Journey Beyond Travel...going beyond the destination

Hollywood films have tried to encapsulate the immensity of the Sahara Desert in several genres from action/adventure to romantic tales, but it’s really one of those sites that you have to see to believe. Whether you are traveling for a vacation in Morocco or just want to know a bit more about one of the world’s most interesting deserts, here are just a few grains of information you might find interesting:

Sizing Up the Sahara Desert:

The Sahara Desert is 3.63 million square miles (9.4 million square kilometers). It runs from the Red Sea to the Mediterranean Sea and Atlantic Ocean and into central and western Africa. The desert covers parts of Morocco, Algeria, Egypt, Chad, Libya, Mali, Niger, Mauritania, Western Sahara, Tunisia and Sudan. (more…)

To get to the spectacular scenery of Morocco’s deserts, valleys and oases, you’ll need to get off road, either by camel or by 4×4. Here are some factors to consider before you book a night on the dunes of Erg Chebbi, a multi-day trek through the Draa Valley or even a trans-Saharan journey to the Mauritanian border.

Travel Comfort Level

For those not accustomed to riding a camel, sore bottoms should be expected. You need to be relatively fit to endure a camel ride of more than 30 minutes, and even athletes may end up wondering if sitting astride a camel works muscles never utilized before. Keep in mind that camel saddles don’t have any stirrups so there is no way to temporarily shift your body weight to get relief from a sore bum. (more…)

Let’s say this up front: Riding a camel is one of the most uncomfortable experiences you can imagine.

Now that that’s out of the way, I should also tell you that riding a camel is fantastically fun and bound to be one of your favorite memories from your trip to Morocco. Not much can top watching the sun set over the Sahara as you make your way to a Berber tent astride a camel or listening to the waves crash against the rocks in Essaouira as you meander down the beach, swaying atop your steed. You’ll probably hum the theme to Lawrence of Arabia. It will be amazing.

It will also be uncomfortable. (more…)

The Ameln Valley offers some of the most spectacular natural scenery in Morocco as well as some of the most picturesque villages. Nestled against the granite peaks of the Anti Atlas Mountains in southwestern Morocco, the Ameln Valley is a stunning landscape of towering cliffs, colorful granite boulder-strewn fields and unique rock formations.

This area of Morocco is incredibly fertile, and the hills are covered with argan, almond, and palm trees. Argan trees produce a fruit that is similar to the olive and are valued by the people of the Ameln Valley. A highly prized oil, valued for its nutritive and medicinal properties, is produced from the argan fruit. Locals use argan oil as a bread dip and on couscous and salads. They also export it out of the region to support reforestation projects in Ameln Valley. Since food is sparse in the region, goats have taken to climbing the argan trees in search of food. (more…)

Laayoune is the largest town in Western Sahara, the desert region south of Morocco’s Anti Atlas Mountains. Occupied by Spain until 1974, Western Sahara remains in legal limbo as a disputed territory. After the “Green March” of November 1975—when 350,000 Moroccans marched across the border into the Sahara—a conflict broke out between the Moroccans and the Polisario Front, a group that demanded independence for its native Sahrawi people. Talks have been underway between Morocco and Polisario since a UN-sponsored cease fire in 1991.

The town tends to serve as a stopover point for travelers going between Mauritania and southern Morocco or for those on the way to try kite surfing at Dakhla’s desert lagoon.  From Marrakech, it’s a 16-hour plus bus ride to Laayoune. Although you’ll be driving through desert, don’t expect spectacular scenery like you’ll find at Erg Chebbi; this part of the Sahara is all hamada—flat, rocky desert. (more…)

Whether your trip will be mostly in the High Atlas Mountains for trekking or in the major cities to explore the history and culture of Morocco, you should not miss the Sahara Desert.

Located approximately two days worth of travel away from Marrakesh, the journey from the city to the desert takes travelers through a number of interesting towns along the way. After your travels, you’ll discover Zagora, situated on the edge of the Sahara. Zagora acts as a gateway of sorts to the mighty Sahara Desert, but before you steep yourself in sand, take some time to explore this city.

Zagora‘s main attraction is Jebel Zagora, a mountain rising over the Draa Valley. Jebel Zagora can be summited, but only well-conditioned people willing to start early in the morning should attempt the summit climb. The sun is intense, and the climb will take a good portion of the day, so come prepared with sunblock and plenty of water. You may also trek to the foot of Jebel Zagora; this will take two to three hours.  (more…)

Set on the edge of the Sahara Desert, Erg Chebbi is one of two ergs (large areas of windblown sand dunes) in Morocco. Most of Morocco’s desert is made up of flat, rockier terrain known as hamada, but Erg Chebbi has sweeping dunes that reach 525 feet in height. Both the 1999 movie The Mummy and 2005’s Sahara were filmed at Erg Chebbi.

Since the dunes are located next to the village of Merzouga, they are often referred to in English as the Merzouga Dunes instead of Erg Chebbi. The most pleasant times to visit the dunes are in spring and autumn when days aren’t as hot as in summer and nights don’t get as cold as they do during winter. (more…)

Once upon a time, Ouarzazate, Morocco, was the ideal location for trading between the High Atlas region and the Sahara Desert. People from the Atlas, Draa and Dades Valleys would meet in the Taourirt Kasbah to trade goods and news. In the 1920s, the French built a garrison on the land to keep an eye on the trading business that took place in the area. Since then, Ouarzazate has been a popular place for business transactions and much-needed vacations.

