High Atlas charity trek, Morocco
| country: | Morocco |
| location: | Atlas Mountains, Marrakech, Mount Toubkal |
| departures: | 2010: 4 May, 14 Sep |
| price: | From £125 deposit + £1375 fundraised (55% to charity) (6 days) inc UK flights. Self funders - £125 deposit + £719 (inc £100 to charity) |
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the amazing things you'll be doing
Trek in the Atlas Mountains and raise money for your favourite charity at the same time as taking part in an amazing adventure!
Highlights include:
Unforgettable mountain scenery, breathtaking views Daunting peaks scattered with Berber villages Summit Jebel Toubkal, Morocco's highest mountain Trek at high altitude Explore the souks of Marrakech
This challenge offers a tough, yet incredibly rewarding trek combining unforgettable mountain scenery with the splendour and colour of Morocco and its traditional people, the Berbers.
Morocco is a country full of mysticism and mythology, a diverse and spectacular land. In the midst of it all lies the High Atlas mountain range, home to Jebel Toubkal one of the tallest peaks in North Africa, standing at 4,167m. Reaching the summit of this awesome mountain signifies the peak of your long weekend trek. You will navigate your way, climbing and scrambling over huge, obstructive boulders and loose rock of Jebel Toubkal.
Trekking will be for 5 to 8 hours each day and will be strenuous yet incredibly rewarding as you trek through peaks scattered with remote Berber villages. A good degree of fitness will be required for this trip, however there is no technical climbing involved. The weather is unpredictable and can make the going very difficult.
The challenge ends in the vibrant city of Marrakech, where the southern tribesmen and Berber villagers bring their goods to the souks, providing plenty of excitement.
Please note: This trip can also be booked without flights. Some of the dates are exclusive for specific charities, please contact us for details.
Highlights include:
This challenge offers a tough, yet incredibly rewarding trek combining unforgettable mountain scenery with the splendour and colour of Morocco and its traditional people, the Berbers.
Morocco is a country full of mysticism and mythology, a diverse and spectacular land. In the midst of it all lies the High Atlas mountain range, home to Jebel Toubkal one of the tallest peaks in North Africa, standing at 4,167m. Reaching the summit of this awesome mountain signifies the peak of your long weekend trek. You will navigate your way, climbing and scrambling over huge, obstructive boulders and loose rock of Jebel Toubkal.
Trekking will be for 5 to 8 hours each day and will be strenuous yet incredibly rewarding as you trek through peaks scattered with remote Berber villages. A good degree of fitness will be required for this trip, however there is no technical climbing involved. The weather is unpredictable and can make the going very difficult.
The challenge ends in the vibrant city of Marrakech, where the southern tribesmen and Berber villagers bring their goods to the souks, providing plenty of excitement.
what this trip includes
International flights to and from Morocco, all meals and drinking water on the trek, unless otherwise stated in the itinerary, all transfers in Morocco, all accommodation whether in the refuge or hotel, English speaking expedition leader and full local support team, a US$20 donation to a local community project, a T-Shirt and discount from Nomad Travellers Stores for personal equipment. We also make a contribution through Climate Care to offset the equivalent CO2 emissions of your international flight. Please note: This trip can also be booked without flights. Some of the dates are exclusive for specific charities, please contact us for details.
