For those of you looking for a new experience look no further than a trekking holiday to Morocco. Morocco holidays usually consist of the standard weekend break in Marrakech or a week in the beach resort of Essaouira but there is in fact a whole world kept hidden away in the Atlas Mountains just an hour north of Marrakech. For the rookie trekker there are some great routes through the Atlas that go no higher than 2,021 metres which means you won't risk altitude sickness but you will need to be fit and well. Or if you are a keener trekker with experience you can summit the awesome Mt Toubkal which reaches 4,167 metres.
I have just come back from a trekking holiday in Morocco which started with a day in Marrakech. Here the hustle and bustle of the market could have been overwhelming, but the city is quite safe and the spice smells are wonderful. In the main square of Djemaa-el-Fna, there was a really party atmosphere with musicians, dancers and snake charmers performing for the public. It was a fantastic introduction to Moroccan city life and I even warmed to the constant shouting, smells and jostling after a while. After a day and night in the city, the small group I was travelling with headed out on trek.
I had imagined the trekking route would be dry and dusty but the scenery we encountered was actually quite varied, from bright green grass and mountain streams to walnut groves and snow capped peaks towering above us. We met many mountain goats, saw countless wildflowers and more species of birds and butterflies than I could name. The actual route we took to was fairly low altitude and at a relaxing pace from a place called Ait Zitoun to Tizi n'Fourna at just over 2000 metres. The longest day was about 6 hours walking which was very bearable and we saw some magnificent sights. We passed through several small Berber villages in the Amzmiz Valley and encountered many a sheep and goat. A common shout of 'Mule!' was heard throughout as trains of mules crossed our paths on the narrow route.
The trekking itself is fairly easy and no more than walking across stony ground. At some of the highest points you could even make out the Saharan sands of the desert. Local children and mules became a common sight and at one point I suddenly realized I was a whole world away from home. Half our group had never so much as been walking in the Lake District but as we are all fit, gym enthusiasts we did fine. And we even coped with the basic accommodation - just a bed in a local Berber house, with local food and very little or no hot water.
I can't recommend a Morocco holiday enough or a trekking holiday for that matter. If you still want the beach resort at the end of your walking adventure too then it is only a short time to Essaouira. Here you can unwind and enjoy the fresh sea air before taking in the old port town. Perfect after a few days trekking the Atlas.
This article was written by Thom Sanders on behalf of the Adventure Company. They offer fantastic trekking holidays, including brilliant Morocco holidays.
ليست هناك تعليقات:
إرسال تعليق