Mt Toubkal Long Weekend

“If you're seeking a challenge and awe inspiring scenery, this climb is hard to beat. Easily reached from the centre of Marrakesh you get a real sense of the region, it's beauty and it's Berber heritage. This is my fifth time in Marrakesh and this climb has been the most memorable of all my visits and one that I'll remember in future years.”

“I absolutely loved my trip, which included the relaxed delights of Marrakech (sitting on a roof terrace drinking mint tea and visiting a beautiful tiled hammam) and lung-busting strenous walking and scambling to the summit of Mount Toubkal. I'm so grateful for the wonderful guides who helped me during the stay, particularly Abdi who held my hand and helped me get up and down the moutain! I'm also really grateful to the other members of our group who were funny, inspiring and kind.”

“I took part in a private group's 5 day trip climbing up Toubkal. From the moment you start climbing up through the Berber villages, traversing walnut tree groves and zigzagging into the hills, you are won over by the beauty of the Atlas mountains. Make no mistake, you have to work hard for the views, therefore sturdy boots and plenty of water are essential. Read the trip notes, as items such as a head torch are also non negotiable (I suspect the lady I saw wearing Ugg boots probably wasn't an Exodus customer, as they gave us excellent preparation advice on what not to wear!). This jouney will challenge you physically and you do need a good level of fitness. Some parts are a bit rough, such as scrambling over boulders and scree, but the view from the top is breathtaking.”

“Another faultlessly organized Exodus trip that did exactly what it said on the tin. We actually stayed on in Marrakech for 2 extra nights as, our group of 5, had not been before. I can imagine it being quite a rush otherwise, which is obviously what the trip is all about - doing the mountain in a weekend. Marrakech was a lot nicer than I imagined before I went, wide boulevards, gardens and very friendly people. It's only the centre with the souks and markets that are busy are touristy. The hotel is about 40 minutes walk from the centre, but cabs are plentiful and cheap and at least the walk is straight forward. We were there in Ramadan, which was actually fine as all the restaurants (& bars) were still open, but empty and it didn't inconvenience us at all. Marrakech feels quite cosmopolitan and open, although I did find people really didn't like having their photo taken, even from a distance. There seems so much for sale in town, far more than would be possible for tourists to purchase, so sales techniques are tough - you should be prepared for that. The mountain itself is fine - on the first day you walk for 2.5 hours, have lunch, and then for a further 3, until you reach the refuge, which is surprisingly solid and well built. Mules take your main luggage and the muleteers will prepare your food for you at the refuge. The beds are in dormitory rooms, which if full, would be very cozy, but our group of 6 had a room to ourselves and plenty of room. The climb to Toubkal summit starts early on day 2 and is a stiff climb of around 3-4 hours, depending on breaks. You only really begin to appreciate the views once you're approaching the summit as up to that point, you're walking through a valley staring at the Toubkal mountain in front of you. The views from the top, however, are amazing and worth the climb. The temperature in June was, on day 1, HOT .. I got very sunburned so take hats and cream. The climb to the summit required only a thin fleece (June). On the way down, you will slip on the scree slopes, and likely end up on your backsides a few times, but it's great fun. Once back at the refuge for lunch, you then head back down the valley to the hotel in Imlil, which is basic, but actually very pleasant (but they don't have beer) and then back to Marrakech. June departures do not need warm clothes (although apparently waterproofs if it rains - it didn't for us). I managed with a light fleece on the summit day. The heat means you will drink a lot of water, so a bladder for your rucksack is very useful. You can buy water at regular intervals on day one, but not between the lodge and summit. The lodge does sell soft drinks, but these can run out late in the day (as everything is brought up by mule) so buy some drinks on the route through the valley on day one.”