#

MOROCCO High Atlas ChallengeDelivered by epic adventures

Information Pack 2019 Last updated February 2019

Summary……………...………………………………………….….………. 3Phil Asher Founder epic adventures……………...…………...….………. 4 Fact File……………………...………………………………….…….……....5 Highlights………………………...……………………………….…………..5 Itinerary………………………………...……………………….…......….. 6 7 Vaccinations……….……………..……………………….………….……....8 Passport……………………………..……………………….…...……..…...8 Visa……………………..………………………………………......…..….....8 Drinking Water………………..…………………………………...……........8 Spending Money…………..……………………………..……..….………..9 Social Media……………………..…………………………….....……....….9 Insurance………………………….………………….…………….…….…..9 Pre DepartureForm….......................................................................….10 Contact Details…….………………………………………………..…....…10Kit list..…...……………………..……….…………………….....…..11 12 13Medical Form…....………….…………….…………………………….…..14Flight Details…....………….……………..…………………………….…..14 Before your go checklist…….……………..…...….………..…………….15

Contents

3

Summary

Join us on this elite challenge with Phil Asher (Founder of epic adventures) as you experience the vast and rocky terrain of the High Atlas Mountains, coupled with the barren beauty of the hot Agafay Desert.

This demanding weekend will test you physically and mentally, heading out from the incense-scented souks of Marrakech to trek high and low across the mighty High Atlas Mountains. Your challenge will begin in Oukaïmeden, which is 45 miles south of Marrakech sitting alongside the highest ski slope in Africa at 2600m above sea level –that’s twice the height of Ben Nevis!

However this adventure doesn’t only include travel on foot, with some of the mountain trails involving mountain biking and quad bikes in the Agafay Desert, travelling downhill from the snowy mountain areas to large flat open plains. Your intrepid group will also be tasked with completing a series of tough challenges along the way, from building your own shelters and creating fires whilst wild camping overnight, to navigating across long distances including scrambles on rocky terrain into a canyon before darkness descends.

This challenge is not for the faint-hearted –do you have what it takes?

Adventure Fact File: Country: Morocco Duration: 4 Days Distance: 127 km Group Size: Max. 30 places

3

Introduction to Phil Asher Founder: Epic Adventures

About Epic Adventures:

Epic Adventures have been leading adventures into the world’s most unique environments be it jungle, desert, mountains, water or a combination of all. Our approach to adventures has put us at the forefront of customer adventure planning, risk management and leadership. We explore off the beaten track locations in isolated and overlooked parts of the world. Using our expertise, we plan and deliver extraordinary experiences. Whether you are a family, friends or solo adventurer, we will ensure that your adventure is tailored to your individual requirements

Founder Phil Asher has a wealth of knowledge including comprehensive risk assessment, having spent 28 years in the Royal Marines working with the most specialist organisations. He is trained to exceptionally high standards to lead in jungle, desert, mountain and water environments. The Epic Teams around the world have been carefully selected by Phil for their high standards and their unique expertise in their specialist environments, so you know you are always in safe hands. He has spent the last 10 years providing clients and customers with unforgettable adventures.

Your Adventure

Epic Adventures have worked with elite on numerous challenges, epic adventures are working with elite to design and create exclusive elite itinerary's We place you in the heart of the adventure, so you can be up close and personal in order to fully immerse yourself in the moment. Whether it be cultural, geographical or environmental, the choice is yours. Using our unprecedented experience and the latest technology, we not only design and deliver awesome adventures, we capture it and share it with you via media. (All the high-resolution media on this website have been captured by the founder and are shared with the client on completion) https://epic-adventures.co.uk/

Country Fact File: Country: Morocco

Capital: Rabat

Population: 33 million

Exchange Rate: £1 / 14 MAD*

Language: Arabic & Berber

* at time of writing

4

Fact File

Highlights

Scale the highest mountain in the Amizmiz region at 2600m above

sea level

Navigate your way into the Agafay Desert by quad bike

Cycle across some of the most spectacular mountain bike

routes in Morocco

Learn key survival & life skills

5

Itinerary

Day One

Arrive at Marrakech airport where you will be met by our Moroccan guides. From here we will head out to the mighty High Atlas Mountains, with a landscape of snow-capped mountains, canyons, pine forests and a high plateau awaiting to become your home for the next 48 hours, as well as being the place for you to complete the physical and mental challenges throughout the weekend.

Your base for the first night is a cosy mountain lodge based 2600m above sea level at the highest ski slope in North Africa. The location has 360-degree mountain views. A pre-trip briefing will be held in the auberge and after a home-style Moroccan dinner it’ll be early to bed, as tomorrow we’ll all be up well before dawn to start the adventure!

Day Two

Today presents a series of physical challenges, starting early with a navigation challenge through the beautiful High Atlas Mountain range, relying on nothing but a map and compass to find your way.

Upon descent a fleet of cross-country mountain bikes will be waiting for you to travel downhill through some of the best cycling trails Morocco has to offer, to eventually reach a small canyon.

