Holidays
Mount Toubkal in Winter

40 reviews

Bestseller

Bestseller Last Minute Offer

Holidays

Mount Toubkal in Winter

Morocco

40 reviews

Available Departures: Jan, Mar, Apr, Nov, Dec

Last Minute Offer

8 days from

US$1,305

without flights

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Mountaineer

Guided Group

MODERATE

Winter trekking holiday to the summit of North Africa`s highest peak Toubkal (4167m) in the High Atlas Mountains of Morocco

Trip Code: WIT

Our Holiday Grades Explained

To show the relative difficulty of our holidays, each trip is graded on a scale of 1 to 12, with 12 being the most challenging. Although we have tried to make our grading system as clear as possible, it cannot take into account your personal interests, abilities or experience. If you have any questions about the nature of a particular trip or its suitability for you, please read the 'Is this holiday for you?' section or contact us.

1 - 3 LEISURELY

Suitable for most people in good health, holidays at this grade include only limited amounts of activity.

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4 - 6 MODERATE

Suitable for reasonably fit individuals, such as weekend walkers and cyclists. There can be the occasional more difficult day.

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7 - 9 CHALLENGING

Physically challenging holidays, where you need to be prepared before you go.

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10 - 12 TOUGH

Our toughest holidays, involving many long days, often in isolated areas. A high level of fitness and previous wilderness and mountain experience is essential.

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Section:

Mount Toubkal in Winter

Highlights

Mount Toubkal (4167m) and the Atlas Mountains at their snowy best
Crampons, ice-axe and helmets included, plus highly trained leaders
Perfect introduction to winter trekking in the High Atlas Mountains
Time to explore Marrakech and the vibrant UNESCO Djema el-Fna
Easily combined with Edge of the Sahara trek for a two week adventure

At a Glance

Group Size 3 to 10
5 days trekking
Max altitude - 4167m
AIRPORT TRANSFERS INCLUDED
Join In Marrakech

Accommodation & Meals

7 Breakfasts
6 Lunches
6 Dinners
2 nights Hotel
2 nights Gite / Hostel
3 nights Mountain Hut / Refuge

Overview

Mount Toubkal (4167m) in the High Atlas Mountains, is not only Morocco's highest peak, but the highest summit in North Africa and this incredible range provides some of the most spectacular winter trekking on earth! With its traditional villages, friendly Berber, awesome trails and jaw dropping mountains, this dramatic and beautiful area takes on a magical appearance in winter. A mere two hours drive from vibrant Marrakech, the high valleys of the Berbers are at their most beautiful during this season. Our well established itinerary is a long standing best seller, due to the excellent Moroccan leaders and experienced team we work with. A day's acclimatisation hike above the village of Aroumd, ensures everyone is fully prepared before trekking to the refuge (3207m), Toubkal's base camp at the head of the valley. From here we attempt this exciting summit; Toubkal (4167m), the highest mountain in North Africa.

From the top we are rewarded with spectacular views plus a real sense of achievement and adventure. On the top of Toubkal stunning panoramas extend across the rocky Atlas ranges and southwards to Jebel Sahro and the Sahara Desert. This is a fantastic winter walking holiday in the mountains combined with Marrakech, Morocco's most colouful city.

A Genuine Small Group Experience - The Secret of Our Success on Winter Toubkal

We are proud to say this holiday in Morocco is limited to a maximum group size of 10, ensuring we leave only our footprints on the trails whilst enjoying a genuine small group adventure. We've been taking our clients walking, trekking and mountaineering for almost thirty years so we know the ingredients of a good guide and a successful group adventure. On our Toubkal treks, the mountain is neither particularly high nor technically demanding, but the experience and knowledge of our Moroccan leaders, teamed with a smaller group size, can make a big difference to your chances of success on summit day. Those who are new to winter mountaineering will take particular comfort in the presence of our experienced Moroccan guides, who we believe are the best in the business. Our Toubkal in Winter remains one of the best selling holidays in the business due to our fantastic local team.

View our full range of adventure holidays in Morocco .

Is this holiday for you?

The maximum altitude attained on this trek is not great and our acclimatisation day above the gite in Ait Souka is good preparation for our trek to the refuge and ascent of Mount Toubkal. On the ascent of Toubkal and whilst trekking up to the refuge, we will encounter moderately angled snow slopes. Some familiarity with the use of crampons and an ice axe is recommended, but not essential, for t …

This Morocco holiday is perfect for anyone who is looking to improve existing experience, or as a first mountaineering experience. We include your crampon, ice-axe and helmet hire, making the holiday excellent value for money. KE runs a fantastic range of more challenging mountaineering holidays, where previous experience is highly recommended or essential, and this one is perfect for obtaining that experience and building up your confidence.

Why KE?

With KE we include your crampons, ice-axe and helmet hire so this, teamed with our winter trained Moroccan leaders is why we know KE's winter Toubkal holiday is the best in the world of adventure travel. Don’t just take our word for it - read the excellent customer reviews.

KE Expert

Gemma Waterworth, HR Manager and Finance

Read Bio

Gemma Waterworth

HR Manager and Finance

About Gemma:

Originally from Yorkshire, Gemma has always had love for travel and the outdoors. She spent a year living abroad whilst studying for a degree in German and Spanish, and she has also travelled around New Zealand and Thailand for 6 months before joining the KE team back in 2012.
Since then she has taken part in a variety of KE trips including Via Ferrata in Italy, climbing Mount Toubkal in Winter in Morocco and exploring rural Northern Vietnam and Halong Bay. Her absolute favourite KE highlight, however, was having the opportunity to go trekking for Gorillas in Uganda!
Gemma is a real foodie too and loves trying out new food and drink wherever she is. She enjoys lots of different types of cuisine, but her favourite would probably be Italian.
When not working at KE, Gemma is a keen outdoor enthusiast and enjoys going hiking, climbing, running and paddling, so whatever the weather she is likely to be found somewhere out on the water or in the fells of the Lake District.

