Toubkal

Toubkal is probably one of the most accessible peaks of its latitude (4,116 meters) in the world. The ascent of Toubkal is beautiful …

Day Trips

Marrakech Day Trips

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10 Best Day Trips From Marrakech Before you travel to Marrakech, should know about the city: Marrakesh is Morocco’s tourist front, and its capital during the rule of the Almoravids and the Almohads. It is called the red city in relation to the predominant color on its buildings. Europeans describe it as a charming city for its nature and healthy climate; This made thousands of them choose to settle there, including international personalities and big names in the world of politics, art and sports. Location: Marrakesh is located in the south of Morocco at the foot of the Atlantic Mountains, thirty kilometers away from them, and it rises 450 meters above sea level, and is 327 kilometers from the capital, Rabat. The city’s area is estimated at 230 square kilometers, and it was described as “the red city, spacious all over, combining heat of heat and shady shade, snow and palm trees.” Population: Marrakesh is classified as the third largest city in Morocco in terms of population, with a population of more than one million, out of the country’s total population, according to official estimates, most of whom work in the service sector, modern and traditional industry, entrepreneurship and public jobs. More about the red city of Marrakech: The city’s economy depends largely on tourism and real estate activities, as well as on traditional industry as an important tributary of the tourism sector, where more than forty thousand people work in the manufacture of pottery, copper, leather, carpets, etc., in addition to some exhibitions such as the Marrakesh International Exhibition for Industries and Aviation Services. The city has a transport network and modern roads, a railway and an international airport, which is the second in Morocco in terms of passenger traffic. Marrakesh was chosen as the best new tourist destination in the world in 2015, in a classification prepared by the global website specialized in travel (TripAdvisor), where Marrakech outperformed the most prestigious international capitals, including London, Rome and Paris. “Zahrat Al Janoob” achieved first place at the national level, in terms of the number of tourists to the city, with a number exceeding two million tourists in 2014, through which it ranked seventh in the Arab world, in the results of the cities that witnessed the largest number of visitors, according to a report by the British newspaper The Independent. Marrakesh is the first tourist center in Morocco, and it has an important hotel infrastructure, with more than 1,400 accommodation units, including more than 170 classified hotels. 10 Best Day Trips from Marrakech – Sahara Desert – Atlas Mountains Best day Trips From Marrakech Excursion to the Ourika Valley (one day) Departure from Marrakech at 9am in the direction of Ourika by the track. We will cross rivers and mountains where Berber villages are located and pass through Tafza to visit the ecomuseum installed in a restored Kasbah: we will discover objects from the Berber world. We will take the road again to reach the Cascades of Seti Fatma. Lunch will take place near the river in a typical Berber restaurant. On the way back, we will stop at the Palmeraie of Marrakech to enjoy the late afternoon. Book Now Excursion to Essaouira (one day) Departure from the hotel at 8:00 a.m., you will cross the Arab villages, then the Berber villages before arriving in the inner city of Essaouira where the Argan is a species of tree that does not exist anywhere else. in Morocco. Essaouira, formerly called Mogador, at the gateway to the Moroccan Southwest is a pretty fishing port. Beautiful little town, swept by the trade winds. Free time to roam the streets and alleys of Essaouira is planned to allow you to meet the craftsmen. The arrival in Marrakech will be around 7:00 p.m. Book Now Excursion The 3 Valleys (one day) Departure from Marrakech at 8:30 am, towards the 3 valleys. We discover the Lalla Takerkoust dam by crossing Berber mountain villages 30kms from Marrakech, with its soothing shores. Magnificent panorama, unlimited horizon. We take tea with the locals. We then go up to the village of Moulay Brahim and we cross the plateau of Kick and its valley with its mountains and discover the Middle Atlas and the desert of Marrakech by the tracks which will lead you to the Valley of Asni. We continue towards the famous Ourika valley where we will have lunch near the river, then we set off to attack the 7 waterfalls and we discover at an altitude of 1800m, the village of Seti Fatma nestled in the valley. Return to Marrakech late afternoon. Book Now Ouzoud Waterfalls Excursion (one day) From Marrakech, visit the splendid waterfalls, more than 100m high, which constitute one of the most remarkable attractions of the Moroccan Atlas, discovery of the monkeys that inhabit the rock face. Possibility of swimming depending on the season. A path leads among the olive trees to the foot of the waterfalls, while a second route allows us to go up to the top of the falls from where the view of the abyss is striking. Lunch and free time to enjoy this magnificent place. Then return to Marrakech at the end of the afternoon. Book Now Imlil excursion (one day) Discover a valley of the High Atlas. The Asni Valley offers you a journey that is still relatively untouched by tourism. You will cross Tahanaout and its verdant orchards. You visit a women’s cooperative in Argan before taking the mountain road to reach Asni then Imlil, at the foot of Toubkal. You will have tea with the locals. A 2-hour hike will introduce you to the living environment of the Berbers of the Atlas and the charming waterfalls of Imlil. You will have lunch with the locals on the terrace of an authentic Berber house while admiring a breathtaking view. In the afternoon return to Marrakech. Book Now Telouet and Ait Benhaddou excursion (one day) Departure from Marrakech at 7:00 a.m., we will cross the mountain

