Mount Toubkal Long Weekend Trek

Trip Code: XMXL

Why we love it

Challenge yourself to the feat of climbing the highest summit in North Africa in just a couple of days – all under the watchful eye of an expert guide and a local support team., Spend a night in an authentic mountain refuge at Toubkal base camp with like-minded trekkers and wake up bright and early to start the climb before dawn – sunrise, anyone?, Hike through the rugged High Atlas Mountains with your pack mules and drink in the incredible scenery – with views across the mountain ranges as well as the Sahara Desert and Atlantic coast., Experience local life after hiking to your accommodation – a traditional gite (mountain home) in an Amazigh village, nestled high in the Atlas Mountains. Celebrate your summit with a homecooked meal full of Moroccan favourites., Explore Djemaa el-Fna Square in Marrakech and be charmed by the performers, dancers, colourful merchants and exotic smells coming from the many street food carts and bazaars – then, explore the gorgeous Bahia Palace., By travelling on this trip, you’ll learn about our Intrepid Foundation partner, Education for All. Donations help them support girls in the High Atlas Mountains through secondary school, bringing a generation of women out of the cycle of illiteracy, poverty and early marriage. Intrepid will double the impact by dollar-matching all post-trip donations made to The Intrepid Foundation.

Is this trip right for me?

This is a fast-paced trekking trip so please read the description of all hikes carefully and make sure you’re prepared, both physically and in terms of the required gear.

The summit of Mount Toubkal is 4167 metres (or 13,671 feet) above sea level. At this height, you may experience symptoms of altitude sickness. Please see the Medical and Health Information section of the Essential Trip Information for more.

In 2024, Ramadan will take place from 10 March to 9 April. Travelling during this holy month can be a rewarding cultural experience, however some regular services may not be available during the daytime, such as restaurants or coffee bars, and occasionally travel can be disrupted by events. Your leader will adjust the itinerary accordingly, but please consider your travel arrangements carefully before booking travel for this period.

Important information

1. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip, but it only applies to nights spend in Marrakech (first and last night of the trip). In Aroumd and Toubkal Base Camp you will be in shared accommodation. If you would like to book a single supplement and enquire about availability, please speak to your booking agent for further information.
2. This is a high-pace trekking trip, with considerable daily altitude gains altitude gains, therefore demands are much higher here than for other trips. In order to reach the summit of Mount Toubkal, you need to be in a good physical form. Previous mountain climbing or trekking experience will help you during this trip and while it isn’t necessary, it is desirable.
3. A 'Passenger Self Assessment Form' is required to be completed for this trip. Please ask your Travel Consultant for details.
4. Parts of your trip go above 2800 meters / 9200 feet where it is common for travelers to experience some adverse health effects due to the altitude.

What to bring/pack

What you need to bring will vary according to the trip style you have chosen, the countries you are visiting and when you are travelling. Generally speaking, we recommend you pack as lightly as possible and make sure that you are able to carry and lift your own luggage and walk with it for short distances or up or down a flight of stairs. Our travellers usually find the smaller their luggage is, the more they enjoy the trip not having to worry about carrying heavy bags! Aim to keep your main luggage under 15kg.

Many travellers carry their luggage in a compact smaller suitcase or backpack with wheels. We recommend your bag has carry straps or handles so it is easy to lift and carry for the times you are unable to wheel it (ie. on rough surfaces or up steps).

If you are taking overnight trains, or primarily using public transport then the smaller your luggage the easier it will be to store under or above bunks. Large suitcases may not be able to be taken on board. A lockable bag or small padlock for your bag will be useful especially when travelling on public transportation as well.

You'll also need a day pack/bag to carry water, camera, swimming suit, waterproof pouch/bag for phone, hiking shoes and jacket etc. when you’re exploring during the day.

Below we have listed the essentials for this trip:, https://www.intrepidtravel.com/packing-list, What you need to bring will vary according to the trip style you have chosen, the countries you are visiting and when you are travelling. Generally speaking you should pack as lightly as possible. On the vast majority of our trips you are expected to carry your own luggage, although you won't be required to walk long distances with it (max 30 minutes).
Most travellers carry their luggage in a backpack, although an overnight bag with a shoulder strap would suffice if you travel lightly. Smaller bags or backpacks with wheels are convenient although we recommend your bag has carry straps. You'll also need a day pack/bag to carry water and a camera etc for day trips.

Please follow the link for the Intrepid’s ultimate packing list. Please use this checklist as a guide when packing for your holiday.

https://www.intrepidtravel.com/us/packing-list

On this strip you will be required to bring a specific Trekking Equipment.