day-by-day itinerary
| Day 1: | Depart UK to Marrakech You will fly with Royal Air Maroc from London to Marrakech, our representative will be at the airport to help you to check in and answer any questions. The flight to Marrakech arrives later the same day where you will be greeted by your local guide & transferred to your comfortable hotel, for a relaxing dinner and overnight stay. |
| Day 2: | Marrakech to the Atlas MountainsYou will need to wake early for a French buffet breakfast & tour briefing before setting off to the Atlas village of Imlil. After the scenic 2hr drive you will reach the village of Imlil nestling at 2,000m at the heart of the Atlas Mountains. Here you will meet the guides and muleteers and prepare for your trek ahead. After a glass of mint tea, you begin your trek firstly to the village of Aremd, 45 mins ahead. You will follow the riverbed then head upwards to the next village of Sidi Chamarouch. Its famous ‘white rock mosque’ can be seen from a distance, and is a place of pilgrimage for the sick as it is said that the spirits here heal illness. You will pause here for lunch and have time to meet some of the Berber inhabitants. From here you continue your uphill trek to Neltner Refuge (3,200m), your destination for the next 2 nights, where you can enjoy the beautiful views of the surrounding valleys. After a hearty meal an early night is recommended in anticipation for your summit attempt tomorrow. |
| Day 3: | Neltner Refuge to Mount ToubkalAfter a very early breakfast, you will depart with mountain guides and head for the peak of Toubkal. You can pause many times to enjoy the stunning views that surround you, and to catch your breath! Although the ascent of Toubkal is non-technical, it can be quite tough going in parts, especially across the scree. You will pause at the col for a snack with your end destination in sight. With a final push, you will be rewarded knowing that you have reached the summit of North Africa's highest peak. You can take a moment to take in the beauty before you and marvel at your achievements before taking a well-earned snack break! From the summit you descend and return to Neltner Refuge. For those who wish, a shower may be available at the refuge to ease those aching limbs! |
| Day 4: | Neltner Refuge to MarrakechAfter breakfast, you will set off for the easy descent to Sidi Chamarouch (2,310m), where you will stop en route for a snack and upon reaching the village, a chance for tea & shopping. You arrive in Aremd approximately 2hrs later, and then make your last trek to Imlil only 30mins away. You then say goodbye to all your muleteers, re-join the vehicle and continue to Marrakech, where you will have a meal. The remainder of the day is free for shopping, sightseeing or relaxing! Tonight you will stay in a local hotel and savour the memories of your great climb. |
| Day 5: | Tour of MarrakechIn the morning you will have a guided tour of the exciting city of Marrakech. In the New Quarter you will see Marrakech’s most famous landmark, the stunning 70 metre high Koutoubia Minaret followed by the Saadian Tombs alongside the Kasbah Mosque. Sixty-six of the Saadians are buried in these tombs which date back to the late 1500’s. The tour ends in the bustling Djemma El Fna square and souqs. After lunch in the medina you will have the afternoon free to explore the subtropical botanical gardens of Jardin Majorelle, which are a 20 minute walk from your hotel. Celebration meal and overnight in hotel in Marakech. |
| Day 6: | Arrive homeYou will be transferred to the airport for a flight back to the UK, arriving back at London in the early evening. |
travellers' tales
Most memorable was setting out v. early a.m for the summit and watching the light come up as you see what you've just climbed in the dark! (more)
Highly Commended
This tourism business was Highly Commended in our 2007 Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards - the largest awards of their kind in the world, and organised by responsibletravel.com in association with The Times, World Travel Market and Geographical Magazine, of the Royal Geographical Society.Since 2004, the Awards has recognised individuals, companies and organisations in travel making a big commitment to the culture and economies of local communities and helping to conserve biodiversity.
how this holiday makes a difference
 Our Responsible Tourism commitment extends to helping the local communities we visit. We employ local guides, porters and other essential support staff, and where possible use locally owned accommodation. We donate approximately US $500 per trek to the SOS Children’s Village in Morocco. Hermann Gmeiner's idea of giving a home and a family to orphaned and abandoned children was realised when the first SOS Children's Village in the country went into operation, 40kms south of Marrakech in 1985. Now the SOS organisation has facilities throughout the world. SOS Children's Village mothers and co-workers have been trained in SOS Vocational Training and care for children at Kindergarten, children and young people at Middle school and older ages who may not be able to afford to go to school, are orphans, have special needs or learning difficulties. The children learn how to work with nature and its resources by working in the fruit and vegetable gardens belonging to the SOS Children's Villages and by tending livestock. Young girls and women are also given the opportunity to learn a profession such as weaving or confectionary as well as have access to mother and child counselling. As a company we have also drastically reduced the carbon footprint of our UK operations, and are making a huge effort to do so in their destination countries too. We are also investing to offset the emissions from the international flights required to take part in our challenges. We also provide travellers with a responsible tourism policy detailing ways in which you can be an ethical traveller. From packing conscientiously to advice on local customs & environmental awareness overseas to maintaining contact with your new international friends upon your return – our policy is a comprehensive document providing all the info you need to trek, climb of cycle responsibly. |
Tourism can be good and bad for destinations & local people. We carefully screen every holiday against our criteria for responsible travel. 'Look behind the brochure' to find how each holiday makes a difference (see left). We don't claim to be perfect - there is no global accreditation - but we've led the way since 2001 and screened 1000's of holidays. We invite every traveller to write a review about their experiences and responsible tourism. This valuable feedback is sent to the people who run the holidays. We keep a very close eye on it and take off holidays that don't live up to our standards. |