Mount Toubkal Winter Trek
7 Days Starting and ending in Marrakech
Visiting: Marrakech, Imlil to Aroumd trek, Aroumd to Toubkal Base Camp, Mt Toubkal summit trek, Toubkal Base Camp to Aroumd, Aroumd to Imlil and Marrakech
Tour operator:
Tour code:
XMXOW
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
1 - 12
Physical rating:
High
Age range:
15-99 years
Trip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
From:
$950
$760 (USD)
Operator discount: -$190
-20%
Tour Overview
Discover the stunning Atlas Mountains in winter and trek to ‘the roof of North Africa’, Mount Toubkal. This adventure-filled trip will take you from the bustling cityscape of Marrakech, transport you into the out-of-this-world mountain regions and give you a taste of Berber culture. Experience the magic of this region in winter; expect snow-capped peaks, crunchy ice beneath your boots and the freshest mountain air to fill your lungs. With a trusty pack of mules and expert crew, you’ll hike through the rugged mountains with spectacular scenery at every turn. Stay in mountain gites and refuge and enjoy traditional home-made meals to fuel your adventures.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Marrakech
Location: Marrakech
Accommodation: Hotel
Salaam Aleikum! Welcome to Morocco, a country filled with culture, friendly locals and incredible landscapes. If you arrive in Marrakech with time to spare you might like to spend your day wandering through the vibrant souks with their labyrinth of markets or head to a rooftop café to enjoy the sights from above over a traditional mint tea. Our adventure together begins with a welcome meeting today at 6 pm where you'll meet your fellow travellers and local group leader. After the meeting you have the option to join your leader on a jaunt to Djemaa el-Fna, the square in the centre of the Medina. Huge crowds converge at night to see singers, drummers, fortune tellers and dancers while snacking on street food – it’s a sight not to miss.
Day 2: Imlil To Aroumd Trek
Location: Imlil to Aroumd trek
Accommodation: Mountain Gite
Meals Included: breaksfast, dinner
Rise and shine for breakfast and a group meeting at 8 am where your leader will go through everything you need to know about the trek before you set off into the mountains. Leave Marrakech behind and drive across the plains towards the ancient marketplace of Tahanaoute, with incredible views of valleys below and the Atlas Mountains along the way. First up, arrive at Imlil village, which is 1740 metres above sea level. From here, our first walk starts with a gentle trek along the side of the hills, with a great view of the valley ahead and (hopefully) a glimpse of the marvellous Mount Toubkal along the way. We hike to our mountain base in the village of Aroumd (2000 metres above sea level) where we’ll stay in a traditional village house with dormitory-style rooms called a gite. Rooms are furnished in traditional Berber style with low couches (which can be used as beds), tables, carpets and cushions. In the afternoon, stretch your legs with a gentle orientation walk around Aroumd.
Included Activities:
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Day 3: Aroumd To Toubkal Base Camp
Location: Aroumd to Toubkal Base Camp
Accommodation: Mountain Refuge
Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch, dinner
Wake with excitement this morning as you begin your ascent of Mt Toubkal, North Africa’s highest peak. From Armoud the trail crosses the floodplain of the Ait Mizane Valley, before climbing steeply in a zigzag up the mountainside. All baggage is carried by mule today. Used to plough fields, carry loads, turn threshing machines and ferry people between villages, mules are an indispensable part of Amazigh life. Along the way, pass the pilgrimage site of Sidi Chamarouch, home to the tomb of the local marabout (Muslim holy man). Only Muslims are permitted to cross the bridge and approach the large white stone that serves as a shrine. Once you reach Sidi Chamarouch, it’s likely you’ll encounter snow (a Winter treat) and begin hiking with powder as we climb steeply through a series of switchbacks and traverse the flank of the valley above the river. If you are inexperienced with using crampons, your leader will help you with a few simple tricks to make the hike easier today. Finally, we’ll arrive at Toubkal Base Camp at Neltner (3207 metres above sea level) and enjoy a hearty dinner. Make sure you get plenty of sleep before tomorrow’s big ascent day.
