Gardens of the Western Atlas

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1 MOROCCO Gardens of the Western Atlas Verdant valleys and very quiet trails Explore ancient Taroudant Gardens of olive, argan, walnuts and bananas GUIDED GROUP Departures Tour Grade B Tour Code TGWE For dates and prices visit: Exclusive, private departures also available daily for 2 or persons travelling together (Seasonal)

2 Introduction Near the western end of the Atlas Mountain range, as it dips down towards the Atlantic Ocean, cultivated green valleys snake up from the fruit-growing region of the Souss valley to the peaks above the Tichka plateau. Starting from the old walled city of Taroudant, our Western Atlas trip explores these valleys where you will discover a way of life that continues as it has done for centuries. Here you will be far from the tourist crowds that flock to the Toubkal region; here you will be a welcome guest in villages that still receive few visitors, and exist primarily on a self-sufficient lifestyle. Easy walking leads you through cultivated valleys, over low passes and through sleepy villages, and our local guide will delight in sharing his cultural knowledge with you. This is the ideal trip for those that have previously trekked in the High Atlas, or elsewhere in Morocco and would like to visit a very different region whilst most definitely trekking off the beaten track. The Holiday Walking conditions The walks will take the regular hill walker around 3 to 6 hours each day. Conditions underfoot are usually straightforward and invariably dry, stony and dusty (unless it has rained of course). Ascent and descent is a natural feature of this holiday. Although most ascent and descent is of a moderate gradient. The paths vary from winding through wheat fields to dirt tracks and trails used for the mules. Conditions underfoot are generally good and the trails are usually dry and dusty. However, it can and does rain in the Western Atlas at any time around the year making the trails muddy. Your main baggage is carried by mule to your overnight accommodations leaving you free to walk each day carrying only your usual daypack. A reasonable level of fitness will be required and you should be prepared for walking in mountainous terrain for several days continuously. Most of the villages that you stay in and walk through transport you into a world with no electricity and running water, where the people have to work hard for a living. They do this mainly through their fruit and nut trees, wheat and dates. In the spring the valleys are alive with flowers and new green growth giving the area a vibrant feel. A full explanation of the trip grading can be found online at. You should ensure you are comfortable walking at this level of grading and are physically prepared for the trip. guide will be no exception. Their local knowledge, mountain experience and support will ensure that the tour provides a safe and enjoyable walking environment. On trek you will also be accompanied by mules to carry all the baggage, muleteers to look after the mules and a cook to do all the cooking. What you need to provide Your personal equipment as detailed in the clothing and equipment list later in this trip dossier. A 3 seasons sleeping bag will be required. Itinerary IMPORTANT-Due to the specialist nature of our holidays, day to day itineraries should be taken as a guide only, and as statements of intent and not contractual obligations. We regularly update our trip dossiers to take into account changes to trekking routes, accommodation, local transport etc. Such changes are a factor of this type of holiday and when made are out of necessity. Other factors such as adverse weather, unforeseen circumstances and other matters entirely out of our control etc can also lead to enforced changes during the course of the holiday. It is not possible to guarantee that any of our holidays will operate exactly as per the anticipated itinerary. The most current trip dossier will be made available on our website. We will also send you the most up to date trip dossier with your Final Joining Instructions approx. 2 weeks before departure and you should carefully check this for any changes that may affect your plans. We also recommend you read the Useful Information section on our website and in our current brochure. Trek staff You will be accompanied in the mountains by a Berber guide who will speak some English, Arabic and French. Berbers are renowned for their happy, friendly nature, as well as a great sense of humour and your Morocco- The Rif Mountains Circuit

3 Day Your 'at-a-glance' Itinerary Overnight Accn. Meal plan 1 Rendezvous at Agadir Airport. Timed group transfer to Taroudant Taroudant Hotel Saadiens 2 Free day in Taroudant with a morning guided tour of the ancient, Taroudant Hotel Saadiens BD walled city. 3 Drive to end of tarmac and walk to Afensou (one and a half hours) Afensou Riad Afensou BLD 4 Circular walk to Imoulas and back. Afensou Riad Afensou BLD 5 Walk to Zawyat or Tiguenziwine (5-6hrs) Tiguenziwine Village House BLD 6 Walk to Tazoudot Tazoudot Village House BLD 7 Transfer from Tazoudot to Taroudant. Free afternoon in Taroudant Taroudant Hotel Saadiens BD 8 Group transfer to Agadir Airport. Depart. B B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner Outline Itinerary