Itinerary

Download Trip Notes

Day 1

Meet at the group hotel in Marrakech. Transfers from Marrakech Airport are provided.

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Your holiday starts at the hotel in Marrakech. On arrival in Marrakech you will be met by a KE representative who will assist with the short transfer to the group hotel. Depending on your arrival time and after settling in you may want to head out and explore. Marrakech is a colourful city with some interesting architecture and exotic feel. Why not head to the central square of the Djema el-Fna beneath the imposing tower of the Koutoubia Mosque or take a stroll through the souks. Marrakech is a great place to spend an extra night or two so if you would like to extend your holiday pre-trek then please feel free to contact the KE office. We can even help you organise a riad experience or some time relaxing on the coast.

Accommodation

Hotel

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Day 2

Transfer to Ait Souka in the High Atlas for an afternoon of walking.

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After breakfast the group will head southwards out of the city and drive towards the peaks of the High Atlas. The 2 hour transfer takes us towards the town of Asni before we leave the main road and begin our climb into the foothills of the Atlas Mountains. Our route takes us through the picturesque Mizan Valley as we begin to see clustered houses and the traditional mud-brick villages of the Berbers. Imlil is effectively the end of the driving road for us and was famously used as the backdrop for parts of the Hollywood movie Kundun. During the filming of the movie the old kasbah above the village was made to look like a Tibetan temple. We'll stretch our legs with a short walk to the neighbouring village of Ait Souka where we'll check in to our gite. After lunch we'll head out for an afternoon of walking which is a great way to start our acclimatisation.

Accommodation

Gite / Hostel

Meals

B L D

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Day 3

Acclimatisation day in and around the charming Imlil Valley.

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Today is a day for acclimatisation in and around the charming Imlil Valley. There are plenty of walking trails available directly from our gite so the leader will decide on the exact one depending on snow and weather conditions. One option is to walk towards Ilmil before heading up the Mezzik Valley to reach a col at 2520 metres. The walk up the Mezzik Valley gives a really good introduction to the type of terrain and trails we’ll be covering on our trek. Paths are rocky underfoot but clearly defined as they wind their way up above cultivated terraces and walnut trees. We can take a break before allowing those with sufficient energy the chance to ascend further and reach a viewpoint above. We then retrace our steps back to the gite where along the trail we can enjoy view across the valley and over the route we follow tomorrow.

Accommodation

Gite / Hostel

Meals

B L D

Ascent

1000 M

Descent

1000 M

Time

4 - 6 hrs walking

Distance

12 KM

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Day 4

Trek through Valleys of the High Atlas to the refuge (3207m).

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Leaving Ait Souka, the trail crosses the river and climbs steeply for an hour and a half to the seasonal village and holy shrine of Sidi Chamharouch (2310m) surrounded by rocky peaks. A huge white-painted boulder marks the spot where, legend has it, a holy man lies entombed. Beyond here it is a steady climb of around 4 – 5 hours to reach the refuge (3207m). The hut is dormitory style.Though basic the refuge has bathrooms and showers, a couple of large dining areas and a lounge with stoves. This afternoon our guide will run a training session on the use of crampons and ice axe. This will be held in an area close to the refuge depending on the snow cover, and even those with previous experience should attend this session.

Accommodation

Mountain Hut / Refuge

Meals

B L D

Ascent

1600 M

Descent

345 M

Time

6 - 8 hrs walking

Distance

13 KM

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Day 5

Mount Toubkal (4167m) summit day.

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Today, if weather conditions are on our side the plan will be to climb Jebel Toubkal, North Africa’s highest peak. After an early breakfast and as the sun starts to rise, we'll leave the refuge and join a steep trail. The route initially zig-zags eastwards directly above the refuge and crosses snow covered scree slopes, before passing between two rocky guardian peaks. We continue upwards across easy angled snow slopes to reach a ridge-line which drops off steeply to the east. After approximately 4 hours, we arrive at the metal tetrapod which marks Toubkal’s summit. The effort to get here is worthwhile as there are fantastic views of the snow covered peaks of the High Atlas away to the north-east, whilst the Anti Atlas and Sahara lie to the south. After enjoying the views and taking the all important summit photos, our descent back to the refuge takes approximatley 2 hours. Once back we warm up and celebrate our summit success with some excellent Moroccan tea!

Accommodation

Mountain Hut / Refuge

Meals

B L D

Ascent

1500 M

Descent

1500 M

Time

7 - 8 hrs walking

Distance

7 KM

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Day 6

Optional walk up to the viewpoint of the Tizi Ouagane (3750m).

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After yesterday's day out on Toubkal anyone who wishes to have a second day in the mountains can join the leader for an optional walk up to the viewpoint of the Tizi Ouagane (3750m). Today can also be used as a contingency day if the ascent of Mount Toubkal wasn't possible yesterday. After breakfast, we leave the refuge and start a gradual ascent which will be most likely on snow all the way to the Tizi Ouagane (3750m). It normally takes around 3 hours to reach Tizi Ouagane which offers a fantastic viewpoint and a great place to enjoy a snack stop. After taking in the views, we re-trace our route back to the refuge where we'll take a late lunch. Anyone who doesn't want to join today can relax at the hut until the rest of the group returns. Tonight we spend our final night at the refuge before heading down the valley in the morning.

Accommodation

Mountain Hut / Refuge

Meals

B L D

Time

6 hrs walking

Distance

6 KM

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Day 7

Descend from the refuge to Ait Souka and transfer to Marrakech.

