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Start Agadir; joining the group in the early evening for the group briefing. Hotel Oasis or similar
From Agadir we drive inland to Taroudant where we'll enjoy a brief tour, including time for a coffee on the square. We have lunch in the oasis of Tiout before continuing onto Ighrem, a copper town that has survived for centuries on its trade of pots and water urns with the Saharan caravans. It lies on a plateau near the Tizi'n'Touzlimt pass (1820m), where the road to Tata and the desert landscape meet the Anti-Atlas range. Here we start our trek into the mountains towards our camping spot for the evening, Tagragra No. 1. Perched on a plateau the sunrise in the morning is well worth any early night.Full-service Camping
Activity Hours: 1.5
Altitude Gain: 150
Altitude Loss: 150
A long first day as we climb over a col and then a series of spurs before entering a broad valley. After a picnic lunch we continue past an abandoned mine towards the head of the valley eventually reaching the beautiful village of Amal. Finally we cross over a pass for the final stretch of today's walk in the beautiful evening light to the village of Tagdicht. Here we camp on a traditional 'threshing' platform that lies between the many agricultural terraces and is just outside a village at the foot of Jebel Aklim. Full-service Camping
Distance in Km: 22
Distance in Miles: 13.7
Activity Hours: 6
Altitude Gain: 450
Altitude Loss: 250
Today is a steeper day's walking. We climb Jebel Aklim (2531m), one of the highest summits in the Anti-Atlas, that offers excellent views to the High Atlas as well as Jebel Siroua. The summit is reached via a high col and a series of spurs. Pausing for a scenic picnic lunch we then descend to our camp at Tagragra No.2. This area is one of the most remote in this range, yet is still surrounded by Berber villages. The valleys are full of brightly dressed women and children at the time of harvest, working in the fields. Full-service Camping
Distance in Km: 16
Distance in Miles: 9.9
Activity Hours: 6.5
Altitude Gain: 800
Altitude Loss: 900
We travel from Tagragra through the wonderfully remote village of Irtem. Walking through these villages, we have the opportunity to chat with the Berber people, enjoy their friendly conversation, (mainly through hand gestures and basic French), and gain true insight into their traditional way of life. We finally arrive at our campsite for the evening close to the village of M'dint (City of Cats). Nestled in a valley of olive groves and small trickling streams the camp site is protected from the elements and provides a peaceful resting spot. Full-service Camping
Distance in Km: 20
Distance in Miles: 12.4
Activity Hours: 6
Altitude Gain: 300
Altitude Loss: 600
Leaving the village of M'dint, we cross two cols, slowly weaving our way up the valley. The villagers are very friendly and if we are lucky we may get invited in to try some mint tea and local delicacies. Passing through ancient olive plantations we admire the irrigation channels before resting for a picnic lunch under the shady trees. Be sure to hunt out the small river for a soothing paddle! We work our way up the last pass of Tizgue for a steady uphill push, well worth it as we are rewarded with views of our entire route. Our campsite rests next to ancient argan trees and there is a natural series of rock pools where we can enjoy a swim and a wash as the sun sets.Full-service Camping
Distance in Km: 22
Distance in Miles: 13.7
Activity Hours: 7
Altitude Gain: 750
Altitude Loss: 650
Today offers picturesque walking through the date palms and rocky landscapes of the Anti-Atlas. We walk along a dry riverbed (wadi) before arriving at Anammer village for our final picnic lunch. In the early afternoon we transfer by minibus to Oulad Berhil, a journey of around 1 hour. After check in at our Riad, there will the option to rest and relax or make the short journey to Taroudant (45 minutes) where we are free to explore the city, dubbed 'Marrakech in miniature'. There is the chance to visit the souk for some authentic Moroccan souvenirs or relax in one of the hammam steam baths before our farewell meal.Riad Hida or similar
Distance in Km: 13
Distance in Miles: 8
Activity Hours: 3
Altitude Gain: 194
Altitude Loss: 69
Today we will check out of our Riad, and make our way to Agadir via Taroudant, where again there will be time to wander around and pick up any last minute souvenirs. Those on the group flights are taken to Agadir Airport in time for their flight, which is usually in the evening. For those not on the group flights, the trip ends in Taroudant. It is possible to join the group transfer to Agadir Airport with prior arrangement.
5 nights wild camping, 2 nights 3-star hotels with en suite rooms5 days
point-to-point walking Group normally 6 to 16, plus leader. Min age 16
yrsAltitude maximum 2531m, average 1830mTravel by private minibus
Moroccan food is generally speaking, excellent. At the beginning and the end
of the trek there will be the opportunity to eat in restaurants where 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.On the trek all of the food is provided.Breakfast is likely to
consist of a variety of breads with jam and other condiments as well as tea
and coffee, and porridge. Protein or fruit is a rarity.Lunch is usually
plenty of salads, plus a hote dish and vegetables. Dinner usually sees a
variety of dishes served that include seasonal fruit and vegetables as well
as some meat and tinned fish as well as various rice, lentil and bean dishes.
