Toubkal Ascent & Berber Villages Trek

Mount Toubkal – Essential Info

At Mount Toubkal, the World we believe in, provides our clients with the best services and key to the enjoyment of any holiday in our opinion, it is the balanced and up-to-date information offered by the tour operator. We are confident that the items detailed below when taken in conjunction with a reputable and reliable guide book will enhance your Trekking experience as well as ensuring you receive the very best service from Mount Toubkal, the World in the Atlas Mountains of Morocco.

M-T : STAFF

It is important that our staff in our Mount Toubkal office have experienced the wonder of High Atlas Mountains Trekking and are able to answer many of your important questions.

Mohamed, for example, has trekked in the Toubkal and Berber regions and visited many of the places included on our hiking itineraries has also made it to the top of Jebel Toubkal – many of the photos on our web site were taken by him and his travelling companions on his various trips to the region.

M-T : GUIDES

All Mount Toubkal guides are fully licenced and are experienced from an early age in the Atlas Mountains areas, and guiding continues to be the heart and soul of who we are. We require that all of our guides undergo extensive safety training before officially joining us a mountain guide /or winter guide, local knowledge and guiding abilities. We believe that a local, licenced guide will offer more insight into the High Atlas region and Berber people as well as enhancing the local economy.

As well as a tip (see below) if you have had a great experience with your guide , you may wish to offer him something of yours that will assist his duties.

Please be guided by your guide’s expert advice on difficult or exposed paths and please respect the prayers of your guide and muleteers – they will usually do this outside of walking times so as not to interrupt your hiking.

M-T : MULETEERS & MULES & LUGGAGE

Your team of muleteers, along with mules, will vary in number depending upon the size of your group and whether you are camping or staying in guesthouse/refuge but they will all perform the same function which is to provide a full back up service for your hike, cook and prepare meals and set up the evening camp.

The mule team will load up your luggage, food and, if relevant, the camping equipment at the start of each day but will not always walk either at the same time, pace or route as your hiking party .So, it is important that you consider which items you may require to carry yourself in the morning and then again in the afternoon as on some days you may only meet up at lunch-time.

The mules are completely used to carrying the loads and it is not unusual for them to carry in excess of 80 kgs each which is equally balanced in two baskets. The muleteers take great care in both hygiene and presentation of your food and perform wonders with such limited conditions.

We recommend you take your trekking luggage in a large holdall or rucksack which can perhaps be folded up inside your main luggage if you are also travelling around Atlas Mountains and wish to have the security of your usual suitcase(s). You should also take a suitable day pack which will carry drinking water, camera, hat, raincoat, etc. as you may not be in direct contact with your support team at all times during the day.

WEATHER

In winter , much of the region above 2500m can be snow-covered and hiking in these areas could require the use of crampons and ice axes. High winds and precipitation in whatever form may preclude some routes and this will be discussed before you set out or can be modified at any time with the advice of your guide.

RAMADAN

We will maintain our programme of trekking during the holy month of Ramadan but we would ask you to respect your team by allowing them the courtesy of eating an early breakfast (before sunrise) and to avoid, where possible, drinking, smoking and snacking immediately in front of them during the day – they will of course prepare the usual lunch though as part of their duties.

WATER

It is important to drink lots of water during your hike; water can be purchased in Marrakech before you set off or in Imlil. It is also possible to obtain water from small kiosks in many villages and from the trailhead of Imi Ourghlad and at the Toubkal refuge. You will need to carry some of this by yourself but your mules will carry some more. Please , discuss with your guide the water requirements on a regular basis.

MEALS

Breakfast – tea, coffee,juice,fruit, milk, bread, butter, jam, cheese, porridge,

Picnic lunch – fresh Moroccan salad, cheese, slicing sausage, tinned tuna fish and sardines, bread, fruit, mint tea (pasta, beans, potatoes and rice can also be included).

Dinner – Soup,Tajine (chicken or mutton with vegetables), spaghetti, cous cous (main courses rotate depending on duration of trek .You are also more likely to get couscous on a Friday), bread, coffee, tea, cake, fruit.

Berber tea house

The Accommodation will be in a Berber guesthouse will be simple and basic but has beds with foam mattresses. The food will be cooked by the Mount Toubkal Expedition cook who is traveling with you.

CAMPING

Camping is an option if prefered (june-Octo).

We provide modern igloo-style tents that sleep two persons each; they are of various sizes so ideally we would like to be advised in advance if any of your party is particularly tall (6 ft or over). So that, we can provide the most suitable tents for all groups.

Along with the sleeping tents, we also provide one or more large traditional Berber tents for cooking, eating and socialising which make your camp a little bit special.

NB : If accommodation is required in the Atlas Mountains either before or after the trek, we can always book you at our Imlil Refuge or at our Riad Dar Bab Toubkal in Armed village.

REFUGE

The refuge is simple but offers warm showers, a few western toilets and a warm lounge with electric lighting in which to read or chat with your fellow hikers. There is a full kitchen for your team to cook in and a couple of dining areas. Please note that boots must not be worn in the refuge. So, sandals, shoes or flip flops should be taken to keep your feet (and socks) warm, dry and clean.

Clothing and Equipment

You should dress according to altitude and the environment you will be located in. Most treks are in high altitude climates in remote areas. Therefore, there are often large temperature swings. Temperatures are often colder at high altitudes.

Clothing for Trekking

Trekking boots or light weight walking shoes. Having comfortable footwear is essential for a good trek. Make sure all footwear is broken in well prior to your trek. Do not break in boots on your trek,

A track suit and a pair of track shoes to wear in the Berber tea house and camp at night,

Two pairs of woolen socks for trekking shoes and track shoes,

Warm down jacket and rain proof jacket with hood for protection from rain,

Woolen hat for the cold and sun hat or cap for sunny days

A pair of woolen gloves and a pair sandals to wear in Berber tea houses or camp,

Two cotton T-shirts and two pairs of long shorts/skirts

Woolen shirts and thick sweaters as well as wind and water proof trousers,

Pair of light or heavy weight trouser and one light weight long sleeve shirt,

Two pairs of thermal undergarments,

Equipments for Trekking

Trekking or duffle bag to carry trekking gear. Mount Toubkal can provide a duffle bag for you to borrow during your trek. This will be returned after your trek,

Trekking daypack for personal items such as water, snacks, extra layers and camera,

Water purification tablet and bottles,

Sleeping bag,

Travel Pillow,

sun glasses,

walking poles,

Small torch light or head lamp with spare batteries,

Sun block,

Lip balm with sunblock in it,

handkerchief or wiping papers,

Money belt,

first-aid kit,

Trekking equipments are available at Imlil Center. Mount-Toubkal can recommend shops for you to purchase equipment. If you do not wish to buy equipment, you can easily hire or rent them for the duration of your trek with reasonable prices.