Trekking Mount Toubkal in Winter

Winter climb of North Africa`s highest peak, Mount Toubkal ~ Ideal introduction to winter hiking ~ Spend time in Marrakech city of myth and magic ~ Our most popular winter trekking holiday

Morocco's Atlas Mountains including Mount Toubkal, North Africa's highest mountain, provide a fantastic range of trekking options for the winter hiker from November through to April. Just 2 hours drive from the hustle and bustle of Marrakech, the high valleys of the Berber people are at their quietest and most beautiful at this season. Our new itinerary includes a day's acclimatisation hike above the village of Aroumd, before we proceed to the Toubkal Refuge (3207m / 10522ft) at the head of the valley. From here, we aim to climb Ouanoukrim (4088m / 13412ft), Morocco's third highest summit, and Toubkal (4167m / 13672ft), the highest mountain in North Africa. Spectacular views from each of these peaks extend across the rocky Atlas ranges and southwards to Jebel Sahro and the Sahara. Although this trip involves negotiating easy-angled snow slopes and ice-axe and crampons will be used, previous experience of winter mountaineering is not required, but is recommended. Fully guided, this is a short and very special winter walking holiday.

The Secret of Success on Toubkal with KE
KE is one of the only tour operators that routinely includes a climbing leader from the UK on its winter ascents of Mount Toubkal. We advise that you check carefully with your holiday provider to see who is leading your trip. Although the mountain is neither particularly high nor technically demanding, an experienced KE leader can make a big difference to your chances of success, when attempting Toubkal in winter. Those who are new to winter mountaineering will take particular comfort in the presence of an accomplished KE leader.

Trip Guide
The maximum altitude attained on this trek is not great and we have allowed additional days for acclimatisation at Aroumd and at the Neltner Refuge before the ascent of Mount Toubkal. On the ascent of Toubkal and possibly whilst trekking up to the Neltner Refuge, we will encounter moderately angled snow slopes. On the optional ascent of Ouanoukrim we will encounter steeper ground necessitating some scrambling. Some familiarity with the use of crampons and an ice axe are recommended for this trip. Because this is a short trip we have only given it the MODERATE grade.

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Itinerary / Highlights

Day 1: Rendezvous at the group hotel in Marrakech. Complimentary airport transfers are provided for clients arriving on this day. KE group package services begin with the evening meal.

Day 2: Morning sightseeing around the Djemaa-el-Fna and souks, with english speaking guide. After lunch drive to Imlil and make the short walk to the start point of our trek at Ait Souka. Gite.

Day 3: Acclimatisation day around the Imlil Valley. One option is to trek to a col at 2660m. / 8727ft. in the nearby Mezzik Valley. Return to Ait Souka Gite.

Day 4: Ascend to the shrine at Sidi Chamharouch. Continue ascent to reach the Neltner Refuge (3207m. / 10,521ft.) our accommodation for the next 3 nights.

Day 5: We now have two big mountain days. The guides will decide in which order we tackle the peaks. Toubkal is our main objective but if the weather is stable we may opt to first make an ascent of Ouanoukrim (4089m./ 13,415ft.), a straightforward climb with a final scramble to reach the summit.

Day 6: If we have opted to save North Africa's highest peak for today, we will make the steep ascent to the summit of Jebel Toubkal (4167m. / 13,672ft.). After time to enjoy the panoramic views we return to the Neltner Refuge for a final night.

Day 7: Leave the refuge and return down the Aroumd Valley to our gite in Ait Souka, have lunch and drive back to Marrakech arriving later in the afternoon. Dinner out in Marrakech.

Day 8: KE group package services end after breakfast. Complimentary airport transfers are provided for clients departing on this day.

Other Details

Accommodation Details

During this trip the group will spend 2 nights at a 3 star tourist class hotel in Marrakech. We will also have 2 nights at an excellent gite (trekkers' lodge) in the village of Ait Souka and 3 nights at the Neltner refuge on Mount Toubkal.