Guide at a Glance
Company
Din Tram
Locations
Marrakech, Morocco
Activities
Adventure, Climbing, Hiking Trekking
Guiding Experience
18 years
Languages
English, French, Spanish
Awards
Protection of nature and Animals + Morrocan moutain guides(2011)
Favorite Trip
M'goun
Licenses/Certifications
Guide Bio
Get to Know Adventure Guide Abdou Toubkal

I’m a Berber from the Atlas Mountains. … I started this job to make some money to continue my studies. I (became a guide in) 2006 — from 1994 to 2003 I was a muleteer and from 2003 to 2006 I was a local guide doing skiing and trekking around Toubkal.
How did you make the transition to becoming a guide?
I like skiing, running — I did a 125-kilometre marathon in the mountains. I like (meeting) new people and talking to them. When I’m in the mountains I feel very happy.
What does a typical day look like for you?
We offer itineraries from two days to 22 days. I have (done) more than 40 itineraries around Toubkal from easy to hard. It all depends on the client. … We are also specialists in cross-country mountain biking, and from December to April (there is) the option of (backcountry) skiing in the Atlas Mountains. There are four summits in one valley and two summits in the other valley, so you have to walk for two days to get to that valley. There’s no ski lift — you walk with your skis to the summit.

All of (the trips) are different for each client. We have some itineraries available on our website, but normally our specialty is to create your itinerary.
What is the best part of your job?
The best part is guiding in the high mountains and the Berber villages. If (my clients) feel happy, I feel happy.
As an experienced guide yourself, can you explain the benefits of hiring a guide?
If you want to visit the Sahara Desert, if you have your own transport you can do it — if you ask anyone in Morocco they’ll explain where it is. But in the Atlas Mountains there are paths that are hard to find. You can get muleteers on the way up and down, but in wintertime and for longer treks I ask clients (to get an experienced guide) because the weather changes quickly. Sometimes it’s sunny and clear but in 15 minutes it changes — you can get lost, many accidents can happen.

If you (want) to become a guide, you should respect the client and do your job from the beginning to the end.
Tell us something about the Atlas Mountains that only a guide would know.
We know (the area) — the Berber villages, the good places, the dangerous places. If you (want to trek for) two days, you can ask (the locals where to go). But if you want to do more than three days, (it’s better to take a guide). We don’t have signs (on the trails) — there’s no information in the mountains.
In your view, what makes a good tour guide?
They should smile every day. Our job is to make everyone happy.

I am an official mountain guide based in southern Morocco. During the past nine years as a coach for groups of travellers, I myself have travelled across the country, from the Atlantic coast to the Algerian border, from the Atlas massifs to the nomad oasis.
My adventures were so beautiful and rich and the people I met were so lovely. Today, through the DinTram team, I want to share my experiences with you, I want to share the passion that animates me.
Abdou is a wonderful guide and a great guy!
Me and my girlfriend did a small 4-day trek with him in the M´Goun Massif. Highly recommended!!
Tiago