HOLIDAY CODE OWT Trek a wonderful High Atlas circuit on this Moroccan holiday to Mount Toubkal (4167m) and explore Marrakech Explore the land of the Berbers and see a diversity of cultures and scenery Breathtaking views from the summit of Toubkal the highest peak in North Africa Stroll through magical Marrakech and camp beside the spectacular Lake Ifni Experience a non-technical summit and genuine mountain days on the trail Morocco, Trek & Walk, 8 Days 1 night gite / hostel, 4 nights camping, 2 nights hotel, 7 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 7 dinners, max group size: 12, 5 days trekking, max altitude - 4167 metres VIEW DATES, PRICES & BOOK YOUR HOLIDAY HERE
PAGE 2 Introduction From colourful Marrakech to the summit of North Africa's highest peak, this fantastic trekking holiday follows lesser known trails through the heart of the High Atlas Mountains and up to the summit of Mount Toubkal. Home to a rich variety of footpaths, jaw dropping scenery, magnificent passes, dramatic peaks and Berber culture, Morocco is one of the most diverse places on earth for a trekking holiday. Following trails which snake through the land of the Berbers, you'll pass picturesque villages, dramatic peaks and deep valleys. After Marrakech, you head off on an exciting circuit across the backbone of the High Atlas and into the Tizgui Valley. After the beauty of Lake d'ifni lies the Neltner Refuge and from here a superb trail takes you to the highest point in North Africa - Mount Toubkal. From the summit the reward is a fantastic panorama sweeping across the High Atlas, Jebel Sahro and magnificent Sahara Desert. Time to explore Marrakech post-trek is an excellent grand finale to this trekking circuit to Morocco s Mount Toubkal. A Genuine Small Group Experience - The Secret Of Our Success On One Week Toubkal We are proud to say this holiday in Morocco is limited to a maximum group size of 12, ensuring you enjoy a genuine small group adventure. We've been taking people trekking and walking for over thirty years so we know the ingredients of a good guide and a successful group holiday. Toubkal is neither particularly high nor technically demanding, but the experience and knowledge of our Moroccan leaders, teamed with a smaller group size, can make a big difference on summit day. Those who are new to trekking holidays will take particular comfort in the presence of our experienced Moroccan guides, who we believe are the best in the business. UNSURE OF WHICH HOLIDAY IS RIGHT FOR YOU? CHECK OUT OUR TOUBKAL GUIDE HERE 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 is one of our most challenging trekking holidays in Morocco but the maximum altitude is not very high and we spend only one night above 3000m. As this is a remote trekking circuit there are a number of long walking days (8 or 9 hour) on rocky trails and summer temperatures can be high, but the Moroccan summer is the best time to climb Toubkal. The summit of Toubkal is optional and if you decide to stay at the refuge and wait for the group, it won't take away your enjoyment from the rest of the circuit. Along the trail to the summit day and when heading over passes we may encounter patches of snow. The ascent of Toubkal presents no technical difficulty and should be within the capabilities of experienced walkers. Holiday Itinerary Day 1: Meet at the group hotel in Marrakech. Transfers from Marrakech Airport are included.
PAGE 3 On arrival in Marrakech you'll be met by a KE representative who will assist with the short transfer to the group hotel. Depending on your arrival time and after settling in you may like to explore Marrakech which is a colourful city and great for exploring. Most people head for the central square of Djemaa-el-Fna beneath the stunning minaret of Koutoubia Mosque. Why not enjoy a refreshing mint tea on one of the cafes that overlooks the square, perfect for relaxing after your journey. KE Land Only service begins with the evening meal, which for ease and due to the late arrival of flights is taken at the group hotel. ACCOMMODATION HOTEL MEALS D Day 2: Transfer to Oukaimeden before trekking over the Aaadi Pass to Foussarou. After breakfast we wave goodbye to the hustle and bustle of Marrakech as we leave the city for the mountains. Ahead of us we'll see the mighty peaks of the High Atlas as we begin to climb into the foothill. After approximately 80km we arrive at Oukaimeden a small mountain village that during January to March turns into Morocco's most popular ski resort. Morocco is not well known for its skiing but Oukaimeden at 2600m includes a couple of ski lifts, seven runs, hotels, ski rental and the highest ski lift in Africa at 3243m! On reaching