”The days were so varied, we bartered in the Marrakech Market, trekked part of the Atlas Mountains, visited the coast at Oulidia, which is a World Heritage site with a dramatic coastline and masses of birdlife, always to return to our charming peaceful retreat – G and T’s on the table and the smell of home cooking”
Morocco brims over with contrast, colour and mystery. It has a timeless quality that no longer exists in Europe, and a sense of it’s past with all its glory still lives on. On arrival you are plunged into a culture, a religion and a lifestyle utterly unlike anything that you have ever experienced before, a mystery tour of a land of endless surprises, enchantment and enduring fascination.
Challenging terrain, dramatic scenery, deserted mountain trails, deep mountain lakes, fertile valleys, ancient Berber villages lost in the landscape.
Golf, lunch by the pool, tennis, shopping, dinner in the Medina. The choice of activities is almost endless.
Walking or Trekking in the Atlas Mountains
Morocco has spectacular Mountain ranges, The High, Middle and Low Atlas, Jebel Sarhro and the Rif Mountains. Dar Tamazerte lies along the Ourika Valley, the gateway into the High Atlas Mountains, whose foothills start just seven kilometres away. Whether visitors want a short walk along village or mountain paths, a day’s walk and picnic beside a mountain lake, or a two day trek with over-night bivouac stay. It can all be arranged please talk toTim Buxton.
We would also recommend the following
Guide – Jamal Imerhane – www.toubkalguide.com – 00212 671157636
For more information on Walking & Trekking in Morocco contact:
The Moroccan National Tourist Office or The Club Alpin Français, BP. 6178 Casablanca 01
Golf
Marrakech is blessed with three superb championship golf courses, which are situated in the lush outskirts of the city looking towards the Atlas Mountains. All are within a 30 minute drive from Dar Tamazerte making it an ideal venue for a golfing holiday.
The Royal Golf de Marrakech
18 hole – 6200 m – par 72. Arguably the most prestigious club in the region, it was favoured by such historical figures as Winston Churchill, David Lloyd George and Ike Eisenhower. Built in the 1920s it is the oldest and most scenic course in Morocco. Cypress, eucalyptus, palm, olive, orange and apricot trees line the fairway and the snow covered Atlas Mountains provide a dramatic backdrop for the golf.
The Palmeraie Golf Club, Marrakech
18 hole – 6214 m – par 72. Created by international master, Robert Trent Jones. It is set on a spacious valley with numerous sand hazards, abundant palm trees and seven magnificent lakes, this golf course is truly a masterpiece.
Golf d’Amelkis,
18 hole – 6115m – par 72. Home of the Moroccan Open, it is known as the most technically challenging course in Marrakech. It was designed by European course architects, Cabell B Robinson, and boasts distinctive sand hazards, undulating and dog-leg fairways and abundant lakes. From the clubhouse, golfers can admire one of the most impressive views of the Atlas in the area.
Samanah Golf Club
18 hole – 6800m – par 72. Designed by Nicklaus Design it is a desert type course using local planting and vegetation.
AL Maaden Golf
18 hole – 6644m – par 72 This golf course has been designed by Kyle Phillips in grand rolling terrain, placed at the foot hills of the nearby Atlas Mountains. Strategically placed bunkers give players multiple lines of play from the tee and tightly cut spill off areas around the greens gather errant shots, providing a variety of exiting recovery opportunities. It is designed as a walker friendly course, with a surrounding designed landscape and geometric water features that give a feeling of playing through a Moroccan garden
Riding
There is a wide range of riding activities available locally. We can arrange for your horse to be brought to Dar Tamazerte, from where you can take a leisurely ride through the surrounding Berber villages, lush olive groves and farmlands before enjoying a lunchtime picnic, under the shade of a traditional Moroccan bivouac.
Letting the mule take the strain is a very popular way of exploring the Atlas Mountains, and camel rides are also available in the Ourika valley and up towards Mount Toubkal.
Motorsports
For the motor enthusiasts Morocco has some stunning opportunities for quad and four-by-four driving. Whether precarious mountain tracks are your preference, or a 4×4 across the desert dunes, there are thousands of routes that can give enthusiasts a memorable challenge. Hire a 4×4 privately or ask Tim Buxton to organise a vehicle with a Guide.
Fishing
Within a short drive from Dar Tamazerte, there are several deep mountain lakes, yielding black bass, barbell, perch and trout. Some record breaking carp have been recorded in the lake of Bin el Ouidane in the Middle Atlas Mountains.
Beaches
There are several beaches about 3 hours drive away which make a fabulous day trip. Our favourite is Ouilidia. This world heritage site is famous for its lagoon and Oyster farms. You can take a boat from the beach to the Oyster beds where you will see herons cormorants, oyster catchers and if you are lucky Flamingos. Follow this with a private fish barbeque cooked for you on the beach. The fish is as fresh as you will find anywhere and you can choose from Oysters, prawns, crab, lobster, sole and sardines.