DAYS | 5
REG FEE | £195
CHARITY | Any
MINIMUM SPONSORSHIP | £540
DIFFICULTY | Challenging
DATE | Various 2024
THE TREK
Home to rocky gorges, high altitude settlements and incredible scenery, the High Atlas Mountains are a trekker’s paradise. You will tackle extreme temperatures and tough climbs but be rewarded with varied landscapes, delightful village stays and spectacular views of the entire Atlas range and the Marrakech plains beyond. Your challenge will end with well-deserved celebrations in Marrakech, a wonderful chance to experience the vibrant Moroccan way of life.
This is a multi-day trek to significant altitude, led by experienced guides, climbing on rocky terrain with several hours of trekking each day. Tough, but truly rewarding, this challenge will leave you with memories to last a lifetime.
Our trips are inclusive of accommodation, meals, transport and more, so all you need to do is focus on the challenge ahead!
TREK ITINERARY
DAY 1 - ARRIVAL AND ORIENTATION
You will be met by a Choose a Challenge representative once you arrive in Marrakech. You will then transfer via bus (approximately a two hour journey) to your accommodation in Imlil, set deep in the Atlas mountains. You will have the opportunity to explore Imlil before a team dinner and your challenge briefing.
DAY 2 - TREK DAY 1
After breakfast we begin our trek. Heading along the Mizane Valley, we first pass the village of Aremd and then onto the shrine of Sidi Chamarouch. We then continue east and by crossing the flood plains our route takes us along mule tracks and up into the high rocky cliffs above the valley. Crossing the river we eventually come to the pastoral shrine of Sidi Chamarouch, which attracts tourists and pilgrims. From here the trail continues to climb steadily, snaking and zigzagging its way up to the refuge (3206m) where you will spend the night.
VIEW FULL ITINERARY +
DAY 3 - TREK DAY 2
Early in the morning we make our attempt on the summit of Jebel Toukbal, the highest peak in Northern Africa. Our route takes us up the south cirque, crossing the stream above the refuge. The walking is relatively straightforward, but the scree and the altitude will make the going quite difficult in parts. The views along the way make the journey more than worthwhile. When you reach the the summit you will see that the vistas across the surrounding landscape are quite breathtaking. From here there are unrestricted views in every direction, from the Marrakesh Plain to the High Atlas in the north and as far south as the Anti-Atlas and the Sahara. We will retrace our steps when we return down the mountain and spend the night at the refuge again.
DAY 4 - TREK DAY 3
Today we head back towards Imlil. After arrival back in Imlil you transfer back to Marrakech. Night at a riad in Marrakech.
DAY 5 - After breakfast, you can return to the UK. Breakfast included
“Taking on the High Atlas Mountains Trek was something completely new for me and not like anything I’ve ever experienced before. The guides were friendly & knowledgeable, the location is fantastic and the itinerary was great. This has definitely made me open to taking on another challenge in the future.”
TRIP COSTS & INCLUSIONS
We provide several funding options for our trekking challenges, to provide you with the maximum possible flexibility.
First, decide whether to pay for your challenge outright (Self Fund option) or fundraise for your challenge. If you’re fundraising, you can choose our Minimum Sponsorship option with a full fundraising target, or opt to Flexi Fund: pay some of your trip costs yourself, and cover the rest with a reduced fundraising target.
The separate funding options are detailed in full below:
SELF FUND
Registration fee:
£195
Balance payment:
£270
Fundraise:
No fundraising required
Read more...
The full cost of this challenge is £465. You will be required to pay the registration fee of £390 at the time of booking and the final balance of £270 which is due 10 weeks before departure.
Whilst registering for the challenge, you will still be asked to select a charity. This charity will receive a notification of your registration and may support you with any fundraising you may wish to do alongside your challenge - however, there is no obligation to fundraise and there is no minimum sponsorship amount due.
Once your final balance has been settled at or before 10 weeeks prior to departure, your place on the trip will be confirmed and you'll be ready to take on the challenge of a lifetime!
MINIMUM SPONSORSHIP
Registration fee:
£195
Fundraise:
£540
Read more...
You will be required to pay the registration fee of £390 at the time of booking, and you'll then need to raise a minimum sponsorship amount of £540 for your nominated charity, which usually needs to be raised in full by 8 weeks prior to your departure.
When taking on a challenge with us, you can rest assured that all of the money you fundraise throughout the year will go directly to the charity you are supporting.
Once you hit that all-important fundraising target and your place on the challenge is confirmed, the charity will use this money to cover the remaining costs of your challenge (which will never exceed 50% of your fundraising target).
The remainder of your fundraising (never less than 50% of your fundraising target) will stay with your charity, as a donation to their vital work. In addition, 100% of any Gift Aid and every single pound that you raise above your target will stay with your charity.
FLEXI FUND
Registration fee:
£195
Flexi payment:
£95
Fundraise:
£350
Read more...
You will be required to pay the registration fee of £390 at the time of booking, and then you will make a further contribution of £95 to your trip costs, due 10 weeks before departure. You will also have a minimum fundraising target.
The benefit of the Flexi Fund option is that it gives you the best of both of the other funding options: your contribution toward your trip costs will decrease the minimum fundraising amount you need to raise. The more you contribute with your Flexi Fund payment, the greater the discount on your fundraising target:
- If you opt for the £95 Flexi Fund amount then your fundraising target will be £350.
When taking on a challenge with us, you can rest assured that all of the money you fundraise throughout the year will go directly to the charity you are supporting.
Once you hit that all-important fundraising target and your place on the challenge is confirmed, the charity will use this money to cover the remaining costs of your challenge (which will never exceed 50% of your fundraising target).
