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Magnificent trekking in the snowy High Atlas Mountains of Morocco
Depending on your arrival time, there may be some time free for exploration of this wonderful, colourful city.* * *Hotel Gomassine or similar*
After a leisurely morning and lunch in Marrakech we transfer by minibus to Imlil, a journey of just under two hours which takes us from the plains around Marrakech to the heart of the High Atlas range. In the afternoon we take a short walk to our mountain gite in Aroumd where there is some free time to explore the area. * * *Hotel Aremd or similar*
Distance in Km: 2.7
Distance in Miles: 1.6
Leaving the fields and walnut trees of Arroumd behind, we follow the Mizane valley to the small shrine of Sidi Chamarouch, a place of pilgrimage for many Moroccans. There is time to view the tomb of the local marabout (holy man) albeit from a distance as non-Muslims are not allowed to cross the footbridge. After stopping for a soft drink or mint tea, we continue the climb up to our refuge at an altitude of 3209m. The afternoon is used to practice with the crampons and ice axe. The guides will find an appropriate patch of snow and demonstrate the important techniques of walking in crampons and ice axe arrest - stopping yourself with your axe if you are sliding on a snow slope. *Les Moflons Refuge or similar*
Distance in Km: 8.7
Distance in Miles: 5.4
Activity Hours: 6
Altitude Gain: 1200
An early start (6-7am) for the ascent of Toubkal. After crossing the river outside the refuge we immediately start climbing steeply through deep snow up the western flank of Toubkal. About an hour below the summit, we reach a wide open pass for our first views of the south. We then turn north for a climb up the ridge to the summit plateau. Reaching the summit (4167m) provides a great sense of achievement and we are rewarded with breathtaking views all the way to Marrakech - not visible on hazy summer days. Descending by the same route we should be back to the refuge in time for a late lunch. The afternoon is free to relax and warm up with a lovely mint tea. *Les Mouflons Refuge or similar*
Distance in Km: 5.9
Distance in Miles: 3.7
Activity Hours: 6
Altitude Gain: 960
Altitude Loss: 960
Today, the group can choose from several trek options, including Jebel Ouanoukrim, North Africa's second highest peak that dominates the head of the valley, which although lower than Toubkal is technically more challenging. This peak has an exposed ridge where scrambling is required, and will only be attempted if a) the wind conditions allow and b) if the entire group is up to the challenge. The scramble is easy, but a little exposed in some places so the guides will set up a rope where needed. It's about 100 metres in length, with only the middle section requiring any particular care. Your guides will discuss with you the options, of which there are many depending on how the groups feel after the exertion of the previous day. Another superb option is the Tizi n' Ouanoums pass, where which offers views of the stunning Lac d'Ifni and Jebel Ouanoukrim . It is another steep, long climb through fantastic scenery and will require another early start to get the best weather. Again, you will return to the refuge for a late lunch. *Les Mouflons Refuge or similar*
Distance in Km: 5.5
Distance in Miles: 3.4
Activity Hours: 6
Altitude Gain: 900
Altitude Loss: 900
Today we make our way back down to the gite in Aremd, where we enjoy a final hot lunch with incredible views of the mountains. Here we will bid farewell to our chefs and muleteers before we then continue to walk for a further hour or so to the village of Imili. This is where we pick up our bus transfer to Marrakech. En route back to the city, we will stop briefly at a Women's Argan Oil Cooperative, where you can learn to the production process and have the opportunity to purchase some products if you wish. The evening is free to explore the city, perhaps enjoy a well-earned drink overlooking Djemaa el Fna. *Hotel Gomassine or similar*
Distance in Km: 8.7
Distance in Miles: 5.4
Activity Hours: 6
Altitude Loss: 1664
With a full free day, you have lots of time to explore Marrakech and do some serious bargaining for souvenirs. Djemaa el Fna, the open-air market place around which traditional life of Marrakech revolves, is an exciting place to visit. The name literally means 'place of death' as it was the place where the Sultans used to display the heads of their enemies. Now, with the food stalls, snake charmers, water-sellers, travelling musicians and acrobats, the square is a place of entertainment for both locals and visitors alike. The best places to get a view over the square are the La Grand Balcon du Cafe Glacier or Cafe de France. You have to buy a drink, but at MAD 20 it's worth it for a great view.* * Majorelle Gardens, or Le Jardin Secret make a great escape from the bustling city, and offer a chance to discover its gardens and buildings, which are outstanding examples of Islamic art and architecture. A top tip for great food would be the Moroccan roast lamb, found at Chez Lamine just off the Djemaa el Fna square. Made famous by Jamie Oliver's visit, it remains the best place to try this speciality. Go between 12noon and 3pm or you'll miss it. If you're craving a cold beer or a glass of wine, make your way to La Salama, again just off the Djemaa el Fna square. You can enjoy the beautiful interior and lively atmosphere. Taxis can be found easily around the Djemaa el Fna square, to take you back to your hotel in the new city. *Hotel Gomassine or similar*
* 3 nights 3 star hotels, 4 nights gite/refuge
* 5 days walking; 1 free day
* Group normally 4 to 10, plus winter guide and staff. Min age 18 yrs
* Altitude maximum 4167m, average 2600m
* Full porterage included. No previous ice axe and crampon experience
required
All breakfasts, 4 lunches and 4 dinners included.