TREKKING EQUIPMENT:
Trekking Boots (broken in)
Waterproof 3/4 season jacket and trousers
Basecamp Footwear (ie sneakers or booties)
Several pairs of good quality socks
T-Shirts - Highly recommended are synthetic t-shirt styles that wick away moisture
Thermal Underwear / layers
Warm jacket
Warm mid layers (fleece/micro fibre)
Trousers - Lightweight, loose fitting, trekking trousers.
Shorts or skirt for summer
Warm Hat and sun Hat
Scarf/neck warmer
Gloves
Sunglasses with UV protection
Head Torch (spare batteries)
Sunscreen and Lip Balm
Light weight towel
Personal First Aid Kit
Biodegradable wet wipes / toilet paper
Hand sanitizer gel
Trail mix / nuts/ muesli bars
Thermos for hot tea or coffee
Daypack – You will be required to carry some essentials by yourself, so your daypack must have the capacity for several items: rain jacket, trousers, warm clothing including hat and gloves, water bottle, camera equipment, sun cream, sunglasses and all other items you may need during the walk. You should consider day packs of at least a 30 to 40 litre capacity. Your main luggage will be carried by mule all the way up to the refuge and items like sleeping bag, spare clothes, etc can be stored in there.

SLEEPING BAGS
Sleeping bags consume valuable space in your luggage and can be a pain. However up in the mountain refuge there may not be enough heating (sometimes none) or sufficient blankets to keep everyone warm, we recommend bringing your own sleeping bag. Unfortunately sleeping bags cannot be hired/rented while on the trip and are not easy to find for purchase. Buy a small sleeping bag before you leave, it will definitely come in handy, particularly if you feel the cold., WATER BOTTLE
Please bring your own water bottle to refill along the way. Although it can be difficult to avoid bottled water when travelling, please use the water dispensers which are provided on some of our vehicles and at some of our accommodation. Your group leader or local representative will advise whether tap water is safe to drink in your destination, and if it is, you can simply refill it with tap water. When unable to avoid bottled water, it is better to buy the largest available and distribute it into your smaller bottle for the day. If you are walking or trekking as part of your trip you will need to carry at least 2L of water with you., DRONES IN MOROCCO
Please note that drones are not permitted to enter or be used in Morocco, neither for personal nor professional/commercial use.

Physical rating

5

Although no mountaineering experience is required on this trip, a good level of physical fitness is necessary. You must be comfortable hiking up to 8-10 hours a day, with many steep uphill sections, uneven, rocky terrain and in unpredictable weather. This hike is a strenuous one, so the better prepared you are, the more you should enjoy it.

We recommend that in the months leading up to your climb you increase your physical fitness with aerobic exercise. Walking, running and stair-climbing will all strengthen your legs and improve your stamina.

Joining your group

Hotel Meriem, 154, Med El Beqal, Marrakech, 40000, MOROCCO

Alternate Joining Point

For trips departing on the following dates
use this joining point.
26 Sep 2024 (XMXL240926)
Hotel Akabar
Avenue Echouhada-Quartier De L'hivernage
Hivernage
Gueliz
Marrakech
MOROCCO

Joining instructions

Finishing your trip

Hotel Meriem, 154, Med El Beqal, Marrakech, 40000, MOROCCO

Alternate Finish Point

For trips departing on the following dates
use this finish point.
26 Sep 2024 (XMXL240926)
Kennedy Hotel
Av. du Président Kennedy
Marrakech
40000
MOROCCO
Phone: +212 524 43 86 68

Meals & dietary information

Breakfasts included: 4

Lunches included: 1

Dinners included: 3

While travelling with us you'll experience the vast array of wonderful food available in the world. Your group leader or local representative will be able to suggest restaurants to try during your trip. To give you the maximum flexibility in deciding where, what and with whom to eat, generally not all meals are included in the trip price. This also gives you more budgeting flexibility. As a rule our groups tend to eat together to enable you to taste a larger variety of dishes and enjoy each other's company. If you have dietary requirements and/or food allergies, please let your booking agent know prior to departure.

Moroccan food is, generally speaking, excellent though not particularly varied. Breakfasts usually consist of bread and jam with coffee or tea. Meals eaten out are reasonably priced - kebab and bread cost only about MAD 30. In main towns, it is possible to find very good French and Moroccan restaurants where a meal and French wine will cost anything from MAD 220 upwards. Generally, dinner is likely to cost between MAD 80-120 depending on what you drink - so an estimate for food would be about MAD 150-200 a day. Soft drinks are available at very reasonable prices, but generally speaking, alcohol is not widely available in Morocco due for cultural and religious reasons. Still, in some hotels and restaurants, you will be able to purchase beer, wine and spirits, but you will pay foreign prices or more for imported alcohol. Please be aware of local laws, believes and traditions, and be very sensitive and respectful while consuming alcohol. Your leader can help recommend restaurants each evening. Vegetarians can be catered for but there is a fairly limited choice of vegetarian couscous and tajine or omelets. This is particularly the case in rural parts of this itinerary. Please note that if you have any special dietary requirements you should inform us prior to the trip. Vegans and those on gluten-free diets may find this region very challenging and may need to supplement meals with their own supplies from supermarkets and markets. Wherever possible we will cater for dietary needs for any included meals, but there may be times when those with special requirements may need to provide their own.

