Trekking Camelback Through Sahara Desert Morocco
This Morocco tour starts in Fez, one of the imperial cities with some ancient history. The Kairouine Mosque, spice market, and leather market (and tannery where you can see how the leather goods are prepared) are just a few of the stops you might want to make. The tour begins with two days in Fez before you move on to trek another part of Morocco. Fez allows you to immerse yourself in the culture in one of the oldest cities in the world.
Ifrane, Midelt, and Errachidia are next on the list. As you approach Ifrane you will have a chance to pause at the cedar forests. The cedar forests are essential to Morocco culture. The forest is protected by the government as the last cedar forest in the country. Within the forest walls there are numerous types of flora, fauna, and wildlife. The tour guide can take you through a small trek on trails through the forest if you like. Ifrane leads you into the Middle Atlas Mountains, where you are able to find a hotel with a pool for the evening.
The next day brings travelers to the Ziz Valley, Erfoud, and the Sahara Desert. The Ziz Valley does have some villages in the area. Your Morocco tour operator will take you 25 kilometers from the town of Erfoud where you will see a variety of different agricultural lands. The trekking experience takes two hours before you will spend the night in Merzouga. At Merzouga you will ride a camel across the desert to see the sunset before bedding down in a Bedouin tent on the dunes. This experience provides you with something unlike the rest of the trip. The Ziz Valley is considered more barren than any other region in Morocco, save the snaking date palms that follow down river.
On day five you’ll reach Todra Gorge. At the gorge you are in the Boulmane Dades Valley. The Tinejdad Ksar is located in the valley and a wonderful place to rest for lunch. You may also visit the Kasbah in the region. Most of this section of the trip is a car ride, rather than hiking, but climbing up to the Gorge will allow for a lovely few hours. You can walk between the canyon walls, take a small trek with lunch, rock climb or relax at one of the many restaurants. There’s plenty of caravans selling wares and souvenirs.
Ourazazate, Marrakesh, and the High Atlas Mountains will be next on the agenda for such a trip. The High Atlas Mountains are unlike any other. The mountains are very green due to the excess rainfall in the area, covering the red clay earth heavily in spots. Ouirgane and Nfiss valleys are some of the most beautiful, especially because of the salt mines. You’ll see white stained earth throughout the area, where salt encrusts the ground after spring and winter rains. Be forewarned: Villages in the High Atlas Mountains are not always marked on a map.
by Sam Mitchell
