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GEOLOGY OF THE SURROUNDINGS OF MARRAKECH

GEOLOGY OF THE SURROUNDINGS OF MARRAKECH

GEOLOGY OF THE SURROUNDINGS OF MARRAKECH Mount Toubkal: GEOLOGY OF THE SURROUNDINGS OF MARRAKECH On a local geological map we see 3 main groups: The Haouz The High Atlas of Marrakech The Jebilets The city of Marrakech is built on a large sloping surface from the feet of the High Atlas in the south to the valley of the Wadi Tensift: the plain, or rather the piedmont, of Haouz. To the north extend the peeled hills of Jebilets crossed by the road to Casablanca. The Haouz plain is made up of the products of the erosion of the High Atlas mountains by torrents. These torrential alluviums are made up of gravel and gravel and silt, particularly suitable for the cultivation of fruit trees. The Jebilet are mainly made up of old detrital sediments deposited in the primary era, then folded and faulted and recrystallized, predominantly gray to yellowish in color. They represent the heavily eroded remains of an ancient mountain range. The High Atlas of Marrakech is a young mountain range, contemporary with the Alps in Europe. It consists of sedimentary rocks of reddish color (sandstone, sandstone clays) or yellowish-white (limestone) mainly deposited in the marine environment during the secondary era and which were folded and fractured during the tertiary era. These rocks are based on an older set of rather grayish to yellowish color, which was folded and fractured during the primary era like the Jebilet. This “Hercynian base” outcrops in the center of the chain, as in Tizi n’Tichka, Jebel Toubkal, it includes grayish schists and in particular granites. Elements of geology for tourists in a hurry The geology of the Marrakech region provides a good illustration of continental drift (plate tectonics) which can be summarized as follows: – the continental masses move away (extension): the liberated spaces fill with marine sediments – the continental masses approach and collide (convergence and compression): the sediments fold, fracture, and form a mountain chain. In the Marrakech region, the first well-known mountain range was formed during the Precambrian era, around 1 billion years ago. It was eroded during a large part of the primary era during a period of extension and provided the materials for marine sediments of the primary era, here especially detrital sediments (pebbles, sands, etc.)At the end of the primary era, the continental masses approach, and the sediments are deformed and build a new mountain chain, the Hercynian chain, in Europe and Morocco. Its remains are still clearly visible in the Jebilet massif and in the axis of the High Atlas of Marrakech. Primary lands deformed by the Hercynian orogeny: 1. Sandstone and primary folded schites   2. Flaw in a pleated ensemble. In turn, the latter is eroded during the extension period of the secondary era; marine spaces are filled with debris (detrital sediments) and limestone rocks produced by the activity of living marine beings (corals). Extension fractures allow volcanic products to