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Tour Guide Marrakech
See the High Atlas!
Sahara Tours
Photos of Marrakech
High Atlas Excursions |
| Just one hour away from the bustle of Marrakech are the quiet reaches of the High Atlas, populated by traditional Amazeer people, most often known as the Berbers. |
| The Amazeers are the aboriginal people of Morocco. They were here long before the invasions from the Saudi Penninsula. Since then, they continued to live isolated in the mountains, retaining their distinctive identity. Now, under the new Constitution, Amazeer is an official language of Morocco. |
| We will explore villages along the river. And you'll visit Ait Burka (left), a place where only a few travelers have been from outside Morocco. You will see how people live and work through agriculture, working gardens and apple groves along splendid terraces, as well as have a cous cous lunch in a private home. |
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A Day in the High Atlas |
| Length of Tour: Day Tour from Marrakech; starting at 9:30 am and rerturning at 6:00 pm.. Transportation: Air Conditioned Sedan (We can accommodate group tours of up to 6 people: More information including costs below) |
| Itinerary |
In just one hour we are in a very different place, calmer than Marrakech. Quiet mountain spaces are unbelievable following the bustling and energetic life in Marrakech! We stop at a private, roadside home. Here, besides seeing a truly beautiful panoramic view from the terrace, and the beautiful patron of the house will show you how she makes fresh tea and serve it to you along with fresh, homemade bread with olive oil, honey and homemade butter, too! |
You will visit a suspension bridge (one of the sturdy ones!) among many such bridges crossing over the Oureka River. At the top as we enter the region of the High Atlas, the mountains become more dramatic; and you see men from deep in the mountains coming into Seti Fotma for their supplies.
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We explore the village of Siti Fotma and head up along a fairly level path to the next village below, Asgaour, where you can see how people have lived for many hundreds of years. No roads, no cars here! You may also visit Tod's mud/stone house which he is now beginning to rennovate.
Right: Tod with official guide Mohamed Chiboub |
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You will enjoy the waterfalls and the path to villages beyond the asphalt, too! For lunch, we will drive up a road and over a river to an isolated village called Ait Burka. There, nestled above fantatic terraces on which are planted cherry trees and apple orchards, you will enjoy cous cous lunch at Mohamad Chiboub's mother in law's home. And what a view!
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| No one from the outside world had seen Ait Burka before Tod and his colleague began bringing travelers up to enjoy its fantastic vista and really colorful inhabitants. Then, we return to the sedan and began our descent from the High Atlas. |
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On our way down the mountains, we will visit a family owned mill where corn and wheat flour is made and if you like, you may enjoy visiting a women's community cooperative for Argan oil, where it is pressed and made into both cooking and cosmetic oils. In all, you will have enjoyed an unforgettable day in a place unlike anywhere else you have been before!
COSTS FOR 2-3 PERSONS: 1750 DH (Currency Exchange: $225 USD/175 Euros); COSTS FOR 4-6 PERSONAS UTILIZING A MINIBUS: 1950 DH (Currency Exchange: $246 USD/175 Euros) |
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| Left: Mohamed. Chiboub's Mother-in-law; Right: The view outside her guest room |
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| Adventure Climbing Toubkal: 3 Days |
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3-10 Day Hikes/Treks
Should you wish to take an excursion deeper into the mountains beyond the highway, either hiking or treking for 2 or 3 days or more, I can accommodate you! Also, I work with official guides in the High Atlas mountain who will also accompany you on longer excursions into isolated villages deep in the High Atlas. Omar, president of Association Espace, which organizes tours in order to help impoverished children in the area, is the chief of Asgaour and works at times as a teacher and sending pack mules into villages full of books, packs and materials for children in remote villages. Also, Chiboub, a young man in our village, works with us as our driver and special guide for our village here in Siti Fotma.
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Tel: (0.212) 671.886.045 Tel inside Morocco: 0671.886.045 |
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