2 Day Mount Toubkal Trek with Guide + Accommodation

Mount Toubkal, simply magnificent

The sunrise was splendid at the top of Mount Toubkal

via Tripadvisor (translated)

Made it to the top…

We made it to the summit and back… that’s about the only positive thing I can say unfortunately. We found the company via GetYourGuide around Eid al-Adha. We were desperate to complete the hike despite the festive season meaning local closures. We were prepared for delays but there were more complications than anticipated. Firstly, we were picked up from the airport by private taxi to join the rest of the group (many thanks for the flexibility). However after this, we felt rushed to catch up. To no avail though as we were held up at the hike’s police check for about an hour due to our guide having an issue with his identification. Against all odds, we made it through and had lunch around 3pm. We hiked to base camp and were offered tea and biscuits. Only some of the tents were set up, the bathroom was “behind the big rock” (literally, there was no actual toilet there). Speaking with the rest of the group, some were meant to be picked up the day before but got delayed, others expected to be in the hut but showed up in tents. Some were specifically asked not to disclose how much they had paid for the tour as others paid more (90 euros vs 160). There were not enough sleeping bags for everyone and so I had to borrow one of the guides. When I booked, I was told there would be two person tents and price included all equipment rental but we slept in a 4 person tent (which had holes) and were charged extra for sleeping bags, hiking poles etc. We were not offered crampons, nor were we given the option anyway. Some people had already paid for crampons, others had crampons in their suitcase back in the village but weren’t told they would be required. We made it to the summit and back, but the guides were often rushing us along, refusing to stop for breaks and blaming us for wasting time. Despite this, one guide was sympathetic when I got altitude sickness and was struggling to descend - I am truly grateful for his patience and kindness despite pressure from his colleagues. He let me use his crampons when I was slipping all over the trail due to exhaustion - actually all the guides lent their personal crampons to those in the group that were struggling. We were about the only group without crampons. We essentially had ski down some rather slippery and sketchy parts of the trail. We made it down to base camp, then had lunch and packed up before hiking back to the village. Some of the group left our packs to be carried down by mules - unfortunately those mules arrived 9 hours after we departed and the group waited around in the village for hours. My partner and I were offered a private taxi back to Marrakech (actually the minibus was full so there was no choice) and we were asked by the other customers to bring their bags back. We waited for hours with no dinner (all restaurants closed due to Eid) before eventually more staff made it back and offered us food. A taxi hadn’t even been confirmed due to Eid, and there was no answer as to why the bags were so delayed - when we asked if we’ll end up sleeping there the answer was “no no… maybe - no! No.” Against all odds, the bags arrived an hour after dark, and there was a taxi to take us back to Marrakech. Hassan was very apologetic and offered to pay for our taxi ride back to Marrakech airport when we leave. We got back to Marrakech past 11pm and personally returned bags to three other customers by coordinating with them via whatsapp the next day (they heard nothing from the tour operators). We made it to the summit and back down the day before Eid. I appreciate that everybody has bad days and I hope this was one of theirs, but I would feel negligent not to warn others to take caution. I’ve rated 2 stars because we reached the summit, and some of the staff were sympathetic and apologetic about the experience. (Please note the photos shows everyone with crampons and a safety rope - not realistic)

via Tripadvisor

Amazing experience

What an experience. I have used Hassan for 3 years - each time spending time trekking the Atlas Mountains. Fantastic / Amazing experience In Hassan you have a person that cares very much about the Atlas Mountains and the Berber people - his English is great and I learned a lot about the mountains and the Berber people. There are other more commercial trips you can do - but if you want to learn about the Mountians and the Villages - Hassan is your man. You come away feeling you have had an amazing experience and in Hassan made a friend for life - indeed we have kept in touch over the last 3 years and I look upon him as a true friend. On this occasion I had COVID 8 weeks ago and was very tired - Hassan walked me up to the top of Toubkal very aware of my pace - was amazing to see the peak again A great experience and a learned much more about the mountains and the Berbers. For Hassan this is not a business - this is wanting to share the beauty and magnificence of the Mountains and the people. Thank you my good friend.

Response from the operator: Many thanks to you

via Tripadvisor

HIGHLY recommend! Amazing experience!

We are so thankful for Hassan and his team - for providing us with an unforgettable experience in Morocco on our private tour. Because of Hassan's planning, we were able to hike and summit Toubkal (AMAZING!!!), as well as see the Dades Gorges and spend time in the Sahara (camel right and overnight in the desert). Hassan took care of EVERYTHING for us - we simply had to show up and enjoy. Thank you Hassan!!

Response from the operator: Thank you so much

via Tripadvisor