4 Day 1 Rendezvous at Agadir International Airport. A single timed group transfer is provided to the ancient, walled city oftaroudant (journey time approx 45 mins). See Joining Arrangements and transfers section later in this trip dossier. Hotel, Taroudant 4km, with 300 m height gain) to let you acclimatise to the temperature and ground. Afensou (1046m) is a small cluster of houses that acquired electricity only very recently. The small Riad (village house) that you stay here seems like a small paradise with its banana plants, dates and walnut trees in the garden and beautiful purple bougainvillea, hollyhocks and geraniums in the courtyard. The rooms are all off the traditionally Moroccan tiled courtyard (complete with fountain) and although the accommodation is simple there are showers and toilets here. There is also a spring-fed pool. In the afternoon you have time to relax and enjoy the garden. There is also an olive press here, which is only used once a year (in March when the olives have been picked). This awesome construction comprises of an enormous, stone, roller which is worked by a mule, and in the second stage a huge piece of wood (which is most probably Walnut) presses down on woven reed sacks of the olives. It provides a special memory to see the machinery in action and to smell the resulting aromas and oils. Village Riad House, Afensou Day 2 In the morning after a relaxing breakfast on the roof top restaurant of the hotel you will have a two hour guided tour of the city. This is a great way to get your bearings and an introduction to the souks. Your guide will point out some good places for a spot of lunch and then you have the afternoon free to relax. You can either submerge yourself in the atmosphere of the town or return to the hotel for a refreshing relaxing drink next to the pool, preparing yourself for the next few days in the mountains. Hotel, Taroudant Day 3 After breakfast you are transferred to the mountains of the Western Atlas. You will be driven up to the road head, from where you will be able to walk gently for an hour and a half to Afensou. You may be surprised at how green and fertile this valley is as you meander your way through the fields with the snow-capped mountains rising up in the background. Alternatively you may choose to be driven up a dirt road and follow another walking route to Afensou. This walk is a short 2-3hrs (approx Day 4 After a leisurely start in the morning you start the circular walk to Imoulas (1200m). Passing through several small villages (more like hamlets!), you walk through the fields again and in the shade of the walnut and Argan trees. The almond trees flower here in Jan and Feb with their beautiful pink and white

