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Winter Toubkal, Morocco 2024
Two summits; Mount Toubkal 4167m & Ouanoukrim 4089m
Course overview
Mount Toubkal 4167m is the highest peak in North Africa, and is snowy climb in the winter months, where you get the opportunity to ascend using crampons and an ice axe for security. No previous winter experience is required, as all skills are taught on the trek. The itinerary has been designed for keen walkers, as the ascent is non-technical, but involves some easy scrambling and snow slopes.
As with all our climbing trips, we focus on skills training and acclimatisation, so before you ascend Toubkal, you summit Ouanoukrim 4089m. From both summits, the views are amazing across the mountains to Marrakech to the north, and the start of the Sahara to the south. All around are the jagged peaks of the High Atlas stretching as far as you can see in every direction.
This trip enables you to enjoy both the mountains, and the colourful local culture of the Berber villages that are built into the steep valley sides. Your local guide can tell you all about the local culture and traditions, so you get an amazing insight into the region.
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. For those who enjoy haggling, it's a must to visit the Souk (local market) in the centre of Marrakech, and to try and negotiate a bargain.
Enjoy the local cuisine, couscous, mechoui, pastilla and tajine, as Moroccan food is considered by many to be the best in Africa. In the souk markets, many try and haggle for souvenirs. All meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) are included on trek. Whilst in Marrakech the hotel breakfasts are included, but evening meals are not, to allow you to go and eat at a place of your choosing in the old town..
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. If you wish to hire kit locally, it is cheap to hire; boots (c.£6/day), ice axe (c.£2/day), crampons (c.£5/day).
We also offer several alternative trips to Mount Toubkal. If snow is your thing, we also offer a ski touring ascent link. In the summer we offer a long weekend link, or even trail running ascents link. Hopefully in that selection, there's something for everyone! We've been operating Toubkal ascents year round for nearly 20 years now!
Dates: these are listed in the column on the right, and they show the live availability from our secure online booking system. When you book online, you receive immediate confirmation, your Alpine Information Booklet, course specific kit list and invoice.
Film footage from winter ascents
Our USP's for Winter Toubkal ascents
We do stress that no previous mountaineering experience is needed for a Winter ascent of Mount Toubkal, but winter hillwalking (even without crampons) experience will help, as will fairly good hill fitness, as the last couple of days are more demanding.
As soon as two people have booked, the trip is guaranteed to go ahead with NO surcharges at all. We offer this price guarantee, so you have the confidence to book flights immediately after booking.
Six days of guiding gives you sufficient time to build skills and acclimatise, to make the ascent of two 4000m peaks a realistic and safe objective for the week, and allows for weather flexibility.
If you can't find a date that suits, we can provide a bespoke date for just 2 people booking together on any date you would like. For this option, get in touch, and we'll put a bespoke date up for you.


