The Paradise Valley and Immouzer

<div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>The Paradise Valley and Immouzer</b></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX8yloi5xDDTbtmcRYDZdIR9QXjehJLHGUTb5tNl9ApUmIBIVqfWVUERVPIejTC3Mo0UnLvmSZSv-VBw7BSh0es_CweN-XOB6FkgUxj-3Pdz6cBUjQwHflGtGoXChB0-oIqwY24iorw6a-/s1600/5018500964_da58b7403b_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX8yloi5xDDTbtmcRYDZdIR9QXjehJLHGUTb5tNl9ApUmIBIVqfWVUERVPIejTC3Mo0UnLvmSZSv-VBw7BSh0es_CweN-XOB6FkgUxj-3Pdz6cBUjQwHflGtGoXChB0-oIqwY24iorw6a-/s320/5018500964_da58b7403b_b.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">The trip up to Immouzer des Ida Outanane – via Paradise Valley, a beautiful palm-lined gorge – is a superb excursion from Agadir. It is feasible in a day (Immouzer is 62km from Agadir) but much more enjoyable if you stay the night at one or other of the superb auberges or take time to explore and camp in the valley. </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: inherit;">The 7002 road to Immouzer is surfaced the whole way; it leaves the N1 coast road at Aourir, 12km north of Agadir (make sure you take the righthand fork in the village – the left-hand one is a dead-end, up a palmery). A daily bus leaves Agadir Thursdays at 7am, other days at 1pm (from a small parking area on Bd Mohammed Cheikh Saâdi, 200m southeast of its junction with Av du 29 Février), arriving in Immouzer four hours later; on Thursdays it goes back later in the day, otherwise it returns the following morning at 7am. Alternatively, take a grand taxi or city bus to Aourir, from where there are shared grands taxis to Immouzer, though mostly on Thursday for the weekly souk.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: inherit;">A surfaced road also connects Immouzer with the N8 <b>Agadir–Marrakesh road</b>, allowing easy access from Ameskroud, Taroudannt or Marrakesh, a highly scenic route.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Paradise Valley </b></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: inherit;">Paradise Valley begins around 10km east of Aourir, as the road sweeps down into a deep, palm-lined gorge, with a river snaking along the base. The best stretch starts just after the turn-off for <b>Immouzer</b>. You can hire a mule to explore the valley’s numerous Berber villages, and it’s a glorious place to camp, though pitch your tent well away from the riverbed in case of flash floods.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: inherit;"><b> Immouzer des Ida Outanane and beyond </b></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: inherit;"> <b>IMMOUZER DES IDA OUTANANE</b> is a minor regional and market centre (of the Ida Outanane, as its full name suggests). The waterfall, for which the village was renowned, is nearby, and was best seen at its foot, 4km downhill to the northwest. Unfortunately the falls have been very adversely affected by drought over the last few years; tight control of irrigation now reduces the cascade on most occasions to a trickle, with the villagers “turning on” the falls for special events only. However, the petrified canopy of the falls is of interest in its own right, and there’s a full plunge pool. </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/1NDFc9Kj5Qo?rel=0&controls=0&showinfo=0" width="686"></iframe> <br /> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: inherit;"> There’s a hamlet just across the stream from the foot of the falls, and a café (Café de Miel) with basic food, near which you can camp out in the olive groves. The whole area is perfect for walkers. You can follow any of the paths with enjoyment – a good one, near the village, cuts up across the cliffs to the Hôtel des Cascades – or even trek off to the Marrakesh road . The birdlife adds an exciting dimension, with birds of prey commonplace; Bonelli’s eagle is a good bet, and you might well spot golden eagles or crag martins.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: inherit;"> In Immouzer village, there’s a souk every Thursday. The local speciality is honey, made by bees that browse on wild thyme, lavender and other mountain herbs. There’s also a honey moussem every August for a week starting in the middle of the month.</span></div>

Tips tourism Travel guide The Paradise Valley and Immouzer

The Paradise Valley and Immouzer The trip up to Immouzer des Ida Outanane – via Paradise Valley, a beautiful palm-lined gorge – is a su...