5 blossom, and these can be seen throughout the walk over the following few days. The walnut trees come into leaf later than most of the other trees and flowers here, usually at the end of March. Along the dry riverbeds you will see many oleander plants, which flower mainly through the summer months, but can start at the end of April. These red, pink and white flowers certainly brighten the arid surroundings. Imoulas is a larger village which has a souk (market) on Sundays, where local buyers and producers come from the surrounding area to sell their goods. There are also a few small grocery shops for you to pick up any last minute snacks and of course the inevitable café where you can drink some mint tea. Carrying on down from the village you will stop for a relaxing lunch break in the shade of the trees. Here you will have time to rest and enjoy the peace of the mountains with the views of Jebel Awlim and Tinerqwet before continuing back to Afensou. Approx 4 hrs walking. Village Riad House, Afensou Day 5 Using mules to carry the baggage you begin the two-day trek into the next valley. You start by walking up the eastern side of the valley through the trees to join the piste leading up to Tizi-n-al Cadi. On this pretty ascent the views of the mountains and the valley below become increasingly spectacular. In winter the high peaks will be covered in snow but the snow line always stays above the walking path. Much of the hillside is terraced and at certain times of the year you will see many wild flowers in the fields and carpeting the side of the path in yellows and red. At the Tizi (col) you will stop for lunch in the shade of Mohammed s house. From here you can see down into the next valley and the mountains circling the Tichka plateau beyond. It s downhill from here on into the valley. You will stop for a refreshing break by the river where you can have a paddle and cool off. The village of Zawyat Tafilalt (souk on Wednesdays) is the next stop along the route. Here you will overnight in a simple village house. The house has a couple of large rooms where you will sleep on mattresses on the floor. It is simple accommodation and there are no toilets here so it s into the bushes for the loo! You will be provided with hot water for washing before dinner is served. Although the accommodation is simple the local people here are very house proud and it will certainly be clean. They don t have many tourists coming through these parts and therefore there are no hotels or guesthouse in the area - this rural aspect of the trip adds enormously to the special atmosphere and joy of this trip. Approx 6hrs walking time. Simple village house, Zawyat Tafilalt Day 6 Today is an easy walk after the longer previous day. Starting at a leisurely hour in the morning you will walk up the spectacular valley to Tazoudot. The path takes you through a narrowing gorge before widening out again under the Tichka Plateau. You will have plenty of time today to relax and take photos of the mountains ahead as you walk. The piste takes you above the river for the first section (2hrs walking) and then you descend to the river at around lunchtime. Here you can relax and have a swim, enjoying the scenery before tucking into the prepared lunch. From here it s not far (30mins walk) to the accommodation for the night. So depending on your wishes you can spend some more time at the river or continue up to Tazoudot. Here you are also staying in a simple village house, there is however a squat toilet here! You will be provided with hot water for washing as well. There are 3 large rooms were you will be sleeping again on mattresses on the floor. The house has a large terrace as well with grand views down the green fertile valley from where you have walked. Approx 3hrs walking time. If you wish to have a short walk in the afternoon here this is possible. Continuing up the valley there are many small villages (all complete with there own mosques and minarets) and again much farming on terraces with wheat. Simple village house, Tazoudot.

6 are fruit trees and bougainvillea plants, you will also eat in this area. In the garden you will find date and banana trees. There is also a small pool, although it is not always filled with water. The atmosphere is very relaxing here and the food is good! In Zawyat Tafilalt / Tiguenziwine and Tazoudot you stay in simple village houses, which provide only VERY basic facilities and can become quite cosy as you will be sleeping on mattresses on the floor. The hosts will provide hot water to wash in, although there are no toilet facilities here. The accommodation here is clean. This is trekking off the beaten track and thus tourist facilities are minimal/non-existent. You will require a 3 seasons sleeping bag for the nights spent in village houses. Day 7 After a leisurely breakfast it s into the vehicles for the drive back down to Taroudant. This takes you along a dirt road down the valley and back onto the main road (approx 2-3 hours). Arriving back at the hotel at lunchtime. This gives you the afternoon to do some last minute shopping or just relax by the pool. Hotel Saadiens, Taroudant Day 8 Depart. A single, timed group transfer is provided back to Agadir International Airport. (See Joining Arrangements and Transfers section later in this trip dossier). Practical Information Passports and Visas British passport holders (and other EU passport holders and US citizens) do not require a visa to visit Morocco for stays up to three months (please ensure your passport has at least 6 months validity). Accommodation In Taroudant you stay in a relatively modest hotel with a small pool in the courtyard and a restaurant on the roof with fantastic views over to the Western Atlas. All rooms in Taroudant have en-suite facilities. In Afensou you stay in a recently renovated Riad (in the loosest sense!) which has proper showers and toilet. The rooms are off the courtyard in which there Food Moroccan food is excellent. First class fresh produce, with the subtle addition of herbs and spices, is used to produce innumerable tagines (stews), meschoui (roast lamb), couscous and pastilla (pigeon pie). The fresh fruit is delicious, and so are Moroccan cakes and pastries. You will be able to sample all these in Taroudant, and there will usually be plenty of European, mainly French, food available too. On the trek you will be eating food purchased in Taroudant. Sardines and tuna are ubiquitous and form an important basis for lunches! There are plenty of streams, springs and wells where drinking water is available. Sterilising tablets (iodine based) or Lugol's iodine solution should be used, however, to purify all your water, unless it is being boiled to make a brew of tea, coffee or hot chocolate. Bottled mineral water is readily available in the cities and towns, but may not be available in the mountains. Soft fizzy drinks however seem to appear (at a price) in the most unlikely of places. Although alcohol is now available in Taroudant (at the Hotel in Taroudant), the culture and religion of the mountain areas discourage its use and this is a policy that we generally adhere to whilst on trek. Vegetarians will usually find that there is generally little difficulty on this tour. Climate It is of course impossible to predict the precise weather conditions you will encounter during the course of your holiday. As the altitudes on this holiday vary, so do the temperatures you are likely to encounter accordingly. The Western Atlas are lower than the High Atlas, meaning that the high cols are passable

