HOLIDAY CODE MGW A winter mountaineering holiday to the beautiful peak of Mgoun in Morocco's High Atlas and time to explore Marrakech Join a unique Moroccan winter holiday with an expedition feel Experience the culture of the Berbers and climb a stunning Atlas peak Trek through the beautiful Bougmez Valley and visit Ouzoud waterfalls Stay in the heart of colourful Marrakech next to the Jemaa el- Fnaa Morocco, Trek & Walk, 8 Days 2 nights mountain hut / refuge, 3 nights gite / hostel, 2 nights hotel, 7 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 5 dinners, max group size: 12, 4 days trekking, max altitude - 4068m VIEW DATES, PRICES & BOOK YOUR HOLIDAY HERE
PAGE 2 Introduction Nestled in an unspoilt Moroccan wilderness and off the beaten track, the beautiful peak of Mgoun dominates a Narnia landscape home to hidden villages, dramatic mountains, Berber culture and the charming Bougmez Valley. This truly breath-taking region is perfect for anyone looking for a unique winter mountaineering holiday in Morocco s Atlas Mountains. From bustling Marrakech we head to the Bougmez Happy Valley where we experience the charming culture and warm hospitality of the Berbers whilst surrounded by an incredible landscape of snowy peaks. After the beauty of the Bougmez we start our winter adventure by heading over the Tizi n' Oughri Pass and into a snow-filled amphitheatre where visitors are a rarity. Once here, the remote Tarkeddit Refuge is our base for winter skills training before the ascent of Mgoun (4068m). After a challenging summit climb we ll see one of the most incredible panoramas in Morocco and North Africa. From the mountains we visit the spectacular Ouzoud Waterfalls before finishing this holiday in magical Marrakech. If you are looking for a winter holiday led by a specialist team and the chance to explore the wonderful city of Marrakech then this is the perfect choice. A GENUINE SMALL GROUP ADVENTURE - THE SECRET OF OUR SUCCESS ON MGOUN AND 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 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. On Winter Mgoun, the mountain is neither particularly high nor technically demanding, but offers a real winter mountaineering challange. Therefore the experience and knowledge of our Moroccan leaders, teamed with a smaller group size, can make a big difference to your chances of success on summit day. Those who are new to winter trekking will take particular comfort in the presence of our experienced KE leader and Moroccan guides, who we believe are the best in the business. 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? The ascent of Mgoun in winter presents a fantastic experience for experienced hikers who are looking for a real mountain challenge. The maximum altitude on this Moroccan trekking holiday is not high and starts with an easy day of trekking in a valley above Agouti. However, after moving up to the Tarkeddit Refuge there are 3 long days on moderately-angled snow slopes, previous experience of technical mountaineering is not required but some familiarity with the use of crampons and an ice axe is recommended. The region offers a feeling of remoteness unlike any other area in Morocco and you re very unlikely to see other groups. This and the challenging summit day guarantees a holiday which feels more like an exclusive expedition. Holiday Itinerary Day 1: Meet at the group hotel in Marrkech. Transfers from Marrkech Airports are included. On arrival in Marrakech you will 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 want to do a little exploring. Marrakech is a colourful city and quite easy to get around. Most people head for the central square of the Djemaa-el-Fna beneath the beautiful tower and gardens of the Koutoubia Mosque. Here you can relax with glass of mint tea and watch the world go by from one of the restaurant terraces that overlook the bustling square. KE Land Only package begins with the evening meal taken at the group hotel or a nearby restaurant. ACCOMMODATION HOTEL
PAGE 3 Day 2: Drive to the breathtaking Bougmez Valley. After breakfast we'll leave the city and head towards the Central Atlas. In no time at all we're beyond Marrakech and travelling through the agricultural area of the Moroccan countryside. We'll pass farmsteads along the way and watch life through the window, which gives the perfect opportunity to see the many contrast of the country. In the afternoon we'll arrive in the Bougmez Valley, a charming green oasis and beautiful region. Until recently the area of the Bougmez was cut off for four months of the year and here you'll find unspoilt nature at its best. Small villages scattered with traditional mud houses enhance its charm. Our journey ends at the village of Agouti (1780m) and after settling in at our comfortable gite there will be time for a short walk in the surrounding area. After stretching the legs there will be time over dinner to speak to the leader about the next few days as we genuinely enter the mountains. ACCOMMODATION