Winter Climb—Eight Days

A five day climb to the snow-covered summits of Jebel Toubkal and Jebel Ouanakrim and a stay in Marrakech

On this trip you'll explore Toubkal National Park at its wintry best and visit the famous red city of Marrakech. Over five days you’ll climb from the peaceful Berber village of Imlil up to the two highest peaks in Morocco, Jebel Toubkal—the highest peak in North Africa—and Jebel Ouanakrim, and back, before journeying to Marrakech to explore its medina, souks and Djemaa el Fna. Along the way you’ll spend a night in the mountain village of Aremd, visit a local Muslim shrine and stay three nights in a refuge at the Nelter base camp. With amazing panoramic views over snow-capped mountains and even a glimpse of the Anti Atlas and the dust of the Sahara from the summit of Jebel Toubkal on a clear day, this is one unforgettable Moroccan winter adventure!

€980/person

8 days
Minimum 2 persons required
Best from November to mid-April
Level: adventurous

Trip Itinerary

We'll pick you up from the airport and transfer you to your Marrakech hotel.

Your morning is free to spend as you please. At midday we'll pick you up from your hotel and drive to Imlil (1,800m). From Imlil you'll begin today's 1 hour walk to Aremd (1,920m). Along the way you'll pass a beautiful waterfall set amongst a myriad of almond, cherry and walnut trees. In Aremd you'll spend the night in a Berber guesthouse.

Meals included:

Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner

From Aremd you’ll begin today’s 4 hour walk to the Nelter base camp (3,200m) with a 1.5 hour walk up to the shrine of Sidi Chamharouch. Here you’ll stop for a drink and be given the story behind the shrine. Afterwards you’ll walk for another 3 hours until you reach the Nelter base camp, where you’ll have lunch and be given instructions on how to use an ice axe and crampons. Here you’ll spend the next three nights in a refuge.

Meals included:

Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner

You’ll begin today’s 4 hour climb to Jebel Toubkal (4,167m) early in the morning, first crossing a frozen river before zigzagging up to the summit. Along the way you’ll have plenty of stops to have a drink and enjoy the awesome views that are constantly changed by the light of the rising sun. When you reach the summit you’ll have a short break to soak up the amazing high you’ll feel, before beginning a 2 hour descent back to the Nelter base camp.

Meals included:

Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner

Today you'll climb the second highest summit of the High Atlas, Jebel Ouanakrim (4,088m). You'll begin the day's 4 hour climb with a 2 hour climb to Tizi n'Wagan (3,700m), before passing a small cliff and climbing for another 2 hours along a ridge towards the summit. When you reach the summit you’ll have a short break to enjoy more amazing views of the High Atlas and beyond, before beginning a 2 hour descent back to the Nelter base camp for lunch.

Meals included:

Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner

After enjoying a well-earned breakfast you’ll begin your 4 hour walk back down to Imlil. From here you'll return to your Marrakech hotel in the evening. Your evening is free to spend as you please.

Meals included:

Breakfast
Lunch

Your day is free to explore Marrakech and its surrounds... why not try one of our optional activities listed under the Trip Details section below?

Meals included:

Breakfast

We'll pick you up from your hotel and transfer you to the airport.

Meals included:

Breakfast

Trip Details

Inclusions:

Professional English speaking guide
Airport transfers
Accommodation (hotel x 3 nights, Berber guesthouse x 1 night, refuge x 3 nights)
Late model transportation with A/C
Most meals (breakfast x 7, lunch x 5, dinner x 4)
Mules and muleteers during climb

Note: Travelling companions will be roomed together in hotels unless they request separate single rooms. For a single room there is an extra charge of €30 per person per night. Travelling companions will also be roomed together in Berber guesthouses. It is not possible to book a single room when staying in a Berber guesthouse. Refuges only have communal sleeping areas. It is not possible to book a private/single room when staying in a refuge.