here we'll enjoy lunch and take in the surrounding scenery. Feeling refreshed we'll set off on a trail that ascends steadily to the top of our first pass, the Tiz N'Aaadi at 2980m. From the top we'll be rewarded with excellent views before descending to our first camp at Foussarou (2400m) facing the Berber village of Tacheddirt. Tonight after dinner we'll settle down for an exciting night under the Moroccan skies. ACCOMMODATION CAMPING MEALS BLD ASCENT 600M DESCENT 1850M DISTANCE 12KM TIME 4-5 HRS TREKKING HOURS GPS DATA VIEW NOW Day 3: Cross the spectacular Tizi-n-Likemt. This morning after breakfast we leave camp and head off to enjoy a day walking through a landscape of multi coloured hillsides surrounded by rocky peaks with the greenery of the valley below us. The initial part of the morning consists of a gradual ascent (3-4 hours) to the summit of the Tizi-n-Likemt Pass (3550m). It may be a challenge to the top but we'll take our time and be rewarded with impressive views, ever changing scenery and fingers crossed a High Atlas panorama. On reaching the top we'll have time for the all-important panoramic photos before we descend south to the grazing area of Azib Likemt (2550m). On reaching the plateau of Azib Likemt we'll enjoy lunch alongside a stream, the perfect opportunity for cooling feet! After lunch we initially walk north before following the Assif Tinzart stream. Finally we follow a footpath taking us through a narrow and rocky valley with a series of pools and gorges. The day's walking day ends as the valley opens out and tonight we camp on a high meadow beneath Tizi-n-Ourai (3109m). ACCOMMODATION CAMPING MEALS BLD ASCENT 1200M DESCENT 900M DISTANCE 17KM TIME 8 HRS TREKKING HOURS GPS DATA VIEW NOW Day 4: Enjoy superb views of Toubkal before walking through Berber villages to Lake Ifni. After a second night under canvas and breakfast we leave camp and start with a brief climb (30min) to the Tizi-n- Ourai Pass. From the top we can see the green valley of the Assif Tizgui and if we look west, we'll get our first views of the massive summit of Morocco's Highest Peak - Mount Toubkal. There will be time to take in the views before enjoying a gradual descent passing small villages and hamlets as we arrive at the valley floor in time for a much
PAGE 4 welcomed lunch. The afternoon sees us head through a green and pleasant valley which is home to the Berber villages of Amsouzart and Agaz Ran. This whole area is the home of the Berbers, the indigenous people of North Africa. The name was given by the Romans and meant barbarian, which is a far cry from their big smiles and warm welcome. Towards the end of the day we hike along a series of zig-zags above the north side of Lake Ifni. Our final destination is the western end of the lake and it is here that we set up camp next to the largest lake in the central part of the Atlas. ACCOMMODATION CAMPING MEALS BLD ASCENT 700M DESCENT 1800M DISTANCE 20KM TIME 8 HRS TREKKING HOURS GPS DATA VIEW NOW Day 5: Hike to Toubkal Base-Camp via the the spectacular Ouanoums Pass. This morning we make our way above the lake and initially follow the upper valley of the Assif a Moursaine. As we gradually ascend we make our way towards one of the most spectacular pass crossings in the Atlas Mountains, the Tizi-n-Ouanoums. Located at 3650m, this spectacular pass is nestled between Toubkal and Ouanoukrim and as expected the views are amazing. On reaching the top we turn northwards and drop steeply into the upper part of the Ait Mizan Valley, home to the Neltner Refuge otherwise known Toubkal Basecamp. This hive of activity was built in the year of the millennium by the Club Alpin Francais and the design was based on a Berber fortified dwelling. There are always plenty of international trekkers and groups around as it is the main base for heading to the top of Toubkal. We'll set up camp and there will be time to wander and socialise before enjoying dinner. There will be plenty of time to chat and prepare for tomorrow's adventure to the highest point in Morocco. ACCOMMODATION CAMPING MEALS BLD ASCENT 1350M DESCENT 500M DISTANCE 9KM TIME 6-7 HRS TREKKING HOURS GPS DATA VIEW NOW Day 6: Stand on the summit of Mount Toubkal (4167m) before descending to Ait Souka. One of the highlights of the week, today is a long day but worth it! An early start is needed for the ascent of Jebel Toubkal (4167m), North Africa's highest peak and as we leave camp we set off on a trail which steeply ascends from above the hut. We'll cross patches of boulders before walking between two peaks which takes us to a high basin, usually home to patches of old snow. As we continue upwards the views become more impressive and we finally