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This morning after an early breakfast we'll pack up and walk back down the valley. After approximately 4 - 5 hours we reach Ait Souka just in time for lunch and from here it's a brief 10-minute walk from Ait Souka back down to Imlil. On reaching Imlil we meet our transport for the drive back to Marrakech. Arriving mid afternoon, we'll check in at the group hotel and have some time at leisure before meeting up for dinner. Most people head to the central square of the Djema el-Fna where around 4pm each evening this open square becomes the focus of activities for local people and tourists alike. Acrobats, musicians, water sellers and story tellers begin their evening performances which become more and more animated as the sun sets. Tonight we'll have our final dinner together and celebrate the end of a fantastic holiday.

Accommodation

Hotel

Meals

B L D

Ascent

300 M

Descent

1600 M

Time

4 - 5 hrs walking

Distance

12 KM

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Day 8

Departure day. Marrakech Airport transfers are provided.

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Your holiday ends after breakfast. Depending on your flight time you may wish to enjoy a final stroll around Marrakech before your transfer to the airport. The city has a number of highlights including Jardin Majorelle which was owned by fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent from the 1960s to his death in 2008. Ville Nouvelle is a cobalt-blue exterior which is surrounded by a delightful garden full of rare desert flora plus fuchsia bougainvillea and deep green palms. The result is an explosion of colour nestled in the city. The Bahia Palace is a wonderful palace set in gardens and well worth a visit. Built in the late 19th century, this beautiful building was reputed to be the greatest palace of its time. With a name meaning brilliance, the palace was built by craftsmen from Fez.. Airport transfers are included if you are departing today. If you would like to extend your time in Marrkech in the group hotel please contact the KE office and we will be happy to help you organise this. KE also offers two excellent extensions to the coast or into the Sahara Desert. These are a great way to explore more of Morocco pre or post-holiday.

Meals

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The Route

Peaks

Point

Airport

Direction

Trek

Transfer

Essential Information

We've compiled some of our Frequently Asked Questions to help you learn more about this amazing trip.

Holiday

General

Equipment

What's Included

An experienced English-speaking Moroccan Guide
Marrakech Airport transfers (on Day 1 & 8 only)
All land transport involved in the itinerary
Accommodation as described
All meals as per the Meal Plan
A full service whilst trekking (excludes personal equipment)
Crampons / ice-axe / climbing helmet hire (please request at the time of booking)

What's not Included

Travel insurance
Visa fees (if applicable)
Tips for staff
Cost of firewood and hot showers at the refuge
Miscellaneous expenses - drinks etc.

Joining Arrangements & Transfers

TRAVEL TO YOUR DESTINATION

If flying from the UK there are low cost airlines available to the start and from the end of your holiday.

To benefit from full financial protection, ease your holiday planning, and avoid dealing with airlines, we can book scheduled flights from the UK as part of a flight inclusive package. Scheduled flights are usually more expensive that low cost alternatives, however potentially less stressful if your flight is cancelled or delayed. If you book flights through KE Adventure Travel we will offset the carbon of your flight.

The group will meet at the hotel in Marrakech.

Airport transfers are provided for all clients arriving on Day 1 and departing on Day 8.

Hotel contact details and an emergency number will be provided with your booking confirmation.

Meal Plan

All breakfasts, 6 lunches and 6 dinners are included in the holiday price.

Food & Water

It is not recommended to drink untreated water from the taps. You should take purification tablets or a filter bottle (such as a Water-To-Go bottle) to treat your water. We do not encourage the purchasing of single use plastic bottles.

All food whilst on trek is purchased locally and cooked for us by our excellent trek cooks. KE groups are always surprised at what the cook team conjure up!

Breakfasts are continental style, with tea and coffee, muesli, bread, jam, honey and soft cheese. A morning snack is also provided and this usually consists of a type of Moroccan 'trail mix' with dried figs and dates, peanuts, sugar coated peanuts and other nuts.

Lunch usually starts with the Berber speciality of mint tea, followed by a buffet of rice, pasta or couscous, with a freshly prepared salad - onion, tomatoes, green peppers, grated carrot, green-beans, with tinned sweetcorn or peas added. Hard and soft cheeses, tinned fish, olives, biscuits and bread are also on the lunchtime menu.

Dinner starts off with soup and bread. The main course is usually rice, pasta, couscous, spaghetti or chips, with a vegetable stew (or tagine) consisting of some of the following - onion, potato, carrot, green pepper, zucchini, turnip, parsnip, green beans, and peas. There will be some meat (usually chicken, lamb or beef), however meat is not prominent in the menu. All dishes come with traditional sauces which are rarely (spicy) hot. To round off dinner, there is the usual range of hot drinks.

Accommodation

During this holiday the group will spend 2 nights at a tourist hotel in Marrakech. While there are a range of high-end hotels in Marrakech, we try to strike the right balance of a comfortable and conveniently located base while maintaining a really good value holiday.

In the mountains we have 2 nights at an excellent gite (trekkers' lodge) in the village of Ait Souka. Here the accommodation is in small dormitory rooms (mattresses on the floor), usually shared by 4-6 people. We have 3 nights at the Mouflons Refuge or the Neltner CAF Refuge below Toubkal. Both the refuges have mixed dormitory rooms, the facilities are basic with simple showers, a dining area, and lounge areas with a fire or stove.

If you are travelling by yourself, you will be paired up with another single client of the same sex for the Marrakech nights. Single hotel rooms in Marrakech are available for a supplementary cost. If you are planning on extending your holiday additional nights at the group hotel are available on request.

Group Leader & Support Staff

The group will be accompanied by a winter trained, professional leader throughout the trip. For groups of 5 or more, a second leader will accompany the group. We will have the assistance of mules and/or porters to carry our equipment up to the refuge.

