Morocco is a great destination with wonderful trails, wild mountains, fascinating people and a dozen summits over 4000 metres high - they're not called the High Atlas for nothing! Lower elevation treks are available too. English speaking guide(s) cook your meals, and mules carry all the essentials so you can enjoy travelling light and spend your day exploring ancient Berber villages, pastoral valleys and hidden passes that lead to panoramic ridges. Far above dramatic stark crags and rocky trails contrast with terraced village gardens and ruined kasbahs. You can wander at will and perhaps bag a few peaks.
Praise
for Trekking!
All our testimonials are genuine.
Visit References for contacts.
The
(M'goun) trek was absolutely one of the real highlights of the trip. Yesterday,
I received two CD's and once I looked through the photos I realized just how
great the trek really was. If people contact you about trekking my response
would be that the M'Goun region is a must do!!!!
T&A Magee, Canada 2006.
Thanks
for all of your help in putting together our trek, which was a fantastic experience.
The muler crew in particular – Ahmed, Hussein and Hassan were hard working,
great cooks, and good companions. Their sense of humor transcended the language
barrier, and they really made us feel welcome and part of their culture. We
particularly enjoyed the nightly serenade by Hussein with backup vocals from
his two compatriots.
We were also very happy with the guide Lhassan whose good humor kept us going
through the tough days of the trek. In particular his services were invaluable
in negotiating the taxi rides, something that would have been very difficult
on our own.
They (the guide and mulers) all gave us service above and beyond the call
of duty... they showed endless patience and good spirits.
D Dobson and family, USA 2006
I
hope that you are well in Marrakech. Sorry this has taken me so long to get
back to you but I just wanted to say thanks for all of assistance you gave
us with organising the trek in the High Atlas Mountains.
Steve and I had a fantastic time and Mohammed was amazing (he spoke 5 languages).
He was professional, informative and a lot of fun. The meals were amazing
and the trek took us through some amazing scenery that was different each
day. It was the highlight of our trip to Morocco and we have recommended it
to all of our friends. My only regret was that we thought that we had taken
more cash with us on the trek as we intended on giving Mohammed a bigger tip
as he really was brilliant.
H Deas, Australia 2007
We
had a great trek! Everything was really well organised, the guide was very
informed, friendly and we got on well with him.
The food was fantastic, so much fresh fruit and vegetables and everything
was presented beautifully. Everybody that we met and the muleteers were extremely
friendly and helpful. Best of all was the birthday candles and chocolates
on Dannys 36th and also the bottle of wine and the phone call from your colleague
who we met in Marrakech was such a nice touch.
We definately
would choose your company again should we decide on future treks or tours
in Morocco.
F Murphy, Switzerland 2007
You
have been recommended by a friend who used your company recently and said
you were fantastic! We definitely want to do a trek of some description and
will book through you.
A future trekker! 2007
Greetings
from the Pacific Northwest! The vehicle and the drivers on our trip were excellent,
as was the food (although there was usually too much of it!). The guides were
very good.
The High Atlas trekking ghites on the first two nights were nicer than I expected
(the second night in particular), but I enjoyed the home-stay on the third
night more because it gave us a chance to interact with a local family. For
the same reason, the lunch we had with a local family on the third day was
a highlight of the trek.
The Saghro Trek felt like more of an adventure than the High Atlas trek, in
part because there were so few tourists in the area. The ghites and campsites
were great. I really enjoyed our trip and would recommend Morocco Explored
to others.
T Hamerlinck, USA 2007
All
our testimonials are genuine. Visit References for
contacts.
Tailor Made Treks
We can arrange a trek for your group. We require a minimum of 2 persons.
Sample our Itineraries
High
Atlas 3 or more days March to October
Toubkal 3
to 7 days June
to October
M'Goun Massif 9
or 11 days mid-April
to October
Saghro Massif 7
days October
to April
Rose
Valley 5
or more days mid-April
to October
Price/per
person/per day 850 dirhams
plus transportation costs.
Convert
Moroccan Dirhams to another currency.
Price
includes: Full board during the trek, (vegetarians
welcome), mules for luggage, cook, English speaking guide, kitchen, bivouac
tents, refuge shelter or gite d'tape (small Berber inn). Transfer costs to
and from the trailhead will be calculated according to distance and added
onto total cost.
Price does not include personal purchases, and tips.
What you need to know about trekking...
High Atlas Treks
Imlil to Imi
Ouglad: 4 or 5 days May to October.
Level Medium Easy
Little visited but close to Marrakech - western Toubkal high passes and
plateaus, juniper forests, pretty valley villages and farms, ancient hazelnut
groves. Choice of wild camping and Berber guest houses.
Valley of the Roses: 7 days March to October
Level Easy
The otherworldly Rose Valley on the Sahara side of the High Atlas is a beautiful
mountainous desert region, with technicolour soil, exposed rock formations,
deep green river valleys and deep gorges. Trails wind through red kasbahs
and cultivated gardens lined with roses in full bloom during the month of
May, but these quiet and iscolated valleys are beautiful any time of year.
Setti Fatma to Tigadwine: 4 or 5 days April
to October.
Level Medium Easy
Near Marrakech, this lovely high traverse across the shoulders and valleys
of the snowy High Atlas peaks, east to west, with stays in guest houses. Trails
thorough juniper forests, upland passes and Berber villages, visit to
ancient rock carvings.
