Morocco - Hiking and Trekking in the Atlas Mountains and Sahara Desert

Experience fascinating Morocco and dive into a world of one and a thousand nights. Morocco captivates with an almost inexhaustible variety of landscapes: from the rugged mountains of the High Atlas to the desert-like mountain ranges of the Anti Atlas to the vast Sahara desert with its huge sand dunes. Deep gorges and torrential streams, lush river oases in the middle of the barren mountain desert, the vastness and silence of the Sahara and the lively, colourful souks of Marrakech - Morocco offers a wealth of contrasting impressions.
Immerse yourself in the fascinating world of the berbers and nomads and let yourself be inspired and overwhelmed by their hospitality and joie de vivre. A trips to Morocco is also a culinary experience in itself...

About Morocco:

Geography & Landscape of Morocco

Morocco, Africa’s northwesternmost country, offers its visitors an exotic experience in a class of its own, despite its relative geographical proximity to Europe.
Thinking of Morocco conjures up sunny skies, desert landscapes and royal cities. Morocco boasts the probably most diverse landscape in Africa and has a quite mountainous character: The country’s landscape and climate as well as history and culture are shaped by the High Atlas, the country’s backbone and North Africa’s highest mountain range with 14 peaks over 4000 metres.
The High Atlas reaches from the southwest to northeast, covering the entire country. It is sandwiched by the parallel-running arc of the Middle Atlas in the northwest and the arc of the Anti-Atlas in the south. The Anti-Atlas is the lowest of the three Atlas mountain ranges, constituting the border to the Sahara desert.
The vast, almost 1000 km long folded mountain range of the High Atlas is a geological smorgasbord without equal: Sedimentary rock, primary rock as well as volcanic and magmatic traces can be found and testify to different formation mechanisms.
In the central part of the High Atlas, there are still isolated marks of glaciation left by ice ages long gone. Due to the merciless sun, the mountains are largely snow-free by the end of May today.
Eben though the southern slopes of the High Atlas are a true mountain desert growing only the odd thorn bush between orange rock, these mountains have been the home, habitat and retreat of the Berbers for thousands of years. Over the centuries, these freedom-loving people have developed sophisticated irrigation systems that enable them to survive in this seemingly inhospitable and arid environment.
Lush gardens of terraced fields, mountain oases along lively streams meandering like a green ribbon through the barren and grandiose mountain landscape, but also deep gorges, abrupt cliffs and barren plateaus are scenic highlights and the rewards for those, who venture into the High Atlas on foot.

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Climate & Trekking weather in Morocco

Due to its geographical location on the northwestern edge of the Sahara, only a few degrees north of the Tropic of Capricorn, Morocco is a hot and dry country.
The High Atlas is the country‘s climatic divide, at the same time creating its own macroclimate. On the one hand, the Atlantic Ocean makes the climate of the country’s west milder, on the other, the regions east and southeast of the Atlas, towards the edge of the Sahara, are extremely dry and hot. In the desert, there is only sporadic precipitation and agriculture is limited to the odd oasis along the river valleys.
The main climate in the High Atlas is distinctly continental: The winter months (December to the end of February) are bitter cold. Due to extensive relief rainfall on the western slopes of the mountain range, precipitation can fall as snow even in the valleys. The higher-lying western slopes can be snow-covered until March. Shady north-facing channels can be snow-filled into the summer. During the cold winter months, trekking at the edge of the desert, in the Anti-Atlas or especially in the Saghro mountains are recommended.
The flowering of countless fruit trees in March heralds the beginning of spring. Still, on the Western slopes of the mountain range, frequent rainfalls, cold spells and some changeable weather must be expected. Relatively low temperatures and spring snow cover thwart the hope to go on demanding trekking tours, let alone cross the Atlas.
The summer months (June to the end of September) are the ideal time to undertake long tours, also in high altitudes.
The temperatures in the plain around Marrakech can reach 40°C, east of the mountain ranges even 50°C. In heights of 2000 to 2500 m, it is pleasant and warm, sometimes even cool. As soon as the sun gets covered by a cloud or has set, it can become quite cold. Night frosts at altitudes above 3500 m are common in summer.
Usually, the trekker is greeted by clear skies in the mornings. Occasionally, heavy thunder- storms develop after lunch time, especially around the end of July and the beginning of August. October and November ring in the cold season. By the end of October, the High Atlas is too chilly for trekking tours in the higher regions. November brings more windy, wet and cold weather.
In Marrakech, temperatures of around 25°C await you. In the desert, it can be very hot during the day. After sundown, the evenings do get chilly. Make sure you bring good sun protection, but also warm clothing (gloves, hat, warm underwear). Please refer to our equipment list for checklists and tips.