Altitude

This holiday involves going to high altitude. During the course of your trip you will reach altitudes in excess of 3500 metres. This is not something that you should worry about; the human body is quite capable of adapting to a very wide range of altitudes, but it is important that we follow some simple rules in order to acclimatise successfully. Before coming on this holiday you should read the advice on trekking at high altitude. You can also talk to one of our trekking experts if you have any concerns about altitude.

Spending Money

Approximately £100 per person (or equivalent in US dollars or Euros) should be allowed for tips, soft drinks, snacks and miscellaneous expenses. Alcoholic drinks, souvenirs, any non-included meals and optional activities are additional so you may wish to budget for these.

You cannot usually purchase Moroccan Dirhams outside the country. You can withdraw money in local currency from ATM’s on arrival at the airport in arrivals or in Marrakech. You can choose to take your money in pounds sterling, dollars or euros, and you will be able to exchange it at the airport. Credit cards are useful and it is a good idea to carry one in case of emergency.

Guidance on Tipping

Tips are the accepted way of saying ‘thank you’ to your local guides and porters. They do not form part of their wages and any tips they receive are seen as a personal thank you from group members. For our part, we advise local teams that tips are not a duty or a prerequisite but are a bonus and entirely dependent on the service that was given.

This is your ‘thank-you’ to the crew and the final amount should be decided by the group. We estimate that approximately £45 per group member should provide an appropriate level of tips. However, for the leader, we leave the tipping amount totally at your own discretion.

Additional Information

Please keep your passport in your day pack - occasionally there are check points when this will be needed.

Baggage Allowance

For this holiday you should take one piece of luggage, which should be a soft duffle bag, and a daypack. Your main baggage whilst trekking will be carried by pack animals and the packed weight of it should be no more than 15kg. It is possible to leave clothes or other items not required on trek at the hotel in Marrakech or at the gite in Ait Souka. You may wish to take a foldaway bag for this purpose.

For international flights please check your baggage allowance with your airline.

Group Size & Holiday Status

For each holiday there is a minimum number of participants required to enable it to go ahead. Once the minimum number is reached, the trip status will change from 'Available' to 'Guaranteed to run'. You can check the trip status for each departure in the ‘Dates and Prices’ table. Other than in exceptional circumstances, we will not cancel a trip once it has achieved this guaranteed to run status so you are free to proceed with your international flight booking and other travel arrangements.

Passport & Visas

The information that we provide is for UK passport holders. A passport with 6 months remaining validity at the end of your stay is generally required, and you should have at least 2 blank pages for each country that you visit.

It is your responsibility to ensure that you have the correct travel documents and visas for your holiday. Please ensure that you check for the latest advice before travel. For the most up to date information on entry requirements, please visit the UK Government website.

Visa Morocco

UK and USA passport holders do not require a visa for short stays.

Health & Vaccinations

If you have a severe allergy please inform the KE office before you travel. We will do all we can to help, but we cannot guarantee an allergy free environment on KE trips. You will need to carry your own treatment for the allergy with you, as 'adrenaline auto-injectors' are not carried as standard by KE leaders and staff. You should inform your leader on arrival of your allergy, and let them know where you keep your adrenaline pen.

VACCINATIONS

You should contact your doctor or travel clinic to check whether you require any specific vaccinations or other preventive measures. You should be up to date with routine courses and boosters as recommended in the UK e.g. diphtheria-tetanus-polio and measles-mumps-rubella, along with hepatitis A and typhoid. A good online resource is Travel Health Pro.

Currency

The unit of currency in Morocco is the Moroccan Dirham.

Preparing for your Holiday

Getting some additional exercise before coming on an active holiday makes a lot of sense. The fitter you are, after all, the more enjoyable you will find the experience.

You should be aerobically fit and comfortable with walking 4 - 8 hours for consecutive days. Hill walking, with a good amount of ascent and descent, is the best training, and we would suggest that you try to fit in a number of long weekend walks before you depart. Running, cycling and swimming are also good for developing cardio vascular fitness and stamina.

The holiday involves negotiating easy-angled snow slopes with the use of an ice-axe and crampons. And although it is not necessary that you have previous winter mountaineering experience, we do recommend that have some practice of walking in crampons.

Climate

It is warm during the day in Marrakech even in the winter months of November through to April. At this time we can expect daytime temperatures to reach a pleasant 20 - 22C, dropping to 7 - 10C at night. Once we are on trek and we start to gain height, we can expect the temperatures to be rather lower, with daytime temperatures in the range of 10 to 15C. At night, outside the refuge the temperature will drop well below freezing. From Ait Souka upwards we are likely to encounter snow. As in all mountain regions, short lived storms do occur and in winter these can bring quite heavy snowfall.

Travel Aware

As a reputable tour operator, KE supports the British Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office's ‘Travel Aware’ campaign to enable British citizens to prepare for their journeys overseas. The 'Travel Aware' website provides a single, authoritative source of advice for all kinds of travellers and we recommend that before travel, all KE clients visit the official UK Government website at travelaware.campaign.gov.uk and read the FCDO Travel Advice for their chosen destination. North Americans can also check out the U.S. Department of State website: www.travel.state.gov for essential travel advice and tips.

KE treat the safety and security of all clients as the most important aspect of any trip we organise. We would not run any trip that we did not consider reasonably safe. Should the FCDO advise against travel for any reason, we will contact everyone booked to travel to discuss the situation. We receive regular updates directly from the FCDO and are in constant touch with our contacts on the ground. If you have any questions about government travel advice, please call our office.

Single Use Plastic

KE do not encourage the use of single use plastic items. We are ensuring that our agents all over the world are working together to reduce the problem and educate those around them. We are leading by example in our KE office by reducing our plastic use.

