Itinerary
DAY 1: DEPARTURE DAY
You will depart the UK for the trip of a lifetime! If you have booked flights with us (option available for Bucket Lister + trips only), we’ll provide all the information you’ll need to meet your guide. If you are arranging your own flights, have a safe journey!
On arrival in Marrakech you’ll make your way to the accommodation. If you have booked transfers through us, we’ll send you the details before your trip.
Special Information: Your adventure begins with a Welcome Meeting at 6pm today.
DAY 2: TREK TO TACHEDIRT VILLAGE
We will be picked up from your hotel in Marrakech, and be driven to the high Atlas mountains. Drop off is at Aguersioual village, where we will be met by the local team. Once the luggage has been loaded onto mules, we’ll set off trekking towards Tizi n’Auguersioual pass from where we will have amazing views over the Imnane & Imlil valleys. After a short break on the pass, we will continue walking downhill towards the river. Once you’ve crossed it, we’ll walk uphill along the Imnane valley towards the last village in the valley.
DAY 3: TREK TO IMLIL
After breakfast, we will walk along the road towards Tizi n’Tamater pass, from where we will have another view over Imlil valley. We continue walking downhill to Imlil, where we will have lunch & spend the night. Overnight at a guesthouse.
DAY 4: TREK TO TOUBKAL REFUGE
Trek towards the Berber villages of Aremd (1843m), Taourirt, and Targa Imoula; we stop at Aremd to visit this village in the Assif Ait Maizane Valley, built seemingly house upon house on a moraine spur. We then carry on to the equally quaint village of Sidi Chamharouch, a Berber village set beside a waterfall and small stream. We take a break for a picnic, within full view of mighty Jbel Toubkal, at 4167m, the highest peak in the Maghreb. Our last stretch of the day takes us to our overnight accommodation at the Toubkal Refuge.
DAY 5: ACCLIMATISATION
Today is an acclimatisation walk to Tizi Ouanoums pass, from where we will see Ifni Lake. Back to the Refuge.
DAY 6: SUMMIT DAY!!
Climb up to the highest peak in North Africa, where we will have great views over the Atlas Mountains. We’ll descend via the same route to the refuge, where we’ll stay overnight.
DAY 7: TRANSFER BACK TO MARRAKECH
Descend from the refuge at 3207m, to Imlil at 1740m, then return to Marrakech.
DAY 8: FREE DAY IN MARRAKECH
Today is a free day for you to explore Marrakech or enjoy some well-deserved R&R after your trek.
DAY 9: DEPARTURE DAY
This marks the end of our Moroccan adventure.
Food & Accommodation
- Day 1 3* Riad - Twin roomBreakfast
Lunch Dinner - Day 2 Lodges - Twin roomBreakfast Lunch Dinner
- Day 3 GuesthouseBreakfast Lunch Dinner
- Day 4 Toubkal RefugeBreakfast Lunch Dinner
- Day 5 Toubkal RefugeBreakfast Lunch Dinner
- Day 6 Toubkal RefugeBreakfast Lunch Dinner
- Day 7 3* Riad - Twin roomBreakfast Lunch Dinner
- Day 8 3* Riad - Twin roomBreakfast Lunch Dinner
- Day 9 FlightBreakfast Lunch Dinner
What’s the Food Like on The Mount Toubkal Winter Trek?
Food on the Mount Toubkal Trek is simple, hearty and designed to keep you fuelled for long days on the trail. You’ll enjoy a mix of classic Moroccan dishes and familiar staples, all freshly prepared by the trek team.
Breakfasts usually include fresh breads, pancakes, jam, honey, cheese, boiled eggs or omelettes, plus plenty of tea and coffee to set you up for the day.
Lunch is typically a picnic-style stop on the trail with salads, rice or pasta, lentils or pulses, tinned fish or simple proteins, fresh bread and seasonal fruit. And yes, mint tea is always part of the experience.
After reaching camp or the refuge, you’ll be welcomed with afternoon snacks like tea, biscuits or popcorn.
Dinners are warm, filling and carb-rich: soup to start, followed by dishes like pasta, rice or potatoes served with a vegetable or meat stew. Tagines and couscous often feature, and fresh fruit finishes the meal.
We can cater for vegetarian, vegan and other dietary requirements, just let us know in advance.
You won’t go hungry on Toubkal, the food is wholesome, comforting and exactly what you need to power the climb.
Want to learn more? Click here to read our full guide on what to eat while trekking in Morocco.
What Makes Our Trip Different?
How Difficult Is It?
How Hard Is the Mount Toubkal Winter Trek?
Climbing Mount Toubkal in winter is more challenging than the standard route, but still achievable for those with a good level of fitness and the right preparation. The full route covers around 72 km with a total ascent of roughly 4,218 m, so expect multiple days of steady uphill trekking.
On summit day, the climb from the refuge to the top is 5.9 km with about 960 m of elevation gain, usually taking 3 – 4 hours. Earlier days can also be demanding, including one stretch of 17.7 km, climbing from 1,700 m to 3,207 m in a single day.
In winter, snow and ice are likely on the upper sections of the mountain, meaning you’ll be using additional equipment such as crampons and ice axes. While no prior mountaineering experience is required, your guides will provide instruction on how to use this equipment safely, adding a more technical and adventurous element to the trek.
Cold temperatures, potential snowfall, and shorter daylight hours also increase the difficulty, so it’s important to be prepared both physically and mentally.
If you want to feel fully prepared, our Training Weekends are perfect for building confidence, testing your kit and getting used to long uphill days.
And for anyone concerned about trekking at altitude, our partners at The Altitude Centre in London offer expert advice and altitude-training sessions to help you get ready for the summit push.
