Morocco
From 12 to 20 March 2011
Price: 368€*
Itinerary:
Day 12 – Departure from Torres de Serrano in Valencia at 7.00
We will travel all day so that we can take the ferry from Tarifa in the afternoon. We will arrive at the city of Tangier, where we will go through border control and into Moroccan. Our stay in this city will be minimal because our goal is to have dinner in the city of Chefchaouen.
Day 13 – On the previous day we will have stayed at the Joya pension house. Chefchaouen is the beginning of our journey through the Moroccan lands. This gentle city of Rif welcomes us with the same joy as a village at fiesta time. Walking through the indigo medina, touring seemingly labyrinthine streets, leading us sooner or later to a square with a family atmosphere in just a few hours. It’s always pleasant to wander through these winding streets. This is a day of connection with the Moroccan culture.
Day 14 – Morning departure towards the Mediterranean sea along the Oued Lau road. We stop in Talembote, where we will do some aquatic canyoning in the Farda river. This course runs between the canyon walls with the flow down a ravine, in turn, which allows us a simple but fascinating descent without having to abseil, just walking, swimming and jumping in pools of crystalline waters.
At the end of the section we find Rabbi Alcántara, or bridge of god. This natural bridge which joins the two walls of the canyon located one hundred metres up, is a spectacular beauty. Legend tells us that Allah put it there so that the people of the valley could communicate with each other. We then return to the town of Chefchaouen which is our “headquarters” in the Joya boarding house.
Day 15 – After breakfast we’ll head south to one of the so-called Imperial Cities: Fez. In the afternoon, we’ll visit the famous medina with an official guide, one of the largest in the Arab world. Founded by Andalusians and Tunisians, it still retains the charm and almost medieval way of life. The various souks are represented by every guild, the tanners, dyers, boilermakers, carpenters, the henna souk, there is a specialty in each souk. It is a day of shopping, a sport that we did not include but which is practiced after a good haggle.
You can also visit the medina alone but it’s always better to be accompanied by an official guide, as there are many fake guides who only take you shopping (and shops receive a commission in advance) and you don’t get to see some places of interest.
Day 16 – We leave in the morning to go towards the city of Taza and from there we take the road around the National Park of Jbel Tazzeca which is already in the Middle of the Atlas mountains, to the grotto of Frioteau Goufre. They say it is the longest grotto in North Africa, but to reach the end, you need to do some cave diving. You can also visit the impressive pothole via some stairs and you just need to have enough courage to go deeper and to follow the guide. We can enjoy the stalactites and stalagmites that are found there and at no time are caving techniques required for your enjoyment. When we’ve finished at the cave, we will take the bus towards Fez, where we will return to our hotel. But before that, we’ll pass through the beautiful scenery of cork forests Atlas.
Day 17 – After breakfast we’ll head towards the south, passing by the city of Ifrane where the only ski resort in all of Africa is. The homes there are more like the typical Alps homes and they are not African style so therefore we are not interested it and we’ll continue towards Azrou, there we will take narrow roads to the fountains of l’Oum Er Rbia. It is very common on this road trip to find Atlas monkeys that are originally from Gibraltar, the landscape around this road is unique beauty because it has a lot of the cedar forest trees, that are rare and only found here and in Lebanon.
The sources of L’Oum Er Rbia are suddenly springs that give life to one of the main rivers of Morocco. The river begins almost at once causing a spectacular crystal clear water quickly on both sides of the rapids are a few simple bars where you can practically touch the water with your hands while taking a tea or a tasty rich Tajin. A part of this site does not offer hotel infrastructures so we slept in the homes of the Berbers we will find the authentic Moroccan hospitality and this may be the place of the trip where we are the closest to their culture. Quite an experience.
Day 18 – heading north again through the cedar forests, we will not stop near the town of Meknes, another city that was once imperial capital of Morocco. Arrive in the afternoon to the city of Larache. Is this one of the last Spanish colonial possessions and breathe some interbreeding. Many nostalgic again and create bonds of cooperation, especially in cultural matters. Grandparents speak Spanish very well and half Andalusian accent.
Night falls and the fishing boats bring in their holds filled. It’s the best time to go to port, there are freshly caught fish stalls and bars ready to cook up grilled fish bought for a few dirham. Overnight in Larache.
Day 19 – Larache is a typical city of the Moroccan Atlantic coast, with almost no tourism and genuine atmosphere everyday, where people talk to you for the sake of a conversation nonprofit, unlike other tourist cities abound hustlers. In the afternoon we will visit the city of Ashila that tourism has a more bohemian, as many artists have settled there, dedicated to beautifying the medina. Unlike Chefchaouen, which uses the colors white and blue on the walls, here the colors are white and sea green. The craftsmanship of its stores has more design than other Moroccan bazaars. It also has several beaches and fishing port through which to stroll. After the visit, return to sleep in Larache.
Day 20 – Today we begin our return at 06.00 hours, departing to Tangier where we catch the first ferry to cross the strait and go to Valencia.
End of our services.
Includes
Transport in Kalahari vehicles
Strait Ferry (one way / return)
Various kinds of accommodation
Travel insurance
Kalahari accompanying guide
Not Included
Food
Safe on the activities
Material for activities
Essential to bring
Neoprene, sleeping bag insulation, front or flashlight, batteries, shoes, spare passport (must be in possession of passport valid at least six more months from the date of travel)
Comments
The activity on the trip are not included in the price and Kalahari are a detail that wants its customers for free. Failure to attend any of them does not mean return by Kalahari.
This trip is specially designed to enjoy the culture and customs very different from ours, so it is important to adapt to the characteristics of the place and the people that we will find. Please refrain from whining and all that ‘s who can not do without the comfort and convenience for a few days Western venture @ sy welcome people willing to have a great time!
