5-day adventure
Mount Toubkal The Short Way
Morocco
- Kandoo Trekking
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£529
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Our local team
A country that has such contrasting trekking locations, Morocco offers a variety of incredible hikes, between the rocky outcrops of the High Atlas to the rolling dunes of the Sahara. Our local team can pick a path through the infinite dunes and rocky outcrops with their eyes closed! Our operations in Morocco are managed by our very own local Berber guide Mohamed Zbair. He and his highly experienced team know the local paths like the back of...
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Kandoo's view
A short, snappy adventure for those wanting a weekend hit up the highest peak in Morocco. Standing at 4167m, this climb requires no technical experience, but is by no means an easy feat!
Following the path of the Berber people, from the mountain town of Imlil, weave your way up through rugged terrain to the base of the climb. After a night under canvas, rise early to conquer the looming peak of Mount Toubkal. Follow the path as it traverses the steep hillside before dipping into the South Cwm. Emerging on the rocky, open ridgeline, catch your first glimpse of the summit Apex. Once at the top, the stunning views of the High Atlas range stretch out all the way to the dusty skyline of the Sahara. You are on the summit of Northern Africa.
Following the path of the Berber people, from the mountain town of Imlil, weave your way up through rugged terrain to the base of the climb. After a night under canvas, rise early to conquer the looming peak of Mount Toubkal. Follow the path as it traverses the steep hillside before dipping into the South Cwm. Emerging on the rocky, open ridgeline, catch your first glimpse of the summit Apex. Once at the top, the stunning views of the High Atlas range stretch out all the way to the dusty skyline of the Sahara. You are on the summit of Northern Africa.
Trip highlights
- Reach the summit of Northern Africa's tallest peak
- Explore the bustling souks of Marrakesh
- Experience the Berber way of life in the mountain town of Imlil
- Sample delicious, Moroccan cuisine, bursting with flavour
Experiences
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Kandoo Trekking
Our core collection of treks and hikes, through some of the world's most outstanding landscapes
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Itinerary
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Day 1
ARRIVAL IN MARRAKESH
Arrive in Marrakesh and transfer to your hotel. After clearing immigration and collecting your luggage, exit the arrivals building and look out for one of our team holding a KANDOO sign. If you wish to exchange money in the airport make sure you do this before leaving the building. Transfer to your hotel and have the rest of the day free to explore Marrakesh. Your pre-trek briefing will take place at 7pm this evening in the hotel foyer, here you will meet your guide and gain an in depth understanding of the trek you are about to embark on.
- Transport: Private transfer
- Accomodation: Hotel
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Day 2
Marrakesh - Imlil - Nelter Refuge
This morning we set off early from the hotel, boarding our transfer and heading up the winding roads to Imlil. Taking in the relaxed atmosphere in this mountain town, we set off on a well worn track up to the Nelter refuge, nestled at the base of Toubkal. We pass local women, draped in exquisite outfits, riding mules led by well dressed Berber men, heading up to Sidi Chamarouch - a fertility shrine perched by the river that weaves it's way down the valley. At the top of the valley looms our target; the rugged peak of Toubkal. On arrival at the refuge, we get set up in camp before enjoying some freshly prepared, local cuisine. An early night is needed in preparation for the next day's summit attempt.
- Transport: Private transfer
- Hiking time: 7 - 8 hours
- Ascent: 1400 m
- Accomodation: Camping
- Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
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Day 3
ASCENT OF MOUNT TOUBKAL
The big day! We will leave early (around 5am), climbing a steep, rocky ascent up the mountain side to reach a hanging valley known as the South Cwm where huge boulders are scattered around the track. We continue up scree slopes to hit the summit ridge at 3940m and follow the exposed path, traversing the crest of the ridge to the summit pyramid at 4167m. We are now standing on the highest point in North Africa and the sense of achievement is enormous! The deep valleys of the Atlas Mountains are laid out below, layer upon layer of rust coloured ridgeline separating them. We descend back down the loose scree to the refuge, have a much needed lunch break, then continue down the valley to the village of Aremd (1900m), stopping at Sidi Chamarouch for a break. Our feet are feeling it by the time we arrive at our Moroccan style guesthouse. Here we say goodbye to our mule handlers and settle into our accommodation, making the most of a hot shower and a comfortable bed.