7 all year. However this also means that in the summer it is too hot for walking in the mountains and hence the best trekking period is September to May. Whilst in Taroudant daytime temperatures will vary according to the time of year you are visiting from 20ºC to 30ºC+. However, away from the plains, it will invariably be cooler in the mountains Roughly speaking temperatures decrease by approx. 1ºC for every 200 metre increase in altitude. Daytime temperatures will vary but should usually be pleasantly warm, with seasonal variants, but with cooler to cold nights. Rain or even snow can fall at this time of year in the mountains, but this is usually only in the form of short, sharp storms, which occasionally fall with dramatic intensity. For further climate statistics visit Altitude The altitudes on this trip are moderate and you should encounter no problems. Local transport All transfers within the itinerary are by private vehicles. Baggage Please note that as from July 2009 we are no longer providing complimentary Walks Worldwide Kitbags. Your main baggage may at times be transported by either mule or 4WD vehicle during the trekking element of this holiday. SUITCASES MUST NOT BE USED for your main baggage and will be refused porterage. Please ensure your main baggage is packed in either a soft holdall style kitbag, or a large, unframed rucksack. Contact us if you are unsure about the suitability of your main baggage Responsible Tourism Acting responsibly in the way that we operate our holidays is very important to us at Walks Worldwide. In recognition of our Responsible Tourism values and practices, we have been awarded 4-star status in AITO s Responsible Tourism scheme. We would also request that as a client you endeavour to take part in any of our holidays with a positive attitude to Responsible Tourism and travel in a socially responsible manner. Many of our holidays travel to ecologically and culturally sensitive areas, where it is important to minimise any negative impact. We would especially recommend that before you start your chosen holiday you take the time to learn more about the country you are visiting, especially with regard to local culture, religion, customs, taboo s, acceptable modes of dress etc. Bradt, Lonely Planet and Rough Guide publications are an excellent resource for this and much more too. We are of course always happy to help and advise with regard to the country you are visiting. The Berber people are conservative. Whilst trekking wearing T-Shirts and Shorts (preferably baggy) is OK during the warmer and hotter months. But, once in the village of your overnight halt it is important to cover up a bit more (a good idea too as the sun s rays are stronger at altitude even if the temperature isn t hot) i.e. legs and arms and shoulders. You will of course encounter trekkers whom you will notice dressed in a contradictory manner to our advice. The Berbers being such a polite people will usually not chastise such inappropriate manners of dress, but all the same be assured they do find it offensive and disrespectful. You will enjoy and experience much more interaction with the Berber people by dressing appropriately. Vaccinations and medical precautions We always recommend visiting your doctor and dentist for a check up before travelling. Your doctor will also have access to the most up to date information on vaccinations and medical precautions for the country you are about to visit. You should not drink the tap water in Morocco. A useful travel health online resource is First Aid You should always carry your own small, personal first aid kit. This should consist of the following: A general anti-biotic, throat lozenges, painkillers, plasters (band-aids), blister treatment, insect repellent (DEET), rehydration salts, antiseptic cream, diarrhoea treatment (e.g. Imodium). Currency. The Moroccan unit of currency is the Dirham (Dh). Please refer to for up to date rates. When changing your money, ensure that you keep your receipt, which will enable you to exchange up to half the amount of Dirhams you have received back into foreign currency when you leave the country. You will need to change all the money that you will need for the trek at the start either at Agadir Airport or Taroudant, as there are no exchange facilities on the trek. ATM machines are widely available in Taroudant. There is an ATM

