ENgLIsh PRog

First, let me say that the scenery in the high atlas is beautiful and trekking there is very rewarding. If you just turn up in, say, Imlil which is the most popular trail head in the High Atlas, the day before you want to start trekking youll have no problem organizing a guide, a mule, and anything else you might want for trekking. However it is feasible and not too difficult to hike independantly in the region. You dont have to book anything in advance, and you can get hold of maps in Imlil. The most popular route is a 2 day hike to the top of Mount Toubkal, and this is very easy to follow: there are 2 mountain refuges below the summit where you can stay the night or camp. Elsewhere in the area, there are a few basic gites, and you should be able to organise camping in any village or mountain settlement. Theres a popular circuit walk around Toubkal that takes 5-6 days, and if you do this you spend half the nights in gites half the nights camping. Camping isnt in proper campsites, more likely on some flat land near a village. In this case you should have little security problems. The people who live in the mountains are generally very very friendly and hospitable, although in more touristy areas there is a bit of naive hassle.

Maps are best got at trailheads, theyre generally available at least for more popular treks in Morocco. I dont believe there are any hostels in Marrakesh, but youll find cheap hotels around Djemma el Fna, the main square, without needing to book in advance. Bus travel in Morocco is very affordable.

Note that if you like trekking, Morocco has MANY rewarding destinations besides the high atlas near marrakesh, and these tend to be less visited and give you a better chance to experience traditional moroccan culture along with beautiful mountain landscapes.