dossier
Jbel Sahro
Grade
The trek isgraded “B” (moderate) and is well within the capabilities of any normallyhealthy and active individual who takes part in regular hill walking. The routeis not difficult and even the 2600 m highpoint is optional, but you should beused to walking in rubbly terrain, and be prepared for little vegetation cover.It can be pretty hot on the lower parts of the trek especially on autumndepartures, although it is a dry heat, so most days are fairly short and ourmain baggage is carried by mules. Campsites can be dusty and sometimes low wellwater reserves may not permit full washing so it is important to have theattitude of mind to accept and appreciate a culture very different from ourown.
Climate
The besttime to go trekking in the Jbel Sahro region is between October and April;outside these months it is uncomfortably hot. Expect average daytimetemperatures to vary between 14-25 C during December and January. And between18-35 C in October/November and February-March. There can, however seldom, besome grey skies, rain and even snow at the highest altitudes of the trek(Dec/Feb). Nighttime temperatures can vary from pleasantly cool to cold. Youmay experience some frosty mornings during December and January and the twohighest camps will probably drop below freezing overnight.
Outline Itinerary
Thefollowing itinerary is intended as a working guide only and is subject tovariation as a result of weather, local conditions and group progress.
We reserve the right to alter (lengthen or shorten)any trek at any time if necessary.
Local time:EST+6.
Day 1: Arrive Marrakech. Transfer to the Hotel Foucauld.
Day 2: Wemake an early 7am start for the long drive over the magnificent Tichka pass(2220m), one of only two through the High Atlas chain. We have lunch in Ouarzazate (at ownexpense), and then drive past the Barrage El Mansour Eddahb Lake along theRoute des Kasbahs in the Dades Valley, arriving at Ait Boubker villagemid-afternoon to stay the night in a simple Berber lodge. Dormitory-stylesleeping.
Day 3: We begin our walk by headingsouth towards the heart of the Sahro range. A half-days walk will bring usthrough hot dry riverbeds to our campsite at Titkit (1800 m), which affords views to the north, and the MgounMassif - spectacular if snowcapped. (4hours walking).
Day 4: We continue to walk South, up and over a lowpass, entering a delightful gorge then heading up to a baked-dry plateau wherewe lunch by a well head. In the afternoon we reach the Tagmout Pass (2000m)again giving wonderful views of the bigger mountains to the North, then descendto the village of Tagmout to camp (1825m). (5-6 hours walking).
Day 5: Someof the great contrasts in scenery of the Sahro are seen today. Our morning-onlywalk takes us East along a (dry) river valley, and then we enter a small gorgewith clear rock pools. We continue to our camp near a Kasbah inAssaka-n-Ait-Ouizzine (1650m/4 hours) much to the amusement of the locals!!
Day 6: Awonderful walk full of interest and scenic contrast. We descend along a rivervalley into an ever-deepening gorge of rock pools full of fish and frogs. Justafter the gorge opens out we have lunch. In the afternoon we head into scenerylike that of a Western movie across a hot dusty plain. Nomads and their camelsobserve our progress inscrutably. After a small col beneath a giant rock-facewe descend to camp by the village of Ihazzoun-n-Imcas. (1330 m) (7 hourswalking).
Day 7: Wehead towards the dramatic Mesa of Bab-n-Ali, surrounded by strange volcanicrock shapes. We turn north for our lunch stop - a truly memorable spot nearBab-n-Ali, surrounded by strange volcanic rock shapes. A short walk (1 hour)from here brings us to our camp at Afourar. 1425m (5 hours walking).
Day 8: Alovely walk to the beautiful spot of Igli to camp. Lunch maybe a rock pool,where there is maybe a possibility of a bathe (but not in October!). You aresurrounded by beautiful rock formations today and there are opportunities foradditional walks and scrambles if you want to (Igli 1750 m) (3 1/2 hourswalking).
Day 9: Anearly start takes us behind Tassigdelt Tamajgalt. Look out for a rock Mesaknown as The Camel. We climb on to Tizi-n-Ouarg for lunch. We then ascendKouaouch, which at 2600m is our trek high point. Views in all directions arebreathtaking. We head west for our 2100m camp at Almoue- nouareul. (6 hourswalking).
