Lydia, Ryan & Ken enjoy village hopping via balloon ride outside of Marrakech Morocco. This is a video from the company that took us on our "Vol V.I.P"
Monday, January 28, 2008
Friday, January 4, 2008
Erg Chebbi Camel Trek Slideshow, Sahara Desert, Morocco
Erg Chebbi camel trek, Morocco. Way, way, way off road somewhere between Rissani and Merzouga. A visit to the "Sand Sea" via "Ships of the Desert" Why do camels always get such a bad rap??? Amazing animals.....except for the camel chocolate...
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
Rough sketch of our Itinerary
Some people went to Rabat and Sale and others went to Essaouira while others went to Kasbah du Toubkal. Midelt and Ziz Valley was a stop between Fes and Merzouga in the Middles Atlas Mountains.
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
Saturday, November 3, 2007
Lydia, Ryan and Ken's Back Roads of Morocco Itinerary
BACK ROADS OF MOROCCO - Gecko's Adventures
Nov 23: Chicago/NYC
Lydia, Ryan and Ken leave for Morocco.
Nov 24: Casablanca
We all converge on London's Heathrow Airport for our flight to Casablanca. We arrive in Casablanca in the evening and make our way to our joining hotel.
Nov 25: Casablanca
Our tour starts today in Casablanca. No activities are planned. We will probably hire a local guide and go on a whirlwind tour of Casablanca. Our leader may make contact tonight; otherwise we will see him tomorrow morning at breakfast.
Meals included: 1 breakfast
Nov 26: Casablanca-Meknes
After breakfast we can make a quick visit to the impressive Mosque of Hassan II, built in 1993 by a team of over 6000 craftsmen. Located on the shores of the city it is an imposing edifice and one of the few mosques in Morocco that foreigners are allowed to enter. Later we make our way to the station where we catch the local train to Meknes, a journey of about four hours. Once here, a local guide walks us through the old medina, one of the most picturesque in Morocco, and the rest of our day is free to explore the souk.
Meals included: 1 breakfast
Nov 27: Meknes-Fes
We continue our journey to Fes, a large, fascinating and at times confusing place, made up of three distinct ‘cities’, or quarters. From our hotel in the ‘Nouveau Ville’ (the new city, with a distinctly French character) we take taxis to the old city (Fes-El-Bali). With our local guide we walk downhill into the heart of the souk encountering a hive of activity, with people and donkeys laden with produce all jostling for space in the cramped alleyways. We visit the superb Funduk Nejjarine, a beautifully-restored lodging house, and make our way towards the Quaraouiyine Mosque, hemmed in on all sides by busy streets where hawkers sell their wares. Although the mosque is closed to foreigners we are able to catch several glimpses of its elaborate interior as we make our way through this section of the city. Rounding a corner our nostrils are assailed by the acrid smell of sheep hides as we approach one of the main tanneries, where the curing of skins and the subsequent dyeing process has been carried out since the Middle Ages. Nearby we can visit the Medersa el Attarine, built in 1323, with its beautiful courtyard and simple student accommodation. After time for lunch the rest of the day is at leisure to explore further.
Meals included: 1 breakfast
Nov 28: Fes
Today is free to explore Fes further. Many will want to return to the old city, while others might wish to explore Fes-el-Jedid, the so-called 'New City', which dates to the 13th century. Another possibility is an optional excursion to the nearby spa town of Moulay Yacoub, a pleasant trip through picturesque countryside.
Meals included: 1 breakfast
Nov 29-30: Fes-Midelt-Erg Chebbi
Travelling south through a variety of terrain, we reach Ifrane, a mountain resort established by the French in 1929. Further south, at Midelt, the landscape opens up and we enjoy expansive views to the west. Midelt is a fantastic place for an overnight stop. We rest here for the night, and enjoy an easy but spectacular walk.
