actionchallenge on The hike to leads us through orchards and Berber villages, along rivers and over gorges as we climb steadily towards the summit of North Africa s highest mountain. This fabulous week away offers stunning scenery, a challenging trek and a tantalizing taste of Marrakech. We start our trek in the foothills of the High Atlas, where picturesque valleys are lined with juniper and pine trees, walnut groves and cherry orchards offer shade and terraced fields of corn and barley are tended by Berber farmers. As we climb higher into the fresh mountain air we cross deep gorges and mountain passes, trekking through tiny Berber villages where life has remained virtually unchanged for centuries. We stay in mountain gites where we experience the famous Berber hospitality and glasses of sweet warming mint tea. As we hike steadily closer to we begin to rise above the tree line, the landscape becomes barren and the trail zigzags far above us towards the peak. Our ascent is a long but exhilarating day of trekking, culminating in a steep climb up the final slope to the summit at 4,167 m. From here the view is superb, we stand as a team and look out across the Marrakech Plain to the High Atlas Mountains in the north and to the Anti-Atlas Mountains and the Sahara in the far south. Back in Marrakech, we relax with a day exploring the city s souks and sites before coming together as a group for a fabulous celebratory dinner lasting long into the night, in true Moroccan style! at a glance Activity: Trekking - Altitude Location:, Morocco Duration: 7 days / 4 days trekking Difficulty: Moderate - Tough Distance: 60 km When: Sep 2014 / Jun & Oct 2015 Group size: 15-25 trip highlights Reach the summit of Trek through cherry orchards and walnut groves Experience the famous Berber hospitality View Mount Aguelzim and Tizi Melloul Descend into the picturesque Mizane Valley Stay in Berber villages perched in the mountains Explore the souks and sites of Marrakech Action Challenge have been leading inspirational team adventures across the world for individuals, private groups, charities and corporate clients since 1999. Our trips enable people to experience the world s most exhilarating locations, often in aid of charity. At the heart of every challenge is team spirit and fulfilment; together we take on once-in-a-lifetime adventures, achieve formidable goals and forge friendships for life. www.actionchallenge.com
introduction This fully-inclusive adventure to will begin as soon as you register! You will receive a challenge pack including a training guide, kit list and discounts for all the essentials you may need. If you are raising money for a charity, we will sort out all the formalities so you can concentrate on your own preparation and fundraising. We offer pre-challenge briefings and training weekends in the UK, where you can meet our trek leaders, members of your group and others taking part in challenges around the world. On the day of departure you will meet your group and Action Challenge leader at the airport in London. Whether you re joining the challenge on your own or with others, you will instantly be made to feel welcome. As a team we will board our flight to Marrakech, ready to take on and the hike of a lifetime! Sep 2014 / Jun & Oct 2015 Please visit our website for more details All inclusive trip cost from 999 Initial 199 deposit to sign up Three payment options available Please visit our website for more details brief itinerary Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Arrive in Marrakech Tassa Ouirgane - Tizi Oussem Trek to Aroumd base camp Day 5 Day 6 Day 7 Summit Visit Marrakech Arrive in the UK what s included International flights Action Challenge mountain leader Full support team, including local guides UK medic All accommodation All meals, except in free time Airline taxes Treated drinking water All transfers in local vehicles National Park entrance fees Celebration dinner in Marrakech Invitation to a challenge briefing in London Discounted training weekends in the Peak District, Snowdonia & Brecon Beacons Fitness and training guide Discounts from UK retailers Reduced rates at Nomad Travel Clinics and Masta Health We will be walking for over six hours a day along undulating terrain, with our ascent day of being particularly strenuous. It is therefore necessary for each participant to have a good level of endurance to complete this challenge. Why not stay on after the challenge and explore some more of Morocco s highlights? Extensions include: Visit Esaouira Stay in a Traditional Riad Tour Marrakech The best time to complete this challenge is during late spring or early autumn. It is recommended that the winter and summer months are avoided because temperatures during the summer can reach over 40 degrees and, during the winter, winds can become extremely strong in the mountains.