The choice tends to be large so there is usually something for everyone. It
is certainly not limited to cous cous and tagine and is often commented as a
highlight of the trip!Vegetarians can be catered for and there is usually a
variety of bean/pulse dishes as well as omelettes and vegetables. 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.Drinking WaterFor the camping part of the trip, the leader
will collect a small amount of money (around 40 dirhams) to purchase several
5l water containers from which you'll be able to refill your bottle. Whilst
individual bottles of water can be purchased at the beginning of the trip, we
strongly encourage you not to buy bottled water as this contributes to the
growing problem of plastic pollution in Morocco.Where running water is
available, you can refill your bottle with tap water although this should not
be drunk untreated. There is a wide range of products available these days
which are even more effective than the traditional purification tablets - we
recommend talking to an outdoor retailer for the latest advice as
technologies are improving all the time. Handheld UV filters such as a
‘SteriPEN’ are very effective, can treat 1 litre of water in a couple of
minutes and the water is ready immediately – look for lightweight lithium
battery models and remember that you will need to bring a wide-mouthed bottle
(e.g. Nalgene) for use with these devices.There are also an array of water
filter and purifier bottles on the market but be wary of their weight,
bottles with a small capacity and the products performance in freezing
conditions. Exodus has partnered with Water-to-Go, a filtration system that
eliminates over 99.99% of all microbiological contaminants from any non-salt
water source – please visit Water-to-Go for more information. Exodus
customers can claim 15% off your first order, and better still, 15% of the
purchase value will be donated to the Exodus Travels Foundation. Please
note that if the water freezes it will clog up the filter – in this event,
defrost before use by sitting the filter in lukewarm water for 10-15
minutes.
5 nights wild camping, 2 nights 3-star hotels with en suite rooms5 days
point-to-point walking Group normally 6 to 16, plus leader. Min age 16
yrsAltitude maximum 2531m, average 1830mTravel by private minibus
This trip includes 5 days point-to-point walking with full porterage. The
maximum altitude is 2531m, with an overall average of 1830m. This trek
involves walking on rough trails and paths scattered with loose stones; some
days are demanding although no great altitude is reached and there are no
great extremes of temperature to contend with. It is possible that on some
nights there may be a frost, especially between November and February.Hotel
accommodation on this trip is basic, but clean and comfortable. All nights
camping are wild with no showers, but a basic toilet block is set up, for us
to use. In recent months local authorities have been clamping down on wild
camping, despite it being perfectly legal. It may happen that we have to move
to gites on some nights. Please note Ramadan runs from 2 April to 1 May
2022. Ramadan is a special time to visit Morocco as it is one of the most
important times on the Muslim calendar. Each evening the streets empty while
people return home to break the fast and then there is an air of festivity
every evening. Our leaders and drivers choose to work at this time so we
continue to run trips however please be aware their energy levels may be
slightly lower. Tourist sites are still open although closing times may be
earlier than usual. Your leader will know how the timings for each day need
to be adapted in order to still experience all the inclusions on this trip.
Restaurants may close during the day and this is also accounted for in
planning meal arrangements for your group. Shops are usually open though
their hours may vary and they will definitely be closed during the breaking
of the fast. To fully enjoy your holiday experience at this unique time of
year we suggest patience and flexibility. (In fact these are useful at any
time of year on any overseas holiday.)
Hotels & CampingCamping on this trip is always full service but in wild camps, as official
campsites simply do not exist in the areas we visit. Wild camping means there
is no ablutions or toilet block. A basic toilet tent is erected at each camp.
All camp chores are done for you from erecting and dismantling your tent to
all the cooking and washing up. A table and chairs are also provided for meal
times.On our last night we stay in the pretty Riad Hida, on the road back to
Taroudant near the village of Souss. It offers an outdoor pool with a
furnished terrace and a beautiful Moroccan style garden. The perfect place to
relax after 4 days under canvas. It is possible to request single
accommodation throughout the trip (hotels and camping). Please contact us for
prices and availability.
There will be a local leader, driver and local muleteers/guides throughout. A
second leader will join the group for all walking days for groups of 11 or
more.
Moroccan food is generally speaking, excellent. At the beginning and the end
of the trek there will be the opportunity to eat in restaurants where 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.On the trek all of the food is provided.Breakfast is likely to
consist of a variety of breads with jam and other condiments as well as tea
and coffee, and porridge. Protein or fruit is a rarity.Lunch is usually
plenty of salads, plus a hote dish and vegetables. Dinner usually sees a
variety of dishes served that include seasonal fruit and vegetables as well
as some meat and tinned fish as well as various rice, lentil and bean dishes.
