Activity Tour In Morocco

Marrakech is a city like no other. A meeting place for the mountain Berbers and the desert people of the south for centuries, Morocco’s ‘Red City’ boasts a staggering array of spectacular architecture and wonderful facades, where trade and barter amongst the colourful souks still renders its ancient heart a glittering cacophony of noise and colour. Founded by the Almoravids, the city began life as a fortified ksour, before a comprehensive building programme under Ali Ben Youssef saw the city blossom into an imperial capital.  It was during the 12th century that Marrakech enjoyed its golden age, when the Almohad dynasty took control and the city saw an influx of poets and scholars and its streets took on some of the grandeur that we see before us today. There are no planned activities for our first day, so you may like to take some time to enjoy something of the city before a tour briefing prior to dinner.

Overnight Standard Hotel (H+)

Departing Marrakech after breakfast we head south, crossing over the Tizi ‘n Tichka Pass (2600m) and following a meandering course that takes us deep into the towering peaks of the Atlas Mountains. North Africa’s greatest mountain range, the High Atlas presents us with some of the country’s wildest landscapes, a region culturally removed from the rest of Morocco and one that has provided a barrier between the northern plains and the pre-Sahara for centuries. This is the land of the fiercely independent Berbers, the “Lords of the Atlas”, whose traditions and ways still hold sway up here in their mountain strongholds far away from the cities below. The Berbers present us with a unique view of a way of life lost to the rest of North Africa, where music and dance, even language and religion, are far removed from their Arab neighbours. Our morning’s journey brings us past the ruined Glaoui kasbah of Telouet to the fortified village of Anmiter, lying at the end of the tarmac road. Here we join our mules and, at a more relaxed pace, follow a winding track with stunning views onto the small village of Tourza where we spend the night in a remote, local gite high above the valley.

Overnight Gite (H) Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We spend some time this morning hiking through the valley in this remote corner of the Atlas before meeting our vehicles again and returning to the the Tizi n’ Tichka pass, the highest vehicular access route in the Atlas Mountains. Heading down the southern slopes of the High Atlas we reach the Berber village of Ait Ben Haddou. A UNESCO Heritage Site, dramatically located along a fertile hillside, Ait Ben Haddou presents us with one of Morocco’s most famous locations, a once important stop along the old trading routes between Marrakech and Ouarzazate during the 16th century and a superb example of a typical fortified ksar.

Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch

This morning we take to the saddle once more, but this time utilising two wheels as we make our way by bike from Ait Ben Haddou and down towards the fertile landscapes of the Draa Valley and the town of Ouarzazate. Known as the Doorway to the Desert this fascinating outpost, lying to the south of the High Atlas and sandwiched between the high mountains and the expansive sands of the Sahara is home to one of the largest movie studios in the world. The Atlas Film Studios can boast an impressive list of productions, including The Mummy, Gladiator, Babel, Kingdom of Heaven and Lawrence of Arabia and we we’ll pay a visit to the studios today, taking a tour of some of the famous film sets before we depart and continue through the beautiful Draa Valley. Continuing by bus from Ouarzazate we cross a landscape lined with palm groves, Kasbahs and traditional ksours (villages), as we make our way to the village of Tamnougalt to explore what was once the capital of this remote desert region. The village’s name translates as ‘meeting point’ and its history has been interwoven with the ruling caids of the Mezguita region for centuries. Even today it hosts an annual festival in October when all the surrounding villages gather for a celebration of the religious and cultural traditions of these hardy people. Please note: cycle helmets will be provided, but you may wish to bring your own to ensure a good fit.

