Remote Trekking in the Lower Atlas Mountains, Overlooking the Sahara
Ascend to the Summit of Attractive Mt. Kouaouch (2600m)
Fully Supported North African Camping Holiday.
Remote Trekking in the Lower Atlas Mountains, Overlooking the Sahara
This is an easy going, relaxed trek in one of the lower Atlas ranges: the
Jebel Sahro. There is no great sophistication here, just wild Morocco:
elemental and rugged sweetened occasionally by a dose of the nomads’
mint tea! This landscape of rocky ridges and weird rock formations
towering over little valleys is set about with small settlements supported
by artesian wells.
When snow and cold
close the passes of the High Atlas it is time to move to the secluded
delights of the Jbel Sahro. Our journey takes us over the breathtaking
Tizi-n-Tichka pass. The trek starts from a courtyard farm in the Dades
valley - the ‘Valley of a thousand kasbahs’ and takes us in a loop
reaching the hidden heart of the Sahro range. The delightful greenery of
the Dades gives way to the wildest landscape imaginable: mesas, deep
canyons, rocky plateau, all studded with perfect oasis and tiny pools of
clear water, often alive with fish. These act as a haven for exotic
wildlife - wading birds, chameleons and tiny jewel-like tree frogs. It is
a landscape of awe-inspiring emptiness and entrancing beauty full of
contrasting scenery. Population is scant; there is only one place where
you can buy soft drinks on the whole trip! Oh, and look out for the
mountain in the shape of a camel.
Group Size: Min 6, max 15 plus
trek leader
MJS06 Sun 6 April - Sun 20 April
MJS12 Sun 12 October - Sun 26 October
MJS14 Sun 14 December - Sun 28 December
MJS05 Sun 5 April - Sun 19 April '09
14
nights/15 days - Day 1 Fly to Marrakech. Hotel. 2 A long
drive over the magnificent Tichka pass to arrive at Ait Youl village by
mid-afternoon. Overnight farmhouse. 3 Head south towards the heart
of the Sahro range. Camp with views to the north of the High Atlas,
spectacular if snowcapped. 4 As we head towards the village of
Tagmout we again get wonderful views of the bigger mountains to the north.
5 Some of the great contrasts in scenery of the Sahro are seen
today. Afternoon optional ridge walk gives remarkable views of the bizarre
Tine Ouaijour. 6 A wonderful day’s walk ending at
Irhazzoun-n-Imlas. 7 We head east towards the Mesa: ‘Bab-n-Ali’
then north. Camp at Afourar. 8 To the beautiful spot of Igli.
Optional afternoon ascent of Tassigdelt Tamajgalt. 9 Ascent of
Kouaouch (2600m). Camp at 2100m. 10 Completely different terrain
with several passes to gain. 11 Gently walking west via tiny
settlements to camp. 12 Another gentle riverbed walk to Ait Youl.
With luck an evening of traditional Berber singing and dancing at our host’s
farm. 13 Return to Marrakech. Hotel. 14 Morning spent
sightseeing. Afternoon at leisure. Hotel. 15 Transfer to airport
for flight home.
Sherpa
Notes
Max
Altitude
2600m
Support
Leader from UK. Berber guide, porters, cook and mules while on trek.
Accommodation
and Meals
In Marrakech 2 nights bed & breakfast and 1 night halfboard in a
hotel. 2 nights at Ait Youl are spent in farmhouse accommodation where all
meals are provided. Whilst in camp all meals are provided including 1
lunch in transit.
Trekking
in Morocco
A
Sherpa trek in Morocco is a fully self-contained affair with a team
of mules and their drivers accompanying the group through the
mountains. Tents, cooking equipment, food and personal baggage are carried by the mules, leaving you to carry only a rucksack with whatever you need for the day. Berber muleteers are willing assistants helping with setting up camp and various chores. Each trek has its own Sherpa leader and a local Berber guide who speaks French, sometimes some English. Accommodation on trek is usually in spacious two-person tents; if however, bad weather strikes there is usually the option of staying in village houses or alpine huts. Morocco is one of the very few areas of the world where warm temperatures combine with an absence of insects to allow you to sleep outside. Nothing can compare with a night under the brilliant starlit skies of North Africa.
This is an easy going, relaxed trek in one of the lower Atlas ranges: the
Jebel Sahro. There is no great sophistication here, just wild Morocco:
elemental and rugged sweetened occasionally by a dose of the nomads’
mint tea! This landscape of rocky ridges and weird rock formations
towering over little valleys is set about with small settlements supported
by artesian wells.