Hiking and clean up trek in the High Atlas Mountains
| country: | Morocco |
| location: | Atlas Mountains |
| trip type: | Strenuous walking holidays |
| departures: | 2008: 27 Sep |
| price: | From £595 (9 days) including flights from the UK. Local payment Dirham 1000 (approx £62). Single room option £40. This trip can also be booked without flights |
the amazing things you'll be doing
We pioneered the first 'clean-up' trips to Egypt in 1999 and subsequent trips to Sinai and Morocco. This time our sights are on the High Atlas in Morocco. Unlike most clean up trips which merely collect litter, we'll also be providing a long-term solution to the litter problem in this popular trekking area by funding the construction of an incinerator by the local Village Association.
Highlights
Clean up the trekking trails & fund construction of an incinerator. Berber village: Interaction with the local Berber people. Jebel Toubkal: Walking & ascent of North Africa’s highest peak. Marrakech: The Djemaa El Fna and bustling souks.
Jebel Toubkal Ascent
Leaving Marrakech, we drive into the High Atlas. In the village of Imlil we'll meet the Village Association and see the projects we are supporting before our mule-supported trek takes us to the Berber village of Aremd (1950m). Admiring dramatic views to the surrounding peaks, we continue to our next camp (3125m). The toughest part of the trek is the non-technical but strenuous ascent of Jebel Toubkal itself (4165m) and we aim to arrive just after sunrise. After spending time enjoying the stunning views and posing for the classic photo moment, we return to the camp. The next 3 days will be spent collecting litter from the camps and trails as we descend back to Imlil.
The Magic of Marrakech
We end our journey in the fabled city of Marrakech. Steeped in history and bustling with activity, the heart of Marrakech lies in the Djemma el Fna - the focal point where mountain Berbers and desert people from the south come to exchange news, haggle and trade in jelabahs, carpets and spices. A scene straight out of 'Arabian Nights', the melee of jugglers, story-tellers, musicians, spice vendors and kebab stalls that gather at dusk provide a feast for the senses and memories that will last long after your return.
This is a short and rewarding trip with a clear benefit. The Toubkal trek is graded strenuous with up to 7 hours trekking on summit day to an altitude of over 4000m. All litter collecting gear will be provided.
Highlights
Jebel Toubkal Ascent
Leaving Marrakech, we drive into the High Atlas. In the village of Imlil we'll meet the Village Association and see the projects we are supporting before our mule-supported trek takes us to the Berber village of Aremd (1950m). Admiring dramatic views to the surrounding peaks, we continue to our next camp (3125m). The toughest part of the trek is the non-technical but strenuous ascent of Jebel Toubkal itself (4165m) and we aim to arrive just after sunrise. After spending time enjoying the stunning views and posing for the classic photo moment, we return to the camp. The next 3 days will be spent collecting litter from the camps and trails as we descend back to Imlil.
The Magic of Marrakech
We end our journey in the fabled city of Marrakech. Steeped in history and bustling with activity, the heart of Marrakech lies in the Djemma el Fna - the focal point where mountain Berbers and desert people from the south come to exchange news, haggle and trade in jelabahs, carpets and spices. A scene straight out of 'Arabian Nights', the melee of jugglers, story-tellers, musicians, spice vendors and kebab stalls that gather at dusk provide a feast for the senses and memories that will last long after your return.
This is a short and rewarding trip with a clear benefit. The Toubkal trek is graded strenuous with up to 7 hours trekking on summit day to an altitude of over 4000m. All litter collecting gear will be provided.
day-by-day itinerary
| Day 1: | Fly London - Marrakech. |
| Day 2: | Drive Imlil, meet Village Association and trek Aremd. |
| Day 3: | Trek Toubkal camp. |
| Day 4: | Attempt Jebel Toubkal then return Toubkal camp. |
| Day 5: | Cleaning around Toubkal camp. |
| Day 6: | Trek and clean from Toubkal camp to Sidi Charamouch. |
| Day 7: | Trek and clean from Sidi Charamouch to Imlil, drive Marrakech. |
| Day 8: | Free in Marrakech. |
| Day 9: | Fly London. |
a taste of volunteering trip - what's it all about?
This type of trip is ideal for people who are unable to take very long periods off work but who are interested in volunteering to work with communities in need, or in wildlife conservation. These shorter trips combine volunteering with an opportunity to see the main sights in destinations. Find out more about 'taste of volunteering'how this holiday makes a difference
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In the short term we will make the Toubkal trekking area a cleaner and more pleasant environment. For the long term, our clean up trips will fund the construction of an incinerator for the villagers of Aremd. In rural mountain communities where there is no waste disposal facility, small-scale incineration is a more cost-effective solution to domestic waste than landfill. We hope to raise awareness also with trekking groups and operators to dispose of their own waste responsibly – preferably taking it out of the area completely.
 As well as the above, we support a variety of charities and projects worldwide which support vulnerable communities and habitats including Friends of Conservation, Hope Worldwide and Send A Cow. We are also actively engaged with UK travel industry bodies which promote best practice in responsible tourism, such as Tourism Concern, The Travel Foundation and AITO. Our commitment to responsible tourism is not limited to our overseas operation and we have measures to ensure our UK office operates according to our responsible tourism policy. Carbon offsets for all flights booked with us are included in the tour cost. |
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. |