Mount Toubkal The Long Way
- Kandoo Trekking
- Kandoo Summits
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our UK team
Arrive in Marrakesh and transfer to your hotel. After clearing immigration and collecting your luggage, exit the arrivals building and look out for one of our team holding a KANDOO sign. If you wish to exchange money in the airport make sure you do this before leaving the building. Transfer to your hotel and have the rest of the day free to explore Marrakesh. Your pre-trek briefing will take place at 7pm this evening in the hotel foyer, here you will meet your guide and gain an in depth understanding of the trek you are about to embark on.
Today we will set off after breakfast. We transfer from Marrakesh to Oukaimedem (2hrs), the starting point of our hike where we meet our mule drivers, enjoy a delicious picnic lunch and go on a short acclimatisation walk whilst our team prepare our gear. Our first objective is Tizi n’Eddi (2980m), a great warm up with panoramic views of Imane valley and the High Atlas summits from the top. We then descend down small paths traversing the steep mountainsides of the picturesque, moonlike landscape to the village of Tachedirt, the highest village in the Atlas mountains, and set up camp at Fousaou (2300m), the base of Tizi n’Likemt.
A tough start this morning. After breakfast we start a long, slow ascent up to Tizi n’Likemt (3550m), gaining 1000m of ascent. From the pass we have incredible views to the south east over the mountains and into the hazy heat of the desert beyond. We then descend to the secluded settlement of Azib Likemt, passing shepherding families and their livestock. We stop for lunch next to a river where we can dunk our tired feet, and then continue up a glorious gorge on a gentle ascent for a couple of hours to the foot of Tizi n’Ourai where we camp for the night (2900m).
This morning we make the small climb up to the col at 3109m known as Tizi n’Ourai, here we capture our first views of Toubkal, a majestic panorama of the rocky, alpine summit. It is a tough descent down to the village of Amsouzart at 1740m, with loose terrain and some steep sections (poles will definitely come in handy!). Here, we stop for some well earned refreshment before making our way further up the valley to Aït Igane, stopping for lunch in the shade of the trees.
The heat of the day is on us as we continue to climb up through a huge boulder field then along idyllic mountain paths climbing more gently up to the deep blue hues of Lac d’Ifni at 2312m. We will make our camp for the evening here on the lakeshore and, weather permitting, enjoy a refreshing swim surrounded by the towering Atlas peaks.
This morning we set off early, making the most of the cool temperatures. We begin by picking our way through shingled moraine, following the torchlight of our guide as they route find through this rocky wilderness. Toubkal will be towering over us as we navigate an incredible gorge up to Tizi n’Ouanoums (3600m). Passing hidden waterfalls and making an occasional scrambly step between boulders the size of houses, we reach the col just as the sun greets us. Perched between two of North Africa's tallest mountains, we then make a short, loose descent takes us down to the valley above the Nelter Refuge at 3200m. We follow the contrasting lush green of the valley floor to the refuge where our camp has been set up. This is the main basecamp for most Toubkal climbs and we will be able to look up at our route for the next day. Arriving here in the early afternoon, we have time to rest and recuperate ready for a big day tomorrow.
The big day! We will leave early (around 5am), climbing a steep, rocky ascent up the mountain side to reach a hanging valley known as the South Cwm where huge boulders are scattered around the track. We continue up scree slopes to hit the summit ridge at 3940m and follow the exposed path, traversing the crest of the ridge to the summit pyramid at 4167m. We are now standing on the highest point in North Africa and the sense of achievement is enormous! The deep valleys of the Atlas Mountains are laid out below, layer upon layer of rust coloured ridgeline separating them. We descend back down the loose scree to the refuge, have a much needed lunch break, then continue down the valley to the village of Aremd (1900m), stopping at Sidi Chamarouch for a break. Our feet are feeling it by the time we arrive at our Moroccan style guesthouse. Here we say goodbye to our mule handlers and settle into our accommodation, making the most of a hot shower and a comfortable bed.
After breakfast, we leave our bags with a small transfer vehicle and walk to the road head at Imlil, where our larger transfer bus will take us to Marrakesh. We will arrive in the late morning and check in to our hotel. We then have a free day to soak up all the fascinating sights of Marrakesh...visit the Majorelle Garden, Bahia Palace and the world famous web of souks stretching out from the Jamaa El F’na market. A tour with an English speaking guide can be arranged.
Transfer to the airport and flight home.
The details in this programme are
regularly updated but unforeseeable and unpredictable circumstances may result
in inaccuracies. In order to provide the adventure which is best suited to your
demands, the weather and the operational conditions, changes to the itinerary
may be made.
For safety reasons, we reserve the
rights to interrupt your participation at any time if your technical level or
fitness is deemed unsuitable or if you are seen as a danger to yourself or to
those around you. Under no circumstances would this give rise to a refund or
compensation.
Please
note that this itinerary, including distances and times, is indicative. Our
guides aim to provide the adventure that is best suited to the weather, your
interests and the demands of the group. Please be aware that in order to
achieve this, changes to the programme may be made.
Our ascent of Toubkal requires you to be
in good physical condition and has been known to catch people out with the challenge it poses! Don't be fooled by the size of the mountain, Toubkal definitely packs a punch.
This programme does not require any
technical climbing ability or experience but you should be in the best
physical condition possible before departure. Take a look at our Morocco Training Guide for tips on how to prepare for your climb.
If you have any questions about your
suitability or how to prepare for this trip please do not hesitate to contact
us.