From here you will navigate your way across the rocky landscape on foot to reach a wild camp set-up amongst the trees and learn how to wild camp including how to build shelters and create your own campfire for the night.

6

Itinerary

Day Three

In the morning you will move up to the aerial assault course with its variety of swings, nets and obstacles arranged in the High Atlas pine forest.Once you have your head for heights we will move over to the wire bridges over valleys and zip lines

After lunch you will discover a fleet of quad bikes to drive on winding dirt-tracks, as well as off-road through pine forests in one of Africa’s greatest mountain ranges. This final journey will take you 50km through ravines, dunes and dry riverbeds into the Agafay Desert, eventually reaching a checkpoint on the other side of the desert which marks the finish and you will be taken to a hotel in Marrakech for an evening.

Day Five

This morning we eat a final breakfast in Morocco, before being transferred to the airport for our return flight to the UK

Day Four

A cultural day at your leisure to explore the kingdom of Morocco(Lunch and dinner is not provided today)

7

Vaccinations

Drinking Water

Safe drinking water is provided throughout your time in the mountains. This water is bottled water.

Passport Visa

Your passport must be valid for the duration

of your stay in Morocco; no additional

period of validity is required after your

return date. Please check the validity of

your passport in advance. If you do need to

apply for a new passport, please apply for

this as soon as possible in order to avoid

delays and the possibility of missing your

trip. You will need at least one blank page in

your passport.

When entering the country, make sure your

passport is stamped at customs. You will

experience difficulties when leaving the

country if this is not done.

Please also take a photocopy of your

passport picture page with you.

British nationals do not require a visa to enter

Morocco for the purpose of tourism up to 3

months.

Citizens of other countries should check their

respective consular advice regarding visa

requirements for Morocco.

Please consult with your GP or travel nurse about the vaccinations you will need for travel to Morocco. Everyone’s needs are different, and your own medical circumstances will affect which vaccinations and medications you are able to take.

Current NHS advice is to update primary courses & boosters required for life in Britain. Vaccinations against hepatitis A & typhoid are also recommended, while consideration should be given to vaccinations against hepatitis B, rabies & tetanus. You can find more information on which vaccinations are recommended for travel to Morocco on the NHS Fit for Travel website.

8

All meals, transfers and accommodation required as part of your trek are included. You will need to bring spending money to cover any additional travel you choose to undertake, souvenirs, drinks and other expenses such as tips. The Moroccan dirham is a closed currency; it is illegal to take more than 1,000 MAD out of the country, so you cannot obtain the currency outside of Morocco.

You can either bring cash to exchange at the hotel or use an ATM to withdraw cash after you arrive (bear in mind that your bank may charge for this). By law in Morocco, all banks and exchange offices must charge the same rate.

Check the current foreign exchange rate before you travel to make sure you are getting the best deal. Also, be sure to inform your bank you are travelling before leaving the UK to avoid any issues.

Spending Money

Social Media

If you have family and friends back at home who would like to keep track of your progress, we set-up a hashtag for your group and post daily updates about your adventure on our social media account. This is a great way for friends and family to feel like they are with you to follow you every step of the way:

@epic-adventures

Insurance

You will require personal travel insurance, details below:Emergency & medical expenses of up to £10,000,000 Cancellation & curtailment of up to £5,000 Personal accident of up to £30,000 Loss, theft or damage to personal money, passport & documents of

up to £500 Loss, theft or damage to baggage of up to £2,500 .

9

Pre-Departure Form

Before we can confirm your place on the trip, we will need to collect some additional information. You can submit this at any time through our online portal, but we will send you a reminder around 2 months before the start of your trip if you haven’t yet completed it. We will need you to tell us your:

Passport details Travel insurance details Next of kin contact details Dietary requirements Medical conditionsFlight details

IMPORTANT Submitting this information is very important; without it, we cannot confirm your place on the trip. Providing these details will take just 5 minutes, and allows us to confirm your accommodation bookings, plus secure any necessary permits. If we don't receive this information at least 35 working days before your trip start date, you may have to pay additional fees.

PLEASE NOTE It's also important that you make sure the details you give us are correct. If we make a booking based on incorrect information you have provided, you may need to pay a changing fee.  Always check your confirmation emails, and get in touch with us if you are unsure.  

CONTACT DETAILS

Make sure you save our contact details in your phone and add our email addresses to your safe sender list. This will help make sure you don’t miss out on any key messages.

Telephone: +44(0)7590209728

Assistance: +44(0)7590209728 (only available when on your trip)

Email: info@epic-adventures.co.uk

10

Kit List

Item 

Compact bag to store excess travelling clothes

Day-pack 20-30 litres (For Every day carry)

Waterproof and windproof shell (eg Gortex) 

Long trekking trousers 

Walking boots, comfortable and broken in.

