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Praise
for Trekking!
All our testimonials are genuine.
Visit References for contacts.
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 Berber family. For
the same reason, the lunch we had with a 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.
This remote area is a real treat for the trekker who has done it all. The Saghro does not experience true winter snows like High Atlas mountains. Our route starts on the High Atlas side and we'll traverse the range, ending on the Sahara side of Saghro.
Jbel Saghro Massif
lies between the High Atlas mountains and the Sahara desert. High peaks and
volcanic monoliths resemble the U.S. southwest with soaring mesas, sparse
vegetated plateaus, hidden springs and canyon oasis. We'll meet and have tea
with Ait Atta nomads living in this harsh and remote landscape. Jackal, fox,
wolf, toads, frogs, wild sheep, gazelle, vulture, Buzzard and the rare Bonelli-eagle
also live here. Trees include date palms, acacia, tamarisk and oleander.
5 Days on Trek plus 2 days transport - available October to May
Highest elevation 2500 metres - rated easy
PRICE
5350 Moroccan
dirhams per person
Our treks run with 2 or more trekkers.
PRICE
includes:
• 5 full days trekking traverse of the Jebel Saghro mountains Tagdilt
to N’kob,
• Professional english speaking Berber guide,
• Transport costs from and return to Marrakech,
• All meals (vegetarians welcome),
• Accommodation: Tents, refuge
shelter or gite d'tape
(small Berber inn),
• Mattresses for sleeping,
• Kitchen tent and equipment and cook,
• Mule handlers and mules to carry everything,
• You carry only your day pack.
Not included:
• Tips
• Personal purchases
• Marrakech hotels
Saghro
7 day Itinerary
Day 1 Marrakech to Tagdilt
Meet your guide, depart Marrakech and drive over the Tizi n’Tichka pass
towards Ouarzazate. Visit Ait Benhaddou World Heritage site. Have lunch and
depart for the desert. Enjoy a traditional tajine dinner and overnight in
a mud-walled desert ghite d’tape (with hot showers), before the foothills
of Saghro massive.
Day 2 Trek: Tagdilt / Amda-n-Oughyoul - 5 H walk
Early wake up call, have breakfast, meet the mulers who will load the mules
and begin trekking. Easy walking over rocky ground into the foothills of Jbel
Saghro. We’ll gain 2 passes, traverse a plateau and descend into a remote
valley. Wild camp*.
Day 3 Trek: Amda-n-Oughyoul / Igli - 4 H walk
Ascend the Kouaouch pass (2500m), then descend through sheer conglomerate
eroded cliffs, elegant mesas, and waterfalls, to an open plateau and the Berber
village of Igli. Stay in ghite d’tape with showers.
Day 4 Trek: Igli / Bab-n-Ali - 5 to 6 H walk
Ascend along a high ridge, with grand views of the surrounding peaks. Our
trail takes us to a verdant valley and the Berber village Boulouze. We’ll
follow the river, then camp at the foot of Bab-n-Ali. Wild camp*.
Day 5 Trek: Bab-n-Ali / Assaka - 5 H walk
Today we’ll walk over the shoulder of Bab n’Ali and descend for
most of the day, walking through a gorge to fantastic rock formations. Arrive
at the village Assaka. Continuation to Ighazoune n’Oumlas by the river
of Taoudachte and wild camp*.
Day 6 Trek: Ighazoune-n-Oumlas/N’kob - 5 H walk
Walking along the river, we pass through many Berber villages and arrive near
N’kob. Stay in ghite d’tape with showers.
Day 7: N’kob - Marrakech
We’ll meet our driver and car, and follow the old Salt Road caravan
route and date palm oasis of Draa valley over the Tinifift pass, toward the
High Atlas mountains. We’ll stop for lunch in Ouarzazate, and head down
the Tizi n’Tichka back to Marrakech. Morocco Explored can book a Marrakech
hotel this night with extra cost.
*Wild camp means you will sleep in tents, eat in a kitchen
tent; there are no showers or toilet facilities.You will have heated water
to wash.
Read more on Club Tread. . .
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 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 use your own method to purify water. Occasional villages allow for purchasing good quality bottled water along the way.
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 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 20–30+ degrees Celsius.
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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