Kasbahs & Camels - a Family Holiday in Morocco - 2010/11 Itinerary
11 days - from $990
• Explore kasbahs & ksours in the southern oases
• Sleep under the stars in the great Sahara
• Stay in a traditional berber village in the Anti Atlas mountains
Read more...
Lights, Camera, Action!
Morocco is often described as the 'Land of Lights' with its dizzying colours and we start our trail at the Atlas Film Studios - the birthplace of Gladiator and Lawrence of Arabia among others. These valleys on the edge of the Atlas Mountains were once the stomping ground of fearsome warlords who controlled the caravan routes into the desert, and we visit two of their kasbahs. Moving on beyond the edge of the Sahara, we gently settle into the desert life as we camp nomad-style under the stars, and perhaps explore the dunes by camel.
Into the Sahara & Anti-Atlas
Pushing deep into the desert wilderness in our 4-wheel-drives, we follow an oasis trail towards the Anti-Atlas range. A mountain track leads us up to the Berber village of Tagoudiche, tucked away in the pink and brown folds of Jebel Lekst mountain. Our village community house in Tagoudiche is an ideal place to soak up the traditional Berber ways and enjoy some spontaneous hospitality - usually with plenty of sweet mint tea and honey snacks! There's also time for some gentle or more demanding mountain walks.
High Atlas & Magic of Marrakech
Turning north we descend into the Sous Valley past argan trees, orange and olive groves to the historic village of Ouled Berhil for a night in a 19th Century converted kasbah. A final, dramatic drive takes us high over the mighty High Atlas mountains and the Tizi-n-Test pass (2092m) to Marrakech, whose central square, the Djemma el Fna, has been described as the biggest circus in the world. Acrobats, snake-charmers and drummers all join forces with fortune-tellers, jewellers and food sellers in the biggest (and noisiest!) feast of colour you'll ever see. Phew!
close
Itinerary:
Day 1 Join Ouarzazate. Day 2 Lights, camera, action! We begin at the Atlas Film Studios and the kasbah of Ait Benhaddou, used as a set in many big movies from Lawrence of Arabia to Gladiator. Day 3 Oasis valleys Turning south we head along the palm-lined Draa Valley to the weekly market at Zagora. Day 4 Great Sahara From Zagora kasbah and palmery we reach the fringes of the world's greatest desert for a night bedouin-style under the stars and an optional camel ride among the dunes. Days 5/6 Anti Atlas An exciting desert piste takes us west into the Anti Atlas and the mountain village of Tagoudiche. Day 7 Berber villages We discover more about life in this remote region with walks around the foothills and villages. Day 8 High Atlas Turning north we cross the Anti Atlas range to our riad base at Ouled Berhil on the southern flanks of the High Atlas. Days 9/10 Marrakech A stunning drive over Tizi n' Test (2092m) takes us to Marrakech. Here we enjoy a walking tour of the medina and souks and experience the magic of this fabled city. Day 11 End Marrakech.
Accommodations: 8nts hotel, 1nt village house, 1nt wild camp - expect simple conditions and dorm-style accommodation in village community house; 10 breakfasts, 1 lunch & 4 dinners included.
Transport: 4WD Landrovers.
Comment: Some long journeys and easy, optional walks in the Anti Atlas mountains.
Group: Approx. 12 to 16.
Staff: Explore Tour Leader plus driver(s) and cook.
Trip Reference: FKT2010