Maps

Toubkal & Marrakech. Orientazion. 1: 50,000

Detailed, water-resistant trekking map of Toubkal and surroundings. Topographic detail includes contours at 20m intervals, hill-shading, woodland and scrub areas, springs, creeks, rivers and dry riverbeds. Road detail includes tracks and footpaths. On the reverse is a clear plan of Marrakech at approximately 1:8,700.

Travel Insurance

It is an essential condition of joining a holiday with KE Adventure Travel that you have a valid travel insurance policy to cover the cost of medical treatment and to protect the value of your holiday in the event of cancellation. When taking out insurance please ensure the policy you choose covers you for the activities and altitude included in your itinerary.

For appropriate insurance cover we recommend Campbell Irvine Direct. Please go to our Travel Insurance page for further information and to get a quote.

Explore International

This holiday is part of our Explore International range. Participants on these trips can book through KE or through one of our international partners. This helps us to gather together sufficient numbers of like-minded adventurers to get your holiday up and running quickly. Led by an English-speaking guide, the cosmopolitan nature of these groups can be an important part of the experience!

Equipment List

The following checklist should help you with your packing. Please remember that you need to keep the weight of your equipment to a maximum of 15 kg.

You Should bring the following items:

Crampon compatible boots (B1 or B2 are ideal) B0 flexible walking boots are not suitable
Gaiters
Trainers (for use in the hut)
Socks & Underwear
Trekking trousers
Thermal underwear
Base layer shirts or T-shirts
Fleece jacket
Warm jacket (down)
Waterproof and breathable jacket
Waterproof overtrousers
Waterproof warm gloves
Warm Inner ‘thermal’ gloves or mittens
Daypack 40 litres with ice axe loop
Sleeping bag (comfort rated -10°C) - can be hired from KE Adventure Travel
Trekking poles x 2 with snow baskets
Sunhat
Fleece hat
Sunglasses
Headtorch and spare batteries
Water bottles 1 Litre (x2). (Note that the tube on camelback / platypus type systems can be prone to freezing up in cold conditions (we encourage re-filling water bottles rather than single use plastic)
Water purification tablets (as water not always available to purchase and to avoid buying water in plastic bottles)
Toilet roll
Earplugs (especially if you are not the one doing the snoring)
Washbag and toiletries
Small travel towel
Antibacterial hand wash
High factor sun and lip screen
Basic First Aid Kit including: Antiseptic cream, throat lozenges, diarrhoea treatment (Imodium), painkillers, plasters and blister treatment, and re-hydration salts (Dioralite)
Small padlock (to lock your KE kit bag)
Dry bags(s) for daypack/kitbag contents (to ensure they keep dry)

Mountaineering Equipment - Free of charge (needs to be requested on booking ):

Mountaineering ice-axe
10 or 12 point crampons
Climbing helmet

Please inform the KE office you wish to hire these items free of charge. If you have your own you may wish to take them instead.

The following items are optional:

Thermos flask
Sleeping bag liner
A breathable ‘Bivvy’ bag is a useful addition for keeping your sleeping bag dry in the damp atmosphere of the refuge (if you have one it might be worth taking, but do not buy one specifically for the trip)
Pen-knife (remember to pack sharp objects in hold baggage)
Repair kit – (eg. needle, thread, duct tape)
Camera
Travel clothes
Ski goggles
Reusable cloth bag for shopping (to avoid plastic bags)

Hire equipment:

A sleeping bag can also be hired from KE Adventure Travel, please inform our office at the time of booking.

Notes:

Mattresses are provided in the gite and refuge. Cotton clothing is not suitable for the conditions found in the mountains of Morocco in winter.

Needle Sports (specialist mountaineering equipment shop):

Needle Sports is the English Lake District's foremost specialist climbing shop supplying mountaineering, rock, ice, alpine and expedition equipment worldwide. Internationally recognised as among the very best of the UK's top technical climbing gear retailers. They have a good range of equipment appropriate for this trip and offer knowledgeable advice both on their website and in store. www.needlesports.com

Recommended Outdoor Retailers

Many of the equipment items listed above are available from Cotswold Outdoor - our 'Official Recommended Outdoor Retailer'. When you book a holiday with KE you will receive a 12.5% discount with Cotswold Outdoor, Snow+Rock and Runners Need. The discount code can be downloaded from your MyKE account and you can use this code at the checkout, either in store or online.

Extensions

Essaouira Riad and Atlantic Coast

4 Days

Friendly Essaouira provides a beautiful base for this colouful Atlantic Coast extension which offers a fantastic start or end to our holidays in Morocco. Described as the prettiest town in the country, the UNESCO port and medina are a riot of colour and activity. To ensure a relaxing time in Essaouira we take care of private return transfers and riad accommodation for 3 nights at the comfortable Riad Maison du Sud, situated within the ramparts of the medina and just a few minutes walk from the sea. Redecorated in Moorish style, it has a snug sitting room and sunny roof terrace with views of the Mellah and the Atlantic Ocean. Essaouira has plenty of things to so and do so we leave your days free for you to enjoy at leisure. This extension starts and ends in Marrakech.

Extension Code: ESSR

Sharing Price from

US$520

Single Traveller Price from

US$925

Single Room Supplement from

US$115

Extension Itinerary

Day 1

Show Details

This morning you'll be picked up from your hotel for the picturesque 2.5hrs drive to Essaouira. On arrival, you'll check into the comfortable Riad Maison du Sud in the heart of the Medina. This pretty riad has two central courtyards, both charming examples of Moorish design and, are the perfect place to relax before setting off to explore.

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Day 2

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A great place to explore is the Skala du Port, down by the harbour, offering the classic walled medina view. Complete with swirling seagulls and local fishing boats, this area is the best place to see local boat builders and the famous fish auction outside the port gates. Essaouira's UNESCO medina is a haven of winding streets, colourful shops, whitewashed houses and decorated doors.