The remainder of your fundraising (never less than 50% of your fundraising target) will stay with your charity, as a donation to their vital work. In addition, 100% of any Gift Aid and every single pound that you raise above your target will stay with your charity.
INCLUSIONS & EXCLUSIONS
Your full itinerary, in the Challenge Information Pack below, gives details of the specific inclusions for your trip.
Please note that international flights are not included in our public challenges in order to allow you maximum flexibility on when to arrive, how long to extend your trip, which airline you fly with, where you depart from or which class you fly (lucky you if not in economy with us!).
Take a look below to see at a glance the inclusions and exclusions for this challenge.
WHAT’S INCLUDED
Ground transfers
Accommodation as specified
All meals on the trek and other meals as specified
All National Park fees, entrance fees, taxes, and permits
English-speaking professional guides
Safe drinking water during the trek
Communal camping equipment
Porter service on the trek
Comprehensive pre-departure support and advice
24-hour emergency line for use during your trip
what’s not included
International flights to Marrakech
Tips and gratuities
Visas
Travel insurance
Medical expenses in case of emergency on your trip
Any necessary vaccinations or medications
Meals and drinks not specified in the itinerary
Optional excursions
Personal camping equipment and clothing
Other items of a personal nature
WHICH CHARITIES CAN I CHOOSE FROM?
You’re free to choose to fundraise for whichever charity you like, as long as they are registered in the UK or Ireland.
When you register, you’ll see a list of charities to choose from - this list includes our Partner Charities and also other causes and charities registered across the UK and Ireland who have already agreed to support fundraisers taking part our in challenges.
If you’d like to fundraise for a charity which is not already a partner of ours, just let us know and we’ll link up with them!
know before you go:
How difficult is this challenge?
We have four difficulty levels for our treks, which take into account factors like altitude, terrain, weather conditions and more. The rating for this trip is as below:
Challenging - you will be walking long distances on sometimes/occasionally uneven and rough terrain and experience some harsh weather conditions so plenty of training will be required.
You will be away from the comforts of home but will be rewarded with an unforgettable adventure!
Perfect for those who want to push themselves physically and mentally.
What is the accommodation like?
Whilst in Imlil and Marrakech you will stay in a comfortable hostel or riad.
During the challenge, you will stay in shared tents in campsites on the trail. The campsites are basic yet comfortable. Food will be served communally at in the mess tent by the cooks each night.
There are occasional opportunities to use Western-style toilet facilities (sometimes at cost), and on the trek there is infrequent access to running water.
Do I need mountaineering skills?
Nope! One of the huge benefits of the Morocco High Atlas challenge is that you do not need any specialist mountaineering skills, experience or equipment to reach the summit.
This non-technical climb will be a real test of your mental and physical resilience - but it does not require you to be a seasoned mountain climber.
What will the group size be?
Group sizes may vary, but will almost always include somewhere between 10 - 30 participants.
EDGE OF THE SAHARA
EXTENSION TRIP
ADDITIONAL DAYS | 4
REG FEE | £125
ACCOMMODATION | Riad, Berber Campsite
ACTIVITIES | Cultural Sites, Camel Trekking
BALANCE | £345
EDGE OF THE SAHARA
An iconic extension trip that includes it all. Once you’ve conquered your High Atlas trek, you can extend your stay in Morocco to relax and see some more of this beautiful country.
Experience the wonder of sleeping under the stars in the Sahara Desert on our Edge of the Sahara extension trip, as you head through the dunes on camel-back, dine on traditional Moroccan tagine and stay in a traditional Berber camp in the largest hot desert in the world - truly incredible!
En route to the dunes, you’ll also visit some world famous sites used as location sets for some of Hollywood’s most iconic movies.
Take a look at our Morocco High Atlas Mountains Challenge Info Pack for further details or get in touch to add our trip extension to your challenge!
VIEW FULL EXTENSION TRIP ITINERARY
DAY 1 - VALLEY OF THE ROSES
After breakfast, you will depart from Marrakech and drive through the Atlas Mountains over the Tizi n’Tichka pass. As you descend towards the desert and the Valley of the Roses, you will be met with stunning views of the Dades Valley and Dades gorge where you will spend the evening. Hotel accommodation Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
DAY 2 - CAMEL RIDING IN ERG CHEBBI
You will depart in the morning for the Todra gorge, with a short stop at the dunes of Erg Chebbi, arriving around mid-afternoon. Erg Chebbi is the starting point for camel trekking into the Sahara. After boarding your four-legged friend, you will ride into the dunes of Erg Chebbi and towards your private tented accommodation in a traditional Berber camp. Berber tent accommodation. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
DAY 3 - TALLOUINE
After breakfast you will trek back out of the desert, saying goodbye to your camel. You will then have a long drive to Tallouine, stopping en-route to admire some truly spectacular scenery off the beaten track. Hostel accommodation. Breakfast included.
DAY 4 - BACK IN MARRAKECH
Today you will return to Marrakech. Once you have arrived and checked in to your accommodation, you are free to explore the city. Riad accommodation. Breakfast included.
DAY 5 - TRANSFER & RETURN TO THE UK
After breakfast, you will transfer to Marrakech International airport for your flight back to the UK. Breakfast included.
WHAT’S INCLUDED
Accommodation as specified
Ground transfers
Meals as specified in the itinerary
All entrance fees, taxes, and permits
English-speaking professional guides
Activities as specified
24-hour emergency line for use during your trip
WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED
Tips and gratuities
Supplementary travel insurance
Medical expenses in case of emergency on your trip
Meals and drinks not specified in the itinerary
Optional activities or excursions
Items of a personal nature
READY TO GET SIGNED UP? BOOK NOW!
2024 dates
LENGTH: 5 DAYS/4 NIGHTS
STATUS: AVAILABLE