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Trekking in Morocco, Toubkal Ascent

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Mount Toubkal Adventures Mount Toubkal: The Toubkal massif is made up of rocks of various kinds. We find in particular on the summits of andesite and rhyolite, dark rocks of volcanic origin. Glaciers have left characteristic marks of their passage in the form of trough valleys. During the Würm glaciation, the current valley of Assif n’Ait Mizane (the valley of the Toubkal refuge) was occupied by the longest glacier in the Atlas. It was 5 km long. The word Toubkal would be a deformation of French origin of the same Berber name Tugg Akal /toug-akal/ which means “she who looks up at the earth” Where is Mount Toubkal? One of the most beautiful mountains of the High Atlas Mountains chain, which passes in the countries of the Maghreb, as Mount Toubkal or Mount Toubkal is the highest mountain peak in the Atlas Mountains chain, which has a height of 4165 meters and is 60 km south of Marrakesh.  It has two types of slopes, The first is the high slopes to which most people tend to practice climbing, which are covered with snow in the winter season, so people practice skiing, and the second is the low or lower slopes, which individuals go to for recreation and enjoying the scenery, you will need two full days to reach the top of a mountain Toubkal and the landing thereof. On the first day, you will leave from the village of Imlil in the morning and walk for about five hours to the shelter, where you will spend the night. Then on the second day you will go to the summit in a period of four to five hours, then head down to the shelter, then return to Imlil, the best period to climb Mount Toubkal is late April to October and great care must be taken when climbing the mountain. Mount Toubkal featured treks: Toubkal Ascent 2 Days: Day 01: Transfer by Minibus to the High Atlas/Imlil village 1800m/Refuge Toubkal (3200m). At 8am our taxi or minibus driver (minibus for more than 4 participants) will pick you up at your hotel or fix the starting point in advance, example Jammaa El fena place near Café FRANCE, drive towards Toubkal, 1h 30 by car from Marrakech to reach the village of Imlil starting point of your hike, in the village you will meet our local team, guide and muleteer, start of trek to the refuge of Toubkal? crossing of Village Armed then we continue along the assif Ait Mizan to reach the marabout of Sidi Chamharouch, place of lunch, in the afternoon a climb of 400 m to reach the refuge of Toubkal, night at the bivouac or refuge (refuge in winter, bivouac in summer). Elevation M: 1450 m Elevation D: 30 m Walking time: 6 hours Accommodation: in a tent or refuge. Day 02: Toubkal Refuge – Ascent of Mt Toubkal – Armed 1900m Departure early in the morning for the ascent of Mount Toubkal, the highest in North Africa, is done without difficulty, after 2 hours of climbing we will reach a pass at 3900m which covers the Siroua massif and the hamadas of southern Morocco, we continue successively towards the geodesic point 4167m. very wide 360 ° view on all directions: valleys, surrounding peaks, the Anti Atlas, the pre-Saharan mountains and the plain of Marrakech. Descent by the same path, continuation along the Assif Ait Mizane, lunch and visit of marabout Sidi Chamharouch, place of pilgrimage, to reach the village of Armed where we will find our car, return to Marrakech. Toubkal Climb 3 days Itinerary Day per Day: Day1: Marrakech – Imlil After arrival in Marrakech, you wil be transferred to the little village of Imlil. Here you will be able to explore the area and you will spend the night in a guesthouse. Day 2: Imlil – Toubkal Refuge Today we begin our trek. Heading along the Ait Mizane Valley, we first past the village of Aremd and then into the shrine of Sidi Chamarouch. We then continue east and by crossing the flood plains our route takes us along mule tracks and up into the high rocky cliffs above the valley. Crossing the river we eventually come to the pastoral shrine of Sidi Chamarouch, which attracts tourists and pilgrims. From here the trail continues to climb steadily, snaking and zigzagging its way up to the snowline and the Toukbal Refuge (3206m), our stop for the night.  Approx: 4 to 5hrs walking. Day 3: Toubkal Refuge – Summit – Refuge – Imlil – Marrakech Early in the morning we make our attempt on the summit of Jebel Toukbal, the highest peak in Northern Africa. Our route takes us up the south cirque, crossing the stream above the refuge. The walking is relatively straightforward, but the ice and the altitude will make the going quite difficult in parts. The views along the way make the journey more than worthwhile. When you reach the summit you will see that the vistas across the surrounding landscape are quite breathtaking. From here there are unrestricted views in every direction, from the Marrakesh Plain to the High Atlas in the north and as far south as the Anti-Atlas and the Sahara. We will retrace our steps when we return down the mountain and head back towards Imlil. Transfer back to Marrakech. Approx. 9hrs walking.   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

