Trekking / Hiking FAQ's

Where will I sleep?

In the desert, we will provide tents for you and the number of tents will be discussed before you book but usually one tent for two people. We also provide mattresses but you bring your own sleeping bags and camping pillows.

In all other cases we will provide you with a link to the accommodation where you will be staying for your prior approval.

How will I wash?

Desert

We will provide hot water for you to have a basic bucket wash on longer desert treks but suggest you also bring wet wipes.

All our other accommodation will have a private bathroom unless specifically advised.

What shall I pack?



 

What clothes / shoes do I need?

What about toilets?

When trekking – behind a tree or behind a dune, it is always easy to find a private spot and we carry a shovel with us if you need to dig a hole in the soft sand. Even if you are uncomfortable with this at first, it soon gets easier and feels perfectly natural. Bring a cigarette lighter with you to burn the paper you use.

Do I have to carry a rucksack?

Desert

You should bring a rucksack or similar with all your belongings in but the camel will kindly carry it, not you.

If you have suitcases with you we can arrange safe storage of these for you while you are trekking.

 

What will the weather be like?

Desert

We operate desert treks between October and April and at this time, generally, the weather is beautiful but can be unpredictable and you should bring warm and cool clothes. The temperatures are likely to be as follows but of course we can’t guarantee this and it is not unheard of to drop below zero at night and reach well into the 30’s in the day.

Day   Night

Oct    27     15

Nov   23     09

Dec   20     06

Jan    16     04

Feb    20     06

Mar    23     09

Apr    25     10

 

Will I have a phone connection?

In all cases coverage is possible but sporadic.

Sometimes your phone will buzz into life as it finds a connection through the phone networks (if you have a local sim) or through 4G. We advise INWI for the Dades / Toudgha areas / Orange for desert / Orange for Rif

In M’hamid, any of the above three will work equally well ( or badly) for phone connection but for internet, we suggest Maroc Telecom.

How will I charge my phone / camera?

Desert

You must bring as many portable chargers / power banks as you think you will need as there is no electricity supply anywhere once we leave camp. The nomads cannot loan you their powerbanks (so please don’t ask them to) as they need to keep their phones charged at all times.

 

What would happen in an emergency?

Desert

We have an emergency procedure and please remember that these nomadic people know the desert and will keep you safe at all times. In Merzouga desert we use satellite equipment to pinpoint your exact location and our driver is a trained first responder. We carry basic first aid kits with us and also stipulate that you should too and further equipment will be available at the local hospital.

PLEASE NOTE THAT IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT YOU HAVE FULL MEDICAL AND EVACUATION INSURANCE COVER.

How will I get to the starting point for my trek?

See our “How to get there” page.

How do I know if this experience is right for me?

Talk to us!!!

We will discuss this with you and help you understand but in general this type of trekking / hiking might sound harsh at times, but anyone who is healthy, can do it. Healthy does not only mean physical. A healthy outlook on life is also important and there is only one kind of person who cannot do this experience, and that is those who lost touch with their wild soul, those who tamed every inch of their soul to be sure to fit in a mould.

Will meals be provided?

Desert

Yes, our camp chef will provide 3 meals a day and snacks and tea as required as well as water at all times.

 

What can I expect at mealtimes?

Desert

We have a great chef who will expertly prepare fresh and healthy meals:

Examples –

  • Breakfast: Bread, preserves, cheese, eggs, fruit, juice, butter, coffee, tea.
  • Lunch: Salads, omelettes, tomatoes, carrots, lentil dahls, beans, rice or pasta, fish (sardines, tuna), seasonal fruit, fresh baked bread
  • Dinner: Soup, traditional tagines, couscous, brochettes, olives, nuts, fruit

Unlimited tea, coffee, water and soft drinks.

 

Can my dietary requirements be catered to?

We can supply vegetarian and vegan menus if booked in advance. If you have a different requirement please discuss it with us prior to booking. However please understand there are no cross contamination procedures in place and therefore serious food allergies are impossible to manage.