reach a superb ridge-line. It takes us approximately 4 hours to reach the metal tripod which marks the summit of Toubkal. Away to the north-east lies the Anti-Atlas, whilst the magnificent Sahara Desert is visible to the south. There are breath-taking views of the High Atlas and we'll have plenty of time for the all-important summit photos and selfies! The descent to the hut takes approximately 2 hours and we'll arrive in time for lunch. The afternoon sees us walk down the Toubkal Valley as we pass the hamlet of Sidi Chamharouch tucked under the mountainside. Here a stream emerges from a rocky gorge and a huge white boulder marks the spot where, legend has it, Saint Chamharouch lies entombed. Along the route there are several stalls where it's possible to buy a cup of Berber tea, a refreshing cool drink or a Berber souvenir. Finally we arrive in our gite in the welcoming gite in Ait Souka and can take a break away from camping! ACCOMMODATION GITE / HOSTEL MEALS BLD ASCENT 1000M DESCENT 2400M DISTANCE 21KM TIME 10-12 HRS TREKKING HOURS GPS DATA VIEW NOW
PAGE 5 Day 7: Drive to Marrakech for a city tour or a relaxing afternoon at leisure. This morning after a leisurely breakfast we start the day with a short walk down to Imlil where we meet our transport for the drive to Marrakech. We'll arrive in the city late morning and check in to the group hotel. This afternoon there is a brief sightseeing tour with an English speaking city guide. You may prefer to have a free afternoon and some time at leisure as Marrakech is perfect for wandering and people watching from one of the cafes that overlook the main square. At dusk you'll certainly want to check out the remarkable central square of the Djemaa-el-Fna which becomes the focus of activities for local people and tourists. As Berber acrobats, musicians, water sellers and story tellers begin their evening performances nestled between food stalls illuminated by lamps. Tonight we have our final dinner in a local restaurant to round off a fantastic week! ACCOMMODATION HOTEL MEALS BLD Day 8: Departure Day. Transfers to Marrakech Airport are included. KE Land Only service ends after breakfast and airport transfers are provided for anyone leaving on this day. If you wish to extend your time in Morocco either in the group hotel or would like to experience a traditional riad, please don't hesitate to contact us as the KE office can help you arrange this. We also have a variety of extensions available in the country which ranges from the coastal gem and laid back UNESCO town of Essaouira to the magnificent Sahara Desert. MEALS B 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
PAGE 6 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 US$780 per person 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 US$580 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
PAGE 7 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 US$310 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 All accommodation as described in the trip dossier All meals Half day Sightseeing tour of Marrakech with English speaking guide A full service on trek including food and all equipment (excluding personal equipment) What's Not Included Travel insurance Visa fees (if applicable) Tips for local staff Miscellaneous expenses - drinks and souvenirs etc. Meal Plan All meals are included in the holiday price from dinner on day 1 to breakfast on day 8. Food Whilst trekking, the food is a mixture of local and Western, all purchased locally and cooked for us by our trek cooks. KE groups are always surprised at what the local cook team conjure up! Breakfasts are continental style, with tea and coffee, muesli, bread, jam, honey and soft cheese. A morning snack is also provided and this usually consists of a type of Moroccan trail mix with dried figs and dates, peanuts, sugar coated peanuts and other nuts. Lunch usually starts with the Berber speciality of mint tea, followed by a buffet of rice, pasta or couscous, with a freshly prepared salad - onion, tomatoes, green peppers, grated carrot, green-beans, with tinned sweetcorn or peas added. Hard and soft cheeses, tinned fish, olives, biscuits and bread are also on the lunchtime menu. Dinner starts off with soup and bread. The main course is usually rice, pasta, couscous, spaghetti or chips, with a vegetable stew (or tagine) consisting of some of the following - onion, potato, carrot, green pepper, zucchini, turnip, parsnip, green beans, and peas. There will be some meat (usually chicken, lamb or beef), however meat is not prominent in the menu. All dishes come with traditional sauces which are rarely (spicy) hot. To round off dinner, there is the usual range of hot drinks.
