About THE Mt. Toubkal Trek
At a glance...
Country: Morocco
Group size: 4-12
Duration: 6 days/ 5 nights
Activity: Trekking, sightseeing
Travel style: Guided
Difficulty grade: Moderate to strenuous
Comfort: Various (riad, mountain refuge)
Quick itinerary
DAY 1: Arrival to Marrakesh. Welcome to Morocco!
DAY 2: Marrakesh to Imlil, and then to the Toubkal Refuge
DAY 3: Toubkal Refuge to the summit of Mount Toubkal and back
DAY 4: Toubkal Refuge to Imlil, and back to Marrakesh
DAY 5: City tour of Marrakesh, souvenir shopping
DAY 6: Final departure
Mt. Toubkal Trek
- Dates are subject to slight changes. These dates will proceed with groups of four or more.
July 21-26, 2024
- July 28 — August 2, 2024
Must book at least 60 days prior to trek start date.
Mt. Toubkal Trek Details
The market at Jemaa el-Fnaa Square
This market is often what people think of when they think of Marrakesh. Scroll down to “General Information” for more about this amazing square.
The summit of Mt. Toubkal
Mt. Toubkal is North Africa’s highest peak and one of the most popular treks in the country. At 13,670 feet, summiting this mountain is no small feat!
Marrakesh itself!
When someone mentions Marrakesh, it congers up the image of an exotic land full of spices, colors, history, and amazing people. Marrakesh is, indeed, all of this – and so much more.
- Hobnail Trekking Co. long-sleeve trekking shirt and ball cap
- Custom Hobnail mobile app
- Lots of freebies
- Opportunities to get to know your fellow trekkers include an invitation to a WhatsApp group for your trek, group training hikes if trekkers live in proximity to each other, and other local social gatherings
- Airport transfers
- 3 nights in a hotel riad (B&B)
- 2 nights in mountain refuge at Toubkal Basecamp
- City tour in Marrakech led by local, English-speaking guide
- All ground transportation from and back to Marrakech in private vehicle
- Local, English-speaking guides on the trek itself
- Cooks and cooking equipment for the trek
- All food while on trek
- The company of new friends and the experience of a lifetime
- Travel insurance (see the Travel Insurance section on this page for details)
- International flights
- Entrance Visa
- Meals in Marrakech (other than breakfasts)
- Soft drinks and mineral water
- Tips for leaders, guides, and porters (we’ll give you guidance on this)
- Spending money, including for souvenirs
- Personal trekking equipment (hiking boots, clothing, etc.)
- Personal expenses (phone calls, laundry, room service, extra hotel nights, extra meals, etc.)
- All expenses associated with nonscheduled departure
OK, here’s where we get serious. Hobnail requires that all trekkers purchase travel/medical insurance that covers them properly for all trekking activities.
There are a lot more details you need to know about travel insurance than we want to put in this limited space — including stuff about trip cancellations and what company we recommend — so when you’re ready, pop over to our Travel Insurance page.
We consider our treks to be adventures, not vacations. We’re not Hobnail Vacation Company, after all! Don’t get us wrong; we like vacations as much as the next person, but with our treks, you need to be physically and mentally ready. Here’s what we ask of you:
- You thoroughly read all the information we send you prior to departure.
- You get yourself an accountability partner and train properly. This doesn’t mean doing a few squats two weeks before departure.
- You familiarize yourself with your gear prior to leaving. Practice adjusting your backpack, filtering water if necessary, etc.
- If you purchase new boots, they are broken in well in advance of departure.
- When on trek, you FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS OF YOUR GUIDE. His or her only concern is helping you achieve your goal safely and in good health, but this won’t happen unless you follow their advice. This includes – but is not limited to – food recommendations, speed of pace, when to sleep and when not to, when to walk and when to rest, when to turn around due to illness, etc.
- When on trek, you treat your guide and the locals you encounter with the utmost respect. We are guests in their country and very grateful to be there.
