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Trekking in Morocco's
Jebel Sarhro Mountain range
If you have missed the
chance to participate in one of our much loved Moroccan treks - have no fear!
We repeat the whole thing by popular demand each year. Every February or
March (early Spring in southern Morocco), we escort a group to Marrakech by
air - and then onwards by mini bus, over the High Atlas Mountains, to a
region about a day's drive south east, towards The Sahara Desert. It is an
area of highish mountains and canyons called THE JEBEL SARHRO, lying between the
desert and the High Atlas.
During
the ensuing trek, we have the ground support of my Berber friend, Slimane
Baadoud. Using his local knowledge and comprehensive equipment, we walk over
and through this amazing range of mountains, valleys and gorges - along the
way coming into contact with remote villagers and nomads.
Slimane is an experienced mountain leader and has many treks under his belt
and probably knows the mountains better than any other guide - which is why I
put my complete trust in him. He has a team of Berber cooks, helpers and
muleteirs, who together with their mules, will
transport all our luggage, tents, sleeping mattresses, cooking utensils and
food. What is more, they will literally do all the donkey work for us! All
you'll have to do will be to walk each day carrying a small day-pack,
containing all you'll need during that day.
Considering that we will be camping, the meals which the guides prepare are
varied and absolutely delicious - using local ingredients. Lots of fruit and
nuts as snacks too! Vegetarians are well catered for - and we'll eat outside,
or in a large mess-tent, with rugs spread around. All the food preparation
and cooking (in hygenic conditions) is done for us, as are the dishes and
erecting of tents, etc! The muleteers are a fine bunch of Berber local men,
who will sometimes get us up dancing and singing around the nightly camp
fire.
The mules really are fantastic and they make it all so much easier -
apparently without minding at all - such is the life of a Moroccan mule!
After running some 16 or so different treks there myself over the last 10
years, I know that there is some degree of flexibility possible. I know how
nice it is to be able to simply take some time out to be alone with the
mountains and the perfect peace which pervades all - away from the modern
world - where time and space seem to take on a new dimension. Each day's walk
will be approximately 5-6 hrs of actual walking time, with opportunities for
wildlife observation and odd swims.
The landscape is rugged and barren, but there are many oases in the valleys
with almond trees, date palms, fields of barley and beans and all the other
fruits of the land which the local AIT ATTA tribes and Nomads live off.
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As
an example of a typical trip:
Our departures are usually in February or March (Spring in Morocco) and sometimes late October also
(still very pleasantly warm).
The two week departure has an extra optional indeterminate number of days
tagged on to the trek (often about five are taken), so that we can travel by
bus to old Essaouira, on the Atlantic coast for a few lazy days by the sea!
Of course, that is also possible after the 'one week' trek we sometimes run
in October.
Essaouira is an old Portugese colonial fortress town, beautifully situated,
with lovely beaches and an active fishing port. It is also a wonderful place
to obtain authentic crafts and rugs, etc.. There are
lovely cafes to sip mint tea outside, whilst we fully digested all that has
happened to us over the past 2 weeks! Included in the package are 3 nights in
a real character hotel in central Marrakech - just minutes from the legendary
souks and central square - Djemaa el Fna - where the essence of Morocco's
city life throbs around us.
A day is spent either end of the 10 day trek, driving over the Tizi-n-Tichka”
pass (7500 ft) to the Jebel Sarhro Mountains. ALL transport, meals and
accommodation are included.
The all inclusive cost of the 14 day package is currently about £695 (not
including the extra days in Essaouira). Air fares always used to be very
expensive, but several budget carriers have now commenced flights from London to Marrakech - and a return can
be bought for as little as £75 - saving about £200 on the overall price, compared to what it once was!
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