rise (basalt flows). The red layers of the Permo-Triassic: 3 and 4. the “Grés de l’Oukaïmeden” 5. Fine clayey sandstone (siltstone) and sandstone 6. sloping surface of the Oukaïmeden sandstone, red siltstones, and gray basalt flow. Finally, the convergence of the continents during the tertiary era produced the uplifting of the alpine chain which extends over Europe and North Africa and of which the High Atlas of Marrakech is a part. The current Quaternary era is again a period of calm with the erosion of the reliefs and accumulation of detrital at their feet and beyond. Road routes The 3 roads which from Marrakech enter the High Atlas provide a good example of the different rocks constituting the High Atlas. 1.Ourika Valley, Oukaimeden: the red rocks of the Permo-Triassic (end of Primary-beginning of Secondary) are dominant. The sandstones from cliffs. Above the fine clayey sandstones (siltstones) lie flows of altered yellowish-gray basaltic lava. 2. Tizi n’Tichka road: it crosses the red layers, basalts, and very deformed dark schists and sandstones of the Primary 3. Tizi n’Test route: first small massifs of primary rocks (Guemassa), then the red series and Primary rocks as on the Tizi n’Tichka route. Fossils and minerals Primary: trilobites (actually collected further south in the same land) Secondary: quartz geodes (amethyst) in the volcanic flows of the Triassic To know more… Piqué A. (1994) – Geology of Morocco. Pumag, Rabat. Saadi M. (1982) – Structural map of Morocco. Ministry of Energy and Mines, Rabat. Mount Toubkal featured treks:   Toubkal National Park summer Trek 8 days From the Atlas to the heart of the medina of Marrakech, this Moroccan adventure offers us an astonishing combination of sporting challenge, magical encounters and spectacular landscapes. We will experience the hospitality of the Berber people in the High Atlas region where the highest peaks are located, including Toubkal at 4,167 m … From the top, the reward is fantastic: a panorama over the whole region. Day 1:Marrakech – Imlil (1750m) – Camp of Toubkal (3200m) Transfer to Imlil, from where we will start our trek. We will first cross magnificent gardens and apple and walnut orchards to arrive in Aremd. Our path continues on a mule trail very popular with pilgrims from Sidi Chamharouch, marabout confined under a white rock at the corner of the two wadis. Continue to the two shelters to camp nearby. Dinner and overnight in tents. Walking time: 5h. Elevation: + 1450m. Transfer time: 1h30 Day2: Ascent of Toubkal (4167m) Departure at dawn by a steep and rocky path without any difficulty to arrive at the highest peak of Morocco and North Africa. Magnificent view on the chain of the High Atlas and the neighboring valleys, the Siroua and the borders of the desert. Descent to base camp. Dinner and overnight in tents. Walking time: 5 to 6 hours. Difference in height: + 1000m / – 1000m. Day3: Ascent of Timzguida Ouanoukrim (4089m) and Ras Ouanoukrim (4083m) Very early departure for the ascent of the second highest peak of the Atlas. Climb to the Tizi Ouaguane pass (3750m). Passage through

