Mountains of Morocco. Hike to Africa! Trekking in Morocco "High Atlas Mountains and Climbing Toubkal"

Morocco.
Insha Allah

When for the eleventh time, to a question like: “How many hours to go from Imlil to the Toubkal hut?” we heard the fatalistic "Insha Allah" from the guide (* God is not a fraer, he sees everything (well, a very free translation)), I had to carry out explanatory work with him about the presence in the Russian language of the proverb "Trust in God, but don't make a mistake yourself."

Guide Hussein (nowadays an easy-to-remember name), like everyone in Morocco, who knows French very well and poorly understands our English, seems to have nevertheless imbued the essence of the proverb and henceforth tried to answer more precisely.

MAN WALKS - GOD LEADS

This time we were taken to the Atlas Mountains, where the highest peak is located. North Africa - TUBKAL (4167 m). On many maps, the peak is designated as JEBEL TUBKAL, but Jebel is translated as "mountain", so the combination of Mount Jebel Toubkal is not entirely correct. Jebel Toubkal is located in Morocco, in the Maghreb, a region where there is no black population, as there are no elephants, giraffes, rhinos and other African exotics.

Everything, as always, began with the idea of ​​climbing to an exotic peak, where (according to our information) the foot of a Ukrainian extreme sportsman has not yet set foot. I was amused by the start of negotiations with employees of the Moroccan travel agency, who reported that in May there was still snow on Toubkal. We replied that we were not afraid. Then the company enthusiastically began to explain to us that snow is such a white, cold and, sometimes, in the morning, slippery substance, and it is better to wait until July, when this substance evaporates from the heat. We continued to insist on climbing during the holiday of all workers, and the company was forced to agree, deciding for itself that we were going skiing. Subsequently, it turned out that none of the representatives of the company located in Casablanca had ever been in the mountains and had never seen snow - hence the fear of the mountains.

The route was developed according to the meager information from the Internet and guidebooks for Morocco, hence some annoying overlays. Initially, we wanted to do a three-day trek in the Atlas Mountains - for acclimatization and warm-up, then climb Toubkal and ride around Morocco. Coordination of the route in the mountains was very difficult, the company could not answer many questions, and we decided to fly according to the Canadian hockey principle: "puck to the zone", that is, the body to the high mountain zone, and

GOD WILL LOVE, SO WILL NOT DESTROY

I had to fly through Amsterdam, since there were no other options from Odessa. In Amsterdam, they didn’t let me into the city, I had to walk around the airport for a couple of hours. I am often asked: "How do you choose objects for travel?" I answer: “Go to the Amsterdam airport on the second floor and look at the maps that are pasted over the columns there. A real guide to extreme. And McKinley, and Ras Dashen, and Mauna Kea, and Kilimanjaro are the most interesting peaks of the Earth.”

In the evening we flew to Casablanca, the economic capital of Morocco. Rabat, respectively, - political capital, and Marrakesh is historical. Casablanca, "how much there is in that word!" Stories of smugglers and spies pop up in my brain. We were asked at the border where we were going to spend the night. I shoved an invitation from the company under the nose of the questioners, the guys in uniform shrugged their shoulders and stated that only an overnight stay was indicated, such as the village of Peregnoynikovo, but the hotel was not indicated, and there were no hotels in this hole. The chief border guard led me to the exit, where, fortunately, there was a representative of the meeting party, who explained to the border guards that Ukrainian climbers do not need hotels.

We spent the night in a country villa (I suspect it was the dacha of one of the company's employees, and the guys seem to have saved money for the night at the hotel), where they began to get used to "Moroccan whiskey" - very sweet tea with mint and tagine - this is the name of ceramic dishes with conical lid, and how to cook food in it. This time we ate tajine with whole chicken and couscous (porridge made from crushed wheat).

In the garden of the villa, snails are bred, which are exported to France, although the Moroccans also eat them with pleasure.

In the morning we went to Casablanca, to the main attraction: the mosque of Hassan II. The capacity is 100,000 believers.

grand building, built on an artificial peninsula, the height of the minaret is 176 m. From the minaret to 50 km. a laser beam strikes, and the roof moves, allowing light to enter.

Since the faithful must perform ablution before prayer, the well-thought-out system of washing 100,000 people is striking.

Casablanca is a relatively modern city and exotic lovers are not very interested here.

In the morning we took a minibus to Marrakech, from where, taking a mountain guide, equipment and having lunch, we drove to Imlil (1740 m). Imlil is the village where the road ends and where all journeys in the High Atlas Mountains begin. The Atlas Mountains are divided into the Middle Atlas in the north, the High Atlas and the Anti-Atlas in the south. Further south is Western Sahara, now controlled by Morocco.

In Imlil, a caravan of mules was waiting for us, and after 40 minutes we were in the village of Armud (1920 m), where we were placed in a shelter.

