MOROCCOTHE ATLAS MOUNTAINS TREK

Sunday 18 October–Sunday 25 October 2020

The Atlas Mountains TrekAlthough only a short flight from the UK, Morocco truly is another world. Twice our size, but with only half the population, much of Morocco is a desolate desert and a vast wilderness of towering mountains, where rural life has changed little over centuries.

At the centre of this landscape lies Mount Toubkal – North Africa’s highest peak standing at 4,167m (two-thirds the size of Kilimanjaro). In its foothills are numerous villages largely unaffected by the changes that have taken place in Morocco’s lowland country and cities over the past few decades. With their traditional architecture intact, these villages cling to the side of mountains, seemingly carved into the rock in layers of terraces that appear to defy gravity. It is through this glorious uncharged panorama that we trek to the summit of Toubkal or, as it is locally known, Adrar’n’dem – Mountain of Mountains.

The first European ascent of Toubkal was made in 1923. Before then, the High Atlas Mountains had been barely penetrated by western climbers. Largely unmapped, the indigenous Berber people violently repelled all attempts to “open up” their mountains. Today, Toubkal is a bucket-list climb for many and the Berber people warmly welcome all those who come to explore their land.

Jewish heritage in Marrakesh

With its mountains and desert, beach resorts and Berber villages, Morocco is a feast for travellers of all kinds, including those who want to explore the kingdom’s deep Jewish roots. The presence of Jews in Morocco stretches back more than 2,000 years. Before the founding of Israel in 1948, estimates put the number of Jewish inhabitants between 275,000 and 300,000. This was considered the largest Jewish community in North Africa and the Muslim world, with Marrakesh at the base of the Atlas Mountains being home to approximately 50,000 Jewish people.

The Jewish people received relatively kind treatment under the sultans owing to their usage of the jiyza system, whereby they were left alone as long as they paid their taxes. The community played a prominent role in Moroccan life until the formation of the state of Israel when large numbers left to resettle in the Jewish state.

Today there are thought to be less than 100 Jews in Marrakesh, although a very noticeable physical and cultural legacy has been left by the community. Indeed, although the Jewish quarter (“mellah”) no longer contains any Jewish people, it is still named as such.

There are a few synagogues still functioning in the mellah and the best known is Salat Al Azama (Lazama) (www.jmarrakech.org). Built during the early 1900s, it is not the first synagogue on this site. In fact, those escaping the Spanish Inquisition built the original synagogue here in 1492. The building contains a typical Moroccan enclosed courtyard and the synagogue itself. There are many pictures, photos, artefacts and documents reflecting the life of the Moroccan Jewish community through the 19th and 20th centuries. Known as the “synagogue of the exiles”, Salat Al Azama (Lazama) hosted generations of young Berbers who converted to Judaism and were sent from villages in the region to learn the Torah, before finally

being deserted in the 1960s. The once teeming Jewish area of the Moroccan tourist gem Marrakesh is seeing its fortunes revived as visitors, including many from Israel, flock to experience its unique culture and history.

There is also a historic Jewish cemetery to be found in Marrakesh, locally known as the Miara, which again is an indicator of Jewish cultural heritage in the area. All of these things contribute to the historical and cultural aspects of Marrakesh that make it one of the most vibrant and interesting cities to visit in the world

ITINERARY8 days • 4 days cycling • 3 nights camping • Joint end-of-Challenge celebration with cyclists

MAP

ROUTE PROFILE

Highlights• Bucket-list climb of North Africa’s highest peak

• Start and finish in the vibrant city of Marrakesh

• Experience the famous Berber hospitality

• Joint end-of-Challenge celebration with our cyclists – also out in Morocco

• Explore the Jewish quarter of Marrakesh with its Moroccan and Sephardi Jewish history

• Share the experience with the people we support

Day 1: Sunday 18 October London to MarrakeshDepart London to Marrakesh with a one-hour transfer to our hotel. Meet our guides over dinner for a full Challenge briefing on the adventure ahead.

Day 2: Monday 19 October Marrakesh to Azib n’Tamsoult • Trek 5 hours • Camping • All meals included

After an early breakfast, we head out for a one-and-a-half hour transfer across Le Haouz plain to the start of our trek at Imlil at 1,740m. Meeting up with our guides and mules, we cross the village of Imlil and head west to climb the Tizi-n-Mezzik which, at a height of 2,450m, offers our first glimpse of the amazing views of the Atlas Mountains. We refuel with a picnic lunch before another climb and our first night of camping at Azib n’Tamsoult.