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GEOLOGY OF THE SURROUNDINGS OF MARRAKECH

GEOLOGY OF THE SURROUNDINGS OF MARRAKECH

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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

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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

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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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Top 10 Treks in Morocco

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The Amazing 10 Treks in Morocco Morocco is undoubtedly the most interesting trekking land in the Maghreb, the most varied also alternating high desert mountains, green valleys, dry canyons, oases, and dunes. In the hollow of the valleys, the Berber villages welcome hikers with their legendary hospitality. A great opportunity to discuss and discover Berber traditions still alive. After 8 trips to Morocco, here are my top 10 treks in Morocco. I have almost all done them. Toubkal Ascent The best known and also the most popular of all routes in Morocco, the Toubkal trek is nevertheless a great classic that I have not done. According to many friends who have climbed it on a 2, 6 or 12 day trek, it is splendid. Depending on the duration of the trek, we start from Imlil (2-day version), Ouakaimedem or Aguersioual (1-week version) but other options are possible and for the longest trek, there are even more variants Mgoun Ascent This is the first trek I have done in Morocco, it was in 2003 if I remember correctly. Before the days of I-Trekkings. And what a trek! Departing from the valley of Aït Bougmez, we reached the summit of M’Goun before moving onto the southern slope of the massif through the gorges of M’Goun and ending with the valley of Roses at El Kelaâ M’Gouna. 11 days of walking. My first experience was with a local agency as well and with Moroccan hospitality. A trek that somehow contributed to my desire to create Trekking holidays in Morocco. Alas, I no longer have the story. Some silver photos remain in an old photo album. Eastern High Atlas The best known and also the most popular of all routes in Morocco, the Toubkal trek is nevertheless a great classic that I have not done. According to many friends who have climbed it on a 2, 6 or 12 day trek, it is splendid. Depending on the duration of the trek, we start from Imlil (2-day version), Ouakaimedem or Aguersioual (1-week version) but other options are possible and for the longest trek, there are even more variants Aït Bougmez valley Softer, the Aït Bougmez valley, the “happy valley”, lends itself to pretty walks through fields and villages. It’s not really a trek or it has to be joined to a larger route like on my ascent of M’Goun or in the Eastern High Atlas.I even stayed there for a week on one of my trips to Morocco. Leaving from an ecolodge, I explored across and across the valley and even a little beyond: the Aït Boulli valley or the Izourar plateau. Great crossing of the High Atlas This is the trek that I would like to do. In the catalog of major French trekking agencies, the route begins in Iskattafen on the heights of Aït Bougmez.In 17 days of walking, heading towards Imlil. Along the way, ascent of M’Goun, Anghomar and Toubkal (at the end) and passage through the Tessaout valley. A major route. The Saghro mountains We take the southern route for the following 5 treks. Starting with Jebel Sargho, sometimes nicknamed the Moroccan Hoggar. It is a pre-Saharan massif that will appeal to minerality lovers: tabular plateaus, basalt columns and dry wadis make up the landscape.It is not uncommon depending on the season to meet Aït Atta nomads. Jebel Siroua Another massif in the Anti-Atlas, the Jebel Siroua trek is an itinerary that has excited me. Not many people are going to walk there, it is incomprehensible, especially since it is the only region of Morocco to cultivate saffron.The 5-day trek starts from the village of Tamazight and ends in Ifrane. The massif is inhabited in its northern and southern parts, where you cross beautiful villages in mud houses surrounded by almond trees. In the center, it is the silence of the mountain that accompanies hikers. A real favorite! The Anti-Atlas around Tafraoute The Tafraoute mountains are the 3rd massif which constitutes the Anti-Atlas. But unlike Siroua and Saghro, the Tafraoute sector is wetter because it is closer to the Atlantic Ocean. Depending on the recent rainfall, the landscapes are more or less green, which offers a striking contrast between the green of the valleys and the pink of the rocks. Again, few hikers in this magnificent sector. Dunes and oasis of Draa Let’s finish these top 10 treks in Morocco with two desert routes. Departing from the Draa oasis, we discover the abundant life of this string of adobe villages and then step into the desert. The week ends in the heart of the dunes of Erg Houidi before reaching the Ksar de Bouno and the palm grove of Oulad Idriss. Camel trek in the Moroccan Sahara This time starting from Oulad Idriss, this itinerary in the Moroccan Sahara explores the western part of the dunes of the palm grove located between Wadi Draa and Jebel Bani. 6 days of walking on a very beautiful itinerary alternating ergs and regs, all the ways of the Moroccan desert in one trip. I highly recommend. Home to some of the most beautiful mountains in the world, Morocco lends itself to hiking all year round. In summer, you can climb Jebel Toubkal, the highest point in North Africa, while in winter, when the snow makes the High Atlas impassable, Jebel Sarhro remains accessible. The Rif chain is ideal for mid-season.

