Morocco Itinerary 2009
There are two parts to this trip. Sign up for one or both.
1. Morocco walking and cultural tour. May 9 to 19. The great southern oasis route, Marrakech and my adopted Berber family.
2. Trek Morocco, High Atlas Mountains and Toubkal, highest peak in North Africa, 13,668 ft. May 19 to 25.
Fly in and out of Marrakech, Morocco.
These are not fast-paced walks, as we are here to see the country and people.
Hiking and Cultural Tour
May 8 , Leave USA. Fly into Marrakech.
Day 1, May 9, Stroll Marrakech, a UNESCO World Heritage site. We stay in the ancient neighborhood, and walk through the city. Visit the famous and exotic town square, Djemaa el Fna.
Day 2, May 10, Drive into the country to stay near and visit Ait Benhaddou, a ksar on the UNESCO World Heritage list. Transportation for the first seven days is by rental car, with local English-speaking driver and guide.
Day 3, May 11, Tour Kasbah Tador in Quarzazate. Drive by ancient Berber fortresses and extraordinary rock formations to Dades Valley then onto the spectacular Todra Gorge in the High Atlas Mountains, where we spend three nights.
Day 4, May 12, Walk three hours, flat, along the stream through the gardens and date palms into the town of Tinehir. Visit Tinehir markets and shops. Meet my Berber family, get a tajine cooking lesson, learn to make bread, dine with the family.
Day 5, May 13, Hilly five hour hike in the Todra Gorge, the bare-naked hills that are the home of nomads.
Day 6, May 14, Drive to Merzgoua. Visit Moulay Ali Shrif in Rissani, a local shrine to a direct descendant of the Prophet Mohammad. Stay next to the "Lawrence of Arabia" famed Erg Chebbi Dunes of the Sahara. Late afternoon walk in the dunes to watch the sunset.
Day 7, May 15, Morning ride on camels in the great sand dunes. Drive from Merzouga to Zagora, 140 miles through the spectacular Draa valley. Join the fascinating evening promenade with the Muslim women.
Day 8, May 16, Drive from Zagora to Ouarzazate, 100 miles. Visit a spice and medicinal herb shop. Visit the valley of Fint, six miles from Ouarzazate.
Day 9, May 17 , Drive to Marrakech.
Day 10, May 18, In Marrakech visit the Bahia Palace and shop the souks. "You are a shopping virgin until you have shopped the souks of Marrakech." says the Rough Guide to Morocco.
Day 11, May 19, Depart.
TREK MOROCCO
May 19 , Arrive. I meet your airplane in Marrakech.
May 22, Drive to the village of Imlil in the foothills of the High Atlas Mountains. Day trek from our hotel. Hike 4 hours, about 8 miles.
May 21, Day trek from our hotel. Hike 6 hours, about 8 miles.
May 22, Trek into base camp of Toubkal, 3,200 feet elevation gain. Mules carry your luggage and rented camping gear.
May 23, Ascend Toubkal, 3,000 feet up the highest mountain in North Africia. Overnight in base camp.
May 24, Hike out from base camp to Imilil, 3,200 feet downhill. Drive to Marrakech.
May 25, Fly from Marrakech back to USA.
