Environment and Local Customs

Mutual respect of our different cultures contributes to the success and smooth running of your travel. It facilitates exchange with the accompanying team and also with the local population in areas where the journey takes place. Without forgetting the biggest respect for the environment and natural resources of these places.

When traveling in town, villages or during the hikes, it is essential to dress appropriately to the culture of the country. It fosters contacts with local people and also a way to protect yourselves from heat, sun, wind and insects.

Bear in mind that too short, too bare and figure-hugging dress are often widely badly perceived and may shock local people and the local staff who accompany you. It is also necessary to consider comfort when out hiking…

Each culture has different criterions for good manners in dress code and it is not always logical to each culture of someone else’s code. For example, in Africa, women have their shoulders bare, but their knees are systematically hidden. In all cases in Morocco please wear clothes that are not torn as this is a sign of respect for the Moroccan people you will encounter.

In cities, the dress worn by the people of the city, are not always the same as those worn by mountain people and rural places.

Particularly while you are in our city places, please avoid affectionate gestures between couples in respect of the local people and also the team of helpers who travel with you.

During the period of Ramadan, respect the fasting period of the population: avoid drinking, eating or smoking excessively...

When hiking or trekking, we often establish friendships with the accompanying team and people in areas crossed. Sometimes you may be invited to drink tea, eat, or have an overnight stay. In this case, it is important to know some instructions to enter their homes:

Take off your shoes before entering the room.
Do not enter any rooms without being invited, for example the kitchen area.
Wash hands before meals, often this is done together from the same dish.
Avoid affectionate gestures between couples or engaged couples.
Ask before taking pictures and respecting if they do not want a photo taken. Please do not try and take them without being seen either…

Respecting our differences is a spirit of tolerance and fosters good relations. Our team devotes their energy to helping you discover the landscape as well as the lifestyle of people living in regions we cross (traditions and customs but also current daily life). You will experience true moments of sharing with people who are with you... each day during the walk or in the evening under the big tent known as the "mess tent" or around the fire at the camp...

Some important guidelines to follow during the trek :

Respect the hours announced by the guide for departures and meals.
Putting up and down the tent in time to avoid disrupting tidying up.
Talk in a low voice when each returned to his tent at night to rest, sleep...

For those who enjoy tranquility and solitude, they have every opportunity to enjoy moments of isolation to read, write, draw, contemplate... At noon, whilst picnicking or late in the afternoon on arrival at the camp...

Walking also helps to escape with only your thoughts and dreams. In these times, you will not feel overwhelmed by the group.

The Moroccan mountains and desert are protected areas, which are now beginning to open up to the outside world. To take into account the sensitivity of the inhabitants of the high valleys, the mountains and the Saharan environment, it is very important to :

Respect the socio-cultural traditions of the population.
Respect the environment, and the inhabitants’ heritage.
Respect the cultures, plantation and water sources (only fallen wood may be used to fire).
Put any non-degradable waste in a bag and take away to be put in an official collection site.
It is not advisable to distribute sweets, pens and other items to children in villages directly but if you do want to leave something, then to do it through an intermediary, such as your guide or an adult (teacher of the village...)

The whole team puts among his priorities a fair and responsible tourism and it is committed to :

A conscious & responsible tourism.
A fair & ecological tourism.
A tourism that respects the cultures, plantations and water sources.
A tourism that respects the local population, their regions, their customs and heritage.
A respectable tourism for nature and the environment.
A tourism of quality rather than of quantity.
Creating employment for those who need to work within the local population and thereby helping to minimize the rural exodus from lack of work.

It is important to obtain consent of the inhabitants before taking their photo. You have to give up a photo if a payment is required to prevent abuses. It is inadvisable to photograph on the sly.

It is customary to give at the end of the hike, an envelope to the people who have accompanied you. Everyone should feel free to react as he wants. A pair of shoes, a warm jacket or a knife is sometimes a good tip. Some poor are pleased to have a little more money. Just think to separate envelopes for each. Tipping is customary, however, complementing the modest income of employees.

Morocco is a country that has preserved its handicrafts, embroidery, wooden furniture, carpets, ceramics, metalwork, jewelry and spices. Remember that bargaining is part of the tradition when making a purchase, however once an agreed price is reached you must pay up and complete the purchase.

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