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To the top of the Toub Atlas Mountains trek At 4170m the Jebel Toubkal is the highest mountain in North Africa. Just one hour from Marrakech, you'll set off on foot into a completely different world on a brilliant Atlas Mountains trek. Passing a couple of sleepy mountain villages you begin your ascent of Toubkal. Make no mistake though, the Toubkal trek is tough and you’ll need to be in good physical condition. Accompanied by an experienced guide you’ll slowly make your way up the steep slopes, sleeping in basic mountain huts on the way. It’s an exciting Atlas Mountains trek and a rewarding experience. |
| Duration |
3 days / 2 nights departs daily from Marrakech: May - October |
Accommodation |
Basic mountain lodge. Comfort level 2 (see accommodation). |
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Price |
£281 per person - based on 4 people sharing £340 per person - based on 2 people sharing |
Includes |
Return transport from Marrakech, 2 nights accommodation in mountain lodge, meals as described, professional English-speaking mountain guide for Atlas Mountains trek, mules for carrying baggage |
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Transport |
Minibus |
Excludes |
Sleeping bag and torch (bring your own) |
Day 1: Marrakech - Imlil - Asni - Aremd - Refuge du ToubkalTravel time: 1.5 hours from Marrakech by minibus, 5-6 hours trekkingOn the first day of your Atlas Mountains trek, you’ll be picked up in Marrakech by car or minibus and met by our English-speaking mountain guide. As you leave Marrakech and drive across the vast plains, you can see the rugged peaks of the Atlas Mountains looming up in the distance. After about 20 miles the road begins to climb and if the weather’s clear you can catch your first glimpse of the Jebel Toubkal. Around 1½ hours later you’ll arrive the small market town of Asni. On Saturdays, the mountain people come here from far and wide to do their weekly shopping at the local market. From Asni it’s another 15 miles to the mountain village of Imlil at 1740m, the departure point for your Atlas Mountains trek. All the baggage is hoisted onto the waiting mules and you're ready to begin your trek to the top of the Toub... |
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After 15 minutes, you’ll pass the Kasbah du Toubkal on your left. Until recently, a crumbling ruin it’s now an exclusive mountain retreat designed in traditional berber style and once served as the setting of the film Kundun. You’ll follow the trail high above the river bed and looking down below you can see the stone buildings and traditional mill stones. After another 30 minutes, you’ll cross the riverbed to the little village Aremd at 1960m, the last village you’ll see for a while. After Aremd, your Atlas Mountains trek will become steeper and steeper until you get to the shrine of Sidi Chamharouch at 2310m. You can buy some water or soft drinks here to go with the lunch that’s being prepared for you. |
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Continuing on from Sidi Chamharouch you’ll pass a couple of mountain springs in sparsely vegetated rocky mountains. Your Atlas Mountains trek will takes you to the Refuge du Toubkal today, a basic mountain lodge at 3207m where you’ll spend the night. You can take a (cold) shower under the waterfall about 5 minutes further up, but a hot shower back at the lodge for about 50p may sound more appealing at the end of a long day’s walk. Once you’re feeling refreshed and revived you can help your prepare tonight’s meal, usually a local tajine. It’s always appreciated when you lend a hand. You can buy water and soft drinks in the lodge. After dinner you’ll probably be ready to go straight to bed in one of the shared dorms, and you’ll be woken before sunrise for the final ascent. |
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Day 2: Refuge du Toubkal - Toubkal summitTravel time: 6-7 hours trekkingIt’s breakfast in the dark this morning, as you’ll be setting off before dawn for the final push of your Atlas Mountains trek. Make sure you bring a torch, preferably a head lamp so you’ll have your hands free. Trekking poles may come in handy for extra grip on the loose paths and wrap up warm - it’s really cold at the top. Bring a waterproof jacket just in case. Last but not least, bring plenty of water because there are no places to buy a drink and no springs to refill your bottle on the way. After a strenuous 4-5 hour climb you’ll finally reach the highest peak in North Africa at 4167m. The reward for your efforts is an unprecedented view across the Saghoro mountains to the east, the Siroua mountains to the west and north the Haouz plain. On a clear day you can even make out Marrakech in the distance. The way down takes about 3 hours. You’ll spend another night in the Refuge du Toubkal before continuing your Atlas Mountains trek all the way back down the mountain the next morning. |
Day 3: Refuge du Toubkal - Aremd - Asni - Imlil - MarrakechTravel time: 6-7 hours trekkingAfter breakfast it's a 3 1/2 hour walk back to Imlil where you can grab a bite to eat before travelling back to Marrakech where your Atlas Mountains trek ends. You could spend a few more days in Marrakech with Couscous in the souks, or take a Caravan into the desert dunes. Alternatively, you could head for the beach, Chilling out in Agadir or trying our Essaouira sea breeze tour.Click here for a map of Morocco |
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