Day 10:There are a couple of steep passes ahead today! The walk is different fromanything so far as we head West into sharply folded igneous and metamorphicrocks similar to the High Atlas with steeper ascents and descents. Fine viewsagain ensue. The very high pass is called Tizi-n-Timircht 2200m. A long descentalong a river valley brings us to camp at 1960m. (7 hours walking).
Day 11: Agentle mornings walk West takes us via some tiny settlements where we may beoffered mint tea. The self-sufficiency of the family living near our campsiteis amazing in terms of crop diversity, animal husbandry and irrigation. Theyappear to be constantly challenging the harsh environment in which theylive (3-4 hours walking).
Day 12: Anothergentle riverbed walk brings us back to the lodge in Ait Boubka for lunch.Traditional Berber singing in the courtyard of our house is very likely in theevening...bring Aspirin but not because of any alcohol!
Day 13:We drive back to Marrakech, stopping en route near Tizi n' Tika near where wehave lunch (Included). We return to Marrakech and the Hotel Foucauld lateafternoon. End of trek dinner at thehotel (included). This may be provided tomorrow night instead.
Day 14: Morning tour of the souks (markets) ofMarrakech for those last minute presents. Particularly good are the productsthat are made of wood and leather, but you will find plenty of interestingitems including dates and walnuts. The leader will be able to help you finditems that you may want, but we leave the haggling up to you... it is all, toostressful! In the afternoon we recommend that you go to the Saanian tombs andmaybe if you still have clothes to look smart in, attempt to get into thefamous Mamoumia Hotel for a drink...at a price! This was the hotel that SirWinston Churchill often stayed in, and is still, by World standards, excellent.
Lunch anddinner today is at your expense. You may like to eat in the Djemaa El Fna, thecentral square in the city, which at night takes on vibrance and personalitythat is unique in the World, (just watch your pockets though). Quite a fewWesterners now eat actually in the square, where there are many barbecueslighting up (and smoking up) the place. Here you can eat for around 20 dirhams (US$2.20)(including a soft drink) fish and chips, kebabs, and chicken. The advantage ofthe place is that you can actually see how your food is being cooked and getthem to redo it if necessary.
Day 15:Transfer to the airport (15 minutes) and Fly home, normally an early morningflight. (Note that most the duty free shops sell items in French Francs only,although if you do have a few Dirhams left the airport cafes will serve youdrinks for them).
Equipment & Clothing
In additionto a good pair of broken in (but not breaking down) walking boots, a 2-3 seasonsleeping bag (3-4 season for December departures), a fleece, sunglasses a hatand a couple of water bottles (with water purification) are essential. The suncan be excessively strong, and cotton long sleeved shirts and sun block arevery important. A detailed list of recommended clothing and equipment isincluded in our pre-departure booklet, which is sent with confirmation of yourreservation.
Food
All food isincluded once on trek. In Marrakech you will be staying on a Bed and breakfast basis,although there is one evening meal included at the hotel on your return. Lunchon the drive out at Quarzazate is not included, but lunch on the return driveis.
The foodthat you will eat is very healthy on trek, including Couscous, Tagine, olivesnuts and fruit. Please decide as soon as possible once you arrive on trekwhether you are going to be a vegetarian / vegan etc. This is not a problem for our Berber cook crew, as apart from thefish (Tuna and Sardine) often served at lunch time with vegetable salad; thereis not normally a lot of meat and when meat is available separate dishes suchas vegetarian tagine, can always be prepared. Many people bring their owntreats and food supplements if they have special dietary requirements. It isvery difficult or impossible to get a lot of common western items actually onceon trek, but things are improving.
Averagelunch or dinner costs are about 50-100 Dirhams (US$5.50 – US$11.00) withoutdrinks. *
Soft drinkscost between 2.50 Dirhams (US$ 0.30) and about 10 Dirhams (US$0.12) for a Coke.Freshly squeezed orange juice is also highly recommended 2.5 D - 7D (US$0.30-US$0.75).Berber tea varies between 2 - 9 D (US$0.25-US$1.00).
*Alcoholicbeverages are normally impossible to obtain out of the big towns and even thenare not particularly good by Western standards. We really recommend making useof your duty free allowance to obtain your favorite tipple.
Tipping