How to Trek Eco-Considerately in Morocco

The earliest explorers of Morocco considered the country to be a rare jewel. Today visitors to Morocco are on the rise as the jewels of the past are revealed. Morocco tours will allow tourists to explore the various regions of Morocco, some with ease, while other trips will need the experience of guides. Any time a person goes to Morocco one thing must be kept in mind--Morocco is largely unpopulated, except for Berber villages which remain uncharted throughout the High Atlas Mountains. Here's how you can visit those villages strewn throughout the mountains, and ways to do it with an eco-awareness.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Trekking Guide
• Tour Operator (to get you there)
• eco-conscience
• a will to do better

1. The Berber people use only the land they need for agriculture, salt mining, and the homes. Their footprint on the earth is perhaps one of the lesser the world over when you consider the crowded cities using all the available land sources. Morocco is instead a land of verdant forests, running rivers, and many species of wildlife and birds. In fact several areas of the lower Atlas region are perfect places to visit for the amateur or professional birdwatcher.

2. 
    
   Leaving Nothing But Shadows Behind

   Places such as Jbel Toubkal, M’Goun National Park and Ait Bougmez must be preserved for the many trekkers to come. We should ensure we have a positive impact on the land we visit during a tour. Bringing your own supplies on the tour will help this endeavor. A water filter, for example, will eliminate the need to buy bottled water, a refuse that adds to the growing pollution problem in Morocco. By having your own water filters, stowing trash, and making sure to bath using biodegradeable soaps can have positive eco impacts.

3. Your tour operators will help you become accustomed to the natural laws of the forests and bio reserves here in Morocco. Additionally, they will ensure that you stay on the trails rather than picking your way through the forested areas. You can ensure that you have an eco-friendly Morocco holiday by sleeping in guest houses (gites) and in villages or in pre-arranged camp areas.

4. 
    
   Embodiment of Serenity

   There are numerous national parks and bio reserves in Morocco. For one, the Rif Mountains are known for their parks. You can take a vehicle up into the base of the park, and then take designated trails around waterfalls, lakes, and even up to some of the most historic caves. All the while you are on the trip you are able to ensure that you leave behind only a few footprints on a single trail.

5. In the Anti Atlas, there are trails to take along roads which help you view magnificent cliffs, yet not disturb the natural grounds. At any time you wish to take photos there are protocols you should follow. You should never take a photograph of the Berber people without permission. You will need to respect any of the holy places you may come across. Some of these places are not open to tourists, while others have set times you may visit. Morocco is a beautiful country that you can preserve, but do not intimidate the cultures around you. Though this may not seem eco-friendly, it is part of a preservation method that ensures that visitors will be welcomed for a very long time.

Tips & Warnings

• Try to bring biodegradeable toilet paper
• Soaps that do not harm the environment are very important
• water filters--UV, charcoal or others--are your best bet against water-borne sickness
• If hiking in the boonies, you may have to either dig a hole or cover your own waste
• a water filter that requires a battery may not last as long as a pump

Resources

• Morocco Tours
• Morocco trekking