Your Questions – Our Answers
Before departure, every detail counts.
We have gathered here the essential information to help you prepare for your Trek Des Gazelles By Mélanie, and to answer any questions you may have along the way.
The CONCEPT, the SIGNATURE & the VALUES
Born in Morocco, Trek Des Gazelles By Mélanie has been imagining itinerant experiences exclusively dedicated to women since 2015, in territories chosen for their beauty and character.
Without competition or the pursuit of performance, the Trek offers another way to experience adventure: walking, traversing, taking one's time. Guided with exacting standards and accompanied by a camel caravan, participants journey through unspoiled landscapes before reaching, each evening, refined bivouacs nestled in the heart of nature.
A rare interlude, fueled by travel, encounters, and sisterhood.
Over the years, this intimate knowledge of the Kingdom and this experience of travelling naturally gave birth to the agency Trek Des Gazelles By Mélanie, entirely dedicated to Morocco.
Today, the agency designs tailor-made private trips as well as private and corporate events, conceived in unique locations and crafted with meticulous attention to every detail.
A shared signature: to discover Morocco in a different way.
“By Mélanie” is the personal signature of Mélanie Salgues, founder of Trek Des Gazelles.
Since 2015, she has imagined each Edition with her own vision: a certain way of traveling, receiving and discovering Morocco, far from the conventional itineraries.
From the choice of territories to the atmosphere of the bivouacs, from the rhythm of the journey to the encounters that punctuate the trip, Mélanie pays particular attention to every detail of the experience.
Its signature is also found in the unique balance that defines Trekking: adventure without competition, travel without sacrificing elegance, the simplicity of wide open spaces combined with a true art of hospitality.
More than just a name, "By Mélanie" reflects a vision of travel and a very personal way of imagining each experience.
Since its creation, Trek Des Gazelles By Mélanie has based its development on an approach that is attentive to women, the territories crossed and to living things.
These commitments translate into concrete actions, carried out throughout the Editions.
The fight against pediatric cancer
Trek Des Gazelles By Mélanie has been committed for several years to working alongside Moroccan actors in the fight against pediatric cancer.
In collaboration with oncology professionals and care facilities in Morocco, the Organization contributes to the funding of care, medical equipment and equine therapy sessions for sick children.
10% of the event entry fees are dedicated to all of these actions.
Discover our actions in pictures
Respect for living things and the preservation of territories
Since 2015, Trek Des Gazelles By Mélanie has paid particular attention to its footprint and the way in which its publications fit into the territories traversed.
The Organization is taking action in particular to reduce its water and plastic consumption, limit the waste generated by bivouacs and to favour, whenever possible, more responsible practices.
Traveling on foot and accompanied by caravans of camels or mules contribute to this way of traversing the great spaces, as close as possible to the landscapes and their rhythm.
Special attention is also paid to local teams, artisans, service providers and know-how, so that each Edition is fully integrated into the territory that hosts it.
Traveling differently also means taking care of what we pass through and those we meet.
THEEVENT – REGISTRATION, BUDGET & FUNDING
Registration is done directly online, from the page of your chosen edition. Creating your personal customer account is the first step and allows you to then proceed with your registration.
As the number of participants is intentionally limited in order to preserve the quality of the experience and the spirit of the group, we recommend that you register as soon as registration officially opens.
The opening date of each Edition is announced in advance on our website, our social networks and in our newsletter.
Your personal customer account is created before your first registration.
Once your account is created, all your registrations for our events and private trips are made directly from your customer account. There you will find all your records and can, at any time, view, complete, or update the information entered there.
This personal space allows you to centralize and track your various registrations with Trek Des Gazelles By Mélanie.
For any questions or special requests, our team is available by phone or email.
Its signature is also found in the unique balance that defines Trekking: adventure without competition, travel without sacrificing elegance, the simplicity of wide open spaces combined with a true art of hospitality.
More than just a name, "By Mélanie" reflects a vision of travel and a very personal way of imagining each experience.
Yes. Each registration is individual and nominative, whether you choose to experience it alone or alongside women you already know.
Many participants choose to register alone. The Trek is also made up of these encounters that naturally occur during the adventure and sometimes give rise to very beautiful friendships.
To participate, you must be of legal age at the time of the event. There is no maximum age: your participation will be validated based on a review of your medical file and final approval from the organization's doctor.
Registration is done directly online on our website via the page for your chosen edition. As long as you have access to the registration form, it means that registration is still open and places are available.
When an edition is full, it is possible to register on a waiting list in case other participants withdraw.
Absolutely. Subject to availability, you can register for multiple editions.
