Great South Traverse, Morocco

Trip Program

D1: Meeting at the hotel in Marrakech.
D2: Early morning drive to the south passing the Tizi n´Tichka (2260m) col. Then we take dirt track through the Ounila valley where we visit the fortress of Telouet. After a pic nic we will hike upto the cliffs to observe curious dwellings carved in the rock (2h30). We continue south going passing by the Tamadaht kasbah and by the Ait Benhaddou ksar, both interesting Middle Age monuments. We will camp by the Ouarzazate Al Mansour dam.
D3: We drive along the Dadès valley, known as the Thousand Kasbahs Route, going through the green oases of Skoura, along palm tree groves with kasbahs of which the Ouarzazate glaoui was the palace of the pashah of Marrakech.
This lush valley is also called the valley of Roses because they abound and the natives produce rosewater.
At Hdida we hike upto Boutaghrar, a hospitable mountain village amid tilled fields and orchards(3h). After a pic nic we board our vehicles to visit the Dadès kasbah in Ait Youl and then traverse the spectacular Dadès gorges where we will see forts and other interesting ruins. Camp close to Msemrir.
D4: Splendid leg along a very panoramic mountain trail and also through gorges now and then. We stop at a high col at 2800m to admire the view over the snowy high Atlas mountains. Long descent to the valley where we traverse the well known Todra gorges that reach a height of 400m in some places. Coming out of the gorges we enjoy the very pleasant contrast of the Todra plains with its palm tree groves, orchards and its lively agricultural activity.
We pass Tineghir to enter the interesting Saghro volcanic massif with its curious rock formations.
We start our hike at Ikniouine along an old trail on the slopes of mount Amalou n'Mansour and soon reach the Tazazert (2300m) col. Excelent view over the high rock tables and pinnacles that are so characteristic of the Saghro.
We continue through pasture land passing by some rock huts where we might meet a lonely sheperd with his beasts. Then we descend towards our camping place by a stream in a very peaceful environment at Bab n'Ali, Ali Baba's gates, two imposing roch towers.
D5: We follow desertic valleys observing some distant palm tree groves and small villages. After Tansikht we enter the lush and populated Drâ valley. We drive through long date tree groves, a important production of this valley, and continue to Zagora, the capital of the fortified towns. Visit to its library which is famous for its X century manuscripts.
We pass some very interesting fortified villages with their ochre walls, the ksour. Being built of mud, sand and some stone they need to be often repaired. Many of them are in ruins which gives them a fascinating and odd look. In ancient times their assailants used the tactic of diverting a stream in the ksour's direction and would leave the action of the water demolish it.
Our hike starts at Lalla Kebira and will pass by some desert hamlets surrounded by green fields tilled with tomato, barley, wheat and potatoes, where these very hospitable natives may offer us mint tea with loads of sugar. Some scattered sand dunes will also be seen.
We may encounter here are gazelles, rabbits, squirrels and lizards.
When reaching Beni Ali (1h30) we drive past Jbel Bani to Tagounite, a typical desert village. Our camp will be set further into the dunes at Nasrate, another village with ksours and palm tree groves Nasrate is an interesting town amid the dunes and palm groves with some typical ksours.
D6: Interesting hike on the great Chegaga dunes where you will have fun by printing your trail on a dune. Here you will become immersed in a deep silence and in the view of the endless desert horizon.
We may observe some interesting touareg camps who are nomads and semi-nomads, used to the loneliness of the desert, and will show us their warm hospitality.
Our trip continues on the desert trail passing by the Great Dried Lake at Iriki till Lamdawar Esghir at its end where we camp.
D7: We leave the desert and enter the green valley of Foum Zguide known for its orchards and tilled fields, a refuge from the desert loneliness. At Tazen Akht, a village that produces saffron and is popular for its Ouaouzguits carpets. Our hike will take place along the Aneal valley and we will follow its river course going through the fields and meeting the natives while they work.
We reach Tamallakout (2h), and after a pic nic we return to Marrakech through the Tizi n'Tichka col. Hotel in Marrakech.
D8: End of the program after breakfast.
Difficulty: Easy.
Price: Eur 760. per person;
Single room supplement: Eur 38.
Dates: departs every sunday from Sep to Jun,
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Booking Conditions -
Price - Valid in 2005.
Includes: Hotel in double room with breakfast in Marrakech, double tent during the trek, all domestic transport, guide, cook, helpers, mules to carry the luggage.
Does not include: flights, personal equipment, visits on free time, main meals in cities, tips, travel insurance.
Equipment provided: Double tents, mess tent, mattresses.
Transport: Domestic transport in private vehicules.
Guiding: Moroccan guide speaking French and some English.
Group: min 2 persons, max 16.
Luggage: Transported by mules, max 15 kg per person.
Program: Depending on weather conditions, the groups' condition or other justifiable, the guide may alter the program.
Vaccines: None recommended or mandatory.
Equipment: Trekking boots, sleeping bag (3-4 seasons), waterproof gear, etc. After your booking you will receive a Trip Information sheet which includes a detailed recommended equipment list.
Documentation: valid passport, please check with your local Morocco consulate or embassy for entry requirements.
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