Toubkal via the North Cwm and starting at Ifni, this is a unique trip format not run by other companies, most use Imlil or Lepiney.

This is a superb traverse of the mountain, starting in Ifni we work our way towards the only lake in the Toubkal region, Lac d'Ifni, where we start the ascent of the south east slopes of Jebel Toubkal.

You will need a very good level of fitness for this trip, especially on the 1st day of walking as you will be carrying your normal walking kit, plus crampons, walking axe, sleeping bag, spare clothing and small wash kit, typically this means around 12-14kg.

Day 1

Meet in Marrakech early morning and using 4x4's, drive over the dramatic Tizi n-Tichka road pass to the east of Toubkal massif. Lunch at the pass. Afterwards we take a dirt road through the Berber village of Amsouzart situated to the south-east of Toubkal at 1740m and stay in traditional Berber village house at around 2300m altitude.

Day 2

Today we move on to the Mouflon (Toubkal) refuge situated at the base of the highest mountain in North Africa. Today's route brings us over the watershed of the Atlas mountains - the spectacular Ouanoums pass at over 3650m before dropping down to the inviting refuge some 500m below.
Expect an 8 - 10 hour day.

Day 3

Today is an important acclimatisation day where we can summit an extra peak and refresh some personal crampon and ice axe skills along the way. It will be an evening of stacking up on food and getting as hydrated as possible for an early start for the summit tomorrow.

Day 4 Summit Day

An early start for the summit of Toubkal. Generally we leave the refuge around 07.00 or possibly earlier depending on time of year, weather and conditions. Our route of choice on Toubkal itself, is the north-cwm route (which is by far the less frequented of the main routes starting at the refuges below). However
we will only attempt this route if weather, snow conditions and group abilities allow - otherwise we will climb Toubkal by the West Ridge or South Cwm route.
Whichever route we do climb, you can be assured of a great day out! Expect a 7-8 hour energetic day before we get back to the refuge for late lunch. Then sit in the sun and savour the experience.

The route takes the North cwm in the left of this photo, heading leftwards towards the smaller summit before we turn right and head for the top of Jebel Toubkal.

Day 5

After breakfast, trek down to Imlil to arrive around mid-day. A last coffee there before our transfer back to Marrakech.
Aim to arrive Marrakech mid afternoon.

What's Included

Vehicle transport from Marrakech to the start of the trip and a return back to Marrakesh after the trip.
Accommodation for the 4 nights in the mountains - Berber village house, Mouflon mountain refuge.
All food throughout from the time we leave Marrakech until we get back there.
All transport costs associated with the official trip itinerary
Porters / mules to carry all our communal gear and food.
Professionally qualified guides during the trip - Guides will either be International Mountain leaders (IML) or UIAGM (International Mountain Guide) or Winter Mountain Leaders.
Company Civil and Public Liability is included as a legal standard.

Food during the trip

Morocco has of the finest cuisines in the world.The expedition cooks are superb and very proud of their cooking which is fantastic! and they ensure that all the food on the trek is freshly prepared using local ingredients and that there is plenty for everyone.

A typical menu on this trip would be:

Breakfast: Fresh bread with cheese, jam, margarine, tea, coffee, hot chocolate and hot milk.
Lunch: A light lunch consisting of fresh mixed salad, tinned fish or meat,bread and cheese, followed by fresh
local fruit.

Afternoon tea: Tea / coffee / hot chocolate with some dates, figs, nuts and biscuits.

Dinner: The evening meal is always a hot meal and is different every night - traditional Moroccan cuisine of Tajineor couscous with meat and vegetables or the occasional pasta meal. This is followed by fresh fruit and the famous mint tea.!

Currency / Visas / Language

Visas for entry into Morocco are not required by nationals of Ireland, the UK, USA, Canada, Australia, New
Zealand and most EU countries.
The currency in Morocco is the dirham (dh).It is impossible to get dirham outside Morocco - therefore take Euros, Sterling or US$ and exchange on arrival. Alternatively or in addition, there are plenty of ATM’s in the airport and Marrakech. Do not depend on using your credit card for purchases – this is a cash society in the main!
Language is Arabic / Berber but French is also understood / spoken widely. Little or no English spoken /
understood outside of main tourist areas.
Time difference = GMT all year.

What you need to provide

The additional costs for you once we meet up would be just bottles of water, drinks outside of meals, any showers charged for separately by the accommodation providers and any additional snacks you may wish to purchase.

You obviously have to get to Marrakech (there are any number of cheap flights these days from UK / Europe with Easyjet, Ryanair, Atlas-Blue, Jet4You & BA).

Organise travel / medical insurance (we check on this when you are booking) and sort out accommodation in Marrakech either side of your trip. Again there is a huge selection to suit all tastes and budgets.

Guides and Logistics

We are proud to be working along side North Africa's most experienced guiding and logistics company Toubkal Mountain Guides.

TMG is run by Des Clark, an Irishman with over 20 years of mountaineering experience, including Scottish winters (before he got sense!), the Alps, Pyrenees, Peru, Bolivia, Argentina including Aconcagua summit twice as well as summits in Chile and Iceland.

Des Lives and works in Morroco full time and this gives him and the rest of the guides excellent local area knowledge, from weather patterns and micro climates in the different areas of the Atlas mountains, right through to the current conditions of some of the mountain roads and also more importantly conditions on the mountain. Des is also a qualified International Mountain leader and is a member of BAIML.

TMG will be providing logistics and senior guides on our Jebel Toubkal trips this year.

Guides on the trip are a mixture of UIAGM Guides, International Mountain leaders, Mountain Instructors and Winter Mountain Leaders . All of whom have many years of experience in winter mountaineering throughout Europe and the Greater Ranges as well as leading small groups on expeditions around the world. They all hold recognised qualifications and hold remote environment 1st aid qualifications as a minimum.