Breakfasts usually consist of porridge, bread and jam with coffee or tea.
When eating out, meals are reasonably priced - kebab and bread cost only
about £4 (approx. US$6.50). In main towns it is possible to find very good
French and Moroccan restaurants where a meal with wine will cost anything
from £20 (approx. US$30) upwards. Generally dinner is likely to cost between
£5-10 (approx. US$8-15) depending on what you drink. £15 (approx. US$25) a
day for food should be sufficient. Local beers, wines and soft drinks are
available at very reasonable prices but you can pay UK prices or more for
imported alcohol. Your leader can help recommend restaurants each evening.
Vegetarians can be catered for but there is a fairly limited choice of cous
cous and tajine or omelettes. This is particularly the case during the more
rural or trekking sections of the trip. Please note that if you have any
special dietary requirements you should inform the Exodus Office prior to the
trip. If you have a specific medical/dietary need (i.e. coeliac or vegan) you
may find it helpful to bring some items of food with you from home.
If you are travelling from UK we advise you to bring water bottles and your
own water purification tablets in the UK and take them with you. Bottled
water can be purchased throughout the trip, but we strongly discourage buying
these as it contributes to plastic waste. Please note recycling is not fully
established in Morocco so plastic bottles are an increasing waste problem.
* 3 nights 3 star hotels, 4 nights gite/refuge
* 5 days walking; 1 free day
* Group normally 4 to 10, plus winter guide and staff. Min age 18 yrs
* Altitude maximum 4167m, average 2600m
* Full porterage included. No previous ice axe and crampon experience
required
*Trekking Conditions:* This is a strenuous winter trek to an area of
outstanding scenic and cultural interest. The trip is designed for confident
trekkers who are well equipped, even if new to winter walking as well as
those who have some experience of trekking on snow. Some sections, especially
on Toubkal and Ouanoukrim ascent days, can be steep and rough. It is expected
that large parts of the mountainside will be covered in snow, therefore ice
axe and crampons will normally be necessary on all departures. Although these
sections are not technically difficult they are high and can be exposed,
leading the requirement of ropes. Where there is a high level of exposure the
guide will cut steps in the snow and/or provide use of a rope. It is
mandatory that you obey the wishes of the guide/s in these circumstances.
Snow cover will of course vary, but the use of ice axes and crampons is
essential when crossing steep snowy terrain. Some previous experience would
be helpful in order to quickly pick up the necessary skills needed to use
both the ice axe and crampons but is not essential. The guides will give a
full briefing and run a training session before the ascents of Toubkal and
Ouanoukrim.
*Risk Warnings:* This trip goes to high altitudes (maximum 4167m, average
2600mm) where there is a risk of being affected by Acute Mountain Sickness.
Please refer to the Altitude Warning below for further information. It is
imperative that if you feel unwell, you advise the guides so they can assist
you. Winter walking can be dangerous and although we take important steps to
manage and minimise this risk, we can never eradicate it altogether. The main
danger is from tripping then sliding down a snow slope, and in certain
conditions, avalanche. The guides are well trained and experienced in
handling all of these scenarios, and have the necessary equipment to do so.
*Please note Ramadan runs from 23 April to evening of 22 May 2020 (evening of
13 April to evening of 12 May 2021)* - During Ramadan, our local guides and
drivers choose to work and so we continue to run trips in this period.
However, the energy levels of our staff and some local guides may be a bit
lower and some restaurants may be closed during the day. Ramadan is a
special time to visit a Muslim country - each evening the streets empty for
an hour while everyone breaks their fast, and there's a feeling of festivity
in the air at sundown.
Hotels & Refuges
You will spend 3 night in Marrakech in a 3 star hotel with en suite rooms and
a small swimming pool. The other 4 nights are spent in a gite and the
Toubkal refuge (3 nights) which has shared facilities. Rooms are
dormitory-style at the base camp refuge, there is a small shop selling
snacks and soft drinks. There are showers, although the water is rarely warm
so be prepared for a very cold shower! Our gite in Aroumd is twin share with
shared facilities, including hot showers, and a lovely terrace overlooking
the mountains. 