PAGE 8 Joining Arrangements & Transfers Airport transfers are provided free of charge to all clients arriving on day 1 and departing on day 8 of the itinerary. Clients booking a Land Only Package should let us know if Marrakech Airport transfers are not required and MUST provide the KE office with full details of their flights. 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 "petite taxi" is normally around 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 10-15 minutes. Hotel contact details and an emergency number will be provided with your booking confirmation. Accommodation During this trip the group will spend two nights at a tourist class hotel in Marrakech. While there are many more expensive hotels in Marrakech, we look to strike a balance of comfort, convenient location and overall good value. Away from Marrakech we spend one night in a gite (trekkers' lodge) in the village Ait Souka and whilst on trek there is a total of 4 nights camping. Accommodation in Marrakech and while camping is based on twin sharing. If you are travelling by yourself you will be paired up with another single client of the same sex. Accommodation in the gite is in dormitories. It is possible to hire a single tent while on trek for an additional cost. Please note single tent hire does not include single rooms in hotels. For the hotel nights in Marrakech single rooms are available for a supplementary cost. Additional nights in Marrakech are available either at the group hotel or in a range of different hotels and riads. Please see the page on hotels at the end of this dossier for more details. For Hotel prices and single supplement costs please refer to the dates and prices page of the holiday on our website. Group Leader & Support Staff The group will be accompanied by a local English-speaking professional tour leader and for groups larger than 12, there will be an assistant guide. The group will also have the support of a full trek crew including cook, baggage animals and their handlers. Altitude This holiday involves going to high altitude. During the course of your trip you will reach altitudes in excess of 3500 metres. This is not something that you should worry about; the human body is quite capable of adapting to a very wide range of altitudes, but it is important that we follow some simple rules in order to acclimatise successfully. Before coming on this holiday you should read the advice on trekking at high altitude on our website which can be viewed via the link below. You can also talk to one of our trekking experts if you have any concerns about altitude. www.keadventure.com/page/altitude.html Spending Money Approximately 100 (or equivalent in US dollars or Euros) should be allowed for miscellaneous expenses including approximately 35 for tips for your trek crew. It will also be sufficient to cover soft drinks, snacks, and lunches in Marrakech if you should happen to arrive early in the day or depart late in the day. 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 on arrival at the airport in arrivals or in Marrakech itself. Credit cards can be used to purchase goods and it is a good idea to carry one in case of emergency. Guidance On Tipping
PAGE 9 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 35 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 give you a free gift as a way to thank all our clients who book a KE holiday. Choose from KE T-shirts, buffs, KE trek bags* (where applicable) plus many more. Alternatively you can choose to make a 10 donation to the Juniper Trust Charity. You can make your selection in your My KE account after booking. * A free KE trek bag is available on this holiday. Delivery outside of the UK will be charged. Baggage Allowance Your baggage on trek will be carried by pack animals. The packed weight of your main bag whilst trekking should be no more than 15 kgs. (33 pounds). It is possible to leave clothes or other items not required on trek at the group hotel. 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. 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.
PAGE 10 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, like malaria. 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: http://www.worldstandards.eu/electricity/plugs-and-sockets/ Preparing For Your Holiday It makes a lot of sense to spend some time before coming on a trekking or climbing trip getting some additional exercise. The fitter you are, after all, the more enjoyable you will find the experience. For this trip you need to be aerobically fit and also capable for walking up to 8 or 9 hours each day for five days continuously. We would suggest that you adopt a weekly exercise regime. 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. 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: www.travel.state.gov 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. Climate When we are on trek and in the mountains gaining height we can expect the daytime temperatures above 2500m. / 8000ft. around 20 to 25ºC. At night, the temperatures, even at our highest camps, will not fall below freezing. We can expect temperatures in the height of the summer in Marrakech at the hottest to reach 40ºC, dropping to a pleasant 25ºC at night. 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. Books Lonely Planet Guide Morocco.
