MARRAKECH AND THE BOUGMEZ VALLEY

Transcription

1 Eco-lodge walking holiday in Morocco with time to explore Marrakech Stay in the beautifully designed Touda Berber Eco Lodge The Happy Valley, Ouzoud Waterfalls and Lake Izourar Enjoy a variety of walks in an undiscovered area of Morocco Explore Djemaa el Fna and the magical heart of Marrakech HOLIDAY CODE BVW Morocco, Trek & Walk, 8 Days 4 nights ecolodge, 3 nights hotel, 7 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 7 dinners, max group size: 12, 4 days trekking, max. altitude m VIEW DATES, PRICES & BOOK YOUR HOLIDAY HERE

2 PAGE 2 Introduction Tucked away in the Central Atlas of Morocco and below the stunning Mount Mgoun, the hidden Bougmez Valley still preserves a traditional way of life. Offering a genuine cultural experience, the Bougmez is rich in agriculture, livestock farming and the local customs of the Berber. We stay in the superb Touda Eco-Lodge which offers the perfect base. Working hard to protect and promote the local Berber culture, the lodge is also known for its excellent food. With an open kitchen, guests can take part in the preparation of dinner and learn the secrets of Moroccan cuisine. Offering charming en-suite rooms and lovely terraces, this family-run accommodation offers all the comforts of home. During the week we explore the "Happy Valley" with 3 full days of walking through vibrant scenery, Berber villages, fortified granaries, sparkling streams, rolling hills and the high peaks of the Central Atlas. After the charming Bougmez Valley we visit the spectacular Ouzoud Waterfalls before finishing off with a full day in Marrakech, one of the most fascinating cities in Africa. If you're looking for a walking holiday in an undiscovered area of Morocco with Eco-lodge accommodation, fantastic cuisine and time to explore magical Marrakech - then this is the perfect choice! A Genuine Small Group Experience - The Secret Of Our Success IN Morocco We are proud to say that the majority of our holidays in Morocco are limited to a maximum group size of 12, ensuring we leave only our footprints on the trails whilst enjoying a genuine small group adventure. We've been taking our clients walking, trekking and mountaineering for almost thirty years so we know the ingredients of a good guide and a successful group adventure. Those who are new to trekking in Morocco will take particular comfort in the presence of our experienced Moroccan guides, who we believe are the best in the business. The Bougmez VAlley Eco-Lodge Experience This charming accommodation is a meeting place of cultures where each room is given a female name to reflect the importance of women in the Berber household. The name Touda comes from the name of the owners mother and was built using traditional materials between 2008 and The main focus is to promote responsible tourism in the valley by the use of complete solar energy, responsible water managment and the planting of vegetable gardens and landscaping plants. A welcoming open kitchen encourages guests to learn about Moroccan cooking and the small library houses books on the subject of Berber culture. The lodge has a traditional hamman and a complementary session is provided as part of the overall experience. Depending on the weather, meals are taken out on one of the sunny terraces that overlook the majestic Mgoun range or in the colourful dining room areas. Part of the overall experience is the relaxing pace of life and family run atmosphere of the lodge. Award winning tour operator for holidays in North Africa In November 2016, KE proudly won a British Travel Award for Best Holiday Company to North Africa. For almost 15 years we've been taking our customers to Morocco which is a country close to our hearts. With the majority of KE staff having travelled to this fascinating country, KE are the true Moroccan experts. Is this holiday for you? This walking holiday in the Bougmez Valley does not include any difficult walking but consists of a flexible programme of day walks. The selected walks will be at a relatively moderate altitude and follow good trails between villages. You should be comfortable with walking for up to 5 hours each day, therefore this holiday should be well within the capabilities of anyone of average fitness. Staying in the relative luxury of the Touda eco-lodge means that it is very easy to take a day off from any of the walks if you wish to relax and enjoy the local area.

