Trek Morocco
22-30 September 2012

Day 1 Fly London to Ouarzazate via Casablanca

Day 2 Free day Optional tour to Aït Benhaddou or day at leisure in Ouarzazate.

Day 3 Ouarzazate to Aït Tigga (1 hour transfer + 6 hour trek)
Depart early morning from Ouarzazate to transfer to the start of our challenge. Here begins our trek towards Tizwal, stopping for lunch en route. After lunch we encounter the first “bergeries” (shepherd shelters) which we will see a lot of in the area. We follow the wide valley on a path and enter the wadi bed before arriving at Aït Tigga. The camp will be set near this wadi beside small farming gardens and close to a spring. Altitude 1940m.

Day 4 Aït Tigga – Idoughah-Aït Ighmour – Azib Oussamenan (7 hour trek)
We start by crossing the village of Aït Tigga on the narrow track. Altitude 2170m. We cross the village and leave it by a path which starts climbing. The climb is regular with some steeper parts and some flat parts. After about two hours we reach a small flat valley at
2500m with a spring and a small stream. After lunch we continue climbing on the path to the pass at 2680m with good all round views including the Siroua peak. We descend from the pass following the path on a regular slope to the valley below. The path then
follows a short gorge on a moderate climb to arrive to the camp at Azib Oussamenan (2400 m).

Day 5 Azib Oussamenan – Jebel Siroua – Ifferd ‘n Magous (6 hour trek)
As we leave the camp we start the climb towards Jebel Siroua. We may have to cross some narrow streams depending on the amount of rain in the last winter. After about three hours of climbing we reach a pass just below the peak. From here there is rocky part of about 50m to reach the peak (3305m). The ascent to the peak is loose scree and is a difficult climb. From the top we will come back to the pass and descend to the other side. The camp will be set on the side of the plateau, near a spring, Ifferd ‘n Magous. Altitude 2600m.

Day 6 Ifferd ‘n Magous – Tizi Isdrine – Aziwan (6 hour trek)
We begin walking along the plateau on a path which follows the slopes and we climb a small pass. Arriving at the pass we reach a wide high plateau. Another climb to another pass (Tizi Isdrine – 2700m). We descend on a path at the side of the valley, for a long descent on very stony terrain. This area is characterised by a spectacular geological confusion i.e. rocks changing continuously along the route. After lunch we climb to a pass on a moderate slope surrounded by big rock boulders. We descend on the other side to another wide valley closed by huge spectacular rock formations. In a more narrow part of this valley we will camp. Overnight in Aziwan (1900m).

Day 7 Aziwan – Amassine Pass (6 hour trek) + 4WD transfer (2 hours) Amassine – Marrakesh (5 hour transfer)
Today we will be walking in the flat valley to reach a summer village of the shepherds. We follow a level trail along the mountain to arrive at the pass of Amassine. The village of Amassine is nearby. Time permitting we will go to the village for a visit. We then transfer by Land Rover northward through beautiful countryside for about two hours to reach the main road. We continue on this main road by Land Rover to Marrakesh (approx five hours including stops), passing through Tizi-N-Tischka on the way. Overnight in Marrakesh.

Day 8 Free day Day at leisure in Marrakesh for relaxing or taking an optional tour of this vibrant city.
Tonight we have a special meal to celebrate our achievement.

Day 9 Flight from Marrakesh to London via Casablanca.

Please note this is a complex itinerary which is subject to change.

Hike for Hope is organised by Action for Charity on behalf of Prostate UK and Wellbeing of Women and they have successfully run all the Hikes for Hope that have taken place in 2006, 2007, 2009 and 2010. To take part in Hike for Hope you will need to pay a registration fee and raise minimum sponsorship funds; in return you get flights, accommodation, transfers, food and guides.

For further information and/or an application form please contact Action for Charity (who run the Hike for us) on:
tel: 0845 408 2698
email: events@actionforcharity.co.uk
or find out more at their website

Previous treks :

Kerala Adventure in India
20-28 November 2010
 Our fourth Hike for Hope challenge was an amazing five-day trek in one of India’s most stunning locations. Leading the way again was top urologist, Professor Roger Kirby, Chairman of Prostate UK, and leading obstetrician and gynaecologist Marcus Setchell, a trustee of Wellbeing of Women. Over the past three challenges, hikers have raised more than £1.2 million to stop prostate and gynaecological cancers ruining lives. The five-day trek (9 day adventure) took place in the region of Kerala on the south west coast of India tucked between the mountainous Western Ghats and the Lakshadweep Sea. Trekkers had the opportunity to explore an enchanting landscape of forest, tea estates, cardamom plantations, paddy fields and palm trees, camping overnight in picturesque mountain locations. The hike finished with a stay in historic Kochi set on a cluster of islands and narrow peninsulas.

Sinai Desert Challenge
14-22 March 2009
The Sinai Desert Challenge was the third Hike for Hope - previous treks in Jordan and Kenya have raised nearly £1million to stop prostate and gynaecological cancers ruining lives. Our intrepid hikers returned from the Sinai at the end of March, raising thousands of pounds for the charity, it was also a fantastic experience for those who took part. Caroline Devaney, who is the chair of out London Events Committee, is also a dedicated Hike for Hoper and has taken part in all 3 hikes, she talks here about her experience on the most recent trek:

Rift Valley, Kenya
24th November – 3rd December 2007
At the end of November, 92 sponsored hikers set off to trek the Rift Valley in Kenya, raising funds for medical research into gynaecological and prostate cancers. Wellbeing of Women trustee and Royal gynaecologist, Marcus Setchell, was amongst those hiking through the rugged terrain. He was joined by patients, doctors and nurses and others that been affected by gynaecological or prostate cancers. Particpants were hiking at altitudes of 2700 metres for 25km per day over the Rift Valley's extinct volcanoes. We would like to thank all those who participated in this year's Hike for Hope. Over £500,000 has been raised so far. These funds will allow Wellbeing of Women to invest in further medical research into gynaecological cancers.

Wellbeing of Women