All of these things may seem like common sense — and they are — but we feel that we must mention them. Hobnail’s goal is to provide you with the best experience possible, and you have an important role in achieving that goal.
A few days after registering for a trek (with a deposit of at least $500), we’ll give you a quick call to say hello and answer any initial questions you may have. If you use WhatsApp, we’ll add you to a group with your fellow trekkers so that you may interact with them, and possibly your guide, before departure. You’ll be able to post questions in the group anytime you’d like, talk about the cool gear you’re planning to take with you, organize group hikes if you live near each other, and generally just get to know those who will be sharing this incredible experience with you.
Within the first weeks after your trek is confirmed, you will receive a Welcome Kit from us. It contains stuff that you can use during training and on the trek itself, as well as some other fun things to get you (even more) excited about your trip.
You’ll also receive a login to our Hobnail app, which is full of great information including a day-by-day schedule, nearby points of interest, beautiful photography, and yet another way to contact us – through its messaging service. As your trip gets closer, we will continue to load information into your app, including your flights and airport maps, links to places you’ll be staying, and other tips and helpful information to ensure you have more than you need to feel confident about your upcoming trek.
The closer you get to your trek, the more you’ll hear from us — but of course, you can reach out any time you have a question.
Our Mobile App
When you book, we send you the login credentials to your own, customized app. By departure, your app will contain your flight info, passport, travel insurance docs, and COVID info, as well as your full itinerary, points of interest, and other amazing stuff.
TREK ITINERARY
Day 1: Arrive in Marrakesh (1,530 ft)
Today you arrive in the “red city” of Marrakesh, named for the clay from which buildings were constructed in the early 12th century and since. Plan to arrive early so you’ll have time to get lost in the city. (Literally — it’s easy to do!)
Upon arrival, a Hobnail representative will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your “riad,” a guesthouse-style hotel usually with a courtyard and often within a restored traditional mansion. Once you’re checked in, you’ve got the rest of the day to yourself. Meals are on your own today but we are happy to provide some suggestions.
Day 2: Marrakesh to the Imlil Valley (5,710 ft), and then to the Toubkal Refuge (10,520 ft)
After your breakfast at the riad, you will be picked up and transported by private vehicle for about 90 minutes before reaching the beautiful Imlil Valley – the starting point of your hike to Mount Toubkal. Once there, you’ll be greeted by your local team of English-speaking guide(s) and mule drivers who will lead you on your trek.
After enjoying a welcome mint tea at a local guesthouse, your guide will show you on a map the exact route you’ll be taking up the mountain. Once you’ve got this big-picture view, you’ll set off on your trek to basecamp.
After about two hours, you’ll stop for a delicious lunch in Sidi Chamharouch, a small village that has grown around the shrine built there. After lunch, you’ll walk mostly uphill to the refuge where you’ll spend the night.
Total activity: 5-6 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Day 3: Toubkal Refuge to the summit of Mount Toubkal (13,670 ft), and back to the Toubkal Refuge
Breakfast comes early because today is summit day – and you’ll want to fuel your body for it.
It’s going to be mostly uphill to the summit on a scree- and rock-covered ground, and should take about three hours to the top. Once there, you’ll have amazing views over the mineral-rich high Atlas Mountains, named after the ancient Greek titan, Atlas. These mountains cover three different African countries and separate the Sahara Desert from Morocco’s milder coastal climate. Toubkal is the highest peak in the Atlas Mountains, Morocco, and the entirety of North Africa, and is the perfect spot for incredible photos of your journey.
After you’ve finished taking in the view and photos for friends and family back home, you’ll hike down the mountain the same way you came up, ending back at Toubkal Refuge for lunch, relaxation, and another overnight.
Total activity: 6-7 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Day 4: Toubkal Refuge to Imlil, and back to Marrakesh
After breakfast at the Refuge, you’ll hike back down to Imlil via the same path you took a couple days ago. Once there, you’ll have lunch at a guesthouse before your private vehicle transfers you (90 minutes) back to Marrakesh.