itinerary DAY 1 - Arrive in Marrakech We depart on our flight to Morocco and transfer to our hotel in central Marrakech. This evening we meet with our local guides who give us a detailed briefing on the challenge ahead. Meals: L,D* Accom: Flight / Hotel * *(dependent on flight schedule) DAY 2 - Tassa Ouirgane - Tizi Oussem We wake early for breakfast and transfer (1.5 hours) across the Haouz Plain to the Ouirgane valley where we start our trek from the village of Tassa Ouirgane. Here, in the foothills of the High Atlas, we will meet our muleteers and begin our journey into the heart of the mountains. We start our challenge at the base of a lush valley, trekking alongside a tributary to the Oued Nfis River. We have lunch on the river bank under the shade of walnut trees before continuing our uphill afternoon trek. We arrive early evening at the small village of Tizi Oussem (1,785 m) overlooking the Ouirgane Valley. We spend tonight in typical basic Berber style, enjoying the relief of the fresher mountain air and wonderful Berber hospitality. DAY 3 - Aroumd We leave Tizi Oussem and head deeper into the Ouirgane Valley to the tiny village of Azib Tamsoult. We cross the ancient mountain pass at just under 3,000 m, along routes used for centuries by the Berbers. We have lunch just below the pass, with great views of Mount Aguelzim (3,542m) and Tizi Melloul (4,015m). The afternoon is spent descending to the picturesque Mizane Valley, one of the most verdant in the Atlas. Tonight our accommodation is in Aroumd, a village clinging tightly to the steep valley slopes. Breakfasts each morning will be in camp. Lunches will be en route and evening meals will be freshly prepared in camp in time for your arrival. In Marrakech, all meals will be at the hotel or a local restaurant, except in free time. All meals are full of carbohydrates, protein and nutrients to keep us well fuelled throughout the trip. We can cater for all dietary requirements if informed in advance. Three nights in a comfortable 2/3* hotel. Three nights in gite s on the trek Hotel accommodation is on a twin/tripleshare basis whilst gite accommodation will be in small dormitory shares. All accomodation will be on a single-sex basis with people of a similar age, where possible. If you wish to share a room with someone you are travelling with, please specify this on your registration form. If you decide that you would like to have your own room on the challenge, we can accommodate this in the majority of places. DAY 4 - We wake early for breakfast and start our ascent towards the mighty. Leaving the river below, we climb gradually until reaching the tiny settlement of Chamharouch at (2,310 m) where we stop for lunch. We continue to climb during the afternoon until we reach the base of where the surrounding environment is barren and rocky. We arrive at the Neltner refuge to a welcoming cup of mint tea and excellent Berber hospitality. Insurance - approximately 60 Vaccinations - up-to-date on boosters. Tips for local staff - recommended amount 30 Airline fuel surcharge / supplement as applied by airlines. Please note that this is capped at a maximum of 150.
DAY 5 - ascent A long but exhilarating day of trekking through majestic scenery awaits. After an early start we begin to climb. Our guides will lead us through the hidden valleys and up to the rarified atmosphere on the higher reaches of. We reach the summit before midday and are rewarded with truly magnificent views over the surrounding Atlas Mountains. We eat a well-deserved lunch before spending the afternoon descending to the village of Imlil (1751m). From here we are transferred back to Marrakech for dinner and a comfortable bed! Meals: B,L,D Accom: Hotel DAY 6 - Marrakech Today, after a lie-in, there is ample free time to explore this fascinating city. Visit the souks, try your hand at haggling for leather bags and enjoy the bustling Djemaa el-fna square, alive with food stalls, musicians and snake charmers. Alternatively, a visit to the famous historical site of Medersa Ben Youssef or the Koutoubia Minaret will give you a glimpse of the stunning Islamic architecture found in Morocco. In the evening we have a special congratulatory meal at a restaurant where the celebrations will go on well into the night! A kit list will be sent to you on receipt of registration. Many everyday items can be used on this challenge, and we offer a kit hire service to keep costs down. If you are planning on travelling to Morocco before the challenge or wish to organise your own flights, we do offer a land only option, with a significant discount off the trip price. You will be required to meet your group at the hotel on day two of the itinerary. Meals: B,L,D Accom: Hotel DAY 7 - Return to London This morning we transfer to the airport for our return flight to London. Meals: B,L training weekends / briefings We run a number of training weekends throughout the year in the Peak District, Brecon Beacons and Snowdonia. These are fully-inclusive - 2 night s accommodation and all meals. We also organise training days in London and the North and South downs. On both, you will get the chance to meet our mountain leaders and test out your kit and fitness! You will also receive an invite to a challenge briefing in central London. Alcoholic drinks Drinks and food outside of meals, other than water Personal kit / equipment Airline fuel surcharge / supplement as applied by airlines. Please note that this is capped at a maximum of 150.
