MOROCCO Trans High Atlas Mountains Cycle

MOROCCO Trans High Atlas Mountains Cycle Duration: 9 days / 8 nights Trip Grade: Tough Dates: 15 23 May 2010 2 10 Oct 2010 14 22 May 2011 1 9 Oct 2011 Payment Options: 2010 2011 Self Payment Registration Fee 299 299 Trip Cost 950 1000 Fundraising Registration Fee Min. Fundraising Target 299 299 2375 2500 ITINERARY Day 1: Depart London for Marrakech; transfer to hotel. Night hotel. Day 2: Free Day Marrakech We have a morning city tour of this fascinating city; we re then free for the rest of the day to explore the amazing sights of the Jma El Fnaa the main square and shop in the frenetic souks for which Marrakech is so renowned.(lunch not included). Night hotel. Day 3: Marrakech Asni Our cycle challenge takes us from the wonderful, bustling souks of Marrakech through the foothills of the High Atlas mountains into the spectacular, remote and colourful Anti Atlas mountains. Strange rock formations and ochre-coloured villages are the backdrop to the many climbs and descents that await us as we cycle towards the coast. Coming out of the mountains, we head for the colourful walled town of Tiznit, renowned for its striking pink buildings. Our route is tough in places, and really takes us off the beaten track! This is a fabulous cycling challenge in an incredibly diverse country. Early morning start as we head south across farmland. We leave the city life of Marrakech behind very quickly and the rural scenes and villages before us form a real contrast. Our route undulates as we reach the foothills of the High Atlas, preparing our legs for the steeper climbs that await us further in the mountains. In clear weather we should be able to see Mount Toubkal (4167m), the highest mountain in the High Atlas range, and indeed in North Africa. We cycle through a beautiful, populated valley before reaching the bustling village of Asni. Night in gite. Cycle approx 110km Day 4: Asni Taroudant Leaving Asni behind, we head deeper into the mountains. The scenery is very dramatic and beautiful, and small mudbrick villages dot our route. Our biggest challenge today is crossing the spectacular Tizi-n-Test pass (2095m) our highest point. The views more than make up for our efforts on this climb! After time at the top to appreciate the fact that

we are about to cross the High Atlas Mountains, we start the long, swooping descent before us. We end this fabulous day in the town of Taroudant, an old caravan trading-post. Its well-preserved city walls, palm-trees and back-drop of snow-capped peaks provide a wonderful place to relax for the evening. Night hotel. Cycle approx 110km Day 7: Tafraoute Tiznit As easier day today, as we take time to explore some of the amazing scenery around Tafraoute. One of the most wellknown, impressive, and bizarre sights is that of the painted rocks: huge granite boulders painted by Belgian artist Jean Verame in the early 80s. After lunch we head out on roads dotted with almond trees and the occasional lush, green oasis, and follow the twisting route out of the mountains. Our way is predominantly downhill now as we leave the Anti-Atlas behind and head towards the busy town of Tiznit, situated not far from the Atlantic coast. Night hotel. Cycle approx 60km Day 8: Tiznit Day 5: Taroudant Igherm Leaving Taroudant, we head into the Anti-Atlas Mountains on wonderful roads, which provide us with an insight into life in this remote area as we pass families travelling to and from market and working in the fields. The mountains we cycle through now are lower in elevation, but no less spectacular. The route is hilly, but we take our time and enjoy the surroundings as we make our way to the small town of Igherm, passing small traditional villages en-route. Night hotel. Cycle approx 90km Day 6: Igherm Tafraoute After a hearty breakfast we leave Igherm and make our way through fields, date-palm groves and mountain villages. The mud-brick villages in this region are very picturesque, and there will be plenty of good photo opportunities as we continue to cycle uphill and down through this barren, but spectacular, area of the Anti-Atlas. The rocks are a mix of pinks, oranges and greens, and our ride through these mountains is one to treasure. The area around Tafraoute is known for its wonderful, precarious-looking rock formations and lunar-like landscapes; we finish the day in the lovely town, with its Berber architecture and cool, lush palmgroves. Night hotel. Cycle approx 100km We have the day free to relax and explore Tiznit, a wellpreserved pink-walled city which provides plenty of shopping and people-watching opportunities. You may wish to head down to the wild, spectacular coastline for a view of some very different scenery to what we ve become used to! We meet again in the evening for a full celebration of our achievements. Night hotel. (Lunch & dinner not included). Cycle approx 65km Day 9: Agadir London Transfer to airport for our flight back to London. WHAT S INCLUDED All accommodation is included as well as flights and all transport and meals except 3 as detailed in the itinerary. Entrance to any sites visited as part of the itinerary is included; a bike can also be provided. The tour cost also includes full trip support of experienced Discover Adventure leaders/mechanics and medics; local guides, drivers and cooks (see Trip Support below). As a general guide, items not included in the tour cost are your personal travel insurance, airport