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Marrakech city

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The Famous Marrakech city Marrakech (in Arabic: مُرَاكُش, murrākuš; in Berber: ⵎⵕⵕⴰⴽⵛ, Meṛṛakc), is a city located in central Morocco at the foot of the Atlas Mountains4. Marrakech is nicknamed “the red city” N 1 or the “ocher city” in reference to the red color of a large part of its buildings and houses5. Marrakech and its urban area have in 2020 a little more than one million inhabitants 2. By its population, the city is the third agglomeration of the country, on a par with its historical rival, Fez, and behind Casablanca. Imperial city, like Fez, Rabat and Meknes, Marrakech was the capital of Morocco for nearly 350 years, under the Almoravid (11th – 12th centuries), Almohad (12th – 13th centuries), Saadian (16th – 17th centuries) dynasties ), as well as during the reign of Mohammed ben Abdallah of the current Alawite dynasty (reigning from 1757 to 1790). Marrakech is home to a vast medina of 600 hectares, the most populous in North Africa, and classified as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Thanks to the vitality of its 900-year-old medina, its world-class hotel infrastructures, and its sunny climate, Marrakech has established itself as the undisputed capital of tourism in Morocco. Served by the country’s second airport in terms of traffic, Marrakech – Menara airport, the city welcomed nearly 3 million visitors in 2019. Origin of the Marrakech Before travel Several hypotheses coexist as to the origin of the name of the city. The most widespread among historians considers that the name of Marrakech is a contraction of the Berber Amur n’Akush. Amur means “country” and Akouch, or Yakouch means “God”, which gives “the land of God” 6. A less widespread alternative etymology proposes the interpretation of “land of the course” . Medieval Arabic-speaking sources have been numerous to offer fanciful Arabic origins in the name of Marrakech. Some of these etymologies have been taken up in contemporary works. For Louis Deroy and Marianne Mulon, for example, authors of the Dictionary of place names, the name comes from the Arabic Marruquch “la bien parée” 8 from رقش “to ornament, embellish”. Origin of the name Several hypotheses coexist as to the origin of the name of the city. The most widespread among historians considers that the name of Marrakech is a contraction of the Berber Amur n’Akush. Amur means “country” and Akouch, or Yakouch means “God”, which gives “the land of God” 6. A less widespread alternative etymology proposes the interpretation of “land of the course”. Medieval Arabic-speaking sources have been numerous to offer fanciful Arabic origins in the name of Marrakech. Some of these etymologies have been taken up in contemporary works. For Louis Deroy and Marianne Mulon, for example, authors of the Dictionary of place names, the name comes from the Arabic Marruquch “the well adorned” from رقش “to ornament, embellish”. Name influence The word “Morocco” and its equivalents in various European languages ​​are directly derived from the word “Marrakech”. From the 1130s, sixty years after the founding of the