Meals

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Day 3

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The Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdallah Museum has been lovingly restored and is housed in an old riad. It has a small but interesting collection of jewellery, costumes, amazing musical instruments and carpets of the region. From Essaouira beach, the "Purple Isles" of antiquity, two uninhabited islands are a sanctuary for Eleonora's falcons, which with a pair of binoculars, can be seen soaring above.

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Day 4

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After breakfast, you'll be picked up for your return drive back to Marrakech. If you are flying out that day, you'll be transported to the airport, ensuring a relaxed end to your time in Morocco. Alternatively, you may wish to fly direct from Essaouira to start your onward journey and your airport transfer would be included.

Meals

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Whats Included

B&B riad accommodation (3 nights)
Transfers to and from Essaouira
Departure transfer to Marrakech Airport

What's Not Included

Lunches & dinners - Essaouira has an excellent range of restaurants to suit all budgets
Expenses of a personal nature such as drinks & souvenirs etc

Into the Sahara Desert

4 Days

For a real taste of the Sahara this adventure is hard to beat! After journeying across the Atlas Mountains we arrive in the oasis town of Agdz for a night in a traditional Moroccan house. Next we head to our comfortable fixed Berber camp at Erg Chegaga and take in a spectacular desert sunset before settling down under star-filled Saharan skies! In the morning we'll watch sunrise over the dunes before exploring this magical landscapes by 4WD. After a night in Ouarzazate, we make our way back to Marrakech via the magnificent UNESCO Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou. (Please note this extension includes a local driver but not a KE leader. This gives you more freedom to explore at leisure pre/post KE group trip).

Extension Code: SAHA

Sharing Price from

US$1,005

Single Traveller Price from

US$1,790

Single Room Supplement from

US$150

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Day 1

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After breakfast we cross the magnificent High Atlas via a spectacular pass "Tizi N Tichka" before continuing onto Ouarzazate - The Door of the Desert. This stunning area was a popular location for films which included Lawrence of Arabia, Gladiator and Game of Thrones. After passing through the Palm Kasbah at the foot of Djebel Kissane we arrive in the oasis town of Agdz for our first night.

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Day 2

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Today we leave the tarmac behind and journey towards the desert in a private 4WD vehicle. We head towards Tammegroute, the ancient centre of learning and religion to view ancient manuscripts. Arriving into the desert we make our way across to the Dunes of Chegaga for a spectacular sunset before returning back to our charming fixed desert camp complete with hot showers and star filled skies!

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Day 3

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A must-do Saharan highlight is an early morning start to watch a memorable desert sunrise! After breakfast we make our way across the beautiful sand-filled plateaus of Oued Namm and Oued Laatache as we slowly start to leave the desert. Along the way we'll pass the magnificent Dune of Ezarh before joining a track to Ouarzazate. Tonight we experience a night in a traditional riad.

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Day 4

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After breakfast we head to the wonderfully preserved UNESCO Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou, a fabulous example of Southern Moroccan architecture. Next is the Kasbah of Telouet located on an ancient caravan route and once the stronghold of the Lords of the High Atlas and Pasha of Marrakech. Kasbah Telouet is beautiful and the perfect finale on our adventure before we make our way back to Marrakech.

Meals

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Whats Included

1 night in Rose du Sable - a traditional guesthouse with a small swimming pool in the oasis town of Agdz
1 night in a desert Berber Camp Chez Naji with twin/double and triple tents with proper beds and linen and shared facilities
1 night Le Petite Raid a small maison/riad with swimming pool in Ouarzazate (all accommodation is subject to change and availability)
All breakfasts and all dinners
Transfers to and from Marrakech
4WD with local driver

What's Not Included

Tips
personal expenses
lunches
beverages
Any additional hotel nights or transfers in Marrakech
Monuments & entrances fees

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 from 40 reviews

Excellent week in the Atlas Mountains ★★★★★

This was our second trip with KE, having previously completed EBC in 2022. As expected the logistics and communication with KE was excellent, with smooth airport pick up and hotel process. We opted to spend an extra couple of nights in Marakech, which is an "interesting" place to say the least - certainly a big difference to the Atlas Mountains!
Our guide: Lahcen, was excellent and he was one of the stand out points of the trip. The hiking in the Atlas Mountains was incredible, with beautiful scenery and some acclimatization hikes, which were quite strenuous. The food and hospitality was excellent throughout the trip.
The trek to Toubkal itself was challenging, and hiking poles are a definite must, but the views at the top are stunning and there were minimal people at the summit.
Just a heads up, that KE merged our trip with a French tour company, so we were placed in a group of 7 French people, which we weren't expecting. This did create a different vibe in the down time/ evenings, compared with our previous trip to Nepal. The group was very friendly, and we did practice our limited French skills. We weren't aware of this possibility when we booked, so wanted to make other people aware that this can happen.
Thank you again KE for another incredible adventure, where to next....

By Charlotte from United Kingdom | 28 April 2024

Mount Toubkal in Winter ★★★★★

Tour leader was knowledgeable and informative at all stages during the trek. Ensured we were OK and understood what we planned to achieve each day. Good overall understanding of the group and capabilities. Because of the above the trip ran smoothly, with the entire group reaching the summit.

By Steve from Waterlooville | 19 April 2023

Spectacular! ★★★★★

Amazing scenery and journey there and back, challenging and fulfilling hiking, excellent food and staff support. The Mouflons refuge was very cold and it was quite a challenge to get a hot or even warm shower. Lahcem and Dross were lovely, kind, technically professional guides. They managed to communicate very well with our bilingual (French / English) group and supported individuals' needs very well. We will remember Lahcem for his calm and friendly leadership and for trying to make sure t hat each person in the group had the best possible experience.