departure tax (if applicable), tips for local support crew, any extra meals, drinks and personal expenses, and entry to other tourist sites/activities you may wish to undertake in your free time. We recommend you bring 100-150 for personal expenses. Most people will not spend this much. There are plenty of opportunities to buy souvenirs; this sum will not cover extreme souvenir shopping! We strongly recommend you carry a credit card in case of personal emergency. FLIGHT INFORMATION Group flights leave from London Heathrow or Gatwick and are booked through Discover Adventure Ltd under ATOL licence 5636. By travelling with Discover Adventure you are protected by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). Our itineraries are always based on current flight schedules and are therefore subject to change by the airline. Connecting Flights If you book flights to Heathrow or Gatwick, it is your responsibility to allow plenty of time to connect to the group flight and to cope with any flight schedule changes. Please be aware that the best deals allow little flexibility if you need to change them. We regret that we are unable to book connecting flights for you. Transit Stops When booking group flights we endeavour to find the best flights that match our itinerary. There are often no direct flights to our destination, so do be prepared for transit stops: bring a good book or chat to your fellow trekkers! Airlines that do offer direct flights rarely offer competitive rates for groups. Please remember that the main purpose of our trips is to raise money for charity! Flying Separately If you prefer to book your own flights please ask us for a land-only cost. You will be responsible for making your own arrangements for meeting the rest of the group, though we can advise you. We need to know if you do not require our group flight as early as possible; please complete the form in the information pack you ll be sent with your booking confirmation. * Our itineraries are always based on current flight schedules and are therefore subject to change by the airline. ACCOMMODATION Accommodation varies from small traditional hotel/guesthouses or gites, to 2-3* hotels in the main cities. Please do not expect the same standards as you would in the UK! ENJOY THE EXPERIENCE! For most people, the main attraction of travelling to a different country is to see new sights and enjoy new experiences. Sometimes those new experiences can make life harder or more inconvenient than you may like, such as toilet hygiene or different food, or simply a different attitude to solving problems. This is all part of the challenge you are signing up for! We can guarantee that coming face-to-face with experiences outside your normal comfort zone will help you bond with your fellow cyclists and provide you with plenty of things to laugh about! A sense of humour and sense of adventure are two of the most important things to bring with you! FOOD All food is included except 3 meals. The food is great, will give you plenty of energy for cycling, and there is plenty of it! Dietary Requirements Being vegetarian or having other dietary requirements is not usually a problem provided you let us know well in advance. Please do not expect as much variety as you would have access to at home we will be in rural areas and among people of a different culture who may not

understand your requirements, however willing they are to help. If you know there are plenty of foods you cannot eat you may wish to bring extra snacks from home so you can top up your energy supply. Please feel free to ask us for advice. Other Meals Any meals not included are listed in the itinerary and are generally when we are in towns or cities and you are free to explore and try other culinary experiences! There is always something to suit every budget. PASSPORT & VISA A valid ten-year passport is essential for travel in Morocco and must be valid for at least 6 months after entry into the country. Other nationalities should check entry requirements. VACCINATIONS We recommend the following vaccinations: Tetanus (essential) Hepatitis A Typhoid Polio Yellow Fever (you must carry the certificate with you at all times) You should always check with a GP or travel clinic for up-to-date travel health advice as it does change. FITNESS WARNING: DESIGNED TO BE CHALLENGING! This cycle is designed to be challenging for those of good health and fitness, and is achievable for most people provided they train well in advance. We will supply you with a thorough training guide when you have registered. Training for the challenge is all part of the preparation and requires commitment! Without it, you will find the cycle less enjoyable and we want you to have the time of your life! CYCLING INFORMATION We are always happy to talk through the trip in more detail with you if you are worried about your fitness at any stage. Clothing & Equipment We are travelling through remote regions where we could be exposed to bad weather at any time. It is generally hot during the day, though it can be cold in the mountains at night. The table below gives you an idea of the climate, but be prepared for all weathers and temperatures. Weather conditions can change quickly in the mountains. We provide you with a detailed packing kit-list on registration, as well as details on useful discounts you are entitled to as a Discover Adventure customer. We are always available if you need advice. YOU MUST PROVIDE YOUR OWN CYCLE HELMET AND WEAR IT AT ALL TIMES WHILE CYCLING. Weather Average max/min temperatures & number of rainy days per month in Marrakech: April/May 28 / 10ºC 4 October 31 / 11ºC 3 Terrain Cycling is predominantly on tarmac roads with a few potholed or rougher stretches of piste along the way. The terrain ranges from flattish roads through farmland, to rolling foothills and steep, long mountain climbs and long descents. The majority of the route is undulating as we cross two mountain ranges! We are travelling through remote areas and will be exposed to a variety of road conditions; weather may also have an impact. Traffic is usually light and we will cycle at our own pace, but when we pass through a large town we go through as a group. We will always take safety into consideration and reserve the right to change the itinerary on that basis. Cycling Distances You will cycle approximately 535km on this trip overall. It s much more useful when training to think about the hours you need to cycle for each day, and the type of terrain!

