Morocco: North, South & Sahara Tour
Initially we flew to Marrakech before taking a 3 hour train journey north to Casablanca the following day. Upon arrival in Casablanca we took a walk through the streets and markets to the Hassan II Mosque. It is an imposing building on the coast covering a large area, and has a 210m tall minaret. It is the 2nd biggest mosque in Africa...and funnily enough the day before we also saw it, as we flew past on the way down to Marrakech! In the evening we joined up with an Intrepid travel group to commence our tour the next day.
Starting in Casablanca, we boarded a high-speed train (320kmh) to Tangier, a bustling city at the northern tip of the country. We had a brief lunch stop in Perdicaris park and then on to a coastal viewpoint at Cape Spartel, 14km west of Tangier...the northernmost point of the African continent. In Tangier, we encountered the first medina of many on this trip. From there, a minibus to Chefchaouen, the famous Blue City nestled in the Rif Mountains. The city’s medina of hilly, narrow alleyways is a stunning spectacle, with buildings painted in shades of blue and white creating a surreal dreamlike atmosphere. If you like cats and kittens, even more reason to love it here, they are abundant! The Kasbah, a fortified citadel, is located in the Plaza Uta el-Hammam ...a nice plaza to enjoy a meal and watch the world go by. One of the highlights was an early morning hill walk up to the Spanish Mosque, offering sweeping vistas of the city and mountains beyond.
We travelled onwards to Moulay Idriss, where we enjoyed a welcoming home stay, embracing local life and hospitality. Nearby, we then visited the ancient Roman ruins of Volubilis, a UNESCO World Heritage site that offers a fascinating glimpse into Morocco’s distant past. There are some beautiful preserved mosaics here. From there, we continued to Meknes, walking through its old medina before arriving in Fez.
In Fez, we wandered through the historic 9th century medina, exploring the famous Chouara Tannery with its vibrant dye pits, stood outside the royal palace, and then we walked into the Jewish quarter. One should be aware that there are a mazy 9,000 streets and passages inside the Fez medina!
The next day's journey from Fez to Marrakech by train took around 7 hours. A pleasant journey nonetheless. Marrakech, is a city renowned for its lively souks, majestic palaces and gardens. The Bahia Palace, a stunning example of Moroccan architecture and craftsmanship, and was a worthwhile visit.
The southern leg of the journey took us from Marrakech to Imlil in the Atlas Mountains. Here, we embarked on a 1.5-mile walk up to Aroumd, a charming village perched at 6,200 feet. I then trekked a five mile roundtrip to Sidi Chamharouch, a shrine at 7,800 feet, offering breathtaking views of rugged mountain landscapes and Toubkal, Morocco’s highest peak.
From the mountains, we travelled over the Tizi n’ Tichka pass to Aït Benhaddou, a UNESCO World Heritage site and iconic fortified village (ksar), which has been used as a backdrop for numerous films. Its adobe and wood structures with interconnecting buildings and kasbahs provide a spectacular backdrop...and evoke the timeless allure of Morocco’s historical caravan trade routes.
Continuing westward, we headed for the Sahara Desert. En route, passing the impressive Noor solar power plant, a sprawling 7,000-mirror array harnessing solar energy. After a scenic 2-hour crossing in 4x4 vehicles, we arrived at a desert camp surrounded by pristine sand dunes, a truly surreal and special setting. A sunset camel ride was marvellous, as was watching the sunset from the crest of a dune. We enjoyed a Berber dinner inside traditional tents, and the night's view under a canopy of stars made this desert stay unforgettable. The following morning...watching the sunrise from atop a towering sand dune was a magical moment, an uplifting experience that words can hardly capture.
The journey continued across the Sahara, passing fossil fields of trilobites and stopping to meet nomads living amidst the dunes. The route then took us to Tata for a restful night. The next day, we explored Tafroute, a charming market town near the surreal blue and pink painted granite rocks of Agard Oudad, and enjoyed a peaceful walk through the farmland of Ammelne Valley.
Finally, we travelled along the coast to Essaouira via Agadir. Essaouria's lively fishing port has a historic medina with markets and shops, restaurants, and an expansive wide beach popular for kite surfing. We were tucked away in a lovely Riad here.
All credit to Intrepid for a fabulous itinerary and great guiding. Morocco’s diverse landscapes, rich history, and warm hospitality made this journey truly unforgettable, an immersive experience that will stay with me for years to come.