GITE / HOSTEL MEALS BLD TIME 3-4 HRS TREKKING HOURS Day 3: Hike through the Arous Valley before an afternoon of winter skills. This morning we leave our gite and set off towards the mountains of Mgoun. Initially we follow the river as it meanders through fields and walnut groves and along the trail we'll past small farms and traditional villages. Gradually we ascend to the village of Arous which is surrounded by breath-taking views, whilst tiny hamlets and villages tucked away in unexpected places are a real pleasure to come across. Above Arous we'll pass several simple azibs. These small stone shelters are built by Berber herdsmen and shepherds for use during the summer months. Near Azib Ikkis and, at approximately 2300m, we reach our gite where we'll spend the night. The rest of the afternoon is spent fitting snowshoes and practicing our winter skills. This is also a great way to build up confidence and get advice from our leaders. ACCOMMODATION GITE / HOSTEL MEALS BLD ASCENT 700M DESCENT 200M DISTANCE 10KM TIME 3-4 HRS TREKKING HOURS GPS DATA VIEW NOW Day 4: Head to the Tarkeddit Refuge via high plateaus of the Tilibiyt n Tarkeddit. After leaving the gite this morning our trail steadily rises and traverses towards the Tizi-m-Oumskiyg (2910m). As the river gradually fades we enter the high mountain scenery of the Central Atlas. Along the way we can stop to take photographs and a rest before heading left and further upwards towards the ridge-line above. We'll continue along the ridge towards the Tizi n'oughri (3400m) and once here we have spectacular views of Mgoun. The trail continues ascending towards the high plateau of the Tilibiyt n'tarkeddit which overlooks the Tessaout Valley. During the summer months this is a strikingly green oasis surrounded by spectacular rocky formations and high pastures frequently used by Berber herdsmen. However in the winter it turns into a winter wonderland and a world away from the lower valleys where we entered the Bougmez. A brief downhill brings us to the Tarkeddit Refuge, which is our home for the next two nights. Feeling as if it's in the middle of nowhere, the hut provides simple accommodation for mountaineers. The refuge has basic toilet facilities and a single wood-burning stove, but the experience of staying in an area very few people see, more than makes up for the lack of gite facilities. ACCOMMODATION MOUNTAIN HUT / REFUGE ASCENT 1120M DISTANCE 9KM GPS DATA VIEW NOW MEALS BLD DESCENT 500M TIME 7-8 HRS TREKKING HOURS
PAGE 4 Day 5: Spectacular ascent to the summit of Mgoun (4068m). Starting with head torches on, we step out into a dark, snowy wilderness and begin the journey by ascending onto the lower slopes of the mountain. This straightforward route crosses easy angled snow slopes with the odd rocky section and climbs all the way up to the ridge and peak of Mgoun Oest (3978m). Like any mountain summit day, it's a long, slow ascent until we reach the stunning ridge-line leading to Mgoun. Shortly after joining the ridge the final summit comes into view as we follow the ridge trail with stunning views all around. To the south is the Jebel Sahro and magnificent Sahara Desert, whilst the Toubkal range can be seen on the horizon. Behind us we'll see the journey we took through the Bougmez Valley. After joining the Mgoun ridge, we carry on for a further 2 hours until the cairned summit of Mgoun. The journey to get here is challenging but worthwhile and we'll be rewarded with a real feeling of satisfaction. After taking plenty of summit photos we'll begin our descent and return to the refuge for a second night. ACCOMMODATION MOUNTAIN HUT / REFUGE ASCENT 1500M DISTANCE 20KM GPS DATA VIEW NOW MEALS BLD DESCENT 1500M TIME 11-12 HRS TREKKING HOURS Day 6: Hike out of the valley to Agouti via the Tizi N`Oughri (3400m). After yesterday's long day, today we leave the refuge and make our way up the Tizi n'oughri (3400m). Once here we'll be look back to Mgoun and clearly see the route we took to the summit and the incredible ridge we trekked along. After the pass it's mostly downhill to the village of Ait Said at the head of the Bougmez Valley. After reaching Ait Said it's an easy walk of an hour to reach the gite at Agouti where we can enjoy a welcome shower and relax. Tonight we can enjoy the peace of the mountains before we make our way to bustling Marrakech. ACCOMMODATION GITE / HOSTEL MEALS BLD ASCENT 500M DESCENT 1600M DISTANCE 18KM TIME 7-8 HRS TREKKING HOURS GPS DATA VIEW NOW Day 7: Drive to Marrakech via the stunning Ouzoud waterfalls. Today we head back to the Marrakech and the first hour of the drive should give us great views of Mgoun. After a couple of hours we'll stop off at the Ouzoud waterfalls which are accessed by a pleasant path meandering through olive groves. The word Ouzoud in Berber means olives. The waterfalls which are 110 metres high are quite spectacular, as they drop in a series of separate cascades over ochre rock into a lush gorge. After lunch near the falls