8 machine and bureau exchange at the airport but the queues are usually very long. Language The official language of Morocco is Moroccan Arabic. There are also three separate Berber languages. A phrase book would be useful and fun! Know before you go Walks Worldwide are fully committed to the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office s Know before you go campaign. We thoroughly recommend that all Walks Worldwide clients visit the FCO website If you have any questions or concerns about government travel advice to your chosen country please contact the Walks Worldwide office. Contact details It is not our policy to provide addresses and telephone numbers of every location that you will be staying at on this tour, as, due to frequent changes in contact details, it is very difficult to provide an accurate list for all our tours. Your Final Joining Instructions, which you will receive 2 weeks prior to departure, will show any local contact details that are required for your tour. However we will endeavour to provide you with further details if you have a specific reason. Mobile phones do work in Morocco although in some of the areas you are trekking in there maybe no signal. If you have not used your mobile outside the UK before you will have to contact your operator to enable international calls. Please ensure your phone is set for roaming if you are taking a mobile. Please note that it is expensive to phone both to and out of a mobile when abroad. We do not however encourage mobile phone use whilst walking on any of our trips out of courtesy to others please use your mobile phone discretely. If you do need to get in touch, or if anyone needs to get in touch with you, please contact the Walks Worldwide office ( ) during office hours. Tipping Tipping is customary in Morocco. The Berber staff and muleteers in the mountains do expect a tip at the end of the trek. We will send you detailed tipping guidelines prior to your departure. Please remember that all tips should be a way for individuals to thank staff for good service. Maps We recommend Stanfords at Long Acre, London WC2E 9LP (Tel: ) Joining Arrangements and Transfers You should join this trip at Agadir International Airport on Day 1 of the trip itinerary. A single, timed group transfer will be provided from Agadir Airport to the group hotel in Taroudant. This transfer will depart Agadir International Airport at 1300hrs. At the end of the trip on day 8 a single timed group transfer will be provided from Taroudant back to Agadir Airport. This transfer will arrive at Agadir International Airport at 1000hrs. For clients that are arriving/departing on a nongroup trip (i.e. an exclusive, private departure), airport transfers will be times to coincide with the arrival and departure times of your chosen flights. If you are partaking in a group departure chosen flight times do not coincide with the single timed group airport transfers, private transfers can be arranged at extra cost. Agadir is by far the nearest International Airport to join/depart this trip. However, it is also possible to join (and depart) this trip by flying to/from Marrakech if you are wishing to visit Marrakech. Private transfers can be arranged at additional cost. It is approx 5-6 hours drive from Marrakech to Taroudant If you are intending to arrive/depart Marrakech we strongly recommend extra nights in Marrakech both at the start and end of the trip, as overland distance travel in Morocco is often subject to delays. Please contact us to discuss arriving/departing Marrakech in more detail. Land Only The Land Only price does not include International flights. With the increasing choice of both scheduled and low cost airlines offering regional departure flights with simple to use online booking services, our Land Only walking holidays do not include International travel. Making your own International travel arrangements online is certainly the easiest and most cost effective way to join this trip. You should book flights that enable you to arrive at Agadir Airport on Day 1 of the trip itinerary. Return flights should be booked to

9 depart Agadir Airport no sooner than the late morning of Day 8. Please refer to the Joining Arrangements and Transfers section for timings of the group airport transfers. The following airlines provide flights from the United Kingdom to Agadir These you should book online, direct with the airline. Useful online search engines for International air travel are: - searches scheduled airlines. - provides useful information on low cost airlines flights. Inclusions Meals as listed in the outline itinerary All accommodation Guide whilst on trek Land transfers within the itinerary. Single, timed group Airport transfers as detailed in the Joining Arrangements and Transfers section Baggage transfers Exclusions Drinks Souvenirs and personal items Insurance Meals not indicated above International flights Tips (allow approx 50) IMPORTANT- MAKE SURE YOUR CHOSEN HOLIDAY IS GUARANTEED TO RUN BEFORE YOU PURCHASE AIR TICKETS AND MAKING ANY OTHER TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS. Please contact the Walks Worldwide office to check the availability of the holiday BEFORE purchasing your International Air ticket. You should not book your International flight tickets or make any other travel arrangements until your chosen holiday is confirmed. If you are purchasing your own air ticket, you should be aware that most of the cheaper airline tickets available for sale on the internet or from low cost carriers are non-refundable in the case of cancellation. We cannot be held liable, for losses incurred relating to any flight bookings or subsequent travel arrangements you have made yourself. Travel Insurance It is a condition of booking any of our holidays that you have comprehensive travel insurance. It is your to responsibility to ensure you are covered for medical and personal accident risks for the part of the world you intend to travel and the activities involved. This cover should include repatriation costs, air ambulance and helicopter rescue. It is also advisable to take out cancellation insurance as all deposits paid are non-refundable.