Overnight Kasbah (H) Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Turning south today we follow the course of the Draa River, spending the morning driving through the ever-changing scenery as we make our way towards the vast oasis of Zagora, referred to by many as The Gate of the Desert. Once a major outpost along the caravan routes, it is apparently 52 days by camel to Timbuktu, or so a nearby sign indicates! From here we continue to the outer fringes of the great Saharan Desert. Amidst this seemingly inhospitable landscape the desert heat causes the air to blur and quiver, creating mirages that shimmer in the soaring temperatures, the ideal setting to explore in the time honoured manner of the Tuareg nomads. Close to the small settlement of Oulad Driss we will take to camels, forming our own ‘caravan’, to trek to our overnight camp. The Arabian camel is ideally suited to these conditions and has long been highly prized by the nomadic peoples of the desert. Living for up to 40 years, they are not only valued for there endurance as beasts of burden, but also for their fur, skin and dung, all of which can be utilised for tents, leather and fuel for the fires. Reaching our wild desert camp we enjoy a late afternoon of bread making, before settling down under a desert sky for the evening. After a hearty Berber-style meal we enjoy a night under the twinkling blanket of an African sky and, rather than sleeping in tents, you may choose simply to sleep out in the open, enjoying the rare majesty of the setting and watching out for shooting stars racing across the horizon.

Overnight Basic Camping (C) Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Returning from the desert by camel this morning we then re-trace our steps north, following the valley back up towards the settlement of Tamegroute to visit its famous 17th century zaouia, one of the most important in the Moroccan Sahara. This was once a centre of great learning and the base of the Naciri Brotherhood, who for centuries held sway over the tribes of the Draa Valley. The holy leaders of Tamegroute were traditionally (up until quite recent times) the arbitrators of desert disputes, settling differences amongst the residents of the surrounding kours and the traders that passed through these lands on the great camel caravans that journeyed through Zagora. We’ll also pay a visit to the local potters cooperative, before continuing back to Zagora this afternoon.

Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Included meals: Breakfast

Turning west this morning, in the shadow of Jebel Bani, we reach the small oasis settlement of Foum-Zquid. We then follow the course of a seasonal river through a wide valley that is dotted with oases and ksars. Passing through Tissint we continue to our night stop in the town of Tata, a desert oasis whose pink painted buildings provide a distinctly scenic backdrop to the colourful, sari-robed womenfolk of the settlement. The drive today takes us across the heart of the Sous region and the Anti-Atlas, the remote landscapes and stark contrasts more than making up for the long and at times bumpy journey.

Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Included meals: Breakfast

The Anti-Atlas present us with some of the most spectacular scenery in Morocco, the towering majesty of the peaks offering a breathtaking juxtaposition to the lush fertile oases and the almost lunar quality of the landscape. Today we explore part of the Ameln Valley, a land of almonds and palm groves, high mountain scenery and the ancestral homeland of the Ameln, probably the most renowned of all the 6 tribes that occupy the Anti-Atlas, whose fierce loyalty and financial acumen is revered throughout the region. Our scenic drive west takes us to the town of Tafraoute, the spiritual heart of the Ameln, situated deep in the Anti-Atlas and surrounded by towering rock formations. Set before the imposing ridge of pinkish-brown quartzite known as Jebel Lekst (2359m), the ‘amethyst mountain’, the town lies amidst a landscape of surreal rock formations that have been carved and sculpted by natural erosion over millions of years, the play of light and shadow causing them to shimmer in the desert heat. After a short visit to the Painted Rocks we continue towards our final destination for the day,  following a switch-back track to the Berber village of Tagoudiche, located high up on the slopes of Jebel Lekst (alternatively you could walk up to the village from neighbouring Tamaloukt). Making use of our sleeping bags we will then spend the next two nights sleeping dorm-style in the village’s community house. The house has two large rooms for us to stay in, so you must be prepared for primitive conditions with limited washing facilities. Food will be purchased and prepared by your tour leader, but assisting with washing up is always welcome!

