Morocco is a North African country with a vibrant and colourful Berber culture. The Atlas Mountains stretch across the country and are easily accessible from the city of Marrakech. On this trip you will visit the Mountains of the high Atlas and gradually ascend to Jebel Toubkal. Toubkal is the highest peak in North Africa and rises to 4,167m above sea level.
The high Atlas is one of the top trekking destinations in the World. The scenery is spectacular the food is good. During this trek you will visit sun scorched Berber villages and stay in local lodges (Gites) where accommodation will be shared in one or two large rooms. We eat traditional Moroccan food cooked by our Berber hosts. This is a fully supported trek to Toubkal, your main bags will be carried by mules and a cook will travel along with us keeping you well fed.
The guides, cooks and porters who work for us have done so since 2017 and are used to guiding LGBTQ+ people. We use a local company that is run by women and the Berber people are more liberal with a tradition opf welcoming all to their homes.
The price for this LGBTQ friendly Moroccan adventure is just £675 and includes all accommodation and transfers as well as all meals when trekking. Secure your place with a £150 deposit to Pride Expeditions.
Dates
5th - 12th October 2024 - Queer Out Here
Price £675 per person. You can secure your place by paying a £150 deposit below and pay the remainder by instalments. These will be spread out over the year. Full payment will be due two months before the start.
Airport transfer from Marrakech airport on arrival and departure.
3 nights Riad accommodation in Marrakech including breakfast at the start and finish of the trek. This is in twin rooms.
All meals during the trek
Four nights’ accommodation in local gites / lodges in the High Atlas in shared dormitories.
British International Mountain Leader and a Local Berber guide. These are guides who regularly work wi.th LGBTQ+ groups and subscribe to the Pride Expeditions ethos.
Fully supported trek with mules/muleteers to carry all baggage.
Transport to and from the mountains from Marrakech.
From late November to April snow is likely to be on the ground on the ascent of Mount Toubkal but the weather is mostly stable. The majority of our trips run in April-May and September-October. This is the best time to climb Toubkal. It will normally be warm during the day but often gets cold at night, often below freezing. Walking crampons and a walking axe may be necessary for the ascent of Toubkal during this time, particularly in April . These will be provided if they are deemed to be necessary by the trek leader.
A full and comprehensive kit list for trekking Mount Toubkal will be sent to you once you have paid your deposit for this trip.
DAY ONE 5th October - ARRIVAL IN MARRAKECH
Easy Jet flight times will be recommended to you once you have signed up for this trip. Please book yourself on these flights. If you are booking different flights or arriving earlier please be in Marrakech by 10pm
DAY TWO 6th October - MARRAKECH - TIZI N’AGUERSIOUÅL - TINGHOURINE 12km
Early departure from Marrakech by minivan. Winding our way up through the Moulay Brahim Gorge and Upper Valleys to arrive at the foothills of the High Atlas mountains and our trailhead of Aguersiouâl (1530m) at around 10am. We set out from here on foot towards the East up winding mule tracks to the Tizi Aguersiouâl (1938m). Overlooking Jbel Oukaïmeden the beautiful undulating plateau stretches ahead of us. After a short break we set off down to the Assif Imenane Valley, passing through several Berber hamlets and thence down to Ikkis (2100m) where we stop for our lunch. After a shorter afternoon walk we enter the hamlet of Tinghourine where we overnight in a Berber house. (Total walking time approximately 4-5 hrs)
DAY THREE 7th October - TINGHOURINE - TIZI-N'TAMETERT - IMLIL 10km
From Tinghourine village with it's sweeping views of the Aksoual Massif we will follow the large sweeping zigzags of the dirt road, or the shorter, slightly steeper and rougher, but well graded mule tracks, eventually arriving at the col of Tizi Tamatert (2279 metres). From here you get fine views of the upper Imenane valley, and the mountains of Oukaimeden (3262 metres), Angour (3614 metres) And Iguenouane (3882 metres). After a short rest at the col we descend more steeply into the fertile Mizane Valley and the large village of Imlil. From here we go up the valley through small irrigated fields and pasture to the village of Arroumd and our house for the night. (Total walking time approximately 4 hrs)
DAY FOUR 8th October - AROUMD - TIZI M’ZIK - AZADEN VALLEY - AZIB TAMSOULT 14km
We set off today towards Tamsoult. Our track takes us through an amazing couloir of stunning red and bluish rocks until we reach the Tizi M’Zik (2664m) where we will get views of the Jbel Oukaïmeden range, the high plateau of Tazaghârt and of the beginning of the renowned Valley of the Assif Aït n’Ouissedene with its numerous palmerias. After we reach this point and we now start our descent through woods of juniper and pine of the valley created by the Jbel Tasghimout (2664m) and the Adrar Adj (3729m). Eventually we reach the high summer pastures of Azib Tamsoult (2300m) where we will spend the night at Tamsoult lodge (Total walking time approximately 5 hrs.)