For those with gluten intolerance, bear in mind the Moroccan diet is heavily carbohydrate based and a gluten free diet is liable to be very basic. However the desert chef is able to provide almost anything we request.

Availability and dates?

Dates are listed in a previous FAQ

The tours can start on any day you require and last for as many days as you wish. So please just get in touch and we will tell you if we have availability.

Should I tip the guides

We don’t want anyone to ever feel obliged to tip but if you feel that you would like to then any amount will be very welcomed by the guides. If you want guidance, we suggest an amount in the region of 100 – 200 Moroccan Dirhams per guide.

Will I have to carry heavy loads?

No, the camels will carry absolutely everything.

 

How will I plan all the logistics of my trip?

We provide a full travel planning service so just get in touch with us and we will help you plan your entire stay in Morocco. We are experienced tour operators and can take care of all your transport needs with our private vehicles and drivers if required.

What is included / excluded from the price?

Included: All transport, tents ( in desert) and camping supplies, guides, chef, camels for luggage (in desert), all meals.

Excluded: Travel Insurance, tips, sleeping bags and camping pillows. Tips.

Why are there no prices on your website?

Our tours are designed to suit you. Get in touch with us to discuss how you will travel to the start point and how many days you wish to trek for. We will also ask you how many people you are and how many tents you require. You may want to end the trip with a stay at an eco camp or hotel and all of this will affect the price that we charge you.

Will there be sandstorms in the desert?

There could be and they are more likely between February and April but they rarely last for more than a couple of hours. We will immediately take cover, setting camp if possible and shelter away from it until it has passed. It is not pleasant being caught in a sandstorm but it is an intrinsic part of desert life and the calm after the storm is wonderful.

How long will I trek for?

The desert trek can be designed to suit you and we ask everyone to complete a personal profile form in order to help us understand what type of trekking experience is right for you but in general (in order to see as much as possible) you should be prepared to trek for 4 to 6 hours a day for 3 or more days. But keep in mind that anything is possible so discuss your requirements with us.

 

Will we see anyone else on our trek?

We trek in areas virtually untouched by tourism and you are unlikely to see anyone except other nomads. The start and end point are the main places you will see other tourists and if you choose to camp in Erg Chebbi or Erg Chegaga  at the start or end of your experience, you will also see other campers there but generally we stay away from the usual touristic routes.

 

Can I take photos of nomads?

You can take as many photos and videos of our guides as you wish but with other nomads we meet on the way, please ask first and perhaps buy something they have handcrafted as a fair swap.

If you are specifically wanting to take pictures of nomads (as a photographer for example), we will arrange for you to spend more time with our nomad families. Just ask us before booking.

What do we do with our litter?

We abide by a “leave no trace” policy and therefore we bag up and take all of our non- biodegradable litter with us. Please do not drop litter anywhere.

Other Experiences (Not trekking)

What do I need to know?

It is not possible to list everything here and so we urge you to contact us with your questions. However, in general, be aware that you are not in your home country and should not expect standards to be the same. Morocco runs on a very different time frame and buildings are often hand built by non professional builders. Hot water (or any water) is intermittent and roads can be closed at a moments notice by weather, goats or sandstorms.

We are breaking boundaries by exploring off the beaten track experiences with local craft experts who may not have tourism experience. These are not “engineered” tourism experiences, these are real opportunities to do something good for the planet and good for your soul. As we seek out new and interesting sustainable activities, you may find yourself being one of very few people to have had this opportunity and we welcome feedback in order to continually improve any less than perfect aspects as we evolve.

ECO tourism means different things to different people and we cannot guarantee that every aspect of your tour will be 100% sympathetic to this ethos. But together, we are moving in the right direction and are both looking for the same thing. This is the changing face of Moroccan tourism and we’re making these changes together.

Walking With Nomads

Want to find out more or make a booking?

For a full proposal or just to find out more, you can call, email or use the contact form. There is no obligation and we promise to respond promptly.