Down to earth holidays

Description

During this memorable trek in the High Atlas mountains, you start from Aremd, a small Berber village near Mount Toubkal, the highest peak in Morocco. From here you tackle the 3 day trek to the summit and back.

You fly in and out of Marrakesh for this trek, so you will also have time to explore some of this magical southern Moroccan walled city. We'll take you on a tour to the main sights such as the palaces and museums, then you can explore the souks (markets) and other highlights by yourself. Don't forget to spend at least one night in the main square, the Djemma el Fna, where each evening there are a myriad of food stalls and entertainers such as musicians, acrobats, storytellers and more. It's a vibrant and fascinating place to be.

However your main reason for coming on this trip is to tackle Morocco's highest mountain. Its summit is at 4167m and the mountain can be climbed from about late April to October, that is when the worst of the snow on the mountain has gone. Whilst it is obviously not one of the world's highest mountains, it is still a challenge. You need to watch for the effects of altitude, but by taking it slowly most people are fine.

From the base camp of the foot of Toubkal it is a day to summit and return to base camp.  Exactly how long this takes is completely down to your own pace, and the guides will help you on your way of course.

The Berber guides and porters look after you and the camp, and the cooking. We don't use the huts as we find that camping is actually more pleasant than the huts.  

For a night each side of the trek, we base ourselves in the tiny Berber community of Aremd. You will stay in a Berber gite (guest house), which is more like a homestay really. Facilities are simple. Most gites have one or two sleeping rooms which have thick foam day-beds on which you can sleep in your sleeping bag. Washing and toilet facilities are also basic (rarely hot water, and usually outside of the house) but usually kept clean. Most guests actually say that their stay has been a real highlight, as the hosts try very hard to please and are very attentive to their guests.

So, this trip offers you a challenge to reach the summit of Mount Toubkal, but also an insight into Moroccan Berber life in the Atlas Mountains, and of course time to explore Marrekesh. It's a real gem of a trip.

Detailed Itinerary

1. DAY 1: Arrive in Marrakech.Transfer to your hotel.
   
   
2. DAY 2: Today you have a free morning to explore Marrakech. After lunch we'll transfer you to Imlil in the Atlas Mountains. This is about a 1½ hour drive through lovely mountain scenery. On arrival here we have a short walk (about 30-40 minutes)to get to the tiny Berber village of Aremd. Tonight you're staying in a Berber guest house. Though it's simple accommodation, you'll find your hosts welcoming and willing to make your stay happy. They cook a mean tagine and cous cous too! (B, D)
   
   
3. DAY 3: Today is the start of your three day Toubkal trek. This morning you trek from Aremd to base of Toubkal. It's very rocky underfoot, and while this part isn't too steep, it still takes your breath away at times. Camp. (FB)
   
   
4. DAY 4: Today is the big push to the top! Trek from your base camp to the summit.  Weather permitting, you'll have great views of the surrounding Atlas Mountains, and of course, you'll have that feeling of elation from having made it! Trek back to base. Camp. (FB)
   
   
5. DAY 5: We trek from base back to Aremd this morning, then from Imlil, transfer you back to Marrakech. Hotel. (B, L)
   
   
6. DAY 6: Enjoy a morning guided tour of Marrakech city's sights. This afternoon just enjoy the city and do some shopping in the souks. Hotel. (B)
   
   
7. DAY 7: Transfer to airport for flight home. (B)

Is it for you?

This is a reasonably challenging trip, particularly due to the altitude. You need only carry a small backpack with your requirements for the day. You need to be comfortable with camping, and staying in basic guest houses with few facilities.

Best times to go

Mount Toubkal is snowcapped during the winter months when ice and snow climbing equipment and experience are required and wdo not organise treks at this time of year. The trek can be taken from about April to October.

Getting there

There are several no-frills airlines flying direct from London to Marrakesh, including Easy Jet, Ryan Air and GB Airways (a subsidy of BA).

Responsible Travel

How this holiday helps:
For this trek we use Moroccan (mostly Berber) guides and porters. We try hard to ensure (and indeed expect) that all guides and porters are treated respectfully and fairly. We also use locally-owned Berber gites (guest houses) in the tiny village of Aremd, which is an important income for this remote village.

Carbon Offsetting:
For every client we take on holiday we plant 10 indigenous tree saplings. This is used as a poverty alleviation and biodiversity scheme as well as helping with carbon offsetting. Click for more details …

Giving to grassroots projects:
Our registered charity, The Tribes Foundation, is currently raising funds for a project in Morocco. The kindness of strangers can make a big difference, so if you’re a travel philanthropist considering donating to a worthwhile charity, please consider backing this excellent community project.

In Morocco we are raising funds for a village about 1½ hours drive from Marrakech. The inhabitants are extremely poor and live from subsistant farming and breeding goats as well as the making of traditional plain pottery. The inhabitants of the village do a great damage to the environment by cutting wood and the rare bushes that grow in this area. Our program with the people in this village is to help them understand the danger of destroying their environment that way and trying to help them find other alternatives. We are also helping the pre-school here too.

You can see photos and more details of this project on www.the-tribes-foundation.org.

Shop ethically:
If you support buying fair trade, ethical and organic goods, please take a look at our online ethical shop for books, maps, travel gadgets, first aid kits etc before you travel. This is also a great place to find organic goodies and handmade crafts, many made in the countries and areas that we visit. Shop at Tribes Trading.

FOR MORE GENERAL DETAILS ABOUT OUR RESPONSIBLE TRAVEL POLICIES, CLICK HERE.

Comments

Trip Code: MOR2

Validity: 15-4-09 to 31-10-09

Individual Trip Dates & Prices

2+ people can take this holiday at any time betwen about April and October, subject to availability. Please call us to check availability.

2009 Price:
6th May to about end October - £750 pp.
1st April to 5th May - £835 pp.

• Prices are based on twin share, excluding flights.
• Weather determines exactly when we have to stop offering Toubkal treks.
• A solo climb can be arranged for a surcharge.
• Please ask about child rates (if available) and single supplements.
• Exchange rate fluctuations may affect these prices (see our Booking Conditions).

Group Trip Dates & Prices

Min/max: 4 / 12

2009 Price:  £575 pp.

2009 Dates:
26 Jul-1 Aug
6-12 Sept
18-24 Oct

• Prices are based on twin share, excluding flights.
• Please ask about child rates (if available) and single supplements.
• Exchange rate fluctuations may affect these prices (see our Booking Conditions).

Duration: 7 days

Included
Airport transfers, half day Marrakech tour (not including entrance fees) ground transport, guide, camping equipment (except sleeping bag and mat), mules and Berber muleteers.

Not Included
Flights, insurance, visas, drinks, sleeping bag and mat, items of a personal nature.