Morocco Solo Adventure

Our journey begins in Fes, Morocco’s cultural heartland and probably the oldest of the country’s imperial cities, whose fascinating history is rich with wars, murders and political intrigue. At the centre of Moroccan life for countless generations, Fes has played an important part in the country’s trade, culture, religion and politics for centuries, making it a fitting place to start this exciting adventure.

Overnight Standard Hotel (H+)

This morning we take a wander through the souks and back-streets of Old Fes, passing coppersmiths, tanners, weavers and stalls piled high with aromatic spices. We’ll spend our time hunting out a range of fresh ingredients for today’s lunch, a typical Moroccan dish that we will prepare later under the expert tuition of a local cook. Moroccan cuisine is a wonderful fusion of African, Arabic and European styles, all mixed with herbs, spices and fruits that gives it its unique flavours and, after enjoying the delicious fruits of our labours, the rest of the afternoon is free to enjoy a little more of Morocco’s artisan capital. Craftwork made and sold in the Fes medina is considered amongst the finest in Morocco and its old city abounds with beautiful buildings and atmospheric cafes, making it an ideal spot to wander and appreciate one of North Africa’s most vibrant and captivating cities.

Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch

After breakfast this morning we drive south out of the city, towards the foothills of the Middle Atlas and the limestone landscapes of the Saïss Plateau. Our destination is the town of Ifrane, once a French colonial hill station that today is a favoured spot amongst Morocco’s more elite citizens. Hidden amongst a forest of cedar trees, the town is our starting point for a walk through the cedar blanketed hills that follow the meandering course of the Tizguit River. Remote and beautiful, the cedar forests and Berber settlements of the Middle Atlas present us with some of the country’s most remarkable scenic and cultural diversity. Remote and wild, these beautiful landscapes are home to the staunchly independent Berber tribesmen, a people who have become synonymous with the very mountains that surround them. The hike will take us some 2.5 hours and along the way we will stop and enjoy a picnic lunch amongst these fabulous mountain landscapes. Afterwards we retrace our journey back to Fes, arriving back in the city mid afternoon, in time to explore more of this fascinating city.

Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch

We depart Fes by train today, travelling south on the ‘Marrakech Express’ towards the city that is for many the spiritual heart of Morocco. For centuries the cultural meeting point for the mountain Berbers and the desert peoples of the south, Marrakech is an eclectic mix of ideals and traditions that has resulted in a fascinating clash of colour, noise and visual delights that is straight out of the ‘Arabian Nights’. These delights however will have to await our return, because on arrival in the city we head towards the craggy peaks and plunging valleys of the Toubkal Massif. Crossing the Haouz Plain we pass through the tiny town of Asni, from where our route begins to climb towards the foothills of the Massif. Below us the valley of the Oued Rhirhaia stretches out into the distance and small villages cling to the sides of the steep hills as we meander our way towards the village of Imlil. We’ll be spending our time in the mountains here, enjoying the delights of a traditional-style riad in the heart of the village, where the views from the roof terrace provide some captivating views out across the village and the surrounding countryside.

Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

This morning we meet up with our mules and muleteers and head out along a track that takes us east, up into the high rocky cliffs above the valley, to the pastoral shrine of Sidi Chamharouch (2340m). Set amidst a jumbled cluster of houses, that seem to melt together into a chaotic mass along the valley walls, the shrine attracts tourists and pilgrims alike (although only Muslims are allowed to cross the stone bridge to visit the marabout shrine itself). From here we then continue along the Mizane Valley towards the Berber village of Aremd (2000m). This is the land of the fiercely independent “Lords of the Atlas”, whose traditions and ways still hold sway up here in their mountain strongholds far away from the cities below. The Berbers present us with a unique view of life that has been lost to the rest of North Africa, where music, language and religion are all far removed from those of the Arabs of the plains. Built on a moraine spur overlooking the valley floor, Aremd is the largest village in the valley and provides an interesting mix of traditional ter-raced farming, gites and streets that seem to be permanently gridlocked by goats and cattle. We’ll have a chance to explore something of the village and learn the art of making traditional mint tea, before we head back to Imlil for our second night.

Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today we head for the Terres d’Amanar adventure park, on the outskirts of Marrakech, to enjoy a day of activity in the foothills of the Atlas Mountains. Leaving Imlil after breakfast, we transfer the short distance to Tahanaout, where we spend our time partaking in a host of games and activities.  We'll take a selection of three games from a choice of including volley ball, Berber bowling, Boule, shot putt and even the opportunity to try to set up a Berber tent. There are also a number of optional activities to enjoy if you wish, including the longest zip line in Africa (306 metres) and the Accro Park, where you move between the trees on a series of rope bridges and swings. With lunch and dinner included today, this evening we will be camping within the park, enjoying a final night amongst the land-scapes of the High Atlas, before we head to Marrakech in the morning.

Overnight Basic Camping (C) Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

This morning we transfer back to Marrakech where, on arrival, we shall enjoy a short tour of the city. Marrakech is a city like no other, boasting a staggering array of spectacular architecture and wonderful facades, a place where trade and barter still renders its ancient heart a glittering cacophony of noise and colour. Like many North African towns, Marrakech is divided into two distinct parts, the Gueliz (the modern French-built city) and the Medina (the Old City) and journeying into this vibrant centre with a local guide affords a chance to discover some of its most enthralling sites. The city’s beating heart is the spectacular Djemma-el-Fna, a site not to be missed, where you will find the streets and alleys alive with storytellers and musicians, jugglers and acrobats, snake charmers and clowns. After the tour the rest of the day is free to continue exploring this amazing city at your leisure. You can wander past vendors selling doughnuts and fried grasshoppers, enjoy the sounds and the smells of the exotic and meander through native markets where Muslim women, their hands and feet dyed with henna, call out to sell their wares. Or perhaps you might just prefer to sit in a local café and watch this incredible spectacle unfold before you. This evening we will enjoy a farewell dinner in a local restaurant, an ideal op-portunity to celebrate the end of an exceptional adventure.

Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Included meals: Breakfast