Toubkal Winter Mountaineering
A winter ascent of Mt Toubkal (4167m) in Morocco. Â We take a week, acclimatise properly, learn winter walking skills and climb a few other mountains along the way.
On our Toubkal winter climbing trip, expertly led small groups, find warm, welcoming Berber culture, high quality accommodation and easily accessible high alpine walking amongst inspiring mountains.
With one of our core instructional team, accompanied by a local english speaking guide, we acclimatise properly, learn or refresh our winter walking skills before exploring the 4000m peaks around our refuge.
Who is it for ?
Anyone who wants to climb Mt Toubkal in winter, have fun, avoid the crowds, learn winter walking skills and bag a few other 4000m summits!
Previous winter walking experience is useful, but not essential as we will teach you all the skills you need. Due to the altitude and winter conditions, a Toubkal winter ascent requires reasonable levels of fitness.
Toubkal winter mountaineering – Format
This is a gentle introduction to winter walking in the high mountains.
We take our time, savour the views, culture and learn the skills to keep us safe along the way. This is absolutely not just run up Toubkal, get altitude sickness and run down like many other companies. Â With over twenty years of leading expeditions in the high mountains, we actually enjoy being in the mountains and want you to enjoy it too!
The exact itinerary in the mountains will be flexible to cope with any weather conditions we find on our trip. We focus on safety and enjoyment so don’t guarantee exactly what we do on each day in the high mountains. We do guarantee you will have fun and learn along the way.
Day 1 – Arrive Marrakech (normally am) and transfer by our minibus to Imlil (approx 2 hours).  Overnight in 3* gîte.  We often undertake a short walk on arrival in Imlil to familiarise ourselves with the local area and see the stunning views. An outdoor swimming pool is available at the gîte for those that want a dip…
Day 2 – Acclimatisation trek in mountains surrounding Imlil. Overnight in 3* gîte. We wake, often at sunrise as the call to prayer comes from the local mosques.  After a traditional breakfast we meet our local trusted guide, pick up our packed lunch and head out. We aim to spend about five to six hours walking to help us acclimatise and explore the local area.  We will often stop at a remote tea house for a refreshing mint tea to help us maintain hydration and of course, savour the views.
Day 3 – Ascend to refuge at 3207m. Overnight refuge. After a leisurely breakfast we leave our heavy bags behind to be carried by mules and with just a day sack start our ascent of Toubkal. Â It is a gradual ascent of between five and seven hours to the refuge. Â We stop regularly at some of the many tea shacks both for drinks and lunch. We may encounter some snow along the way. On arrival at the refuge in the late afternoon we have tea and snacks before settling in to our dormitory. Â Dinner is a relatively simple but filling affair cooked by our local guide and the refuge team. Limited electricity (for charging phones) and very limited WiFi is available in the refuge.
Day 4 – Winter skills refresher & acclimatisation. Â Overnight refuge. After breakfast, and collecting our packed lunch, we look at ice axe and crampon skills before putting those skills into practice by undertaking a walk or, scale a nearby peak. With so many to choose from, we just don’t know which one it will be… Â
Day 5 – Climb Toubkal or another 4000m peak. Overnight refuge. A Toubkal winter ascent requires an early start. Depending on the weather we could start after breakfast around 4am.  Head torches picking the way up the snow covered slopes, we make a gradual ascent aiming to be on the summit at sunrise.  It’s not easy (but few things worthwhile are…) as the lack of oxygen becomes very noticeable but, very achievable. On average it is four to five hours from the refuge to the summit. Basking in the Toubkal winter summit views our hard efforts all seem worthwhile.  The summit can be extremely cold, so often we won’t linger for long.  The good news is going down is much easier! There to four hours later we are back at the hut sipping warm drinks and recounting our stories.
Day 6 – Another day of winter fun. Toubkal if not climbed yesterday or another summit  eg Ras n’ Ouanoukrim (4088m), Timesguida (4088m) and plenty of others! Return to Imlil. Overnight in 3* gîte. What we do depends on energy levels and weather, but previously we have ascended another nearby winter summit before heading back to the warmth of our gite in Imlil for a celebratory meal.
Day 7 – Transfer to Marrakech in the morning with an afternoon at leisure to explore Marrakech. Overnight 3* hotel. A leisurely breakfast and mid morning departure gives time for a bit of local shopping (dates, nougat or Berber attire are favourites). Our minibus transports us from the tranquility of the snow capped mountains with their rural way of life to the hustle and bustle of Marrakech.  Our hotel is in the heart of the city and an easy stroll to the main tourist areas.  The afternoon is at leisure to explore the souks or kick back on the roof top terrace and enjoy the sun.  In the evening we will eat at a local restaurant overlooking Marrakech. Belly dancing is optional 😀
Day 8 – Transfer to airport and fly home. Often our flights are in the early afternoon allowing us to further explore Marrakech, pick up some last minute bargains before our flight or just relax and soak up the atmosphere of this bustling city.
Day 9 and beyond –Â Bore all your friends with what an amazing time you had and make plans for your next adventure. We hope we are part of it…
Course Details
- Location: Morocco
- Cost: £915
- Duration: 8 days
- Ratio: 1:6
- Level: Introduction +
More Information
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Course Dates
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Bespoke Dates and Locations
Toubkal winter ascents, climbs on adjacent mountains or our standard Toubkal winter mountaineering can be run on a bespoke basis if required. Summer Toubkal ascents are also run for groups on a bespoke basis. Please contact the office and we will arrange some dates to suit your diary.
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Meeting Point
We make some flight suggestions and are often on the same flight, but if not, will meet you at Marrakech. This is usually outside the arrival lounge at the airport. If you are arriving a couple of days earlier to explore Marrakech let us know and we will factor that in.
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Equipment Required
A detailed equipment list on what is needed to climb Toubkal in winter is contained in the joining instructions. Essentially, you need to be self sufficient for sequential days of winter walking / mountaineering. A helmet, crampons and ice axe are required but BtE can loan these to you (P&P costs apply).
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Fitness Level
It is important that you have a good level of fitness to cope with the rigours of a Toubkal winter ascent.
A regular UK hillwalker will have sufficient fitness to climb Toubkal in winter.
We take our time to acclimatise. Our experience on the worlds biggest peaks means we understand the importance of gradual acclimatisation and know how to do this well (hence taking longer than many other companies).
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FAQs
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How do I book?
The best way to book your Toubkal winter climb is via this webpage. Choose the date from the options above and then submit your booking form and pay.
For bespoke itineraries to climb Toubkal in winter or other mountains, get in touch first so we can check diaries and if required give you a quote. Get in touch by either calling the office on 01142 631 155 or emailing us.
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Does the week include accommodation ?
Yes.
All accommodation required to climb Toubkal in winter and most meals are included in the trip price. Â See what’s included below!
Accommodation is three nights in a beautiful Berber Gite in Imlil, three nights in a mountain refuge and one night in a 3* hotel in central Marrakech.
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What's included.
- A BtE instructor (or two of us if there are more than 6). This is a major difference to the budget end trips available where you don’t have an appropriately qualified instructor in addition to a local guide.
- All accommodation
- Arrival and departure transfers
- Mules and porters for transporting our kit to and from the mountain hut
- All food except snacks and the evening meal in Marrakech
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What's not included
- Flights (we meet at the airport in Marrakech).
- Visa (UK citizens do not currently require one) & vaccinations
- Personal equipment
- Personal insurance (including rescue & repatriation)
- Alcoholic & incidental drinks
- Tips