Overnight Village House (H) Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Amid the silence of the mountain valleys the hardy Berbers cultivate fields of barley, wheat, olives, figs, beans, peas and almond groves; their tiny villages a mass of painted flat roofed, stone and mud-cement houses. Tradition is strong amongst these people and social organisation remains uncompromisingly tribal. The exact origin of the Berbers is something of a mystery, but it is known that they were converted to Islam in the 8th century, retaining much of their traditional ways and adopting Arabic as their 2nd language. Driven out from the fertile lowlands, they were forced into the mountains and the desert, where they quickly adapted to the new environments in which they found themselves. Berber lifestyles have changed dramatically over the intervening centuries – the desert tribes evolving a nomadic way of life, whilst their mountain cousins have learnt to become adept farmers, eking out an existence amongst the sparse soils of the higher slopes. One thing they do still share though is a common language and culture, much of which can still be observed today amongst the daily lives of the villagers of Tagoudiche. The charm of the village is in the stillness of its quiet isolation and a free day today affords the chance to witness this at first hand, mixing with the locals and enjoying some unique interaction. Ruled by a strict social code most of these people are farmers or herdsmen and you could choose to spend today soaking up the atmosphere of village life, making the most of what is a rare opportunity to discover something of a largely forgotten culture. For those looking for more active options, you might like to partake in some walking around the area, with easy and moderate hikes available. Alternatively you could join an optional ascent, led by a local mountain guide, to the summit of Jebel Lekst (2359m), a strenuous 8-hour return journey that ascends over 1200m into the surrounding peaks (weather permitting).

Overnight Basic Hotel (H) Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After an early breakfast, we depart from Tagoudiche and we head down through the Anti-Atlas Mountains to the plains and onwards towards the Atlantic Coast (for those that wish it may be possible to walk down to Tamaloukt and meet the vehicles there). En route we will pass through several impressive fortified Kasbah villages and some of the most impressive scenery of our journey, as we make our way first towards the coastal city of Agadir, before reaching our final destination of the day, the resort town of Essaouria. A mecca for water sports enthusiasts, Essaouira is situated within the confines of15th century Portuguese fortifications, where whitewashed houses and traditional fishing boats present a perfect backdrop for our stay. The town has a rich and somewhat colourful history and its importance as a trading port during the 18th and 19th centuries saw it prosper, attracting British, French, Arab and Jewish merchants and sailors to its shores, influences still reflected in the architecture and layout of the town. An interesting, and it has to be said, wholly suspect legend claims the town’s patron saint to be a Scotsman by the name of McDougal, who was believed to have been washed up onto these shores after a storm in the 14th century. Another interesting footnote is that much of Orson Welles’s version of Othello was filmed here, its ramparts and coastline providing a rich and original setting for Shakespeare’s Moorish tragedy. On arrival, early this afternoon, the day has been left free for you to enjoy this lovely spot at your own leisure and we suggest a stroll around the old town or along the fine sandy beach from the harbour. Not to be missed is a visit to the Medina, whose narrow and highly decorated arched entrance hides a wealth locally made rustic leather belts, gleaming gold and silver jewellery and wooden boxes exquisitely inlaid with mother of pearl.

Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Included meals: Breakfast

Essaouira abounds with galleries and workshops, cafes and souks, making it a pleasurable way to pass the early part of the morning, before our departure back towards Marrakech. The four-hour journey back to the city should see us arriving early this afternoon, presenting a chance to join an optional tour of the city with a local guide. Like many North African towns, Marrakech is divided into two distinct parts, the Gueliz (the modern French-built city) and the Medina (the Old City), and a journey into its vibrant centre affords a chance to discover some of its most enthralling sites. The city’s captivating centrepiece is the spectacular Djemma-el-Fna, a scene straight out of the pages of the Arabian Nights., where you will find the streets and alleys alive with storytellers and musicians, jugglers and acrobats, snake charmers and clowns. You can wander past vendors selling doughnuts and fried grasshoppers, enjoy the sounds and the smells of the exotic and meander through native markets where Muslim women, their hands and feet dyed with henna, call out to sell their wares.  Other sites not to be missed are the Koutoubia mosque and tower, Saadian tombs, Ben Youssef medersa, the Dar Si Said Palace (now the Museum of Moroccan Art) and the Menara gardens. Do remember that many of the mosques will be forbidden to non-Muslims and be careful of photographing women, however photogenic they look, as the Moroccans are very sensitive about such things. If you are unsure, it is always best to ask. This evening there may be an opportunity to visit a traditional Hammam.

Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Included meals: Breakfast

Included meals: Breakfast