Day 3: Tuesday 20 October Azib n’Tamsoult to Mount Toubkal Base Camp • Trek 6–7 hours • Camping • All meals included

Today involves a fairly steep climb out of the juniper forests of the Azzaden Valley to the Toubkal refuge, over the Aguelzim mountain pass at 3,600m. We enjoy a magnificent mountain backdrop during our lunch today, before we continue to our camp below the Toubkal Hut, where base camp is established in preparation for the climb to the summit the following day. Our guides prepare a hearty meal while we make use of the simple facilities, including showers, a shop and a cosy lounge, and enjoy the convivial company of our fellow trekkers.

Day 4: Wednesday 21 October Mount Toubkal Ascent • Trek 9–11 hours • Camping • All meals included

Getting off to an early start, we enjoy a long but magnificent day of trekking as we head towards the summit of Toubkal (4,167m) and superb panoramic views. It will be cold on the mountain this early in the morning but at least we miss the later heat. Armed with head torches, we trek along well-trodden, rocky/boulder-strewn tracks that twist their way up the mountain. We gain altitude steadily as we slowly climb up through a hanging valley with dramatic landscapes all around us. There are some steep shale sections here, and we may start to find some snow. We will also see increasingly stunning views and the last section of the climb ahead of us. The last hour is tough, but all our efforts will seem worth it when we reach the summit and can finally revel in our sense of achievement. We descend by the same route, spending a second night at basecamp.

Note: For those who do not want to attempt the summit of Toubkal, there is an alternative walk from base camp to the pass of Tizi n’Ouannoums (3,660m) and back to camp. This is approximately 3–4 hours of moderate walking.

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route profile

route profile

Day 5: Thursday 22 October Toubkal Base Camp to Marrakesh • Trek 4–5hrs • Hotel • All meals included

Today, after breakfast, we retrace our steps and descend out of the Atlas Mountains and back to the village of Imlil where we meet our transfer vehicles that will take us back to Marrakesh.

Once we have checked into our rooms and enjoyed the luxury of a good shower and other facilities, there’s time to explore this incredible city with its vibrant souks in the medina (old town) and the bustling Jemaa el-Fnaa square, alive with food stalls, musicians and snake charmers. Alternatively, a visit to the famous historical site of Medersa Ben Youssef or the Koutoubia Mosque will give you a glimpse of the stunning Islamic architecture found in Morocco. In the evening, we’ll have our own trekking celebration ahead of the cyclists arriving into Marrakesh tomorrow.

Day 6: Friday 23 OctoberFree day in Marrakesh • Hotel • Breakfast and celebration dinner

This morning, we’ve organised a fabulous tour of the famous Majorelle Gardens https://jardinmajorelle.com/ang/ – one of the most visited sites in Morocco and a stunning 2.5 acre botanical garden and artists landscape formed in 1923. The afternoon is free for you to enjoy Marrakesh, but don’t wander too far as it would be great if you are all at the hotel ready to greet our cyclists arriving in from their Challenge today. We’ll hopefully connect with the synagogue in Marrakesh and walk over together to see in the Sabbath in a more traditional setting. Dinner in a local restaurant for all, where we’ll celebrate our achievements into the early morning.

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route profile

route profile

Day 7: Saturday 24 October Free day in Marrakesh • Hotel • Breakfast and dinner

With a free day in Marrakesh, you’ll have plenty of time to explore this vibrant city, including one of the few remaining synagogues in the Medina and the largest Jewish cemetery. Enjoy a fun and relaxed dinner this evening now that all the hard work is done.

Sunday 25 OctoberReturn home

Transfer from the hotel back to the airport for the return journey home.

This is a complex itinerary and subject to change

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOWTRAVEL DETAILS

Flights

You will need to book your own flights as your flights are NOT included in the costs of this Challenge. You will need to be at Marrakesh Menara airport on Sunday 18 October at approximately 12.30pm to take advantage of the group transfer to the first night’s accommodation. If travelling from London, we recommend the following.

British Airways

Outbound: Sunday 18 October 2020, LGW to RAK (Marrakesh), 09:00/12:35 Inbound: Sunday 25 October, RAK to LHR, 16:35/19:20

Easyjet

Outbound: Sunday 18 October, LGW to RAK (Marrakesh), 07:25/11:20Inbound: Not published at time of production

Ryanair

Outbound: Sunday 18 October, STN to RAK (Marrakesh), 06:10/09:45Inbound: Not published at time of production

If you are making your own additional plans and travelling outside of the dates of this Challenge, then please do let us know well in advance. Transfers are only included if meeting the group at the scheduled times and meeting places

Baggage

Your allowable checked baggage is one main luggage item on the recommended BA flight, which should not exceed 23kg (depending on your route/ticket type). However, your luggage will be carried by mules on this Challenge and should not be a suitcase or a rucksack with an outside frame. Luggage required for the trek itself should, therefore, not exceed 14kg. Excess luggage, not required for the trekking days, can be left at the hotel in Marrakesh. We advise you wear/carry your trekking boots, a spare set of clothes and any medication you require with your hand luggage.