city, the name appears in Latin sources to designate the capital of the Almoravid empire6. In the fourteenth century, we identify the forms “Marroch” in Catalan (from which the French name derives), “Marruecos” in Castilian, “Morrocco” in Tuscan, and “Marrocos” in Portuguese, undoubtedly the oldest form, the ” ‘s final being hissed in Portuguese. In the fifteenth century, Portugal exerted strong military pressure on Morocco. The country is split in two, the Wattassids having Fez as their capital and reigning over the north of Morocco and the Hintata then the Saadian sheriffs reigning over Marrakech and the south of the country. European geographic literature then endorses the idea that the Maghreb al-Aqsa is made up of the kingdoms of Fez and Morocco. It is finally the name of the capital of the south ends up imposing itself on the whole country. In addition, until the twentieth century, Morocco was known in the East under the name of Marrakech (a name still relevant in Iran). During the Almohad period, Marrakech was famous for its leather craftsmanship. The tanning of the skins was already carried out there in the tanneries of Bab Debbagh in the east of the city. The leather accessories made in Marrakech were so famous that we began to speak in Castile of marroquinería to designate them. This term ended up spreading in other languages ​​such as French, the “leather goods” being used to designate the activity as well as the articles using as main material the leather. Histoire Capitale des empires almoravide et almohade Marrakech (Mourrakouch) was founded in the year 1071 (year 463 of the Hegira) by the Berber sovereign Sanhadjiens Almoravid Youssef ben Tachfine11 and his queen Zaynab Nefzaouia, also of Berber origin. Very quickly, in Marrakech, under the leadership of the Almoravids, pious warriors and austere scholars from the current Mauritanian desert, many mosques and madrasahs (Koranic theological schools) were built, as well as a shopping center draining traffic between the Western Maghreb and sub-Saharan Africa. Marrakech grew rapidly and established itself as an influential cultural and religious metropolis, supplanting Aghmat and Sijilmassa. Palaces were also built and decorated with the help of Andalusian craftsmen from Cordoba and Seville, who brought the Umayyad style characterized by chiseled cupolas and multi-lobed arches. This Andalusian influence merged with Saharan and West African elements and was synthesized in an original architecture totally adapted to the specific environment of Marrakech. The city became the capital of the Almoravid Emirate, a Eurafrican empire that stretched from the banks of the Senegal River to the center of the Iberian Peninsula and from the Moroccan Atlantic coast to Algiers. The city was then fortified by the son of Youssef Ibn Tachfin, Ali Ben Youssef, who built around 1122-1123 ramparts that are still visible. While Youssef Ben Tachfine led victorious campaigns in Al-Andalus, subduing the kinglets of the taifas and repelling the offensives of Castile and Aragon, his wife Zaynab Nefzaouia exercised in Marrakech an important power, with all the

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