Marrakech

Author's tour of Morocco with ascent to Tubkal

Description:

We offer you to go trekking to the most mysterious country of the African continent - Morocco!

Trekking in the Atlas Mountains is a stunning and sometimes harsh barrier between the arid Sahara and the milder coastal climate of Morocco. This mountain range, which begins near the Atlantic Ocean in the city of Agadir and stretches an uneven line to the northeast across the country, includes many unique places, heritage of ancient civilizations and beautiful hiking trails.

Our journey will begin in the imperial city of Marrakech, we will climb to Tubkal – the soaring peak of the Atlas Mountains, get acquainted with the original inhabitants of these vast territories, visit ancient cities and stop to spend the night in the endless sands of the Sahara near real Berbers, and after that we will go to the incredible beaches of Lezgir, washed by the waves of the Atlantic Ocean, with bizarre natural arches that amaze the imagination of even the most experienced traveler!

Morocco's Ascent to Tubkal Program

Day 1. Arriving in Marrakech. Welcome to Morocco! Our representative will meet you at the airport. Hotel check-in. Welcome dinner tonight. Short briefing from our guide, organizational issues and safety rules, briefing. Hotel night.

Day 2. In the morning we leave Marrakech and go on our three-hour hike through nut groves, fields of corn and barley. High in the sky, the mountain peaks of the Atlas, which even in the warm months, are decorated with snow cover. On the untouched landscape there are dusty roads and narrow pedestrian paths. In the green and humid valleys we will see herds of goats, wild grasses and small remote Berber villages, as well as the traditional landscape of this area - women and children collecting herbs in heavy 20-pound knitting. After a while, in the shade of juniper trees at the spring, we will stop for a picnic. We will approach a small river at the beginning of the Assif-n-Ait-Usaden valley and from here to the village of Tizi Ussem (1850 m), then to the summer village of Tamsult, where we will stop for an overnight stay. Tent night.

Day 3. After breakfast we will head east on a moderately challenging trek along winding trails for mules to Tizi Agelsim (3550 m). From the slopes surrounding us grow short pine trees and lace cedars, painted in reddish-brown tones. After another 3 hours to the southeast, we will reach the shelter Tubkal, whose location marks the line of spring snow at an altitude of 3207 m. Night at the shelter/tents.

Day 4. Today is going to be a busy day. Very early breakfast to get on the route is around 6am. After a three-hour steep climb, we reach the highest point of the Maghreb (meaning the countries west of Egypt are Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia) – the summit of Toubkal! On the wind-blown mountain, you will be rewarded with endless views of cliffs and valleys receding back to the distant misty horizon. The view from here is amazing! After a little rest, we will go to Ikhibi Court for a direct descent back to the picnic shelter. After lunch, we will head north on steeply descending zigzag trails along the higher slopes of the Assif n’Isuhuanem n’Huaguns valley to the sanctuary of Sidi Shamharush. Near the falls is the Marabut pilgrimage shrine, probably a remnant of pre-Islamic culture, but forbidden to non-Muslims. Another 2 hours of descent will allow you to reach the village of Imlil, where most of the treks begin, before taking the transfer back to Marrakech. Hotel night.

Day 5. Marrakech is extraordinary and unique. It is called the soul of the Moroccan East. The old town, surrounded by a multi-kilometer wall, is a huge open-air museum. An interesting tour will take you through the mysterious Marrakech and introduce you to its main attractions: the French-style Majorelle Garden, the exquisite Bahia Palace, the lively Jamaa el-Fna Square and the mysterious quarters of the oldest part of the city of Medina. We will tell you about the traditions and cultural features of Morocco, as well as its history and major cities. And perhaps during the tour you will learn to understand the mentality of the locals and all the charm of this amazing country! Lunch at a local restaurant with a traditional menu, after which we will go to meet the Berbers in one of the most beautiful deserts in the world! We are waiting for luxurious tents with all amenities, a delicious dinner and the opportunity to admire the night sky over the desert. And the lucky ones will be able to make a wish for a falling star! A night in luxury tents.

Day 6. Today we have a long move to the pearl of the Moroccan coast - the beaches of Lezgira, which are included in the list of the most beautiful beaches in the world! The sand strip on the Atlantic Ocean, striking with its unique natural arches of stone - bright red arched vaults going into the azure waters of the ocean. One of the arches was destroyed not so long ago by the current, but the rest survived. We will go to them, waiting for the tide to fall! Night at the hotel.

