Have a look through our FAQ on our treks and tours. If you still have a question please contact us and we will answer it for you
Q: What is the general duration of the treks?
A: The duration of the trek depends on the region of the trek and on your interests. Generally speaking, your trek can range from 2-3 days to almost a month, it is completely up to you how many days you want to trek. Even the same trek can be a different duration for different trekkers depending on their physical fitness, wishes and interests on the route.
Q: How difficult are the treks?
A: The difficulty of the treks depends on the region of the trek and duration of it. Shorter treks tend to be easier while longer ones require some physical fitness.
To give you an idea of the difficulty of the treks we have graded our treks from 1 to 3:
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Grade 1 walks (Easy) Tend to be short day walks and rambles at low altitudes. Grade 1 walks can be enjoyed by anyone who leads a reasonably active life and no special preparation is required. |
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Grade 2 walks (Moderate) Will usually involve some longer walks (4-6 hours/day) at low altitudes (below 3000m). Some previous hill walking experience would be beneficial but these walks should be within the capabilities of those who lead a normal active life. Grade 2 walking tours may contain some optional strenuous days, and in order to get the best out of the trip we would advise that you tone up your fitness before you join. |
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Grade 3 walks (Strenuous) Are for the more serious hill walker and a higher level of physical fitness is required. Walking days are normally 6-8 hours and may involve up to 900m or more of ascent and descent. You should be prepared for several consecutive days walking, often at higher altitudes, so stamina is important. |
Q: What kind of accommodation is used during the treks?
A: In cities like Marrakech or Ouarzazate, accommodation will be in hotels or Riads. We can offer accommodation that ranges from luxury to budget hotels. When on a trek accommodation will depend on the time of year and on your personal preference. You will be able to spend the night in local Gites (guesthouses) and we also organise camping treks during which you will spend the night in tents. Whilst we always try to stay in the best possible accommodation along the way, you should be aware that some Gites, particularly in the smaller villages, are quite basic. The bedrooms are usually small with shared bathroom facilities. Although simple, the gites do provide a warm bed and are run by friendly local families.
Q: Where do we eat our meals & what kind of food is available?
A: During your trek all meals will be prepared for you. If you stay in a local Gite the family running the Gite will prepare a delicious Moroccan meal for you. During a camping trek, all food will be prepared by an experienced cook.
Q: Is it safe to eat during the trek?
A: Food safety is always a big concern and we take it very seriously. That is why we have chosen the cleanest and most hygienically kept Gites for our tours. During a camping trek your cook prepares safe and tasty meals from carefully chosen food items and only hygienic clean facilities are used.
Q: What is the best time for trekking?
A: The best time for trekking is Autumn (September to November) and Spring (March to May). For winter enthusiasts we also offer a Toubkal winter trek. To do a Toubkal winter trek you will need to have had experience of ice and snow conditions as you will need to walk in crampons and use ice axes.
Q: What is the weather like?
A: You need to be prepared for sudden weather changes while trekking. Sudden rain storms or snow are always a possibility which needs to be considered when trekking in the mountains. The weather during the trekking seasons mentioned above is somewhat more stable.
Q: What kind of clothes are needed for trekking?
A: For Atlas Trekking you need to prepare as you would for walking in any mountain region; it can be warm and sunny during the day but the weather in the mountains can quickly change from sunshine to snow and cold winds (Autumn through late Spring). Here is the equipment and clothing we suggest.
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Q: What type of shoes should I have?
A: For 1-day excursions comfortable pumps or trainers are enough whilst higher and longer treks require carefully chosen hiking boots which should be strong and well-made but light weight. Shoes and boots are best to buy before arriving in Morocco as a proper fit is a must for walking boots and we advise you to wear your walking boots for some time before the trek so that your feet will feel comfortable during trekking and avoid injury.
Q: Should I bring trekking equipment with me?
A: You can easily rent equipment for a reasonable price in Imlil before your trek, but it’s always preferable and more convenient to have your own equipment during trekking, so we advise you to bring equipment with you.
Q: Do you provide any equipment while trekking?
A: On all our camping treks we provide all the tents, sometimes dome tents, sometimes sturdy A frames and normally people share one tent between two; a foam mattress each; all the cutlery and utensils, cooking pots, stoves; candles/kerosene lantern, tables and stools, kitchen tent, dining tent and toilet tent; all the main meals while trekking but not snacks. When you stay overnight in local gites, you will not have to bring any equipment. If you spend the night in the Toubkal Refuge, you will need to bring your own sleeping bag (or rent one in Imlil).
Q: What problems can arise at altitude?
A: Altitude sickness is a serious problem, however the risks of altitude sickness in the High Atlas Mountains are small. All of our guides are trained to spot any signs of altitude sickness and know how to deal with it.
Q: What happens in case of emergency?
A: Marrakech Day Trips is prepared for any emergency situation and knows how to handle it. Our guides are trained in first aid and can deal with most of the basic ailments that occur during a trek. Every client should have his own personal first aid kit.
Q: What sort of experience do your guides have?
A: All guides we work with are government approved and have followed a mandatory training in the Center CFAMM, which makes them official and certified guides. They also have many years of guiding experience in Morocco with most of them having spent years exploring the country. Our guides are trained in first aid and know how to handle any situation. All our guides speak English and French and are happy to share their deep knowledge of the country and beauty of Morocco with you. We believe in and follow the idea that it’s not enough to take visitors to special places or special cultures, we need to provide guides who can get people feel involved in what they are experiencing, explain it thoroughly and keep them entertained. Our main concern is to make your trip in Morocco safe, memorable and fun!
Q: Is tipping included and if not, how much should I budget?
A: Tips are appreciated by your support team after the trip. The amount depends on your budget and appreciation of their work. Some trekkers give 10% of the total tour cost as tips but it is completely up to you and I can assure you that none of our guides will make you feel pressured to give them tips.
Q: Can we change the itinerary?
A: Depending on the situation, you can modify it to some extent after consulting with your guide. However, the date of trek completion should always coincide with the original itinerary. On occasion local weather conditions may require the trekking route to be altered to ensure your safety.
