Climb Mount Toubkal for Barnardo’s

This trek is accompanied by professional English-speaking local guides who have an excellent knowledge of trekking in the region and are first aid trained. You will also be supported by a full support crew of cooks, muleteers (and mules) and a Different Travel Company UK tour manager.

The terrain is generally very stony and dry with some sections of loose scree and small boulders you may have to scramble over. There may be snow on the ground. Towards the summit there may be exposed areas but your guides will offer you support throughout. There will be lots of uphill sections and subsequent descents so it is very important that you have done adequate training on hills before departure.

Temperatures in the Atlas Mountains in September can reach highs of 33°C but wind chill may make this feel colder and temperatures can drop to around 10°C after the sun sets. Some snow may remain on the higher slopes of Toubkal and if conditions require it you may need to use crampons (which can be hired in Imlil if required – approx. €5 per day). It is unlikely that snow will fall during the trek, however it is not impossible. Although the temperatures and conditions above are historically accurate, climate change can impact the seasons so you may experience uncharacteristic conditions during the trip which are out of our control. Should this happen the guide will assess the situation and make decisions to ensure the best enjoyment and ultimately the safety of the group as a whole.

Typically breakfast comprises bread, eggs and hot drinks. Lunch will be bread, cold salad, fresh and dried fruits. Evening meals tend to begin with a hot or cold salad, followed by a tagine (a traditional fish, chicken or lamb stew with vegetables served in a clay pot) served with bread and couscous (made from semolina) accompanied by vegetables. A cup of sweet mint tea is commonly used to end the meal.

You will stay in a guesthouse in Imlil for one night before the trek, camp near the refuge on the mountain for two nights and then spend the final night of the challenge in a hotel in Marrakech. While camping you will be provided with a foam mattress but you will need to bring your own sleeping bag suitable for temperatures as low as 0°C.

There are shower facilities at the hotel and guesthouse but there are no bathing facilities at camp. It is recommended that you bring a small pack of baby wipes however, during the trek you may be able to use the shower at Toubkal refuge (for a fee). You should bring your own towel and environmentally friendly toiletries.

At the hotels the toilets will be Western style. There are some toilets at the Toubkal refuge which are basic, shared and mostly squat toilets that usually flush. During the trek your support crew will dig a hole in the ground near your campsite and cover with a privacy tent. You will need to bring your own toilet paper as this is not provided. If you wish to use the toilet during the days on the trail, you will need to find a bush/rock as there are no toilet facilities along the trail. NEVER leave toilet paper or other litter on the trail.

During the trek you will need to pack up any toilet paper you use in a nappy bag to dispose of properly at camp.

You must be aged at least 18 to participate unaccompanied. It may be possible for you to participate if you are aged 16 or 17 years old if you are accompanied by a parent or guardian–please contact us for advice. There is no upper age limit. An ideal candidate for the trek would be someone who enjoys being out of their comfort zone and trying something new.

You are strongly advised to train to a good fitness level before departure to ensure fast recovery from each day’s walk. The distances covered may not be great but you must be prepared for, and be capable of, trekking for many hours a day on steep, rough terrain while carrying a daypack of around 6-8kg in weight. If you attempt to complete the trek without training, it will be unnecessarily challenging and will hinder your experience, and the experience of your teammates.

The summit of Toubkal is 4,167m however exposure to altitudes above 3200m (the elevation of your campsite) is limited to the trek from camp to the summit (4,167m) and back over the course of 4-6 hours. As such there is only a small chance of altitude related symptoms.

The kit list for this trip can be downloaded here.