Day 7. Today we’re going to Essuaira, a city where stories of pirates and adventurers come to life around every corner. Here you can hear amazing stories about cunning and nobility, about irreconcilable love and about amazing adventures that capture the imagination. Essuaira is a magnet for musicians and artists from all over the world. In its alleys and squares there is always great music, acrobats perform incredible stunts, and in the evenings residents arrange exciting concerts with dancing on the beach to the roar of the ocean. Essuaira is a fishing port with a colorful market where you can see sea monsters of all stripes. This port is noisy and lively, smelling of salt water and fish. Here reigns the atmosphere of the present, and unrefined tourist history. Essuaira is a favorite place of filmmakers, here shots from the films “Game of Thrones”, “Othello”, “Phaedra” and “Kingdom of Heaven” were shot. Hotel night.

Day 8. Today, moving to Casablanca is a city on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean. We are waiting for many amazing discoveries. Here you can feel the authentic Moroccan mood, feel the influence of French culture and see the magnificent mosque with the highest minorate in the world. You will walk through the ancient medina, try national culinary delights and, of course, take beautiful photos to preserve these unforgettable moments in memory. Night at the hotel.

Day 9. Flight home. (Note: Departure from Casablanca Airport!) Airport transfer. Or transfer to Chefchaouen via Rabat, for those who decided to continue their trip with us on a cultural tour in Morocco.

Additional option (booking and payment separately):

Day 10. We leave for Rabat in the morning. A short tour of the capital of Morocco. We will go to one secret cafe, which is famous throughout the country for Moroccan tea, almond cookies and a beautiful view from a huge terrace. Then we go to Tangier, a city on the coast of Gibraltar. The main attraction of Tangier are the Grottoes of Hercules, which are located in caves in the area of Cape Spartel. According to legend, Hercules fell asleep in this cave before committing one of his exploits. The main thing that attracts tourists is a hole in the wall, which has the shape of Africa and through which the Atlantic Ocean is visible, and in the evening the sunset. From the area of Cape Spartel stretches one of the longest beach lines in the world (47 km). Tangier is the only city in the world where you can enjoy the waters of the Mediterranean Sea, and in an hour you can swim in the Atlantic. Night at a hotel by the ocean.

Day 11. We're leaving for Fes in the morning. On the way to Chefchaouen, the famous blue city. One of the oldest messages in Morocco. The resident is honored by the traditions of their ancestors, so the city has preserved its unchanged appearance to this day - women paint the lower part of the buildings in rich blue, men paint the middle part of all walls in blue, and the upper part remains white. Every house, threshold, doors and even flower pots amaze with extraordinary azure. For lunch we offer to go to one of the famous restaurants - Tissemlal o Casa Hassan and Molin'arté, where you can taste traditional cuisine. We will dedicate the end of the day to moving to Fez, where we will be waiting for an atmospheric riad in the heart of Medina.

Day 12. Fez is the historical capital and center of Islamic culture, which is the heart of the Moroccan world. The city from the first seconds immerses you in the atmosphere of the Middle Ages. The majestic monuments of history are combined with luxury hotels and exquisite restaurants. Travelers come to Fez to see the world’s oldest medina, home to more than 800 mosques, each a work of art. We will see tanners who make and paint skins just like a hundred years ago. We will definitely try the traditional Moroccan dish – Tajin. They say that's where he's right. At the end of the day we will walk through the streets where the cult series “Clone” was filmed. Night at the hotel.

Day 13. We have to move to Casablanca today. In the evening - free time to walk through the old Medina, buy souvenirs, taste the legendary ice cream in Oliveri on the waterfront, and dine in the most luxurious restaurant in Morocco with live music Dar Dada, pack up and prepare for the flight home.

Day 14. Transfer to Casablanca Airport. Flight home.

*Additional option starting at $900, please contact us for booking.

Tour dates:

 

June 1, 2024 - June 9, 2024

24 August 2024 - 1 September 2024

31 May 2025 - 8 June 2025

23 August 2025 - 31 August 2025

The price includes:

  • Leader guide. In groups of 3 people – Russian-speaking
  • Cook services on track
  • Hotel, accommodation in 2-bed rooms. Number of nights according to the program
  • Accommodation in a mountain shelter / tents. Number of nights according to the program
  • All transfers under the program are comfortable. From airport (station) to airport
  • Three meals a day in trekking. Outside trekking - only breakfast
  • All necessary permits and registrations
  • Group equipment and first aid kit
  • Luggage mules

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