Mount Toubkal Winter Ascent (4,167m)

Documents: - Passport & visa if needed - Travel insurance details - Boarding passes for flights - Wallet - Pen for filling in arrivals form Clothing: - 2-3 base-layer long-sleeve t-shirts (e.g. running t-shirts) - Fleece/soft-shell jacket - Waterproof jacket - Insulated jacket for warmth (e.g. Rab, Alpkit, Mountain Equipment) - Spare clothes for Marrakech - Underwear - Base-layer trousers - Trekking trousers - Waterproof trousers - Shorts - Swimwear for Marrakech (optional) - 4 thick wool mountaineering socks - Warm gloves and hat - Winter hiking boots that are well insulated, waterproof, and have good ankle support - Footwear for Marrakech - Sandals or comfortable shoes to wear around the refuge. - Wool hat - 2 – 3 pairs of gloves Miscellaneous: - Large rucksack for the mules/porters - Daysack (25-35L) - 3L of water bottles - Sunglasses - Suncream - Sunhat - Insect repellant - Hand sanitiser and wet wipes (useful to have for the refuge) - Glasses/contact lenses (if needed) - Sleeping bag (comfort rating of -5 degrees Celsius, available to rent £5) - Bathroom items, including travel towel - Female sanitary products - Electronics - Head torch, travel adaptor (French plug style), phone & charger - Lipsil - Book/mp3 player (optional) - Walking poles (available to rent £4) - Crampons (availlable to rent £8) - Ice axes (available to rent £5) Note that prices are based on the Moroccan Dirham and may fluctuate slightly.

We would recommend a good pair of hiking boots. They need to be warm, waterproof and have good ankle support. For those a little technically minded, a B2 boot, or similar would be ideal. Crampons and ice axes are available for rent in Imlil. Note that we usually expect snow from early January to mid-May, but some years, the snowy season lasts longer or is shorter than usual, so it's hard to predict exact conditions. Note that most normal boots can fit the crampons we hire here in Imlil. They are flexible. Here's a list of equipment we have available to rent (prices are for the entire trek); - Crampons: £8 - Ice axe: £5 - Gloves: £2 - Rain jacket: £3 - Sleeping bag: £5 Note that prices are based on the Moroccan Dirham and may fluctuate slightly.

Climbing Toubkal in winter (November- March) is a very different experience from the warmer months. Depending on annual conditions, snow covers the mountain top which brings additional challenges to the route. We usually expect snow from early January to mid-May but some years, the snowy season lasts longer or is shorter than usual so it's hard to predict exact conditions. The main difference if you are planning to trek during the winter months is that you will need additional equipment. Crampons and icepicks (which can be rented) become necessary to safely navigate the snow and ice-covered mountainside. This makes the trek somewhat tougher. We generally recommend winter treks for those with some prior mountaineering experience. You will also need additional, warm clothing layers. There is also a difference in the Toubkal summit route over winter months. In summer, you normally ascend from the west side and descend on the north. During winter, it's more common to return down on the west side (to avoid avalanche risk). The summit day can be 6 - 8 hours (with lots of breaks) so you do need a good level of fitness. We recommend training with jogging or sport 1-2 times a week, in the run-up to your trip. The descent from the Toubkal summit is long. From the summit back to the refuge is steep, there's about 3km of scree path which is sometimes slippery. So it's not recommended for someone who suffers from knee problems. The stage from the refuge back to Imlil is 11km, but it is easier.

Please see the 'Inclusions' section above

You can see the latest NHS advice at https://www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk/destinations/africa/morocco.

The minimum age for this trip is 18, or 16 with a parent/guardian.

It’s highly recommended you take out personal travel insurance. Travel cover protects you in the case of unforeseen circumstances, including cancellations, injuries, equipment loss, flight changes and other events that could negatively impact your trip. For this trip, you must get appropriate travel insurance for winter hiking up to 4,169m. It should include mountain rescue. We suggest specialist adventure travel insurers, [Rise & Shield](https://riseandshield.com/). They cover 100s of activities and are easy to deal with if you need to make a claim. They also cover unique scenarios, like trekking at altitude or emergency evacuation in hard-to-reach places, that ordinary travel insurance doesn’t cover. Alternatively, check out providers like the BMC and Dogtag.