PAGE 11 The Rough Guide to Morocco. The Atlas Mountains. Karl Smith. (Cicerone Press). Great Atlas Traverse Morocco. Michael Peyron 2 volume guide. Classic Treks Bill Birkett. (David & Charles pubs) Maps Orientazion. 1:50,000 Series, Toubkal Hiking Map & Marrakech Street Plan A good scale map centred roughly on Toubkal. This is currently the best map readily available for trekkers at a useful enough scale to follow the route on the ground. 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. TUI 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? Experience KE has 34 years experience of adventure travel worldwide. All of our holidays are accompanied by an experienced leader, some of whom have worked with KE groups for many years. Many are professional guides and instructors with an unrivalled knowledge of the areas in which they work. In many parts of the world, we recruit local guides with appropriate training and experience. In addition to having the technical skills to ensure your safety, KE expects its leaders to be active members of the group. A leader should be fun to travel with and ready to share with you their enthusiasm for adventure travel and their knowledge of the area. Alongside the group leader, there will be a local support crew, which could be just a driver, or a complete team of guides, drivers, porters, mule-
PAGE 12 herders and cooks. The hard work of our support crews, along with the fascinating insight they can offer into their local culture, is integral to providing you with the very best adventure travel experience. The team of KE office staff is amongst the most experienced in the business, with the proven ability to set up and operate a worldwide programme of adventures. Every one 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 e-mail, 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 trek support, excellent food, a good standard of hotel and camp 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. RESPONSIBLE TOURISM AND AWARDS Responsible Tourism has always fitted naturally with KEs travel ethic. It is important to us that our clients are not the only beneficiaries of the travel experience, but that we share a two-way relationship with the areas that we visit. We make sure that our local staff are well treated and well paid, we respect indigenous cultures, take care to protect the environment and make the most of every opportunity to make a positive contribution wherever we travel. In addition to holding an AITO 5-star Sustainable Tourism rating, we are recipients of AITO s Achievement in Sustainable Tourism Award in recognition of the work carried out over the past 20 years, giving back to the communities and areas we visit. We have been awarded Highly Commended status in the Best Tour Operator category of the Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards, and were named Best Trekking Operator on Earth by National Geographic Magazine, whose criteria included commitment to responsible tourism. We continue to travel responsibly, and more information on our policy, practice, and specific projects can be found at www.keadventure.com, and on the website of our partner charity the Juniper Trust: www.junipertrust.co.uk. KEs Mountain Code is issued to our staff, trek leaders and overseas agents, and we recommend it to our clients, too! Your Complete Financial Protection KE Adventure Travel is a fully licensed and bonded tour operator. We are a member of the Association of Independent Tour Operators (AITO), bonded with the CAA (ATOL 2808) and ABTA licensed (W4341). You can book your trip with KE Adventure Travel in complete confidence that all monies you pay for a trip are fully protected. BOOKING YOUR HOLIDAY Making a Booking The easiest way to make your booking is online. You will need to pay a deposit at the time of booking. This is normally 200 but for some holidays with special permit fees or internal flights, this may be more. The amount of deposit required for an individual holiday is given on the dates and prices page of the holiday. Late bookings will require full payment. We cannot confirm any booking until we receive your fully completed booking form. Adventure Travel Insurance IMPORTANT - It is a condition of joining any of our trips that you are insured against medical and personal accident risks (to include repatriation costs, air ambulance and helicopter rescue services). We also strongly
PAGE 13 recommend that you take out holiday cancellation insurance, as all deposits paid are non-refundable. Please ensure that your insurer is aware of your KE Adventure itinerary and can agree to cover the activities being undertaken. You will then need to advise us of your policy details and complete an Insurance Declaration Form. CAMPBELL IRVINE DIRECT travel insurance is available to EU residents and will cover the majority of KE Adventure holidays. It has been designed to provide cover for activities normally excluded by other insurers such as trekking, mountain biking and climbing. Please note that certain activities may attract a higher premium. In addition Campbell Irvine Direct cannot provide cover for KE climbing trips above 6000m. Cover for these can be obtained through either the British Mountaineering Council (BMC) or Snowcard. TRAVELEX is a USA based insurer offering travel insurance, which can be used by US citizens and US residents only. KE recommends the "Travelex Select" package for our holidays. If your holiday involves using mountaineering equipment (ropes, harness or crampons), for climbing or glacial travel, you should consider the "Adventure Plus Pak" optional upgrade on the Travelex Select Plan. Please refer to the 'Description of Coverage' for a summary of the terms, conditions, exclusions and limitations of the applicable Protection Plan. This policy will also cover KE climbing trips above 6000m. 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.
PAGE 14 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 Should Bring The Following Items: Hiking boots Trainers or sandals for camp Socks Underwear Trekking trousers Lightweight waterproof over-trousers Short Thermal baselayers T-shirts Fleece jacket or warm jumper Lightweight waterproof jacket Sunhat / Warm hat Sunglasses Lightweight thermal or fleece gloves Daypack 30 litres Headtorch and spare batteries Sun protection (including total bloc for lips, nose etc.) Water bottles 1 Litre (x2) Sleeping bag (comfort rated -5 C)* Antibacterial handwash Washbag and toiletries Small towel Water purification tablets 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, and re-hydration salts (Dioralite).?The Following Items Are Optional: Spare laces
PAGE 15 Sleeping bag liner Thermarest (note that foam mattresses are provided) Trekking poles (recommended) Camera Travel clothes Toilet roll Pen-knife (note: always pack sharp objects in hold baggage) Repair kit (eg. needle, thread, duct tape) Equipment Hire: *Available for hire/rental through KE Adventure Travel Please note: This document was downloaded on 26 Feb 2018, and the trip is subject to change.