Marrakech & Beyond - 8 Days

Marrakech & Beyond - 8 Days
Experience Morocco - a magical and exotic land, on this captivating 8 day tour. Lap up atmospheric Marrakech and its colourful medina. Witness striking Todra Gorge, camp in the Sahara and explore amazing Ait Benhaddou - the legendary fortified kasbah.

Day 1: Marrakech
Saturday. Welcome to Morocco! A country steeped in history and culture. Arrival transfer from Marrakech airport to our hotel. Be sure to arrive in time for our welcome meeting at 18:00. The rest of the day is free, if time permits explore the rambling souk, local sights and Djemaa el Fna (the main square). Overnight - Marrakech (D)
Day 2: Gorge du Dades
Marrakech - Dades Gorge. Leaving Marrakech we drive through the Dades Gorge, an awe-inspiring valley which extends from the High Atlas to the Jebel Sarhro range in the south.

The Atlas Mountains span some 2,090km covering vast regions of Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia. The mountain chain comprise of a series of parallel ranges running west to east including the Anti-Atlas, High Atlas and Middle Atlas. With an average elevation of 3350 metres, the Atlas claims the highest peak of North Africa. The Berbers (original inhabitants of North Africa) built many impressive kasbahs on the mountain steep and in the valley gorges for defence purposes. En route to Dades Gorge we pass many of these medieval kasbahs and stop at one of the highest vantage points to enjoy a cup of sweet minted tea and take in panoramic views of the impressive snow capped mountain vista. Overnight - Gorge du Dades (B, L, D)
Marrakech & Beyond - 8 Days Go Guide : :Check out the go guide for details of the tour, info on visas, climate, money, what to bring and more!

Day 3: Todra Gorge
Dades Gorge - Todra Gorge. The morning is spent at Dades Gorge where you can choose to partake in a leisurely walk/hike through the simple local villagesand foothills of the gorge or spend the morning at leisure.

After a hearty lunch we drive onward to Todra Gorge. The gorge is one of the most dramatic sights to be seen anywhere in Morocco. Created millions of years ago, the striking gorge snakes its way through the rugged mountain range. The final 600 m of the Todra gorge are spectacular as the canyon narrows to a flat stony track as little as 10m wide in places with sheer and smooth rock walls up to 160m high on each side.

It's an easy walk through the rosy red gorge and often we have the opportunity to partake in an afternoon session of rock climbing or (in summer) horse riding (book/pay locally). With such spectacular scenery, ever changing colours of the rock face and the hubbub of locals passing through herding camels or selling their wares, it’s the perfect place to stop a while. Late this afternoon we visit the village co-operative where hundreds of hand made Berber rugs, kilims and carpets are displayed and offered for sale. Overnight - Todra Gorge (B, L, D)

Day 4: Camel trek into the Sahara
Todra Gorge - Erg Chebbi sand dunes. Crossing Jebel Sarhro, we enjoy lunch and a swim before travelling down to Erg Chebbi sand dunes, the start point of the mighty Sahara Desert. The Erg Chebbi dunes located near the remote frontier town of Merzouga are renowned for their incredible height and size. In parts the vast sand pile reaches skyward to heights of 150 metres!.

The desert winds ensure this astonishing landscape isforever changing and no two days offer the same panorama. Mounting our subservient camels, they relaxedly glide across the desert sands as we happily photograph and take in the breathtaking scenery. Arriving at our simple Berber camp, we enjoy dinner and a night under the Saharan stars. Overnight - Berber Camp (B, L, D)

Day 5: Ouarzazate
Erg Chebbi - Ouarzazate. After a stunning sunrise and a tranquil and ambient ride back to our frontier post (camel HQ) there is time to freshen up before driving to the verdant Draa valley. Besides the natural, historical and architectural wonders that the Draa Valley offers, there are also small villages along the valley where time seems to stand still, so little is the effect of modernity on them. Here, women are fully and always veiled while washing their clothes on the riverbanks and the watchful men seem distant, unaccustomed to foreign visitors. These people, besides speaking Arabic also speak their own dialect of the Berber vernacular, called Tashelhiyt.

Along the route of 1000 Kasbahs, we continue on to Ouarzazate, (pronounced as wazza-zat). Sitting at an altitude of 1160 metres in the middle of a barren plateau, Ouarzazate lies at the cross roads of all routes going north, south, east, and west. Its geographical position has made it a key trading post in both ancient and modern times. Capital of a large province, the towns' northern limits run along the southern aspect of the High Atlas and its southern boundary disappears back into the ever present and mysterious Saharan Desert. Today, the area is still essentially populated by Berber people, who were constructors of the numerous fortified kasbahs and dwellings for which the region is famous. After hotel check in, consider a late afternoon swim. Overnight - Ouarzazate (B, L, D)

Day 6: Ait Benhaddou
Ouarzazate - Ait Benhaddou - Marrakech.This morning you can opt to go quad bike riding or visit the film studio that produced Lawrence of Arabia, Alexander the Great, The Last Temptation of Christ and The Living Daylights.