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The 21 Best Day Trips from Marrakech

what to do in Marrakech Marrakech Day Trips The 21 Best Day Trips from Marrakech What are the best day trips from Marrakech?  Walking in the Atlas Mountains, admiring the dunes in a hot air balloon, marveling at the architecture and prehistoric ruins, or even strolling in the colorful and lively souks, the day trips from Marrakech are multiple and impressive. Best of all? For most of these tours, you can leave Marrakech in the morning and come back the same day! Read on, choose your favorite destination and have a wonderful experience! 1- Essaouira Let yourself be transported through the narrow and fortified streets of the Essaouria medina, with slight European influences (but the majority of which is North African in style). This trip to Essaouira also gives you the opportunity to discover the beautiful Moroccan coast. On this tour, you will see how the modern world blends harmoniously with ancient architecture and history. It is also important to note that Essaouira is considered a World Heritage Site! Essaouira Day Trip From Marrakech start from 45 Euro 2 – Ouzoud waterfalls Explore the bustling streets of Marrakech and immerse yourself in the depths of nature. At Ouzoud Falls, you can marvel at how the stunning waterfall, nestled between layers of flora, falls over a massive rock face. Close to the sparkling waterfalls you will find the Al Abid River, where you can cool off. Don’t forget to watch out for the monkeys swinging from tree to tree! Immersing yourself in nature against a backdrop of spectacular images of flora and fauna makes for an unparalleled day trip from Marrakech. Waterfalls Day Trip From Marrakech start from 45 Euro 3 – Palm grove Located just outside Marrakech, the Palmeraie is the easiest opportunity to leave the noisy and bustling city for a pleasant camel ride. The local guides are known to be welcoming, and they will do their best to provide an authentic perspective on Moroccan culture: a tea break is always included! Palm grove Day Trip From Marrakech start from 35 Euro 4 – Merzouga Desert Let yourself be enveloped by the calm and inexplicable beauty of the Merzouga desert. Whether it’s riding a camel through the smooth dunes of Erg Chebbi, watching the sun emerge from the depths of the sand, camping under the hundreds of stars of a Bedouin encampment or trekking the High Atlas Mountains , it’s safe to say that this magical, peaceful and thrilling three-day desert tour from Marrakech will leave a clear picture in your mind for years to come. Merzouga Desert Day Tours From Marrakech 5 – Agadir Fancy a luxurious but quiet getaway? The lines of palm trees, the white and sandy coasts and the beach bars of Agadir are calling to you. Agadir, although seaside and touristy, offers a range of activities. The day trip from Marrakech will introduce you to Agadir’s collection of great sites, such as the fish market, Agadir beach, the medina, and more. You may be able to choose your destinations depending on your visit! Agadir Day Tours From Marrakech 6 – Ouarzazate This day trip from Marrakech will introduce you to “African Hollywood”. Ouarzazate may be the largest city in Morocco, but its architecture and stunning beauty will distract you from the many tourists who stroll around the area. En route to Ouarzazate, you will stop at the UNESCO heritage site, Ait Benhaddou. And this site has attracted filmmakers for many years! Ouarzazate has a few interesting destinations including the Taourirt Kasbah, which gives you a glimpse into the lavish lifestyles of the past. Ouarzazate Day Tours From Marrakech 7 – Mount Toubkal Escape the desert, the cities and climb to the top of North Africa’s highest mountain, Mount Toubkal. The snow-capped peaks of the summit will bring you a different vision of Morocco. En route to the top of Jebel Toubkal, you will discover the village of Imil and hike near the sanctuary of Sidi Chamharouch. During this trek, you will discover incredible landscapes and cross varied terrain. Allow time, as the entire trip will take three days. Toubkal trekking Tours From Marrakech 8 – Casablanca Most of you may know Casablanca from the iconic 1945 film of the same name, but the city also offers a plethora of beautiful historical sites to visit. The day trip from Marrakech to the Atlantic coast will allow you to discover the main sites of the Moroccan city: eat seafood at the central market, admire the intricate design of the royal palace and patrol the Habous district, built in France. Toubkal trekking Tours From Marrakech 9 – Asni and Imlil Most of you may know Casablanca from the iconic 1945 film of the same name, but the city also offers a plethora of beautiful historical sites to visit. The day trip from Marrakech to the Atlantic coast will allow you to discover the main sites of the Moroccan city: eat seafood at the central market, admire the intricate design of the royal palace and patrol the Habous district, built in France. Asni and Imlil day Tours From Marrakech 10 – Atlas Mountains Escape to the ever-vast Atlas Mountains for a breath of fresh air and a glimpse into Moroccan culture. This eye-opening excursion will take you to Imlil where you can sip mint tea, dine with a Berber family, and learn a wealth of facts about the history of the region. Besides the cultural experience, the terraced fields, bordered by walnut and cherry trees, will undoubtedly provide you with many images that will amaze you for many years to come. Atlas Mountains day Tours From Marrakech 11 – Desert of Zagora Vous avez quelques jours de libre ? Si oui, le désert de Zagora vous attend ! Cette excursion de deux jours vous transportera de la ville colorée et animée de Marrakech au calme et sublime désert de Zagora, où vous monterez à dos de chameau pour assister au lever et au coucher du soleil. Et

