Adventure Activity

Outdoor Activities based in Marrakech –  2009 and 2010

Morocco may not be the first destination that springs to mind when you think of white water rafting. However, the huge Atlas mountains which are snow covered for a lot of the year have many rivers and canyons running the whole length of them. This in fact makes Morocco an outstanding white water rafting destination. The rivers range from grade 2 – 4 plus and on occasions grade 5 with heavy rain.

At Splash Rafting Morocco we are running five different river trips.

Ourika River

Located in the magical Ourika valley at the foot of the Atlas mountains just one hour transfer from the centre of Marrakech city. This river has both an upper and middle section. It is a half day rafting trip on either section or they can be combined to offer a full day rafting trip. This means that adventure seekers of all abilities will find a river trip that is suitable to their age and ability. Included is all equipment and collect and return from the centre of Marrakech . The Ourika river is grade 2-4 plus. The upper and middle sections provide steep and technical rafting!

The Ourika Valley is a very popular tourist destination for both visitors and Moroccans. The stunning back drop of the often snow covered Atlas mountains along with the steep sided gorge with the Ourika river running its length make this a must visit destination for those in Marrakech who want to get out of the hustle and the heat. Rafting trips here are a bit of a spectator sport and you will have all the local children and villagers clapping and cheering you as you pass down the river.

We have five different trips on this river so we have a trip to suit all adventure seeking requirements and abilities. Age range from 8 years and up.

Middle Ourika River Rafting Grade 3/4 ( Oulmes to Asguine) Age profile 16 plus €50/£50/MAD550 per person half day trip

For those seeking fun, adventure and a fair bit of adrenalin this is a “must do”part of any trip to Morocco and Marrakech. By far our most popular rafting trip on the Ourika river this trip delivers steep and technical rafting from the start to the finish.

This is not sedate trip down a river looking at the scenery! You will have plenty of time before and after the trip to take in the environment and culture of the Ourika valley. The Splash Crew of international river guides and local tour guides will go out of their way to tell you everything about the area and culture of the region when you are not on the river.

When on the river this will be a continuous rafting trip that is both a technical and steep section of river. You will be focused on what you are doing and listening to your guides commands.

You will pass under many low bridges which will have local children on them cheering you on. The riverside cafes with their customers again clapping and cheering you on will pass by one after another in a bit of a blur. You will know this is going on but your focus will always be on the river and always only the river and the commands coming from your guide. The rapids come one after another on this trip with very little time in between. Each raft will have between four and six clients and a guide. The following words will  give you an idea of this outstanding rafting experience:

Fun, Fear, Adrenaline, Rush, Awe, Shock, Rapids, Cold Water, Fast, Teamwork, Bridges, Achievement, Pride

In summary an experience that will be the highlight of your trip and leave you demanding more and feeling a true sense of achievement and pride in what you have just done.

Upper Ourika River Rafting Grade 4 plus ( Siti Fatma to Oulmes) Age 18 plus and must have done grade 4 rafting prior to trip. €75/£75/MAD825 per person half day trip.

The most challenging part of the Ourika river the upper section provides very technical and steep rafting. This is rafting only for those who have rafted grade 4 before. This rafting is for those that are in condition and are fit and healthy. Swimming is a distinct possibility on this trip and the ability to swim and to self rescue is needed. Each raft will have four to six clients and will be guided by our most experienced guides and trip leaders.

Upper and Middle Ourika Rafting Grade 3/4 plus ( Siti Fatma to Asgine) Age 18 plus and must have done grade 4 rafting prior to the trip. €90/£90/MAD990 per person full day trip

The most challenging trip we do in Morocco for both our clients and our guides. This is steep, technical; long, continous full on rafting! This rafting trip is for those seeking a level of adventure and adrenalin that comes from having done a reasonable amount of adventure sports. Our clients on this trip will be fit and healthy and in good condition and have the ability to swim and self rescue in moving water. This trip requires the ability to focus for long periods of time and listen to commands and react to them without question. We will run this trip with teams of between four and six in each raft and a maximum of three rafts.

