Morocco Trek| Morocco Trek |
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Jebel Sarhro Range, Anti Atlas Mountains, South Eastern Morocco 2011 dates: April 2nd - 16th. 15 days/14 nights £895. Every Spring in southern Morocco, we take a group from Marrakech up over the High Atlas Mountains, to a region about a day's drive south east, towards The Sahara Desert near Zagora. It is an area of highish mountains and canyons called THE JEBEL SARHRO, lying sandwiched between the Sahara Desert and the High Atlas.The Jebel Sarhro region enjoys long warm dry sunny days and brightly star-lit nights. During the ensuing trek through these stunning mountains and up The Valley of The Roses, we have the ground support of my good Berber friend, Slimane Baadoud. Using his local knowledge and comprehensive equipment, we walk over and through this amazing range of mountains, valleys and gorges - camping as we go - and along the way coming into contact with remote villagers and nomads. The actual trek is for 10 days (plus two days traversing the Atlas Mountains) and an additional 3 hotel nights in Marrakech. What's more, at the end of that bit, we usually travel to Essaouira (optional) for a few days rest on the Atlantic Coast.
Apart from myself (who has done about 18 treks here), Slimane is an experienced mountain leader and has many treks under his belt and probably knows the mountains better than any other guide - which is why I put my complete trust in him. He has a team of Berber cooks, helpers and muleteers, who together with their mules, will transport all our luggage, tents, sleeping mattresses, cooking utensils and food. What is more, they will literally do all the donkey work for us! All you'll have to do will be to walk each day carrying a small day-pack, containing all you'll need during that day. Considering that we will be camping, the meals which the cooks prepare are varied and delicious - using local ingredients. Lots of salads, fruit and nuts too! Vegetarians are well catered for - and we'll eat outside, or in a large mess-tent, with rugs spread around. All the food preparation and cooking (in hygenic conditions) is done for us, as are the washing of dishes and erecting of tents, etc! The muleteers are a fine bunch of Berber local men, who will sometimes get us up dancing and singing around the occasional camp fire. The mules really are fantastic and they make it all so much easier - apparently without minding at all - such is the life of a Moroccan mule! After running some 18 or so different treks there myself over the last 14 years, I know that there is some degree of flexibility possible. I know how nice it is to be able to simply take some time out to be alone with the mountains and the perfect peace which pervades all - away from the modern world, where time and space seem to take on a new dimension. Each day's walk will be approximately 6 hrs of actual walking time (between 9 and 11 miles), with plenty of opportunity for wildlife observation and perhaps odd swims in deep pools, water permitting.
The landscape is rugged and barren, but there are many oases in the valleys with almond trees, date palms, fields of barley and beans and all the other fruits of the land which the local Berbers and AIT ATTA tribes (nomadic people) live off. All in all, it's a stunning environment to spend time in.
Included in the package are 3 nights in a real character hotel in central Marrakech - just minutes from the legendary souks and central square - Djemaa el Fna - where the essence of Morocco's city life throbs around us. A day is spent either end of the 10 day trek, driving over the Tizi-n-Tichka” pass (7500 ft) to the Jebel Sarhro Mountains. All transport, meals, guidance and accommodations are included. The all inclusive cost of the 14 day package is currently £895 (not including the extra days in Essaouira). Air fares always used to be very expensive, but several budget carriers have now commenced flights from London to Marrakech - and a return fare can be bought for between £100 and £200 - saving almost £200 on the overall price, compared to what it once was!
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Our departures are usually in February, March or April (Spring in Morocco) and sometimes late October also (still very pleasantly warm). The two week departure has an extra optional number of days tagged on to the trek (often about four or five are taken), so that we can travel by bus to old Essaouira, on the Atlantic coast for a few lazy days by the sea. Of course, that is also possible after the 'one week trek we sometimes run in October. Essaouira is an old Portugese colonial fortress town, beautifully situated, with lovely beaches and an active fishing port. It is also a wonderful place to obtain authentic crafts and rugs, etc.. There are lovely cafes to sip mint tea outside, whilst we fully digested all that has happened to us over the past 2 weeks.