you can be consulted:
Dmytro Horbatov
In one week we will see the High Atlas in winter and the dunes of the Sahara. From Marrakech we drive to Imlil and hike up to the mountain refuge, from where we climb Toubkal – the highest peak in North Africa. After the descent we head across the Atlas passes, through the Dades Valley and the Todra Gorge to the sands of Erg Chebbi. We spend a night in a desert camp and return to Marrakech.
A winter route in the High Atlas and a night among the dunes, all within seven days.
A camp among the Erg Chebbi dunes and a morning camel ride.
After returning from the desert, you can join a group dinner at a restaurant and fly home the next day.
You get not only the Toubkal ascent but also a chance to get to know Morocco, a country with a distinctive culture.
We do not cancel or postpone groups. Once your consultant gives the go-ahead to buy a ticket, you can book with confidence. The program will not be cancelled through any fault of ours.
Experienced Kuluar team leaders who have been to Morocco many times accompany participants throughout the program.
Over the years, our club has developed a system that lets us organise hikes and ascents to the highest standard. You can see this for yourself by applying to join.
Going on an ascent with Kuluar lets you save significantly on gear.
ARRIVAL IN MARRAKECH
We fly into Marrakech and make our own way from the airport to the hotel. After check-in we meet the group, go over the plan and check our gear for the winter climb.
If arrival times allow, we take a walk through the medina and Jemaa el-Fnaa square. In the evening we can have dinner together; everyone pays for their own order.
MARRAKECH, IMLIL AND THE TOUBKAL REFUGE
After breakfast we drive to Imlil. This is where the hiking begins: the trail leads through Aremd and the Mizane Valley past Sidi Chamharouch.
We gradually gain height, leave the villages behind and reach the mountain refuge at about 3,206 m. We have dinner and get ready for an early start.
By car: about 65 km. On foot: about 11 km, elevation gain about 1,400 m.
TOUBKAL ASCENT (4,167 m) AND DESCENT TO IMLIL
We set off early in the morning. The climb to Toubkal crosses high-mountain terrain, which in winter may be covered in snow or ice. The pace depends on the group's condition and the weather.
If conditions allow, we reach the summit, then return to the refuge and descend to Imlil. This is the longest and hardest day of the trip. In the evening we rest at a guesthouse.
No driving. On foot: about 17 km, elevation gain about 950 m, descent over 2,300 m.
ACROSS THE ATLAS TO THE DADES VALLEY
After breakfast we set off south by car. The road crosses the High Atlas via the Tizi n'Tichka Pass. Mountain villages, dry slopes, oases and fortified settlements pass by the window.
If time allows and the route is agreed, we may stop near Ouarzazate or Ait Benhaddou; these visits are not a guaranteed part of the day. In the evening we arrive in the Dades Valley.
By car: 350 km. Walk: approximately 2 km, time permitting.
TODRA GORGE AND THE ERG CHEBBI DUNES
In the morning we drive to the Todra Gorge. We stop by the towering cliffs and take a walk through the valley.
Then we continue to Merzouga. Towards sunset we ride camels to a desert camp. We have dinner and spend the night among the Erg Chebbi dunes.
By car: 250 km. Walk: approximately 4 km.
SUNRISE IN THE SAHARA AND RETURN TO MARRAKECH
We wake up before dawn. After a morning camel ride we return to Merzouga, have breakfast and set off for Marrakech. The drive takes almost the whole day, with stops for lunch and rest. On arrival we check in to the hotel. If we have the time and energy, we go to a restaurant together: everyone pays for their own order.
If you plan to fly out on the evening of day six, choose a flight after 22:00 and allow time for the transfer to the airport and check-in. Because of the long drive and possible delays, the arrival time cannot be guaranteed. The safer option is the hotel night included in the program and a flight on day seven.
By car: 550 km. Walk: approximately 3 km, time permitting.
DEPARTURE FROM MARRAKECH
Breakfast at the hotel. Before the flight you can take another walk around the city or relax. We head to the airport. The trip ends.
Breakfast at the hotel, transfer to the airport and departure; no overnight stay.
This is a winter ascent to over 4,000 m without a separate acclimatisation day. You need good physical fitness, warm clothing and gear for snow and ice; we will confirm the final list before departure.
The KULUAR team leader and a local mountain guide will assess the conditions and the state of the group and change the plan if necessary. The summit is not guaranteed, and after the mountain section long drives await us.
Before buying tickets, check which documents you need to enter Morocco and to return to your country of residence. For Ukrainian citizens, the visa procedure depends on the documents the person holds abroad. Details are in the question “Do Ukrainians need a visa for Morocco?” below.
Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months after your return date – please check this before buying flights.
To take part in the trip, you must not have any medical conditions incompatible with active tourism: see the list here.
Yes, travelling on a Ukrainian passport requires a Moroccan visa. Some travellers can apply for a tourist eVisa online through the official Accès Maroc portal. This requires a passport valid for at least 90 days on the date of application and one of the following:
The route is rated above average in difficulty. Summit day is long, the elevation gain is significant, and winter adds technical demands. You need good physical fitness and to be ready to move in the mountains for 9–10 hours.
If you have not used crampons and an ice axe before, let us know before signing up: your preparation and the suitability of your gear need to be discussed in advance.
The summit attempt depends on the weather, the state of the snow and the route, and how the participants feel. The KULUAR team leader and the local mountain guide make the decision on the spot. There is no spare day for a second attempt.
The program includes six nights: two at a hotel in Marrakech, one at the mountain refuge below Toubkal, one at a guesthouse in Imlil, one at a hotel in the Dades Valley and one at a camp among the Erg Chebbi dunes. At the refuge and the camp, accommodation is shared; elsewhere the choice of room type will be limited.
The drive from Imlil to Dades takes approximately 7 hours, and the next day to Merzouga about 6 hours. The return to Marrakech takes approximately 8 hours. Travel times may change due to weather, road conditions and stops.
You can consider a flight after 22:00, but after the long drive from Merzouga there is still a risk of being late. A night at the hotel in Marrakech is included in the price, so it is more convenient to fly out during the day on day seven.
Insurance covering climbs up to 4,500 m is mandatory for this program (the summit of Toubkal is 4,167 m). Please do not neglect this: for some participants it has saved thousands of dollars. You will find our recommendations on getting insurance here: "Insurance for Kuluar hike participants"
Take a bank card with a chip. Chip cards are accepted absolutely everywhere, you won't even need to see the local currency. A card with only a magnetic stripe, however, may let you down. Also, don't forget to ask your bank not to block your card abroad, if necessary.
The price depends on the number of participants:
| Number of participants | Value |
|---|---|
| 5 and more | 1080€ |
| 4 | 1200€ |
| 3 | 1400€ |
| 2 | 1800€ |
The total mandatory expenses not included in the price start from 200 euros. In addition to the mandatory expenses, we recommend bringing a reserve of at least 250 euros.
👉 See: payment methods and refund terms in case of cancellation or leaving the route
*Please note: your consultant will help you find and choose flights and recommend an insurer, but buying them is not part of their job. Participants do this themselves or contact our partners; all contacts are in the article: tickets, hotels and insurance