3 PAGE 3 Holiday Itinerary Day 1: Meet at the group hotel in Marrkech. Complimentary airport transfers are provided. On arrival in Marrakech you will be met by a KE representative who will assist with the short transfer to the group hotel in the city. Depending on your flight arrival time, after settling in you may wish to explore the centre. Marrakech is a friendly city and quite easy to get around and most people head for the central square of the Djemaa-el-Fna beneath the imposing tower of the Koutoubia Mosque. KE Land Only package services begin with the evening meal taken at the group hotel or a nearby restaurant. The trip leader will give a briefing during dinner. ACCOMMODATION HOTEL MEALS D Day 2: Transfer to the Bougmez Valley. Afternoon walk to the Ecolodge. After breakfast in the hotel we load our bags onto the transport and begin the journey to the Central Atlas. In a short time we re beyond the Marrakech hustle and bustle and travelling on good tarmac roads through the farmlands of the Moroccan countryside. After approximately 4 hours we reach the crest of the pass, Tizi n'tirghsit (2629m) overlooking the fertile Bougmez Valley. After a picnic lunch, we leave our vehicles and walk for 2-3 hours downhill following a herders trail to the village of Zawyat Oulmzi (2100m). This will be our first encounter with the cheerful and friendly inhabitants of the area whose demeanour has earned their home the nickname of Happy Valley. Just a little way uphill from this village is our base for the next three days, the charming Touda Berber Lodge. ACCOMMODATION ECOLODGE MEALS BLD Day 3: First day of walking in and around the Bougmez Valley. Over the next three days we will have a variety of guided day walks from our base and the final itinerary will be determined by your guide on a day to day basis. From our base there are a wide range of walking trails available and below we have given a brief outline of a few possibilites. The beauty of the EcoLodge is its lovely location and rural surroundings, and as it's centre-based on any given day you are free to opt out of the day s walk to make a shorter walk by yourself, or simply relax and enjoy the incredibly tranquil setting. Possible walk option 1 - Ascent of Ait Ourit. We follow a trail through forests of Oak on the south side of the valley to the western flank of Jebel Azourki. Here we make a gradual ascent of the ridge rising to the top of Ait Ourit (2920m.) for splendid views over the valley. From the summit we descend to the Tizi n'tirghist and follow the trail down to the valley and back to the Touda eco-lodge. ACCOMMODATION ECOLODGE MEALS BLD Day 4: Second day of walking in and around the Bougmez Valley. Possible walk option 2 - Lake Izourar. From our Berber lodge, the path heads up the valley through fields and then through juniper forest. As we climb higher the landscape becomes more arid and rocky although still sporting a surprising amount of scrub vegetation and alpine flowers. Eventually we emerge into an ancient glacial valley which contains Lake Izouzar below the slopes of Jebel Azourki (3677m). The lake is very shallow and after winters with little snow, can sometimes dry up completely. Around the lake is good grazing and we may see the tents of the semi-nomadic Ait Atta herdsmen who each year set up their camps on the shores of Lake Izourar. From the lake we retrace our steps back to our base.

4 PAGE 4 ACCOMMODATION ECOLODGE MEALS BLD Day 5: Final day of walking in and around the Bougmez Valley. Possible walk option 3 - The Bougmez Valley. A walk through Happy Valley to the main market village of Tabant. The trail meanders through fields and walnut groves, past small farms and traditional village houses. Above the village of Iwaliwen are rocks containing dinosaur footprints. We will also pass the communal grain store at Sidi Moussa. Perched on top of a low hill, this fortified granary takes the form of a circular tower with four look-out turrets. A spiral staircase inside gives access to the upper floors as well as the roof. Inside the granary is also the tomb of a holy man said to have performed miracles. Today villagers will go to Sidi Moussa to pray and leave offerings at the shrine. Arriving in Tabant we will have some free time to look around the markets and perhaps take some refreshing Moroccan tea before travelling back to the lodge by taxi. ACCOMMODATION ECOLODGE MEALS BLD Day 6: Time to explore the spectacular Ouzoud waterfalls. Transfer to Marrakech. We will drive back to Marrakech by way of the Ouzoud Waterfalls above the village of Tanaghmeilt. Ouzoud is the Berber word for olives and the falls are accessed by a pleasant path which meanders through olive groves. At 110 metres high, the waterfalls are quite spectacular, dropping in a series of separate cascades over ochre rock into a verdant gorge below. We will take our lunch at a small restaurant at the foot of the falls before continuing to Marrakech where we check into our hotel. After freshening up we can head out to watch the Djemma-el-Fna come alive before enjoying dinner in a local restaurant. ACCOMMODATION HOTEL MEALS BLD Day 7: Day at leisure and time to explore Marrakech. A day at leisure to explore and enjoy this famous North African city. A must-do is a wander through the colourful souk where alleys and squares are devoted to copper beating, leather, spices, hand-woven rugs and more. Despite the initial maze of alleys, the souk is easy to naviagate and part of the fun is meeting the stall holders. Marrakech has some interesting gardens such as the Agdal, the Menara Gardens and the famed garden of Yves St.Laurent - the Majorelle. In the late afternoon and early evening it is well worth visiting the central square of the Djemaa-el-Fna. At around 4 pm each evening this large open square becomes the focus of activities for local people and tourists alike. In the evening we will meet up with the leader and the group for our final dinner together. ACCOMMODATION HOTEL MEALS BLD Day 8: Departure Day. Complimentary transfers to Marrakech Airport are provided. KE group package services end after breakfast. For those clients with evening flights the remainder of the day is free to explore the streets, souks and colourful sights of Marrakech. Complimentary airport transfers are provided. MEALS B