By Megan from Cheadle Hulme | 02 February 2023

Excellent trekking holiday but room for improvement ★★★★

This trip fulfilled my primary expectations in that it gave me great first time experience of using crampons and ice axe when scrambling up ice slopes that I feel will stand me in good stead for future and more technical challenges on other mountains and I'd definitely recommend this trip to others. But it's not perfect. The holiday started well - the hotel in Marrakesh was good, a bit noisy outside but hey, it's Marrakesh not the Cotswolds, so you got used to it. At Ait Souka the Gite we stayed in for two nights was very comfortable but I'd question why we needed to spend two nights there at all when in my view one would have sufficed. KE would respond no doubt by saying that the second day was necessary for acclimatisation but the altitude was pretty low at between 2300m and 2600m so the day consisted of an 6/7 hour slog along loose rocks for no perceivable reason, but it was only one day so it's no big deal. The next day was a fantastic trek, leaving the loose rocks behind us, up to 3100m and the refuge, which serves as base for the two mountains to be tackled over the next two days. The refuge was surprisingly enormous and wouldn't have looked out of place among a collection of Swiss chalets. Inside however was a different story. The dorms were filthy and the place was poorly maintained. I know it's remote but not so remote that it was built in the first place so having filthy floor rugs, handles on toilet cubicles that were hanging loose from one remaining screw, unclean and damp mattresses etc etc is no excuse. In fact the standard was so poor that myself and another hiker paid extra at reception to move into a cleaner twin room that we found after a search of the building. Why weren't these rooms mentioned as a 'subject to availability' option in the trip details? Amazingly, the food they served to us was excellent. So if the building is there and they can produce fantastic food, then why overlook basic cleanliness and maintenance? Look after it and the people paying to stay in it. The mountains themselves were excellent trekking. Toubkal is a straightforward slog to the top and Ouanoukrim a much more interesting proposition with beautiful views at the top and great scrambling challenges near the summit, both led by a first class pair of guides, Lahcen and Driss, who looked after us superbly. So in conclusion, you won't regret doing this trip, it's (almost) excellent. Just be prepared to rough it more than should be necessary at the refuge.

By Philip from Peterborough | 14 January 2023

KE Adventure reply

Thank you for your excellent review and recommendation Philip. You are correct that the acclimatisation day (and therefore 2 nights) at Ait Souka is critical for success on Toubkal. The Neltner refuge is operated by the 'Club Alpin Francais' and the influence of their customers on their policies is limited. For our Summer trips, we have the option of camping but the refuge is the only warm place to sleep for our Winter ascents.

Awesome winter trek up Toubkal ★★★★★

Awesome trip, food amazing, guides awesome and caring, had a really good bunch of people who turned out as friends. Not as a negative just hints: No T Shirts or shorts on packing list need them it was 24 degrees in Marrakesh. For summit day poss take a porridge pot (just add water) and snacks, only meal on trip I felt was lacking make sure you don’t bonk !! Last night meal is reduced menu so don’t get excited, we ordered from main menu and paid difference also ask guide to sort a few alcohol ic drinks in advance as it’s a no alcohol restaurant. Found an awesome bar in main square 3 stories up with 360 panoramic views ace way to end the trip

By Jonathan from Chorley | 03 January 2023

Excellent week in the Atlas Mountains

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

By Charlotte from United Kingdom | 28 April 2024

Mount Toubkal in Winter

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

By Steve from Waterlooville | 19 April 2023

Spectacular!

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

By Megan from Cheadle Hulme | 02 February 2023

Excellent trekking holiday but room for improvement

★ ★ ★ ★

By Philip from Peterborough | 14 January 2023

KE Adventure reply

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By Catherine from Kilmarnock | 05 January 2020

Toubkal w/c 23rd Nov 2019

By Kenneth from GORING ON THAMES | 22 November 2019

Mt Toubkal in Winter and Marrakech

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By Jin from Lisle | 19 April 2019

Excellent, active and varied week from bustling city to stunning mountains

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

What a great week - time to explore Marrakech, stop over in an interesting Berber village, fabulous picnic on a lovely acclimatisation walk then 4 days in spectacular mountains including 2 x 4,000metre peaks! The 2 peaks were 7 hour days of pretty tough walking through stunning scenery to achieve high tops with far reaching views along the Atlas range and South to the desert and North to Marrakech. We had a great cohesive group lead by Hassan and Rashid - both excellent guides - this was Hassan& #039;s 147th time to the summit of Toubkal - but he still was full of enthusiasm! And - the food; well this was excellent in Marrakech, in Imlil and in the refuge - great fresh ingredients expertly cooked - I am now a big fan of Moroccan food! It was cold, it was windy, it was true winter conditions - but inside the refuge the fires kept us warm and cosy - except in the basement toilet/shower areas. This really is a great value trip to a wonderful country - highly recommended - but be sure to take warm gear!

By Michael from Boat of Garten | 11 March 2019

Well organized and lead

★ ★ ★ ★

Our winter trip to Toubkal was a great experience. great group , good weather and an interesting itinerary.

By Martin from Canmore | 27 February 2019

A great alternative challenge to Alps trekking

★ ★ ★ ★

We booked this trip with slight reservations having never traveled to Morocco before. KE staff were reassuring re risks and we were delighted to find how friendly, welcoming and helpful the Moroccan people were. We had excellent guides who prepared us well for the challenge of climbing Mt Toubkal and although the accommodation was simple, it was comfortable enough and the food was great. We extended the trip for a few extra days in a Riad in Marrakech which was well worthwhile. A very lively pla ce but very interesting and again nice welcoming people.