During your trek you will be accompanied
by a cook who will prepare all of your meals.
At breakfast there is tea, coffee and hot chocolate, bread, jam, cheese, Nutella and sometimes a local speciality. A typical lunch will be a
salad with fresh vegetables, corn, boiled eggs, tuna and rice or pasta served alongside a traditional curried dish, such as dahl or a tagine.
Evening meals will always be made up of delicious Moroccan cuisine prepared with locally sourced ingredients. There will normally be a soup starter
followed by a tagine or stew with salad, couscous or pasta and bread. We can provide vegetarian, vegan or gluten
free meals on request. If you have
special dietary requirements please let us know when booking your trip.
In Marrakesh, at the start and end of
your trip, you can purchase meals at the hotel or head out in to the city to
find a restaurant. Less than a 5 minute walk from the hotel you will find Bd Moulay Rachid, a street with a wide range
of international and local options and you will find most dietary requirements
are catered for. Restaurants with international options such as pizza and burgers, French and local cuisine, or if you are wanting something lighter then look for the roadside cafes offering the locals favourite, Omelette Khaali (lamb omelette) and Mint Tea.
Drinks are not included in the cost of
your trip. You will need to bring a
water purification filter or tablets and at least two water bottles or flasks for your trip. During your trek you can refill your water at
natural springs, in villages and at the refuge below Toubkal. On some days you may not pass a shop as the trek goes through remote valleys and many of the shops are in small villages or settlements and therefore may close without warning. Please ensure you are able to purify natural water safely, rather than relying on buying bottled water; we also do not recommend acquiring single-use, plastic water
bottles as these must be carried out and recycled.
We provide a good quality 3 man tent. They are designed to sleep three people, but we only ever sleep 2 to a
tent, to ensure you have plenty of space for you and your gear. Keep in mind,
these are proper mountain tents, designed to cope with extreme conditions so
don’t expect to be able to stand up and walk around inside! A foam mattress per person will also be provided. You will be required to assist with pitching your own tent at the end of each day.
At camp each evening we will set up a toilet
tent. This is a very basic facility that provides a little privacy. The toilet tent will simply cover a hole
in the ground. If you don't wish to use the toilet tent there is always the option to find somewhere hidden, away from camp or the path and go wild. We can guarantee it will be the most scenic toilet break you've ever had! Please remember to bring toilet roll and a lighter to burn it after use.
Other
Accommodation
In Marrakesh you will be staying in a
comfortable 4 star hotel in an en-suite twin or double room. WiFi is available at the hotel and it also has a swimming pool, hammam (spa) and restaurant.
Lost / delayed luggage
We recommend that you wear your walking
boots to travel and pack as many essential items as possible in your carry-on
luggage. If your luggage is delayed we can then do our best to kit you out to
start the trek on time. In the event that your luggage is delayed or lost,
our procedure is as follows:
Establish what items are missing and a
contingency plan for each critical item
If it reaches 6pm on the evening before
starting the trek and your luggage has not arrived we recommend buying and/or
hiring items immediately as a precaution
We will take you to a shop where you
can buy toiletry items, e.g. toothbrush. You will be able to find everything
you need in Marrakesh.
We will do everything we can to help if
your luggage is lost or delayed. Be sure to check your insurance policy
coverage for lost luggage cover.
A pre-trek briefing will be held at 7pm on the evening of Day 1 in your hotel foyer in Marrakesh and we strongly recommend that you book a flight that arrives in time for you to attend the briefing. If you should arrive on a later flight, you will be given the full briefing the next morning before you set off on your trek.
The local currency is the Moroccan Dirham (MAD). For the most up to date exchange rate please visit www.xe.com.
Guide: 100-160 MAD ($10-15)
Cook: 85-110 MAD ($8-10)
Mule drivers: 160-210 MAD ($15-20) - amount per driver (depending on your group size you may have between 3-5 mules and drivers)
From | To | Price | Availability | Book | Enquire |
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14/06/2025 | 21/06/2025 | $899 £729 |
Guaranteed
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28/06/2025 | 05/07/2025 | $899 £729 |
Available
|
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12/07/2025 | 19/07/2025 | $899 £729 |
Available
|
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26/07/2025 | 02/08/2025 | $899 £729 |
Available
|
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09/08/2025 | 16/08/2025 | $899 £729 |
Available
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23/08/2025 | 30/08/2025 | $899 £729 |
Available
|
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06/09/2025 | 13/09/2025 | $899 £729 |
Available
|
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20/09/2025 | 27/09/2025 | $899 £729 |
Available
|
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04/10/2025 | 11/10/2025 | $899 £729 |
Available
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13/06/2026 | 20/06/2026 | $999 £729 |
Available
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27/06/2026 | 04/07/2026 | $999 £829 |
Available
|
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11/07/2026 | 18/07/2026 | $999 £829 |
Available
|
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25/07/2026 | 01/08/2026 | $999 £829 |
Available
|
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08/08/2026 | 15/08/2026 | $999 £829 |
Available
|
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22/08/2026 | 29/08/2026 | $999 £829 |
Available
|
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05/09/2026 | 12/09/2026 | $999 £829 |
Available
|
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19/09/2026 | 26/09/2026 | $999 £829 |
Available
|
Book now | Enquire now |
03/10/2026 | 10/10/2026 | $999 £829 |
Available
|
Book now | Enquire now |
Want to ask us a question or book a private trip? Don't hesitate to contact us!
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