Warm hat and gloves 

Shorts and trainers suitable for MTB and running 

Fleece or similar under layer for cold weather 

Insulated cold weather gloves

Thermals 

Sunglasses 

Sun hat 

Head torch 

High-factor sunscreen and lip protection 

Basic personal mountain first-aid kit 

Water bottles (2 x 750ml)/camelbak 

Travel wipes/anti-bacterial hand wash 

Camera 

Sleeping bag, Comfortable to –5 Celsius

Personal electronic devices 

Passport, travel insurance, flight tickets

Travel insurance documents 

Blister kit (Compeed)

Painkillers 

Personal medicines 

Plasters 

Antibacterial gel 

Deodorant 

Diarrhoea tablets 

Oral rehydration sachets 

Snacks 

Soap / shower gel / shampoo 

Toiletry bag, Towel

Wet wipes 

11

Kit List

We recommend that you pack following the guidelines below. Travelling with your most essential bits of kit in your hand luggage means you will still be able to take part in the trek if your luggage is delayed on the flight.

ITEM

Day pack (30-35 litre capacity)  

Hiking boots (to wear for travel)  

Head-torch  

Sunglasses  

Toiletry bag  

Flight e-ticket print-outs  

Travel insurance documents  

1 set of clothing to travel in  

Personal electronic devices  

Key documents   Main Luggage ITEM PACKED?

Large rucksack / duffel with shoulder straps

 

Sleeping bag  

Windproof & waterproof jacket  

Mid-layers  

Thermal base layer  

Waterproof shell trousers  

T-shirts / trekking shirts  

Long trekking trousers  

Trekking shorts / zip-off trousers

 

Underwear  

Lightweight gloves  

Waterproof, insulated gloves  

Water bottle(s)Sun hatWarm hatTravel towel Dry bags / plastic bagsSnacksTravel power adaptorStay-behind bag & padlock

Day Pack

12

Kit List: Packing during your adventure

ITEM ?

Day pack (30-35 litre capacity)  

Sunglasses  

Head-torch  

Key documents  

Any layers for the day  

Personal electronic devices  

Snacks Sun hat Water bottle(s)waterproof bag cover Waterproof shell trousersWaterproof, hooded jacketWindproof jacketAntibacterial gel  

Diarrhoea tablets  

Insect repellent  

Lip salve  

Oral rehydration sachets  

Painkillers  

Personal medicines  

Plasters  

Sunblock  

Water purification tablets  

Wet wipes  

Blister kit

Day Pack during adventure

We recommend that you pack following the guidelines below, checking your kit at the team hotel before you start the trek. All other essential kit should be in your main bag, which will be carried by our porter team. You can leave any items you have brought to take on independent travel at the hotel, and collect them after the trek.

Dress to impress: the layering system

Base layer: The base layer mops up damp and sweat (thermal base layer, t-shirts etc.

Mid layer: Traps in heat to keep you warm. This can be a synthetic, wool or down layer (long sleeved trekking shirts, jumpers, fleece)

Outer layer: The outer is your 'shell' shield against wind, rain and abrasion (down jacket, waterproof shell).

13

Medical Form

When you sign up to the event, you will be asked if you have any pre-existing medical conditions. If you select yes, you will be sent a medical form to complete with your doctor. Medical conditions that could affect your participation include, but aren’t limited to:

Allergies Breathing and circulation issues Metabolic and dietary disorders Neurological conditions Mental health issues Physical or learning disabilities Past injuries or surgeries.

If you are unsure, please speak to your doctor

Medical Form Medical Form

Flight Details

Fri 26 AprilLondon Stansted to MarrakechFlight number FR 3556Departure 06:10Arrival 09:45

Mon 30th AprilMarrakech to London StanstedFlight number FR 3557Departure 11:15Arrival 14:55

Its best to book flights as soon as possible to avoid disappointment additionally prices will increase closer to the departure date.

14

Before you go: CHECKLIST

Preparing for your adventure can be a daunting task. With so much to prepare before the day that you finally board that flight, where do you start?

The checklist below will help you to organise yourself ahead of the big day. Please read the section relating to each item. In brackets is how long before departure you should aim to complete each item.

SHARE A COPY OF THIS PACK WITH YOUR NEXT OF KIN

EMERGENCY PROCEDURE –ADD NUMBER TO CONTACTS

CHECK KIT LIST

PASSPORT

COMPLETE PRE-DEPARTURE FORM

INSURANCE

VACCINATIONS

*This only applies if you choose to take US dollars. Moroccan Dirhams can only be obtained in Morocco.

Last-minute delays can be costly, and could risk your place on the trip. Plan ahead, and make sure you have a great time out in Morocco!

CHANGE MONEY *

SHARE SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS

MAKE PHOTOCOPIES OF PASSPORT

INFORM BANK YOU ARE TRAVELLING

15

To Find Out More Information, Please Contact:

+44 (0)7590209728

info@epic-adventures.co.uk

www.epic-adventures.co.uk

Epic Adventures Ltd,The Old Astra Cinema,

The Street,Great Bricett,

IP7 7DN

Company Reg. No: 11216783

MOROCCO High Atlas ChallengeCost: £980 Per Person (Ground Only, You are responsible for getting to Marrakech)Start and finish point Marrakech AirportSignup Link: Click Here