Morroco holiday, Atlas Mountains and Kasbah Trails
| country: | Morocco |
| location: | Atlas Mountains |
| trip type: | Introductory walking holidays |
| departures: | 2009: 21 Nov, 23 Dec 2010: 13 Feb, 6 Mar, 27 Mar, 29 May, 19 Jun, 18 Sep, 23 Oct, 13 Nov, 18 Dec 2011: 19 Feb, 12 Mar, 16 Apr, 28 May, 18 Jun, 17 Sep, 22 Oct, 12 Nov, 17 Dec |
| price: | From £729 - £969 (13 days) including flights from the UK. From £489 - £729 excluding flights. Local payment 80 GBP. |
| vouchers: | Gift vouchers can be used with this holiday |
read 5 travellers reviews
the amazing things you'll be doing
Active journey through the heart of magical Morocco
Imperial Cities & Sahara Desert
From the modern powerhouse of Casablanca and capital Rabat you head to the cities of the past, imperial Meknes and medieval Fez, with their fantastic architecture and lively souks. You’ll also visit the pilgrimage site of Moulay Idriss and Roman ruins at Volubilis before heading into the Sahara Desert. Witness the raw beauty of the rolling sand dunes and trek with camels to sleep in an atmospheric Bedouin camp.
Atlas Mountains & Marrakech
You strike west via the towering Todra Gorge to the Valley of the Roses where you’ll stay for two nights in a Berber village giving you the chance to take day walks in the Atlas Mountains. After following the ‘Valley of the Kasbahs’ you’ll explore the famous and picturesque Ait Benhaddou kasbah before crossing the Tizi-n-Tichka pass to the climax of your adventure – exotic Marrakech with its vibrant souks.
Imperial Cities & Sahara Desert
From the modern powerhouse of Casablanca and capital Rabat you head to the cities of the past, imperial Meknes and medieval Fez, with their fantastic architecture and lively souks. You’ll also visit the pilgrimage site of Moulay Idriss and Roman ruins at Volubilis before heading into the Sahara Desert. Witness the raw beauty of the rolling sand dunes and trek with camels to sleep in an atmospheric Bedouin camp.
Atlas Mountains & Marrakech
You strike west via the towering Todra Gorge to the Valley of the Roses where you’ll stay for two nights in a Berber village giving you the chance to take day walks in the Atlas Mountains. After following the ‘Valley of the Kasbahs’ you’ll explore the famous and picturesque Ait Benhaddou kasbah before crossing the Tizi-n-Tichka pass to the climax of your adventure – exotic Marrakech with its vibrant souks.
day-by-day itinerary
| Day 1: | Flight To Casablanca After your flight, transfer to your first night’s accommodation and check in. Hotel - 1 night |
| Day 2: | Casablanca, Rabat & Meknes This morning you will have an overview of Casablanca, Morocco’s business centre, and the chance to visit the Hasan II mosque , the only mosque in Morocco that allows entry to non-Muslims (entrance fee payable locally). En route to Meknes you will stop in the country’s capital, Rabat, which is much quieter than its commercial neighbour. In the afternoon you’ll visit the city of Meknes, a place full of history and intrigue. The focal point of the old medina is the Bab Mansour, the gate that leads to Moulay Ismail's old imperial city and the mosques, souks and palaces beyond. (Total driving time approx. 2 hr 45 min) Hotel - 1 night (B) |
| Day 3: | Moulay Idriss, Roman Volubilis & Fes This morning you drive to the shrine town and pilgrimage centre of Moulay Idriss (approx. 40 min), with houses and mosques set amongst two rocky outcrops. Built with materials plundered from Volubilis, Moulay Idriss was closed to non-Muslims until 1912. After exploring this area you head south east to some of the most comprehensive and ancient ruins in the kingdom. Some 1900 years ago, Volubilis was one of the farthest flung outposts of the Roman Empire. Archaeologists found remarkable mosaics forming the floors of several houses lining the Decumanus Maximus. You can see representations of the Labours of Hercules and the Chariot of Amphitrite, (which is drawn by a seahorse), as well as the famous 'Nymphs Bathing'. Wandering among the ruins of the basilica, the capitol, oil press and the great houses of Orpheus and Ephebus, it's easy to imagine what life was like 2000 years ago. After looking around the ruins you head to Fez for the evening (approx. 1 ½ hours). Hotel – 2 nights (B) |
| Day 4: | Fez; city tour Fez, the cultural capital, is one of the most complete medieval Islamic cities in the world. Passing through the gates and walls into the alleyways beyond transports you back in time. The streets are just as they were when they were built in the 8th century, with high walls that protect the courtyards inside from the heat of the midday sun. Enormous theosophical colleges, beautiful mosques and fascinating souks spilling their goods onto the pavement are all part of the scene. You'll take a walking tour to some of the major points of interest as well as having free time to wander at leisure. You’ll visit the Place an-Nejjarine, where an ancient caravanserai overlooks a fountain; wander outside the great Qayrawan mosque passing 14th century merchant's shops; or head to the tanneries, where leather is stained in vats of strikingly coloured dyes. In the souk al-Attarine, the scent of exotic spices fills the air and close by a hammam (traditional bathhouse) steams away the stresses of life. (B) |
