Morocco Berber Cultural Encounters

After Breakfast, our driver will take you to Imlil where your trekking crew will be waiting for you to greet you and load the mules with your belongings and what you need for your hiking expedition. Imlil (7400 ft), this Morocco Little Chamonix is way up into the foothills of the Western High Atlas ranges where our trailhead for your journey starts. You will set out walking along a trail of supreme natural beauty with streams and paths branching out all around you through terrasses of plowed plots hedged with fruit trees and blooking bushes. Hike eastward for almost two hours to reach the Tizi n'Tamatert (2272m). Here we will take a pause to admire the village life and the view on the Imlil and Imenane Valley and its cliff hanging villages all the way to Mount Oukaimden(9700 ft) at the horizon.

Our afternoon will carry on along the upper valley slopes for another hour or so to the villages of first Ouaneskra and then Amghedoul (6100 ft) set amidst terraced plots of land carved from the hard slopes. Hike with your small group to reach the pretty - and the oldest - Berber village in the Toubkal Massif - Tacheddirt (6400 ft), set amongst terraced plots clawed from the surrounding craggy slopes, where we'll stay overnight in a Berber House.

Today we will wake up with the villagers to enjoy their early activities and have a full Berber morning meal fresh from the earthen oven. After morning meal, we start our day hike south-eastwards to the terraced village of Timichi (5200 ft), at the western side of the Ourika Valley. Our hike will be around 3 hours in the morning up the Tizi n'Tacheddirt (9600 ft), hiking in this valley offers us a stunning panoramic view of the Jebel Aksouâl (11400 ft) on one side and of Bou Iguenouane (12600 ft) and Angour (12200 ft) on the other. This by far is an excellent introduction to the lash valley of Ourika and its terraces.

After a picnic midday meal next to a natural spring , we shall cross the pass and continue on down through the rocks north-east for a further three hours until we reach the Berber village of Laabassene (6400ft). Later we will proceed down the valley to the old village of Timichi, set amongst ancient nut trees, where we'll have our dinner and stay overnight in Kasbah Toubkal.

We will enjoy morning meal with a Berber family then start our hike for a couple hours in the morning to reach the lower slopes of this lush valley with vegetables and fruits groves. Here is where the Eurika valley takes its flow from so many springs scattered all over the foot hills of these mountains. Keep hiking down to Isghouarne and Agadir n'Aït Boulmane to arrive at the venerated Berber village of Setti Fadma. Lunch will be under thousand years old walnut trees, with waterfalls in the backdrop and hissing streams flowing all around. This is just as close as you can get to heaven on earth, an ethereal setting hard ot find even in mythical books. Relax and reflect on a journey in nature at its best before we leave our mule caravan and cease our vehicle in late afternoon that would lead us back to Marrakech.

You will begin your day by traveling to Essaouira (Mogador), a picturesque city with a rich history. With a fascinating antiquity, Essaouira was occupied by the Phoenicians and Carthaginians, supplied essential purple dyes to the Romans, absorbed the sophisticated Jewish arts of silversmith, and spent centuries as a Portuguese enclave. Your guide will introduce the history of this 3000 years old fishing port.

Despite the obvious influence of these civilizations, Essaouira has managed to remain a small, authentic Berber town. Alive with the breath of fresh air provided by the Atlantic, Essaouira is a jewel nestled in the ragged coast, with a vast expanse of empty sands trailing back along the promontory towards the South. Your Bedouin Camp is set over the dunes of Diabet village. After an introductory tour, you will conclude your day with dinner and other accommodations in your base camp.

Once you arrive to the Berber compound you will be welcomed by the manager and staff at the door, as the Moroccan tradition is to meet the guests with a plate of dates and milk. After checking to your room, you will be offered a tea ceremony in the Moroccan way. Here you will have class on how to brew mint tea the Berber way. The tea is offered with fresh home-made bread, olive oil, Argan oil, honey, Almond-batter, butter, fresh natural eggs and Rfisa ( bread with butter and honey)

After morning meal you will take a walk to Sidi Kouki visit Berber shepherds and their goats grazing on top of argan trees. Discover daily life of this part of Morocco known for its argan oil production. Return to base camp for dinner.

After the ceremony there are four options to choose from

stay with the ladies in the kitchen to learn how to make traditional Tagine Berber way.

To knead dough with a lady and bake it in a traditional oven.

To fetch water from the well on a donkey.

After a wonderful midday meal in a traditional Berber setting, you can go for walk through the village for a full afternoon.

For dinner time, you will feast on a couscous. Later you will enjoy some Berber dance and music with local friends. Bed time.

Breakfast will be served in the traditional way as usual with Baghrir pancake or Mesamen. You will go through the plants you have collected. Some local ladies will show you how they use those plants as a traditional medicine. They will also show you how they used cactus as a shampoo and another plant (we call it Tasra in Berber) as a soap to clean cloths.

Lunch will offer a Goat tagine with Argan oil. This is a specialty of this region. In the afternoon our group will be hosted by a local family and have tea with them. Learn how to write down names in Berber and Arabic. Dinner will be at the Berber Cultural Center Enjoy music and dance with locals.

A typical Moroccan morning meal will be served for you, Harira with dates, fresh eggs, natural fresh butter, Argan oil, olive oil, honey, Amlou (almond batter), fresh homemade bread, msemen, Mint tea, spiced coffee, milk.

Later your guide will take you on a hike through the Seksaoua valley. This is a wonderful hike of 6 to 8 Km with a purpose of studying medicinal herbs naturally grown in this valley. Enjoy exploring the vistas while trekking in this valley with your small group.

The BCC staff will prepare a picnic site by the river where you will be served midday meal and relax for a while. They will have barbecue, salads, mint tea, and cakes. Walk back to the BCC, looking for more plants.

Arrive to the BCC, then go to experience a steam bath at a local family Hammam At dinner you will be offered a prestigious tagine called Trid with Chiken (home made filodow). Enjoy Berber music, drinking Thym and Saffron tea. Later you will retreat to you room for a good night sleep.

Return to Marrakech the jewel of Morocco. You have a free day for shopping or simply enjoy the beauty of Marrakech. Walk in the souks and enjoy buying goods in the bazaar. A farewell dinner to celebrate a great cultural and adventure trip to Morocco will be at a typical Moroccan restaurant with Entertainment.

Transfer to Marrakech Airport. Come and explore Morocco with us again.