En route to the desert, we stop at the spectacular narrow defile known as the Gorges du Ziz and then head to the large town of Er Rachidia. We pass the 500-year old ruins of the Ksar of Meski before descending into the Ziz Valley, a particularly fertile region producing figs, olives, dates and tamarisk – a fruit grown for its tannin and used in the curing of leather skins. We reach Merzouga, where we drop our main bags off at a simple Auberge before heading into the desert on camels for the magical sunset. We spend the night at a simple desert camp.
Meals included: 2 breakfasts, 1 dinner
Dec 1: Erg Chebbi-Todra Gorge
Rising early, we enjoy another fun camel ride through the sand dunes. Sunrise is a magical time of the day and we experience the amazing interplay of light as the Sahara slowly comes alive all around us. Returning to the Auberge we collect the rest of our gear and then travel west to Todra. Almost imperceptibly, a bright tablecloth of green appears before our eyes as we enter a lush valley packed with palm trees and mud-brick villages. At the top of the valley we reach our hotel and then take a short hike into the celebrated gorge where sheer cliffs rise over 1000 feet above us. We spend the night at a local hotel in the gorge.
Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 dinner
Dec 2: Dades Valley-Ait Benhaddou
From Todra Gorge, we travel along the ‘road of 1000 Kasbahs’ and enjoy a walk in the impressive Dades Gorge. We also stop to visit the beautiful family-owned mud-brick home at Skoura, rising like a mirage beyond a dry riverbed, and continue to the fabulous medieval mud-brick town Ait Benhaddou, at its best in the late afternoon sun. We explore the many old streets and climb up to the fortress for a superb view over the old town. We can also – for a small fee – enter one of most interesting of the old houses, climbing up to the turrets for a view over the river. We spend the night just outside the walls.
Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 dinner
Dec 3: Ait Benhaddou-Telouet-Marrakech
We continue our journey west, passing numerous Berber villages and enjoying expansive views of the countryside. Leaving the main road we arrive at the village of Telouet, home to the infamous Glaoui family whose repressive regime was something of a legend. We visit their crumbling mud-brick citadel, one of the most spectacular in the region, where several rooms are still in a good state of repair. We then wind our way up towards Tizi ‘n Tichka (2260m), the highest pass on the road to Marrakech and often covered with snow during the winter months. Leaving the Atlas behind we descend into the plains that surround Marrakech, which we reach in the late afternoon. Our hotel is very central and in the evening we can just walk across to the incredible main square, Jemaa el Fna, where we find fire-eaters, fortune-tellers, actors, musicians and all manner of hawkers. In the centre of this vast throng are hundreds of foodstalls selling hot tagine, spicy dips and numerous other tasty dishes.
Meals included: 1 breakfast
Dec 4: Marrakech
Marrakech is a lovely city, with palm-lined streets, earthy colors and the Atlas Mountains rising in the distance. There is much to see and do and others in our group enjoy an orientation walk around the old medina. However, Lydia, Ryan and Ken go on an early morning Balloon Ride with Ciel d'Afrique, le Maroc en Montgolfière.
Itinerary
a.. 6 AM: you will be collected from your hotel for the 45 minute drive
through the countryside to the launch site;
b.. 7 AM: Watch the launch team prepare the balloon for departure; full
safety briefing;
c.. 7.30 - 8.30: The flight will cover 15-25 km (depending on the wind
speed), taking you over a local village;
d.. 9.30: After a gradual descent you will be taken to the village for
mint tea and home baked bread;
e.. 11.30: Arrive back at your hotel.
Our time is then free to explore the souks and alleyways that lead off to the north of Jemaa el Fna. Alternatively, some may wish to visit the 16th century ruins of the El Badi Palace, the famous Majorelle Garden or the adjacent Museum of Islamic Art. In the evening we will doubtless be drawn back to Jemaa el Fna for a final night out together.