A shelter in Berber villages is a walled space, inside a courtyard and several buildings: a 2-3-storey house with rooms for overnight stays, a kitchen, a dining room, toilets, a shower (with hot water from a balloon gas column), the house of the owners of the shelter. The rooms have carpets, mattresses, blankets and pillows. No furniture, pretty clean. The hosts are warmly welcome, they show their house.

The weather was excellent, and we were covered with a dastarkhan on the roof of the house, from where great view to the Toubkal massif. Since couscous again predominated on the menu, we bought a lamb after a brisk bargain, and the dinner was a success. When they brought a butchered lamb, I defiantly counted the legs of the animal: one was clearly missing. The owners brought the missing fragment, but we could not master it and asked to warm it up in the morning. Strategic mistake! In the morning, with innocent faces, they quite seriously proved to us that the leg had deteriorated overnight and had to be thrown away. When we started laughing, the hosts cheered up and picked their teeth together.

They managed to get red wine to go with the lamb, and this is not an easy undertaking in a country with an almost dry law.

DO NOT DRINK, BUT KNOW GOOD PEOPLE

From 1912 to 1956 for the most part Morocco was ruled by France and Spain. By the way, the cities of Ceuta and Melilla on the Mediterranean coast of Morocco still belong to Spain. The colonialists planted vineyards, and good wines are still being produced in Morocco. In shops big cities a large selection of alcohol, but only foreigners can buy it. Hussein categorically refused to buy us even beer because of possible troubles. In small villages they don’t sell alcohol at all, but they tried to bring us a bottle of wine wrapped in several layers of newspaper and packed in a black plastic bag with the lamb. What fun we had when, upon opening the package, we found a bottle of kosher wine made by one of Morocco's many Jewish communities.

On the way we pass the village of Chamkhar (2310 m.), a holy place visited by women who are about to conceive a child. Hussein tells us a legend about a huge stone that leaned down on this place a rider on a white horse.A stone the size of a 2-storey house, painted with white paint, has a place to be, which should confirm the truth of the legend.

The hut (like many others in Morocco) was built by the French Alpinists Club at an altitude of 3600 m. A very solid stone building, for 100 people, with a diesel engine (there is light), dining rooms, kitchens and a beautiful lounge with upholstered furniture and a fireplace.

There is even a shower, but it works only during the day, from solar heaters.In the rooms - 2-storey bunks, clean, warm.

Several climbers have brought skis and are riding on the snowfield near the hut. I talked to the climbers of the Polish group descending from the mountain. Crampons are needed, ice axes can be omitted, ropes are not needed.

I start torturing Hussain, why we immediately go to the mountain, and not to the track. It turns out that the company hosting us in Morocco never organized treks and ascents and contracted Hussein to this section, who did not even know that we first wanted to go to the trek.

Well, up the mountain, so up the mountain. Considering that in Ecuador we started from a hut at an altitude of 5100 m, we will somehow get out at 4137.

GOD FOR US, NO ONE FOR US

Out of habit, they wanted to leave at 3-4 in the morning, Hussein recommended leaving at 7, bargained to leave at 6.

Apparently, it is not customary to meet the dawn at the top here. Right on the bench by the hut they put on the crampons and, having crossed the snowy bridge over the river, went along the firn slope to the pass. I am often asked not to write mountaineering descriptions, but to present events with more artistic drama.

For enthusiastic readers, one should write: "I crawled over the canyon along a treacherously crackling, unreliable snow bridge, and through a thin, translucent in the rays rising sun layer of firn, saw how at the bottom of the river a violent stream of water tossed huge stones, like the millstones of a devilish mill ... ".

But I'd better compose a story in the style of Povolyaev called "The Worn-Out Ice Ax" for KVN.

In addition to Hussein, Mehdi, a "trainee" who took over the experience of organizing tracks from Hussein, went with us to the mountain. About three hours later the snow ended, we left the crampons under a rock and went along the scree paths to the pass and, further along the ridge, to a flat top, ending to the east and north with walls.

At the top is a metal pyramid inscribed in Arabic script with sayings like "Kisa and Osya were here." We are above the clouds, but in the gaps you can see the green oasis of Imlil.

A very cold wind, and Aleksey Timoshenko, who climbed to the top first, rushed down, and the five of us (Alexander Grebennikov, Timofey Datsyuk, Vladimir Musarsky, Alla and Vitaliy Tomchik) unfurled the flag of Ukraine on the highest peak in North Africa.

Descent down. Screes, hard and slippery: muddy snow, into which you periodically fall.

Hut. Hussain does not let us relax, and we immediately go down to Imlil.

At 6 pm in Armud. 12 hours of work. Legs are buzzing, I want to go down the stairs with my back forward.

GRABED HOW I ROLLED OFF THE MOUNTAIN

Surprise from Hussein. Tomorrow we leave for a three-day trek through 4 passes. "Why do we need a track?" I ask Hussain, because we don't need acclimatization."But you ordered," he replies logically.Do not mind, ordered. It's like after kebabs in a restaurant they bring forgotten tkemali to coffee.