The choice tends to be large so there is usually something for everyone. It
is certainly not limited to cous cous and tagine and is often commented as a
highlight of the trip!Vegetarians can be catered for and there is usually a
variety of bean/pulse dishes as well as omelettes and vegetables. 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.Drinking WaterFor the camping part of the trip, the leader
will collect a small amount of money (around 40 dirhams) to purchase several
5l water containers from which you'll be able to refill your bottle. Whilst
individual bottles of water can be purchased at the beginning of the trip, we
strongly encourage you not to buy bottled water as this contributes to the
growing problem of plastic pollution in Morocco.Where running water is
available, you can refill your bottle with tap water although this should not
be drunk untreated. There is a wide range of products available these days
which are even more effective than the traditional purification tablets - we
recommend talking to an outdoor retailer for the latest advice as
technologies are improving all the time. Handheld UV filters such as a
‘SteriPEN’ are very effective, can treat 1 litre of water in a couple of
minutes and the water is ready immediately – look for lightweight lithium
battery models and remember that you will need to bring a wide-mouthed bottle
(e.g. Nalgene) for use with these devices.There are also an array of water
filter and purifier bottles on the market but be wary of their weight,
bottles with a small capacity and the products performance in freezing
conditions. Exodus has partnered with Water-to-Go, a filtration system that
eliminates over 99.99% of all microbiological contaminants from any non-salt
water source – please visit Water-to-Go for more information. Exodus
customers can claim 15% off your first order, and better still, 15% of the
purchase value will be donated to the Exodus Travels Foundation. Please
note that if the water freezes it will clog up the filter – in this event,
defrost before use by sitting the filter in lukewarm water for 10-15
minutes.
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 is not up to European standards.
Travelling flight inclusive from London: 8 daysWe normally use the scheduled
services of British Airways, EasyJet 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. There are
alternative flight options from regional airports (Bristol, Liverpool,
Manchester…) Please ask our Sales team for more information. Travelling
land only: 8 days starting and ending in AgadirYour trip normally starts at
our accommodation in Agadir on 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.
For winter treks, the days are usually warm (above 20ºC) in Agadir and
Taroudant while the nights can be cold, with temperatures dropping to 5ºC.
Rain cannot be ruled out but is unlikely to be prolonged. On trek, the days
should be warm (15-20ºC) with clear skies, but the nights are generally cold
and sometimes drop below freezing. On the high ridges and summits there is
often snow but not normally enough to stop us walking. Very occasionally snow
has been known at lower altitudes but it does not lie for long. For spring
and autumn treks, the days are pleasant (20-26ºC) in Agadir and Taroudant
and the nights mild. Rain is infrequent. On trek the days should be warm to
hot (18- 28ºC with clear skies and strong sun) the nights will be cool
(8-18ºC). At this time of year it is unlikely there will be any snow on the
higher ridges. Rain cannot be ruled out but is unlikely to be prolonged.
Please note mountain weather is always unpredictable and as a result we may
very occasionally be forced to amend the itinerary for part of the trek.
4 season sleeping bag - it can get very cold at night!Warm
trousersLong-sleeved thermal top and long johnsHiking boots with good ankle
supportDay packWater bottleWater purification tabletsWarm hat and
glovesSunglasses and sun creamWaterproofsToilet paperTowelTorch
(flashlight)Sandals or trainers for the eveningEarplugs if you have trouble
sleeping For November to January departures, we also recommend:Fleece
jacketAs Morocco is a strict Muslim country, we ask that you wear suitable
clothing, i.e. over the knee skirts/shorts/trousers and with shoulders
covered. Additionally, women should avoid wearing close-fitting or revealing
clothes.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.Plastic bottles are a big issue in many
countries where recycling isn’t yet widely available; they often end up in
landfill sites or get burnt, both processes are harmful to the environment
and we would like to reduce our impact here. In an effort to reduce waste
from single-use plastic bottles we strongly encourage you to bring a means of
purifying or filtering water which can be collected from streams. This can be
done via water purification tablets, water bottles with a built in filter,
portable filtration pumps or the use of sterilisation tools such as
steripens. Steripens use UV light in order to kill viruses and bacteria as do
purification tablets whilst filtration systems or bottles, obviously, filter
these out. There are numerous brands available such as ‘Water-to-Go’,
‘Grayl’ and others, similarly there are numerous water filter pumps such
as ‘Lifesaver Liberty’ and others. These are just suggestions of possible
brands but you may want to research into which is most suitable for you. It
is possible to buy bottles of water at various points but we discourage this
as it contributes to plastic waste.
Walking poles
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 a Bureau
de Change outside of the Arrivals Hall which will have a shorter queue. 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.Please allow a few pounds to cover postcards, small
souvenirs, soft drinks etc at the beginning and the end of the trek.
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 200 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 per person per
day. This is completely at your own discretion and to be used as a guideline
only.
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