payment options A REGISTRATION DEPOSIT of 199 (for 2014) is required to secure your place. We offer 2 deposit payment options: OPTION 1: Deposit paid in full, by card at the time of registration. OPTION 2: Deposit paid in two 50/50 split payments. The first 50% is paid when you register and the second is charged to your payment card at the end of the following month. For this option, a 10 supplement will be charged with the first instalment. ATOL is a scheme that protects you from losing money or being stranded abroad if your travel company collapses. Action Challenge is 100% ATOL bonded, which provides you with full financial protection. On receipt of your registration fee, you will receive an ATOL certificate explaining your protection. Once registered, there are 3 PAYMENT OPTIONS to fund the balance of the trip cost. Full details are on our website. 1) SELF FUNDED For anyone who wants to pay for the entire trip themselves. It s then completely up to you whether or not you choose to raise any money for a charity of your choice. The total all inclusive cost of this trip is 999 (for 2014), which, after you pay the 199 Registration Deposit, leaves a balance of 800. This final balance is due for payment 10 weeks before your departure along with any fuel surcharges levied by the airline. 2) SPONSORSHIP FUNDED This is for anyone who wants to take on this challenge and will link it with fundraising a significant sum of money for a charity of their choice. You would have to raise at least 1,600 (for 2014) via sponsorship and donations from friends, family and colleagues, and be confident at the outset that you can achieve this total. Pay the Registration Deposit and nominate a charity to fundraise for. All fundraising goes directly to your charity and providing that you raise at least 1,600 (for 2014), your charity will pay for the balance of your trip costs to Action Challenge. That balance, paid by your charity, is 800 (the same as if you were you were Self Funded ) - the charity will retain at least 800 to help fund their work. You will have to pay any airline fuel surcharges 10 weeks prior to departure. how to book To book on to this challenge, please visit our website; www.actionchallenge.com for a full list of prices and all available dates. private groups If you are a charity, business, school or private group with a minimum of 10 people and fancy your own bespoke trip, please call us on +44(0)207609 6695 or you can send us an email to events@actionchallenge.com for more information. 3) MIXED FUNDED A mix of the 2 options above! You pay about half the trip cost yourself, and also fundraise for your charity. They pay the remaining balance of your trip costs. Ideal for anyone who wants to take on the challenge and also fundraise for a charity, BUT is happy to pay a reasonable proportion of the trip cost themselves, which with your registration deposit, is set at a level that covers at least the costs of flights & accommodation; perfect for those who feel more at ease asking for sponsorship in respect to the challenge component of their trip. Pay the Registration Deposit and nominate a charity to fundraise for. All fundraising goes directly to your charity and providing that you raise at least 1,200 (for 2014), your charity will pay a portion of your trip cost to Action Challenge. That balance, paid by your charity, is 475. At the same time, you will be required to pay the remaining balance yourself, which will be a figure of 325 (These two amounts add up to the same as the Self Funded final balance) - the charity will retain at least 725 to help fund their work. You will have to pay any airline fuel surcharges 10 weeks prior to departure. @actionchallenge www.facebook.com/actionchallenge Action Challenge UK Ltd United House North Road London N7 9DP United Kingdom