- Hiking time: 7 - 8 hours
- Ascent: 967 m
- Descent: 2167 m
- Max. altitude: 4167 m
- Accomodation: Guesthouse
- Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
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Day 4
AREMD - MARRAKESH
After breakfast, we leave our bags with a small transfer vehicle and walk to the road head at Imlil, where our larger transfer bus will take us to Marrakesh. We will arrive in the late morning and check in to our hotel. We then have a free day to soak up all the fascinating sights of Marrakesh...visit the Majorelle Garden, Bahia Palace and the world famous web of souks stretching out from the Jamaa El F’na market. A tour with an English speaking guide can be arranged.
- Hiking time: 0.5 hour
- Descent: 150 m
- Accomodation: Hotel
- Meals included: Breakfast
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Day 5
DEPARTURE
Transfer to the airport and flight home.
- Transport: Private transfer
- Meals included: Breakfast
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Details
Trip information
Difficulty
Our ascent of Toubkal requires you to be in good
physical condition and has been known to catch people out with the
challenge it poses! Don't be fooled by the size of the mountain, Toubkal
definitely packs a punch.
Make sure you have experience of walking for up to 6 hours a
day, for several days in a row, on uneven ground. The trail will vary
from well trodden paths to very steep, rocky and sometimes loose terrain. At
times the path crosses exposed, steep mountainside so make sure you feel
comfortable on this type of terrain. There will also be changes of
altitude as you climb above 3000m which may affect the way your body
feels. A good amount of endurance is necessary but mental
stamina is the most important thing.
This programme does not require any technical climbing
ability or experience but you should be in the best physical condition possible
before departure. Take a look at our Morocco Training Guide for tips on how to prepare for
your climb.
You will be accompanied by a qualified Berber guide at all
times as well as your cook and mule drivers who will meet you at camp/your
accommodation each evening. As well as hiking you will assist the team
with packing away and putting up tents. On this trip, you are part of the team
and must do your share of the work. Although this makes the adventure a little
more demanding, it also adds to the enormous sense of satisfaction and
achievement at the end of your journey.
If you have any questions about your suitability or how to
prepare for this trip please do not hesitate to contact us.
Food & drink
During your trek you will be accompanied by a cook who will
prepare all of your meals. At breakfast there is tea, coffee and hot
chocolate, bread, jam, cheese, Nutella and sometimes a local speciality.
A typical lunch will be a salad with fresh vegetables, corn, boiled eggs, tuna
and rice or pasta served alongside a traditional curried dish, such as dahl or
a tagine.
Evening meals will always be made up of delicious
Moroccan cuisine prepared with locally sourced ingredients.
There will normally be a soup starter followed by a tagine or stew with salad,
couscous or pasta and bread. We can provide vegetarian, vegan or gluten
free meals on request. If you have special dietary requirements
please let us know when booking your trip.
In Marrakesh, at the start and end of your trip, you can
purchase meals at the hotel or head out in to the city to find a
restaurant. Less than a 5 minute walk from the hotel you will find Bd
Moulay Rachid, a street with a wide range of international and local options
and you will find most dietary requirements are catered for. Restaurants with
international options such as pizza and burgers, French and local cuisine, or
if you are wanting something lighter then look for the roadside cafes offering
the locals favourite, Omelette Khaali (lamb omelette) and Mint Tea.
