Trek Stories: Conquering Morocco’s Peaks & Sands 🇲🇦 |
We’re back with another edition of Trek Stories, where we bring you firsthand experiences from our travelers who’ve explored epic destinations, faced challenges head-on, and come back with stories to tell. 🗣 🗺
This week, we’re following Zishran’s journey on the Mount Toubkal and Sahara Desert. Expect raw insights on altitude sickness, summit triumphs, unexpected lessons (learned the hard way!), and of course, the experience of traveling with a tight-knit crew. Let’s go! ⛰️
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Group picture from our December 2024 trip 😍
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🇲🇦 What was your first impression when you arrived in Morocco? |
😌 “My first thoughts were, "Wow it's so cold here, never thought I'd be cold in Africa", well it was my first time in the continent after all.”
🤔 Did You Know? While many associate Morocco with its deserts and heat, the Atlas Mountains experience sub-zero temperatures in winter. Packing for all climates is a must!
➡️ Fact: The Atlas Mountains stretch over 2,500 km across North Africa and include several peaks above 4,000 meters.
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😍 What was the most memorable moment of the trek, and what challenges did you face? |
🔝 “Reaching the top together with my best bro. After hours of climbing in the dark, feeling cold, gasping for breath and battling the relentless pounding in my head we were a few meters away from the peak and I was a bit behind our group slowly moving forward step by step and then when I was close I look up and see my bro waiting for me so that we can both step at the summit at same time and enjoy the magnificent view that awaited us (what a good friend🥰) I don't know why, but I suddenly got teary eyed... it was probably just the icy cold wind blowing at my face.”
😅 "The battle against altitude sickness was tough. It made me question not just my ability to reach the top but whether I would even make it back down. It tugged at my will to continue. As I was throwing up in the toilet in the middle of the night at the refuge, it made me consider staying behind for the second part to not get in the way of the group. But luckily, after three hours of sleep, most of it went away, and with the support of my co-travelers, my resolve was reinforced."
➡️ Quick tip: Altitude sickness can hit even the fittest trekkers. Stay hydrated, ascend gradually, and listen to your body. If symptoms worsen, descend immediately!
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Sunset on Erg Chigaga, the highest sand dune of Morocco 🌅
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🤔 What advice would you give to someone preparing for this trek? |
🤓 "Ask every questions/doubts you may have even if they sound stupid (there are no stupid questions!). Because I didn't and I suffered two problems during the hike, first my gloves weren't thick enough and if I had asked about it I could have rented better ones so I ended up feeling I was gonna loose fingers, and second my water in the camel bag all froze, so I was just lugging 2 liters of useless weight which there could have been probably a better way to bring water."
➡️ Packing Tip: Bring thick gloves and use insulated bottles to prevent water from freezing at high altitudes. Small details make a big difference!😉
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💃 What was your favourite part of Moroccan culture that you experienced? |
🎵 “Music was almost always everywhere we go, in the mountains, in the cities/towns, and the desert. It gave more life to an already amazing trip. Also, celebrating New Year's Eve in the Sahara was unforgettable—letting our inner child loose by wrestling, dancing, and just playing around in the sand, not caring where it got into. It was pure joy.”
➡️ Did You Know? Morocco’s Gnawa music is a mesmerizing mix of African, Berber, and Arabic influences, often played with traditional guembri lutes and krakeb castanets. Live performances are a must-see!
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The nights in the dessert 💃🔥
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🫶 This isn’t your first trip with Mapo Tapo, what do you love most about traveling with Mapo Tapo? |
💌 "This is gonna sound cheesy, but what I love the most are the friends I make along the way. They say that traveling is a true test of friendship, so traveling closely with a group of strangers can sound daunting. But I believe that because these trips serve specific interests, the travelers that join are people that are gonna be mostly on the same frequency. So, friendship is tested immediately, and it makes the experience a thousand times better. (that's literally our goal🥺)"
➡️ Why Mapo Tapo? Our adventure-focused group trips bring together like-minded travelers, making every journey an unforgettable shared experience!
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New friends, big adventures ❤️
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🚀 If you'd love to start planning your next adventure, we are here for you, just text Giulia on WhatsApp and she'll help you out 🥰👇
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📸 Pics from the community |
Discover Mapo Tapo through our travellers' eyes! In each newsletter, we'll be featuring a selection of our favourite snapshots taken during our trips worldwide.👇 Here's a sneak peak of our last trip to Japan 🇯🇵
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