Registration fees vary from one edition to another. For each destination, please visit the dedicated edition page to find the price.
The trip includes:
- Before the trek:
- Personalized tracking of your registration
- Processing of your medical file
- Sending our travel guide – tips, equipment, checklist
- Arrival in Morocco:
- Accommodation in a 4 or 5 star hotel
- Welcome tea & pastries
- Detailed sports briefing
- Aperitif cocktail
- Gala dinner with Moroccan flavors
- Night in a double room
- Breakfast the next day
- During the trek:
- 4 days of immersive trekking
- 4 nights camping in traditional Berber tents
- Full board throughout the trek, in traditional Berber tents
- Dried fruit during the walk
- Gourmet tea after exercise
- Mineral water and daily supplies
- Logistics assistance and equipment support
- Luggage transported on the backs of camels or mules
- Daily yoga sessions and guided meditations led by a Hatha Yoga instructor
- Bucket showers, hammam-style
- Sinks and mirrors available
- Dry toilets
- Return transfer
- Security :
- Sports management and safety supervision
- Certified guides of natural areas
- Medical assistance: ambulances, emergency doctors and nurses
- Security assistance provided by the Royal Gendarmerie
- International repatriation insurance
- Experienced guides
- Camel and camel driver assistance on the trek
- Images:
- Professional image team: videographers, photographer and social media manager
- Daily dissemination of images on social media
- Sharing post-trek souvenir photos
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Airfare or other means of transport: see registration fees including airfare departing from Paris
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Personal equipment – including walking boots and a sleeping bag
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Transportation to reach the Organization (plane ticket, boat ticket, etc.)
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Personal expenses – drinks in hotels and other miscellaneous costs
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Tips for the bivouac team – please budget accordingly, they are always greatly appreciated
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Anything not mentioned in the program, nor in "engagement fees include"
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Application fee – online payment (+ 75 euros)
Yes, payment can be made in four installments without fees.
The balance is due by the deadline indicated on the registration form.
Additional services are offered by the Trek Des Gazelles By Mélanie travel agency
- Extensions of stay before and/or after the trek
- Bus transfers
- Private transfers
- Cancellation and baggage insurance
- Private post-trek trips
These proposals can be explored in more detail and selected in part 2 of your registration file.
For any changes requiring our team's intervention, or for any specific requests, please contact us by phone or email. We are available to assist you.
Cancellation insurance remains optional and can be purchased separately during registration. We strongly recommend that you arrange this coverage, either through the insurance offered or with your personal insurer.
Before your departure, we also invite you to carefully check the extent of the guarantees you have personally.
If you purchased the cancellation insurance offered when you registered, a claim can be made to the insurer, provided that the reason for your cancellation falls within the scope of the guarantees provided for in the contract.
The cancellation conditions applicable to your registration as well as any refund procedures are specified in our General Terms and Conditions of Sale.
LOGISTICS & PREPARATION
The routes are designed to allow each person to progress at their own pace, while respecting the group and the specific conditions of each Edition.
In the months leading up to departure, we recommend regular physical preparation, including walking, hiking, cardio and sports activities.
Our private club, Trek Des Gazelles By Mélanie, brings together exclusively past and future participants.
We invite you to join in order to exchange with other Gazelles, share your questions and get to know some of the participants even before departure.
Before each edition, a detailed travel guide is sent to participants. It contains all our recommendations for preparing your departure with peace of mind: equipment, practical advice, and a complete checklist.
Essential items to plan for include:
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A pair of suitable hiking boots that have been previously broken in ;
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A daypacksuitable for walking;
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A water bottle with a minimum capacity of one liter ;
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A sleeping bag suitable for the temperatures of the region — recommended comfort temperature: -10 °C when specified;
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Technical clothing, lightweight and breathable , adapted to the conditions of the course.
A detailed list of recommended equipment and gear will be provided in the travel guide sent to participants – advice, equipment, checklist…
For shoes, the following remain essential:
- Walking shoes
Make sure you choose walking shoes perfectly suited to your level and the terrain. They should already be broken in to minimize friction and offer good rigidity.
Opt for a grippy sole, guaranteeing stability and safety.
Always wear them with socks designed for trekking. Opt for technical, seamless fabrics that effectively wick away perspiration to maximize comfort throughout your hike.
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Comfortable shoes for camping
Also bring a pair of comfortable, closed shoes for the evening.
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Accommodation:
The first night of the adventure takes place in a 4 or 5 star hotel, in a double or single room, as you prefer.
The remaining nights are spent in 12-person caidal tents, in a mobile bivouac.