Meals included: 1 breakfast
Dec 5: Kasbah du Toubkal - Imlil
Our tour ends today after breakfast and we make our way into the High Atlas Mountains to the Kasbah du Toubkal. The Kasbah du Toubkal is an extraordinary venture, the product of an imaginative Berber and European partnership. There is a shared belief that the beauty of the Toubkal National Park should be accessible to all who respect it. To this end the Kasbah has been transformed using traditional methods, from the home of a Feudal Caid into an unprecedented haven; one that provides a variety of accommodation and event possibilities to meet differing requirements. The Kasbah is a welcoming environment for those seeking a comfortable mountain refuge, and for those who wish for superb rooms in a stunning setting. The Kasbah du Toubkal is not a hotel in the traditional sense. It is more an extension of the hospitality that stems from the home of the Berbers who run it. Our day may start with a Balloon Ride if weather conditions do not allow us to make ascension on Dec. 4th. If this happens we will go directly to the Kasbah after our balloon ride.
Meals included: 1 breakfast
Dec 6: Kasbah du Toubkal - Imlil
Regardless of our level of fitness, the gentle pace of Imlil and the Berber world is open to us. It is a special place beyond the reach of the modern world and offers many possibilities:
-Take a leisurely walk and mint tea with a neighbor
-Hire a guide and go on treks in the region in the mountains and local villages
-Investigate the local shops in Imlil
-Hike to the top of Jbel Toubkal the highest mountain in N. Africa (4,167 m)
-Relax and savor the views of this spectacular location.
Meals included: 1 breakfast
Dec 7: Marrakech - Riad Kniza
After breakfast we make our way back to Marrakech to the Riad Kniza which has the designation of Tripadvisor’s 2006 Traveler's Choice Award as the 2nd Best Hidden Gem in Africa.
Dating from the 18th century, Riad Kniza is a small, luxury “Hotel de Charme” in the heart of the old Médina of Marrakech, completely restored by Mr. M. Bouskri using traditional materials and artisans to recreate an authentic Moroccan experience as in days gone by.
Mr. Bouskri, aside from being one of the most renowned antique dealers in Marrakech, has been a professional guide for the past 34 years and has shown the best of Marrakech to many VIPs and celebrities including former US Presidents and international movie stars including Brad Pit, Tom Cruise, Nicole Kidman, and Jennifer Aniston…
Meals included: 1 breakfast
Dec 8: Marrakech - Chicago/NYC
Sadly, we have an early breakfast and the Riad Kniza staff delivers us via Mercedes-Benz to the airport for our return home. Lydia and Ken say goodbye to Ryan at Heathrow for our respective flights to JFK and ORD. We all get home on Saturday night. Recover on Sunday and continue muddling through life on Monday until we conjure up our next Great Adventure.
Nov 23: Chicago/NYC
Lydia, Ryan and Ken leave for Morocco.
Nov 24: Casablanca
We all converge on London's Heathrow Airport for our flight to Casablanca. We arrive in Casablanca in the evening and make our way to our joining hotel.
Nov 25: Casablanca
Our tour starts today in Casablanca. No activities are planned. We will probably hire a local guide and go on a whirlwind tour of Casablanca. Our leader may make contact tonight; otherwise we will see him tomorrow morning at breakfast.
Meals included: 1 breakfast
Nov 26: Casablanca-Meknes
After breakfast we can make a quick visit to the impressive Mosque of Hassan II, built in 1993 by a team of over 6000 craftsmen. Located on the shores of the city it is an imposing edifice and one of the few mosques in Morocco that foreigners are allowed to enter. Later we make our way to the station where we catch the local train to Meknes, a journey of about four hours. Once here, a local guide walks us through the old medina, one of the most picturesque in Morocco, and the rest of our day is free to explore the souk.
