educated in many language, to escort you on your travels, you can even book a mountain mule to carry you excess luggage. We aim to make your Atlas Mountain trek as enjoyable as possible.

DAY 1: MARRAKECH – IMLIL – SIDI CHAMCHAROUCH – TOUBKAL REFUGE

Arrange to have your 2-day Toubkal trekking tour begin in Marrakech, where you will be met by your driver and accompanied to the High Atlas Mountains. You will be picked up from your hotel in Marrakech. Then your private driver/guide will transfer you to the village of Imlil (1740m), which is located about 65 km south of Marrakech. The journey from Marrakesh will take around 90 minutes, the drive along the highway to the mountains is straight forward, with a gradual ascent. Once the road enters the rock valleys, it begins to curl around the side of the even inclining hills. Spot the local way of life as we pass through colourful villages, where Berbers farm in the river valleys and herd goats and sheep in the mountains. The deeper onto the Atlas range the road ventures the more winding the road becomes, edged by some sheers drops that can make a new-comer quite nervous but trust in your guide and driver, who know the roads to be home, you are in safe hands. You will arrive at the town of Imlil, which is the village that is closets to great Toubkal. Imlil is a village which has developed solely to meet the demands of the growing climbing community. This is where you will prepare for you trek to Mount Toubkal on your 2-day climbing trip.

In Imlil you will meet the Berber muleteer crew. They will accompany you during your Atlas Mountain trekking tour, they will take care of your baggage and also food. An official, experienced and English-speaking mountain guide will take you on a trekking tour walk through the Berber village, passing via the shrine Sidi Chamharouch (2500m). Here we may stop for a lunch, prepared by our personal mountain cook. After lunch, you will continue your Atlas trekking. The first days’ trek will bring you to spend a night at the foot of the peak, in Toubkal Basecamp (3200m). The refuge has been created to cater for those who are climbing and offers a warm bed, hot food and a chance to meet other trekkers and exchange stories. In the evening you will enjoy a traditional Moroccan meal for dinner. During summer months there is an option to spend a night in a mountain tent. The first part of the trek can take anywhere between 3 hrs up to 7 hrs, depending on the fitness level of the group.

DAY 2: TOUBKAL REFUGE – SUMMIT – RETURN TO IMLIL

The next day of your 2-day Toubkal tour after breakfast, you will begin the ascent from the basecamp altitude of 10,521 feet (3,207 meters) to Toubkal’s summit, which towers 13,671 feet (4,167 meters) above sea level, this will take another few hours. You will wake up in the early hours, around 5am, so that you will meet the summit as the sun is rising high in the sky. The final part of the ascent is tough, steep and rocky, and the effects of being at altitude add to the challenge. When you reach the peak, you will enjoy a well-earned rest and take in the sight. The magnificent views from the summit, reach across to the Sahara Desert. An awesome way to satisfy your sense of achievement, a reward for your heroic efforts. Enjoy the rest and take some nourishment, savour the mountain air before beginning the descent back to Imlil. You will return back to the refuge for lunch and continue to Imlil following the same route down the hill. From Imlil, we will be transported back to Marrakech. That’s the end of your Morocco Atlas trekking tour.

Good to know before you go

The Toubkal challenge is more like real mountain trekking. If you are feeling up for the adventure be sure that you are in good physical condition. It is beautiful and worth the energy that it takes but be prepared as it is no walk in the park.

What you need for trekking

Make sure you have water and energy food and cover for your head as there is very little shade from the sun. Please make sure you bring adequate sun protection, sunscreen, sun hat, polarised sunglasses etc as you can be very exposed when you are outside hiking in the day. Also, some lip balm and moisturiser will be e benefit to help to keep your skin hydrated. It is good that you pack a range of suitable clothing; light clothing for the days hike with long sleeves and long pants that are ideal for keeping the sun off. Warmer layers for in the evening and the morning as they temperature can be cooler. Good hiking shoes are highly recommended as the ground is generally quite uneven.

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