Arriving at nearby fortified city of Ait Benhaddou - built for defence purposes high on a hill with a bubbling steam within it shadows, the stunningly well preserved medieval city is a true highlight of our tour. Famously used as a backdrop in the film 'Gladiator', its beauty is unequal to any other fortified village in south Morocco. Overnight - Marrakech (B, L, D)

Day 7: Djemaa el Fna
This morning we enjoy a guided tour of old Marrakech. Set within the rose-coloured walls of the medina and a tangle of winding streets lead to bustling souks, the focal point is the central square, the Djemaa el Fna, an extraordinary gathering and market place. Full of colour, spicy aromas and traders it is best seen in the evening when overflowing with food stalls, dancers, acrobats, fortune tellers, musicians and henna artists. Towering over all this is the Koutoubia mosque, the tallest building in the city and a reminder of the importance of Islam to the lives of the city’s residents.

Spend the afternoon at leisure, pamper yourself at the local hammam or further explore the city your own way. Overnight - Marrakech (B)
Day 8: Marrakech
Saturday. Breakfast. Spend the morning relaxing or picking up a few last minute souvenirs. Our tour concludes upon hotel check out at 12 noon. (B)



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Holidays in Morocco - Summer In High Atlas

HIGH ATLAS

The High Atlas is the largest of the trekking regions in Morocco and one of the most accessible, being little more than 1 hour’s drive from Marrakech and even less from Taroudant.  This region offers the widest range of walking and trekking experiences and some of the most dramatic scenery.
All abilities are catered for: from those who are looking for casual day hikes, to the more experienced who might want longer treks and (in the summer) to ascend Mt Toubkal, the highest peak in North Africa, to those who are seeking expeditions through challenging terrains.

Trekking Locations
Trekking options depart from the following locations:
Afensou
Just under an hour’s drive north of Taroudant in the foothills of the western High Atlas Mountains, is the trekking base, a charming little Berber guest house in a marvellous setting at an altitude of 800m on a hillside overlooking the village of Afensou.
Amizmiz Area
Just under an hour’s drive west of Marrakech in the foothills of the High Atlas Mountains, this is an attractive and peaceful region, being less well known to trekkers than Imlil, Ourika or Ouirgane. En route you’ll see the Lalla Takerkoust lake.
Imlil Treks
Ninety minutes' drive south of Marrakech is the busy village of Imlil, the main trekking centre in the Marrakech region due to its proximity to the highest peak Mount Toubkal (4,167 metres) and the convergence of several valleys and passes.
M’Goun Valley
The M'Goun massif offers some of the best walking in Morocco, as well as fantastic local architecture. This remote area is visually very distinctive, being composed of long crested ridges, escarpments and deep gorges.

Ouirgane Treks

Located in an attractive bowl in the mountain in the High Atlas Mountains, Ouirgane is a Berber village one hour’s drive south west of Marrakech. It is a popular centre for rustic hotels, day walks and longer treks to the Mt Toubkal and Amizmiz areas.

Day 1
08.00am, transfer east from Marrakech with 4x4 into the Atlas Mountains to Demnate , Imi n'Ifri, Ait Blal and Tizi n'Techt , 2200m, 3 hours on road and track. Picnic lunch . Meet muleteers. Down to Ait Boulli valley near Abachkou. Camp near Abachkou 2 hours 30 minutes walking: down 400m
Day 2
To N'Rougoult village and then climbing a small path to the small village Ifri n'Ait Kherfella Camp near Ifri bergeries up to the village ( 2500m), 7 hours walking: up 900m
Day 3
Through a pass around 3000m high and down to the Arous valley. Camp near Ikkis summer shelters, 2200m. In the afternoon visit the Arous gorges. 5 hours walking : up 600m , down 800m
Day 4
Back to Ait Bougmez valley, meet the 4x4 near Tirouza village and back to Marrakech after picnic . Arrival around 6.30 pm 3 hours walking: down 400m
Number of people
Price per person £ 2 3 4 5 6
01 Nov 2009 - 31 Oct 2010 565 410 340 355 325
5 days trek in the Jbel Mgoun area. Grade ** (HAC5)