Drinks are not included in the cost of your trip. You
will need to bring a water purification filter or tablets and
a water bottle or flask for your trip. During your trek you can refill
your water at natural springs, in villages and at the refuge below
Toubkal. On some days you may not pass a shop as the trek goes through
remote valleys and many of the shops are in small villages or settlements and
therefore may close without warning. Please ensure you are able to purify
natural water safely, rather than relying on buying bottled water; we also do
not recommend acquiring single-use, plastic water bottles as these must be
carried out and recycled.
Accommodation
Camping
We provide a good quality 3 man tent. They are designed to sleep three people, but we only ever sleep 2 to a tent, to ensure you have plenty of space for you and your gear. Keep in mind, these are proper mountain tents, designed to cope with extreme conditions so don’t expect to be able to stand up and walk around inside! A foam mattress per person will also be provided. You will be required to assist with pitching your own tent at the end of each day.
Your meals will be taken in a separate mess tent where you will be able to sit comfortably, while you relax and chat to your team mates and enjoy some of the delicious food that our cook has freshly prepared for you. At camp we will set up a toilet tent. This is a very basic facility that provides a little privacy and will simply cover a hole in the ground. If you don't wish to use the toilet tent there is also the option to head up to the refuge and use the facilities there. A wash basin can also be provided on request with cold water.
We will set up our camp about 5 minutes walk from the refuge. We will eat and sleep at camp, however we will be able to use the washroom facilities, shop and WiFi at the refuge. The washrooms have western toilets and hot showers (available for 10MAD for an unlimited time).
Other Accommodation
In Marrakesh you will be staying in a comfortable 3 star hotel in an en-suite twin or double room. WiFi is available at the hotel and it also has a swimming pool, hammam (spa) and restaurant.
The guesthouse will be in the style of a local Moroccan house with a kitchen, living area, twin/triple or double rooms and a shared bathroom with a western toilet and hot shower. It has a double staged roof terrace with views up to Toubkal. WiFi is also available here.
Transport
We use a private air conditioned minibus with seatbelts for our transfers.
Luggage
Main bag weight: 15kg
During the trek your luggage will be carried by mules. To be suitable for carrying, your duffel bag must be flexible not rigid, maximum 100 litres and weigh no more than 15kg. You should also bring a small day pack to carry water, snacks and anything else you may need whilst trekking. This could be used as your hand luggage on your flight.
Lost / delayed luggage:
We recommend that you wear your walking boots to travel and pack as many essential items as possible in your carry-on luggage. If your luggage is delayed we can then do our best to kit you out to start the trek on time. In the event that your luggage is delayed or lost, our procedure is as follows:
Establish what items are missing and a contingency plan for each critical item
If it reaches 6pm on the evening before starting the trek and your luggage has not arrived we recommend buying and/or hiring items immediately as a precaution
We will take you to a shop where you can buy toiletry items, e.g. toothbrush. You will be able to find everything you need in Marrakesh.
We will do everything we can to help if your luggage is lost or delayed. Be sure to check your insurance policy coverage for lost luggage cover.
How do I get there?
You will need to arrive in Marrakesh on day 1 of your itinerary and the trek will begin the following morning. For UK travellers, there are direct flights with BA, Easy Jet and Ryan Air from Heathrow, Gatwick, Luton, Stansted and Manchester. With a short stop in Europe, you can travel from virtually any major UK airport. The flight time from the UK is roughly four hours.
There are no direct flights to Marrakesh from the USA but, it is only necessary to have a short stop of less than 3 and a half hours somewhere in Europe. Delta Airways operate convenient flights via Paris from New York, Boston and Los Angles. TAP Air Portugal, American Airlines and United provide further options.
Menara Airport is located 9km outside the city of Marrakesh and the transfer to your hotel will take between 20 and 30 mins. We provide personalised transfers so somebody will be at the airport to meet you when your flight gets in. Please be aware that if your flight arrives within 90 minutes of another guest you may be asked to wait until they have arrived to share a transfer. Rest assured, you won't be asked to wait for more than 90 minutes.