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Health & Vaccinations

Vaccinations are not required for entry into Morocco.
As with most long-distance trips, vaccinations against tetanus, diphtheria, typhoid fever, polio and hepatitis A and B are recommended. Your first-aid kit should contain diarrhoea treatment, antibiotics, insect repellent, sunscreen and dressing materials. Please note that medical care in Morocco does not meet western standards. Do take this into account when taking out insurance cover for your trip and when talking to your doctor about recommended vaccinations. Please consult your doctor in any case.

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Drinking water

Drink only boiled/filtered/disinfected water (or mineral water). Never drink water from the tap, a well or a stream without first disinfecting (e.g. Micropur), filtering (e.g. Katadyn) or boiling it for several minutes. Using untreated water for brushing teeth is usually not a problem. If you should decide to buy mineral water in single-use plastic bottles, make sure the seal is intact.

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Population & Language

Morocco’s official language is Arabic besides a handful of Berber languages.
However, French is understood everywhere. 45% of the approximately 36 million inhabitants are Berbers and settled farmers – only a minority still follows the nomadic way of life.

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Time difference

The time difference between Morrocan time and CET is - 1h.

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Currency & Money

The official currency in Morocco is the Morrocan Dirham, the current exchange rate being approx. 1 € = 11,- MAD (March 2020).
You can change money at the airport exchange offices, but there will also be sufficient time for changing money once you are in Marrakech. In bigger towns, money can also be withdrawn from ATMs. Please make sure your maestro card is activated for withdrawals abroad (GeoControl). The exchange rate is the same all over Morocco.

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Tipping

Tips are an integral part of everyday life in Morocco and is expected for literally all services. Our staff are paid fair wages typical for the country. However, the teams are always happy to get additional recognition of their performance, which is usually reflected in tips. It is best to pool all the participants‘ tips and distribute the money to the staff at the end of the trekking tour. It is customary to make a difference in amount between guide, cook and the muleteers. Our drivers are also thankful for a little tip. Gratuity should ideally be paid in local currency (Dirham) but can also be paid in USD or EUR (please give only notes, no coins).

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Gifts

If you think of bringing gifts for the local people with you, we kindly ask you to clarify the kind of gift with us in advance. Not all well-meant gifts are indeed a good idea and some can even be detrimental. Experience has shown that suitable gifts are e.g. pocket knives, torches or headlamps, warm clothing, anoraks, fleece jackets, mountain boots and other equipment that you no longer need.
We do not want to turn local children into beggars, therefore we kindly ask you to refrain from distributing sweets, pens and similar items to the children you’ll meet along the trek!

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Visa and entry into Morocco

EU passport holders do not currently need a visa for Morocco for stays of up to 90 days. The same applies for citizens of the UK, Switzerland, Iceland and Norway. Please contact the relevant embassy or consulate for other nationalities. For more information please visit https://www.consulat.ma/en/visitingexploring-morocco.

Your passport needs to be valid for another 6 months at the end of your stay and should have at least 2 blank pages for each country you visit. It should be in good condition (to tears or marks).  

Visa requirements and charges can change without notice. It is your responsibility to make sure you have the correct travel documents and visas for your holiday. Please check the relevant embassy or consulate or Department for Immigration of your destination country. (Information as of February 2020)

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