VALLÉE des ROSES (‘ROSES VALLEY’), MOROCCO

VALLÉE des ROSES (‘ROSES VALLEY’), MOROCCO … INCREDIBLY, just £349 per person

AN EXTRAORDINARY, AFFORDABLE ADVENTURE

OUR EIGHT-DAY ADVENTURE explores the Vallée des Roses (‘Roses Valley’), a dramatic and remote landscape between the High Atlas and the Sahara. Along the way, we stay in traditional gites and guesthouses, see red-black volcanic rock formations contrasting with lush green oases whilst learning about the culture and lifestyle of the Berber nomads.

WE RETURN TO THIS DRAMATIC LANDSCAPE, sculpted by millions of years of volcanic activity. You will see a geological chaos of buttes and pinnacles, deep gorges and mountains contrasting with the survival of lush and prolific green valleys, date palms and almond groves.

WITH SO MUCH OF MOROCCO’S TOURISM directed towards the Imperial cities, many of the country’s treasures remain undiscovered, ignored by guidebooks. Much of Morocco’s beauty is found along pathways connecting the mountain ranges that form the bulk of North Africa’s most visited country.

AS MOROCCO COMES TO TERMS WITH last September’s devastating earthquake, it is more important than ever for tourism to support the local communities.

This privately organised adventure is exclusive to Fitness Adventures Midlands; please message for a full trip itinerary as Meetup limits event descriptions to just 5,000 characters.

HIGHLIGHTS
Fully qualified and licensed, English speaking, Amizagh (Berber) guide
Mule, muleteer and cook; traditional Moroccan meals
Superb, freshly prepared Moroccan breakfasts, lunches, dinners
Six day walks amid spectacular remote Berber landscapes
Seven nights’ accommodation; gite / guesthouse
Dramatic landscapes of vivid oases, canyons and vast rock formations

DATING BACK CENTURIES, MOROCCO IS A COUTRY OF INTRIGUE; an explosion of colour, tradition, soul and spice. Morocco conjures an image of ancient medinas, rolling deserts, blue painted hillside towns, appetising tagines and Berber men wrapped in blue turbans. Yet, beyond this, the diversity is extraordinary; towering peaks, landscape scenes from another world and hospitality that knows no bounds.

A FULLY QUALIFIED AND LICENSED AMAZIGH GUIDE leads our adventure. The Atlas Mountains are home to the Berber people; their real name is Amazigh, meaning 'free people'. We gain an insight into the life of these friendly people as we enjoy their culture, traditions and hospitality. You see traditional adobe villages where people live in ways unchanged for generations.

THE PRICE INCLUDES ALL MEALS on the trek (except for one lunch) with the Moroccan cuisine a highlight (see full trip description for minimal exclusions). All photographs that accompany this description were taken on our previous Moroccan adventures with the same trekking crew.

OUR JOURNEY BEGINS AND ENDS in Ouarzazate, for a long time a small crossing point for African traders on their way to northern Morocco and Europe. However, film-making is now a major industry in Ouarzazate (‘The Hollywood of Morocco’); Atlas Studios, first established in 1983, is the largest movie studio in the world in terms of land area

DAY 1 - LONDON STANSTED to OUARZAZATE to BOUTHARAR
Meet our guide, travel to Boutharar. Afternoon orientation walk around the village

DAY 2 - BOUTHARAR to ALMEDOUN
Walk through the historic village before heading out and along the beautiful valley of Agouti; we continue walking through the canyons to Alemdoun for dinner and overnight

DAY 3 - ALMEDOUN to AMEJGAG and RETURN
Walk through the valley to the Berber village of Amejgag, reach a beautiful gorge

DAY 4 - ALEMDOUN to AGERDZEGGA
A beautiful walk along a forest of juniper trees, before reaching Agerdzegga; overnight in a traditional Berber guesthouse

Day 5 - AGERDZEGGA to TIGHANIMIN and RETURN
The gorge of M’Goun, venturing deep into a remote area in the heart of the High Atlas Mountains, trekking beneath the peak of Jebel M’Goun

DAY 6 - AGERDZEGGA to IGHRM AQDIM
Walking through traditional adobe villages and more of the stunning M’Goun gorge

DAY 7 - IGHRM AQDIM to BOUTHARAR
Our last day walking takes us on paths passing between the terraces as we get to discover the beautiful rose bushes of Vallée des Roses

DAY 8 - TRANSFER TO OUARZAZATE and flight home

RETURN FLIGHTS are NOT included; the trip is organised around specific flights; please do NOT book flights until the trip is confirmed (minimum numbers).

THE DETAIL - a non-refundable deposit of £100 by bank transfer (£105 via Paypal) will secure your place on our Vallée des Roses adventure. The balancing payment of £249 is due on 24 May 2024. You risk forfeiting your place (and deposit) if payments are not made on time.

MANDATORY ITEMS - Insurance, walking boots above the ankle, waterproofs and head-torch. You will also be required to complete a Personal Declaration; this and a kit list will be sent to you.

DISCLAIMER - Please read the Group’s 'Terms and Disclaimer’.