Yes, we can cater for most dietary requirements. Please indicate this on the trip form before you go. We will also check with you on arrival.

We recommend taking only the essentials and keeping the rest in Imlil. In the summertime, the mules carry food to the refuge and can take some of your luggage for you (up to 8kg per person). Please pack this in a soft duffel bag. When there is snow, the mules can only carry the luggage to the snowline, which is usually around 2,600m. From here, you will need to carry your luggage to the refuge at 3,207m. It is possible to hire a porter to carry your bags all the way at an extra cost if needed. Simply message your Guide after booking to arrange this. On the summit day, take only a small day pack with essentials, as you'll return to the refuge.

Winter season (Nov – Mar) Winter can be quite cold on Mt Toubkal, with temperatures on the summit going as low as -18 °C. March starts to warm up with a higher chance of rain.

Yes, you can leave anything there that you don't need for the trek.

Each group is typically 12 people, with a maximum of 14.

On the first and last nights, you'll stay in a comfortable hotel in the village of Imlil. A variety of rooms are available, but usually, you will be sharing with one other person from the team. If you would like a private room, it's usually possible to book this. Single supplements cost £70 for the trip (2 nights in Imlil) and are to be paid in Morocco. On the middle two nights, you sleep in a mountain refuge on Toubkal. We sleep in shared dormitories which are typical of mountain refuges around the world. There is intermittent internet access and hot showers are not always available. Toilets are also very basic. Note that this refuge can be very crowded and the bathroom facilities are limited. We recommend bringing some hand sanitiser, toilet paper and also wet wipes. Snacks are available to purchase at these huts. It is worth taking small denominations of cash, as they sometimes do not have change available.

Day 1: No hiking Day 2: 4-5 hours (11km) Day 3: 6 hours (7km) Day 4: 6-8 hours (6km) Day 5: 3 hours (11km)

Start: There is an airport pickup from Marrakech Airport at 20h00, on the first day of your trip. Alternatively, if you have arrived early, we recommend you spend a few hours exploring Marrakech city. You can be picked up from the main Medina, in the city center (Jemaa el-Fnaa) at 19h30 pm. End: For return flights, you will be driven from Imlil at 10h00 am and dropped back in the city centre around 11h30. There is a possibility of direct airport drop off if needed (on request)

Wi-Fi is available in the hotels on the first night, however, it can be unreliable given the remote location. There is no internet available in the mountain refuge, and phone signal can be poor.

Where there are twin-share rooms, solo travellers will be paired with other solo travellers of the same sex. If this is not possible (for instance you are a woman and there are only men on your trip) you will get your own room, at no extra charge. You can also choose to book private rooms for the trip - to do this simply click "message your guide" from your dashboard (after booking) and they'll arrange all the logistics for you. You can then pay on arrival. The price is £30/night in Imlil and £90/night in the refuge. Single supplements are subject to availability. Note that in the refuge it's primarily set-up with dormitory-style rooms (typical of almost all high-altitude refuges ). This means that it's quite common to book a private room just for the parts in Imlil.

While it is the intention to adhere to the itinerary described, there is a certain amount of flexibility owing to conditions and, on occasion, it may be necessary to make alterations. Your guide will make dynamic risk assessments throughout the whole trek, and his or her decision is final.

Unfortunately, although the success rate for Mount Toubkal is very high, we can't guarantee summit success on every trip. Weather conditions, personal health, altitude effects and other circumstances may mean it's necessary for an individual or group to turn back. It is at the guides discretion to make a call and implement any itinerary changes as seen fit.

Yes! Many people choose to do this before the trip. You can use the group chat to arrange to meet other people from your team.

You will spend most of your time with the Berber-people of the Atlas Mountains who are very friendly and welcoming. However, if you decide to visit Marrakech before/after the trek, there is a higher risk of crime. You can see the latest travel advice from the FCO at https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/morocco .

Morocco has a strong tipping culture. Tipping is at the discretion of the guest and depends on your personal experience. At the end of your trip, if you feel that your guides and porters did an outstanding job, then tipping is greatly appreciated. A good rule of thumb is around 30 – 50 GBP per traveller.