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When to go

<div style="text-align: justify;">As far as the climate goes, it is better to visit the south – or at least the desert routes – outside midsummer, when for most of the day it’s far too hot for casual exploration, especially if you’re dependent on public transport. But July and August, the hottest months, can be wonderful on the coast, while in the mountains there are no set rules.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI8jbE6BamqipB1lNKiMuQNFSECHZ9UOXEzhrLosXrO5wbX6cIMpzx5qDQA9GugBozaPmpfn7OlBZu088q3TYB-6Kmc0hgihP4EFcYSoLCMtEkTVoE3gjRZjKwkQglacT9smMgMZWZVqU/s1600/102SSCAM.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="lightbox" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Eljadida port"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI8jbE6BamqipB1lNKiMuQNFSECHZ9UOXEzhrLosXrO5wbX6cIMpzx5qDQA9GugBozaPmpfn7OlBZu088q3TYB-6Kmc0hgihP4EFcYSoLCMtEkTVoE3gjRZjKwkQglacT9smMgMZWZVqU/s320/102SSCAM.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="color: red; text-align: center;"><br /> </div></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Spring, which comes late by European standards (around April to May), is perhaps the best overall time, with a summer climate in the south and in the mountains, as well as on the Mediterranean and Atlantic coasts. Winter can be perfect by day in the south, though desert nights can get very cold – a major consideration if you’re staying in the cheaper hotels, which rarely have heating. If you’re planning to hike in the mountains, it’s best to keep to the months from April to October unless you have some experience of snow conditions.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Islamic religious calendar and its related festivals will have the most seasonal effect on your travel. The most important factor is Ramadan, the month of daytime fasting; this can be a problem for transport, and especially hiking, though the festive evenings do much to compensate. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Morocco’s climate</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFlj6UUft9we4iGI_XGY-alBWRlOK3QeJQ-5L5VXEdu5gMf4p8bzQWLo_mV68CoQ0leXu7uJLhPfi1w8zXCWIraWX5LBYQk2p8EINAyEAQf-FfLsILdqP3YsgigFZB7vDsvhTwFPWxlwE/s1600/climat.bmp" imageanchor="1" rel="lightbox" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Morocco's climate"><img border="0" height="279" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFlj6UUft9we4iGI_XGY-alBWRlOK3QeJQ-5L5VXEdu5gMf4p8bzQWLo_mV68CoQ0leXu7uJLhPfi1w8zXCWIraWX5LBYQk2p8EINAyEAQf-FfLsILdqP3YsgigFZB7vDsvhTwFPWxlwE/s320/climat.bmp" width="320" /></a></div>

hot destinations Intro to Morocco Sahara route to desert Tips Travel guide When to go

As far as the climate goes, it is better to visit the south – or at least the desert routes – outside midsummer, when for most of the day it...

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Extreme Adventure Itinerary

<div style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><a href="http://www.off-road-destinations.com/images/extadventure_pic03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://www.off-road-destinations.com/images/extadventure_pic03.jpg" width="320" /></a>The extreme trips are about exploring new ground in the quest to find a ider variety and more interesting routes. The approach here is that real adventure is about facing unknowns. Sometimes the trip will not go according to plan and often time will be lost due to backtracking from deadend pilot routes. The itinerary therefore needs to remain flexible and the group will have to work together as a team with each member playing their part. Days will be long, camping on route will be the favoured mode of accommodation to maintain flexibilty, and there is the possibility the group will have to face up to unforeseen challenges. </div><br /> <br /> <div style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><a href="http://www.off-road-destinations.com/images/extadventure_pic02a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://www.off-road-destinations.com/images/extadventure_pic02a.jpg" width="320" /></a> There will be some hotels along the way at key points and time to stop and relax, but this is a more hardcore adventure for the experienced rider who wants to be involved with pioneering a new route over untested ground. Ultimately there should be a sense of acheivement from all the ground covered riding in challenging conditions.</div><div style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /> <br /> </div>

Tips Travel guide Extreme Adventure Itinerary

The extreme trips are about exploring new ground in the quest to find a ider variety and more interesting routes. The approach here is that ...