Realizing the unique oasis setting and an authentic old-world feel offered by Ouarzazate, the film industry has used the city as a backdrop for many high-profile movies, including Lawrence of Arabia, Star Wars and Gladiator. Atlas Studios is located in the city and open to the public. (more…)

In many ways, travels to Morocco are defined by a trip to the Sahara Desert, which makes up the southern half of the country. But Morocco is also defined by its impressive mountains and rich cultural heritage. To appreciate the beauty, vastness and diversity of the country, consider taking a guided tour that introduces you to some of Morocco’s greatest highlights; a five-day, four-night tour is ample time to satisfy your curiosity. (more…)

Morocco: Home of fabulous cuisine, beautiful languages, a unique culture and stunning historical sites. With so much to see and do in Morocco, it can be hard to pick the best experiences. If you’re looking for an interesting mix of adventure, education and culture, here are five Moroccan experiences you absolutely shouldn’t miss:

1. Visit Ait Benhaddou. This desert fortress (also known as a kabash) is located in the Draa Valley and was built to protect the locals from outside invaders. The city has a frozen-in-history feel with its building designs dating back to the 11th century. It’s little surprise, then, that Ait Benhaddou has been used as a backdrop for several Hollywood films, including Lawrence of Arabia, The Jewel of the Nile and Gladiator. (more…)

Are you interested in being more of an adventurer than Indiana Jones? A bike holiday in Morocco is the perfect way to find adventure, mystery, and diverse landscapes as you pedal over mountains, through deserts, and gorges and valleys.

Morocco, with its exotic air, offers vibrant sights and unforgettable experiences for willing two-wheeled sightseers. Mountains, oases unknown to tourists, majestic Imperial Cities, and the rolling dunes of the Sahara beckon cyclists the world over to bring their bikes to pedal on North Africa’s most inviting terrain.
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A camel ride in Morocco’s Sahara Desert is a truly captivating way to experience one of the country’s most spectacular destinations. Although quite touristy, a Morocco Sahara Desert tour is an excursion that you and your family shall not ever forget. (more…)

When you hear about Morocco you probably hear about cities such as Casablanca, Fez, and Rabat; or, you’ve heard of camel treks in the sahara, trekking the High Atlas Mountains or even riding waves near Agadir or Essaouira. Such active-adventure Morocco tours are not solely limited to Morocco trekking tours, however. Read on to learn more this vibrant and verdant (and brown) country has to offer its guests. (more…)

Traveling from Marrakesh, visitors can easily reach the Dades Valley for a day or multi-day trip. Travelers will need to go through Ourzazate in order to get into the valley, which is located in the heart of the High Atlas Mountains.  The High Atlas Mountains is a forested region with plenty of valleys, gorges, and two of the highest mountain peaks in Morocco: the M’Goun and Jbel (Mount) Toubkal. (more…)

Within Morocco there are numerous regions worth exploring for the different natural elements that make up the country.  The Ziz Valley is in central Morocco in desert and dunes rather than in the High Atlas Mountains where trekking is more common. The Ziz Valley still has plenty of wonders that will spark your interest.  One such place is Tafilalt and the surrounding area.  Tafilalt is a region in the Ziz Valley that hosts Rissani, a small town.  The town is at the end of the road leading from Marrakesh and through the Ziz Valley. (more…)

Morocco trips are filled with excitement and magnificent landscapes.  A Morocco tour operator allows you to access wonders that are not mapped out or to visit towns hidden between valleys.  Tinerhir is one of these places. It is a village between two oases.  In the northern part of Tinerhir you will find a passage leading to the Todra Gorge.  The gorge is a splendid representation of what nature as artist can do with water and red clay.  It will make an impression even from the village of Tinerhir. (more…)

The Argan Forest is a prized place in Morocco because it is one of the last hopes of a fully forested area.  The Argan Forest is the line between desert and a green expanse.  The forest is home to many wildlife species as well as a diversity of flora and fauna.  Unfortunately, in previous years the forest was not as well protected.  The Argan trees produce oils which have been used in cosmetics and for the production of Argan oil used for salads and cooking.  The wood of the trees was also used for medication purposes.  The goal of the Arganeraie Reserve is to protect the last of the forest from deforestation.  Part of the forest has always been used for farm animals so they also rely on the health of the land. (more…)

Morocco as you may very well know is made up very disparate regions. The Rif Mountains in the north has smaller summits but include high, undulating hills. As the name implies, the High Atlas Mountains contain M’Goun and Jebel Toubkal, two of the highest mountains in Morocco and North Africa. The Ziz Valleyis farther south, giving way to gorges and date palm valleys unlike anywhere else in Morocco. (more…)

The country of Morocco holds many different appeals for those who are adventurous, look for the exotic, or simply want the relaxation that a trip away from home can offer. With cities such as Fez, Marrakech, and Essaouira each having their own appeal, there is something to be said for seeing the smaller and more genuine parts of the country. One of these such places is Dakhla, Morocco. (more…)

New Years is a time of new beginnings and many people celebrate the holiday by ringing it in with family, friends, and sometimes too much to drink.  If you want a different way to celebrate New Year’s and you want to roll your annual family vacation into the holiday, then consider visiting Morocco for a change of pace.  While in this timeless country you could a take a New Year’s tour that will introduce you to a world that is both modern and still deeply steeped in the tradition of their ancestors.  (more…)