Passport and visas

A ten-year passport is essential which must have at least six months’ validity still remaining. British Nationals DO NOT require a VISA to enter Morocco. All other nationalities should check with their relevant embassy.

Foreign & Commonwealth (FCO) advice

We recommend that you periodically review the travel advice issued by the FCO, which relates to all aspects of your destination, at www.gov.uk/knowbeforeyougo and specifically www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/morocco

Insurance

Travel insurance covering the event you are undertaking, trip curtailment/cancellation, emergency medical treatment, hospitalisation, air evacuation and repatriation is a compulsory condition of your booking. If you haven’t got your own insurance in place, we can add you to the Norwood insurance policy for an additional charge of £25.

• If you choose not to take out the appropriate travel insurance, should you fall ill or be involved in an accident you will not be covered for those associated costs.

• We strongly recommend you’re insured for the full duration of your trip and the policy is taken out prior to the date of your departure and does not cease until you’ve returned.

• If you have an existing policy, we highly recommend you call your insurers and confirm that it meets with the requirement of the trip and that you’re fully covered for the event you’re undertaking, clarifying its precise nature to your insurers.

• You must also make sure you inform the insurance company of any pre-existing medical conditions before travel. Failure to do so may invalidate your policy or any subsequent claim.

Health and vaccinations

At least eight weeks before your trip, check the latest country-specific health advice from the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) on the TravelHealthPro website at https://travelhealthpro.org.uk/. Each country-specific page has information on vaccine recommendations, any current health risks or outbreaks, and factsheets with information on staying healthy abroad. Guidance is also available from NHS (Scotland) on the FitForTravel website at www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk/home. General information on travel vaccinations and a travel health checklist is available on the NHS website. You may then wish to contact your health adviser or pharmacy for advice on other preventive measures and managing any pre-existing medical conditions while you’re abroad.

All travellers are advised to ensure that their tetanus and polio vaccinations are up to date. This is a guideline only. You must seek professional medical advice from your GP or local travel clinic. You should bring your own regular medication with sufficient supplies for the whole trip and a small first aid kit. You must also advise Norwood of any pre-existing medical conditions and complete a medical form when you sign up. These details will be passed to our tour doctor who may wish to contact you prior to the event to clarify any medical conditions or requirements.

How we grade your Challenge

We want to give you an incredible experience but the overriding objective is, of course, to raise as much money as you can for Norwood. With this is mind, you have to EARN your sponsorship money and this can only be achieved if there is truly an element of challenge involved.

Our Challenges are graded moderate, challenging, tough and extreme. Many factors will influence this categorisation – terrain, distances, climate, living conditions, altitudes, climbs etc. The grade allocated, however, will reflect the overall level of Challenge with some days being more challenging than others.

• Moderate events can be adapted to meet the varying abilities of the group and offer different levels of challenge that are optional.

• Challenging events require you to have a reasonable level of fitness and an open mind to new situations.

• Tough events have usually longer itineraries, may take place in more remote areas and require a good level of fitness.

• Extreme events require a very good level of fitness, are hard going, may involve more basic conditions and often involve longer days, steep climbs and descents.

How challenging is it?

The undulating nature of the route added to the effect of altitude on the body has meant that this trek has been classed as a moderate to tough Challenge which requires a high level of physical fitness. Nevertheless, it is very achievable with the correct training, which should incorporate aerobic and anaerobic exercises, including some long walks.

The area is a known trekking destination and the trails are well-marked. The trek is not technically difficult but you will encounter a variety of terrain, some rocky steps and big ascents/descents. The tough final ascent is over boulders and rough scree. Overall the trek is demanding, so you

should be physically fit and be prepared for the rigours of trekking for long hours.

Note on altitude sickness: Altitude sickness is caused by reduced levels of oxygen in the blood due to the lower atmospheric pressure at altitude. The high altitude will be the biggest challenge to us on this hike and there are a variety of symptoms, including headaches, tiredness, irritability, nausea and depression. The effects of altitude can be felt from around 2,500m upwards (highest point on this trek 3,150m). Not everyone is affected by altitude sickness. Fitness, size, age or gender has nothing to do with how people may be affected, if at all.