Included Activities:
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Day 4: Mt Toubkal Summit Trek
Location: Mt Toubkal summit trek
Accommodation: Mountain Refuge
Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch, dinner
Embrace an early start this morning and tackle the rocky terrain that leads to the summit of Mt Toubkal. Gear up with crampons and a head torch (and spare batteries) to start this morning’s hike across snowy, perhaps icy terrain. Take in the beautiful silence of the morning while you make your way up steep terrain to the col. Once you reach it, the steepness of the climb calms but the winds often pick up here so be sure to have your hard shell handy in your day pack. Now you are up for a final climb, likely with rising sun on your right-hand side. At 4167 metres above sea level, this is truly the roof of North Africa. Your efforts are rewarded by superb views from the summit, which on a clear day can include the entire Atlas Mountain range, the Atlantic coast to the west and the Sahara Desert to the east. After a rest at the summit and time spent marvelling at the incredible views, make your way back to Base Camp.
Included Activities:
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Day 5: Toubkal Base Camp To Aroumd
Location: Toubkal Base Camp to Aroumd
Accommodation: Mountain Gite
Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch, dinner
Today, your group leader will choose a guided trek that’s best suited to the day’s conditions. If yesterday’s trek to Mount Toubkal was unsuccessful, today may indeed be the time to try again. If you’re already happy conquerors of the great Mount Toubkal, your leader may opt for yet another guided trek up to Tizi n' Ouagane and perhaps Ras Ouanoukrim – the third highest mountain of Northern Africa. After descending to Base Camp, you’ll fuel up with a hearty lunch before heading back to Aroumd, where your local host will be waiting to welcome you back with a dinner to celebrate your achievements in the High Atlas Mountains.
Included Activities:
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Day 6: Aroumd To Imlil And Marrakech
Location: Aroumd to Imlil and Marrakech
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: breaksfast
After breakfast, take one last glimpse at the valley and marvel at those high summits you conquered in last couple of days. Then head back to Imlil and make your way back to Marrakech. After a short check in, embark on a guided walking tour of the Medina, including the vibrant souks devoted to different trades such as pottery, woodwork, carpets or spices. The rest of your time in the city is free for you to make your own discoveries. One thing you might like to try after days spent hiking high in the mountains is a traditional Moroccan bath. Your leader can advise you where to find the best hammam. Perhaps head to a traditional Moroccan restaurant and swap your favourite travel stories with your group members tonight before going your separate ways tomorrow.
Included Activities:
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Optional Activities:
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Day 7: Marrakech
Location: Marrakech
Meals Included: breaksfast
Our adventure together ends after breakfast today. If you wish to spend more time in Marrakech, an Intrepid booking agent be happy to secure additional accommodation for you (subject to availability).
Optional Activities:
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What's Included
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Accommodation
Hotel (2 nights), Mountain Gite (2 nights), Mountain Refuge (2 nights) -
Meals
6 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 4 dinners -
Imlil to Aroumd guided trek
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Aroumd to Jebel Toubkal Basecamp guided hike
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Mount Toubkal guided summit trek
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Marrakech - Medina walking tour
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High Atlas guided trek (Ras Ouanoukrim or Tizi n’ Ouagane)
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Marrakech - Palais Bahia
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Imlil to Mount Toubkal Basecamp guided hike
Transport
- Private minibus , trekking
Accommodation
- The style of accommodation indicated in the day-to-day itinerary is a guideline only and may change. On some occasions, alternative arrangements may need to be made due to the lack of availability of rooms in our preferred accommodation. In these cases, we will use a similar standard of accommodation.
- Throughout the trip, we request that our properties prepare rooms in time for our arrival, especially if we're arriving prior to normal check-in time. However, this isn't always possible which means we won't be able to check-in immediately on arrival at some hotels. Instead, we can store our luggage and explore our new destination or on some trips, have use of shared day rooms until all rooms are available.
- We've sourced our accommodation very carefully and picked the best possible hotels in line with the Intrepid style of travel, but please note that service and accommodation in Morocco may be different to western standards.
- OCCASIONAL ALTERNATIVE ACCOMMODATION
- The style of accommodation indicated in the day-to-day itinerary is a guideline. On rare occasions, alternative arrangements may need to be made due to the lack of availability of rooms in our usual accommodation. A similar standard of accommodation will be used in these instances.
- TWIN SHARE / MULTI SHARE BASIS
- Accommodation on this trip is on a twin/multishare basis. Please note there may be times where facilities will be shared rather than en suite (even if you paid for single room supplement!)
