Jebel Toubkal
Jebel Toubkal is a fantastic peak with all the ingredients for a great adventure. At 4167 metres the mountain is the highest peak in North Africa. It is also a beautiful mountain with an interesting ascent line and fantastic summit views. Toubkal is an ideal mountain for anyone – those new to mountaineering will love it and those with some mountaineering experience will still love it.
Toubkal is situated in the amazing North African country of Morocco which gives a further bonus of being very accessible for a short haul expedition from the UK. Having said that, don’t let that closeness fool you – once you experience the uniqueness of Morocco you’ll feel like you are somewhere very different – the friendly locals, the sights and sounds of the souks and the stunning countryside. This really is a special trip.
The Peak Mountaineering Difference
Peak Mountaineering is a specialist provider of mountain training and adventures. We provide all types of mountain adventures throughout the UK and each year we run a select range of mountaineering expeditions overseas.
The 2012 Jebel Toubkal expedition will be run by Peak Mountaineering’s owner, Paul Lewis. Paul holds the Mountain Instructors Certificate (the highest qualification available under the UK qualifications framework). He has vast experience of high altitude guiding and works full time as a mountaineering instructor. Paul will be supported by local guides and, depending on the size of the team, additional UK leaders.
Peak Mountaineering has an unblemished safety record because we make client safety our top priority. As well as using the best guides and in-country support we also run a UK incident management system during all overseas expeditions. This is headed by Caroline Lewis who, as well as being a very experienced expeditioner and qualified climbing instructor, has also summited this expedition’s target mountain and travelled extensively in Morocco. She will be the UK port of call while the team are overseas and can always be contacted.
To be suitable for this expedition you simply need a good level of fitness and a sense of adventure. Additional training will be provided once we arrive in Morocco. You are also welcome, at a 50% discount of £60, to come and attend one of our scheduled Outdoor First Aid courses (we’ll send you the dates when you book). As well as making you a qualified first aider you’ll also feel better prepared for the unexpected.
Our expeditions are competitively priced but we also want you to have a good standard of living during your expedition. The mountaineering phase is fully catered, the hotels and guesthouses will be simple yet comfortable and the food will be plentiful local fare. Having said that, this is a mountaineering expedition to a developing country so you’ll also need to be willing to go without a few luxuries along the way.
Expedition Itinerary
Please note that you will find many operators running Toubkal expeditions in 3, 4 or 5 day itineraries. They may be cheaper and you may get to the top – but in our opinion they aren’t as safe or as enjoyable as taking a bit longer. It takes time for your body to get used to the high altitude environment and that isn’t going to happen in a couple of days. Ascending to higher altitudes without proper acclimatisation is dangerous. Even if you do manage to cope with it, you are still likely to find the ascent harder than it needs to be. We prefer to take a bit longer, prepare your body with a more realistic ascent profile, and therefore let you enjoy the experience more.
Day 1: Flight to Marrakesh Airport. Transfer to hotel.
Day 2: Depart early in the morning to Asni by minibus along the road to Imlil. We meet up with our team of muleteers in Imlil (1750m altitude). We then trek over the Col de Tamatart (2227m), continuing on a dirt track. After the climb up Assaro, we camp at 2300m . 4.30 hours of trek.
Day 3: Departing early in the morning we have a long climb to Tizi n'lkemt (3550m). We have lunch at 2450m and after, we continue to our camp at the foot of Tizi t'Ourai (2900m). 6.30 hours of trek
Day 4: A very pretty and longish descent today, down to the berber villages with their traditional architecture. We then descend to the Nelter refuge where we camp at 3200m (6 hours trek).
Day 5: We ascend Toubkal (4167m) by the North route taking in great views of the Anti Atlas and the villages of Armd and Imlil on the way. Descending by the same route, we overnight in the village of Sidi Chamharouch. (2300m). It may, time permitting, be possible to continue on to Imlil to allow longer in Marrakech the next day (9 hours trek).
Day 6: In the morning we descend to the point where we started our trek, to meet the minibus and return to Marrakesh (unless already in Imlil in which case we can go directly to Marrakech). A afternoon in Marrakesh, celebratory evening meal and final night in the hotel.
Day 7: Fly home.
Expedition Dates
Saturday 29th September – Saturday 6th October 2012
The Other Stuff
We know expeditions of this type are expensive so we try to minimise additional expenditure. Tents are provided and all technical equipment except boots and sleeping bags are included in the price (and even these don’t need to be very technical). The clothing you wear can be mostly your normal hillwalking kit and there isn’t much else. Inevitably there’ll be a few other bits and bobs and we’ll give you plenty of guidance – but don’t feel you’ve got to come prepared for an ascent of Everest!
Expedition Price
Price per person £590
Inclusions
In country transfers to/from airport
In country accommodation
In country transport
In country meals whilst on trek
Mountain guides/porters/muleteers/mules
Cook for trekking phase
Tents for trekking phase
All technical equipment for Toubkal ascent
Exclusions
Transport to/from UK airport
Return flight from UK to Marrakech (but we can help with flight arrangements for you)
Meals and drinks in Marrakech
Optional tips for local guiding team (we’ll advise you on what the going rate is)
Entrance fees to religious monuments
Environmental Considerations
We know our expeditions pollute. Infact, every course we run pollutes. On our overseas expeditions we try to give as much back to the country as possible by using local providers. However, we also try and do a lot more. For all participants we purchase carbon offsetting credits for the flights we use. We do this at no extra charge to the clients. Peak Mountaineering also operates a ‘1% for the Environment’ scheme. This means we give 1% of our annual turnover (turnover…not profit) to environmental charities. This is a big commitment for a small business – but we are proud to do it. Finally, it’s the smaller stuff. Purifying water rather than leaving several hundred plastic bottles behind, emailing rather than posting letters and that kind of thing. Every little helps.
What Next?
You’ll probably have questions…..we’re all ears. Feel free to call on 01433620283 or email info@peakmountaineering.com and we’ll answer any questions. Once you want to book a place just let us know and we’ll send you a booking form. At that point we’ll also need a 50% deposit, which can be paid by cheque or BACS transfer. We look forward to hearing from you.
