Visit remote tribes in the mountains, cross awe-inspiring landscapes and experience the raw beauty of this untamed land on a surprising journey that shows you a side of Morocco few have seen.
Morocco is the closest African country to Europe, yet its diverse and enchanting culture and history are a more than a world away. More and more people are starting to discover its many charms, but for the most part visitors stick to a well defined circuit and fail to realise that Morocco can offer so much more. On this trip we delve into regions of Morocco that are very different from the well trodden track, allowing us to see a side of this enigmatic country that few even realise exists, let alone have visited. The Middle Atlas Mountains are home to the semi-nomadic Beni M’Guild tribe, and we spend time exploring this remote region on foot and by vehicle in order to experience the raw beauty of the area and to unlock some of the secrets of its people. Venturing further into the High Atlas, we stay away from the villages on most itineraries and travel through a little known region with spectacular scenery and people who have very little contact with the world beyond the mountains. Finally we head into Morocco’s deep south and the vast expanses of the Sahara, a glorious region of windswept dunes, isolated oases and some of the country’s most remote peoples. This is Morocco as few have seen it before – wild, untamed and raw, beckoning every serious traveller to explore it.
Itinerary
Day 1 - Fes Arrive and settle in to your hotel. This afternoon you will meet your group leader for a briefing on your tour. Overnight Riad Tafilalet or similar.
Day 2 - Fes A guided tour of this fascinating medieval Islamic city, dating back to the 9th century. The medina of Fes is a rabbit warren of streets and quarters where tradesmen ply their trades in much the same way as they have for the last thousand years, and is home to intriguing architecture including some of Morocco’s most important religious sites. We stay in a converted riad in the heart of the medina. Overnight Riad Tafilalet or similar. (B)
Days 3-4 – Middle Atlas Mountains We travel into the little visited Middle Atlas Mountains, home to vast cedar forests, Barbary apes, nomadic tribes and reputedly Morocco’s last population of leopard. The scenery here is spectacular, with isolated lakes and impressive waterfalls, and occasional shepherd’s tents providing evidence of human habitation. We hope to meet some of the semi-nomadic local tribes that live here and take hikes through this area, where few others visit. We will camp or stay in village houses for two nights. (BLD)
Day 5 - Midelt Emerging from the Middle Atlas we head to Midelt on the edge of the barren desert. Near Midelt we visit a local kasbah. Overnight at an auberge on a farm near Midelt. Overnight Auberge Jafaar. (BL)
Days 6-7 – High Atlas Traverse We take two days to cross the formidable High Atlas mountains to Tinehrir. The journey, made by 4wd vehicles, is tough going at times but we are rewarded by stunning scenery and the knowledge that few tourists have travelled this pioneering route. We stop where we can to meet the local tribes people and stay in a village gite one night in the village of Imilchil, high in the mountains, where the local tribal families have a special marriage festival each year. We end our journey at the famous Todra Gorge before checking in to our hotel, built as a kasbah by a local tribal chief early last century. Day 7 – overnight Hotel Tomboctou or similar. (BLD)
Day 8 – Djebel Sarhro – Nkob We cross the Djebel Sarhro Mountains, home to the formidable Ait Atta tribe, en route to the small town of Nkob, where we stay in a hotel built in the style of a local kasbah. Overnight Kasbah Imdoukal or similar. (BLD)
Day 9 – Zagora / Amazrou We head off road on rough pistes to Zagora, exploring remote villages on the way and stopping to look at some of the rock art and engravings which litter this part of Morocco. We finish in the small village of Amazrou on the edge of Zagora, located amongst palm trees and small farmsteads. Overnight Hotel Zagour or similar. (BLD)
Days 10-11 – Desert Exploration We journey into the Sahara accompanied by our nomadic guides and their camels, taking our food and equipment with us. The landscape here is a fascinating combination of barren mountains, small oases, austere desert and tumbling dunes, and is home to some of Morocco’s most remote nomadic tribes, who we hope to encounter. We spend our nights in wild camps amidst stunning scenery and watch the desert stars above our heads – an amazing experience. (BLD)
Day 12 – Ait Ben Haddou We leave the desert behind and head to Ait Ben Haddou, an amazingly well preserved village fortress that was once an important stop on the Saharan trade routes. Overnight Hotel La Kasbah or similar. (BLD)
Day 13 - Marrakech Journey across the mountains to the fabled city of Marrakech, once the meeting place for Morocco’s tribes and today the most exotic and captivating city in the country. Overnight Hotel Islane or similar. (B)
Day 14 - Marrakech Day to explore the city. Tonight we take our final dinner in Djemaa el Fnaa, the huge square that becomes an open air restaurant by night and is also home to acrobats, storytellers and snake charmers. Overnight Hotel Islane or similar. (BD)
Price Includes All accommodation based on twin/double share All transport (4WD vehicles throughout) and transfers Meals as listed above Park entrance fees An English speaking guide
Price does not include International flights Travel insurance Drinks Visa Single Supplement
Departure Dates 20 March 2010, 8 May 2010, 2 October 2010, 19 March 2011, 7 May 2011, 1 October 2011 --------------------------------------------------------
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Our trip was wonderful- The staff in Angola met all of our expectations and went above and beyond- a special thanks to Ray who met us at airport, got us started on our trip, entertained us at the Flamigo Lodge and met us again on our return to Lumabgo and took us to airport for our departure to Namibia