Once you have cleared immigration and collected your luggage please exit the doors to the arrivals area and look out for a team member holding a big sign reading "KANDOO". Once you have exited arrivals you will not be allowed back in, so please ensure you have exchanged your money and any other necessary errands before leaving the airport.
Please bear in mind that meals in Marrakesh are not included in your tour. This means if you arrive on a very late flight you may struggle to find somewhere to eat by the time you have reached the hotel. We recommend booking a flight that arrives in Marrakesh no later than 5:30pm, allowing you to reach the hotel with plenty of time to have a relaxed meal before bed.
On the final day of your trip we will provide return transfers at 7am and 12pm. Remember for international flights you need to arrive at least 2 hours before departure. Delays can occur, and making your flight is your responsibility.
Due to local regulations at Marrakesh, mobile boarding passes are not valid for your return flight. You will need to print your boarding pass and go to the check-in desk to get your documents checked, even if you don't have bags to drop off.
If you are changing airlines or re-checking your luggage at an airport on route, please ensure you leave a minimum of 3 hours between flights. This will account for any delays on arrival, travel time across airports (this can take longer than you think) and time taken to re-check baggage.
Travelling Responsibly
Here at Kandoo, we like to support our guests to make their travel more sustainable. As of 2025, we are offsetting the carbon on all of our trips from arrival in destination to dropping you back off at the airport. As we don't include flight travel in our trips these aren't included in our offsetting calculations, so we are providing you with the calculator below for you to do this yourselves.
Pre-trek briefing
A pre-trek briefing will be held at 7pm on the evening of Day 1 in your hotel foyer in Marrakesh and we strongly recommend that you book a flight that arrives in time for you to attend the briefing. If you should arrive on a later flight, you will be given the full briefing the next morning before you set off on your trek.
Budget & change
The local currency is the Moroccan Dirham (MAD). For the most up to date exchange rate please visit www.xe.com.
The dirham is a closed currency, which means it can only be bought once you arrive in Morocco. You’re allowed to bring in or take out 1000Dh (around £65) but you’ll need to exchange the rest on arrival. You can get good exchange rates at the airport with cash and credit card exchange available alongside baggage reclaim and debit/travel card exchange available in the arrivals buildings after you have cleared customs. You can also exchange your GBP (don’t bring Scottish, Gibraltar or Northern Irish Sterling notes) or US Dollars to Dirhams at a bank and in most hotels. Keep hold of your receipt to convert your Dirhams back when you leave – you can do this at the airport for a good rate.
A meal out for 2 people in Morocco will cost ~$15. You will need to account for two evening meals in Marrakesh plus money for any lunches whilst in Marrakesh, tips, drinks and souvenirs. Gifts and souvenirs are best acquired from the markets in the Medina. Prepare to get haggling! Our recommended guidance for spending budget in Morocco would be between $50-100 on top of your tips ,to give you ample souvenir spending money.
Tips
Tipping is common in Morocco but not mandatory and should be based on the level of service you feel you have received. The below amounts will give you a rough idea of how much you should tip (per trekker per week). Please tip in Moroccan Dirham rather than in your home currency where possible.
Guide: 100-160 MAD ($10-15)
Cook: 85-110 MAD ($8-10)
Mule drivers: 160-210 MAD ($15-20) - amount per driver (depending on your group size you may have between 3-5 mules and drivers)
Driver: 80 MAD ($8)
Different crew members will be with you for different stages of your trip to Morocco:
- Your guide will be with you every day that you are in Morocco.
- Your cook and mule drivers will be with you while you are on the trek itself (you may have up to 5 mule drivers on your trek, depending on the number of participants. You will be provided with this information 3 weeks before departure)
- A driver will provide your airport transfers and transfer you to and from the trek.
3 weeks prior to departure you will be provided with a tip recommendation for your trip. This will give you a more accurate representation of the amount you will need to take for tips.
Formalities & health
Passport
Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months after your return date. We recommended you keep a colour photocopy of your passport with you at all times.