Once you’re back in Marrakesh, take a shower, relax, and enjoy the city. Dinner is on your own tonight.
Total activity: 4-5 hours
Meals included: Breakfast and lunch
Day 5: City tour of Marrakesh, souvenir shopping
Today you’ll be treated to a guided city tour of Marrakesh, a UNESCO World Heritage site with the largest traditional market (souk) in Morocco. After your tour, you’ll definitely want to invest some time (and money) in shopping in those souks as Morocco is relatively affordable and a significant percentage of the population there are craftsmen, making a living by selling to tourists. You’ll definitely want to brush up on your negotiating skills before spending too much time in the souks, though once there, you can find everything from Berber carpets to modern consumer electronics. Clear your day for this shopping experience!
Lunch and dinner are on your own today but you’ll discover so many great options while you’re enjoying the city.
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 6: Final departure
The only thing you have to worry about today is saying goodbye to this incredible and historical place where you’ve spent the past five days doing really amazing things. You’ll be sad to leave but happy to get back to your own bed.
When it’s time for your flight out of Morocco, you’ll be transferred to the airport and told “ma’a al-ssalamah”, which means “Goodbye, and may peace be with you.”
Meals included: Breakfast
GENERAL INFORMATION
The market at Jemaa el-Fnaa square
Located in the medina quarter of Marrakesh, Jemaa el-Fnaa is Africa’s busiest square, a bustling hub of activity and a popular destination for both tourists visiting the city as well as locals who come here to shop.
The market at Jemaa el-Fnaa Square is a lively and colorful place, filled with vendors selling a wide variety of goods such as traditional Moroccan textiles, jewelry, pottery, spices, and other handicrafts. In the evening, you can also find food vendors serving up delicious Moroccan cuisines, such as tagines, couscous, and grilled meats.
One of the unique features of the market at Jemaa el-Fnaa is the glimpse into the cultural life of Moroccans through a variety of performances, including the presence of traditional Moroccan storytellers, known as “chouafa,” who captivate their audiences with tales of adventure and magic. Other entertainment at the square includes snake charmers, Chleuh dancing boys, magicians, traditional medicine vendors, and performers showcasing traditional music and dance.
When visiting the market, expect to bargain for a fair price. Also, because it can be busy, you’ll want to keep an eye on your belongings and be aware of your surroundings. Finally, be sure to try some of the delicious food available for purchase there while soaking in the vibrant atmosphere of this one-of-a-kind marketplace.
ABOUT MT. TOUBKAL
The High Atlas Mountains, including Mount Toubkal, have a rich and varied history. The indigenous Berber people of North Africa have inhabited the area for thousands of years and have maintained a unique cultural identity.
In terms of recorded history, the first documented ascent of Mount Toubkal was on June 12, 1923 by a French mountaineering team that included the Marquis de Segonzac, Vincent Berger, and Hubert Dolbeau. However, it is likely that local Berber people had been climbing the mountain for centuries before this.
During the 20th century, the High Atlas Mountains became an important site for resistance against French colonialism in Morocco. The Berber people, led by the charismatic leader Abd el-Krim, used the mountains as a base for guerrilla warfare against French forces.
Today, the area around Mount Toubkal is popular with tourists, hikers, and climbers, and is recognized as a site of natural and cultural significance. The Berber people continue to maintain their traditional way of life, and their rich cultural heritage is celebrated through festivals, music, and other cultural events.
ABOUT THE food
For people who travel for food, few destinations stir the imagination quite like Morocco. It’s home to the colorful tagine (pictured above), couscous, and a dizzying number of exotic spices and seasonings. When you think of Moroccan food, you think of flavor. It’s an assault on the senses in the best ways possible. There are many reasons to visit Morocco, and you’ve got to count the cuisine as one of them.
Mt. Toubkal Trek
- Dates are subject to slight changes. These dates will proceed with groups of four or more.
July 21-26, 2024
- July 28 — August 2, 2024
Must book at least 60 days prior to trek start date.