- MOUNTAIN HUT
- Accommodation in Base Camp is simple but clean and atmospheric. You will be sharing a room with other trekkers and bedding is similar to a large bunk bed platforms, however, it is spacious and comfortable. Dining rooms and other facilities are also shared with other climbers.
- HEATING
- Mountain Huts on this trip have very limited heating options as this would be a major financial and environmental strain. It's also a case of energy supply and timing provisions, which is limited in some places. Please be prepared for cold nights and cold showers.
- HOT WATER:
- Similarly as with the heating, hot water is sometimes sporadic in mountain guesthouses. Please be ready for cold showers.
- CHECK-IN TIME
- Throughout the trip we request that our hotels prepare rooms in time for our arrival, especially if we're arriving prior to normal check-in time. However this isn't always possible which means we won't be able to check-in immediately on arrival at some hotels. Instead, we can store our luggage and explore our new destination.
- PRE/POST TRIP ACCOMMODATION
- If you've purchased pre-trip or post-trip accommodation (if available), you may be required to change rooms from your trip accommodation for these extra nights.
Important Information
- 1.This is a Winter trekking trip, so the physical demands are higher than on any other trips. While no previous experience is necessary, a reasonable level of general fitness is required and will certainly help increase the enjoyment of the trip.
- 2. Parts of your trip go above 2800 meters / 9200 feet where it is common for travellers to experience some adverse health effects due to the altitude.
- 3. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement applies to nights in Marrakech only and excludes nights spend on the approach and in the Basecamp (Days 2-5). Single supplement is subject to availability and there is limited number available per departure. If you would like to book a single supplement please speak to your booking agent for further information.
Check out our Q&As
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Is this trip right for you
High Atlas Mountains can be very cold in the winter, with feel-like temperature reaching -20⁰C (or more on extreme days!), so you must have the appropriate footwear and clothing. To be fully prepared, please follow the recommended clothing list closely. As your luggage will be carried up the mountain by mules, we ask that you have no more than 1 bag (duffle bag or rucksack) weighing no more than 16 kgs and a small rucksack for trekking essentials.
Winter weather can be unpredictable in high mountains so we may need to make itinerary changes to keep the group safe and well at all times. If this occurs, we will do our best to find comparable activities and experiences -
What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Intrepid Travel has been taking travellers around the world for over 30 years
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Since 2002, The Intrepid Foundation has supported over 130 organisations across the world. We’re creating positive impact through the joy of travel, community and connection.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Over 50% of traveller travel solo with Intrepid. You can choose to share a room with another solo travelle of the same sex for no additional charge, or choose to pay a single supplement if you’d like your own room. Please request this when booking, and we will secure you a single supplement wherever possible. Please note, if you are booking a last-minute trip, it may be harder for us to secure a single room
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Dates & Availability
Sunday - Saturday
Oct 13, 2024 - Oct 19, 2024Sunday - Saturday
Oct 27, 2024 - Nov 02, 2024Sunday - Saturday
Nov 03, 2024 - Nov 09, 2024Sunday - Saturday
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Oct 12, 2025 - Oct 18, 2025Sunday - Saturday
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Nov 30, 2025 - Dec 06, 2025Sunday - Saturday
Dec 14, 2025 - Dec 20, 2025Sunday - Saturday
Dec 28, 2025 - Jan 03, 2026Book with Confidence
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Free Date Changes
Intrepid Travel allows you to make 10 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 56 days before the start of the tour.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Intrepid Travel allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform intrepid travel, 56 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Intrepid Travel requires a minimum deposit of 400 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 56 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of intrepid travel charges.
Up to 56 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 55 days before tour starts: Forfeit 30% of booking price.
At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 60% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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COVID Protection
Trips from 1 January 2023 onwards
From 1 January 2023, Intrepid will no longer require travellers to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19.
However, we continue to strongly recommend that all travellers and leaders get vaccinated to protect themselves and other Specific proof of testing or vaccination may still be required by your destination or airline. Please ensure you check travel and entry requirements carefully.
This policy excludes all Polar trips and select adventure cruises, where testing and vaccination remains a requirement. Please refer to the Essential Trip Information of your chosen tour for more details. -
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