Visa
UK and USA passport holders do not require a visa to enter Morocco for a period of up to 90 days, however, you should check the latest information with the Moroccan authorities before travelling.
Vaccinations
The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommend the following vaccinations for travel to Morocco. It is your responsibility to check the latest health information before departure.
Hepatitis A / Hepatitis B / Typhoid / Polio / Tetanus
Hepatitis A / Hepatitis B / Typhoid / Polio / Tetanus
Insurance
Before you can join any Kandoo Adventures trek / climb, you will need to insure yourself against accident, injury, and illness. Your insurance must cover the cost of helicopter evacuation and repatriation if necessary. Make sure your insurer knows of your travel plans, and verify that your policy fully covers your trek / climb, and any other activities you will participate in. Specifically for all our adventures in Morocco, you need to be covered for trekking up to 4200m. It is your responsibility to ensure that you are fully and adequately insured for the duration of your trip. Please ensure that all activities, excursions and destinations in your itinerary are included in your travel insurance policy, in addition to your regular cover for cancellation and medical expenses.
We ask that you keep a copy of your policy summary (containing policy number and the emergency contact number for your insurer) in your day sack at all times, so that we can access this information should we need to contact the insurer on your behalf. You will also need to bring details of your insurance cover to the pre-trek briefing.
We ask that you keep a copy of your policy summary (containing policy number and the emergency contact number for your insurer) in your day sack at all times, so that we can access this information should we need to contact the insurer on your behalf. You will also need to bring details of your insurance cover to the pre-trek briefing.
Medication
Your guide carries a first aid kit at all times but we recommend you carry the following items : - Painkillers - Anti-diarrhoea tablets - Sunscreen (high factor) for lips and skin - Moisturising cream (for sunburn) - Elastic bandage and regular bandages - Sanitary products - Water purifying tablets or filters - Mosquito spray - Blister bandage - Hayfever tablets (antihistamines).
Other information
Alcohol:
Although Morocco is more liberal than many other Muslim nations you do need to be careful when purchasing or consuming alcohol. Morocco does allow the consumption of alcohol and you can buy beer, wine and spirits in licensed hotels, bars and supermarkets. In supermarkets there will often be a separate alcohol room which is out of sight. If you attempt to purchase alcohol outside of one of these licensed areas then you may find yourself in trouble with the police.
Bars with a licence to sell alcohol will not usually have windows. This is because although it is legal to purchase and drink alcohol on the premises, you are not allowed to be seen by the general public outside. Officially only tourists are allowed to drink outside but to avoid causing any offence it is best avoided. You are allowed to bring alcohol in to the country with you, but only a maximum of 1 litre.
While in Marrakesh, if you want to have a drink with a meal, it is best to check with the restaurant if they serve alcohol before you sit down. You should also ask if they are happy for you to sit anywhere whilst drinking or if they would prefer you to sit at a corner table out of sight. While you are up in the mountains trekking, things tend to be a bit more relaxed than in the city. However, it is best to show some consideration for your cook and porters by checking with your guide before you crack open the whisky.
Dressing appropriately:
Although Moroccan people are very tolerant of tourists it is always a good idea to be respectful of the local customs. We would advise female travellers to keep their knees, shoulders and stomachs covered while out in public in Marrakesh to avoid any unwanted attention. You need to balance this conservative style of dress with the excessive heat that you may experience in Marrakesh. A long sleeved maxi dress will keep you covered while providing some airflow to keep you cool. Long sleeve breezy button up shirts, harem trousers or jeans are also good options.
For men it is best not to walk around topless despite the heat. Moroccan men do not tend to wear shorts, although there is certainly no problem with male tourists doing this, if you want to blend in with the locals then go for some loose fitting cotton trousers.
When you are in the mountains things are much more relaxed than in the city. You should wear clothing that is appropriate to the conditions and the activity you are engaged in; walking shorts and a light t-shirt will be a good combination for both men and women.
