Morocco — Africa — Explore Worldwide 2008/09 online holiday brochure

I me OUKAIMEDEN na Ou k aim ed IABESSENE AGUERSIOUAL OUANSKERA en e AFRICA Life on Trek Hiking for days at a time through vast expanses of wild country is an exhilarating and sometimes demanding experience. The journey is made easier by our team of muleteers and porters, who carry our food, equipment and personal gear. One mule is usually needed for every 2-3 trekkers and all you will need to carry is your daysac, camera, waterbottle, fleece and waterproofs. The paths we follow vary from mule tracks, normally in good condition and wide enough to walk two abreast, to mountain paths that may be a little rougher with occasional stretches of scree and dust roads. Depending on the weather and local conditions, you can expect to be walking from 5 to 8 hours a day, with plenty of breaks and a long lunch stop. Early mornings and early nights are the one consistent feature on a trekking tour. We usually get up early, pack and have a light breakfast before setting off, trekking in the coolness of the morning before the day has had time to heat up too much. We break for lunch at midday and continue in the afternoon until we reach our night stop. Dinner is bought locally so the choice of food is dependent on the season: eggs, bread, fruit and vegetables are generally available and we will usually eat in traditional Berber style for example tajine stews and couscous. Local staff prepare the meals and although food is set up for you, we recommend groups help as much as possible. This not only helps to speed things along, it is a fantastic way to bond as a team and get to know the people who are involved behind the scenes! MOROCCO Campsite with a view! Descending the High Atlas/Jerry Lefevre High Atlas Trek TREKKING GRADE B/C Ref HA JFMAMJJASOND JFMA 15 DAYS HOTEL/VILLAGE HOUSES/FIXED CAMP ON FOOT TO ISOLATED VILLAGES During some ten days of fairly rugged walking, we discover the wilderness of Moroccos mountains, stay with the hardy and hospitable Berber people and attempt an ascent of Mount Toubkal, the highest peak in North Africa. Mules carry our food, equipment and personal gear. Old Marrakesh Well spend our first day in this magical old city a meeting place for mountain Berbers and desert people from the south. Crammed with story-tellers, musicians, jugglers and water-sellers, its celebrated main square the Djemma-el-Fna is a scene straight out of the Arabian Nights. We reach Sidi Chamharouch, the shrine of a local holy man, and continue up into the unforgiving High Atlas reaching our base near Neltner (3125m) to make an optional attempt on the summit of Jebel Toubkal (4165m), North Africas highest peak. Finally we return to our trek starting-point and descend once more to Marrakech for a last look at this fascinating city. FACTFILE Itinerary Day 1 Fly London/Marrakech. 2 Free morning; drive to Imlil via Asni; walk Aremd. 3 to 12 10-day trek from Aremd, visiting the Berber villages of Ouanskera, Iabessene, Oukaimeden, Aguersioual and Tizi-Oussem before attempting an optional ascent of Mount Toubkal. Last day return to Aremd. 13 Walk to Imlil, drive to Marakech. 14 Optional sightseeing; free afternoon. 15 Fly London. Accommodation & Meals: 3nts hotel, 9nts village houses/gites/mountain refuge, 2nts fixed camp; 14 breakfasts, 11 lunches & 11 dinners included. See insert p2. Mode of Travel: Minibus/On foot during 10-day High Atlas Trek. Comment: Moderate to strenuous trekking (5-8hrs a day) at altitudes of around 3000m. Most of the trek is along well-defined but rough paths. The ascent of Mount Toubkal is non-technical and optional it involves some scrambling and steep slopes. Snow may be encountered on early departures. Bring a 4-season sleeping bag and foam mat. Tour Staff & Support: Explore Tour Leader plus driver(s), mountain guide, cook and muleteers. Mules transport luggage. Group Size: Approx. 12 to 16. The Berbers Walking in the Central High Atlas will bring us into close contact with the Berbers. These friendly people welcome us into their villages and we encourage you to mix as much as possible. Getting to know the local people learning their customs and traditions is for many people the tour highlight. The exact origins of the Berbers are unknown, living in small communities throughout the mountains and deserts of North Africa, mainly working as farmers. They converted to Islam in the 8th century but Arabic still remains their second language. The villages have changed remarkably little over the years and are very traditional to enjoy these fascinating communities to the full, it is best to be flexible and respectful towards local traditions. We will be staying overnight in some of the villages and, although remote and in some cases basic, it is a real treat. Depending upon the tour we will sleep either dormitory-style in gites, on the roof of a traditional Berber house, or we may set up camp under the seemingly infinite stretch of starlit African sky. As you might expect, facilities are basic but the overall experience is magical. Our porters for the trek/Mark Sellas 10-day High Atlas Trek Then we drive into the Atlas Mountains, making for the small hamlet of Imlil. From here we walk along a mule track to the Berber village of Aremd (1950m), where we overnight. Acclimatising gradually as we walk from village to village, we take time to admire the dramatic and rugged Atlas peaks and mingle with the colourful and traditional Berber people. Youll find yourself moving slower than usual at this altitude, but relishing the high mountain scenery more than ever. Ascent of Mount Toubkal Leaving the fertile Mizane Valley below, we begin the most challenging part of our trek. High Atlas Trek Ref HA MA 4500m 4000m 3500m 3000m 2500m 2000m 1500m Ta z a r g h a r t Plateau Trek length and gradients Ouanskera Aremd Iabassene Oukaimeden Oukaimeden Aguersioual Tizi Oussem Aremd Toubkal refuge Toubkal refuge Aremd 102 For information, inspiration and latest tour availability visit www.explore.co.uk To CH m/ Fro AKE RR ne IMLIL AREMD TIZI OUSSEM M izan e MOROCCO H Jebel Toubkal 4165m 0 A T L A S Ouissa I G H den e Day 2 1hr NELTNER CAMP km 8 Lunch!/Mark Sellas Day 3 4hrs Day 4 7hrs Day 5 7hrs Day 6 4hrs Day 7 7hrs Day 8 6hrs Day 9 5hrs Day 10 4hrs Day 11 7hrs Day 12 4hrs Day 13 30mins

Africa contd… Morocco