ON THE TREK
Accommodation
If you would rather not carry a tent, you can often stay in refuges and in villages at either gîtes
d ’ étape (basic homestays or hostels) or chez l’habitant (in someone’s home). Especially in
remote areas, village rooms may not even have a mattress on the floor, although in places such
as Imlil they often come with the luxury of a bed.
The bulk of trekking accommodation options in the High and Middle Atlas are gîtes . In the Rif
and Anti Atlas, gîtes are uncommon, and accommodation is more often in local homes or in
tents.
For more information, see destination chapters and Click here.Gîtes d’Étape
Gîtes provide basic accommodation, often offering little more than a foam mattress in an empty
room, or on a roof terrace or balcony. They have basic bathrooms and toilets, although the
better ones have hot showers. Given notice, the proprietor can rustle up a tajine.
At the time of writing, the standard rate was Dh50 per person per night, although prices can
vary according to season and location. Meals are extra (usually Dh30 to Dh50 per person), as
are hot showers (usually Dh10 to Dh15 per shower).
The more upscale, privately owned gîtes typically charge up to Dh200 per person for half-
board, while rooms at one luxury kasbah in Imlil cost up to Dh2780 (Click here ).
Refuges
CAF operates refuges in Imlil, Oukaïmeden, Tazaghart, Tacheddirt and on Toubkal. Officially,
bookings should be made in advance through the Oukaïmeden refuge (Click here ). However, in
practice you can usually find out if space is available at the other refuges in the Toubkal region
by asking in Oukaïmeden or Imlil. Refuges are often packed in July and August.
CAF members and HI members get the cheapest price for a bed. Members of affiliated and
recognised alpine organisations (eg the UK’s Alpine Club) and children aged under 16 years are
also eligible for discounts.
Food
The choice of dry rations is limited in rural Morocco. You cannot be sure of finding much beyond
powdered milk, a range of dried fruit and sachets of soup, biscuits, some tinned fish and dates.
Supermarkets in larger towns and cities are a much better option, and if you take a mule, you
will be able to plan a more varied diet.
Bread, eggs, vegetables and some basic supplies (eg tea and tinned tuna) may be available
in some mountain villages, but you cannot count on it. Meals can also be arranged in some
villages (Dh30 to Dh50 per person is standard), especially at gîtes and refuges, although they
usually need to be ordered in advance. Again, do not rely on local suppliers as your only source
of food unless you have made previous arrangements.
Change money in the nearest major town and ensure that you have plenty of small notes. If
you do get stuck, euro notes may be accepted.