Excurcions Visit
the High Atlas and the ski resort in Oukaimden, the largest ski resort
in Africa. Descend to the Atlas wider valley, called the heart of
Marrakesh. Ourika Valley. We will eat in pubs and little bars attached
to the riverbank. During the crossing, stop to see traditional lamps.
Return to Marrakech.
Tizi n’Tichka, Ait Benhaddou
A perfect destination for those of you who want a glimpse of the desert and beautiful kasbahs built by Berbers who ruled the Salt Road caravan routes. Three hours takes you to the gateway of Sahara, traversing the Tichka Pass over the High Atlas mountains. Along the way, steep hillsides are clustered with fortified mud dwellings housing many families and their livestock. You’ll spend the afternoon exploring on foot, the UNESCO world heritage site of Ait Benhaddou, used as a backdrop for more than 20 films and one of the most important fortress strongholds on the old Salt Road where camel caravan traders brought slaves, gold, ivory and salt from Saharan Africa to Marrakech and beyond. This once beautiful structure now stands crumbling to ruin because no one wants to remember “the vulture” sultan who lived here. You may also visit Ouarzazate, and the Atlas film studios where films such as The Mummy, Gladiator, Lawrence of Arabia etc. have been filmed – adds about 2 hours, including loo stops etc. Recommended year round.
Cascades Ouzoud
This beautiful green, moist location in the front ranges of the High Atlas is a welcome relief to the heat and busy city of Marrakech. A day in nature 3 hours away. And if the weather is cool and rainy, even better! The falls swell with runoff and can be spectacular in the rain. The gorge below the falls is an endless series of pools that offer some fine day hiking with varying views up and down the valley. This future bioreserve is home to wild Barbary apes and makes for some interesting bird watching too. Nearby Berber villages in the surrounding hills are perfect for walks any time of year, any kind of weather. Have lunch in one of the many simple terraced restaurants, or chill out with a glass of wine on a riad terrace overlooking the falls. This day involves walking on cliff side trails and stairs climbs. July and August the falls are very popular with Moroccans on holiday.
Essaouira
Jimi Hendrix visited once, and he should have stayed in this very pretty, laid-back artist colony three hours from Marrakech. Situated on the Atlantic coast, Essaouira has a steady year round temperature in the C20′s. The expansive golden beach is popular with windsurfers. Famous fresh grilled seafood is served at the port, and in the medina thuja wood carvers and silver crafters work under the old Portuguese ramparts guarding the city from the sea. One of the most charming walkable medinas in all of Morocco. Recommended year round, especially in summer when it makes a nice relief from Marrakech heat.
Ourika Valley and Setti Fatma
Just 1.5 hours from Marrakech, this pleasant journey into the High Atlas mountains takes you through winding Ourika valley roads ending at the village of Setti Fatma. Climb the waterfalls, enjoy vistas, running streams, and afterward, enjoy locally made tagines or try a Berber omelette. An unspoiled day hike above Setti Fatma explores remote villages on pretty mountain trails used by Berbers going to and from market with their donkeys. Or visit the Monday market in Ourika, where artisans manufacture handicrafts found in the Marrakech souks such as coloured glass and metal tin lanterns, hand painted and carved furniture, wicker terrace furnishings and High Atlas village style carpets. Recommended year round, especially in summer when it makes a nice relief from Marrakech dust and heat. There is a possibility of snow and cold December to February.
Imlil
The busy trekking center of Imlil is tucked under Toubkal, the highest mountain in North Africa. You can visit the Asni Saturday Berber market, walk up to the Toubkal kasbah and explore surrounding trails under mountain shadows. Imlil is a nice roadless destination to cool off from heat in Marrakech, immerse yourself into a Berber village for a day, and is especially pleasant in October when the whole valley smells of ripe apples. Clear blue skies and sunshine make for great trekking weather. Return to Marrakech 1.5 hours one way. There are numerous small cafes and restaurants to have lunch or buy walnuts and apples for your day trek. Not recommended in winter due to snow and cold December to February.
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Tizi n’Tichka, Ait Benhaddou
A perfect destination for those of you who want a glimpse of the desert and beautiful kasbahs built by Berbers who ruled the Salt Road caravan routes. Three hours takes you to the gateway of Sahara, traversing the Tichka Pass over the High Atlas mountains. Along the way, steep hillsides are clustered with fortified mud dwellings housing many families and their livestock. You’ll spend the afternoon exploring on foot, the UNESCO world heritage site of Ait Benhaddou, used as a backdrop for more than 20 films and one of the most important fortress strongholds on the old Salt Road where camel caravan traders brought slaves, gold, ivory and salt from Saharan Africa to Marrakech and beyond. This once beautiful structure now stands crumbling to ruin because no one wants to remember “the vulture” sultan who lived here. You may also visit Ouarzazate, and the Atlas film studios where films such as The Mummy, Gladiator, Lawrence of Arabia etc. have been filmed – adds about 2 hours, including loo stops etc. Recommended year round.
Cascades Ouzoud
This beautiful green, moist location in the front ranges of the High Atlas is a welcome relief to the heat and busy city of Marrakech. A day in nature 3 hours away. And if the weather is cool and rainy, even better! The falls swell with runoff and can be spectacular in the rain. The gorge below the falls is an endless series of pools that offer some fine day hiking with varying views up and down the valley. This future bioreserve is home to wild Barbary apes and makes for some interesting bird watching too. Nearby Berber villages in the surrounding hills are perfect for walks any time of year, any kind of weather. Have lunch in one of the many simple terraced restaurants, or chill out with a glass of wine on a riad terrace overlooking the falls. This day involves walking on cliff side trails and stairs climbs. July and August the falls are very popular with Moroccans on holiday.
Essaouira
Jimi Hendrix visited once, and he should have stayed in this very pretty, laid-back artist colony three hours from Marrakech. Situated on the Atlantic coast, Essaouira has a steady year round temperature in the C20′s. The expansive golden beach is popular with windsurfers. Famous fresh grilled seafood is served at the port, and in the medina thuja wood carvers and silver crafters work under the old Portuguese ramparts guarding the city from the sea. One of the most charming walkable medinas in all of Morocco. Recommended year round, especially in summer when it makes a nice relief from Marrakech heat.
Ourika Valley and Setti Fatma
Just 1.5 hours from Marrakech, this pleasant journey into the High Atlas mountains takes you through winding Ourika valley roads ending at the village of Setti Fatma. Climb the waterfalls, enjoy vistas, running streams, and afterward, enjoy locally made tagines or try a Berber omelette. An unspoiled day hike above Setti Fatma explores remote villages on pretty mountain trails used by Berbers going to and from market with their donkeys. Or visit the Monday market in Ourika, where artisans manufacture handicrafts found in the Marrakech souks such as coloured glass and metal tin lanterns, hand painted and carved furniture, wicker terrace furnishings and High Atlas village style carpets. Recommended year round, especially in summer when it makes a nice relief from Marrakech dust and heat. There is a possibility of snow and cold December to February.
Imlil
The busy trekking center of Imlil is tucked under Toubkal, the highest mountain in North Africa. You can visit the Asni Saturday Berber market, walk up to the Toubkal kasbah and explore surrounding trails under mountain shadows. Imlil is a nice roadless destination to cool off from heat in Marrakech, immerse yourself into a Berber village for a day, and is especially pleasant in October when the whole valley smells of ripe apples. Clear blue skies and sunshine make for great trekking weather. Return to Marrakech 1.5 hours one way. There are numerous small cafes and restaurants to have lunch or buy walnuts and apples for your day trek. Not recommended in winter due to snow and cold December to February.
Cliquez ici pour modifier.