Trekking Details
What you need to know about
trekking...
Because the High Atlas can
involve some challenging elevation
gains and losses over continuous
passes (2000 m+), most High Atlas
treks are rated medium, meaning you
should have recent experience hill
hiking, carrying a light day-pack,
and a tolerance for climate changes.
You will need light hiking style
shoes or boots with a full-tread
sole and good quality outdoor
clothing. Spring and fall, snow
remains on the high peaks. Nights
might be cold and the days can be
hot and sunny. We have a list of
what you will need to bring below.
Fitness requirements You should be confident of your fitness and endurance levels. The main recommendation is a sense of adventure! There is no age limit providing that you are in reasonable physical shape and you are aware of the rigors of trekking in higher elevations and have proper travellers insurance. Please make a point of telling us (quietly if you wish) if you have any medical condition/allergies or are on any medication that you think we should be aware of. We are out there for a great time and we want you to feel comfortable in your environment.
Accommodation in villages "houses"
called gites with kitchens, sleeping
areas and showers, or dome tents
or,
since Morocco is one of the the few
areas of the world where warm
temperatures combine with an absence
of insects, you can sleep under the
stars. Nothing can compare with a
night under the brilliant starlight
of North Africa. Tents, mattresses,
fully equipped kitchen, food and
personal baggage are carried by
mules. You carry only a day pack for
your water, snacks, camera and
clothing. We have a limited number
of sleeping bags for hire in our
Shop, so you might be required to
bring your own.
All Food is included on trek and is very healthy, including Couscous, Tagine, fresh eggs, fish, olives, nuts and fruit. Please let us know whether you are vegetarian. Apart from eggs and fish (Tuna and Sardine) often served at lunch time with vegetable salad, there is not a lot of meat and when meat is available, separate dishes such as vegetarian Tagine is prepared.
Bottled water is usually available to buy from villages your trek through, but you might need to use your own method to purify water.
Some people like to bring their own treats and food supplements if they have special dietary requirements. If you like to drink herbal teas, bring your own. Moroccan tea tends to be a real energy booster with Gunpowder green mixed with copious amounts of sugar (refreshing and delicious!). Sugarless tea can be requested.
As we are trekking in high mountains, geological variations create a full range of climatic conditions, which means it can get cold, wet, and windy. Bring a warm fleece and light weight wind jacket and long pants. During the day temperatures are relatively warm or hot, and normal attire with t-shirts and shorts will be fine. On average you can expect daytime temperatures of 20–30+ degrees Celsius
What is included in the price?
-
Transfer from Marrakech at the start and transfer to Marrakech at the end of the trek (to be agreed during the reservation time).
-
Accommodation on the trek. This is usually in tents, occasionally in Berber houses or a refuge (depending on the trek chosen)
-
All meals on the trek. Meals are freshly prepared and cooked and are typical Moroccan dishes (tajine, soup, couscous) , tea and coffee included with all meals
-
The services of a qualified, experienced English or French-speaking mountain guide.
-
Mules, muleteers and cook. The mules carry your heavy luggage (a rucksack or holdall is recommended). You only need carry a day pack
What is not included in the price?
-
Accommodation in Marrakech
-
Travel insurance
-
Bottled or Mineral water during the trek.
-
Ski equipment (Ski Touring), Crampons, Ice Axes,...
-
Medical or accident insurances ,
-
personal gear (sleeping bags, shoes, ....) ;
-
gratuities ;
-
bottled or gaseous waters ;
-
any expenditure of personal nature ; hot showers in some of the gites or mountain huts.
What do you need to bring?
-
Sleeping Bag (important)
Day-pack *
sunglasses *
water bottles * : most of the time is possible to buy during the trek from villages.