10 Enjoy more of exotic Morocco We ve got a wonderfully varied selection of ways you can enjoy more of amazing Morocco if you re chosen trek starts/finishes in Marrakech. You ll find full details and prices on these in our separate Enjoy more of exotic Morocco dossier available for download at or call us on for a copy. These extensions are only available if you are joining or departing from Marrakech, not Agadir- see Joining Arrangements and Transfers Marrakech Riads and Hotels - If you d like to spend more time exploring the ochre city of colourful, hip Marrakech there can surely be no better way than staying in a traditional, intimate and peaceful Riad. We ve a hand-picked selection of Riads for you to choose from and to suit most tastes and budgets, plus a couple of inexpensive hotels too. See our Enjoy more of exotic Morocco trip dossier for our low down on what to see and do in Marrakech and our charming Riads. Sahara Camel Safari- For something completely different, a camel safari in the Sahara will be in complete contrast to your trek. From the paradise of Chez le Pacha and time poolside you head by camel into the dunes of the Sahara to spend an amazing night in the desert at an incredible permanent camp, with more time relaxing poolside on your return. Coastal chill out in Essaouira - Warming sun and cooling sea breezes await you at this laidback traditional fishing town on the Atlantic coast. Explore within the whitewashed walls of the Medina, observe the old tradition of thuya wood-carving, maybe have a go at kite surfing on the expansive beach or just chill and watch the goings on from the fortified harbour walls. Discover mellowisity Essaouira style after trek.you ve earned it! Full details and prices in our Enjoy more of Exotic Morocco dossier:

11 Historic Kasbahs beyond the Atlas- Journey across the High Atlas via the spectacular road over the Tizi n Tichka pass and into the south of Morocco. Visit the historic fortress Kasbah of the infamous and all powerful Glaoua tribe at Telouet- the real Lords of the Atlas (No.1 must see in the Rough Guide to Morocco), then travel into the lunar and martian world (except for the addition of palm trees!) of a spectacular river gorge to the iconic Ksar of Ait Ben Haddou. Complete this southern circuit odyssey by crossing the Atlas once more but first with a visit to the Glaoua Kasbah and film studios in Ouarzazate where scenes from films like Gladiator and Kingdom of Heaven were shot. Try Berber Cooking on location - We couldn t think of a better location to learn about, as well as try your hand at cooking Berber style than in the tranquil, unspoiled Azzadene Valley. Here in the foothills of the Atlas lies the traditional, peaceful village of Tassa Ouirgane and the wonderful Dar Tassa lodge. It s all very informal and personal as the Chef here will firstly tell you more about herbs, spices, techniques etc essential to Berber cuisine.maybe even visit the souk for ingredients.then it s over to you! Luxury Atlas Mountain Hideaway - As featured in the Sunday Times Magazine The World s Best 100 Hotels, the mountain retreat of the Kasbah du Toubkal is more of an extension of Berber hospitality than a traditional hotel. With impressive views of Toubkal this has to be the ultimate place to stay if you re still in need of a mountain fix. Full details and prices in our Enjoy more of Exotic Morocco dossier:

