Toubkal is the highest peak in the Atlas Mountains and as with many mountains at its absolute best with its winter coat on. It was a spectacular few days in sub zero temperatures which adds a challenge to the walk that is technically not difficult. Sadly I missed out on the great views but ice and snow added so much for the experience. Summer would be good as well because this is a great area of the world
I've 'done' J T in winter also, by 'normal' routes from Imlil and NE Ridge. Pity you didn't get the views as they are spectacular. From the Med in the North to the Saraha in the South.
Going by your report you didn't have the 'best of times', especially in Marra. I've spent a while longer than 2 days there and have found it a great place. It's by no means a 'dry' place, even outside main hotels. I have also found that the people are friendly, willing to help AND are NOT always "looking for something".
You have to realise that they have a very different lifestyle to the 'west', if you can adapt to that you should have no problems. They also 'go' by the "barter" system, the first price quoted will always be more than they will expect to get!!
I have found that if you drop the price to 1/3rd, sometimes less, you will end up gettig it for @ 40-50% of origianal price. So you both end up happy!!!
Im looking at doing Toubkal this September with about 9 friends, we did Kili last February and now want to find another challenge, what company do you advise to use ? we used the Adventure company for Kili who used Tropical Trails on the ground in Tanzania. anyone with any advice for the country, weather, special gear to take, websites with good info etc etc would be appreciated.
DC - there was a thread on this around December time I think - you might get some ideas there - I did it with Exodus, a decent company IMO but you may pay more with them(?)
With out being biased, or any thing to do with them. If you are looking for a company to go to the High Atlas with, try www.toubkalmountainguides.com all from Western Countries like GB, USA, etc. and all live and work in Morocco.
A good read, sorry you didn't have the best of trips, i love Morocco and the High Atlas and have spent quite some time in thr mountains and liven in Morocco on and off for nearly 25 years. Good on you for going up in the winter, a good decision to take a guide even if you don't another time. In winter it is imperative unless you know the area.
DC, in the summer you can get away without a giude as the path is pretty clear and anyhow, you are unlikely to be the only peiople going up Toubkal on any given say outside winter. To an extent you don't even need to book with a company but the advantage of doing so is that if things don't turn out as they should then you have someone on your side who speaks the language so if it is your first tip it is probably much better to have arrangements made for you. All the times I went up to Imlil i always set up accomodation (if I was statying overnight) ahead of time, it is a popular place and a little bigger than Jonny describes in his blog.
Toubkal in September should be fine but have bad weather gear with you, always in the Atlas the weather can change after 1400 hours and in Morocco the rains can start in September and be torrential. Take a book and a pack of cards. There are no Religious holidays in September - because it was Eid al Kebir Jonny will have had difficulty getting alcohol as freely as can usually so September should be fine. As the UK early September is the rentree scolaire (beginning of the school year) so if you can go in the secong half there will be frewer kids about but beware that the whole of October will be Ramadan whne Moslems fast from dawn to dusk and no matter what they tell you tempers can fray quickly so if you don't have to be there then avoid it!
Marrakech is lovely in my opinion, the souks and old city square are magical, some great museums there too. If there are beggers (and there are way fewer than in the 80's) then just say police, police if you don't want to give them somehting. Morocco has realised how much they rely on tourism and police will intervene if they see a tourist being hassled. Hassle happens more around religious festivals when people need money more urgently.
You'll have a great time, it is a lovely place to visit.
Hi DC, The trip I did was with Exodus as well. The organization was fine but we had one dodgy guide + one excellent one. Totally agree with NickNick a guide is essential in winter but probably not in summer. Toubkal itself is a great hill, sadly the weather we had was not up to appreciating the surrounding hills which are meant to be excellent. Bad weather is bad weather which I guess is always a risk wherever you are! Having said that, and you can see from the pictures on my original link, doing Toubkal in the snow is excellent fun - with a guide it is safe so that would be my recommendation.We were out on the hills for 4 days/3 overnights.
I'd agree with Jonny, Toubkal and surrounding area is an exellent place to vist, summer or winter. If going in summer I'd book accomodation before travelling as is very busy.
As NickNick said, I've found Marrakech a wonderful place to visit, loads to see and do. Beggers are few and far between these days, last time I was their, April 2010, I only saw one, who was 'moved' on pretty swiftly by police, the whole week I was there.
Travelling during Ramadan can be different. Tempers can be a bit short. I'm not sure but I recall hearing the courts where 'easier' on people during then, because of this. Maybe NN would know better/more.
Thanks for the reply's guys, I will take a look at the companies you have mentioned, im suprised they have alcohol in a muslim country but will be glad when the trek is over, we are looking at trying to get a 7 day trekk to help with the acclimatisation, im glad to hear their will be normal ish weather and huts as I had a nightmare deciding what to take out my kit bags for Kili, at least I dont have to buy anymore big kit now im into the trekking adventures, I had to change my name to DC2 as I could not log on for some reason, anyhoo plenty of time to research this trip and train for it. Thanks and I will get back to you if need some more of your wisdom and experience.
Morocco is a muslim country, 99% anyhow but they have a thriving beer and wine brewing industry. Don't get the cheapest stuff possible, try Speciale beer and Gerrouane wine.
Beer is beer but Gerrouane is a pretty basic wine but fine I thought. Try Amazir too.
.jpg)
