Marocco | 2 | discover

from the 26th of March to the 7th of April 2013

Short but nevertheless impressive and varied trip around and through Maroccos High Atlas: the joy of the differentness of Marrakesch, the crossing of the Eastern High-Atlas on a 3-day hike (with tent etc.), the two day trip with a rental car to visit two popular gorges in the south of the Atlas, the subsequent attempt to climb Maroccos highest mountain (Jbel Toubkal, unfortunately without success due to bad weather conditions), and finally the visit of the charming town Essaouiran at the Maroccos coast.

This and the following images: impressions from Marrakesch

The High Atlas in the background.

Marrakesch

Typical Marrocan dish: Tajin

Public transport that took us to the starting point of the planed little trekking tour.

Starting point of the trekking …

First night on the trek

Typical village in the High Atlas

The paths getting narrower

Second night on the trek.

View back.

Getting to the pass …

… at approx. 3000 m.

The valley we were heading to

The mountain range of Jbel Mgoun

After 3 long days hiking …

… we reached …

the other side of the High Atlas and …

… hitch-hiked to Ouarzazate, south from the High Atlas

Ouarzazate

Well known gorge …

Delicious

A local guide lead us through the gorge. We didn’t expect that the water is going to be up to one’s neck.

Anyway, …

it was worth it.

Nice spot to spend the night.

ditto

On the way to another gorge.

Little hike.

ditto

On the way back to Marrakesch (by bus)

Break on the way to Marrakesch.

ditto

In Imlil, the starting point for some nice trekking routes and to get on the highest mountain of marocco: the Jbel Toubkal.

On the way to the refuge at the bottom of the Jbel Toubkal

Its getting colder the higher we came

At the refuge at approx. 3000 m. Despite the refuge, I slept in the tent just because I carried it all the way up.

Due to bad conditions, i.e. neverending snowfall and strong winds, we canceled the ascent to the top of the Jbel Toubkal and returned back to the valley. Would have been a nice birthday present … bad luck.

Alternatively, we made a day trip the charming town Essaouira at the Atlantic coast.

Essaouira

Freshly roasted fish.

Essaouira

The famous Djemaa el Fna in Marrakesch at night.

Our hostel.

…