Our advice for trekking in Morocco

FITNESS LEVEL

You do not need to be super-fit for hiking in Morocco, however the climbs such as M'goun or Toubkal are moderately demanding with some long days of sustained walking with a backpack mainly the day of the summit ascent. The effects of altitude may also further tax your body. You will enjoy your hike all the more if you are in good physical shape having exercised regularly and eaten nutritiously over at least 6 months prior to departure.

You do need to be in good health as you will spend some time in remote mountains locations that are many hours from professional medical care. Any pre-existing medical or dental conditions should be fully appraised by a doctor and their nature fully disclosed to your insurer and to ourselves.

FOOD 
During the walks, the food is purchased and cooked by our private cook, in general the food is a mixture of local and Western.

Continental breakfasts include tea and coffee, orange juice, bread, jam, honey and cheese. The group receives a morning snack which  contains a fruit (apple, orange), and also a mixture of dried fruits ( figs, almonds,  and dates, peanuts). Lunch usually starts with Moroccan mint tea, followed by fresh salads, vegetables, pasta and other locl specialities. Hard and soft cheeses, tinned fish, olives, biscuits and bread are also provided for lunch. Dinner starts with soup and bread. The main course is usually Tagine, Couscous, rice, pasta.

ACCOMMODATION

In cities, you will stay in a 3* hotel in the city center with swimming pool or a charming typical riad in the Medina of Marrakech. During the trip, you will spend the nights camping with 2 persons tents, made up each day in the campsites. Mattresses are provided. All group members should take a 4 season sleeping bag for the camping nights, this will be carried along with your main luggage by the mules in the mountains and camels in the Sahara.

Extensions or Prestays are available. Hotels are subject to availability and prices may vary.

YOUR TEAM

The group will be accompanied by an experienced Mountain guide throughout the hike. On trek, you have the services of a cook and the assistance of mule or camel drivers to carry the camping gear and personal baggage.

MONEY 
Approximately USD 450 per person (or equivalent in Euros ) should be allowed for your expenses, gratuities for the team, non-included meals, soft drinks and souvenirs. Marrakech is a great place for souvenir buying. If you are intending to buy expensive items, you should bargain and ask for your guide assistance in this regard. It is not necessary to purchase Moroccan Dirham outside the country, you can withdraw money in local currency from ATM’s in Marrakech or Azilal. Travellers cheques to be avoided, credit cards can be used for shopping and payments in local restaurants.

TIPPING

Tips are highly appreciated by your guides and drivers, the  tips are seen as a personal thank you from you. We advise our teams that tips are not a duty but are a bonus and entirely dependent on the level of satisfaction of group members.  

EQUIPEMENT 

Daypack 20 to 30 liters 

Hiking boots or walking shoes

fleece gloves

Sleeping bag (comfort rated +5⁰C or 0⁰C in December & February)

Socks, Trekking trousers, Waterproof over-trousers, Underwear

Baselayer shirts (short sleeve & long sleeve), Shirts or T-shirts (wicking), Water bottles 1 Litre (x2)

Fleece jacket or warm jumper, Thick fleece jacket/Coat (Dec/Feb departures), Waterproof jacket

Sunhat, Warm hat (for cold evenings), Sunglasses

Sun protection (including total bloc for lips, nose etc.)

Antibacterial handwash, Washbag and toiletries, Small towel

Selection of dry bags (to keep trek bag contents dry), Headtorch and spare batteries

Water purification tablets

Basic First Aid Kit including: Antiseptic cream, throat lozenges, diarrhoea treatment (Imodium), painkillers, plasters and blister treatment. Glucose tablets and multi-vitamin tablets are also a good idea.

VISAS
A passport with 6 months remaining validity at the end of your stay is generally required.
 

VACCINATIONS & HEALTH 
There are no essential vaccinations for Morocco required. However, you are advised to consider adequate cover against Poliomyelitis, Tetanus and Typhoid and Hepatitis A (food and water diseases)
 

CLIMATE 

When we are hiking in the mountains, we can expect diurnal temperatures above 2500m to be in the range of 20 to 25ºC, a pleasant temperature for walking. At night, temperatures, even in our highest camps, will not fall below zero. We can expect the warmest temperatures in the middle of summer in Marrakech to reach 40ºC, falling to a pleasant 25ºC at night. The weather is generally good. However, weather in mountainous areas is notoriously difficult to predict, and rain or even short-term storms can occur at any time of the year and you must be prepared for extreme weather conditions.