Animal welfare:
In the High Atlas Mountains the use of mules and muleteers (otherwise known s the Berber 4X4) is very common. The strong and sure footed mules have spent their lives up here in the mountains and they can transport your gear from A to B with ease. Mules are a big source of income for the local Berber people, as a result they are generally treated with great respect and consideration for their well being. However there are always exceptions and in some cases mules in the High Atlas have experienced terrible neglect and cruelty.
The main problems that cause suffering for mules are: traditional bits, overloading, inadequate feeding, wounds, poor footcare and working unfit mules (lame, sick or injured).
Kandoo Adventures are committed to ensuring that the mules we use on our treks receive only the very best treatment.
To ensure the animals are never overloaded we have placed restrictions on the weight of the luggage you can bring with you. Your main bag must always be flexible and not weigh more than 15kg. The maximum load a mule can carry is 80kg, this will ensure the health and comfort of the mule as well as a sustainable working life. We will not start trekking with mules who are obviously lame, sick or wounded. We will never condone the use of traditional bits which can cause terrible pain for the animals. We only work with a select number of muleteers who we know and trust to provide the very best level of care to their animals.
Equipment & clothing
Equipment supplied by Kandoo Adventures
- 1 tent per 2 people
- 1 mattress per person
- Communal dining tent
- Toilet tent
Clothing to bring
- Hat for sun protection
- Hat for warmth
- Scarf or head scarf that can be wet
- Sunglasses
- Long sleeve shirt or baggy, cotton t-shirts
- Jumpers - 1 light weight and 1 warm
- Warm puffer style jacket
- Windproof and waterproof jacket with hood
- Breathable fast drying underwear
- Warm gloves
- Comfortable long trekking trousers or shorts (fast drying)
- Waterproof trousers
- Trainers or sandals for evenings/Marrakesh
- Wool and cotton socks
- Hiking boots (high rise, sturdy soles)
- Swimming costume may be useful
Equipment to bring
- Sleeping bag, minimum rating of 5˚C and sleeping bag liner
- Water bottle or flask minimum (1 litre)
- Water purification system (charcoal filter, chlorine tablets or similar)
- Walking poles (highly recommended)
- Head torch with spare batteries and bulb
- Toiletries (including wet wipes)
- Toilet paper and a lighter for burning it after use
- Container for any toxic rubbish (batteries, sanitary items etc)
- Duffel bag (80 to 100 litres), flexible and water resistant (must not exceed 15kg)
- Daypack (30 to 40 litres) to carry with you each day
- Camera
- Microfibre towel
Dates & prices
| From | To | Price | Availability | Book | Enquire |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 07/06/2025 | 11/06/2025 | £529 $689 |
Available
|
Book now | Enquire now |
| 05/07/2025 | 09/07/2025 | £529 $689 |
Available
|
Book now | Enquire now |
| 02/08/2025 | 06/08/2025 | £529 $689 |
Available
|
Book now | Enquire now |
| 13/09/2025 | 17/09/2025 | £529 $689 |
Available
|
Book now | Enquire now |
| 06/06/2026 | 10/06/2026 | £629 $819 |
Available
|
Book now | Enquire now |
| 04/07/2026 | 08/07/2026 | £629 $819 |
Available
|
Book now | Enquire now |
| 01/08/2026 | 05/08/2026 | £629 $819 |
Available
|
Book now | Enquire now |
| 12/09/2026 | 16/09/2026 | £629 $819 |
Available
|
Book now | Enquire now |
Want to ask us a question or book a private trip? Don't hesitate to contact us!
Contact usPrice includes
- Airport transfers
- A qualified English-speaking mountain guide
- Mules and drivers for luggage transportation
- All Transportation and Accommodation as detailed above
- Tents and foam mattresses
- Communal mess tent and toilet tent
- 4 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners
Price does not include
- Flights and Visas
- Drinks
- Tips for crew
- Travel Insurance
- Any meals not listed in the programme details
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