5 PAGE 5 Extend Your Holiday Extensions When booking your holiday, you will be able to 'add an extension option'. Once we have received your booking we will contact you to discuss additional services required for the extension and to take any additional deposit. Imperial Cities Of Morocco This exotic extension starts in Meknes, the beautiful 17th-century imperial headquarters of Sultan Moulay Ismael. A fortified citywithin-a-city complete with elaborate palaces, decorative mosques, mystical dungeons and charming gardens! After exploring the heart of Meknes we move onto the atmospheric UNESCO Roman masterpiece of Volubilis, the best preserved archaeological site in the country and an atmospheric place to explore. However nothing can prepare us for the magical riot of Fez, with its UNESCO old town and city walls extending for 10 miles! The fantastic medina, mediaeval Fez el Bali and the modern "ville nouvelle" is a wonderful melting pot on the senses. We finish in cosmopolitan Rabat, complete with tree-lined boulevards and beautiful colonial architecture. This fantastic extension ensures you are completely immersed in a variety of contrasting cities! (Please note this extension includes a local driver but not a KE leader. This gives you more freedom to explore at leisure pre/ post KE group trip). Imperial Cities of Morocco 5 days From 0 per person Marrakech Full Day City Tour Marrakech Full Day City Tour 1 day From 0 per person

6 PAGE 6 Into The Sahara Desert For a real taste of the Sahara this adventure is hard to beat! After journeying across the Atlas Mountains we arrive in the oasis town of Agdz for a night in a traditional Moroccan house. Next we head to our comfortable fixed Berber camp at Erg Chegaga and take in a spectacular desert sunset before settling down under star-filled Saharan skies! In the morning we'll watch sunrise over the dunes before exploring this magical landscapes by 4WD. After a night in Ouarzazate, we make our way back to Marrakech via the magnificent UNESCO Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou. (Please note this extension includes a local driver but not a KE leader. This gives you more freedom to explore at leisure pre/post KE group trip). Into the Sahara Desert 4 days From 570 per person Essaouira Riad And Atlantic Coast Friendly Essaouira provides a beautiful base for this colouful Atlantic Coast extension which offers a fantastic start or end to our holidays in Morocco. Described as the prettiest town in the country, the UNESCO port and medina are a riot of colour and activity. To ensure a relaxing time in Essaouira we take care of private return transfers and riad accommodation for 3 nights at the comfortable Riad Maison du Sud, situated within the ramparts of the medina and just a few minutes walk from the sea. Redecorated in Moorish style, it has a snug sitting room and sunny roof terrace with views of the Mellah and the Atlantic Ocean. Essaouira has plenty of things to so and do so we leave your days free for you to enjoy at leisure. This extension starts and ends in Marrakech. Essaouira Riad and Atlantic Coast 4 days From 295 per person Holiday Information What's Included An experienced professional local leader Marrakech Airport transfers (on first and last day of itinerary) All land transport involved in the itinerary