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National Park of Toubkal

Hamish Brown The Mountains Look on Marrakesh Morocco has been an abiding passion of mine for more years than I care to remember. This walk took place in 1995, when I walked across the Atlas Mountains from end to end. It was around 900 miles and took 96 days – and it was absolute heaven! Usually people go walking to break from the routine, but after a trip lasting 3 months it’s the walking that becomes the routine! Reasons you need to know Toubkal is the best:  We started up in the north-east at a place called Taza, and finished on the Atlantic coast down at Tamri. Charles and I were both celebrating our 60th birthdays, but the most important man in the quartet was this man Ali. He’s good with animals, he cooks and he makes bread. He’s a Berber rather than an Arab, as are the other people living around the Atlas mountains. He speaks both those languages and English as well. And we needed someone else, so Ali chose Hussein, who only spoke Berber. We had two mules, which we called Taza and Tamri. Like any expedition, a lot of hard work goes on that you don’t see. Here’s a picture of me in my hotel room in Marrakesh on the evening before we started, with the provisions for the trip spread out on the bed, so I had to get them packed up before I could get some sleep. Once we were above 2000m, we hardly went below that height during the expedition. You can see how cold it was from the frost on the tent. The daily routine was that the mules were loaded in the morning after we had set off, they walked twice as fast and passed us, and the tent would be pitched ready by the time we reached the next camp site. We were walking through ever-changing landscapes, and climbing some of the mountains was a bonus. There are these incredible cedar forests, which is one of Morocco’s best-kept secrets. And there are these Barbary apes. The expedition started in March and finished in early July. In the first few weeks we had some appalling weather. The route was supposed to cross a high plateau cut into by some deep gorges, but at first the tracks were impassable with snow so we had to go down lower. This was good because it meant we visited new places. We were taken in by families, they were so hospitable, they made us meals and baked bread every day, but they wouldn’t take any payment. We had to get round this in some way, for example by giving something for the children. This is the only place with pitched roofs in the country, and there’s plenty of timber. They had a lot of snow while we were there – they dislike it as it lies on the roof and can leak through. At one point we were desperately going through the tall oleander bushes, ankle deep in water, trying to find a dry spot for the tent. You have to take the risk of spate seriously – a rush of water can come down a valley like an express train and could have swept us away, so we had to take care where to pitch a tent. After another diversion we eventually came out of the Middle Atlas onto a wide plain, which took us two days to cross to reach the High Atlas. We came to Imilchil, known as the “Lhasa of Morocco”, which is a town high up in the mountains with some of the old architecture. We were there for souk day, which is a weekly market, really it’s their supermarket [colourful photos of goods on sale]. Once two people shake hands on a deal, that’s it. There’s a lot of recycling goes on, with things made from scrap – old oil cans, coffee tins, tyres, all turned into something useful. The Central Atlas is a popular area with Jebel Azourki the highest mountain [9th highest in Morocco at 3677m]. It was still under snow and we were diverted, but saw other mountains. For example we saw the “Cathedral” – and decided to come back another time to climb it. There’s a big valley, the Zaoui Ahancal valley, with the town of Ahancal with fine old buildings and a remarkable gorge. We had a spare day here so it was a chance for Charles to try riding a mule – he said never again! This area is called the Chamonix of Morocco – it has the gorge and cliffs twice as high as Ben Nevis. The people count their wealth in sheep and goats. We tried to climb Azourki, but didn’t get up because of the snow, requiring ice axes, crampons etc.  It was the only failure of the 30 summits we took in on the trip. Then we reached this upland valley, called “la Vallee Heureuse” – it once had a lake here so the ground is very fertile and produces good crops. We spent three days there and from then on we were joined by small groups of friends who joined us for stints of a fortnight each.   No two door designs are the same. The mules needed servicing [someone working on the hooves of one of them]. No mules had been asked before to walk 96 days, so they couldn’t grow the horny bits fast enough. At the end, Ali and Hussein got the mules rather than payment. There’s a lot of bare strata in the mountains, unlike in Scotland, where everything is grown over. We went through a pass, the Tizi Tighfist, with wonderful prehistoric art from about 4000 BC, and you can clearly see that they show shields and hyenas. We were there for an important Islamic sheep festival and had to buy one.  We had mutton for a week! There’s a huge block of a mountain, Jebel Rhat, that you can just see from Marrakesh – it would take about a week to walk round it and we wanted to include it. We got marvellous food prepared for us,

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