Details may vary depending on departure date. Please choose
We've given each of our tours a comfort rating and a tour pace, walking or cycling grade to give you a general idea about the level of activity on each tour and the standard of accommodation you will be staying in at the end of your day's adventure.
Often you'll stay in different styles of accommodation during your tour; so we make an average rating across the entire tour. For more information on where you'll stay each night, please refer to the day by day tour itinerary.
The following excursions and/or activities are usually available and may be arranged locally. Estimated costs are provided below for guidance only, are on a per person basis unless shown otherwise, and may depend on the number of participants. Prices quoted are correct as of the date these trip notes were originally issued but may change at any time due to currency fluctuations.
Accordingly, you should allow approx. £25 for tipping of crew and local guides used.
Local Costs
| |
UK |
Morocco |
| Tea/Coffee |
£1.50 |
£0.80 |
| Soft Drink |
£1.50 |
£0.80 |
| Bottled Water |
£1.50 |
£0.60 |
| Bottle of Beer |
£3.50 |
£2.50 |
| 2 Course Meal* |
£15.00 |
£15.00 |
| 3 Course Meal** |
£20.00 |
£20.00 |
| Bottle of Wine |
£14.50 |
£11.00 |
| Breakfast |
£5.00 |
|
*Cheap local fare in a small cafe or restaurant.
**Typical food in a simple, reasonably comfortable mid-range restaurant.
Important Information
Travel Insurance
It is a condition of joining any of our tours that you must have valid travel insurance. It must indicate that you have cover for (at least) medical expenses and emergency repatriation in the event of illness or injury. We also strongly recommend your policy includes cancellation protection as all deposit paid are non-refundable.
If you require travel insurance for your tour, Explore Worldwide is an appointed representative of Campbell Irvine Limited, who is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services authority. Our travel insurance policy is specially tailored to the needs of the adventure traveller and will cover you for any included activity on any Explore trip. You can either purchase this at the time of booking or call us 0844 499 0901 after you have booked.
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Visa Requirements
Visas are not required by U.K., CAN, US, AUS and NZ citizens. Other nationalities should consult the relevant consulate.
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All visa information is subject to change. You should confirm all visa related issues with the relevant Embassy prior to departure.
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Vaccinations & Protection
Nothing compulsory, we recommend protection against typhoid, tetanus, diphtheria, polio and hepatitis A.
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The above is not an exhaustive list. Further information regarding vaccinations and travel health advice can be found by following the NHS and NaTHNaC links at http://www.explore.co.uk/Travelhealth/ and from your local healthcare provider.
Visa and vaccination requirements are subject to change and should be confirmed before departure.
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Know before you go
We strongly recommend that you check your government’s travel advisory for up-to-date information and advice about your destination: safety and security, entry requirements, health, local laws and customs, including advice re: the legality of and local attitudes towards same-sex relationships. For UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office Advice follow the link at http://www.explore.co.uk/Traveladvice/
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Preparing for your tour
Walking Grades and Fitness
This is a serious winter trek and, whilst non-technical, it does require a certain level of fitness and ability and previous experience of winter trekking is desirable. Expect some scrambling on steep ground and, depending on the weather and snowfall, moderately angled snow slopes to traverse. For these sections, ice axes and crampons will be necessary and are required equipment on all departues. Previous familiarity in their use is desirable although assistance will be given. Some areas of snow may be high and exposed and the guide may cut steps in the snow and/or provide a confidence rope.
Winter walking can be dangerous. Although we take precautions to mitigate risk it can never be eliminated and the main danger is injury from avalanche or falling and sliding down a snow slope.
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Altitude: On Trek
Gradient Chart
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Climate
Seasonal weather patterns can be unpredictable. For up-to-date information on the weather worldwide please visit www.bbc.co.uk/weather.