towel
ziplock baggies *
needle and thread / safety pins
camera, batteries and film – bring lots! -
Clothing
sarong (can double as a towel, lightweight sheet or scarf)
cotton long sleeved shirt (for intense sun) *
light wind-proof jacket
a hat (sun) *
lightweight long pants *
2-3 T-shirts
woolen sweater/fleece *
cotton scarf (doubles as a wash cloth)
Hiking boots or hiking shoes* -
First aid – make sure you use water proof labelling when re-packaging
disinfectant creme / gel (Polysporin)
bandaids
Ibufrofen (Advil or generic – for pain, swelling) *
Tylenol (colds and fever)
cold medication – Echanacia / zinc lozenges
tweezers
Visine
Aloe vera gel (for burns)
Anti-hystamine tablets
diahrrea medication (Immodium) * -
Personal
sunblock *
sanitary supplies with ziplock baggies to carry out
moisturiser / lip balm with sunblock *
book
small torch / flash-light (small bicycle lights make good travelling torches)
nail clippers
wet-wipes
soap / shampoo / toothpaste / toothbrush etc *
We do not automatically include accommodation in Marrakech as part of the package but we can arrange accommodation – and airport transfers – if you wish. Please let us know if you would like us to do this. We do include transport to and from Marrakech in our itineraries.
Usually in the summer we camp, normally by a stream or river, in tents or bivouac. On many treks we also stay for at least one night in a Berber house (gite) or mountain refuge.
Yes, the duration and routes of the treks can usually be changed to suit your needs. For some treks variations are already indicated. This should to be specified and agreed in advance although every effort will be made to accommodate this en-route. Some changes may be necessary due to prevailing weather conditions and it remains he prerogative of the guide to vary the itinerary in the interest of safety.
PRICES:
The price which you must regulate by anybody, which is that is indicated on the documentation/descriptive which was addressed to you by email and which you accepted by sending your confirmation of trek and your indications of arrival. They can in no case to be called into question per none the parts
Find the trek you are interested in then contact us via E-mail to discuss your trek and check availability. Once the details of your trek (duration, route and number of people) have been agreed, we will make a provisional booking, giving the dates and cost.
To confirm your booking we ask you to pay a deposit. This can be in Euros, pounds sterling or US dollars. The balance is paid in Morocco – again in Euros, sterling or dollars – at the beginning of the trek.N.B : Payment by credit card is not accepted
How do we pay the deposit or full payment?
Your deposit or full payment can be transfered to this bank account:
SOCIETE GENERALE MAROCAINE DE BANQUES
Central Bank address : 55, Bd Abdelelmoumen 20100 Casablanca Morocco (Tel : +212 (0) 22438888
Agency ( Bank branch) : Marrakech-Badie
NOM : Mr Mohamed AZTAT
RIB ( IBAN number) : 022 450 000 038 00 113920 49 53
Account N° : 000 038 00 113920 49
Swift code : SGMBMAMC
You can also pay us by Western Union using the following details:
Full name : Mohamed AztatCountry : Morocco
NB : if you have any doubt about sending the deposit and you want to ask some of our costmers who already did send it and already treked with us, please let us know!
STOP OF TREK & Cancellations:
All treks started, and stopped by the fact of the customers, or the atmospheric conditions, or of the particular conditions, or cancelled flight, can give place to no refunding. In the case or the atmospheric conditions or the state of the paths, or snowing up, oblige to stop the trek, a solution or a route of replacement will be proposed to you. But will be able to give place to no refunding.
Any cancellation of part or the entire booking must be notified to us in writing by the lead passenger. The following charges will usually be made by us, based on the date on which we first receive your cancellation in writing:
• Deposit only: 30 Days beofre departure.
• 50% of total cost: 5- 14 days before departure
• 100% of total cost: less than 2 day before departure
Deposits are not refundable in the event of cancellation by you
INSURANCES:
You must absolutely have insurance, covering, the accidents, medical repatriation, and mountain rescue and repatriation helicopter. You must imperatively provide us before the departure, a Telephone number of your insurance.
every Passenger should complete the form below and send it to us :
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No, except for treks to the Saghro and Sirwa regions where we require a minimum number of 4. For other treks a good number is between 4 and 12. But we cater for sole travellers and large groups.
Anyone, even the fittest, can be affected by altitude sickness above about 2700m. The symptoms are shortness of breath, headaches, lethargy and possibly diarrhoea and sickness. At 4000 metres (the height of Toubkal) the symptoms are not severe and usually last no longer than 24 hours. In severe cases it can prevent the sufferer continuing with the trek. Most of our treks are designed to mitigate the effects of altitude sickness by gradual ascent and acclimatisation over several days. Most trekkers, however, are fine, but it is a wise precaution to bring with you a supply of headache, re-hydration and anti-diarrhoeal tablets.
N.B
Banks : There are no bank ATM machines in the Mountains, bring enough cash from Marrakech.