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Enduro Adventure Itinerary

<a href="http://www.off-road-destinations.com/images/endadventure_pic01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="217" src="http://www.off-road-destinations.com/images/endadventure_pic01.jpg" width="289" /></a>The Eduro Adventure Itinerary is designed for riders with good experience riding off-road and wanting to cover on average of about 200km per day at a steady pace. Full days moving across different landscapes, with some nights camping.<br /> <br /> <b>Day 1 – Saturday</b><br /> <br /> Arrive at hotel...<br /> Introductions and brief safety talk<br /> <br /> <b>Day 2 - Sunday</b><br /> <a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=6870866644079530229&postID=119470247897689970" name="more"></a><br /> <a href="http://www.off-road-destinations.com/images/endadventure_pic03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://www.off-road-destinations.com/images/endadventure_pic03.jpg" width="297" /></a><a href="http://www.off-road-destinations.com/images/endadventure_pic02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://www.off-road-destinations.com/images/endadventure_pic02.jpg" width="298" /></a>150-200km route in and around the Erg Chebbi dunes to get to know the quads and re-familiarise riders with the variety of different terrains they will be facing in the coming week’s tour. Lunch-time stop at the Meski Oasis.<br /> <br /> <b>Day 3 - Monday</b><br /> 175-200km route along stoney and sandy pistes towards Zagora, travelling along the border with Algeria in places, where the group will pass several military outposts, hill forts and Berber villages and encampments. The group will need to cross several chotts, (dried river bed or lake) and there is a 10km meteor crater to cross also. The scenery is spectacular and the group will stop to camp that night. <br /> <br /> <b>Day 4 - Tuesday</b><br /> 150-200km route from night camp leaving early to make good time so the group can spend the afternoon relaxing by the pool at the hotel in Zagora. The pistes are fast taking the group through the only col (pass), a gateway from the Sahara to the lush oasis of the Draa valley. Zagora is the last major town before crossing the desert to Mauritania.<br /> <b><br /> </b><br /> <b>Day 5 - Wednesday</b><br /> 200km route from Zagora to Mhamid crossing the dunes at Iriki. Navigation is key to avoid the softer sections of sand as the dunes are constantly shifting. The final 10km is a dusty chott that leads into the palm groves of Mhamid where the group will make camp. This is a long and demanding day and depending on progress of the group there is a chance of making camp in the dark. <br /> <br /> <b>Day 6 – Thursday</b><br /> There are 2 routes from night camp to stay in the evening with Berber tribesmen in their tents depending on how riders are fairing. A 175km easier southern route or a 250km route heading north back through the pass from the Sahara to Zagora. The first 100km of the northern route is along rugged mountain tracks and passes, later leading to sandy pistes. If the northern route is taken, it will be an early start and another tough day’s riding.<br /> <br /> <b>Day 7 – Friday</b><br /> 175km route back to Merzouga that should ensure an early arrival at the hotel to relax by the pool or do some shopping. Mostly fast sandy pistes with a large chott to cross, covering some of the same sections as day 2.<br /> <br /> <b>Day 8 – Saturday</b><br /> Departure from hotel...

Tips Travel guide Enduro Adventure Itinerary

The Eduro Adventure Itinerary is designed for riders with good experience riding off-road and wanting to cover on average of about 200km per...