trip runs smoothly and encourage you when things get tough. The number of crew looking after you will depend on the final size of your group, but an average-sized group in Morocco would be led by two leaders and a doctor. At Discover Adventure we pride ourselves on our high leader: cyclist ratio and believe it leads to greater trip enjoyment as well as excellent trip safety. Local Support Crew Bike Repairs There will be a range of spares in the vehicle along with a full tool kit; however, it is impossible for us to carry spares for every eventuality. It is vital that if you bring your own bike it is in excellent working order before departure. We will be using 21-speed mountain bikes fitted with semi slick tyres. If you are unsure whether to take your own bike or use one of ours please just contact us. TRIP SUPPORT Discover Adventure Crew Your trip will be led by experienced Discover Adventure leaders. Our leaders are selected for their experience in harsh wilderness environments, knowledge of travel in remote areas, friendliness and approachability, sense of humour and ability to safely and effectively deal with any situation that arises. You are in very safe hands with a Discover Adventure leader. All our leaders are from the UK or other English-speaking countries. Most work for us on an ad-hoc basis and have real jobs in-between trips! We never send our leaders to the same destination for months on end we want them to be as enthusiastic about your trip as you are. Although our leaders are trained in expedition first-aid, they are accompanied by an expedition doctor or medic, who is there to look after the well-being of the whole group and deal with any incidents. They help the leaders to ensure the Our local support crew is made up of local guides, drivers and cooks. Your local guide knows the local area well, and is a great source of knowledge about local customs and lifestyles. Drivers and cooks do not always speak English but are very friendly and approachable. The Discover Adventure crew work closely with the local crew to ensure your trip runs smoothly and safely. Tips for Local Crew Your leader will arrange a collection of tips for the local support crew at the end of your trek. Tipping is not obligatory, but once you see how hard they work on your behalf you will be happy to donate something! Your leader will give you an idea of appropriate guidelines. All our local crew are paid wages, but bear in mind that the average wage in this country is far below what you would spend on a normal night out. Luggage All luggage, food, water and spares is carried by support vehicles throughout the challenge. Space is limited and hard-sided luggage is not suitable, so it is essential that your kit is packed in a soft sailing bag, rucksack or expedition kitbag. Ask us about our specially-designed low-cost kitbags if you don t have one already. You should also bring a small daypack or large bum-bag for items needed during the day (sunscreen, camera, etc) as you will not have access to your main luggage until the evening.

Bikes can be transported on flights in bike bags or a much cheaper option cardboard bike boxes: ask your local bike shop if they have any. TRIP SAFETY Please contact the Discover Adventure office with any queries using the contact details below. Copyright Discover Adventure 2004 / Updated 2009 Your safety, and that of the rest of the group, is our highest priority. Our trips are designed and planned with safety in mind. Your crew will be equipped with radios and emergency satellite phones, extensive medical kit and other safety apparatus where necessary. They always have access to our 24-hour emergency back-up in the UK. Our leaders are responsible for safety on the trip, and will make any changes to the itinerary they deem necessary should local conditions dictate. Pre-trip administration such as compulsory medical questionnaires and travel insurance is all done with your safety in mind. RESPONSIBLE TOURISM Long before Responsible Tourism became a recognised phrase, we designed and ran our trips to ensure they made minimum impact on the environment and a positive impact on the local communities we pass through. AITO, our Trade Association has recognised the work we do in this area and has awarded us 4 stars as a Responsible Tour Operator. CARBON OFFSETTING We actively encourage all our customers to offset any emissions connected with their trip. You can offset at any time in the lead-up to departure by visiting Climate Care via our website and making a donation to a worthwhile project supported by them. Alternatively, if you wish to take more practical action you can volunteer for a day with BTCV and work on an environmental project near to where you live. Work may include construction footpaths, dry stone walling, creating wildlife habitats or planting trees in your community. Make your volunteer pledge by going to www.btcv.org/dapledge