DAY FIVE 9th October - AZIB TAMSOULT - TIZI AGUELZIM - TOUBKAL REFUGE: 13km 1,300m ascent 10hr day
After a very early breakfast we set out for a 3½ hour trek gradually ascending to arrive at Tizi Aghelzim (3560m), again giving us some awesome views of the jagged peaks and verdant valleys of the High Atlas. From here we set off downhill for a two hour trek towards the Mouflons Refuge where we will have our lunch. Dinner and accommodation in beautifully situated and well equipped Mouflons Refuge at 3207m. It is important to get plenty of rest today ready for our ascent of Toubkal in the morning.
DAY SIX 10th October- TOUBKAL REFUGE - SUMMIT JBEL TOUBKAL - IMLIL - MARRAKECH: 15km 12 hr day
The climb to the summit of Toubkal takes around four hours from the Mouflons Refuge. Nowhere on the climb are there any technical difficulties, but it is a long and tiring ascent. The initial part of the climb is done in the very early hours of the morning when it will still be dark, but by the time we reach the Tizi-n-Toubkal col at 3941m the sun will have risen and we will be rewarded with sensational views across the entire Atlas chain. From the col the route ascends a ridge line towards the summit at 4167m from where we have views in all directions. To the north we can look down over 7000 feet to the village of Aremd, whilst to the south we can gaze over the line of rocky peaks stretching out across to the Sahara. After a long rest and numerous summit photographs we begin our 2 to 3 hour descent back to the Mouflons Refuge for lunch. After our lunch we follow a well-defined mule track zigzagging above the river to arrive, finally, at the Berber village of Imlil (1740m), where we rejoining our vehicle at around 1630h to take us back to Marrakech.
DAY SEVEN 11th October - MARRAKECH
A free day to explore the sights and sounds of Marrakech and get some last minute bargains in the Souks surrounding Jemaa el-Fnaa.
DAY EIGHT 12th October - MARRAKECH - UK
Return home. A transfer back to Marrakech airport is included in the price.
Morocco has been a favourite destination for Queer travellers since the 1960's. The warm and welcoming people are fairly liberal in their outlook and tolerant of what happens behind closed doors. Our Moroccan in-country guides are aware and supportive of the ethos of Pride Expeditions and are ready to welcome you and show you the delights of the Atlas mountains regardless of your sexual orientation or gender identity. They will not want to delve into your personal life but will be professional and support you on your climb of Toubkal no matter who you are. They are open and un-judgemental and you are welcome to be yourself and not hide who you are. It is worth bearing in mind the local culture and we recommend not making public displays of affection, wearing revealing clothing or wandering around on your own at night in Marrakech.
“An extremely well run trip. Good group and very adventurous!”
“Local guides were very capable and experienced and our leader, Ania, was outstanding. With her bubbly and intelligent personality she integrated seamlessly with a very mixed gay crowd and certainly added significantly to the overall success and great atmosphere of the whole experience.”
“Marrakech accommodation was somewhat basic but well located and given the great price point of the overall expedition entirely acceptable. Highly recommended all round. ”