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On trek at altitude, daytime temperature may range between 10 and 15 degrees. At night, especially at Neltner, temperature will drop well below freezing and snow is likely to be encountered. As in all mountain, short storms do occur and in winter these can bring quite heavy snowfall. For this reason t is best to wear layers of clothes that can be added or removed to adjust body temperature. In Marrakech, the weather is significantly warmer with with daytime temperatures reaching a pleasant 20 to 22 degrees, dropping to 7 to 10 degrees at night.
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Packing for your tour
To assist with packing for your tour, we have detailed some of the essential items you should take with you.
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Luggage
Unfortunately it does occasionally happen that luggage does not always reach its destination on the same flight as its owner, or possibly it may be damaged in transit. If you are unlucky enough for this to occur, it is important that you file a PIR (Property Irregularity Report) with the airline before leaving the airport. This is essential when you come to make a claim either against the airline or from your travel insurance company
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Trek Kit Bag
We suggest that you bring a soft, waterproofed holdall/barrel bag that will be carried by mules on trek and good size waterproofed daysac + small holdall to store uneeded items in Marrakech. Maximum weight on trek 15kg/33 lbs. Pack mules are used to carry equipment, food and most personal gear. Pack heavy/dense items into your kitbag. It will be possible to store surplus baggage not required on the trek at the hotel in Marrakech.
Don't forget that your bag will be carried by porters so please pack lightly.
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Clothing
Morocco is a Muslim country and it is important to dress with respect for local customs. People may be offended by shorts or revealing dresses, which can attract unwelcome attention. We advise that in general both men and women should cover shoulders, upper arms and knees. Transparent, ‘plunging’ necklines and tightfitting clothes should be avoided. Women should also cover their heads when entering a sanctuary, though in general, mosques are forbidden to non-Muslims. For those clients on a cycling holiday please bear this information in mind for times that you are not on the bikes. While cycling it is no problem for both men and women to wear your regular cycling gear, tight fitting or not.
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Footwear
Strong and waterproof mountain trekking boots with stiff sole; crampons; inner socks and thick socks (ski type); spare boot laces; gaiters; trainers for mountain hut.
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Equipment
Ice axe (non-technical winter trekking axe with long handle); 3/4-season sleeping bag; warm jacket (ideally down jacket); warm trousers; wind and waterproof jackets and trousers; warm midlayer; warm hat and face protection (balaclava); warm and waterproof gloves/mittens; thermal underwear; sunglasses and ski goggles; high factor sunscreen and lip protection; head torch and spare batteries; water bottle (minimum 1litre); insulated bottle; washcloth/small towel; wet wipes; toilet paper; anti-bacterial handwash; plastic bags; personal first aid kit.
Please note that an ice axe and crampons can be hired locally for MAD300 (approx. £20) each for the duration of the trip. Please consult your Tour Leader on arrival.
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Need help on Clothing or Equipment?
Then we suggest you contact Nomad Travel, our equipment partner, who specialise in kitting people out for adventurous travel. You receive a special 10% discount in-store or online. Visit one of their stores, phone 0845 260 0044, or visit their website www.nomadtravel.co.uk/explore for further information.
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General Information
Please note:
RAMADAN 2013 - 9th July to 8th August
Ramadan is a month of fasting observed by Muslims throughout the world, during which time the followers of Islam should not eat or drink between sunrise and sunset. There may be some restrictions to services and minor amendments to the itinerary. Restaurants may have limited supplies of fresh food available during this period.
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EID AL ADHR 2013 - 15th to 17th October
The 'Festival of Sacrifice' or Greater Eid is the 2nd most important celebration in the Muslim calendar and is a public holiday. This means that many shops and restaurants may be closed during this period so that families may join together to enjoy the festival. There may also be some restrictions to services and minor amendments to the itinerary.
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Country info
Area: 446,550 sq km (710,850 sq km inc the western Sahara).
Population: 32 million.
Language: Arabic, Berber, French.
Religion: Muslim 99%, Christian and others 1%.
Local Time: GMT.
Electric Supply & Plugs: 220v, 50 AC. European two-pin sockets.
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