Morocco Trek & Sights (2/11-27/17) [FULL]

As an exciting hiking destination with mild, dry weather in February, we are offering ten people the opportunity to experience firsthand some of Morocco’s most spectacular scenery on this 17-day AMC Adventure Travel excursion.

All participants must submit an application for participation showing that they possess the requisite hiking experience and ability. See below for "Additional information."

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The trip includes a hiking trek across the Anti-Atlas Mountains that will cover 90 miles in eight days. Mules will carry our gear, and muleteers will set up our tents and cook the food, while we carry day packs. We will trek through rocky passes and canyons with wide open expansive views, fantastic rock formations, remote Berber villages, friendly locals, black starlit nights and authentic Moroccan food. Before the trek, we spend 1½ days (2 nights) as more conventional tourists in legendary Marrakech. After the trek, we move to the Atlantic coast to rest for 1½ days (2 nights) in the charming old city of Essaouira.

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In most senses this is not a difficult trip. The terrain is gentler than the high mountains of the Northeast U.S. The trails are generally good, less because they are well maintained than because they don’t have to deal with a lot of precipitation. The altitude on our route will briefly get up over 7,000 feet, but there are few extended steep stretches.

However, the length of this trek does mean that we will be away from civilization for nine days, hiking 90 or so miles over eight of them. That’s an average of 11 miles a day, in 5-7 hours, in a very dry and generally rocky environment.

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Requirements: People wishing to participate in this trip must have previous hiking experience at the intermediate level or higher. Although the hiking will be at a moderate pace, this is not a trip for a beginner, for someone who has not hiked in the last several years, for someone who has never hiked several consecutive days, or for someone who is not already in shape at the time we leave the U.S.

Cost: The estimated cost is $1,975, which includes roundtrip airfare from New York to Marrakech, group ground transportation, accommodations and most meals.

Leaders: John Lisker and Mike Darzi.

Additional Information: For a prospectus with complete information, including itinerary, equipment list, and how to apply for participation, contact Mike (michael.darzi@saic.com).