| Day 5: | Merzouga Sand Sea A change of scenery today as you leave the crowded streets of old Fez behind and set out across the mountains to the desert. There is a long drive ahead (9 hours), but using a chartered bus enables us to make frequent stops along the way. The wilderness you cross is incredibly diverse and can vary from rocky, sun-baked plains, to cedar-clad mountains and deep canyons. In the hills south of Azrou, you may be lucky to spot a troupe of Barbary Apes; in fact not a true ape but a species of Macaque monkey. Once over the mountains you head to the old garrison town of Erfoud and continue on to Merzouga, where hopefully you’ll arrive in time to see the sun setting over the vast expanse of rolling desert dunes. Resthouse with shared rooms – 1 night (B) |
| Day 6: | Camel Trek & Desert Camp The great ‘sand sea’ of Merzouga, a beautiful area of fine, apricot-coloured sand, stretches as far as the eye can see. The best time to experience its beauty is at dawn when sunrise over this incredible landscape is breathtaking. After sunrise, you can investigate the dunes further or take time to relax with a refreshing glass of mint tea in the small auberge. As the sun descends in the afternoon you commence your two-hour trek by camel to this evening’s camp in the desert (those who prefer may walk). You dine on traditional Moroccan fare under clear starry skies and sleep in large Bedouin-style tents. With luck your camel drivers and camp staff may sing and play drums to round off the magical atmosphere of the evening. Camp – 1 night (BD) |
| Day 7: | Todra Gorge; walk In the morning you mount your camels once more and head back to Merzouga (approx. 2 hour) where you have time to shower and take breakfast before boarding the vehicle. Retracing your steps through Erfoud, you reach the main road and turn south-west to the dramatic Todra Gorge, a spectacular gash in the hills that surround Tinerhir. The region is dotted with deserted kasbahs, palmeries and mud-brick villages creating a photographer’s paradise. The cliffs loom above as you approach the mouth of Todra Gorge. Rising to 300m, the honey-coloured hues of the sheer face change constantly as the sun moves across the sky. Local Berber people can often be seen moving their herds through the gorge and are apt to greet you as you pass. This afternoon you have the chance to take a walk in this impressive gorge and possibly spot a rare Bonelli’s Eagle that nest on the cliffs. Total driving time approx. 3 1/2 hours Hotel - 1 night (B) |
| Day 8: | Bou Trarar; Atlas Mountains The day begins with a short drive from Todra via Boumalne to Dades Gorge. In Ait Youl you meet a local taxi and drive to your gite in the village of Bou Trarar. This will be your base for the next two nights to let you explore the Mgoun Valley and the Valley of the Roses on foot. The Berber house/gite where you stay is a simple mud and brick affair which blends almost imperceptibly into the landscape. There are a couple of large rooms for eating and sleeping, normally furnished with carpets. The flat roof serves as a terrace where you can sleep if it is warm and there is a toilet, washbasin and shower. You’ll eat and sleep communally in the rooms, so there is little place for false modesty. This afternoon you’ll head out into the surrounding countryside for a walk. There are several alternate routes but you’ll be out for about two and a half hours (total driving time approx. 2 hours). Gite (multi-share) - 2 nights (BLD) |
| Day 9: | Bou Trarar; walks Today you’ll head out for a full day’s walk in the mountains following rough mule tracks with little to disturb the peace. After a few hours you’ll find some shade and stop for an informal picnic lunch. There’s no hurry, so it’s nice to relax in the midday heat and enjoy the timeless beauty of the landscape. There are no particularly steep climbs, although it can be rough underfoot and quite tiring in the summer heat. The route can vary depending on conditions and the group’s ability but will invariably take in some great views of the cultivated valleys and the chance to explore local villages. The area is very traditional and gives off an air of timeless tranquillity (approx. 5-6 hrs walking today). (BLD) |