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Restoration:
All meals are taken care of from your arrival at the hotel at the beginning of your stay: welcome tea & pastries, aperitif cocktail, gala dinner with Moroccan flavours and breakfast the next day.
On this adventure, we offer full board, taking into account your food allergies and intolerances. We ensure that you are served fresh, generous, and locally sourced cuisine.
Please remember to inform us of any allergies or specific dietary requirements in your personal customer account.
Throughout the journey, nights are spent in bivouacs set up each evening in carefully chosen environments.
Participants are accommodated in large, shared Caidal tents, which can house up to 12 people. The composition of each tent is defined at the beginning of the stay and remains the same throughout the adventure.
Upon arrival at the bivouac, an individual mattress will be set up for each participant. A personal fitted sheet will also be provided at the beginning of your stay and will accompany you throughout the trek.
Each participant brings their own sleeping bag, the recommended comfort temperature of which is specified in the travel guide sent in advance of the event.
Because bivouacking is a nomadic activity, a few simple steps each morning contribute to the smooth running of the campsite. All of these details are explained in your travel guide.
For added comfort during the night, a sleep mask and earplugs may also be appreciated.
The walking groups are formed by our team in advance of the event, taking into account in particular the walking pace indicated in your registration file, as well as information that allows us to find the best balance within each group.
If you are participating in a group, we will naturally make sure to put you together in the same groupso that you can experience it together.
The composition of the groups is carefully considered to promote a harmonious dynamic throughout the journey.
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6am: Gentle wake-up and sunrise yoga session
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7am: Breakfast at the bivouac
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8am: Briefing for the day followed by departure for the morning trek
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12pm: Lunch (picnic or buffet)
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5pm: Arrival at the next bivouac, a moment of relaxation with Moroccan tea and pastries, then a hammam-style shower
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7 p.m.: Meditation session
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8pm: Moroccan buffet dinner, evening around campfires with Berber herbal tea, and finally, night in tents
Each morning, your main luggage is entrusted to our teams before the start of the stage. It is then transported by our caravan of camels or mules to the next bivouac, where you will find it upon your arrival.
During the walk, you only carry your daypack, with the personal belongings needed for the stage.
To ensure the comfort of the animals and to avoid any risk of chafing or injury, your main luggage must be soft, without a frame and weigh less than 15 kg.
The precise characteristics of the luggage as well as our recommendations are provided in your travel booklet.
In the weeks following your registration, you will gradually receive all the information necessary to prepare for your trip.
Your travel journal will complement these initial elements and will bring together all the information useful for your departure: preparation, equipment, luggage, practical advice and terms specific to your Edition.
Essential information accompanies you at every stage of your preparation, right up to departure.
The bivouacs do not have electrical charging points accessible to participants.
We therefore recommend that you bring an external battery with sufficient capacity, possibly solar-powered, to maintain your autonomy throughout your trip.
Practical recommendations regarding your electronic equipment are also detailed in your travel guide.
Phone coverage and internet access cannot be guaranteed throughout the entire journey. They vary depending on the areas crossed, the location of campsites, the terrain, and the conditions encountered.
We therefore invite you to plan for occasional and sometimes limited connectivity during your stay — a disconnection that is also part of the Trek experience.
To benefit from the best possible coverage, you can use a local SIM card or check the terms of use of your mobile plan in Morocco before you leave.
According to the publisher, some operators generally offer more suitable coverage:
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Sea Edition: Maroc Telecom
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Desert Edition: Inwi
TRAVEL, PRACTICAL FORMALITIES
To travel to Morocco, you must ensure that you have the required and valid travel documents, depending on your nationality and personal circumstances.
For French travelers, a valid passport is required to enter Morocco. Participants of Moroccan nationality may travel with identity documents accepted by the relevant authorities.
As formalities may change and differ depending on nationalities, we invite you to check the entry requirements for Morocco with the official authorities before your departure.
Yes. We always recommend that you carry a small amount of cash, especially for personal expenses and situations where card payment is not available.
You may also wish to tip the local staff who accompany you. These are, of course, entirely at your discretion.
The registration fees cover the services specified for your Edition.
You will be responsible for your travel to the meeting place set by the Organization, your personal expenses, and any optional services or activities chosen before or after the event.
Details of included and excluded services are specified on the page of each Edition and in the documents provided to you upon registration.
The official currency of Morocco is the Moroccan dirham (MAD).
Although the euro may be accepted in some establishments and tourist areas, we recommend that you favour the dirham for your day-to-day expenses.
You can withdraw dirhams from ATMs or exchange currency at authorized establishments. Card payments are widely accepted in major hotels and establishments, but may be more limited in some areas.