Our guides are very experienced at knowing when someone has had enough, or when they just need a bit of extra motivation. If anyone shows serious signs of altitude sickness, they will have to follow the guide’s instructions and one of them will accompany them down to a lower level. The best way of dealing with acute mountain sickness is immediate and rapid descent. Even a few hundred feet can make a marked difference.

The route has been designed to allow time for us all to acclimatise and we will be encouraging everyone to walk at their own pace. We do not expect trekkers to have any serious altitude problems on this trek.

It is important that people don’t put themselves under pressure while on the trek. It is far better to walk more slowly than you normally would, as this helps the body to acclimatise.

CHALLENGE DETAILS

Trekking kit

The kit required for each Challenge differs slightly, but there are certain items that are consistent in every Challenge. Full kit lists will be provided after registration with details of any specific items that may be needed, but as a guide the basics are shown below.Brin

ESSENTIAL

• Worn-in trekking boots with ankle support. Preferably leather and waterproof

• Trekking rucksack 25–35 litre, not exceeding 14kg/carried by the mules

• Trekking socks, trousers and lightweight waterproofs

• Lightweight “synthetic” warm jacket

• Water bottle/hydration backpack

• Small day rucksack for carrying essential items for the day

• Sleeping bag 3/3+ (winter) with a comfort lower limit level for -0°C

• Trekking poles

• Casual shoes/clothes for the evening

Accommodation

While we are trekking, we will be sleeping in two-man tents. Hotel accommodation at the start and finish of the trek is twin-sharing with limited singles available on request and subject to availability. This will be at an additional charge of £260.

Accommodation is still to be confirmed and subject to change. A guideline is provided below.

Day 1: Hotel

Day 2–4: Camping

Day 5–7: Hotel

For Morocco, there are two associated plug types – types C and E. Plug type C is the plug which has two round pins and plug type E is the plug which has two round pins and a hole for the socket’s male earthing pin. Morocco operates on a 220V supply voltage and 50Hz.

Food

All the water on the ride will be bottled and provided by the in-country team. Bottled water will also be available to buy in the hotels. People should not drink the water from the hotel (even for brushing teeth).

Morocco has one of the world’s most celebrated cuisines. Typical local dishes include tajines, couscous, briouats (flaky pastry parcels of spiced vegetables or fish), harira (bean soup) and superb pastries made with almond paste and honey. All meals will be provided except for lunch on the day of departure, lunch on your days of leisure in Marrakesh and lunch on your day of return.

Meals will be substantial and vegetarian, but it is still a good idea to bring energy bars, snacks and isotonic drinks to keep you going during the day. Breakfast will consist of fruit, cereals, toast, jam, cheese etc, plus mint tea, tea and coffee. Lunch will be cooked – for example, couscous, vegetables and pasta – followed by fruit. Our evening meal will be a variety of Moroccan dishes.

We can cater for all other dietary requirements as long as we know in advance. Just complete the relevant section on your registration/information form.

Weather

In general, Morocco experiences hot, dry summers and mild winters. Up in the mountains, however, the weather can be very different from the plains. We can expect fresher, cooler air than in Marrakesh. Our scheduled departure avoids the hottest months of the year and most people find that once up in the mountains, the temperatures are much more pleasant – on average, 15–20°C during the day with cold evenings. Rain (and often snow in October) in the mountains is common throughout the year, but this is normally in the form of short, sharp storms, so come prepared.

Currency

The local currency is the Moroccan dirham.

Exchange rate: £1 = 12.13 MAD (as at June 2020).

We recommend that you try and get your dirham before travel

(M&S and the Post Office have stock of them or can order them in.) If not, you should take out £ or US dollars in small denominations, which can be exchanged at the hotel.

Visa and MasterCard are widely recognised and useful to have in emergencies.

Approximately £150–£200 spending money is enough for drinks, tips and some souvenirs.

Tips

The local crew and guides work extremely hard and it is customary to tip the ground crew at the end of the Challenge. As a show of appreciation, we suggest a tip of £30–£40 per person, which we will collect prior to departure via bank transfer.

Things to buy

There will be a bar in the hotel at the beginning and end of the trek. While camping there will be very limited facilities, although there will be a bar at base camp. There is great shopping in Marrakesh with traditional Moroccan crafts for sale – for example, rugs, silver, pottery and baskets.

TYPICAL DAYEach Challenge varies and timings will be adjusted on a daily basis to reflect the mixed ability of the group, expected distances to be covered and the level of challenge on that particular day – ie climbs take longer to complete! While camping, we will be up early (03:00 on the day we summit Toubkal!) and 06:00 on the last day. We will be woken with a cup of mint tea/coffee and bowls of washing water will be available.