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First Adventure Itinerary

<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border: medium none; margin-top: 20px; width: 730px;"><tbody> <tr><td class="tbltxtleft"><a href="http://www.off-road-destinations.com/images/firstadventure_pic03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Photo: greeted by local children" border="0" height="240" src="http://www.off-road-destinations.com/images/firstadventure_pic03.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="http://www.off-road-destinations.com/images/firstadventure_pic01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Photo: quad bike atop a desert sand dune" border="0" height="240" src="http://www.off-road-destinations.com/images/firstadventure_pic01.jpg" width="320" /></a>he First Adventure Itinerary is designed for riders with a moderate or limited experience who have not ridden in Morocco. It allows the rider to build a wide experience of different conditions at a suitable pace without the pressure of long days and the need to cover big distances. <br /> <br /> <b>Day 1 - Saturday</b><br /> Arrive at hotel<br /> <br /> <b>Day 2 - Sunday</b><br /> Introduction to the quad bikes, safety equipment and general issues regarding safety<br /> <a href="http://www.off-road-destinations.com/images/firstadventure_pic02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Photo: quad riding in Morocco" border="0" height="240" src="http://www.off-road-destinations.com/images/firstadventure_pic02.jpg" width="320" /></a>150km round trip to along well defined flat desert tracks to enable riders to get used to the terrain and their equipment. Mid-morning stop at deserted mud village and lunch-time break in the palm groves outside Rissani. Afternoon ride back to hotel, on terrain depending on the progress of the riders<br /> <br /> <b>Day 3 - Monday</b><br /> 180km round trip around the Erg Chebbi dunes with a lunch-time stop at Meski Oasis. Riders will experience soft sand conditions and the group will need to navigate around the drifting sand from the dunes. The route passes through a dry river bed where conditions can be equally demanding. Soft clay dust and sand masked by a hard clay crust, or soft mud depending on seasonal changes<br /> <br /> <b>Day 4 - Tuesday</b><br /> 150km route to night camp in Bedouin tents with local tribesmen. The ride will build on the experience gained so far.<br /> Day 5 - Wednesday<br /> 150km route returning to the hotel closeby the Algerian border<br /> Day 6 - Thursday<br /> Optional rest day for those wanting to take a break from riding with a visit to the souks at Rissani on market day. There will be a lunch organised and the opportunity to shop and browse Moroccan carpets, jewellery and other handicraft.<br /> For others wanting to continue to ride, the consensus will determine a route for this smaller group.<br /> <br /> <b>Day 7 - Friday</b><br /> Riding in the Erg Chebbi dunes, rising before dawn to take advantage or the harder sand conditions. The group will ride into the dunes and learn about navigating a course across this extreme landscape, returning to the hotel for lunch. Those wishing to explore the dunes further can opt to go on an evening trip after the heat of the day.<br /> <br /> <b>Day 8 - Saturday</b><br /> Departure</td><td class="tblpicright" valign="top"><br /> <br /> </td></tr> </tbody></table><br /> <div id="language" style="margin-top: 25px;"> <a href="http://es.offroadholidays.com/index.php"><br /> </a></div>

Tips Travel guide First Adventure Itinerary

he First Adventure Itinerary is designed for riders with a moderate or limited experience who have not ridden in Morocco. It allows the rid...

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Trips and Itineraries_Morocco Winter Trips

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.off-road-destinations.com/images/tripdates_pic01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.off-road-destinations.com/images/tripdates_pic01.jpg" width="302" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"> <b>Morocco Winter Trips</b></span><br /> October to May avoids the intense heat of the deserts south of the Atlas mountains. Here you will find huge baron landscapes punctuated with oases and fertile palm valleys where nomadic tribesmen have traded for centuries. A unique experience which is different to anything else you will encounter, big long tracks and mountainous sandy dunes.<br /> <br /> <div style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://morocco-deserts.blogspot.com/2009/10/first-adventure-itinerary.html">Itinerary - First Adventure</a><br /> <a href="http://morocco-deserts.blogspot.com/2009/10/enduro-adventure-itinerary.html">Itinerary - Enduro Adventure</a><br /> <a href="http://morocco-deserts.blogspot.com/2009/10/extreme-adventure-itinerary.html">Itinerary - Extreme Adventure</a></b></span> </div><br /> Morocco Summer and Winter Trips are 6 days riding with collections from Alicante and Almeria, Spain, group collections can be arranged from Marrakech.

Tips Travel guide Trips and Itineraries_Morocco Winter Trips

  Morocco Winter Trips October to May avoids the intense heat of the deserts south of the Atlas mountains. Here you will find huge baron la...

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