This summer I am going on a 3 week trip, called ' Moroc N Roll' with my friend Rosie, here is the ininerary:
Trip 2 - July 10th - 30th
Chefchaouen – Driving up into the Rif Mountains we hit Chefchaouen – an amazing little town that doesn’t really become visible until you are upon it, hidden in the mountains, westerners only first visited this place as recently as 1920 or so. An incredibly chilled out village with great views – a perfect way to unwind at the end of the trip or a great introduction if you’re doing the trip the other way round.
There is also a magical day trip to ‘Paradise’ – a series of waterfalls and plunge pools up in the mountains where we clamber over the rocks and through the water to find the natural Arch in the gorge at the top – ‘God’s Bridge’. Staying at the Hotel Ibn Batouta in the centre of the old town’s cobbled streets for 3 nights.
Here also lives the legend of ‘Ozman’……….
The ‘MONKEY FOREST’ – Heading down through the Rif Mountains ,and over the first of the Atlas range of mountains that divide Morocco we spend a niht camping with the wonderfully hospitable Nomads on the banks of a lake or the option of staying in the Forest with a campfire high up in the middle Atlas is also there – where Monkeys live and - if you’re lucky - will take food from your hands – and your hand itself if you’re very unlucky………..but that hasn’t happened yet !!!!
Erfoud and the Sahara. – A breathtaking drive through palm green Oasis valleys and desert landscapes sees us arriving at the desert kingdom of Erfoud on the other side of the mighty Atlas mountains in the afternoon. Here we stay at a small hotel in the centre of town.
After a relaxing night, the next morning and afternoon are spent either exploring the interesting market town of Erfoud, or, more likely, lounging by the swimming pool - as the weather may be a bit hot by now! We set off, with the bus going off-road, for the Sahara at around 4pm to spend an unforgettable night out on the sand dunes. A hotel is built right out on the edge of the dunes where we can cook and get refreshments (and sleep if you prefer it to the dunes!) before the caravan of camels appear late in the evening to take you on the final part of the journey into the desert itself!
Todra Gorge – a couple of hours further on is the magnificent Todra Gorge, with its ‘lost cities’ and huge palmeries this is a very different but nevertheless as beautiful an area as any seen so far. Staying at a beautiful hotel complex in the Gorge itself complete with swimming pool! Rock climbing is an option here with professional guides and all equipment and ropes supplied. 2 hours - £15.
Or there is also a stunning walk through the palmeries for free for those not wishing to scale the cliff faces!
Ait Benhaddou – ‘Gladiator’ Film Set. – Next stop is Ait Benhaddou – home of the oldest and most famous Kasbah in Morocco. The setting of numerous Hollywood films including: ‘Gladiator’, ‘The Mummy’, ‘Sahara’, ‘Kingdom of Heaven’ and many more. Staying at a hotel near the Kasbah itself – look out for the huge film studios and the ‘Kingdom of Heaven’ set still standing out in the desert on the way into Ourzazate the next day.
Marrakech and Toubkal. - This is Marrakech.....One of the most vibrant and exciting cities in the world. We stay at Hotel Ali with an amazing view from the roof top, where you’ll sleep, right over one of the most famous squares in the world The ‘Jemma el Fna’ full of snake charmers, acrobats, musicians, story tellers as well as a huge open air restaurant at night where you can sample as mush as you please of Morocco’s cuisine.
Get lost in the maze of markets shopping (or Haggling!!) for carpets, bags and jewellery or even the odd chameleon. Take a horse and carriage ride around the old city. Or take a trip to the new town full of bars, clubs and all the trappings of the west. After a night here the Mountaineers among us will head out of the mayhem to the serenity of the High Atlas Mountains to climb Toubkal (at 14,000 ft the highest mountain in the whole of North Africa) – Be warned - this is no picnic!!! It takes 2 days and a night to get to the top – the night spent at base camp will be bitterly cold, rising at 6am to summit and get back to Marrakech all in the same day!!! Worth it though. The views are awesome!!!!! (Toubkal Trek – £35 includes all food and mountain guides for 2 days as well as mules to carry your luggage)
Those of you not up for Toubkal can spend your time at Marrakech’s only Aqua park waiting lazily for us to return.
Cascades D’Ouzoud - 150 km North-East of Marrakech lie the majestic and stunningly beautiful 150ft waterfalls that are the Cascades d’Ouzoud. The highest and certainly most spectacular falls in the country they are well off the beaten track and far from any real ‘civilisation’. We’ll be staying in a campsite overlooking the falls but over 600 steps down from the top where the bus will be parked – so don’t forget anything….it’s a long walk up in the dark!
Essouaria –. a beautifully chilled surfing town on the beach known as ‘Windy city’. It’s big on Surfing and more particularly - ‘Wind-surfing’ and ‘Kite-Surfing’. Prices are a lot cheaper than in Europe if you want to try your luck at either of these or simply hire some gear and improve your already honed skills. Quad-biking or horse-riding on the beach are also both popular extra-curricular activities here.
Jimi Hendrix wrote ‘Castles in the sand’ whilst living here and you can see the ruin on the beach and go round to his old house if you’re that way inclined.
Staying in one huge apartment together in town.
