FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

Here are some answers of the most frequently asked questions, please feel free to write or call us if you can't find the answer you are looking for

Where is our office? :

Our office is in the Atlas Mountains (Imlil) but we can easily meet you in Marrakech if needed.

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 ( in some of our treks, we can include this with little extra fee ).

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 do you need to bring?

• Sleeping Bag 
• 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 ..

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 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 ;
• any expenditure of personal nature ; hot showers in some of the gites or mountain huts.

Is accommodation in Marrakech included?
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.


What is the accommodation on the treks?
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.


Can we change the itinerary?
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: Most of the time, we quote in euros /per person but the payment can be done in euros, sterlings, dollars or MAD

The price which you must regulate by anybody, which is indicated on the documentation/descriptive 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

How do we book and pay?
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.


How do we pay the deposit or full payment?

• Deposit can be paid by PayPal , Western Union Money transfer , Transferwise, Bank Transfer

• Full Balance :

1. By Bank Transfer Online using transferwise at least a week before departure
2. By Credit card, 5% Fee  will be charged for CMI Fee
3. By Cash : Dirham, Euro, GBP or US Dollars are all fine
4. By PayPal if you are happy to cover the transfer fee.

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
  
  
  Is there a maximum or minimum number?
   
  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.
  
  What about altitude sickness?
   
  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.

 Level of Difficulties

• Grade 1 walks (Easy)Tend to be short day walks and rambles at low altitudes. Grade 1 walks can be enjoyed  by anyone who leads a reasonably active life and no special preparation is required.
  
  
• Grade 2 walks (Moderate) Will usually involve some longer walks (4-6 hours/day) at low altitudes (below 3000m). Some previous hill  walking experience would be beneficial but these walks should be within the capabilities of  those who lead a normal active life. Grade 2 walking tours may contain some optional strenuous days, and in order to get the best out of the trip we would   advise  that you tone up your fitness before you join.
  
  
• Grade 3 walks (Strenuous) Are for the more serious hill walker and a higher level of physical fitness is required. Walking days are normally 6-8hours and may involve up to 900m or more of ascent and descent. You should be  prepared for several consecutive days walking, often at higher altitudes, so stamina is important.
  

• When To Go - Morocco Vacations :
  
• The best time to visit Morocco is entirely based on when you are free. The country has a mild climate and boasts some of the sunniest days annually in the world. The desert in the south can become quite unbearable in the summer months, so a visit in April and May or October through December ensures preferable temps there. If you plan to come to the High Atlas Mountain region of Morocco, there can be some rain and much snow at altitude from November to March. Many tourists come to Morocco in July and August, when accommodation can be next to impossible to find. A visit in the spring or fall clinches the countries best weather in all the regions.
  

• Top Tips - Morocco Tours : Don’t ever think that you can hike in Morocco alone. The crisscrossing mule tracks and lack of any common language out in the mountains is sure to get you stranded. Book a tour guide through your tour operator before you come. Make sure to ask anyone before taking a picture. Most people won’t mind as long as you ask. It’s polite and shows that you respect their beliefs and culture. Travelling to the south of Morocco in the summer will leave you sizzling, even at night. Come when the desert winds have calmed and evening temperatures Try not to give children money or candy. If you feel the need, pencils and pens might be OK but remember that the children will just keep asking others when they come. It’s a terrible circle. Instead, play soccer with them and interact with them if they invite you to their house. A sip of tea is a gesture that gets you a long way in this traditional country.

• About the Meals During the trek : meals are cooked by our Berber muleteers. The food provided is fresh and healthy. For Breakfast: Jam, bread, cookies, fruit, juis, butter, coffe, milk. For Lunch: Salad, tomatoes, carrots, Lentils, beens, riz , Pasta seasonal fruit, and fish (sardines, tuna). For Dinner: Soup, Tajine, couscous, olives, nuts, Fruit etc.
• About the Luggage : Personal baggage, cooking equipment and food are carried by the mules, leaving you to carry only a rucksack with whatever you need close at hand for the day.
• Treks Flexibility :All our treks are private and thus tailor made to your party's needs: from easy to strenuous, from day-treks to week-long expeditions. They may start on any day to fit in with your personalized itinerary. We can advise on which of the exciting range of options best suit your itinerary, date of travel and ability. Your bags are carried on mules on all overnight treks.
• What’s Morocco’s Weather Like Morocco’s north is more of a Mediterranean climate considered one of the best on the planet by and large. The winters are warm if not wet and the summers are dryer and hot. The closer you get to the Sahara pre-Sahara region, there’s a wetter season from April to May and often in October and/or November, varying from just south of 4 inches to just north of 10 inches. In the Sahara, you’ll have hot, dry winds blowing called the Sirocco. Blowing sand can keep the roads closed and tourist hotel-locked for days. At the right time of the year, the weather is perfect in any given location 
• Culture & History - Moroccan culture is a melange of various ethnic and ancestral relations. Today, the country unites itself through the practice of Islam and the general acceptance of different cultures. Morocco has seen a fair-share of people coming to their land, so foreigners here are as commonplace as anywhere. The two distinct peoples of Morocco are the Berbers and the Arabs. Of course, the mixing of the two has taken place for centuries; to be wholly one or the other is probably not in all respects possible. The main languages of Morocco are Arab, French and Berber. Most Berbers live in the outlying countryside and mountain villages while the Arabs assemble more in the cities, such as Casablanca, Fez and Rabat. No matter whom you meet in Morocco, however, it seems that people are always warm and welcome to visitors. 
• Rafting - If you want to raft when on Morocco holidays, you have really only one season. When the winter snows start melting in the High Atlas Mountains, rafting begins. This usually starts in March and runs till the middle or end of April—it totally depends on the snowmelt and rainfall. The Ahanssel River offers up some of the most out-of-the-way locales, with a snaking gorge and houses dangling from the tops of cliffs. The scenery is fun and the rapids are a class level manageable for a family. 
• Wildlife - A lot of the bigger wildlife in Morocco has been eradicated for some years now. Unless you slice into the pie of Berber myth and the stories of leopards and lions still roving the cliff sides, then there isn’t really any big game left in the country. However, some of the best birds in the world can, at some point in the year, be found here. Additionally, there are scores of other animals that live high in the mountains, roam the level plains and swim through the water. 
• Mountain Biking - The sport of mountain biking is growing tenfold in Morocco. The routes through and around the Middle and High Atlas Mountains are as technically challenging as they are beautiful. On your Morocco vacations you’ll pass through some of the most remote villages in the world—a world all its own! Most tour operators hook you up with all the details you’ll need to know. It’s often a good idea to bring your own bike in tote. Recently, bike trips through the Draa and Ziz Valleys of Morocco have become more popular. Routes to and from the Todra Gorge in the south give visitors a real feel for the country’s diverse people and topography.

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INSURANCES:

We  requires all clients to have insurance cover.Accidents, medical emergencies or other problems can occur  on holiday in any country and the resulting costs can be significant. Travel insurance is there for your peace of mind in case something goes wrong, and it should cover any activities that you are planning to participate in 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.
Please feel out the form below ans send it to us before departure of your tour.