Morocco Tour Report - Family Adventure Holidays Worldwide
Mark Wright - High Atlas Adventure Trip May 2007
Accompanying me on this trip were a great bunch of parents and children (whose ages ranged from eleven right down to three). We spent a few days in colourful Marrakech, exploring the souk and the electifying main square - the Djemma El Fna - before heading into the mountains.
It took just two hours to reach Imlil, from where we travelled on foot and by mule for another hour to reach the village of Aremd, but it seemed like we were light-years away from the hussle and bustle of city life. Set in splendid isolation these mountains are home to the traditional Berber tribe, and without question, it's the people here that are the highlight of the journey. They live simple lives, but are so hospitable. The walking was enjoyed by all and although two of the days were quite challenging, on difficult stretches, the children rode smuggly alongside their parents by donkey. As you see from the photos, they loved this!
The Itinerary
- Day 1 - Arrived in Marrakech, transfer to Hotel.
- Day 2 - Calesh (horse-drawn carriage) tour, followed by walking tour of medersa and souk. Free afternoon followed by drinks at the Cafe de France, overlooking the Djemma El Fna square and then dinner at the hotel.
- Day 3 - Drove to Aremd (Atlas Mountains), walked from Imlil to Aremd. Afternoon free.
- Day 4 - In Aremd - walked to shrine at Sidi Chamarouch, picnic lunch, then back to Aremd, visit local school, group dinner.
- Day 5 - Left Aremd on foot (and by mule for the kids) to the village of Tacheddirt, picnic lunch in meadow, explored village.
- Day 6 - Left Tachedirt on foot to cross high pass to Oukaimeden, picnic lunch. Free afternoon in Oukaimeden.
- Day 7 - Minibus ride back to Marrakech. At this point some of the group went their seperate ways; some families stayed in a riad in Marrakech, some went to the coastal town of Essaouira.
- Day 8 - Breakfast, transfer to airport, flew back to London.
Marrakech
One of Africa's, if not the world's, most interesting and lively cities. It simply pulsates with life. The main square, the Djamma El Fna, is the centre of the action. The souk has hundreds of shops selling just about anything you care to mention, and you can often see things being made there by local craftsmen. Travelling around by calesh (horse-drawn carriages) was great for the kids, and they loved the snake-charmers in the square.
Aremd
Our main base, and the base for the beginning of most trekking groups in the mountains. The village itself blends into the terminal moraine on which it is situated. It is still a genuine Berber village, though it has perhaps lost a little of the innocence it had when I first visited 20 years ago as it receives many visitors these days. The top of Mt Toubkal, the highest mountain in North Africa (4167m) is visible from our hotel in Aremd.
Tachedirt
One of my favourite villages in the area and also the highest in the valley. It is very traditional and unspoilt. There are amazing views both across to the snow-capped peaks and down the valley below. It gets the last of the sun in the valley.
Trekking, Food and Drink
Walking starts off easy and then gradually increases in difficulty. The walk to Tacheddirt is the hardest day, but it's taken slowly and there's plenty of shade. The food produced (on picnics and in hotels) was amazing and everybody ate extremely well and stayed healthy.
Note: Generally no alcohol ia available as it is Moslem country (some places in Marrakech have beer/wine). There is plenty of mint tea, coke, fanta and bottled water.
Suggestions: Anyone with very young children should go on our new Atlas Mule Train trip, which involves less walking each day. Children of seven and up will love the High Atlas Adventure.