Exclusions:

Aeroplane ticket
Travel insurance
Drinks
Tips
Rental costs for ice axe and crampons (unless you use your own)

Note: This trip starts when you arrive on Day 1 and ends in the morning on Day 8. If you would like us to arrange accommodation, optional activities or anything else before, during or after your trip, please let us know as we are more than happy to do this.

Hot Air Balloon Ride

Begin your experience with an early morning transfer from your Marrakech accommodation to your balloon’s launching site. Upon arrival hop in the basket and gaze away as this sunrise flight takes you soaring over the foothills of Morocco’s Atlas Mountains. Touch down for a freshly prepared Berber breakfast before returning to Marrakech in your 4×4 vehicle. At the end of the day take home a flight certificate as a souvenir of your experience.

Price: €195 per person.
Duration: 5 hours (1 hour in-flight).

Majorelle Garden

Visit this enchanting garden in the heart of the city, designed by French painter Jacques Majorelle (1886–1962). Stroll along the shady paths past exotic trees and plants, streams and pools whilst watching the numerous birds who call this peaceful paradise home.

Price: €30 per person.

Marrakech City Tour

Discover what lies behind Marrakech’s ancient red walls on this guided exploration of the city’s old town. Begin by visiting Koutoubia Mosque, the Saadian Tombs, Bahia Palace and the old Jewish Quarter. Then stop off at Djemaa el Fna. Here you can sit down and enjoy a well-deserved cup of mint tea whilst gazing out over Marrakech’s central square—a vibrant meeting place for young and old. You’ll see acrobats, fortune tellers, musicians, snake charmers and traders all coming together in one truly amazing spectacle. Finally, wander the narrow, aromatic alleys of the spice souk. And if at the end of the day you’re a bit peckish and still feeling adventurous, why not visit one of the many restaurants showcasing traditional Moroccan cuisine located just a stone’s throw away?

Price: €85 per person (minimum 2 persons required).
Duration: 4–5 hours.

Tagine Cooking Class

Get ready for the ultimate tagine experience during this one of a kind activity in Marrakech. Begin by learning the Arabic for the key ingredients of Morocco’s most famous dish as you join your teacher in the souks. Here you’ll mix with the locals when shopping for your meat, vegetables and most importantly, spices. Head back to the traditional riad kitchen and learn how to brew a pot of refreshing Moroccan mint tea, before following your teacher’s step-by-step instructions to prepare your very own mouthwatering lunch. At the end of the day take home a copy of the recipe as an everlasting memory of your authentic Moroccan cooking experience.

Price: €95 per person (minimum 2 persons required).
Duration: 4–5 hours (including 50 minute walk).

The list below is a suggestion of what you might find useful to take on this trip. It is not an exhaustive packing list. If you need further advice, please contact us or consult your nearest outdoor store.

Clothing & Footwear:

Thermal underwear
Comfortable clothes and shoes for refuge
Fleece jacket/woollen jumper
Lightweight raincoat/windbreaker
Lightweight rain trousers
Sturdy, well broken-in mountain trekking boots with good ankle support and suitable for crampons
Synthetic/woollen socks
Gaiters
Hat
Scarf
Ski gloves

Equipment:

4 season sleeping bag (compulsory)
Ice axe and crampons (compulsory but can be hired locally)
Daypack
Pack raincover/poncho
Trail snacks
Water bottle/hydration bladder (vacuum flask recommended)
Water purification pen/tablets
Walking pole
Penknife
Sunglasses/ski goggles
Head torch
Camera, memory card and charger
Spare batteries
Personal items (including hand sanitiser, lip balm, microfibre towel, sunscreen, toilet paper, toiletries, wet wipes etc)
Medicine and copy of doctor’s prescription which states medication and quantity carried
Personal first aid kit (including blister tape, insect repellant, oral rehydration salts, plasters, tweezers, diarrhoea tablets etc)
Small repair kit (including duct tape, extra shoelaces, needle, thread etc)
Rubbish bag