Mt Toubkal Long Weekend

I absolutely loved my trip, which included the relaxed delights of Marrakech (sitting on a roof terrace drinking mint tea and visiting a beautiful tiled hammam) and lung-busting strenous walking and scambling to the summit of Mount Toubkal. I'm so grateful for the wonderful guides who helped me during the stay, particularly Abdi who held my hand and helped me get up and down the moutain! I'm also really grateful to the other members of our group who were funny, inspiring and kind.

This trip was fantastic, a really great way to see Morocco in a short time. Excellent leader and the food was outstanding!

Another faultlessly organized Exodus trip that did exactly what it said on the tin. We actually stayed on in Marrakech for 2 extra nights as, our group of 5, had not been before. I can imagine it being quite a rush otherwise, which is obviously what the trip is all about - doing the mountain in a weekend. Marrakech was a lot nicer than I imagined before I went, wide boulevards, gardens and very friendly people. It's only the centre with the souks and markets that are busy are touristy. The hotel is about 40 minutes walk from the centre, but cabs are plentiful and cheap and at least the walk is straight forward. We were there in Ramadan, which was actually fine as all the restaurants (& bars) were still open, but empty and it didn't inconvenience us at all. Marrakech feels quite cosmopolitan and open, although I did find people really didn't like having their photo taken, even from a distance. There seems so much for sale in town, far more than would be possible for tourists to purchase, so sales techniques are tough - you should be prepared for that. The mountain itself is fine - on the first day you walk for 2.5 hours, have lunch, and then for a further 3, until you reach the refuge, which is surprisingly solid and well built. Mules take your main luggage and the muleteers will prepare your food for you at the refuge. The beds are in dormitory rooms, which if full, would be very cozy, but our group of 6 had a room to ourselves and plenty of room. The climb to Toubkal summit starts early on day 2 and is a stiff climb of around 3-4 hours, depending on breaks. You only really begin to appreciate the views once you're approaching the summit as up to that point, you're walking through a valley staring at the Toubkal mountain in front of you. The views from the top, however, are amazing and worth the climb. The temperature in June was, on day 1, HOT .. I got very sunburned so take hats and cream. The climb to the summit required only a thin fleece (June). On the way down, you will slip on the scree slopes, and likely end up on your backsides a few times, but it's great fun. Once back at the refuge for lunch, you then head back down the valley to the hotel in Imlil, which is basic, but actually very pleasant (but they don't have beer) and then back to Marrakech. June departures do not need warm clothes (although apparently waterproofs if it rains - it didn't for us). I managed with a light fleece on the summit day. The heat means you will drink a lot of water, so a bladder for your rucksack is very useful. You can buy water at regular intervals on day one, but not between the lodge and summit. The lodge does sell soft drinks, but these can run out late in the day (as everything is brought up by mule) so buy some drinks on the route through the valley on day one.

I enjoyed every moment of my adventure and I would highly recommend it to anyone with a keen sense of spirit and up for a challenging experience.If your not physicallty fit you will find the experience more daunting but not impossible.

We love this experience, it was challenging however so insightful to be immersed into another culture and to experience a trek through the Atlas Mountains.

If you are short on time but love adventure, this is a great trip. The trek is challenging, you will need decent boots, and beware of the slippery scree but well worth the hard work. The night in the Refuge was quite the experience, a 16man bunk bed and breakfast at 2.20am so we could get to the top for sunrise. Hussain (our guide) and Lassan (the support guide) were great. I had a nasty bout of altitude sickness at the Refuge and Hussain took me higher to try and conquer it and feel better. The mountains are beautiful, the chef kept us well fed and time for a whiz round Marrakech too. Highly recommended.

Amazing value, a great few days away from it all and a great challenge for the fit hillwalker!

One of the best treks I have ever done. Organisation was without fault. Thanks tot he cooks and the boys helping with luggage and an excellent group, it was the most enjoyable experience I have ever had. Accommodation in Marrakech and Aron was comfortable. I liked the night stay in Aron when we walked down after the summit day. It was peaceful, good showers and dinner under the stars. I would recommend this trek to those who want a challenge or those who want to use this as a training to tougher treks such as Killimanjaro.

An experience of a lifetime. Absolutely incredible. Physically and mentally sensational.

This was a very good trip, and ideal for those who find it difficult to get the time off work for adventure, or in particular, those whose inbox floods if you take too much time off! The scenario around the summit of this peak is beautiful and the climb itself is a good test, but very achievable for those with a decent level of fitness.