Meals included: 1 breakfast
Nov 27: Meknes-Fes
We continue our journey to Fes, a large, fascinating and at times confusing place, made up of three distinct ‘cities’, or quarters. From our hotel in the ‘Nouveau Ville’ (the new city, with a distinctly French character) we take taxis to the old city (Fes-El-Bali). With our local guide we walk downhill into the heart of the souk encountering a hive of activity, with people and donkeys laden with produce all jostling for space in the cramped alleyways. We visit the superb Funduk Nejjarine, a beautifully-restored lodging house, and make our way towards the Quaraouiyine Mosque, hemmed in on all sides by busy streets where hawkers sell their wares. Although the mosque is closed to foreigners we are able to catch several glimpses of its elaborate interior as we make our way through this section of the city. Rounding a corner our nostrils are assailed by the acrid smell of sheep hides as we approach one of the main tanneries, where the curing of skins and the subsequent dyeing process has been carried out since the Middle Ages. Nearby we can visit the Medersa el Attarine, built in 1323, with its beautiful courtyard and simple student accommodation. After time for lunch the rest of the day is at leisure to explore further.
Meals included: 1 breakfast
Nov 28: Fes
Today is free to explore Fes further. Many will want to return to the old city, while others might wish to explore Fes-el-Jedid, the so-called 'New City', which dates to the 13th century. Another possibility is an optional excursion to the nearby spa town of Moulay Yacoub, a pleasant trip through picturesque countryside.
Meals included: 1 breakfast
Nov 29-30: Fes-Midelt-Erg Chebbi
Travelling south through a variety of terrain, we reach Ifrane, a mountain resort established by the French in 1929. Further south, at Midelt, the landscape opens up and we enjoy expansive views to the west. Midelt is a fantastic place for an overnight stop. We rest here for the night, and enjoy an easy but spectacular walk.
En route to the desert, we stop at the spectacular narrow defile known as the Gorges du Ziz and then head to the large town of Er Rachidia. We pass the 500-year old ruins of the Ksar of Meski before descending into the Ziz Valley, a particularly fertile region producing figs, olives, dates and tamarisk – a fruit grown for its tannin and used in the curing of leather skins. We reach Merzouga, where we drop our main bags off at a simple Auberge before heading into the desert on camels for the magical sunset. We spend the night at a simple desert camp.
Meals included: 2 breakfasts, 1 dinner
Dec 1: Erg Chebbi-Todra Gorge
Rising early, we enjoy another fun camel ride through the sand dunes. Sunrise is a magical time of the day and we experience the amazing interplay of light as the Sahara slowly comes alive all around us. Returning to the Auberge we collect the rest of our gear and then travel west to Todra. Almost imperceptibly, a bright tablecloth of green appears before our eyes as we enter a lush valley packed with palm trees and mud-brick villages. At the top of the valley we reach our hotel and then take a short hike into the celebrated gorge where sheer cliffs rise over 1000 feet above us. We spend the night at a local hotel in the gorge.
Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 dinner
Dec 2: Dades Valley-Ait Benhaddou
From Todra Gorge, we travel along the ‘road of 1000 Kasbahs’ and enjoy a walk in the impressive Dades Gorge. We also stop to visit the beautiful family-owned mud-brick home at Skoura, rising like a mirage beyond a dry riverbed, and continue to the fabulous medieval mud-brick town Ait Benhaddou, at its best in the late afternoon sun. We explore the many old streets and climb up to the fortress for a superb view over the old town. We can also – for a small fee – enter one of most interesting of the old houses, climbing up to the turrets for a view over the river. We spend the night just outside the walls.
Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 dinner
Dec 3: Ait Benhaddou-Telouet-Marrakech
We continue our journey west, passing numerous Berber villages and enjoying expansive views of the countryside. Leaving the main road we arrive at the village of Telouet, home to the infamous Glaoui family whose repressive regime was something of a legend. We visit their crumbling mud-brick citadel, one of the most spectacular in the region, where several rooms are still in a good state of repair. We then wind our way up towards Tizi ‘n Tichka (2260m), the highest pass on the road to Marrakech and often covered with snow during the winter months. Leaving the Atlas behind we descend into the plains that surround Marrakech, which we reach in the late afternoon. Our hotel is very central and in the evening we can just walk across to the incredible main square, Jemaa el Fna, where we find fire-eaters, fortune-tellers, actors, musicians and all manner of hawkers. In the centre of this vast throng are hundreds of foodstalls selling hot tagine, spicy dips and numerous other tasty dishes.
