Adventure in Morocco: endless options between the sea and the desert

Just 14 kilometers from our coasts, a true paradise opens up for adventure in morocco. Our neighbor to the south is a country so different and enigmatic that sometimes we forget that we have it so close, simply crossing the Strait of Gibraltar.

Its key position between Africa and Europe, and a mixed history of different cultures, have made it a country of contrasts. You will see it if you spend a few days visiting its cities, but also in all possible activities in the nature that it offers. Coast, mountains and desert increasingly attract multitudes of nature lovers. adventure in morocco.

From the great mountains of the High Atlas in the north to the arid plateaus in the south, take note of the 6 experiences we propose to get the most out of this dream country.

Immerse yourself in local culture

The best way to get to know a country is to immerse yourself in its culture.

You may have read in the guide about the custom of haggling in the market. Why not head into the alleys of Marrakech and try it? If you're not very good at it, you'll end up taking home a more expensive rug than normal. But the experience will be priceless.

Or maybe you would like to try an authentic Moorish tea, just the way the locals make it. Then sit with a Berber family who invites you to taste it. You won't get Wi-Fi, but in terms of authenticity, Starbucks doesn't match the soles of your shoes.

If you also like walking, it is best to do all this during a trekking or hiking route interpreted by a local guide. During the experience, which can last several days, you will get to know the Berber villages of the Sahara Desert or experience first-hand the practice of transhumance with nomadic shepherds.

Take a camel trip through the desert

Peter O'Toole showed that you could ride a camel through the Sahara desert without losing an ounce of elegance. If since you saw Lawrence of Arabia, you too can't conceive of a adventure in morocco Otherwise, you cannot miss this experience.

You will find everything from single day excursions to safaris that include several nights in the desert. And it is certainly in this type of guided adventure through the Sahara where you will get the most out of it; since you can also admire the incredible blanket of stars that covers the desert when the sun goes down.

Some of the most spectacular places to explore by camel are Merzuga or M'Hamid. The latter is known as the Gate of the Sahara and riding through there you will feel like a true explorer.

Of course, keep in mind that camel tours are not appropriate for the summer months, when the heat is oppressive. In the spring, there are also sand storms. So it is best to travel to the desert between September and February to enjoy it without problems.

Enjoy extreme sports in the Atlas

You don't mess around. For you, the landscape is best enjoyed when you merge with it. You are one with the rock, or with the rivers. Therefore, you are a lover of extreme sports wherever you go. This country was not going to be less. How else could one be complete? adventure in morocco?

Canyoning and climbing, two sports that are increasingly in demand around the world, are also experiencing their golden moment in Morocco. The High Atlas and Anti-Atlas regions offer climbing routes ranging from beginner levels to only experienced ones.

Two spectacular examples are the Todra or Dadés gorges, both in the High Atlas. You can find out about them on the website of the Royal Moroccan Ski and Mountaineering Federation.

On the other hand, if you prefer to soak, you cannot miss a visit to the Azilal region. You will be able to discover spectacular landscapes, such as the Ouzoud Waterfalls or Lake Bin El Ouidane, while practicing your favorite sport, canyoning.

Don't deprive yourself of any of it with this one. canyoning getaway in the Middle Atlas region from Morocco.

Ascend the highest peak in Morocco

Up to four mountain ranges are counted in Morocco: the Rif, the High Atlas, the Middle Atlas and the Anti-Atlas. In a country with such mountainous relief, the options for trekking or mountaineering are countless.

Among all of them, the most popular is possibly the ascent of Mount Toubkal, in the High Atlas. This peak, which exceeds 4,160 meters in altitude, is the highest mountain in the country; and its summit can be reached in just two days.

Although the route can be done at any time of the year, it is undoubtedly best to try it between April and November. In these months there is less precipitation and temperatures are milder. In winter, it is very possible that you will need to use crampons and an ice axe.

To save you complications, join this route of trekking to ascend Mount Toubkal and let the guides teach you how to do it.

Glide on the waves in the south of the country

As we said, Morocco is contrast. So, you don't live on mountains alone. More than 3,500 kilometers of coastline run through the country from north to south. Although it still does not receive the fame it deserves for surfing, kitesurfing or windsurfing.

You will find several places to enjoy these sports along the coast, but many surfers recommend the south. Well-known is, for example, Essaouira, “the windy city” for kitesurfing or windsurfing. If you prefer dry surfing, the best spots are near Agadir or Dakhla.

Furthermore, these coasts are some of the most beautiful found in Morocco. Do kitesurfing or surfing in Dakhla It will allow you to disconnect from the hustle and bustle of other cities among crystal clear waters or discover amazing places like Punta del Dragón.

The chaos of the medinas is better resisted if you can then set out to explore the hidden places of the country. Just as when drinking tea, the Berbers look for the optimal level of sugar, adventure in morocco You have to give it its fair dose of adrenaline.