Tagines, Prunes and Dunes; Morocco! THE SAHARA

The Sahara (26th - 29th April)

After arranging a three day/two night Sahara tour through our hotel, we set off from Jmaa El Fna in a 9 person mini bus.

We drove through the Atlas mountains, stopping at Tizi-N-Tichka Atlas pass – a point with the higest altitude and spectacular views across the Berber villages on the mountains.

 

 

We visited an Argan Oil Cooperative and discovered the steps in which Argan Oil and other products are made. We tried Argan honey, Argan butter (similar to peanut butter) and Argan Oil (for eating and for cosmetic use). The nut is picked from the tree, the outer shell is removed, the nut is then cracked open and then ground using a special device.

 

 

 

 

Passing between towns through the Atlas mountains, the contrast between the desolate red coloured mountains and the luscious green valleys was amazing.

Our next stop was the UNESCO World Heritage site and popular filming location for many famous films – Ait Ben Haddou. This old Berber Village dates from approximately the Tenth Century and was an important stop along the Saharan trade route. There are now only eight families living the old town. The new city was built around 15 years ago and has many hotels, restaurants and is the place where most people now live.

 

The Old Berber Village - Ait Ben Haddou

 

 

The new village - Ait Ben Haddou

 

 
 

Rose Valley and the Dades Gorge were next. The smell of roses drifted through the mini bus on our way through the Valley and Dades Gorge was beautiful and peaceful. The rock formations were amazing.

 

Rose Valley

Dades Gorge

 

 

 
We found it extremely interesting how the Berber people build their houses – with bricks made of clay and straw – these houses are very comfortable; being cool during the midday heat which reached close to 40 degrees while we were here.

 
 

The next day, we drove through the Todra Gorge, passing many more Berber villages along the way. Todra Gorge was filled with many date palms and was extremely green and vibrant.

We took a walking tour with a local guide along the river that flows through the Todra Valley and through a local Berber village filled with fresh produce. We were surprised at how fertile the soil was, with many fig, almond, pomegranate and peach trees along with other vegetables growing in abundance. We passed local women washing clothes, and also visited a Women's Cooperative where we were treated to a Moroccan tea ceremony (Berber Whiskey) and learnt how the Berber carpets are made. We even met a local donkey – we heard our first EEE OOOORR here!

 

 

We passed through a neaby gorge where hundreds of locals were bathing, picnicking, dancing, singing and enjoying the weekend. Some local Nomadic women were filling up their water containers to take back up into the gorge, ready for their next trek.  Their donkeys were left nearby to graze, as they collected the water.

 

 

One step closer to the desert, we entered the Sahara – passing through the famous city gate that is traditionally known as 'The Gateway to the Sahara'.

 

 

Our last stop before arriving in Merzouga was the town of Rissani and a beautiful mausoleum, decorated with beautiful stained glass and heavy doors. Unfortunately we could not go inside due to not being muslim, however admired the building from the outside.

 
 

Ready to make our way to our Berber tents for a night of camping, we put on our turbans and took a 4WD through the amazing dunes (on the roof of course! No safety standards here!) and then a camel for the remainder of the way. Our first sight of the dunes was breathtaking and you cannot describe in words the look and feel of being in the Sahara Dunes.

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

My Camel was a beautiful white one, and treated me to a 'duck face' for the camera!

The following morning, we took the camels back to the city during sunrise. The dunes seemed to go on forever and looked amazing with the morning sun beating down.

 

 

 

 

We stayed another night in a beautiful secluded hotel which packed onto the Saharan Dunes. We watched the beautiful sunset on the dunes and were marvelled at the distances the local desert beetles travel in a matter of minutes!

 

 

 

 

We finished our time here with a candle light dinner right in front of the dunes. It was a beautiful place to relax and unwind after a busy couple of days. We were even visited by a wild toad while having dinner! (not something you would expect in the desert!).