Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

Reaching the top and seeing the landscape around me. It really is beautiful. Also, sleeping on the roof of the mountain hut due to it being too busy was great! It's those small things that make a trip an adventure.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Due to the time delay in writing this, I have forgotten his name, but he was an older gentlemen who was very knowledgable. I have been used to trips with quite a number of guides, so it was different operating with just one on this occasion. He could be a little impatient with some of the group, but ultimately he just wanted to get everyone to the top and down again within the weekend.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Do brace yourself for the mountain hut. It gets rammed! But it's full of all nationalities and as long as you don't mind joining in the fun, you will love the chaos. If you are very into your vanity in private quarters, I suggest seeking an alternative accommodation.

Suggestions

If it's snowing, when coming back down, go down the lower hills on your backside. You will see 'slides' etched out from people sliding down them, and they are a huge amount of fun.

Most Inspirational Moment

The summit was magical with commanding views of the Atlas Mountains looking toward Algeria. We had a very clear morning which made the ascent worthwhile

Thoughts on Group Leader

Mohammed was excellent. Quiet and reserved but knowledgable and reliable.

Advice for Potential Travellers

This is a challenge within most walkers reach. The mountain hut is a great experience for those who havent tried anything like that

Suggestions

A familarisation tour of Marrakesh would have been worthwhile but it is an easy city to orient yourself around.

Most Inspirational Moment

Reaching the summit, despite the weather. (we had all 4 season in 3 days, sunshine, snow, wind & torrential rain)

Thoughts on Group Leader

Overall good leader. Great level of English, kept us well informed of where to be and when. The second guide spoke no English, so couldn't really communicate with him at all.

Advice for Potential Travellers

It's not overly challenging from a technical aspect. Expect some scrambling on summit day to negotiate some large rocks, which can be rather slippery when wet. Take some good water proof gloves, several of us experienced very cold hands due to the inclement weather. It was the last of the summer trips, so weather wasn't the best on summit day, so ensure you do have good, warm and water proof clothing. Make sure to put all your belongings into dry bags inside your kit bag - they aren't water proof, and with the torrential rain we had on summit day, some peoples gear got a little wet. There's an abundance of places to purchase water and other refreshments, so no need to carry copious amounts with you at all times. One thing to bear in mind is change is in short supply, so it might be worth trying to obtain some smaller notes to aid shop keepers.

Suggestions

A great trip, well worth the effort just to say you've been to the top. Also time to explore Marrakesh on the Sunday.

Most Inspirational Moment

Reaching the summit on a beautifully clear morning and being rewarded with those views.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Should be fine if you've done a few mountains before.

Suggestions

Go for it!

Most Inspirational Moment

Definitely making the summit after having trouble with my breathing on the way up.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Not the most sympathetic of leaders. Seemed in a race to get each leg of the trip completed.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Definitely get some hill climbs in before doing the trip. Having said that most people had very sore legs afterwards.

Suggestions

The hired muleteer Omar was a star and went above and beyond his role, helping people on the ascent and descent.

Most Inspirational Moment

The views from the top of Mt Toubkal were humbling, and so beautiful. Equally inspring was walking back down through the mountain villages, that appeared even more beautiful than they had on the trip up.  The beauty and calm was spellbinding. 

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our guide Hassan was absolutely faultless; his attention to everyone's needs was quietly perfect and completely admirable. Absolutely lovely person and couldn't ask for better. 

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you enjoy being in mountains, don't hesitate --- do it!

Suggestions

I was expecting it to be a good trip, but it exceeded my expectations and was just magical.

Most Inspirational Moment

The last hike up towards the summit. Did not make it due to the weather. A snow blizzard which was somewhat amazing to be in. Never been in anything so strong, yet so breath taking. White all around the top of mountains. Truely a moment you have to see to believe. High as can be, covered in white.

Thoughts on Group Leader

He was a great leader. Spoke with us all. Helped us and guided us. Made the right decision in turning round when we did. Ensured we were well looked after and had everything we needed with us. Spoke on many things and told us many facts and the beauty of the sights we were seeing.

Advice for Potential Travellers

You'll enjoy every second. From start to finish. Plenty of bottled water to keep you going. Something you'll remember with great smiles and laughs and the known fact that you did it.

Most Inspirational Moment

When we realized how much we did in just 24 hours.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Aziz was great.  Kept a good pace and made sure everyone was enjoying the trip. 

