Jebel Sarhro Mountains & Valley of the Roses.
2012 dates: March 24th - April 7th. 15 days/14 nights.
The amazing landscape of the Jebel Sarhro
Sunny warm days and brightly star-lit nights in southern Morocco. Within a day's drive of Marrakech, sandwiched between the Sahara Desert and the High Atlas, lies an area of mountains and canyons known as The Jebel Sarhro. We will trek through this pristine landscape of peaks, gorges and deep river valleys (camping as we go), along the way coming into contact with remote Berber villagers and nomads.
During the ensuing trek through these stunning mountains and then up The Valley of The Roses into The High Atlas Massif, we have the ground support of our good Moroccan friend, Slimane Baadoud and his wonderful team of Berber men and their mules. Using their local knowledge and comprehensive equipment will make this adventure unforgettable.
The actual trek is for 10 days (plus two days traversing the Atlas Mountains) and it includes 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 19 treks here), Rachael (my daughter, who will be leading the 2012 trek) has done this trek several times herself and additionally, our local guide Slimane is an extremely experienced mountain leader and has hundreds of treks under his belt and probably knows the mountains better than any other guide - which is why we put our complete trust in him. Together, we have a dedicated and loyal team of Berber muleteers, cooks and helpers - who together with their mules, will transport all our luggage, tents, sleeping mattresses, cooking utensils, water 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 hygienic 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 19 or so different treks there over the last 15 years, we know that there is some degree of flexibility possible. We 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 occasional oases in the valleys with almond trees, date palms, small 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. But over the last four days of our trek, we will penetrate a much greener landscape with several villages and old kasbah's - where there are copious gardens full of palm and fruit trees, roses, barley, poppies, vegetables - with water everywhere. All in all, with such contrasts, it's a stunning environment to spend time in.
Old Marrakech city wallsOur departure is usually in March or April (Spring in Morocco) and sometimes in late October also (still very pleasantly warm). The Spring 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 to old Essaouira, on the Atlantic coast for a few lazy days by the sea.
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.
Included in the package are 3 nights in a basic backpackers hotel (but full of real character) in central Marrakech - just minutes from the legendary souks and central square "Djemma el FNA", where the essence of Marakech's old medina's 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 and back from The Dades Valley. All transport, meals, guidance, camping arrangements and other accommodations are included for 14 days.
The all inclusive cost of the 14 day ground package is £925 (not including the extra days in Essaouira). Air fares used to be very expensive, but several budget carriers now operate flights from London to Marrakech - and a return fare can be bought for between £100 and £225 - saving almost £200 on what it once was!
Please complete our enquiry form for an individual and fully illustrated 2012 "Trip Dossier".