Toubkal

The train from Casablanca took about 3 1/2 hours. To begin with we were standing but managed to get seats reasonably soon after our departure. I could have happily dosed but for the fact my seat had no arm rest and I was in danger of falling in to the aisle if caught off balance.  We eventually arrived in Marrakech where we transferred to a small van. This took us to the village of Imlil in the Atlas Mountains. One of our stops enroute was at Richard Bransons Moroccan Retreat where we were delighted to be taken inside and shown around. Upon arriving at the village our bags were transferred on to mules and we accompanied them up the hill to our accomodation at the Kasbah du Toubkal.  This was a traditional communal Berber salon. In the main building our entire group of seven ladies shared one bunk room. It had a ladder to a second level which had such a low ceiling you couldn't stand up. However, there were full size mattresses up there. Unfortunately back problem restricted me to the lower level where the bunks were very narrow. Our room was directly off the restaurant which we needed to cross whenever we went to the bathroom. The foyer also had to be crossed. At 1.20am on night one there were still folk in the restaurant area when I went for a bathroom visit. Despite this somewhat flawed floor plan it was a fun place to stay and the scenery was fantastic whichever way you looked. Our first day we walked (very slowly) to the Tizi nem  Zik  Pass (2,489 metres). This took us through several mountain villages but also away from most of the tourists  visiting the area. We had the benefit of a guide and a man and a mule. The mule was at some time riden by most of the party.  The following day we walked in the direction of the highest peak in the area (and Morocco) Mt Toubkal. This was also a beautiful walk but the tourist and mule traffic was more plentiful. Today we coped without a mule but did have the benefit of our lovely local guide. Our time spent in the Atlas Mountains was wonderful and I left rather reluctantly this morning.

Mt Toubkal in background
Football field in riverbed
 
Entrance to Toubkal National Park

Mountain Village

The Trail Day 2

Great spot to take time out


Cherry blossoms

Restaurant area outside our room

Comments

  1. Unknown19 April 2018 at 16:15

    Sounds like my ideal place. A room with 7 women. Not being able to stand up in the room and having to get dressed up each time i visited the toilet during the night. Photos are good. No problem with Altitude, other than back???

    ReplyDelete
  2. Unknown19 April 2018 at 21:10

    Thanks so much for the update and amazing photos.

    ReplyDelete

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