The mountain peak of Toubkal is one of the highest in the Atlas Mountains. It is located in Africa, namely in Marrakech. Her landscapes are incredibly beautiful and immediately remain in your heart. More and more tourists who love sports holidays are seeking to travel here. And itβs not surprising, because Toubkal is considered a year-round trekking destination. Many people prefer to conquer it in the summer, but in winter it is not so difficult to climb it.
If you are still wondering where to relax during your next vacation, you can go to Mount Toubkal whenever you want!
Let’s find out more about her.
Location
Mount Toubkal in northern Africa is not the only four-thousand-meter peak. Uanukrim and Timesguida are located nearby and are 4083 and 4088 meters. However, it is Toubkal that is the highest point in Morocco, the Great Atlas, as well as the northern part of the African continent.
Its largest massif has two peaks: the main one, 4165 meters high, and Toubkal βOuestβ, a little smaller – 4030 meters high. The approach to the main peak is not difficult and follows a rocky path, and that is why it attracts so many tourists and those who want to climb it.
The second one is considered more difficult and is located on the right side of the beginning of the classic route. The massif is difficult to overcome alone, and also requires experience in mountaineering and rock climbing.
Many compare the peak with the Caucasus and the Alps due to the similar type of relief and foldability.
How to get there?
Tourists most often begin their journey to the top from Marrakech. The nearest settlement is Imlil.
- The cost of a taxi in Imlil is usually 300-400 dirhams – 30-40EUR
- You can make the trip using a minibus, then there will be a transfer to Asni. This is beneficial, because it is much cheaper – travel from the station to Asni, and then to Imlil will cost only 40 dirhams.
Climbing Features
The peak is suitable for experienced climbers and novice tourists who have never climbed anywhere before.
Typically, a trip to the top of Toubkal takes 2-3 days in summer. On the first day, tourists climb to the shelter of the same name, and on the second day they climb accompanied by a guide.
The cost of just climbing Toubkal in the summer will cost you 400-500 euros per person, if you continue your vacation after the climb and plan a trip to the desert and ocean, then the cost of the trip will be about 1100 EUR.
The cost of the service includes:
- professional guide;
- drivers and mules;
- cooking by a chef;
- accommodation, including overnight, in a shelter and Marrakech;
- transfer;
- food on the track.
Every person who decides to conquer the peaks of the Great Atlas can do it on their own! But, although Morocco is a warm country, it is important to take into account that winter in the mountains is very cold and there is a lot of snow. At altitudes of 2000 meters, the temperature can be -5…-10 degrees Celsius, and if you rise even higher, it will be even colder.
Trekking
The route to the top of the Atlas Mountains begins from the small town of Imlil. The settlement is located a 60-minute drive from Marrakech, and is literally squeezed into the Great Atlas gorge at an altitude of 1700 m.
The entire route consists of 2 days. On the first day, equipment is selected, information about the route is read, and on the second day the climb to the mountain itself is made.
The road to the top is divided into three parts:
- Transfer to the Toubkal shelter (9-kilometer section with elevation changes of up to 1400 m). In this area, things are carried by mules; you can give them about 60 kilograms of cargo or no more than 4 bags.
- Assault on the summit. From Toubkal shelter to the highest point
- Descent down.
From Imlil to the mountain shelter, the journey takes no more than five hours. After a short rest, the group prepares to climb the classic assault.
Climbers from the shelter start at 5-6 am. If pilgrims want to watch the sunrise at the top, then it is better to go for the assault at 3-4 in the morning.
Most of the climb is rocky trail, but there are some rocky outcrops at the start and below the summit. In winter, some of the places are icy and there is steep firn, so the climb requires crampons. To climb Toubkal, trekking poles are required, even in summer.
When climbing in the spring, you need to take into account that there is a lot of snow on the mountain, which freezes at night and melts during the day, making it difficult to descend.
The height of Mount Toubkal is 4165 m, from which you can clearly see the peaks of the Great Atlas.
The descent down from the top takes 2-3 hours. From the shelter in another 3-4 hours you can run down to Imlil.
The two-day climb is suitable for people with good physical fitness. Thus, you can leave Marrakesh in the morning, go to the mountain on the second day and be back in Marrakesh in the evening of the second day.
What equipment to choose?
For those who are planning to conquer the Moroccan peak, they should be well prepared with all the necessary equipment and equipment.
It is important to take the following things with you:
- a warmer sleeping bag;
- shoes that don’t get wet;
- warmer clothes and underwear (including warm gloves with a hat);
- trekking pole and shoe covers.
When hiking outside of summer, it will be enough to take a demi-season sleeping bag and simple three-layer clothing.
If the hike takes place in the summer, be sure to take sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses and windproof clothing.
The shoes you choose should be durable and firm, and should support your foot well. Trekking boots are best for winter treks, and trekking sneakers are best for summer treks. Also in winter you must have cats to help you move around the firns.
A storm jacket is a must-have piece of equipment at any time of the year, because the weather here changes very often.
In general, it is better to visit Morocco to climb to the top of Toubkal in the off-season – in spring or autumn. At this time there is no such sultry heat, and there is no cold in the mountains. During the day the temperature reaches up to 20 degrees, and at night it can drop to zero degrees. The mountain slopes are covered with snow.
In Imlil you can rent equipment such as crampons, ice axes, poles and even trekking shoes.
Video about Toubkal and Morocco
Let’s summarize
Morocco is a very bright, colorful country, there are a lot of architectural and natural monuments listed in UNESCO, and a unique combination: mountains, the Atlantic Ocean, the Sahara Desert, history and color make this country very popular. We invite you to make an interesting trekking and climbing + an interesting sightseeing tour. There are three programs to choose from.
