Travellers may be drawn to Morocco for its markets and meals, however now, with the launch of a brand new lively journey, Intrepid journey chief Fayssal Mallouki is worked up to showcase the nation’s extra adventurous facet.
With their dynamic mixture of tradition, delicacies and structure, Morocco’s cities – from Marrakech to Fez to Casablanca – have lengthy been a journey favorite.
But past the cities’ bustling medinas (outdated cities) and newer layers of modernity, Morocco has lots to supply the adventurous and lively traveller seeking to discover past the bus home windows. If you’re after a extra intimate, immersive and open-air journey by way of Morocco’s numerous panorama, Intrepid’s new Morocco: Hike & Bike journey could possibly be precisely what you want in 2023.
On this journey, travellers stroll, cycle and even journey camels by way of lovely, lesser-known components of the nation, from the rolling sand dunes of the Sahara Desert by way of to the oases and towering gorges dotting the Atlas Mountains.
Intrepid journey chief Fayssal Mallouki, who hails from M’rirt metropolis in Khenifra province, is worked up to be main this journey from April 2023. Fayssal has been working with Intrepid since 2018, and likes to welcome guests to his nation. “I’m a very social and adventurous person, and I love meeting people from different places and nationalities,” he says.
When Fayssal was 14 years outdated, his brother launched him to biking, and he has since spent loads of time exploring the pure world of Morocco on two wheels. As his admiration for the good outdoor grew, so did his love for trekking, which he began doing in 2015. This new journey lets him mix these two modes of journey, all whereas sharing his intensive native information and appreciation of his dwelling nation.
“The mixture between hiking and cycling in the new itinerary will make the trip very active and adventurous,” he says. “Active trips are a different experience as well, because the customers gain a deeper understanding of many things, including the cultures of the country, through their interactions with the local communities.”
The journey itinerary reads like a spotlight reel of Moroccan adventures: journey rocky trails by way of Berber villages and hike by way of valleys and excessive mountain passes within the Atlas ranges; discover the Todra Gorge’s towering orange limestone cliffs and close by palm groves by foot; take a camel safari to a secluded campsite within the Saharan Desert, the place you’ll sleep soundly below the sensible night time sky; and go to the eleventh century mud brick kasbah (fortified village) of Ait Benhaddou, featured in Game of Thrones and Gladiator.
While Kasbah Ait Benhaddou is a exceptional place, the highway it rests on – one of many few routes throughout the Atlas Mountains – is fairly particular in its personal proper.
“Since ancient times, Morocco has been the centre of trading in the north-west of Africa. Fez and Marrakech have alway been very important commercial, exchange and meeting points for most traders,” Fayssal explains. “To reach the cities, many of the caravans [groups of people travelling together, often on trade expeditions] used to travel from the eastern and sub-Saharan countries across the Atlas Mountains on the same paths that exist today. Our itinerary passes through these routes – the Ounila and Ziz Valleys – making the trip just fabulous.”
We know – this all sounds fairly wonderful. But what when you’re frightened your athletic ranges aren’t fairly as much as scratch for all of this mountain climbing and biking? While a base degree of health is a good suggestion for any lively journey, Fayssal and the opposite native leaders will at all times do what they’ll to assist their group. “We always try to make an active adventure easier for the customers if need be,” he says. “For example, e-bikes are usually available for cycling trips and can be provided by the company.”
In a rustic famed for its vibrant cities, Fayssal is wanting ahead to displaying travellers a unique – however no much less spectacular – facet to this well-loved vacation spot. “With incredible biodiversity, four mountain ranges, the Sahara, oceans, and the mixture between old and new cities, Morocco is a great destination for an active adventure.”
Be one of many first to immerse your self in a lesser-known facet to Morocco on Intrepid’s model new Morocco: Hike & Bike journey.