Advice for Potential Travellers

Definitely plan a pool day when you get back to the hotel.  It was the perfect way to relax (We climbed in July, so it was easily 35c mid-afternoon)

Suggestions

Morocco is a great place, friendly people, and diverse scenery.  The food on the trip was excellent, and the Refuge was basic but clean and functional

Most Inspirational Moment

The night before the summit we slept in Refuge du Toubkal pretty basic but as I expected at 3207 meters up a mountain. Actually it was a great place. 30 people in a room, it was pretty cramped but added to the experience. The beds had mattersses and pillows and were comfy, food good fresh, toilets and showers were very basic but did the job. Expect to queue. It was all communal. http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_Review-g488109-d1057313-Reviews-Refuge_du_Toubkal-Imlil_Marrakech_Tensift_El_Haouz_Region.html  The 4 hours walk to the summit at 6am was very hard work. Steep, snow patches, lots of scree, I'd recommend taking a walking pole. In Mid May the wind was very high and very cold, sub zreo, the forecast was minus 12. It was freezing! All added to the challenge, and the great feeling when you bag the summit!!

Thoughts on Group Leader

This was my second trip up Toubkal, I also did this same trip in June 2011 with a different leader. In camparison, this leader was not very good, he was ok. He didn't meet us from the airport, I had to contact the UK office. Eventaully a non English speaking driver picked us (8 people) up. We checked in the hotel with no word of what the plan was. Eventaully the UK office advised me the leader would meet us all that evening. I expected this as soon as we arrived. Generally as we were walking he didn't keep the group (of 15) together, so we were all sprawled out. Tighter groups are more social and easier to chat to. Also he didn't point out any of the local history or points of interest as we went up the mountain. As I knew this already, I was giving more informatin out that the group leader! We had a back marker guide who didn't speak English, but he smiled a lot, even when it was frezing! On the whole I wouldn't let this put you off. I was dissapointing though.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Before the trip Exodus didn't say that you can check in one 20kg bag into the hold (on Easyjet from Gatwick). This bag also stays with you on the mountain and travels up on the back of a Mule. You can get access to the bag morning and night on the trek. Take your day sack for water, grub, fleece. Check the wather forecast before you go http://www.mountain-forecast.com/peaks/Toubkal/forecasts/4167There's plenty of chance to buy water, pop and nibbles on the mountain there were ~10 dirham (£1). We had a laugh buying some local woolly hats from a guy. Highly overpriced compaired to the souks in Marrackesh, but worth the entertainment!The hotel in Marrakesh is called 'Hotel Trois Palmiers' there are two by the same name, this is the smaller one - 3 star.  It was very nice, good location, with free Wi-Fi in the hotel reception !!!! This was great for contacting home as mobile costs are expensive. Skype worked well. I think it was £5 in a taxi to el fna square/ 20 - 30 mins walk, and there were lots of cafe's, shops, bars nearby/walking distance.http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_Review-g293734-d1931422-Reviews-Les_Trois_Palmiers-Marrakech_Marrakech_Tensift_El_Haouz_Region.html Altitude sickness affected a few people, particularly feeling nauseous can make or break a summit attempt - get tables from your GP just in case.

Suggestions

Morocco is dry so you'll struggle to buy a beer.  Only 4-5 star hotels and posh resturants sell it, but there is a hotel a few doors down from Hotel Trois Palmiers. They prefer you to dress nice, so blokes - take a polo shirt.

Most Inspirational Moment

The challenge of summitting Toubkal. Eating and shopping in the souks of Marrakech. Meeting like minded people from a variety of backgrounds and making new friends.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Assiz was very friendly, polite, calm and very well organised. He knew the routes on Toubkal very well and had great local knowledge generally. He was a little quiet at times for a leader and struggled a bit to always bring the large group together. He could have done with some more help i think as he had to guide a group of 15 people of varying ages/ability/fitness/experience up a 4,200m mountain (some of it in the dark) pretty much on his own which was not ideal. We were assisted by a further guide (who didn't speak) on the way down from the summit. A further English speaking guide would have worked well.

Advice for Potential Travellers

This is a serious mountain and a challenge. It's 4,200m at the top which is four times higher than a Scaffell Pike or a Snowdon in the UK. Do some training beforehand - you need to have a decent degree of fitness as the summit day is very long. The descent in particular is long and arduous being mostly on loose scree , snow and ice (we did it in early May). The temperature differences between the top and sea level are quite extreme so make sure you take enough layers (we needed thick gloves, 2 pairs socks on, 4 layers on top etc.) You don't need to worry too much about availability of food and water - Exodus feed you very well and there are endless opportunities to buy water, soft drinks, choclate etc. at reasonable prices on the mountain itself. Some of our group suffered from altitide sickness and 4 out of 15 didn't make the top. Take a selection of cash and cards - there are plenty of ATMs in Marrakech but the airport ATMs were not working. Make sure you visit the souks in Marrakech - there is a great vibe, food and gifts. Stay away from the aggressive snake charmers though!  Take headache tablets and immodium - many of our group suffered from the runs!

Suggestions

This trip is a fantastic break from it all and amazing value for money compared to other trips i have done - thoroughly recommend it!