| Day 10: | Ait Benhaddou Local taxis again pick you up and take you to rejoin your main vehicle. You drive along the Route des Kasbahs as you head for Ouarzazate and beyond to Ait Benhaddou (approx. 3 hours). This is probably the best-preserved fortified ksour (a collection of kasbahs) in the country. With its dramatic walls of red earth, slit windows and crumbling towers, it is a magnificent example of a traditional stronghold. Chosen as a location for Hollywood films such as Lawrence of Arabia, Jewel in the Nile and more recently Gladiator, Ait Benhaddou sits upon a lofty pinnacle of rock overlooking a river. Dating from around the 15th century, its importance as a trading post gradually waned and today's inhabitants eke a living from farming - and as film extras! Hotel - 1 night (B) |
| Day 11: | Marrakech; city tour & souks This morning there is time to visit the kasbah before making the drive across Tizi-n-Tichka (2260m), the highest of the three mountain passes which cross the dramatic High Atlas. You witness an extraordinary transition as you descend again - the barren slopes of shattered rock on the southern side give way to green valleys as you descend from the treeless summit. Having crossed the plains you come to the evocative city of Marrakech. Even today the name conjures up images of scenes from the Arabian Nights: alleyways, souks, stalls and markets. This remarkable city, dating from the 11th century, never fails to satisfy the curiosity of adventurous travellers. It has everything, from the graceful architecture of the renowned Koutoubia Minaret which dominates the skyline, to the wonderful throbbing atmosphere of a medieval fair in the great open square, the Djemaa el-Fna, at the heart of the medina. Hotel - 2 nights (B) The hotel is located just outside the city walls around the old Medina. It is about a 25 minute walk to the main square Djemaa el Fna but close to local shops and restaurants. |
| Day 12: | Marrakech; city tour & souks This morning you start with a walking tour of the city centre to get your bearings and make your way into the sprawling souk. As is usual in a souk, individual trades and crafts are concentrated in one street or area, so the shoemakers are all next to each other, as are the jewellers, the potters, weavers etc. This must be the best place in Morocco to hone one’s haggling skills and you are sure to be tempted by some of the wonderful variety of merchandise on display, even if it's only a packet of exotic spices or a trinket. The rest of the day is free for you to fully explore Marrakech and the delights it has to offer. You could take in the Palais de la Bahia, built at the end of the 19th century for Si’ Ahmed ben Musa, the Grand Vizier of Soultan Moulay al Hassan. Only part of the palace is open as the royal family still makes use of a fair proportion of the building. The beautiful courtyards and splendid living quarters provide a picture of a grand bygone lifestyle. Another possibility is the Dar Si Said, housing the Museum of Moroccan Arts. This former royal townhouse now contains beautiful art and craftwork from all corners of the country. If you prefer you can simply return to the souk and search for bargains, or sit at one of the many cafes on the Djemaa el-Fna and watch Marrakech life go by. (B) |
| Day 13: | Fly to London The trip ends for Land Only clients. Clients on group flights to the UK transfer to the airport for your flight to London. (B) |
| Day 14-16: | Optional Essaouira Extension Day 1-12 as itinerary aboveDay 13: Today you leave Marrakech and head west to the Atlantic coast and the former pirate’s lair of Essaouira, one of Morocco’s most attractive coastal cities (approx. 3 hours). The wild waves of the Atlantic crash remorselessly onto the rocky coastline of this old pirate’s hideout. The maze of narrow lanes with tiny cafes look out onto small squares encircled by Portuguese, Berber and French battlements. Two fortresses look out over the ocean and on an offshore island stands another, even larger castle. As befits a seaport and large swathe of sandy beach, the pace of life is more relaxed here and the whitewashed streets lend a truly Mediterranean air to the city. Hotel - 2 nights (B) Day 14: We recommend a stroll around the lively old port which is full of colour and interest. The early morning is the best time - when fishermen can be seen bringing in their catch or mending their nets. The harbour was once the lair of pirates who sailed out to plunder richly laden ships that passed along the coast. The day is free to relax so you can wander as you please. Take a leisurely stroll along the ramparts, visit the little workshops that specialise in ornate inlaid work using thuya wood (an aromatic local conifer) or enjoy a meal of freshly cooked sardines down on the quayside (make sure you agree the price first!). For those wanting to stretch their legs there is a large expansive beach with a crumbling castle at the far end said to have inspired Jimi Hendrix to write Castles made of Sand – real aficionados can continue their walk to Diabet, the village where he used to live. (B) Day 15: You have the morning at leisure and in the afternoon you transfer back to Marrakech. Hotel – 1 night (B) Day 16: The trip ends for Land Only clients. Those on group flights to the UK transfer to the airport and fly to London. (B) |