Daily Course Itinerary


Please note that this itinerary, as with all our adventure travel trips, is highly flexible to cater for changing weather and conditions in the mountains. Be aware that the itinerary is likely to change, and the outline below should be used for guidance as an indicative plan. Obviously Toubkal is the primary objective, and the guide will decide which of the days to make this ascent, so sometimes it is ascended before
Ouanoukrim, to make it happen.
Day Itinerary Night Meals
Sat Fly out to Marrakech, where you are met at the airport for a transfer to the hotel where the group are staying. Typically this is a 4 star hotel, a short drive from the airport, next to the old city walls. In the afternoon, you have time to explore the old city, then in the evening, a meal is provided at the hotel. Here you will meet the rest of the group, as some people may arrive on different flights. Hotel n/a
Sun After breakfast, you are driven to the road head at Imlil, and then the objective is to start your acclimatisation by hiking to the high pass of the Col Tizi M'zzik 2660m above the nearby Mezzik Valley, before descending to the valley for the night. Acclimatisation such as this adheres to the well accepted advice of climbing high, and sleeping low. You stay in a gite in one of the old fortified villages such as Ait Souka. Gite BLD
Mon Enjoy a good breakfast, then set off soon after. Today the trail gains almost 1200m as the trek passes the Muslim shrine of Sidi Chamarouch, and the tomb of the Marabout. From here the path leads upwards to reach the comfortable Mouflon mountain refuge 3207m. This is the highest hut in the Atlas mountains, and is situated at the foot of Toubkal itself, and you are likely to be based here for the next three nights. Gite / Hut BLD
Tue The mountain refuge of Mouflon is a perfect base for the final training climb and summit, before you ascend Toubkal. Today you undertake the day climb of Ouanoukrim 4089m, with its scramble to the summit, which is the second highest peak in the region. The climb will acclimatise you perfectly for Toubkal. You descend to the Mouflon, and there is time to rest and relax in the late afternoon. Night in Mouflon refuge. Hut BLD
Wed A very early start for the ascent of Mount Toubkal. The trek starts up an easy angled snowy slope, before heading left and traversing the south ridge to reach the summit at 4167m. At the summit pyramid structure you can enjoy the panoramic view which stretches for miles in all directions. The descent is made by retracing your route to the col, and heading back down to the Mouflon refuge for the night. Hut BLD
Thu Today is potentially a spare day for attempting Toubkal, but generally this isn't required, so after breakfast you leave the refuge and trek down into the Aroumd Valley, via Sidi Chamharouch to reach Imlil for the night. As the main ascent was probably yesterday, it's likely your legs are a bit tired, but don't worry as the guide is well aware of this, and you can take is easy today. Night in a gite in Imlil. Hut / Gite BLD
Fri After breakfast, you are driven back to Marrakech, arriving around lunchtime, and check in at the group hotel (normally 4 stars) again. There is time in the afternoon for you to have a tour of Marrakech, and the Djemaa el Fna market (souk). In the evening there is a group celebratory meal in Marrakech, where you spend your last evening together in Morocco, and can chat about all the amazing experiences of the week. Hotel BL
Sat

Enjoy breakfast in the hotel, and maybe a final dip in the pool, before you leave for your return transfer to the airport and your flight home. It is possible to extend your stay with one or more extra nights in the hotel. Just ask us for a quote.

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.

n/a B

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 Windermere 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.


Marrakesh 4**** hotel / riad accommodation

We've added a touch of luxury at each end of this trip, so for the nights at either end of the trek, whilst in Marrakesh you stay in a 4**** hotel next to the old city walls, or in a riad with a pool. This ensures you have a good nights sleep, and the hotel we usually uses boasts a pool and spa facilities. There's time to pamper yourself a little before and after your efforts in the mountains. Full details of the hotel are supplied before travel.

On the nights spent in the Marrakesh hotel / riad, it is possible to upgrade to a single room, or to book extra nights if you wish to arrive early and / or stay on. The single room / extra night typically costs c.£80 per night. If you would like any of these upgrades, please let us know at the time of booking, as in key periods such as over Easter, the hotel is likely to be busy, and there will be limited availability of extra rooms.


Please note that if you do not require our hotel accommodation, we can offer a discount of £20pppn for the two nights. We have to pre-pay our hotel to guarantee good prices, so cannot offer a more generous discount. Also, if you are staying in your own accommodation, you will also have to source your own airport transfer(s), as our airport transfers are only on the scheduled arrival and departure day to/ from our hotel.
Course Prices
Standard course 6 full days trekking guiding, 1:8 max ratio
8 days holiday in total, Saturday-Saturday
£649
Live availability Click on the planner logo to the right to
see the real time live course availability
Latest Availability
How to book Secure payments, bonded tour operator
Details of how to book
, click here
Book online
Standard Course Inclusions: 1) Morrocan mountain guide(s) for six days, 2) Accommodation from Saturday evening to Saturday morning (7 nights), varying from hotel / riad to mountain huts and gites, 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 our UK shop, 7) Free 36 page technical Course Instruction Booklet, 8) Icicle course host accessible via WhatsApp throughout your trip.
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.
Notes: Group sizes 2 - 8 clients, with 1 lead guide (and extra guides as required). If you can't find a date that suits, or wish a private trip, we can provide a bespoke date for just 2 people booking together on any date you would like for just £749pp, or for 1 person a private trip is £999. For either of these options, get in touch, and we'll put a bespoke date up for you. For private groups of 3 or more, the scheduled price applies, and discounts are applied for private groups of 6 or more.
Upgrades and extra tours to consider
 

Three day desert tour
£399 for 1 person, inc: transport, accommodation, meals, guide, camels.

Day 1: Drive to Ouarzazate, and cross the Tizi n’Tichka pass. Venture through Berber villages, heading into the desert to a riverside oasis, and see barren hillsides clustered with Kasbahs. Visit the ancient fortified city of Ait Benhaddou used as the backdrop for films including Gladiator and Game of Thrones. Overnight in hotel in Dades valley.