In short: with solid fitness, the right kit, and a willingness to embrace winter conditions, Toubkal becomes a tougher but even more rewarding adventure.
What's Included?
What’s Included on the Mount Toubkal Winter Trek
Your Mount Toubkal adventure includes everything you need for a smooth, fully supported trek. Here’s exactly what’s covered:
- All accommodation throughout the trip, including hotels/riads in Marrakech, Berber houses, guesthouses and the mountain refuge.
- All transport within Morocco as outlined in the itinerary (this excludes international airport arrival & departure transfers – unless added to your booking, or if you have added Group Flights to a BL+ trips)
- All permits and entry fees required for the trek.
- Selected meals as outlined in the itinerary
- UK Bucket List Company Leader on all BL+ departures
- Your local Moroccan guide who leads the trek in-country.
- All essential trekking equipment provided by The Bucket List Company.
- Porters/mules to carry up to 12kg of your main kit during the trek.
- Support from The Bucket List Company team before and during your trip
- A fully planned itinerary, including guided city time in Marrakech and every trekking day from Imi Oughlad to the summit.
- Access to the Vamoos app with full itinerary, packing lists and key trip info
- Support from The Bucket List Company team before and during your trip
What's Not Included?
What’s not Included on the Mount Toubkal Winter Trek
Travel Insurance
Comprehensive travel insurance is compulsory. It must also cover high-altitude trekking up to 4,200m and emergency helicopter evacuation
Visa
Visa fees (if applicable) are not included.
Tips
Tips are not included – trip-specific guidance will be provided.
International Flights
Flights to and from Morocco are not included in the base trip cost. These can be added on Bucket Lister Plus trips if you’d like us to arrange everything for you.
Airport Arrival & Departure transfersThese are excluded from the base cost of your trip but can be added to your booking. If you are booking Group Flights with us on a BL+ trip then these transfers are included automatically.
Meals Not Listed
Any meals not specified in the itinerary.
Personal Expenses
You know your own spending habits best, so please budget an appropriate amount for things like optional meals and drinks, shopping, optional activities in Marrakech, laundry, and any extra snacks or personal items you may want during the trip.
UK Leaders on BL Trips
BL trips will not have a UK Bucket List Company Leader present.
Reviews
Add-ons
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a visa to enter Morocco?
Because entry requirements can and do change, and because we have clients of many nationalities, we always recommend checking this with your own government’s website. Be sure to allow enough time to apply for any visas or permits required; don’t leave your checks until the day before!
What vaccinations do I need?
These change, so it is important that you check with either a travel health clinic or your doctor’s surgery. You should allow plenty of time for this process, as some vaccines need multiple doses. The TravelHealthPro website is another useful source of information – https://travelhealthpro.org.uk/countries
How can I avoid roaming charges but still use my phone?
Your mobile provider might have reasonably-priced roaming add-ons, so it is worth exploring these. Or you could buy an eSim; these are often much cheaper than add-ons and are easy to activate and use. See our article for more information – https://thebucketlistcompany.co.uk/unlock-seamless-connectivity-with-esims-the-ultimate-travel-companion/
How do the monthly payments work?
If you choose to pay for your trip monthly your payment plan will start the month after your booking is made, and will end a minimum of 28 days prior to departure. After deposit, the outstanding balance will be divided by the number of months available and we’ll charge this amount each month to the card of your choice. If you have a preferred date of the month for payments to be taken just let us know. If at a later date you wish to add an extra experience to your trip we can modifiy your payment plan to accommodate this.
Can I use my drone to capture images on the trip?
No – drone use is forbidden in Morocco.
If you bring one with you it will be confiscated by customs, you will have to pay airport storage fees, and in some instances you may be fined.
Where can I get Moroccan dirhams?
As this is a closed currency you cannot obtain it outside of Morocco. It is easy to obtain dirhams on arrival in Marrakech; there are currency exchanges and plenty of ATMs.
How should I dress?
Whilst there is no dress code Morocco is a conservative country. Although tourists aren’t expected to fully cover themselves in public areas, it is always advisable to cover your knees and shoulders. Strappy tops and short shorts are a no-no. Loose, breathable clothing will help you in the heat.
Can you cater for different diets?
When you book you will receive a link to your portal, where you can fill in your passenger information, including dietary and medical requirements. These will be shared with our guides and providers (including airlines if you have also booked flights). Please provide this information as quickly as possible, so we can make any necessary arrangements for you.
Whilst we do our utmost to ensure your needs are met, in some locations options for very specific diets may be extremely limited; we therefore suggest bringing some suitable snacks.
If you have a severe food allergy please ensure you carry your medication at all times, and that we are made aware. We will pass this information on, but a conversation with your in-country guide on arrival will help them give you the best possible guidance regarding suitability or otherwise of foods.
If you have specific concerns we always suggest contacting us to discuss before booking.
Do I have to take all of my luggage on the trek?
No – you can leave any unnecessary items at the accommodation in Marrakech where they will be stored safely until you return. It is worth bringing an extra bag you can decant such items into.
How hard is Mount Toubkal?
Although you won’t need any technical experience (unless you’re climbing in winter), you will need to be physically and mentally prepared for consecutive trekking days.
Is altitude sickness a possibility?
You’ll be trekking to 4167m, so there is a risk. It’s for this reason we choose a longer ascent, to give more time for acclimatisation.
Will I be able to charge my phone on the trek?
There are plug sockets in the lodges, but we suggest bringing a power bank as there is likely to be lots of demand for charging!
Are there toilets on the route?
There are no toilets along the route, but there are bathrooms in the guesthouses for use in the mornings and evenings.
Is there WiFi?
There is Wi-Fi in the majority of the accommodations on the trek, however you won’t be able to get Wi-Fi in Tizi Oussem.