7 PAGE 7 All accommodation as described in the trip dossier All meals What's Not Included Travel insurance Visa fees Tips for local staff Miscellaneous expenses - souvenirs and drinks etc Joining Arrangements & Transfers All clients arriving on day 1 and departing on day 8 will be provided with an airport transfer free of charge. You MUST provide your full flight details and should let us know if you do NOT wish to have an airport transfer. Clients intending to make their own transfer arrangements at Marrakech Airport should note that taxis are available outside the arrivals hall at all times. They are equipped with meters but most taxi drivers are reluctant to use them and you should either insist on a meter or agree the fare before setting off. The standard fare to the city in a "petit taxi" should be no more than 6 though you may have to pay a little more if arriving late at night. The airport is approximately 4 miles from the city and the journey takes minutes. Meal Plan All meals are included in the holiday price from dinner on day 1 to breakfast on day 8. Food & Water Meals provided during the week will be a mixture of local and international dishes. Breakfasts are generally continental in style, with tea and coffee, orange juice, cereals including muesli, bread, jam, honey and cheese. During the walks a morning snack is also provided and this is usually a Moroccan 'trail mix' of dried figs and dates, peanuts, sugar coated peanuts and other nuts. Lunch will be provided by the lodge either taken there or as a packed lunch which you carry with you on the walk and enjoy along the trail. Dinner at the Eco Lodge is a traditional affair starting off with soup and fresh bread followed by a main course of usually rice, pasta, cous-cous or spaghetti with a vegetable stew (or tagine) consisting of some of the following - onion, potato, carrot, green pepper, zucchini, turnip, parsnip. green beans, peas. There will be some meat (usually chicken, lamb or beef) and all dishes come with traditional sauces which are rarely spicy. Vegetarians don't go hungry in Morocco due to the abundance of vegetable dishes. Desserts usually consist of fruit, mostly fresh but sometimes tinned, including pineapple, apricot, pears, peaches or mixed. To round off dinner, there is the usual range of hot drinks. While staying in Marrakech we will take our meals in the hotel or at local restaurants. Accommodation During this trip the group will spend 3 nights at a standard tourist class hotel in Marrakech. While in the Bougmez Valley we will spend 4 nights in the Touda Eco-lodge. The lodge is purpose built in traditional style but with modern conveniences and ecologically sustainable power sources and waste management. Accommodation here is in double, twin or triple rooms with private bathroom. Hot water for showers is available (heating is via solar energy). The lodge also has a large dining room, comfortable lounge areas and an open fireplace. Outside there is seating on terraces with extensive views. All accommodation is based on twin or triple share. If you are travelling alone you will be paired with another single traveller of the same sex. Depending on availability, single accommodation may be available at supplementary cost. Additional hotel nights in Marrakech are also available. For hotel prices and

8 PAGE 8 single supplement costs please refer to the dates and prices page of the trip on our website. Hotels are subject to availability and prices may vary. Group Leader & Support Staff The group will be led by an experienced professional English-speaking Moroccan guide. Altitude The altitudes attained on this holiday are not extreme and the maximum altitude attained is no more than the equivalent of a pressurised cabin on an international flight. You may feel the altitude the first time you trek above 2000 metres but all that is required is a slower pace to compensate. You should pay particular attention to your hydration levels while trekking above 2000 metres. Spending Money Approximately 100 (or equivalent in US dollars or Euros) should be allowed for miscellaneous expenses. This amount will cover tips for the local, soft drinks and snacks. Marrakech is a great place for souvenir buying and all major credit cards are accepted. If you are intending to buy expensive items, you should budget accordingly. It is not necessary to purchase Moroccan currency (Dirham) outside the country. You can withdraw money in local currency from ATM s in the arrivals hall of the airport or in Marrakech itself, or your travel money can be carried in the form of cash. Sterling, Euros and US dollars are easily exchanged. Credit cards can be used to purchase goods and it is a good idea to carry one in case of emergency. Guidance On Tipping Tips are the accepted way of saying thank you to your local guides and porters. They do not form part of their wages and any tips they receive are seen as a personal thank you from group members. For our part, we advise local teams that tips are not a duty or a prerequisite but are a bonus and entirely dependent on the service that was given. For your trek crew we recommend that you give a tip if you feel that their services have met your satisfaction. We will provide guidelines on how much to tip the local staff along with your joining instructions but it should be remembered that this is your thank-you to the crew and the final amount should be decided by the group. We estimate that approximately 25 per group member should provide an appropriate level of tips. However, for the KE leader, we leave the tipping amount totally at your own discretion. Free KE Gift We would like to give you a free gift as a way to say thank you when you book your holiday. Choose from exclusive KE branded t-shirts, caps, neckwarmers, trek bags* and more. Alternatively you can choose to make a 10 donation to the Juniper Trust Charity. You can make your selection in your MyKE account after booking. You will need to select your free gift at least 6 weeks before you depart and all items will be posted out at 5 weeks prior to departure. For all late bookings, we will endeavour to send your FREE gift to you before you travel, however this cannot always be guaranteed. Please visit our Free KE Gifts page for more details of all our KE Branded goodies on offer. Baggage Allowance

