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Winter
Mt Toubkal, Morocco 2011
Course
overview
Client
feedback
Mount
Toubkal 4167m is the highest peak in North Africa,
and is a trekking peak involving no climbing but
the final two days involve walking in crampons holding
an ice axe for security. The itinerary has been
designed for keen walkers, as the ascent is non-technical,
but involves some easy scrambling and snow slopes.
The
views from the summit are amazing across the mountains
to Marrakech to the north, and the start of the
Sahara to the south. All aroung are the jagged peaks
of the High Atlas stretching as far as you can see.
This
trek enables you to enjoy both the walking and the
colourful local culture of the Berber villages that
are built into the steep valley sides. In contrast,
Marrakech provides an interesting start and finish,
where you can relax and enjoy shopping and eating
in the French area boulevards or the narrow alleyways
of the medina.
Enjoy
the local cuisine, couscous, mechoui, pastilla and
tajine, as Moroccan food is considered by many to
be the best in Africa. The souk markets provide
great shopping for those wanting to practice their
bargaining skills. All meals (breakfast, lunch and
dinner) are included on trek. Whilst in Marrakech
only breakfast is included.
You
only normally require warm clothing above 3000m
where it is cooler. During the winter the skies
are normally clear but as in all mountain areas
the weather can be unpredictable.
Thank
you for a wonderful trip to Morrocco, it
was excellent.The Riad hosts were just great
they looked after me exceptionally well
and gave me excellent advice and help on
where to go and what to do. Marrakech is
just a Magical place, and that is from a
person who is not keen on cities. The Trek
of Mount Toubkal was a joy, the scenery
and local People were delightful and as
for the Guide Mohamed the Porters plus the
Mule they could not have been better. The
summit day was very windy with lots spindrift,
so a hard cold ascent, but the views from
the top were sensational. Frank
Curtler, Winter Toubkal 2010
Just
a little note to say I had a great time
in Morocco last week. From Mohamed, who
I thought was both competent and professional
but also approachable and fun, to the great
accommodation (even the Nelter Hut wasn't
as bad as I'd heard or feared). The food
was tip-top. Also I feel a mention needs
to go to madam at the riad in Marrakesh
who was an absolute joy, she couldn't do
enough for us. David
Kemble , Winter Toubkal 2010
UK
nationals need a full passport valid for 6 months from
the return date of travel. No visa is required for the
above passport holders. Most European Community passport
holders do not require a visa. All other nationalities
should check with their embassy.
Dates: Sat
4 - Sat 11 December 2010, Christmas: Tue 21 - Tue 28 December
2010, New Year: Tue 28 Dec '10 - Tue 4 Jan 2011, Sat 22
- Sat 29 January 2011, Sat 5 - Sat 12 February 2011, Sat
12 - Sat 19 February 2011, Sat 5 - Sat 12 March 2011,
Sat 2 - Sat 9 April 2011
(8 days, with 6 days trekking). Extra dates can be run
on demand throughout the year for groups of two or more
people. For current availability click
here.
So
why choose Icicle?
We
are true specialists in climbing Mount Toubkal.
See our blog, by clicking on the RSS logo (right).
Itinerary
flexibility to allow you to take full advantage
of the weather and conditions each day, so that
you maximise the amount of time spent climbing each
day.
Our
prices are fixed in £ pounds sterling, to
protect you from euro currency fluctuations, so
that you can budget accurately. Our prices are very
inclusive in Morocco.
We
have a local logistics and guiding team in Morocco.
For more details on the guiding team and qualifications,
please click
here.
Mount
Toubkal summit views in winter
Top
tips from our guides
As
you are looking at our Mount Toubkal course you may be
interested to see what the summit views look like when
you get to the top!
Take
a good sleeping bag for using in the highest huts
such as Neltner so you get a good nights sleep before
your main ascent.
Wear
well worn in B3 crampon compatable boots for the
summit days to keep your feet warm and to minimise
crampon shedding risks.
To
avoid stomach upsets, only drink bottled water,
and also use this to brush your teeth with too.
Use
trekking poles to provide you with greater balance
on the often broken and scree covered terrain.
We
provide a detailed kit list and expedition dossier
upon booking, so have a good read through it, and
don't hesitate to get in contact with any questions
you have, as you can speak to someone who has actually
been on or led one of these trips before, so has
expert knowledge.
Course
Photo Gallery
Daily
Course Itinerary
Sat
Fly
from London to Marrakech and transfer to hotel (riad).
Equipment checks and briefing about the trek.
Sun
After
breakfast you are transfered to the village of Oukaimeden,
which takes about 2 hours. This journey takes you
from Marrakech into the High Atlas. In the afternoon
there is a short trek to explore. Night in mountain
refuge or Bedouin camp.
Mon
To
acclimatise well, you ascend the peak of Jebel Oukaimeden
3257m, which provides great views across the local
mountains, especially Mount Toubkal, and other 4000m
Atlas peaks. After summiting you descend to the
Tizi'n'Ouardi pass to reach the Tachedirt refuge
for the night. Walking time: 7 hours. Night in mountain
refuge or Bedouin camp.
