TOUBKAL EXPERIENCE
3 days from September 30th to October 2nd or from October 7th to 9th, 2024
Before or after the ATLAS QUEST, discover Morocco’s, and North Africa’s, highest peak, the Djebel Toubkal is just a mere hike away from the ATLAS QUEST playground.
A great opportunity to climb a peak culminating above 4000 meters and easily accessible. Take advantage of your participation at the ATLAS QUEST to summit this mountain, either before to optimize your acclimatation before the race, or just for the pleasure of adding yet another summit to your mountain adventures.
One can register to the Toubkal experience together with registering for a race or for being an accompanying person. Should you be already registered you can add the Toubkal experience from your personal space.
Why acclimatize to the altitude ?
One of the characteristics of the ATLAS QUEST is itineraries at high altitude (average altitude is 2400 m). The start of all the races is at 2 620m and there are 6 cols above 3000m, one at 3690 – there are no other races with similar altitude profiles. It is quite possible to participate, and even perform, at the ATLAS QUEST without an acclimatization.
After listening to the feedback and requests from racers over the years, we decided to add the experience to climb the Djebl Toubkal to our race package, offering an additional chance to finish the race in good conditions as well as a possibility to discover new territories.
An all-inclusive package - 330€ (group 290€ for 10 pax)
If you have chosen to experience the Toubkal before the Atlas Quest, we will welcome you at the airport in Marrakech and transfer you to the village of Imlil (departure September the 30th at 18:00 from the airport), a Berber version of Chamonix, and you will stay in a charming inn. The following morning you will start hiking towards the Toubkal CAF mountain hut, accompanied by your mountain guide and mules to carry your bags. After an afternoon spent in altitude, a nice evening meal a good night’s sleep you will start very early in the morning, at the light of your headlamp. After summiting you will hike back down to Imlil. From there a shuttle will bring you ( to the ATLAS QUEST base camp at the end of the day)
Should you have chosen to exeperience the Toubkal after the Atlas Quest, you will be transferred to Imlil from Oukaimeden and after the experience from Imlil to Marrakech, Wednesday in the afternoon.
The perfect travel kit for a hike in the High Atlas
The ATLAS QUEST is staged in a high mountain environment. It is crucial to be equipped accordingly. At this time of the year, it is common to have warm and sunny days (temperatures between 20 and 30°C), however at night temperatures fall considerably (from 0° to – 10°C above 3000m). There are sometimes strong winds and rain, or snow showers may occur above 2500/ 3000 m.
In general, plan ahead remember you are in the mountains ad what might seem unnecessary suddenly becomes very important…
- Long pants and a pair of shorts forthe day,
- Technical T-shirts and long-sleeved base layer,
- Warm underwear and socks
- 1 down jacket,
- Warm fleece jacket,
- Waterproof top and bottom ( gore-tex or similar),
- Warm gloves and hat, buff, etc.
- 1 cap
- 1 pair of sunglasses
- 1 small backpack (~ 30L)
- 1 sleeping bag (0° C to 5°C)
- Toiletry and towel (fast drying)
- Sunscreen and lip balm,
- Survival blanket and a small knife,
- Headlamp and x-tra batteries,
- Hiking ortrail shoes (rugged mountain terrain, abrasive rock),
- 1 pair of walking sticks (optional but strongly recommended),
- Wipes and toilet paper,
- 1 small pharmacy including: paracetamol, anti-diarrhea drugs, antibacterial gel, antiseptics and plasters
- A tip for those who wear lenses: a moisturizer for the eyes is useful because the altitude, dry-ness and sun.
- A watch,
- Other personal belongings such as a camera, MP3, solar charger(you will find no electricity on the mountain).
Keep in mind that you are in a high mountain environment and your first concern remain
security. Though weather conditions are usually very good, bringing the adequate gear
makes it possible to adapt any unexpected changes in the weather.