12 Clothing and Equipment Lists At least one set of casual / non-walking clothes will be useful for wearing in hotels on this holiday. Whilst walking you must not worry about how you look: comfort and protection against bad weather are of prime importance. Because mountain weather is so very variable, we recommend a number of thin layers rather than a few thick ones. The following list is our suggested guide to help you with your packing based upon our many years of travelling/walking. Using your own judgment for packing is of course important, especially with regard to casual clothing etc but please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions about packing for your holiday, or are uncertain as to the suitability of your clothing and equipment. CLOTHING Walking boots and spare laces Trainers/approach shoes Sandals (summer especially) Socks 3+ pairs (Walking and Casual) Underwear 3+ T-shirts 3+ Trekking Pants 1+ Short trousers 1+ Light fleece 1-2 Thick fleece 1-2 Thermal Baselayer shirt Waterproof jacket with hood Waterproof trousers Warm Gloves Sun Hat Warm Hat Gaiters (optional) EQUIPMENT Daypack/rucksack (size max 25 litres) Lightweight sleeping bag 2 Large water bottles (1 litre each) Towel quick drying pack towel is recommended Torch (and spare bulb and batteries) Camera & accessories Binoculars (optional) A variety of dry bag/plastic bags (kitbags are not waterproof) Sunglasses Trekking poles (highly recommended) Reading material (optional) Washing/Shaving kit & toilet paper Insect Repellent Small personal First Aid kit (see section above) Anti-Bacterial Handwash Water purifying tablets (iodine based are best) Sun Cream & lip salve Blister plasters i.e. Compeed Tickets/E tickets Passport Money

13 The following items should also considered as being useful on a walking holiday Penknife/small scissors (DO NOT PACK IN HAND LUGGAGE) Moisturising cream Baby wipes Snacks/Energy bars Safety pins (DO NOT PACK IN HAND LUGGAGE) Padlock for your kitbag Small sewing/repair kit (DO NOT PACK IN HAND LUGGAGE) Small mirror Nail clippers (DO NOT PACK IN HAND LUGGAGE) Spare glasses/contact lenses Earplugs (against snorers) Cold water Travel Wash (preferably biodegradable) Travel adaptor

14 What to do next We hope that you found this trip dossier helpful and informative. If you would like further information, our friendly team would be delighted to help and advise with any questions you may have. As an independent walking specialist company staffed by widely-travelled walking enthusiasts, we pride ourselves on being able to provide an informal personal service to our clients, many of whom travel with us on a regular basis. How to book this trip To check availability for specific dates and to receive a flight quote please contact us, also if you are looking at a group trip please check the trip status with us before you book. The easiest way to book your holiday is via our website: or to go directly to the online booking form please CLICK HERE. There is also a booking form on the website and in the brochure which you can complete and post to us. Alternatively you can telephone ( ) us and we can accept your booking over the telephone. Deposit We require a deposit of either 100 per person or 10% of the total cost of the holiday (whichever is greater), including extensions, single supplement and flights if we have quoted these separately to you. Certain non-refundable, instant purchase flights will require full payment we will advise you this at time of enquiry. Your deposit can be paid by cheque, debit or credit card. YOUR FINANCIAL PROTECTION We are an ATOL bonded tour operator authorised by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). Every holiday we sell that includes a flight element is protected under our ATOL licence number In the unlikely event of our insolvency, the CAA will ensure that you are not stranded abroad and will arrange to refund any money you have paid to us for an advanced booking. We protect all UK customers who purchase tours that do not include flights from the UK through the AITO-arranged AITO Trust Ltd (AITOT). AITOT work closely with the CAA - they share much of their information. Their financial requirements are as rigorous as those of the CAA IATA is the Trade Association of the world s international airline industry. To become an Accredited IATA Agent we have to demonstrate financial soundness, and proficiency of staff We are a member of the Association of Independent Tour Operators. AITO represents Britain s leading independent tour operators and encourages high standards of quality and service. We abide by the Association s Code of Conduct and adhere to the AITO Quality Charter which can be viewed at RESPONSIBLE TOURISM Climate Care is the organisation through whom we offer people the opportunity to offset their carbon emissions. We were one of the first travel companies in the UK to provide this facility. In recognition of our Responsible Tourism values, we have been awarded 4-star status in AITO S Responsible Tourism Scheme LOYALTY SCHEME Up to 100 off. If you ve already experienced the magic of one of our holidays, you automatically qualify for a discount on holidays offered by the other specialist travel brands in our group. See our website or brochure for details.