B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner
travellers' tales
We all got on very well and I know that everyone came back home enriched, but we are all so grateful to our wonderful group leader Youssef Bousdour who provided us with a magic carpet and communicated his deep love and respect for his country. (more)
small group adventure holiday
Typically you will be sharing your experiences with between 4-20 like minded travellers (depending on the trip, operator and how many others are booked on the trip) and you'll have a group leader with you. Whether you are travelling alone or with friends its good value, and a great way to meet new people! While itineraries are pre-planned there is some flexibility and you'll have plenty of privacy. This trip will appeal to travellers of all ages who enjoy meeting new people as well as seeing new places. how this holiday makes a difference
|
On this trip: Our policy of staying in locally owned accommodation, having local guides and group leaders and using transport owned and operated by local people wherever possible is continued in Morocco. Our small groups (maximum of 16 people) have a minimal impact on the fragile environment as we explore predominantly on foot. All tour guides are responsible for ensuring that the guests understand the nature of the environment that they are in and minimise the impact that they may have. We collect and dispose of all litter, purify all drinking water instead of using bottled water, and use responsible cooking fuels (kerosene) instead of wood.
We have joined forces with Kasbah du Toubkal and Room to Read to assist in providing educational books for schools in Morocco. If you would like to offer your support to the project, please bring with you any educational books that will appeal to students from ages 5-18. Books can be in any range of subjects: children's story books, basic literacy and numeracy, geography, history, Tin Tin.... English/French dictionaries or any other educational equipment, pens, pencils, calculators, writing pads etc would also be gladly received. Please bear in mind when making your choice of books that Morocco is an Islamic country. Your group leader will take your contribution from you on arrival and happily tell you more about the project. For further details see www.roomtoread.org. Our Responsible Travel Code: Clients who travel with us will automatically receive a copy of our Responsible Travel leaflet. This contains details and advice on how you can make a positive difference when you travel. If you would like a copy in advance of travel please contact us. Charity Partnerships: We work in partnership with Plan International. Plan works with some of the world’s poorest communities where three out of four children die before the age of five. We also support Friends of Conservation – an international charity committed to working with local people to develop a balance between their needs and the wildlife with which they share the natural habitat and ecosystems. Carbon Balancing: Global warming is a real issue and is a direct result of your travel. We have teamed up with Climate Care to give you the opportunity to offset the carbon emissions from your flight. You’ll be asked upon booking if you want to donate – with set amounts from £5. As a company we offset the carbon emissions from all staff travel in full. Our Foundation: We’ve highlighted a few of the ways in which we offer our support, financially or otherwise, and now you can, too. We have set up our own foundation, which will administer funds donated by you. A small donation of £1 per person will be taken when booking a holiday and that money will be put to good use by one of our carefully selected projects. If you don’t want to make the donation, just tell us when you book. |
Tourism can be good and bad for destinations & local people. We carefully screen every holiday against our criteria for responsible travel. 'Look behind the brochure' to find how each holiday makes a difference (see left). We don't claim to be perfect - there is no global accreditation - but we've led the way since 2001 and screened 1000's of holidays. We invite every traveller to write a review about their experiences and responsible tourism. This valuable feedback is sent to the people who run the holidays. We keep a very close eye on it and take off holidays that don't live up to our standards. |