School Adventure - Toubkal Circuit Trek & Climb
- A spectacular School Adventure in the High Atlas
- Climb Mount Toubkal the highest peak in Morocco
- Trekking through picturesque Berber villages
- Time to explore magical Marrakech
- A fantastic way for school students to experience Morocco
The High Atlas Mountains of Morocco make the perfect destination for a School Adventure, with their rugged trails, varied and picturesque scenery, lofty passes, non-technical peaks and the guarantee of a cheerful welcome from the Berber people. The Atlas range of mountains is the largest in all Africa, extending through Morocco for some 500 kilometres north-east to south-west. The pick of short treks here is the circuit around Mount Toubkal (4167m), which twice crosses the main range of the Atlas and includes the chance to climb North Africa’s highest peak. Our walk takes us across the central spine of the Atlas, by way of two high passes to the surprising greenery and pleasant villages of the Tizgui Valley. From here, we trek to the lovely cobalt-blue Lake Ifni and cross a further high pass to reach the Neltner Refuge below Toubkal. From here, a rugged but straightforward trail leads up to Toubkal the highest point in North Africa, where we have far-reaching views across the Atlas peaks and southwards to Jebel Sahro and the Sahara. We start our school adventure in the 1000 year-old, ochre-coloured city of Marrakech, which boasts the snow-capped summits of the High Atlas as a most dramatic backdrop. Before and after the trek, we have time to explore the old Arab quarter of this fabulous city. The colourful souks (markets) of Marrakech are world-famous and an exploration on foot is a magical experience. In just a week and a half school groups can enjoy Morocco’s excellent trekking, experience its exotic cultures and explore the vibrant city of Marrakech. Close to home and yet so different, this will be a school adventure holiday all students will remember!
Educational perspective
The Berber people can be found throughout North Africa west of the Nile. They are an interesting ethnic group, more closely related to Spaniards and Italians than to people of African origin.
Amend or Extend
At Easter and in October, when the high Atlas passes are closed by snow, an alternative trekking route can be arranged, visiting villages and schools on the north side of the range. At any season, a shorter school adventure is possible, climbing Toubkal in just a week.
Is this holiday for you?
We recommend a minimum age of 14 years
The maximum altitude attained on this Morocco trek is not great and we spend only one night at just above 3000 metres / 10,000 feet. This means that altitude acclimatisation is not usually a problem. However this trek does involve some days with a good deal of ascent and descent and one or two of the days are quite long, although broken with leisurely lunches in the shade. Additionally, the summer months in the High Atlas can be hot and July and August particularly so. This does have an effect on trekking performance. For most of the trek we follow well established trails between valleys and villages which are suitable for mules and very straightforward for trekkers. On the ascent of Toubkal and whilst trekking up to the passes on our route, we will encounter zig-zag trails on scree. You should be comfortable with walking on good trails but with some steep ascents and descents, for up to 5 or 6 hours each day and for several days continuously. The optional ascent of Toubkal although a longer day, presents no technical difficulty and should be within the capabilities of fit and active school students. Each KE School Adventure is given a grade, taking into account the amount of walking involved, the difficulty of the terrain, the remoteness, the altitude and the overall length of the trekking route. The school adventure holidays are graded on a scale from 1 to 10, with 10 being the most challenging. This school adventure is graded 6.
You may also be interested in...
School Adventure - Trails of the Jebel Sahro - Morocco, School Adventure 9 days
School Adventure - Land of the Pharoahs - Egypt, School Adventure 9 days
School Adventure - Dead Sea, Wadi Rum & Petra - Jordan, School Adventure 9 days