By Stephen from Harpenden | 26 February 2019

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Overall, I had a great holiday but I have been extremely disappointed that the itinerary of a mountain trip was not respected and that we did not climb the second 4000m summit. The leader did everything possible to go down in the valley a day before which meant I have been deprived from an other great day of trekking.

★ ★ ★ ★

The holiday arrangement worked fine from a logistical point of view. Transport from and to airport, hotel, transport to and from Imlil. etc. The guides, Lahoussain and Omar did their work, but most of the time they were quite self centered in their behaviour (I'll come back to this). The walk is straight forward and well proven so I just say "check" here. We had good weather and that improve over all satisfaction. Accommodation worked well, even though the guides prepared us for t he "worst" wrt to Toubcal refuge. It turned out to be better than expected (not so many people there). I had requested vegetarian food. The guides seemed unaware and improvised in last minute. That was not satisfactory. Further, the food I got was often what the others had, minus meat (no extra effort made to serve me equal standard). Well, no big issue in the end (may be because I am used to it). What I think you should pay attention to is the behaviour of the guides. They, most of the time, preferred to walk together in the front talking to each other. One team member was unsure if he could make it to the top of Mt Toubkal and decided to turn around. No extra motivation or effort was wade from the guides. He could have made it if one guide had deiced to walk with him at the back. (next day he made up to the pass with demanding snow walking using crampons). Wrt use of crampons and ice axe, no extra instruction was made. There were a couple of team members that had not used this before and we (the team members had to share our experience and provide information). The guides effort was restricted to help us fit the crampons to the boots. There were a couple of situations were we should pay extra attention to safety. Here the guides rushed in front and paid no extra attention to the team members.

By Karsten from COPENHAGEN | 08 December 2015

KE Adventure reply

Congratulations on reaching the summit of Toubkal! Thank you for your comments and for your 4 star rating. We are sorry that you were not entirely happy with the vegetarian options. Vegetarianism is a difficult concept for most Moroccans, but we always try to ensure there are suitable alternatives to meat that satisfy taste as well as nutritional requirements. We are sorry also that you felt the guides could have been more encouraging. Both Lahouceine and Omar are qualified mountain guides and both attended our regular leaders' winter training course earlier this year, which was led by French IFMGA-UIAGM Guide, Christian Roux. There is always room for improvement and your comments will be used in a constructive way during the next Moroccan guides training course.

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By Mark from UK | 25 September 2015

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By Timothy from UK | 24 September 2015

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Mount Toubkal in Winter
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Without Flights
Departure Reference: WIT /12/25/
This trip departs the UK on Sat 27 Dec returning to the UK on Sat 3 Jan

This trip begins on Sat 27 Dec and ends on Sat 3 Jan
This departure is available to book. Secure your place today with a deposit of US$275
Single Supplement Price: US$90 - Single room available for the 2 nights in Marrakech only.
No single rooms are available in the gite/hostel (2 nights) nor the refuge (3 nights)
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Land Only Information

We sell this holiday on a Land Only basis allowing you the flexibility to choose the travel method which best suits you. The holiday starts at the hotel in Marrakech and transfers are provided from Marrakech Airport.

BOOK WITH KE CONFIDENCE - No surcharge guarantee

The price of our holidays can change depending on a variety of factors but unlike some other tour operators, KE have undertaken to guarantee the Land Only price of your holiday will not change after you have booked. The price when you book is the price you will pay, whether you are booking for this year or the next. Book early to avoid any tour price increases, get the best flight prices and take advantage of our 'No Surcharge Guarantee'.

KE Adventure is a fully bonded tour operator. We hold an ATOL license (No: 2808) and are bonded with ABTA (Membership No: W4341)

Mount Toubkal in Winter

Holiday Grades

Our Holiday Grades Explained

1 - 3 LEISURELY

4 - 6 MODERATE

7 - 9 CHALLENGING

10 - 12 TOUGH

Mount Toubkal in Winter

Highlights

At a Glance

Accommodation & Meals

Overview

A Genuine Small Group Experience - The Secret of Our Success on Winter Toubkal

Is this holiday for you?

Why KE?

Tour Leader Bio

Gemma Waterworth

Itinerary

The Route

Essential Information

VACCINATIONS

Toubkal & Marrakech. Orientazion. 1: 50,000

You Should bring the following items:

Mountaineering Equipment - Free of charge (needs to be requested on booking ):

The following items are optional:

Hire equipment:

Notes:

Needle Sports (specialist mountaineering equipment shop):

Extensions

Essaouira Riad and Atlantic Coast

Extension Details

Essaouira Riad and Atlantic Coast

4 Days

Sharing Price from

US$520

Single Traveller Price from

US$925

Single Room Supplement from

US$115

Extension Itinerary

Whats Included

What's Not Included

Into the Sahara Desert

Extension Details

Into the Sahara Desert

4 Days

Sharing Price from

US$1,005

Single Traveller Price from

US$1,790

Single Room Supplement from

US$150

Extension Itinerary

Whats Included

What's Not Included

Reviews

Traveller Reviews

Excellent week in the Atlas Mountains

Mount Toubkal in Winter

Spectacular!

Excellent trekking holiday but room for improvement

Awesome winter trek up Toubkal

Awesome adventure! :)

A fantastic introduction to winter walking

Don't think about it, just book it

An excellent introduction to winter trekking.

An exhilarating Moroccan experience.

Trekking Mount Toubkal

Toubkal w/c 23rd Nov 2019

Mt Toubkal in Winter and Marrakech

Excellent, active and varied week from bustling city to stunning mountains

Well organized and lead

A great alternative challenge to Alps trekking

Experience of a Lifetime

A Great Adventure

excellent winter trek

Excellent holiday

Timing is everything.

excellent alternative to spend Christmas

Exceptionally well-organised trek in stunning landscapes.