Before you go
Visas & permits
Visas are not required for British, Australian, Canadian, US and other EU nationals for a stay of up to 3 months. Please ensure your passport is valid for six months after your return date and that you get your passport stamped upon entry into Morocco.
All other nationalities should contact the Moroccan embassy for details. Visas are your responsibility.
Don’t forget to check the check list here! CHECK LIST
LOCAL TOUR PAYMENT
LTP: payable to your Tour Leader. (Payable in GBP's or Euros only) The Local Payment covers meals whilst camping and all of your camping costs on tour. Your Local payment also covers the cost of all core entrances as described in the itinerary. We carry a large supply of staple food and large water tanks, enough for many weeks of self-sufficiency. In local markets we will buy fresh food of the day. We provide 3 meals a day.
Joining instructions
Once in Marrakech, please check in at: Vaccinations Riad Fantasia, Arset El Maach, Marrakech Tel / Fax: 00212 (0)524 42 65 45
Just around corner from Hotel Tazi, which is just off the Djamma el Fna square.
From the Airport:
FREE TRANSFER ……Please look for Nomadic Expeditions / Your name / Riad Fantasia sign.
Contingency option
Bus: no 11 departs every hour from the airport to the Djemaa, but is very unreliable.
Petite Taxi: average cost, around 70 to 100 dirham per taxi to the Djemaa Fna Square.
(These costs will be re-imbursed- max 100dh per taxi)
From the Train station:
Petite Taxi: about 15 Dirham until 8pm per car then about 25 Dirham after.(Max 30dh will be re-imbursed)
Walking: standing outside the train station, looking at the road, turn left and keep walking to the first main crossroads. Take the road to the right. Look for Katoubia mosque, towering in the sky, walk towards it. When you get to the Mosque, down Mohammed Avenue, the Djemaa is to your left.
From the CTM Bus station:
Petite taxi: before 8pm, around 15 dirham per car. After 8pm, around 25 Dirham.
Walking: from CTM: turn left, walk to the next crossroads, turn right and keep on walking, past Maroc telecom on your right, Macdonalds on your left and keep walking for around 15 minutes. Walk towards the Katoubia Mosque, towering in the sky. The Djemaa place is on the left.
In an EMERGENCY..you can call your guide Brahim on 00212 (0)672 217 744. You can also reach us at the office Tel: 0044 (0) 1189 737 011 or Mob: 0044 (0)7711 132 530.
It is recommended that you be vaccinated for Tetanus and Polio, if you haven’t had a booster in the last ten years. Food and waterborne diseases are more common, so we recommend vaccinations for typhoid (valid 3 years) and Hepatitis A (validity varies).
Morocco is not a high risk malaria area but if in any doubt please consult a physician or travel clinic for further information.
Travel insurance
All our passengers must be fully insured for travel in Morocco. Most travel insurance does not cover for trekking above 2000m as standard and you may have to pay a premium to cover yourself up to 4168m. It is essential that you get the correct level of cover.
Please ensure that the policy provides adequate cover for hospital treatment, repatriation flights home in the event of you being too ill to continue the trek, personal accident, personal baggage and associated valuables. You must bring the policy with you as it is obligatory for joining any expedition.
Packing
Luggage
Pack all your gear in a rucksack/backpack for this type of trip. Also bring a daypack, to keep personal items such as your wallet, camera and water bottle. Your rucksack/ backpack must not have an exterior frame. Only the soft, flexible variety is permitted.
Leave your suitcase at home, they’re simply not practical.
Don’t overdo it! Luggage is limited to 20kgs.
Pack sensibly and take garments that are comfortable and cool. Morocco can be very hot in summer but after the sun sets and at high altitudes, the temperatures can plummet, so pack accordingly. You will need plenty of warm layers, a wind/waterproof jacket, hat, scarf and gloves for the climb to the summit.
Sleeping bag - You will need a high quality, compact sleeping bag for camping at high altitudes. You may also want to being a small trek pillow for added comfort.
What to bring
• Towel
• Torch and batteries
• Camera and spare memory card/film
• Mosquito repellent
• Water bottle
• Personal first aid kit, antiseptic gel and wipes
• Waterproof/wind proof jacket
• A sturdy pair of walking shoes/boots
• Two spare passport photos and a photocopy of your passport In Morocco
Currency
GBP£1.00 = MAD12
USD$1.00 = MAD9
EUR1.00 = MAD11
MAD = Moroccan Dirham, rates are subject to fluctuation.
Exchange facilities are available at various bureau de changes in major towns and most banks have ATMs.
How much spending money is needed, depends largely on the individual. We currently recommend an average of USD $20 - $30 per day. We can’t specify every sundry cost however and you’ll need to allow for expenses such as drinks, snacks and the odd souvenir.
Travellers Cheques can be difficult to change en route so we recommend you have cash for convenience and bring a card to use in the ATM’s—most accept Visa, MasterCard, Electron, Cirrus and Maestro. There are ATM’s at Marrakech airport, which you can use upon arrival.
Local prices
Mineral water (local brand, 500ml or 1L) MAD15
Meal for 2 (entree, main, a beer, local restaurant) MAD50-100
Beer (local brew Efes - 330-500ml approx) MAD20
Chocolate bar (local brand) MAD5-10
Climate
Temperatures in Morocco are generally high, particularly during the summer months from May to September, when the sun can be fierce and temperatures are at industrial levels, so take sunscreen. However in the High Atlas it is very cold and some peaks can remain snow capped from November to July.
You will need to pack plenty of warm clothing for the trek.
Altitude
An altitude of over 3,000 meters is defined as high altitude and altitude sickness is the biggest health risk for trekkers. People can experience differing degrees of symptoms, which include headaches, nausea, dizziness, fatigue and shortness of breath. Our treks are designed to ensure there is plenty of time for adequate acclimatisation and cases of mountain sickness are rare. If you do suffer, symptoms will usually decrease in severity during acclimatization. It is important to drink plenty of fluids and eat carbohydrate food to keep the body properly hydrated. Please report any symptoms of altitude sickness immediately to your guide.
Responsible travel
Cultural awareness
We cannot emphasise enough that we are travellers and therefore guests. Although we ourselves might have different views, ideas, rules and morals, it is our duty to respect and adjust where possible to the people of the region we are visiting. Never throw pens / sweets out of the truck. It is very patronising! Your Tour Leader will also brief you on environmental matters.
Religious Awareness
Morocco is predominantly Muslim and, as such, we would ask all of our customers to respect and adhere to (when appropriate) the dress codes of the Islamic faith. This entails covering of shoulders and knees.
Nomadic Expeditions
Nomadic Expeditions are members of CERT which seeks to promote environmentally responsible tourism and Survival which campaigns for the rights of tribes people through out the world.
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