Meals included: 1 breakfast
Dec 4: Marrakech
Marrakech is a lovely city, with palm-lined streets, earthy colors and the Atlas Mountains rising in the distance. There is much to see and do and others in our group enjoy an orientation walk around the old medina. However, Lydia, Ryan and Ken go on an early morning Balloon Ride with Ciel d'Afrique, le Maroc en Montgolfière.
Itinerary
a.. 6 AM: you will be collected from your hotel for the 45 minute drive
through the countryside to the launch site;
b.. 7 AM: Watch the launch team prepare the balloon for departure; full
safety briefing;
c.. 7.30 - 8.30: The flight will cover 15-25 km (depending on the wind
speed), taking you over a local village;
d.. 9.30: After a gradual descent you will be taken to the village for
mint tea and home baked bread;
e.. 11.30: Arrive back at your hotel.
Our time is then free to explore the souks and alleyways that lead off to the north of Jemaa el Fna. Alternatively, some may wish to visit the 16th century ruins of the El Badi Palace, the famous Majorelle Garden or the adjacent Museum of Islamic Art. In the evening we will doubtless be drawn back to Jemaa el Fna for a final night out together.
Meals included: 1 breakfast
Dec 5: Kasbah du Toubkal - Imlil
Our tour ends today after breakfast and we make our way into the High Atlas Mountains to the Kasbah du Toubkal. The Kasbah du Toubkal is an extraordinary venture, the product of an imaginative Berber and European partnership. There is a shared belief that the beauty of the Toubkal National Park should be accessible to all who respect it. To this end the Kasbah has been transformed using traditional methods, from the home of a Feudal Caid into an unprecedented haven; one that provides a variety of accommodation and event possibilities to meet differing requirements. The Kasbah is a welcoming environment for those seeking a comfortable mountain refuge, and for those who wish for superb rooms in a stunning setting. The Kasbah du Toubkal is not a hotel in the traditional sense. It is more an extension of the hospitality that stems from the home of the Berbers who run it. Our day may start with a Balloon Ride if weather conditions do not allow us to make ascension on Dec. 4th. If this happens we will go directly to the Kasbah after our balloon ride.
Meals included: 1 breakfast
Dec 6: Kasbah du Toubkal - Imlil
Regardless of our level of fitness, the gentle pace of Imlil and the Berber world is open to us. It is a special place beyond the reach of the modern world and offers many possibilities:
-Take a leisurely walk and mint tea with a neighbor
-Hire a guide and go on treks in the region in the mountains and local villages
-Investigate the local shops in Imlil
-Hike to the top of Jbel Toubkal the highest mountain in N. Africa (4,167 m)
-Relax and savor the views of this spectacular location.
Meals included: 1 breakfast
Dec 7: Marrakech - Riad Kniza
After breakfast we make our way back to Marrakech to the Riad Kniza which has the designation of Tripadvisor’s 2006 Traveler's Choice Award as the 2nd Best Hidden Gem in Africa.
Dating from the 18th century, Riad Kniza is a small, luxury “Hotel de Charme” in the heart of the old Médina of Marrakech, completely restored by Mr. M. Bouskri using traditional materials and artisans to recreate an authentic Moroccan experience as in days gone by.
Mr. Bouskri, aside from being one of the most renowned antique dealers in Marrakech, has been a professional guide for the past 34 years and has shown the best of Marrakech to many VIPs and celebrities including former US Presidents and international movie stars including Brad Pit, Tom Cruise, Nicole Kidman, and Jennifer Aniston…
Meals included: 1 breakfast
Dec 8: Marrakech - Chicago/NYC
Sadly, we have an early breakfast and the Riad Kniza staff delivers us via Mercedes-Benz to the airport for our return home. Lydia and Ken say goodbye to Ryan at Heathrow for our respective flights to JFK and ORD. We all get home on Saturday night. Recover on Sunday and continue muddling through life on Monday until we conjure up our next Great Adventure.
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