Day 2: After breakfast you drive to Todra Gorge and on to Merzouga at the dunes of Erg Chebbi. After a short break you will ride camels into the dunes, where you will spend the night in berber tents. After seeing a beautiful sunset you will enjoy a fantastic dinner.

Day 3: After viewing the fabulous sunrise and after breakfast at the camp site, you ride the camels back to the Merzoga. From there it will be a long day driving back to Marrakech.

 

Three separate day tours
£599pp, inc: transport, Marrakesh hotel on B&B basis, lunch, guide.

Day 1: Agafay Desert, Lake and Atlas Mountains. A wounderful journey across the Agafay Desert, berber villages and the Atlas Mountains in a day and a refreshment stop at the Takerkoust Dam! Take a walk or ride a mule or a camel across the breathetaking sceneries. You have the chance to visit a local Berber house to experience the local life.

Day 2: Ouzoud Waterfalls. The drive takes about 2 hours, and you'll be told stories about the areas you're passing through, and Morocco's culture and customes in general. The waterfalls are stunning, and you can have a swim and cool off at their base.

Day 3: Take a private tour and enjoy the VIP treatment. Your guide will take you to experience Essaouira. These day are designed to allow you to enjoy the beauties of Morocco
.

Current course availability

Course Dates
Winter Mt Toubkal
  • [ 4 ] 30 Mar - 6 Apr 2024
  • [ 4 ] 6 - 13 Apr 2024
  • [ 4 ] 25 May - 1 Jun 2024
Spaces are indicated by the
number in square brackets
before each course date.
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Price: £649 Book online

Alternative courses
Summer Mount Toubkal
Winter Skills Scotland
Mt Toubkal Ski Touring
Summer Alpine Intro
Mont Blanc Summit

As featured in the
BMC Summit Mag...
Read why Toubkal is
one of our busiest trips
in the winter season;
click here to view
Express weekend option?
We also offer this as a long weekend, fly in on Thursday, ascend to a hut on Friday, ascent of Toubkal on Saturday and back to hut, spare day for ascent on Sunday and return to Marakkech , Monday depart. Price is £499pp for the weekend. Get in touch for this option, which is available for 2+ booking together.
Client feedback


Just a quick email to say thanks so much! Everything went to plan, the food was great, the guest houses we stayed in were fabulous and we had the best weather! Mohammed, our guide in the mountains was just brilliant, all in all an absolutely magical trip!

Liane & Andy, Winter Toubkal

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 C, Winter Toubkal

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 K, Winter Toubkal

Exploring Marrakech before and after the trek was great, and the two summit days were just perfect. We couldn't have been luckier with the weather

Andrew S, Winter Toubkal

Testimonials
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Our unique selling point?
Our trips are exclusively for Icicle clients, and we don't pool you with other companies guests, who might speak another
language completely! Unfortunately we have seen this practice becoming more common with other operators, and it is our USP that you travel with who you book with, not a random group.
Top tips from our guides
Take a good sleeping bag for using in the highest huts such as Mouflon 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.
Suggested reading and kit
View full course equipment list, with examples of kit, click here
Pro top tips - geeks corner!
So why choose us?
We are true specialists in Mt Toubkal. See our blog, by clicking on the logo.
Icicle Blog
Itinerary flexibility to allow you to take full advantage of the weather and conditions each day, so that you maximise the amount you can achieve each day.
Our prices are fixed in £ pounds sterling, to protect you from euro currency fluctuations, so that you can budget accurately.
We have a team of over 30 guides, and a resort support team, who all want you to have the best time possible! For more details on the guiding team and qualifications, please click here.
Any further questions?
A key part of choosing a company is being able to come and talk about your plans with an experienced course advisor face to face. In an increasingly virtual world, we know our clients value speaking to real people, getting open and honest advice. The vast majority of our clients are British, and our office and outdoor store is based in Windermere in the English Lake District.



Get in contact to arrange a meeting, and come in for a coffee to discuss your course in person with a trip advisor. Many people opt for this service, and it is an integral part of what we offer, as we are keen to ensure that you are prepared as possible, and that you select a course that is suitable for you. It makes it easier and more enjoyable for you and us, if you are on the right trip.


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