As part of the Trek, we therefore advise you to keep a small amount of dirhams for your personal expenses.
Arrival and departure arrangements are defined for each Edition or each private trip according to the itinerary and meeting point with the Organization.
Before booking your flights or any other means of transport, we invite you to take note of the information provided for your Edition, including the meeting and departure locations and times.
This information is provided to you well in advance to allow you to organize your trip in the best possible conditions.
Your transportation to the meeting point set by the Organization, as well as your return trip from the location indicated at the end of this Edition, remain at your own expense.
For any early arrival, extension of stay or special request, our travel agency can also assist you in organizing your stay in Morocco.
SAFETY, HYGIENE & HEALTH
A leading women's sporting event, the Trek des Gazelles by Mélanie is part of an official framework consisting of authorizations and approvals issued by the relevant Ministries of the Kingdom of Morocco, including those of the Interior and Tourism.
This institutional recognition, combined with the expertise of a multidisciplinary Franco-Moroccan team, guarantees reliability, security and professionalism at each edition.
The Gazelles Trek by Mélanie is led by certified local professional guides and a dedicated organizing team. Medical assistance (doctors/nurses) is available throughout the trek to treat minor injuries (and those dreaded blisters!) or intervene if needed.
Yes. In order to ensure the best conditions of support and safety throughout the Edition, each participant must complete a personal medical file before departure.
This file allows the Organization's doctor to review health information relevant to your participation and, when necessary, to request additional information or tests.
The medical information provided is strictly confidential and processed in accordance with medical confidentiality.
The details of how to complete your application and any documents you need to provide will be specified in your personal customer accountduring the preparation of your application.
As part of the preparation of your medical file, an exercise stress test is required by the Organization's doctor for any participant aged 55 and over at the time of the Edition.
The procedures and necessary documents will be communicated to you during the preparation of your participation.
Each Edition benefits from a dedicated medical system, defined in advance by the Management in consultation with the Organization's doctors.
A team made up of doctors, emergency nurses, paramedics and first aiders accompanies the participants throughout the event, both on the courses and at the bivouac.
Present at the closest point to the homeless population, it provides prevention, care and medical support when the situation requires it, according to the assessment of healthcare professionals.
A Franco-Moroccan medical team, composed of doctors and nurses, accompanies each Edition and monitors the health of the participants throughout the journey.
Present both on the trails and at the bivouac, she can be contacted as soon as any pain, discomfort, or other health problem arises. Consultation times are also organized morning and evening in the medical tent for routine care.
In the event of injury or a situation requiring special care, the medical assessment and decisions are the sole responsibility of the medical team, in compliance with medical confidentiality and according to the situation encountered.
The arrangements for support and instructions to follow during the Edition are specified to the participants before departure and reiterated on site.
Yes. Although a medical team and its dedicated equipment accompany the event, each participant must bring a small personal kit adapted to her needs.
It will include, in particular:
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Your personal medications, in sufficient quantity for the entire duration of your stay, accompanied by their prescriptions;
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First aid products and commonly used medications that are typically used and adapted to your situation ;
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Dressings and protective gear suitable for walking;
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Physiological saline;
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SPF 50+ sunscreen and a lip balm with UV protection;
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Hand sanitizer;
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Earplugs;
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A survival blanket (very useful in cold weather)
For any medication requiring a prescription — particularly an antibiotic — we encourage you to contact your doctor, who can advise you based on your personal situation and your destination.
The detailed list of recommended items is provided in your travel guide prior to the Edition.
Mélanie's signature style draws its inspiration from the heritage of Saharan caravans, inviting every woman to reconnect with nature with precision and comfort.
At its exceptional bivouacs as well as at its camps set up for lunches, dry toilets and washbasins with mirrors are made available to the participants.
The authentic experience of returning to basics is enhanced by the installation of hammam-style showers at all evening campsites.
Yes. Access to drinking water is ensured throughout the event, both at the bivouacs and during the walking stages.
Drinking water supplies are made available every day to allow you to regularly fill your personal water bottle, especially before each departure.
During the stages, hydration times are planned and our teams — guides, camel drivers or muleteers — ensure that you can replenish your supplies when necessary.
We simply ask you to bring a personal water bottle with a minimum capacity of one liter, in accordance with the recommendations specified in your travel guide.
Weather conditions are naturally part of any traveling experience and are the subject of constant attention from the Organization.
In the event of inclement weather or conditions preventing the original program from being maintained as required, the Organization will implement an alternative plan adapted to the situation. The route, stages, or program may therefore be adjusted to ensure the safety and smooth running of the event.