9 PAGE 9 There is no weight restriction on this trip other than imposed by your international carrier. However, we ask you to restrict your luggage to one main bag (your KE trek bag) and a small daypack. Your main baggage will be transferred to the Touda eco-lodge by vehicle. Travel clothes can also be left at the group hotel in Marrakech. Group Size & Holiday Status For each holiday there is a minimum number of participants required to enable it to go ahead. Once the minimum number is reached, the trip status will change from 'Available' to 'Guaranteed to run'. You can check the trip status for each departure in Dates and Prices table. Other than in exceptional circumstances, we will not cancel a trip once it has achieved this guaranteed to run status and so you are free to proceed with your international flight booking and other travel arrangements. Recommended Outdoor Retailers Many of the Equipment items listed above are available from Cotswold Outdoor - our 'Official Recommended Outdoor Retailer'. When you book a holiday with KE you will receive 15% discount voucher from Cotswold Outdoor and other retailers. >> Find out more General Information Passport & Visas A passport with 6 months remaining validity at the end of your stay is generally required for visits to countries outside the EU. The information that we provide is for UK passport holders. Please check the relevant embassy or consulate for other nationalities. It is your responsibility to ensure that you have the correct travel documents and visas for your holiday. Visa requirements and charges are subject to change without notice. If you are travelling outside the EU you should have at least 2 blank pages in your passport for each country that you visit. Visa Morocco UK and USA passport holders do not require a visa for short stays. Health & Vaccinations You should contact your doctor or travel clinic to check whether you require any specific vaccinations or other preventive measures. You should be up to date with routine courses and boosters as recommended in the UK e.g. diphtheria-tetanus-polio and measles-mumps-rubella, along with hepatitis A and typhoid. A good online resource is Travel Health Pro. Dengue fever is a known risk in places visited. It is a tropical viral disease spread by daytime biting mosquitoes. There is currently no vaccine or prophylaxis available and therefore the best form of prevention is to avoid being bitten. We recommend you take precautions to avoid mosquito bites. Currency The unit of currency in Morocco is the Dhiram. Electricity Supply & Plug We recommend you check if you require an adaptor for your electrical items at:

10 PAGE 10 Preparing For Your Holiday It makes a lot of sense to spend some time before coming on a walking holiday getting some additional exercise. The fitter you are, after all, the more enjoyable you will find the experience. This is not a difficult or sustained trek but to complete all the day walks you should be comfortable with walking up to 5 or 6 hours each day. We would suggest that you adopt a weekly exercise regime prior to coming on the holiday. Jogging, squash and swimming are good for developing better stamina. Before departure, we suggest that you try to fit in a number of long walks in hilly country. Climate It is very hot in Marrakech in the summer months. During late July and August temperatures in Marrakech can reach 40ºC (over 100 F). In May and June and in early September maximum daytime temperatures in Marrakech are more likely to be low thirties Centigrade / high eighties Fahrenheit dropping to around 17ºC / 63 F at night. In the Bougmez Valley at around 2000 metres we can expect daytime temperatures around 20 to 25ºC / 68 to 77 F. In April and October temperatures will be generally cooler by around 5 to 7 degrees Centigrade / 8 to 12 Fahrenheit. The weather is usually fine at the time of our scheduled departures. However, weather in mountainous areas is notoriously difficult to predict, and rain or even short-lived storms can occur at any time of the year and you must be prepared for extremes of climate. Travel Aware As a reputable tour operator, KE supports the British Foreign & Commonwealth Offices' Travel Aware campaign to enable British citizens to prepare for their journeys overseas. The 'Travel Aware' website provides a single, authoritative source of advice for all kinds of travellers and we recommend that prior to travel, all KE clients visit the official UK Government website at travelaware.campaign.gov.uk and read the FCO Travel Advice for their chosen destination. North Americans can also check out the U.S. Department of State website: for essential travel advice and tips. KE treat the safety and security of all clients as the most important aspect of any trip we organise. We would not run any trip that we did not consider reasonably safe. Should the FCO advise against travel for any reason, we will contact everyone booked to travel to discuss the situation. We receive regular updates direct from the FCO and are in constant touch with our contacts on the ground. If you have any questions about government travel advice, please call our office. Books Lonely Planet Guide Morocco. The Rough Guide to Morocco. Trekking in the Moroccan Atlas. Richard Knight (Trailblazer Publications) Moroccan Arabic phrasebook. Lonely Planet. Dan Bacon

