Morocco Information

What is the general duration of the treks?

The duration of the trek depends on the region of the trek and on your interests. Generally speaking, your trek can range from 2-3 days to almost a whole month. Even the same trek can have different durations depending on the physical fitness, wishes and interests of the trekker.

What kind of overnight accommodation is used during the treks?

In cities like Marrakech or Ouarzazate, the accommodation will be in hotels or riads. We offer accommodation that ranges from luxury to budget hotels. While on a trek, the accommodation will depend on the time of year and on your personal preferences. You will be able to spend the night in local gites (guesthouses), and we also organise camping treks during which you will spend the night in tents.

Whilst we always try to get you to stay in the best possible accommodation along the way, you should be aware that some gites, particularly in the smaller villages, are quite basic. The bedrooms are usually small with shared bathroom facilities. Although they are simple, the gites do provide you with a warm bed and they are usually run by friendly local families.

Where do you eat your meals and what kind of food is available?

During your trek, all of your meals will be prepared for you. If you stay in a local gite, the family running the gite will prepare a delicious Moroccan meal for you. During a camping trek, all of your food will be prepared by an experienced cook.

Is it safe to eat during the trek?

Food safety is always a big concern and we take it very seriously. That is why we have chosen the cleanest and most hygienic gites for you to stay in. During a camping trek, your cook will prepare safe and tasty meals from carefully chosen food items and only hygienic clean facilities will be used.

What is the best time for trekking?

The best time for treks is autumn (September through November) and spring (March through May).
For winter enthusiasts, we also offer a Toubkal winter trek.

What is the weather like?

You need to be prepared for sudden weather changes while you’re trekking. That’s why trekking equipment should be chosen carefully before the trip. Sudden rain storms or snow are always a possibility that need to be considered. The weather during the trekking season is somewhat more stable.

What kinds of clothes are needed for trekking?

You need to prepare as you would for a walk in any mountainous region; it can be warm and sunny during the day, but the weather in the mountains can quickly change from sunshine to snow and cold winds (during autumn through to late spring).

What type of shoes should I have?

For 1-day excursions, comfortable tennis shoes or sneakers are enough, whereas longer treks in higher altitudes require carefully chosen hiking boots, which should be strong, well-made, light boots. It’s best to buy your footwear before arriving in Morocco. A proper fit is a must for boots, and we recommend that you wear your new shoes for some time before your trek so that your feet feel absolutely comfortable when you’re trekking.

Should I bring trekking equipment with me?

You can easily rent equipment for a reasonable price in Imlil before your trek, but it’s always more convenient to have your own equipment, so we advise you to bring equipment with you.

Do you provide any equipment during the trek?

On all our camping treks, we provide your tents- sometimes dome tents, and sometimes sturdy A frames. Normally, people share one tent between two. You’ll have a foam mattress each, as well as cutlery and utensils, cooking pots, stoves, candles, a kerosene lantern, tables and stools, a kitchen tent, a dining tent and a toilet tent. You’ll also receive all the main meals while you’re trekking, but not snacks. When you stay in local gites, you won’t have to bring any equipment. If you spend the night in the Toubkal Refuge, you’ll need to bring your own sleeping bag (or rent one in Imlil).

What problems can arise in high altitudes?

Altitude sickness is a serious problem. However, the risk of altitude sickness in the High Atlas Mountains is very small. In the time that we have offered treks and walks in the Atlas Mountains, our guides have never experienced a client with altitude sickness. Of course, our guides are trained to spot any signs of altitude sickness and know how to deal with it.

What happens in case of an emergency?

Malaika Travel is prepared for any emergency situation and knows how to handle it. Our guides are trained in first aid and can deal with most of the basic ailments that occur during a trek. Every client should have their own insurance before coming to Morocco in case of an emergency.

What sort of experience do the guides have?

All of the guides that we work with are government approved and have followed a mandatory training in the Center CFAMM, which makes them official and certified guides. As well as this training, they of course have many years of guiding experience in Morocco. Most of them have been spending years exploring the country. Our guides are trained in first aid and know how to handle any situation. All our guides speak English and French and are happy to share their deep knowledge of the country and the beauty of Morocco with you. We believe in the idea that it’s not enough to take visitors to special places or show them special cultures, we also need to provide them with guides who can make people feel involved in what they are experiencing, explain it thoroughly and keep them entertained. Our main concern is to make your trip in Morocco safe, memorable and fun!

Is tipping included in the price and if not, how much should I budget?

Tips are appreciated by your support team after the trip. The amount that you tip depends on your budget and your appreciation of their work. Some trekkers give 10% of the total tour cost as tips.

Can we change the itinerary?

Depending on the situation, you can modify it to some extent after consulting with your guide. However, the date of the trek completion should always coincide with the original itinerary. On occasion, local weather conditions may require the trekking route to be altered to ensure your safety.