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The special quality of this trek is its very remoteness. The physical challenge of the trek itself is combined with an insight into life in the valleys of the High Atlas little changed for generations. Our start point in the fertile valley of Ait Bouguemez is reached after a day’s travelling by "road" from Marrakech. Despite its isolation, the region supports a rich agriculture and a number of thriving villages. In many of these we are welcomed to the elaborate Berber ritual of mint tea - wonderfully refreshing after a morning’s walk. There is an immense contrast in scenery - rocky mountain- sides dotted with thuya, juniper and argan bushes, the deep limestone Tissili Gorge and the karst pavement of the Tarkedirrt Plateau. The climb of Ighil Mgoun, scarcely less high than Toubkal, involves a stunning ridge-walk with views to the south all the way to the peaks of the Jbel Sahro. Marrakech is a delightful start to any journey into the mountains. In winter the snow-clad peaks of the High Atlas provide a backdrop to its distinctive skyline of crenellated walls, palm trees and minarets, its central square (the Djema Efna) is a unique place to experience African night life. From here it is a short drive to the vicinity of Jbel Toubkal, the most popular area for trekking in Morocco. The Berbers of the Atlas have long held the interest of ethnologists as an example of an ancient mountain society. Our contact with them as delightful trek staff is one of the charming aspects of walking in this little known region. All treks have a Berber guide as well as a leader. The three areas of Morocco in which we operate are quite distinct - from the lofty crags and screes of Toubkal, to the wide valleys, plunging gorges and karst of the Mgoun and the bizarre rock formations and perfect oases of the Jbel Sahro.
vacations
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