Description

DAY 1
After landing, you’ll be met by the Alexander Adventures team and we will head 1.5 hours south to the
picturesque Imlil village – the gateway to Mount Toubkal, at 1,740 metres. After checking in to a local family-run guesthouse and you will get to know your fellow teammates and explore the local area including a short Trek to the Imlil Waterfalls. In the evening over a welcome dinner, your guide will go through a full trek briefing and catering will be provided by a traditional Berber cook.

DAY 2
After a delicious Moroccan breakfast, your team will load up all equipment and food supplies ready for the trek of Mount Toubkal. After leaving Imlil we will be heading to the Mizane Valley – our route will take us past walnut and cherry orchards, following sun-dappled mule trails that snake through the rugged terrain. We will stop for lunch at the shrine of Sidi Chamarouch (2350m), nestled beside a cascading waterfall a hearty freshly made meal will be served. We’ll then continue our ascent deeper into the Atlas mountain range and go up to 3,207 metres to our mountain refuge – a base camp set between craggy peaks. Here we’ll be feasting on a home-cooked dinner and also practising our winter climbing skills on a snowy slope near the camp, preparing for going to the summit of Mount Toubkal tomorrow!

DAY 3
We’ll be up at dawn for a ten-hour trek – today we are going to the top of the highest peak in North Africa. The summit climb involves trekking across steep snow and ice fields and we’ll need to take it steady to manage the rising altitude. After four hours, we’ll cross a ridge-line crest to a wide plateau; the fabled roof of North Africa, looming majestically at 4,167 metres. Look west to glimpse the Atlantic coast beyond the peaks of Nfiss Valley. To the east lies the shimmering plains of the Sahara, while the extinct volcano Siroua lingers to the south. After soaking in these amazing views and taking some summit photos we will toast to our feat with a light lunch before starting the walk back down the mountain. Arriving back at the mountain refuge in the early evening it will be time to relax with a celebration dinner and a well-deserved rest.

DAY 4
After a hearty breakfast today we will be leaving the mountain refuge and begin the walk back to Imlil. As we descend the increase in oxygen levels makes this trek a bit easier than the way up! We will stop off for a freshly prepared lunch at a scenic spot along the way, enjoying the dramatic Atlas mountain range before arriving back at the guest house for our final meal. If we are lucky we may also get to experience some traditional Moroccan entertainment.

DAY 5
After a relaxing breakfast, it’s a short drive back to Marrakech. You will get to explore this cultural city and visit the Djemaa el Fna, an open-air market with food stalls, colourful spice stands, a huge array of clothing, trinkets, travelling musicians and even snake charmers and acrobats! When evening arrives we will go out for dinner at a rooftop restaurant overlooking this stunning city before retiring to our hotel.

DAY 6
After a traditional breakfast, we will be heading back to the airport to catch our flight back to the UK.

Prerequisite (what experience should I have)…

Suitable for ages 18+
Mountain fitness is required to tackle this trip and you’ll be capable of trekking all day through moderately difficult terrain. Our route involves a series of steep climbs in high altitude.
You might have joined one of our hiking days in the UK
Trekking times will vary according to the abilities of each individual group. On day 3 you can expect to be trekking for around 10 hours.

WHAT’S INCLUDED?
All winter climbing and safety kit
Experienced British climbing and mountain guides
GoPro pictures and footage from your adventure
Accommodation
All expedition meals are included
Return airport transfers from Marrakesh Airport (RAK)

EXCLUDES
International Flights to Marrakesh (RAK)
Travel Insurance
Extra night’s accommodation before or after the trip – we can help with booking extra

LOCATION
Morocco has a wide range of biodiversity. It is part of the Mediterranean basin, an area with exceptional concentrations of endemic species undergoing rapid rates of habitat loss and is therefore considered to be a hotspot for conservation priority. Birds are notably variant. The birds of Morocco include a total of 454 species, five of which have been introduced by humans, and 156 are rarely ever seen.

Marrakesh is the 4th largest city in Morocco and comprises an old fortified city packed with vendors and their stalls. This Medina quarter is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Today it is one of the busiest cities in Africa and serves as a major economic centre and tourist destination. Tourism is strongly advocated by the reigning Moroccan monarch, Mohammed VI. Despite the economic recession, real estate and hotel development in Marrakesh have grown dramatically in the 21st century. Marrakesh is particularly popular with the French, and numerous French celebrities own property in the city. Marrakesh has the largest traditional market (souk) in Morocco, with some 18 souks selling wares ranging from traditional Berber carpets to modern consumer electronics. Crafts employ a significant percentage of the population, who primarily sell their products to tourists.

Although much of the High Atlas consists of sedimentary rocks, the Toubkal massif is an area of volcanic rocks that have weathered into alpine crests, cut by deep, narrow valleys

AIRPORT AND ARRIVAL DETAILS
Arrival and Departure Airport – Marrakesh Airport (RAK)
Before booking flights, please talk to us about the transfer times.

ACCOMMODATION
Traditional Guesthouses, Hotels & Camping accommodation

IMPORTANT NOTE
If your guide feels that it is unsafe to climb to the summit due to weather, we will make an earlier descent down the valley instead. Please be aware that the itinerary, activities and hotels are subject to change. These changes can happen with little notice due to availability, poor weather, seasonal changes, or other circumstances beyond our control. From time to time we may also make changes to your itinerary to try out new ideas and keep things fresh.