This trip finishes at our base where will will have a late lunch ( as there was no way we could stop on the way down!!) and sit out in the sun to reflect on what you have just achieved and the environment you find yourself in.

Without doubt whitewater rafting at its most intense for those seeking high level adventure challenges!

N’Fiss River Grade 3 Age 8 plus €85/£85/MAD935 Adults – €35/£35/MAD385 children

A stunning river in a remote Atlas mountain valley. This is a full day trip with over 20kms of river being rafted. A much wider river than the very popular Ourika this river trip is more relaxed as the river is not as technical to guide. The guides on this trip will spend a lot of time informing you of the culture of this remote valley and about the local Berber people you will see on the riverside as you pass by. We stop for lunch on the way do to take in the stunning environment.

This is a great family trip and also group trip for those wanting to experience medium range white water rafting in a remote location but it is still only a two hour transfer from Marrakech. In high water this trip can be surprisingly fast considering the distance covered. However, the large and bouncy wave trains will both thrill you and inspire you to progress to more technical rafting

This is a full day trip and includes all equipment, lunch and collect and return transport from Marrakesh center. 0830hrs collection by a member of the Splash Crew on the edge of Jamaa El Fna Plaza. Onto the bus and a two hour transfer through some inspiring countryside into the foothills of the Atlas mountains. Yo guide can speak English, French, Berber and Arabic and a small amount of other lauguages so he will keep you informed of points of interest along the way.

Lunch is provided and you will be back in Marrakech by 1730hrs approximatley.

Ahansal River

This is a two day trip camping by the river on two nights. Transfers to the river and back from Marrakesh included as is all equipment and food when on the river

Safety Our Top Priority

At Splash Rafting Morocco safety is our number one priority. We are part of a small group of adventure rafting companies based around the world that take in excess of 20000 people rafting each year. We have an outstanding safety record. We are insured by the Activities Industry Mutual insurance company in the UK and our UK companies are AALA licenced by the governments health and safety department.

Our guides are all trained to the International Rafting Federation ( IRF) standards and are all qualified in first aid and swift water rescue. We have four IRF instructors within our team who are responsible for training and three of them work with us all year round ensuring we reach the very best standards we can. We recruit guides from around the World based on their skill and ability and length of experience which will have been gained in many different environments.

We also insist that our guides are excellent communicators and generally fun people to be around. We are also proud to say that our reputation means that we get many more guides wanting to work for us than we can employ. We will strive to continue to be the company of choice for the worlds best guides.

Our off river guides are local Berber Moroccans who have excellent knowledge of the country and traditions of the local people. The are all fluent in several languages.

We have also started a 5 year river guide training programme for local Berber Moroccans who want to progress to being river guides. We are conducting 4 IRF river guide courses per year for 12 locals at a time. These courses include swift water rescue qualification and a international recognised first aid qualification. This is in excess of £30000 per year that we are investing in training and developing local Moroccans to become members of the Splash Crew and to give them the opportunity to work in a fun and exciting industry.

River rafting as with all adventure sports carries involves some risk to life and limb. We do everything we can to minimise this risk and to make your trips as thrilling and fun as possible whilst being conducted in as safe a manner as possible.

What is included in your river trip?

1. All river gear to European standards.

2. International Rafting Federation English speaking guide per raft.

3. International Rafting Federation English speaking trip leader on each trip.

4. Operations manager on dry land while you are on the river.

5. Bus transport from Marrakech to the Ourika valley and back with a driver and local Splash Crew multi- lingual speaking tour guide.

6. Lunch ( on full day trips only)

7. Adventure, adrenaline and a serious amount of fun!!

What do you need to bring?

1. Towel

2. Swim costume or swim shorts or spare underwear to be worn under underneath the wetsuits

3. Training shoes that can get wet if you have them ( if not we will supply)

4. Sense of adventure and fun

Equipment we provide?

Wetsuit, splash jacket, helmet, buoyancy aid, paddle, ( shoes if required)

Rafting is available in Dec, Jan, Feb, March, Apr and May

We have half day trips 2 day trips and 1 week trips