Tue
You
trek up the Tachedirt Valley, past the Aksoual Massif
and the village of Ouaneskra. After this the trail
ascends over the Tizi'n'Tamatert pass at 2200m,
and then enters the steep sided Mizane valley. You
then pass the village of Imlil and soon reach the
hamlet of Arroumd. Walking time: 5 - 6 hours. Night
in mountain refuge or Bedouin camp.
Wed
Today
the trail gains almost 1200m as the trek passes
the shrine of Sidi Chamarouch, and the tomb of the
Marabout. From here the path leads upwards to reach
the Neltner mountain refuge 3210 m. It is from here
that the summit trek to Mount Toubkal starts from.
Walking time: 5 - 6 hours. Accommodation: refuge.
Thu
A
very early start for the ascent of Mount Toubkal.
The trek starts up an easy angled snowy slope, before
traversing the south ridge to reach the summit at
4167m. At the summit post you can enjoy the panoramic
view which stretches for miles in all directions.
Descend back to Arroumd / Aremd village. Walking
time: 8 hours. Accommodation: local hostel or Bedouin
camp.
Fri
Trek
/ drive down to Imlil, and you are then transfered
to Marrakech, to arrive there around lunchtime.
In the afternoon there is an optional tour organised
and then you are free to go and explore Marrakech.
A key attraction is the Djemaa el Fna market (souk).
In the evening the group often opts to go out for
a celebratory meal to toast the achievements. Night
in hotel (riad) in Marrakech.
Sat
After
breakfast you are transfered back to Marrakech airport
for your return flight home.
N.B.
ITINERARY
NOTES: Where possible we follow itineraries. Mountain
adventures are weather and conditions dependant,
so occasionaly we are forced to alter the plans.
If this is the case, suitable alternatives are offered.
Please use this outline itinerary as a guide to
the types of route / activity that you will attempt.
Mountain
focus article on Toubkal
Click
on the picture to the left of the BMC Summit magazine,
in which one of our guiding team had an article published
on the 'experts view' on the mountain. The short article
gives a fascinating insight into the history of the
first ascents of the mountain, and of the classic ascent
route. It is a great example of how Icicle is recognised
as a leading operator of trips to this mountain, and
of how all our staff and leaders are very knowledgeable
about this peak. If you would like to speak to one of
our guiding team who has led trips to Mount Toubkal,
please get in touch with our Chamonix office by phone
or e-mail. To contact an experienced trip
advisor please click on this link,
and if you prefer, we can even have a trip advisor call
you back at a time of your choice. Just give us a landline
number, and we'll call you.
Course
Prices
Standard
course
6
days guiding, 8 days holiday in total
£549
Premium
course
As
above, with an Icicle T-Shirt
To see the t-shirts, click on this
LINK
Standard
Course Inclusions: 1) UIMLA / Local Guides for six
days, 2) Accommodation from Saturday evening to Saturday morning
(7 nights), varying from hotels (riads) to mountain huts and
camps, 3) All meals on the actual trek (breakfast, lunch and
dinner), 4) Pre course information booklet, 5) Airport transfers
to and from Marrakech airport, 6) Equipment discount voucher
for UK shops, 7) Free 36 page technical Course Instruction Booklet.
Exclusions:
1) Travel to and from Marrakech, 2) Equipment hire, 3) Personal
laundry, telephone calls, lunches, evening meals in valley,
& any purchases in mountain huts / hotels / restaurants,
4) Lunches and evening meals in Marrakech, 5) Activities insurance,
& excess baggage charges, 6) Allow up to 50€ per person
for optional entry into sightseeing places of interest and optional
town tour on the Friday.
Upgrades
and extra tours to consider
Camel
Trekking Safari Dates: September to June
Ride a camel through the famous Chegaga Dunes and visit
the Draa valley. This circuit can take 8 days with 7 nights
in camps and hotels at either end. Each day you travel
up to 20km on your camel. Prices include transfers, accommodation,
meals, guides, camel leaders, and the camels. Prices from
£699pp for a group of four people.
Sahara
Tour & Todra Gorges Dates: September to June
Visit the highest dunes in the Sahara at Merzouga, as
well as Ait Benhadou, Dades and the Todra gorges. This
is a 3 day trip, with a day on either side in Marrakech.
On some days you will ride camels, and you explore some
of the most fascinating regions of the desert, camping
each night. Price from £299pp for group of four.
Toubkal
Ski Touring Dates: February, March, April
Over a period of 9 days, 7 of which are guided, you acclimatise
and then ski tour up Toubkal. You must be an experienced
ski tourer to contemplate this trip as you have to ski
up to 45° in sections. Meals on the mountain are all
provided, and you stay in refuges, villages and gites
/ riads. Price from £999pp for a group of four ski
tourers.