Participants are informed on site of any adjustments made necessary by the conditions encountered.
The safety of participants and teams remains, in all circumstances, our priority.
MEDIA & PARTNERS
Professional photographers and videographers accompany each of our Editions to capture the landscapes, encounters and moments that make it unique.
In the weeks following the event, participants receive access to a selection of photographs, conceived as memories of the adventure experienced together.
A film highlighting the key moments and atmosphere of the Edition is also produced and shared a few days after the event ends.
Our team is available to journalists, media and content creators wishing to discover our history, our Editions and the world of Trek Des Gazelles By Mélanie.
Depending on your editorial project, we can in particular provide you with our press kit, our media kit and a selection of content, or organize an exchange with Mélanie Salgues, founder of Trek Des Gazelles By Mélanie.
For all press or media inquiries, please write to us at medias@trekdesgazelles.com.
Since its creation, Trek Des Gazelles By Mélanie has envisioned its partnerships as true collaborations, built around a common vision and a privileged relationship with each House, company or institution that accompanies us.
Depending on your world and your objectives, different forms of collaboration can be imagined: presence at the heart of the experience, creation or highlighting of products, editorial content, visibility on our media and networks, public relations or experiences dedicated to your customers and employees.
Each partnership is studied individually in order to imagine coherent and tailor-made benefitsthat respect the identity of each party.
Our partners can also call upon our agency's expertise to design fully customized private trips, brand experiences or corporate events.
The Travel Agency – Trek des Gazelles by Mélanie
Trek Des Gazelles By Mélanie imagines and organizes fully tailor-made private trips to Morocco, designed with a high level of requirements and personalization.
Each project is conceived uniquely, based on your desires, your pace and how you wish to discover the Kingdom. Desert, Atlantic coast, mountains, imperial cities or more secluded territories: we favour carefully designed itineraries, beautiful accommodations, services selected with exacting standards and experiences chosen for their character.
Our vision of high-end travel is based first and foremost on the rightness of choices, the quality of organization, attention to detail and an intimate knowledge of Morocco.
From self-guided tours and private treks to bivouacs, customized stays, and tours, we don't offer a pre-established catalogue. Each trip is a tailor-made creation, conceived and orchestrated by our teams in Morocco.
Our private trips are for those who wish to discover Morocco in a privileged setting, with an itinerary designed exclusively for them.
Whether with family, friends or on a special trip, we imagine private experiences where every choice — itinerary, addresses, pace, encounters and thoughtful touches — contributes to the uniqueness of the stay.
A more personal, more confidential and decidedly high-end way to discover the Kingdom.
Each trip begins with a personal exchange, designed to understand your desires, your travel habits and what you truly wish to experience in Morocco.
From this initial conversation, we design your itinerary and carefully select the places, accommodations, experiences and people who will punctuate your stay.
Our knowledge of Morocco also allows us to guide you to more confidential territories, addresses and experiences, when the trip allows.
From its conception to its on-site execution, each project is carefully monitored to ensure its fluidity, quality and attention to detail.
Yes. Trek Des Gazelles By Mélanie also designs trips, events and private experiences in Morocco for companies, houses and institutions.
Management trip, confidential seminar, incentive, brand experience or special event: we design each project taking into account the identity of the company, its guests and the intention given to the trip.
Unique venues, private events, itineraries, experiences, catering and logistics are all considered together to create a coherent, elegant and perfectly orchestrated experience.
Some initial information allows us to begin our discussion: the period under consideration, the number of travelers and the main outlines of your project.
Our team will then personally contact you to clarify the details, understand your expectations and come up with an initial proposal.
Because each trip is tailor-made, we always prioritize discussion before any detailed proposal.
CONTACT US
Our team is available to assist you and direct you to the most appropriate contact person for your request.
REGISTRATION & APPLICATION TRACKING
For any questions relating to your registration, your customer account or the monitoring of your case:
Office France
+33 (0)4 94 54 31 15
Mobile France
+33 (0)7 83 43 99 59
PRIVATE TRAVEL & CUSTOM PROJECTS
To entrust us with a private, group or event travel project in Morocco:
[Entrust us with your project]PRESS, MEDIA & PARTNERSHIPS
For all press, media, collaboration or partnership inquiries:
DIRECTION
For any request intended personally for the Management:
Our team is at your disposal and will ensure that your request is directed to the person best suited to assist you.
+33 (0)4 94 54 31 15
+33 (0)7 83 43 99 59
Find Trek Des Gazelles By Mélanie on our social networks and discover through the Editions our news, the behind the scenes of the Organization, our trips, our commitments and the stories that shape the adventure.
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