we'll continue to Marrakech and check into our hotel. This evening we'll head out for dinner and pay a visit to the Jemaa el-fna, the bustling heart of Marrakech. ACCOMMODATION HOTEL MEALS BL Day 8: Departure Day. Transfers to Marrakech Airport are included. KE group 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. A popular option is to simply sit and watch the world go by from one of the restaurants overlooking the Djemma el-fna. Airport transfers are provided for anyone leaving on this day. Alternatively if you would like to extend your time in Marrakech please don't hesitate to contact the office for extra nights at the group hotel or to book a riad experience. Staying in a riad is a great way to see the traditional houses of Morocco with their open courtyards and quirky room.
PAGE 5 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 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
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 A professional KE leader Marrakech Airport transfers (on Day 1 & 8 only) All land transport involved in the itinerary
PAGE 7 All accommodation as indicated in the holiday dossier Meals as per the Meal Plan Mules or porters to transport personal equipment to the refuge What's Not Included Travel insurance Visa fees (if applicable) Some meals as per the Meal Plan Tips for staff Miscellaneous expenses - drinks and souvenirs etc. Joining Arrangements & Transfers All clients travelling to Marrakech on day 1 of the Land Only itinerary will be met at the airport by a local KE representative who will arrange the transfer to the group hotel. Clients must inform the KE office of their flight details and should let us know if a transfer is not required. Clients intending to make their own transfer arrangements at Marrakech Airport should note that taxis are available outside the arrivals hall at all times. The standard fare to the city in a "petit taxi" should be around 50 dirham 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. Meal Plan Breakfasts, 6 lunches and 5 dinners are included. Food The food on this holiday is a mixture of local and international dishes. Breakfasts are continental in style, with tea and coffee, cereals or porridge, bread, jam, honey and cheese. A morning snack is also provided and this usually consists of a piece of fruit (apple, orange), together with Moroccan 'trail mix' of dried figs and dates, peanuts, sugar coated peanuts and other nuts. However we recommend that you bring along a supply of extra snacks such as breakfast / cereal bars, chocolate etc. This is because the trekking days are long and may find yourself wanting to eat on a more regular basis. Lunch usually starts with a speciality tea, followed by rice, pasta or cous cous with a salad - onion, tomatoes, green peppers, grated carrot, beans and tinned sweet corn or peas. Hard and soft cheeses, tinned fish, olives, and bread are also added to some lunches. Dinner starts off with soup and bread followed by a main course of rice, pasta, cous-cous, spaghetti or chips, with a vegetable stew (or tagine) with meat as an extra (usually chicken, lamb or beef). All dishes come with traditional sauces which are not spicy. Desserts are usually tinned fruit and dinner is rounded off with hot drinks. Whilst staying in Marrakech we either meet for dinner in the hotel or at local restaurants. It is not recommended to drink untreated water from the taps. You should take purification tablets or a filter bottle (such as a Water-To-Go bottle) to treat your water. We do not encourage the purchasing of single use plastic bottles. Accommodation During this holiday the group will spend 2 nights at a standard tourist class hotel in Marrakech, 3 nights in gites (local guesthouses) and 2 nights at the Tarkeddit refuge at the foot of Mgoun. The accommodation in Marrakech is twin share with en-suite rooms and has an excellent location and rooftop terrace with a bar. Please be aware there are other hotels in Marrakech that offer more modern facilities, but we feel that staying next to Marrakech's main
PAGE 8 square is a highlight for most travellers and ensures you make use of your limited time in the city. The chance to sit on the terrace and look towards one of Marrakech's main mosques is a great way to observe local life. If you are travelling by yourself you will be paired up with another solo traveller of the same sex. Single rooms are available for a supplementary cost. Accommodation in the gite at Agouti is in dormitories with separate bathrooms and hot showers. Accommodation in the refuge is dormitory style and has basic facilities. However this is the only accommodation available for a winter ascent of Mgoun and the location is excellent. Additional hotel nights in Marrakech are also available. Group Leader & Support Staff The group will be accompanied by an experienced professional English-speaking guide throughout the trip. We will have the assistance of mules and/or porters to carry our equipment up to the refuge. 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 150 (or equivalent in US dollars or Euros) should be allowed for miscellaneous expenses including approx 40 for tips for your trek crew. It will also be sufficient to cover the meals not included in Marrakech, 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 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 40 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
