Uncovering Morocco With Intrepid

Morocco is a land of contrasts. Small towns with pointed rooftops in the north can be mistaken for Swiss villages, and the sparse arid landscapes contrast the vast mountain ranges and barren desert as you venture towards the south. And Natasha got to see a bit of it all! Read her story...

I chose the 13 Day Morocco Uncovered itinerary with Intrepid as it covered both Chefchaouen and the Sahara – two of my absolute must-sees! Being roughly 650kms apart, I wanted an itinerary that would get me between them and add some treasures along the way. And did it ever!

Here are some of the highlights from my trip!

Chefchaouen – The Blue Pearl

This stunning town nestled between the peaks of the Rif Mountains has buildings painted every shade of blue and enchanting doorways to die for. The hilly topography offers plenty of vantage points and climbing to the Mosque perched on the hill above the town rewarded us with views of blue and white buildings peppering the hillside below.

We dined in an intimate family-run rooftop restaurant for dinner where we sampled goat’s cheese (a classic of the region) and ate some of the most delicious tagines of the entire trip. We watched the sun go down and listened to the call to prayer echoing out over the valley. A definite favourite!

Fes – Frenzied and Fantastic

The artistic capital of Morocco, Fes, was an assault on the senses. We explored the stall-lined maze of alleys in the old medina, completely in awe of the sheer quantity of goods. The smell of spices hung in the air, the sound of hammering copper rung out through the labyrinth, and the natural saffron and indigo dyed materials threw colours across the stall fronts.

We clung to our guide as locals yelled “Balak! Balak!” to warn that donkeys piled high with goods were barrelling down the narrow laneways toward us. We kept close, knowing that if we got lost that no maps could help us here! I loved the overwhelming chaos and was blown away by the craftmanship.

Midelt – An Intimate Experience

I was looking forward to hiking through the apple orchards of Midelt, amidst the mountainous regions of the Atlas and Anti-Atlas ranges. However, as we pulled into the town the skies opened and rain flowed freely. We sheltered under a little roof and our guide started chatting in Berber to a local lady who invited us into her home for some mint tea. We filed in as her daughter and granddaughter joined us, bringing with them blankets, pillows, biscuits, bread, homemade jam, olives, and nuts.

Our guide explained that it is Berber culture to offer everything they have, and encouraged us to dig in. We learned that the gentleman lying in the corner was a shepherd recovering from frost-bite after getting caught in a snow storm, and that his son had passed away from another accident on the slopes not long before. We were moved by the hardships of daily life in this village, and by the ongoing generosity of the people we encountered.

Sahara Desert – Erg Chebbi Dunes

From the moment I awkwardly scrambled onto my moody camel, to the moment the rising sun bathed the dunes in gold and scarlet hues, everything was unforgettable. We rode our camels for over an hour into the desert where we were met with a beautiful camp at the base of the dunes.

We had the afternoon to ourselves, so we climbed the highest peak we could find to take in the view and scampered down promptly to avoid the onset of a sand storm. We sheltered in the dining tent enjoying a delicious spread and listened to the wind whip the sand outside. The weather cleared in time to start our camel trek back at dawn, and we again watched the sun sneak over the dunes and shed its light on the Sahara.

Homely M’goun Valley

I hadn’t really thought ahead to the M’goun valley, except that I would be able to wash the faint smell of camel off me at our next stop. This turned out to be one of my favourite places, not only because it was a tranquil oasis nestled in the valley, but because of the people. We stayed in a family run gite where we were catered for from the family garden and welcomed with open arms.

In the evening we were treated to local musicians and traditional dancers in the family-run restaurant, and we found ourselves swept up in the action. We tried to keep pace with the dance steps and played instruments out of time. My cheeks hurt from smiling and the next morning we were greeted by the concierge shimmying on the terrace and reminiscing in broken English. One for the memory books.

Marvellous Marrakech

I chose Morocco because it had been a while since I took a trip that made me uncomfortable. I wanted a bit of confusion, disorder and turmoil. In Marrakech we took to the souks and the square to surround ourselves in the hustle and bustle. I loved being in the thick of it and getting a little lost. It is a place where you can dash into the disarray, then retreat to the relative calm of other corners of the city.

For a reprieve we headed to Majorelle Garden, where vibrant blue artwork pierced the green foliage and ochre pathways. A city of contrasts, Marrakech has something for everyone. There were a lot more tourists peppered along the pavement, and I can see why. Marrakech is marvellous.

The Flavour of Morocco

While the places we saw were incredible, it was the people, the history, and the flavour of Morocco (both on and off the plate) that I loved the most. The people were so warm and welcoming, and while we could not always communicate, our guide was always on hand to translate. Sometimes though, there was no translation needed. Some things, like sharing a moment and a smile, are universal.

This tour ended up being everything I hoped for (and more!). Morocco is somewhere that I definitely recommend touring. We had experiences that we would not have had if we were travelling independently. Our Intrepid guide was a passionate Moroccan and unlocked the country for us to experience the culture, the people and the history in a way that made the trip truly special.