Toubkal
Region
5 or 7 days June
to October
Level Medium to Challenging with a climb of Toubkal
This 5 day circuit is a High Atlas classic that takes you into the high remote
valleys behind the summit, and can be made more challenging if you include
a climb of Toubkal (7 days), North Africa's highest peak.
Day 1
Meet your guide, transfer to Imlil to meet the mules. Trek to Aremd (1,920m).
Guesthouse.
Day 2
Trek to Neltner Refuge (3,100m).
Day 3
Trek to Toubkal summit (4,167m) and return to the refuge.
Day 4 - 6
Trek to Lac D'Ifini camp (2,310m), Tissalday camp (2,100m), Aremd guesthouse
(1,920m).
Day 7
Trek to Imlil and depart for Marrakech.
back
to the top
M'Goun
Massif
10
day High Atlas traverse of M'Goun, Oct. 6 - 15.
Level Medium to Challenging with a climb of M'Goun. Includes Rose
Valley.
The M'Goun massif is just a few meters lower than Toubkal, and is situated
in the wild central part of the High Atlas range. The traverse is considered
the best trek in Morocco, crossing from west to east towards the Sahara. Our
trail passes through remote Berber villages and kasbahs, deep gorges, waterfalls,
and pastoral valleys, where daily life continues as it has for thousands of
years. The red soil and technicolour mountains make spectacular landscapes,
and wild high elevation ridges reveal fantastic views. We'll have opportunities
to visit ancient rock carvings and dinosaur footprints.
Day 1
Depart Marrakech to Azilal for lunch. Overnight in Idoukaln Berber village
gite near Agouti.
Day 2 - 9
From Idoukaln you will trek, and see prehistoric rock-carvings from 8000 years
ago, amazing views of rock strata, waterfalls and and cold plunge pool, stay
in spectacular campsites surrounded by jagged peaks, climb Mgoun, an easy
approach to the main summit (4068m).
Descent of the valley by the canyon of river through fantastic landscapes
of chimneys, cliffs, and rock pilons. Enter the Saharan side of High Atlas
and the valley of Mgoun peppered with many isolated villages, gardens terraces,
watered by gravity defying systems of irrigation. Green valleys contrast with
stark multicoloured peaks. Throats of Mgoun (300 meters height on only 2 meters
50 of broad) to Boutaghrar set in a pink valley. Descent of the river MGoun
by a labyrinth of gardens and oasis of mountain to arrive at the confluence
of the river Mgoun and Touzrikt village.
Day 10
Meet your transport back to Marrakech. If we have time, we'll stop for a vist
to Ait Benhaddou world heritage site.
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 be confident of your fitness and endurance levels, preferably
having previous 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. Springtime means snow will remain on the high peaks. Winter
treks can be done in the Saghro region. Nights might be cold and the days
can be hot and sunny. We have a list of what you will
need to bring below.
More information about flights and visiting Morocco
Trekking Details
Fitness requirements You should be confident of your fitness and endurance levels, having previous experience hill hiking, carrying a light day-pack, and a tolerance for climate changes. 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 inns 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. Sleeping bags are not supplied, you must 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, but you might need to have your own method to purify water (we'll let you know). Most treks allow for purchasing water along the way.
Many people 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 but not necessarily understood! Make use of your duty free allowance to obtain your favourite tipple.
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 22 – 30+ degrees Celsius.
Recently
it has come to our attention that other companies have been copying text
from Morocco Explored website and emails. We have no
affiliation in any way with any of these companies!
What To Bring *denotes essential or highly recommended
Pack
light and pack tight.
Sleeping bag*
Day-pack *
sunglasses *
water bottles (collapsible bladders pack flat!) *
towel (Moroccan hotels don't always have them) *
ziplock baggies *
toilet paper * (buy it in Morocco)
needle and thread / safety pins
camera, batteries, memory cards, or film – bring lots!
sealable bag for your Digital camera* (essential!! for sand/dust)
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) *
warm socks*
light weight gloves*
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 / magazines music – (cassette tapes are commonly played in Morocco
– and make great gifts too.)
small torch / flash-light (small bicycle lights make good travelling torches)
nail clippers
wet-wipes
soap / shampoo / toothpaste / toothbrush etc *
prescriptions in original containers
ear plugs *
Finally . . . .
Please remember that things do change, prices go up and down, activities stop
running or change format and weather can send the best laid plans out the
door. We will do our best to provide what is described above but please take
into consideration the nature of the journey that you are embarking on and
the country that you are traveling in and understand that a certain degree
of flexibility is necessary!
For practical everyday information and links click on About
Morocco and Frequently Asked Questions.
We do not book flights: they are easily booked on the web. Royal Air Maroc, Atlas Blue, Easy Jet, Ryanair, British Airways and others fly to Marrakech. Royal Air Maroc flies directly from Montreal and New York to Casablanca, with connections to Marrakech.
For more information contact
Telephone
Morocco:
GSM: +212 6246 1598 / +212 6770 5212
Telephone
inside Morocco:
GSM: 0 6246 1598 / 0 6770 5212
Telephone
Canada and voice mail:
+1 604 393 3715
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©2003
- 2008 MOROCCO EXPLORED | MOROCCO EXPLORED.COM
We
promote Carbon
Neutral travel.
''I
must be with you when you see the sunset on the snows of the Atlas Mountains.''
Sir Winston Churchill told President Roosevelt after the Casablanca
Conference in 1943.
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