PAGE 9 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. * A trek bag is one of the free gift options available for this holiday. Delivery outside of the UK will be charged. Baggage Allowance On the trek to the Tarkeddit Refuge your personal equipment will be carried by porters and mules. During this part of the trip your baggage should not weigh more than 15kg. Items not required for this part of the trip can be left at the gite in Agouti. Travel clothes can also be left at the group hotel in Marrakech. We recommend that you bring a fold away bag for this purpose. 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.
PAGE 10 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: 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 comfortable with walking up to 8 or 9 hours each day. We would suggest that you adopt a weekly exercise regime. Jogging, cycling and/or swimming are good for developing stamina. Before departure, we suggest that you try to fit in a number of long walks in hilly country. We also recommend that you gain some experience of walking in winter conditions wearing crampons. Climate It is pleasantly warm during the day in Marrakech in the winter months of November through to April with daytime temperatures to reach a 20-22 C, dropping to 7 10 C at night. Once we are on trek and we start to gain height, we can expect the temperatures to be rather lower, with daytime temperatures in the range of 10 to 15 C. At night, outside the refuge the temperature will drop to around -5 C. From Arous we are likely to encounter snow. As in all mountain regions, short lived storms do occur and in winter these can bring quite heavy snowfall. 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. Single Use Plastic KE do not encourage the use of single use plastic items. We are ensuring that our agents all over the world are working together to reduce the problem and educate those around them. We are leading by example in our KE office by reducing our plastic use. We have pledged to AITO s Project Protect that 70% of our agents stop using single use plastic bottles.
PAGE 11 Books Lonely Planet Guide Morocco. The Rough Guide to Morocco. Mountaineering in the Moroccan High Atlas. Des Clark. (Cicerone Press). Trekking in the Moroccan Atlas. Richard Knight (Trailblazer Publications) Moroccan Arabic phrasebook. Lonely Planet. Dan Bacon Maps Ighil Mgoun, Editorial Piolet. 1:60,000 Ighil Mgoun range in the central part of Morocco s High Atlas Mountains on a detailed, GPS compatible, contoured map at 1:60,000 from Editorial Piolet, Contours at 20m intervals are enhanced by bold relief shading, with numerous spot heights and names of valleys, etc. The map is centred on Tabant and shows local roads, track and trails, including the ascent routes to the peaks. Symbols mark locations of refuges, hotels and gîtes d etape, information centres and medical assistance facilities, ski and climbing areas, etc. The map has a UTM grid. Map legend and accompanying text include English. 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? 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
PAGE 12 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 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. Group Tour Leaders 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-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. Sustainable Tourism Since we ran our first trip in 1984, we have been committed keeping the world's most beautiful places pristine by minimising our environmental impact. Recognising the fragility of the world's wilderness environments, we keep our groups small and operate according to a Mountain Code, which is provided to all groups, trek leaders, agents and staff. We make sure that our local staff are well treated and well paid, we respect indigenous cultures, take care to protect the environment of the places we visit and take every opportunity to make a positive contribution wherever we travel. Our philosophy of 'leaving nothing but footprints' has been integral to KE's approach right from the start over 30 years ago. In recognition of our efforts we are proud to have achieved the highest award of 5 Stars for Sustainable Tourism by AITO. 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. KE's Mountain Code is issued to our staff, trek leaders and overseas agents, and we recommend it to our clients, too! Booking Your Holiday 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 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 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.
