Frequently Asked Questions

The itineraries on the website may be subject to change, usually because of weather conditions. The guide may vary a route in the interests of safety.

If you wish, the duration and routes of the treks can usually be changed to suit your needs. This should to be agreed in advance although every effort will be made to accommodate this en-route.

• Transfer from Marrakech at the start and transfer to Marrakech at the end of the trek
• Accommodation on the trek. This is usually in tents, occasionally in Berber houses or a refuge (depending on the trek chosen)
• All meals on the trek. Meals are freshly prepared and cooked and are typical Moroccan dishes (tajine, soup, couscous) Soft drinks, tea and coffee included with all meals
• The services of a qualified, experienced English or French-speaking mountain guide.
• Mules and muleteers and cook. The mules carry your heavy luggage (a rucksack or holdall is recommended). You only need carry a day pack

• Airport to hotel transfers
• Accommodation in Marrakech
• Travel insurance
• Ski equipment (Ski Touring)
• Crampons and ice axes for some Winter Treks. (Can be hired)

• sleeping bag (sleeping mats are provided),
• stout walking boots,
• water purification tablets to treat river water (bottled water can sometimes be bought),
• warm clothing (preferably layers rather than one thick item),
• sun cream/block and sun hat
• swimming gear (for Lake Ifni and mountain pools),
• day pack (about 30+ litres),
• water bottle (1 litre minimum),
• walking pole(s),
• hat and gloves (especially early and late season),
• anorak (waterproof jacket and trousers).
• toilet paper.

Most of the inhabitants of the Atlas region are Berber. They speak Berber and Arabic, and many speak French. Depending on your language we will provide an English, French or Spanish speaking guide. Most of our guides are fluent in several; languages.

We do not automatically include accommodation in Marrakech as part of the package but we can arrange accommodation – and airport transfers – if you wish. Please let us know if you would like us to do this. We do include transport to and from Marrakech in our itineraries.We can also recommend and arrange accommodation in other areas – mountain villages, coastal resorts and desert areas. Please see our Accommodation section for more information.

Usually in the summer we camp, normally by a stream or river, in tents or bivouac. On many treks we also stay for at least one night in a Berber house (gite) or mountain refuge.

Find a trek you are interested in then contact us via our enquiry form to discuss your trek and check availability. Once the details of your trek (duration, route and number of people) have been agreed, we will make a provisional booking, giving the dates and cost.
To confirm your booking we ask you to pay a deposit. This can be in Euros, pounds sterling or US dollars. Payment is quick, easy and secure through PayPal and is made by credit or debit card. For more information about PayPal click here. The balance is paid in Morocco – again in Euros, sterling or dollars – at the beginning of the trek.

Most treks take place from late March until October, when there is less risk of passes being blocked by snow. But it is possible with the right equipment to trek throughout the year. Please contact us for details of winter treks and the equipment required. The exceptions are trekking in Jebel Sahro and Amezmiz which is all year round and for which no special equipment is required.

The best time of year for trekking is from around May to early November. In May and November it can still be very cold at night – below freezing – and there is the possibility of snowfalls which can result in a change of route. Usually by the end of May the snow has gone and even the summit of Toubkal is free of snow. In the height of summer it can be very hot – up to 40C – during the day but the nights are still cold. Although the climate is generally dry and sunny, heavy storms can occur at any time.

No, except for treks to the Saghro and Sirwa regions where we prefer a minimum number of 4. For other treks a good number is between 4 and 6. But we cater for couples, sole travellers and large groups.

Anyone, even the fittest, can be affected by altitude sickness above about 2700m. The symptoms are shortness of breath, headaches, lethargy and possibly diarrhoea and sickness. At 4000 metres (the height of Toubkal) the symptoms are not severe and usually last no longer than 24 hours. In severe cases it can prevent the sufferer continuing with the trek. Most of our treks are designed to mitigate the effects of altitude sickness by gradual ascent and acclimatisation over several days. Most trekkers, however, are fine, but it is a wise precaution to bring with you a supply of headache, re-hydration and anti-diarrhoeal tablets.