After an early breakfast in a mess tent, we will start walking (04:00/04:30 on summit day). In the evenings, first we will have a mint tea and rest, followed by dinner served in the mess tent. Each evening we will have a briefing on the next day’s trek.

Your typical day will be as follows:

BreakfastBe ready in your trekking gear and have your day bag packed, so you can be ready to go. Be sure to eat and drink plenty, but we recommend you don’t eat so much that you feel ill for the first few hours of the trek.

Assemble pre-departureBe ready and waiting for the pre-departure trek briefing.

Top tip: Get up early so you don’t have to rush. Give yourself extra time in the morning so you don’t forget important things and potentially hold up the group. Do also check your walking shoes and trekking poles well before the scheduled departure time as if there are any issues, it will be better to sort them now rather than at the “start line”.

Morning refreshment stop We recommend you bring three litres with you at the start of each day. There will be plenty of opportunities to stop for a drink and snack and official refreshment stops where we will re-group.

Lunch This will be cooked and prepared by our berber guides.

Afternoon refreshment stop

Similar to the morning. Typically we will re-group when needed in a shady spot.

End of trek and arrive at the camp siteA member of our staff will show you to your tent and where to freshen up. Your luggage will have been unloaded from the mules for you to pick up. Time to relax.

DinnerDinner, camp fire and briefing for the following day.

CHALLENGE SUMMARY

What’s included

• Airport transfers if taking the recommended flights and meeting at the specified point and time

• Seven nights accommodation (twin-sharing) – three nights camping, four nights hotel based. Limited singles available on request and subject to availability, at an additional charge

• Professional, knowledgeable and safety certified expedition leaders for the duration of your Challenge

• Mules and muleteers with daily transfer of luggage

• Fully supported trek with all camping equipment provided

• All meals (vegetarian) with the exception of lunches on non-trekking days. Includes joint celebration in Marrakesh at end of trek

• Entrance to Majorelle Gardens

• FREE Norwood trek jersey

What’s not included

• International return flights to and from Marrakesh. Flight time is 4 hours 40 minutes

• Airport transfers outside the times of meeting the recommended flights. Please note, there will be a wait at the airport if you are arriving on the earlier EasyJet flight.

• Personal trekking equipment, trekking poles, rucksack or sleeping bag

• Lunches on non-trekking days, days 1, 6, 7 and 8

• Single-person supplements

• Travel insurance

• Any personal expenses, coffees and tips

Fundraising

Fundraising is largely a test of imagination, organisation and perseverance. The more you make your own personal fundraising campaign stand out from everyone else’s, the more successful you’ll be. While you’re responsible for raising the funds yourself, we’re very happy to offer you some useful hints to help you on your way. When you sign up to one of our Challenges, we’ll send you our fundraising e-kit, packed full of tips to help you achieve your fundraising target.

PLUS, IF YOU SIGN UP FOR TWO INTERNATIONAL CHALLENGES IN 2021, WE’LL REDUCE THE COMBINED MINIMUM FUNDRAISING TARGET BY £500.

Training

IIt’s really important that everyone follows a reasonably serious course of training in order to get the maximum benefit. The more you train, the more you’ll enjoy the Challenge. Although these events are achievable, they’re also designed to take you out of your comfort zone and you will be climbing at altitude.

The amount of training required will depend on your current level of fitness. The terrain and length of time trekking, the cold temperatures and early morning starts, could present a tough physical and mental challenge. We recommend consulting your GP before embarking on any new, strenuous training programme, plus enlisting the support of a personal trainer/local gym to set you on the right track. Start slowly

and build up both the time you train and your intensity levels, plus get used to wearing a backpack!

Your training programme should focus on three main areas:

• Sport specific training – ie hill climbing outdoors.

• Developing your stamina – ie building up general cardiovascular endurance

• Weight training/resistance – to increase power, strength and muscular endurance in your lower back, shoulders, legs and core

PRICING

For more tips on fundraising, details of payment plans and direct debits, family promotional offers, training, or any questions on any of the Challenges, please contact the Challenges team or Julie Braithwaite directly on 020 8420 6811 or email julie.braithwaite@norwood.org.ukRegister at www.norwood.org.uk/pages/challenges/

Option A B C

Registration fee £195 £1,250

(includes £195 deposit)

£2,145

(includes £195

deposit)

Minimum fundraising

£1,950 £895 ___

Option A B C

Registration fee £295 £1,250

(includes £295 deposit)

£2,745 (includes

£295 deposit)

Minimum fundraising

£2,450 £1,495 ___

Under 35 years

Over 35 years