PAGE 13 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. Please remember that you need to keep the weight of your equipment to a maximum of 15 kg. You Should Bring The Following Items: Crampon compatible boots (B1 or B2 are ideal) B0 flexible walking boots are not suitable Gaiters Trainers / Sandals / warm slippers (for use in the hut) Socks (also thermal ones for the hut) Underwear Trekking trousers Waterproof and breathable jacket Waterproof overtrousers Thermal baselayer - leggings (thermal underwear) Base layer shirts or T-shirts Fleece jacket Warm jacket (down/duvet) Sunhat Fleece hat Sunglasses Sun protection (including total bloc for lips) Factor 20+ Warm fleece gloves or mittens Warm and waterproof gloves / mittens Earplugs Washbag and toiletries Small travel towel Antibacterial hand wash Small padlock (to lock your trek bag) Dry bags(s) for daypack/kitbag contents (to ensure they keep dry) Daypack 40 litres with ice axe loop Headtorch and spare batteries Trekking poles x 2 with snow baskets Ski goggles
PAGE 15 Water bottle 1 litre (x2) Please note that the tube on a camelbac/platypus ytpe system can be prone to freezing up in cold conditions (we encourage re-filling water bottles rather than single use plastic) Water purification tablets Sleeping bag (comfort rated -10 C) Basic First Aid Kit including: Antiseptic cream, throat lozenges, diarrhoea treatment (Imodium), painkillers, plasters and blister treatment, and re-hydration salts (Dioralite).?Mountaineering Equipment: Mountaineering ice-axe* (50 70 cm or as preferred) Crampons with front points* The Following Items Are Optional: Sleeping bag liner (a fleece one is reccommended) Pen-knife (remember to pack sharp objects in hold baggage) Repair kit (eg. needle, thread, duct tape) Camera Travel clothes Wet wipes biodegradable (note that water for washing can be scarce at the Tarkeddit refuge) Reusable cloth bag for shopping (to avoid plastic bags) Notes: KE will provide snowshoes for this trip if the conditions dictate they need to be used. They are stored in Morocco and can be used with any 4 season mountaineering boots. It is recommended that you have 2 trekking poles to use in conjunction with the snowshoes. You still need to bring along ice axe and crampons. The leader will decide on each of the 3 days on Mgoun whether to use ice axe and crampons, or snowshoes and poles, depending on the snow conditions. Equipment Hire: Items marked * can be hired / rented through KE Adventure Travel. Please make all requests at least 6 weeks prior to the trip departure date as there is a limited supply. Mattresses are provided in the gites and refuges. We cannot hire/rent out mountaineering boots or down jackets. Cotton clothing is not suitable for the conditions found in the mountains of Morocco in Winter PHD Gear Advisor PHD specialise in cold weather equipment, from the world s lightest right up to the most protective for Everest or the Poles. It s a large range so to help you choose what you need to keep you warm, PHD have listed the gear that is appropriate for this expedition. >> phd.co.uks
PAGE 16 Needle Sports (Specialist Mountaineering Equipment Shop) Needle Sports is the English Lake District's foremost specialist climbing shop supplying mountaineering, rock, ice, alpine and expedition equipment worldwide. Internationally recognised as among the very best of the UK's top technical climbing gear retailers. They have a good range of equipment appropriate for this trip and offer knowledgeable advice both on their website and in store. View http://www.needlesports.com/ Please note: This document was downloaded on 30 Sep 2018, and the trip is subject to change.