Travel to Morocco: Nature Photography Adventures: Morocco Dra Valley Extension

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Nature Photography Adventures: Morocco Dra Valley Extension

			DAYS: 7 GRADE: I define PRICE: From $2195 per person (Includes Local Air) HIGHLIGHTS: Taroudant Dra Valley M'hamid Quazarzate Marrakech Ait Benhaddou ACCOMMODATIONS: Hotels/Lodges MEALS: As noted  [B-Breakfast, L-Lunch,   D-Dinner] Prices, Departure Dates and Included Services Send to a Friend Print this Itinerary

Our Dra Valley extension itinerary takes us deep into the Sahara along the ancient southern trading route. Crossing the Tizi n'Tinififft pass, we drop into the startlingly green Dra Valley with its many kasbahs, Berber villages and palmeraies. The Dra Valley is amongst Moroccos most photogenic scenery, the contrast between the vivid greens of the irrigated valley and brick-red sandstone mountains is quite stunning.  Join nature photographers Diane Kelsay and Bob Harvey and expert Moroccan guide as we follow the ancient caravan route to the very end of the road at MHamid. We travel here not to see the non descript MHamed, but to see something of the real desert, and the real desert is what we get on todays journey; a glimpse of the infinite, frightening, beautiful and strangely alluring Saharan wilderness. At the very end of the road we peer into the vast Sahara, which stretched south to Timbuktu and east to the very banks of the Nile.

DAY 1 :  TAROUDANNT
Leaving Marrakech we drive into the High Atlas Mountains, where we grind up a looping road to the Tiz-n-Test Pass (2100m / 6930f). The views are simply stunning, and there will be photo opportunities en route. As we descend the landscape turns green with oaks, walnut groves and oleander bushes set against the brick red soil and the deep azure sky. We stop for tea and a snack at the top of the pass before dropping into the fertile Sous Valley. Arriving in Taroudannt, the regions main market town in the early afternoon, we check into our hotel. Taroudannt retains vestiges of its medieval origins in the ochre-colored battlemented walls. Achingly romantic, especially as the sun sets, this half citadel-half oasis town has great charm. The walls and souks, and the stark backdrop of the High Atlas give Taroudannt a timeless air, especially at dusk. The souks are small but varied and, being off the main tourist trail, the quiet and relaxed atmosphere is a balm. After check in to our hotel, we, take a relaxed pace walking tour along the city ramparts in search of the perfect photograph. Overnight Hotel Palais Salaam or similar [BD]

DAY 2 :  QUAZARZATE
This morning we explore the souk and the old Mellah district of Taroundannt on foot, cameras at the ready. Mellah means salt in Arabic, and was the term that became associated with the Jewish quarters of most Moroccan towns, as Jews were often involved in the salt trade. Jewish communities thrived for thousands of years all across North Africa. After the European Jews fled Europe in WWII and wrested Palestine from the indigenous population, centuries of traditional brotherhood between Arab and Jew was significantly damaged. The result has been the emigration of much of North Africas Jewish population and an unnatural distance between these two natural allies, a distance that is certainly in the best interests of Jews to narrow. After some free time for an early lunch we depart for Quazarzate, arriving mid afternoon. We pause before reaching our hotel to view one of the two large film studios that have made Ouzarzate increasingly popular as a destination for shooting desert related films. Recent examples include Lawrence of Arabia and Gladiator with Russel Crow, both of which used this region extensively in their filming. Overnight Hotel Mercure or similar [B]

DAY 3 :  ZAGORA
Today we drive into the Dra Valley. Perhaps a little over-sold as Moroccos most stunningly beautiful valley, none the less, it does have some wonderful moments and vistas, and we do get a sense of the vastness and variety of terrain leading into the Saharan wilderness. Driving south from Quazarzate through arid desert, we cross a range of mountains on the 1600m-high Tizi n'Tinififft pass, before plunging into the startlingly green Dra Valley, with its many kasbahs, Berber villages and palmeraies (farms growing dates, fruit and vegetables). The Berbers build in mud, clay and straw, as they have done for hundreds of years. As a result, both modern and ancient Kasbahs and villages look the same, generally picturesque, always medieval. There are good photographic opportunities for contrasting landscapes and scenery, and some opportunities for good portraiture. The Dra Valley has both modern and ancient buildings that follow the course of the valley, the most fertile section of which is between Agdz and Zagora. We arrive in Zagora late afternoon. Remainder of the day is free. Overnight Riad Dar Lamane or similar [B]

DAY 4 :  ZAGORA
Today we drive the last 172km of the Moroccan road system to M'Hamid where civilization dramatically stops and the road simply ends. Beyond, the vast and potentially deadly Sahara begins in earnest. The contrast between todays drive and the palms and greenery of yesterday in the Dra Valley is intense and radical. The stony hammada (stony desert) is not a place to be stranded. Taroudant lies a mere 40km from the Algerian border, and has little to recommend itself to the visitor, other than some dunes similar to those at Erg Chebbi, but smaller. The town itself has been so frequently ravaged by conflict over the years that its sense of impermanence in the face of the humbling Sahara is perhaps its defining characteristic. But we came here not for MHamed, but to see something of the real desert, and the real desert is what we get on todays journey; a glimpse of the infinite, frightening, beautiful and strangely alluring Saharan wilderness. We hunt out the best vistas for photography before returning the way we came, arriving at our hotel late afternoon. Overnight Riad Dar Lamane or similar [B]

DAY 5 :  QUARZAZATE
Today we retrace our route back to Quarzazate, arriving in time for a late lunch. In the afternoon we visit the other film studio for which the town has become famous. Overnight Hotel Mercure or similar [B]

DAY 6 :  MARRAKECH
Today we drive to Marrakech via the Tiz nTicha pass and there is a second chance to visit the often photographed village of Ait Benhaddou. Once a fortified ksar, Ait Benhaddou is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the setting for countless historic films, including scenes of Lawrence of Arabia filmed in the 1960s, Taylor and Burtons Cleopatra, the Monty Python teams Time Bandits and, more recently, Gladiator with Russell Crow. Ait Benhaddou is currently home to about ten families and an increasing number of tourist shops which, thankfully, are kept away from the ruins themselves. After our visit we ascend, grinding up a looping road over the Tizi-n-Tickka Pass (7,417 ft) the highest pass in Morocco. Arriving late afternoon in Marrakech the remainder of the day is at leisure. Overnight Riad Daria or similar [B]

DAY 7 :  DEPART FOR HOME
Transfer to airport. Services end. [B]

Questions? Ask Our Program Directors.

. C o n t a c t Adrian Chalker 1(800)345-4453