Day 1
08.00am, transfer east from Marrakech with 4x4 into the Atlas Mountains to Demnate, Imi n'Ifri, Ait Blal and Tizi n'Techt , 2200m. Down to Abachkou. 3H30 on road and track. Picnic lunch . Meet muleteers. Begin trek to N'Rougoult village, Camp near N'Rougoult. 1850m 2 hours 30 minutes: up 300m
Day 2
Toward Tizi n'Rougoult pass , 2900m, following a small mountain stream . Camp near Pass 6 hours walking : up 1100m
Day 3
Through a pass ' 3100m, reach a large plateau with a lot of summer shepherd hut. Reach Tessaout river and springs. 2800m high under Mgoun summit range Camp near Tessaout stream 7 hours walking: up 400m, down 400m
Day 4
Through a pass around 3000m high and down to the Arous valley, camp near Ikkis summer shelters, 2200m. In the afternoon visit the Arous gorges. 6 hours walking: up 600m , down 800m
Day 5
back to Ait Bougmez valley, meet the minibus near Tirouza village and back to Marrakech after picnic . Arrival around 6.30 pm 3 hours walking: down 400m
Number of people
Price per person £ 2 3 4 5 6
01 Nov 2009 - 31 Oct 2010 655 475 400 405 370
5 days trek in the Jbel Mgoun area. Grade ** (HAC6)

Day 1
Transfer east from Marrakech by taxi or minibus into the Atlas Mountains to the Ait Bougmez Valley, 4 hours 30 minutes on roads. Picnic lunch en route. Overnight in Maison d'H�te near Tabant (1800m) or g�te.
Day 2
Cross the Ait Bougmez Valley , and climb the tizi n'Ait Imi pass ( 2900m) camp overnight near Tighremt n'Ait Ahmed 6 hours 30 minutes walking
Day 3
Along the Mgoun river, through the Ouzirimt valley, camp near Igherm Izdern, 6 hours walking
Day 4
Entering the narrow gorges. In May and June if the water level is too high there are alternative routes through Tizi n'Ait Ahmed pass (2900 m) ). Camp at Tiranimine 2020m 6 hours walking
Day 5
To Aguerzeka and Issoumar. Camp near Bou Trarar. 6 hours walking
Day 6
Along the river to Timtiguit and A�t Said, 2 hours 30 minutes walking. End of trek, we meet up with minibus which take us the short distance south to El Kelaa M'Gouna, and journey down the Dades Valley, to Ouarzazate and Marrakech through tizi n'Tichka, arriving in Marrakech around 06.00 pm. 2 hours 30 minutes walking



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Summit and the Ait Imi {morocco} Spring

Summit and the Ait Imi Spring


A Flowing Spring
Have you recently said: “…part of my next holiday abroad will include a trek.”? Travelers with a sense of adventure find Trekking M’Goun to be a must, an escape from the Toubkal throngs. M’Goun is in the Ait Bougmez valley within the High Atlas mountains. The region is largely unmapped and unknown to outsiders, so a trek here uncovers some of the “real” morocco.
Hidden throughout the Ait Bougmez valley are Berber villages, Barbary Monkeys, and other wildlife to make the experience even more captivating. An Ait Bougmez trek is limited to the summer months between May to October, when the snow has melted at the summits. The weather in this area is less than ideal at the other times of the year, and trekking here can become hazardous.  

Morocco tours to M’Goun vary widely in the number of days. There are some treks which take three days while others can last for over seven. One in particular that you might enjoy takes you from Agouti to M’Goun before ending at the Ait Imi Spring. The particular trip takes six days and five nights. There are four to six hours of trekking a day, with a 10 hour car ride. The car ride takes you from Marrakesh to Agouti and back on the sixth day.

Day one begins with the drive to Agouti where you will begin trekking High Atlas Mountains towards the M’Goun Valley. You will reach Azibnikis on the first day.  This is 2200 meters above sea level. Day two is filled with trekking to Targdit Col where you will have lunch. As you trek on day two you will be hiking up in the morning to 3450 meters.  After lunch you descend to 2900 meters as you reach the Targdit Plateau for your evening gite or campsite stay.

The plateau is close to a village, where you may relax for the evening before the trek the next day.  Day three brings you to the 4068 meter peak of M’Goun.  To hike to the summit you will need five hours following zigzag paths behind the mules.  If you wish to hike to Oulilimit Springs which is at 2600 meters you will need to hike for eight hours. If set up as a Morocco eco tour, your family will be closer and tired, but build memories of a superb journey.
The Oulilimit Springs are a wonderful respite for the evening if you have the energy to hike farther.  If not you will have to wait until morning.  From Oulilimit you will trek to Tighremet Nait Ahmed, which is located at 2300 meters.  You will travel through the Afelfal springs. The evening will be spent at an old lodge.  You can take cover in the lodge which is no longer in use or camp under a tent.

Tighremet Nait Ahmed will lead you to Tizi Mait Imi at 2900 meters before you reach the Ait Imi Spring at 1900 meters.  There is a reservoir in the area allowing you to cool down, relax and visit the Sidi Moussa Shrine as you make Timit for the evening.  The last day will take you back to Marrakesh, but if you wish for a custom Morocco holiday you may stop at the Ouzoud Waterfall on your way back.



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