The group will have one mountain guide tour leader who will look after the
group for the duration, but for groups of 4 or more an extra mountain guide
(with a slightly different qualification) will join us for the mountain days.
Due to the technical terrain, we ensure that there is never more than 5
clients to 1 guide. The guide has the final decision according to the
conditions, experience and equipment of the group, or individual, as to
whether the group or any member of it can participate on any particular day.
If you feel that you would like to discuss the skill requirements for this
trip first hand, please don't hesitate to call our sales team and ask to be
transferred to one of our Morocco experts. Please be aware that although our
guides help you to become accustomed to the techniques of crampons and ice
axes, they are not instructors and will not be able to provide a
comprehensive instruction course. It is your responsibility to ensure that
you have read these Trip Notes carefully and understand the terrain and level
of competence required to attend. We will also have our own cook who will
prepare all meals for us on the mountain days. Muleteers and/or porters will
be used to transport our luggage to and from the Les Mouflans Refuge (Toubkal
base camp).
All breakfasts, 4 lunches and 4 dinners included.
Breakfasts usually consist of porridge, bread and jam with coffee or tea.
When eating out, meals are reasonably priced - kebab and bread cost only
about £4 (approx. US$6.50). In main towns it is possible to find very good
French and Moroccan restaurants where a meal with wine will cost anything
from £20 (approx. US$30) upwards. Generally dinner is likely to cost between
£5-10 (approx. US$8-15) depending on what you drink. £15 (approx. US$25) a
day for food should be sufficient. Local beers, wines and soft drinks are
available at very reasonable prices but you can pay UK prices or more for
imported alcohol. Your leader can help recommend restaurants each evening.
Vegetarians can be catered for but there is a fairly limited choice of cous
cous and tajine or omelettes. This is particularly the case during the more
rural or trekking sections of the trip. Please note that if you have any
special dietary requirements you should inform the Exodus Office prior to the
trip. If you have a specific medical/dietary need (i.e. coeliac or vegan) you
may find it helpful to bring some items of food with you from home.
If you are travelling from UK we advise you to bring water bottles and your
own water purification tablets in the UK and take them with you. Bottled
water can be purchased throughout the trip, but we strongly discourage buying
these as it contributes to plastic waste. Please note recycling is not fully
established in Morocco so plastic bottles are an increasing waste problem.
For this trip we use a private bus, the size of which will depend on the
group size, with a local driver. Roads in Morocco are reasonable and driving
conditions in towns and on the plains are good. On mountain roads, the pace
will be slower. Although the buses normally have air-conditioning and
heating, this may not be up to European standards.
*Travelling flight inclusive from London: 8 days*
We normally use the scheduled services of British Airways or Royal Air Maroc
(depending on availability). As flight timings and schedules change regularly
we recommend you call one of our specialist sales staff or your agent to
confirm up‐to‐date timings. Please note timings may change at a later
date and cannot be confirmed until approximately two weeks before
departure.
*Travelling land only: 8 days starting and ending in Marrakech*
Your trip normally starts at our accommodation in Marrakech in evening of Day
1 of the itinerary. Details of how to reach the start point are provided in
the Final Joining Instructions ‐ sent approximately two weeks before
departure.
*The airport in Marrakech is famously inefficient, and transit through it can
be a lengthy process. Upon arrival, you can expect at 2 hours to be spent in
getting through immigration, security and baggage reclaim. You should have a
pen with you to complete the arrivals form and have the details of your
accommodation to hand also for this purpose. Operators are not allowed to
wait inside the terminal building for clients, so please find your Exodus
representative outside the main doors.*
*Upon departure from Marrakech, we always suggest allowing 3 hours to
navigate the airport as checking in, bag drop, immigration and security can
take even longer on exit for Marocco. The airport doesn't accept mobile
boarding passes, so we suggest having a printed boarding pass to avoid
subjecting yourself to further delays.*
Marrakech is likely to be warm (rather than hot) during the day, and a little
chilly at night however at altitude you can expect the temperatures to be
low, day and night. In the mountains expect temperatures to vary from 10degC
or so in the sun during the day, to below freezing out of the sun and at
night. Any warmth provided by the sun soon goes after the sun disappears
behind the mountains in the late afternoon.