11 PAGE 11 Maps Mgoun Massif, Central High Atlas Mountains 1:100,000 Series. West Col Productions A map designed for trekkers showing relief by ridge lines, spot and peak heights. Roads, tracks and paths are clearly shown and villages are also marked. Latitude and longitude margin ticks are at 20 intervals. The map is approximately centred on Mgoun and covers an area measuring approx 80km E-W and 50 km N-S. Flight Information Flight Inclusive Or Land Only? On our website we display a UK Flight inclusive package price and Land only package price for the majority of our holidays. Land Only Notes We sell this holiday on a Land Only basis and recommend that you book your flights to Marrakech Airport, which is approximately 15 minutes drive away from the group hotel in downtown Marrakech. Please refer to the 'Joining Arrangements and Transfers' for further details. Flights SHOULD NOT be booked until you have received your booking confirmation and the departure is showing 'Guaranteed to Run' or 'Limited'. If flying from the UK there are a number of low cost airlines offering flights to Marrakech. These include Easyjet who have flights from London, Manchester & Glasgow, Thomson Airways who have flights from London, Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol & Glasgow and Ryanair who have flights from London. If you would prefer to book a 'flight inclusive package' using scheduled airlines from the UK please contact our flights department for a quote. Whilst flight prices are likely to be more expensive you will benefit from full financial protection. Why Choose KE Adventure Travel? Why Choose KE Adventure Travel? Operating since 1984, KE Adventure Travel has some of the most experienced staff in the business, with the proven ability to set up and operate a worldwide programme of adventures. Everyone has adventure travel at heart and joins at least one trip a year. It is this depth of experience that makes KE stand out from other adventure travel operators. When you contact KE, by phone or , or visit our office, you will find the help and advice you need, from someone who has actually done the trip and can give you the benefit of their first-hand experience. KE can guarantee the very best in trip support, excellent food, a good standard of hotel and other accommodation, plus the back up of one of the most respected companies in the business. Client satisfaction is at the top of our agenda and almost 50% of our bookings each year come from repeat business. If you are looking for adventure then look no further than KE.

12 PAGE 12 We hope that this trip notes has answered most of your questions. Please feel free to contact us and speak to one of our experts.

13 PAGE 13 Equipment List The following checklist should help you with your packing. As a general rule, you should always try to keep the weight of your equipment to a minimum. You Must Bring The Following Items: Comfortable shoes or boots for hiking Socks Trainers or sandals Trekking trousers Lightweight waterproof over-trousers Underwear Shirts (2 short sleeve, 2 long sleeve) Fleece jacket or warm jumper (for evenings outside) Lightweight waterproof jacket Sunhat Warm hat Sunglasses Lightweight gloves Daypack 20 litres Water bottles 1 Litre Headtorch and spare batteries Washbag and toiletries Antibacterial handwash Sun protection (including total bloc for lips, nose etc.) Small padlock (to lock your KE kit bag) Basic First Aid Kit including: Antiseptic cream, throat lozenges, diarrhoea treatment (Imodium), painkillers, plasters and blister treatment, Insect repellent (DEET), and re-hydration salts (Dioralite). The Following Items Are Optional: Shorts Trekking poles (recommended) Camera Travel clothes

14 PAGE 14 Toilet roll Books / kindle Pen-knife (note: always pack sharp objects in hold baggage) Repair kit (eg. needle, thread, duct tape) Please note: This document was downloaded on 5 Dec 2018, and the trip is subject to change.