Toubkal Packing List: What to Bring in Every Season

Packing for Toubkal is about layers. You start in a warm valley, sleep in a cold stone refuge and climb to the summit in the dark, where it is close to freezing even in July. The good news is that mules carry your main bag between overnight stops, so you only walk with a day pack. This list covers what to bring, season by season.

Footwear

• Broken-in hiking boots with good grip and ankle support. New boots on a 2,400-metre descent are a recipe for blisters.
• Comfortable shoes or sandals for the evenings in the refuge or guesthouse.
• Two or three pairs of hiking socks.

Clothing: the layer system

• A base layer that wicks sweat (synthetic or merino), not cotton.
• A warm mid layer: a fleece or light insulated jacket.
• A warm down or synthetic jacket for the summit morning and evenings.
• A waterproof and windproof shell jacket.
• Hiking trousers; light ones in summer, warmer ones or thermal leggings in winter.
• A warm hat and gloves, plus a sun hat or cap.

In your day pack

• A 25 to 35 litre day pack.
• Two 1-litre water bottles or a 2-litre bladder.
• Snacks for the summit: nuts, dried fruit, chocolate, energy bars.
• Sunglasses, SPF 50 sunscreen and lip balm: the sun is strong at altitude.
• A head torch with spare batteries for the pre-dawn start.
• Personal medication, blister plasters and a small first-aid kit.
• Trekking poles (strongly recommended for the descent).

For the refuge

• A sleeping bag liner: the refuges provide blankets, and a liner keeps you clean and warmer.
• Earplugs and an eye mask: dormitories are shared and summit day starts early.
• A small towel and wash kit.
• A power bank: charging points can be limited.

Summer extras (June to September)

• Light, breathable clothing for the hot valleys.
• A sun hat with a brim and a buff for neck protection.
• Extra water capacity: you drink more in the heat.

Winter extras (December to March)

• Crampons and an ice axe (we supply them in winter).
• Insulated, waterproof boots that take crampons.
• A warm sleeping bag rated to about −10 °C for the refuge.
• Thick gloves plus a thin pair, a warm hat and a buff or balaclava.
• Ski goggles for wind and spindrift on the summit ridge.

Documents and money

• Your passport: refuges and guesthouses register every guest.
• Travel insurance details, covering trekking up to 4,200 m and evacuation.
• Cash in Moroccan dirhams for drinks, snacks and tips. Withdraw it in Marrakesh: card payments are rare in the mountains.

What you can leave at home

There is no need to carry food for the trek, a tent or cooking equipment: your team provides meals, water and accommodation. Sleeping bags and trekking poles can usually be rented in Imlil, and in winter we supply crampons and ice axes. Leave your main luggage at your riad in Marrakesh and travel with only what you need.

Every one of our trek pages has its own packing checklist that you can tick off as you pack. It is saved in your browser, so you can come back to it.