Marrakech is likely to be warm (rather than hot) during the day, and a little
chilly at night. In the mountains expect temperatures to vary from 10 or so
degrees in the sun during the day, to below freezing out of the sun and at
night. Any warmth provided by the sun soon goes after the sun disappears
behind the mountains in the late afternoon. Heavy snowfall, rain and storms
can be expected in the mountains during winter, but they are normally
reasonably short-lived. Although it would be unusual to experience more than
two days in a row of bad weather, you should be prepared for all conditions.
If there is a stable high pressure over the mountains in winter, which is
common, we will enjoy clear, cold crisp days, and nights with temperatures
dropping well below freezing. The first snows often come in late October or
early November, but some years can see little snow cover up to December.
* Full mountain waterproofs: jacket, trousers and gaiters
* Warm fleeces or down jacket
* Ski pants/warm trousers for trekking days
* 3/4 season walking boots (with rigid or semi-rigid soles and good ankle
support – see below)
* Trainers for wearing at the gite/refuge.
* Warm hat and sunhat
* Gloves (both a thin and thicker pair recommended)
* Water bottle (min 2 litres capacity)
* Sunscreen ( high factor) and sunglasses (and snow goggles preferably)
* Backpack (min size 30 litres and preferable with side straps or ice-axe
loop)
* Trekking poles
* 3/4 seasons sleeping bag
* Head torch
* Soap/towel, toilet paper, wet wipes / anti-bacterial gel
* Earplugs ( the refuge can be noisy)
* Water purification tablets
* Easy to eat snacks such as nuts, dried fruit, cereal bars and chocolate
for energy on the trek.
As Morocco is a Muslim country, we ask that all group members wear suitable
clothing, i.e. over the knee skirts/shorts/trousers and with shoulders
covered. Additionally, women should avoid wearing closefitting or revealing
clothes.
*Crampons and Ice axes*
Crampons and ice axes are provided locally (Camp Magix 10 crampons and Camp
Neve axes) These will normally be issued in (or before) Aroumnd.
*3 - 4 season walking boots*
All crampons must be fitted to an appropriate boot. Fitting a pair of
crampons to an insufficiently sturdy or rigid boot can lead to crampons
coming loose, and accidents. The crampons required for this trip are C1
crampons (entry level mountain crampon). A C1 crampon should be fitted to a
B1 boot. A B1 boot is a 3 to 4 season walking boot with a rigid or semi-rigid
sole, and good (high and stiff) ankle support. The guides will check all
participants boots prior to the trek to confirm they are compatible with the
crampons to be used.
We believe in reducing our negative environmental impacts wherever possible,
this goes for when you need to spend a penny in the great outdoors! If no
facilities are available there may come a time when you need to go to the loo
behind a tree/bush/rock. To avoid leaving toilet paper behind we recommend
taking biodegradable dog poo/sandwich bags with you. Once you have done your
business you can pop the used toilet roll in here and take it off the
mountain or trail at the end of the day and dispose of it when there are
appropriate facilities available.
We recommend you change your money at the airport into the local currency, as
Morocco only allows 1000 dirhams to be imported or exported. There is no
limit on the amount of foreign currency you take provided it is declared on
arrival. When changing your money, ensure that you keep hold of your exchange
receipt as you may need to show it at the airport bank at the end of your
holiday where it's normally possible to change any unspent Dirham notes back
into Euros, Sterling or US Dollars.
*Extra expenses*
Hot showers are available at the refuge for 10 Dirhams (£0.80) per person,
per shower.
Drinks and snacks whilst in the hotels and refuge (please note there is only
mineral water and chocolate at Neltner Refuge) - approximately £2-3 (approx.
US$3-5) per day should be enough for this (see Food section).
Entrance fees to some historic and religious sites such as the Jardin
Majorelle: allow up to £10 (approx. US$15).
Allow approximately £2-4 (US$3-6.50) per day to cover small souvenirs or
postcards etc. Some may be cheap, but carpets, for example, can cost a lot.
Our local staff are paid well and fairly for their work with Exodus and
tipping is at your discretion for both the leader and the local staff.
However we would like to advise that tipping is part of the local culture and
generally expected. If you do wish to tip, we have found it useful for the
group to have a kitty for tipping – about 300 dirhams per person, this can
ease confusion and embarrassment of not knowing how much or how little to tip
local staff (such as drivers, cooks and guides). If you do not wish to join
in on the group kitty, do not feel pressured. Many clients also wish to tip
their leaders at the end of the trip, we suggest 30 dirhams a day per person.
This is completely at your own discretion and to be used as a guideline only.
* Travel insurance
* Visa's and Vaccinations
* Single supplement
Ved skriftlig aksept av vårt tilbud bekrefter du/dere at våre betingelser er både lest og forstått og at evt kansellerings gebyrer kan tilkomme ved en evt. avbestilling av reisen.
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