Climate & seasonal information

CLIMATE:
Please note that as a desert country, Morocco can have extreme weather with winter (approx November to March) being usually very cold and summers hot. However, on this trip you will spend most of the time in the mountains, which means you can expect all season’s weather within 24 hours. Days are usually hot, especially in the summer (June-August) and nights are rather cold, or even close to freezing in spring (April-June) and autumn (September). Up in the mountains you should expect rain to come at any time. Days are often windy too. Sun, when it’s out, is usually strong. Good pair of sunglasses, sun cream, sun hut, rain jacket and extra layers should be on hand at all times.

In Marrakech you won’t experience severe low temperatures, but evenings in spring and autumn can get chilly, whereas day time temperature should be pleasant. Summer sun makes Marrakech really hot so be prepared for some of that too.

RAMADAN
The important month of Ramadan will be in progress 1 March to 30 March 2025 and the Eid ul-Fitr festival will be held directly at its conclusion for 3-4 days. Ramadan is a festival of sacrifice where the devout refrain from eating or drinking during daylight hours. During Ramadan, business hours are shortened, including opening hours at some tourist attractions. Alcohol is not permitted during daylight hours and many restaurants will be closed. While you should expect some delays and inconveniences during this period, the month is a fantastic opportunity to travel in a Muslim country and witness this unique period, particularly the nightly celebrations when the sun sets and the fast is broken. Please note that although the Eid ul-Fitr festival can also be a fascinating time to travel it's a period of national holiday. Most government offices and businesses will be closed and some tourist site opening hours may be affected.

EID AL-ADHA
Eid Al-Adha (Sacrifice Feast) will take place in Morocco between 16 and 17 June 2024. This festival honours the sacrifice Abraham made of his own son. In commemoration of this, an animal is sacrificed and divided into three parts: one-third of the share is given to the poor and needy; another third is given to relatives, friends and neighbours; and the remaining third is retained by the family. Please expect delays or complete suspension of public services during that time which may be disruptive to the trip schedule. For some, it may also be disturbing to see animals being sacrificed, as this can take place in public.

In case of emergency

While we always endeavour to provide the best possible holiday experience, due to the nature of travel and the areas we visit sometimes things can and do go wrong. Should any issue occur while you are on your trip, it is imperative that you discuss this with your group leader or local representative straight away so that they can do their best to rectify the problem and save any potential negative impact on the rest of your trip.

We recognise that there may be times when your group leader or local representative may not be able to resolve a situation to your satisfaction - if this is the case, please ask the group leader or local representative to speak to their direct manager.

You may also choose to provide details in your online feedback, which we ask you to complete within 30 days of the end of your trip. Please do be aware that it is very difficult for us to provide any practical help after the trip is completed, so informing us while still travelling will give us the opportunity to resolve the issue in real-time.

For general contact details please use the following page: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/contact-us

In case of a genuine crisis or emergency, you can reach our local office on the numbers below:

Intrepid's Local Operator: +212 661 922693

Accommodations

The style of accommodation indicated in the day-to-day itinerary is a guideline only and may change. On some occasions, alternative arrangements may need to be made due to the lack of availability of rooms in our preferred accommodation. In these cases, we will use a similar standard of accommodation.

Throughout the trip, we request that our properties prepare rooms in time for our arrival, especially if we're arriving prior to normal check-in time. However, this isn't always possible which means we won't be able to check-in immediately on arrival at some hotels. Instead, we can store our luggage and explore our new destination or on some trips, have use of shared day rooms until all rooms are available.

We've sourced our accommodation very carefully and picked the best possible hotels in line with the Intrepid style of travel, but please note that service and accommodation in Morocco may be different to western standards.

OCCASIONAL ALTERNATIVE ACCOMMODATION
The style of accommodation indicated in the day-to-day itinerary is a guideline. On rare occasions, alternative arrangements may need to be made due to the lack of availability of rooms in our usual accommodation. A similar standard of accommodation will be used in these instances.

TWIN SHARE / MULTI SHARE BASIS
Accommodation on this trip is on a twin/multishare basis. Please note there may be times where facilities will be shared rather than en suite (even if you paid for single room supplement!)

MOUNTAIN HUT
Accommodation in Base Camp is simple but clean and atmospheric. You will be sharing a room with other trekkers and bedding is similar to a large bunk bed platforms, however, it is spacious and comfortable. Dining rooms and other facilities are also shared with other climbers.

HEATING
Mountain Huts on this trip have very limited heating options as this would be a major financial and environmental strain. It's also a case of energy supply and timing provisions, which is limited in some places. Please be prepared for cold nights and cold showers.

HOT WATER:
Similarly as with the heating, hot water is sometimes sporadic in mountain guesthouses. Please be ready for cold showers.

CHECK-IN TIME
Throughout the trip we request that our hotels prepare rooms in time for our arrival, especially if we're arriving prior to normal check-in time. However this isn't always possible which means we won't be able to check-in immediately on arrival at some hotels. Instead, we can store our luggage and explore our new destination.

PRE/POST TRIP ACCOMMODATION
If you've purchased pre-trip or post-trip accommodation (if available), you may be required to change rooms from your trip accommodation for these extra nights.

Transportation