We decided to go to the Berbers.

From Armud at 7 am we went to the Mzik pass (2489 m). Picturesque screes, juniper forests, lunch in very cold nature. Following the example of the drovers, they kindled a fire, warmed up.

By 14 o'clock we arrived at the village of Oussem (1850 m). The hut is good, but the guides won't let us wander around the village.

The Berbers are by no means inclined to invite us to tea and talk about life. When we move through the villages, Hussein goes ahead, and Mehdi closes the group, driving away annoying boys who can light up the film with a stone to an uninvited photographer.

In the morning, along a picturesque, yellow road winding along red scree, we pass several villages, sometimes looking like fortified areas. Terraced fields worked with a two-horsepower plow, gardens, irrigation systems, herds of sheep and goats in the yards - everything is very picturesque.

After the next pass we go to the football field in the juniper forest. There are a lot of football fans in Morocco, and there are fields in every village. On the beaches they play hours from 5 am until night.

After lunch it began to rain, and we pass the next pass on soaked clay, a narrow path over a cliff, which is rather unpleasant.

In the village, along the streets, streams of muddy and cold water, but the local boys joyfully float down on the ass.

Large hut, many tourists, mostly French (the French use Morocco as a weekend destination, many have villas on the coast, feel at home), I would even say French.

They try to sing "Moscow Nights" for us, but the guys, burned by the wind of the high mountains, do not give in, staunchly playing preference to the sound of rain and mint tea.

In the morning we dry on the way to Ikissu.

A very beautiful gorge, because of the rain the river rose, fording is impossible, we go along a steep bypass path. And here is the last pass - Tamatert (2279 m.).

The mules left before us and at the pass we will have a great lunch with a view of the mountains covered with fresh snow. We come to the conclusion that it is very good that we first went to the mountain. Going to the top in a snowstorm is not very pleasant.

We are back in Armud. Fifty meters from our habitat is a rural bakery. In the morning, little girls from all over the village carry raw cakes on their heads for baking. This is undoubtedly more economical than the oven in every home.

So that the heat from the oven does not disappear, a bathhouse (hammam) is attached to the bakery, the floor in which and the water are heated from the bakery oven. Let's go swimming. It is necessary to wash in swimming trunks, two attendants helped us in the process. One anointed our bodies with liquid soap, similar to grease, and strongly disagreed with our soap and shampoos. Then he rubbed us with a hard mitten. The second, apparently a specialist of the highest category, twisted our arms and legs, arched us in different directions, clearly trying to injure us. His exercises could only be interrupted by a loud cry, so our cries amused the whole village.

In the evening, the hospitable hosts gave us an amateur evening - with songs and dances, we had to take part in order to avoid an international scandal. In the morning, finally - on the bus and to Marrakech. Actually, thanks to this city, the country is called Morocco. The city center, as in all old cities, lies behind the fortress wall and is called "medina". The wall in Marrakesh is noble - 20 km. The city is all red clay, noisy, dusty and sloppy. In the medina there is a huge bazaar with streets of jewelers, weavers, coppersmiths, shoemakers and other artisans. The goods are crude and primitive; shopkeepers, insolent from the influx of tourists, ask for unimaginable prices and are offended that we laugh and do not want to bargain. With the label "handmade" they want to justify the laziness and incompetence of artisans. But we went to museums and saw how wonderful the products of local craftsmen can be. It is better to buy an expensive product of excellent manufacture than a mountain of rough trinkets. But no: either the skill has been lost, or all the good things are exported.

It was cold, it was raining, and it all spoiled the impressions of Marrakech. Of course it's very funny. main square- Djemaa el Fna. A host of local entertainers amuse tourists and the local population. Snake charmers, fortune tellers, singers and dancers, storytellers, thimbles and water carriers, pickpockets and fresh juice sellers, dozens of open-air taverns, snail sellers and even a dentist with hundreds of teeth pulled out on a tray, ready to let you photograph his prey for dirhams.

The tomb of the Saidids is interesting not so much for its splendor (Timur's tomb in Samarkand is much more luxurious), but for the fact that it has been preserved at all. The Idrisid dynasties in Morocco were replaced by the Almoravids, then by the Almohars, the Merinids, the Saadidimi and the Alawites. All dynasties had a common feature - the desire to destroy everything that the previous dynasty had created. Sultan Moulay Ismail did not dare to destroy the Saadian tomb, but surrounded it with a tall wall. Now a narrow passage has been made in the wall, along which you can get to this architectural ensemble. We visited the Bahia Palace with 150 rooms with magnificent painted ceilings, fountains and stained-glass windows, the Menara Palace with a huge garden and a pond, which receives water from the mountains through an underground pipeline system.

From Marrakech we moved to the main Moroccan resort on the Atlantic - Agadir. Boring modern tourist town with a huge fish port. In 1960, Agadir was destroyed by an earthquake, and only the Portuguese fortress of Santa Cruz Cap Guer on the mountain became of antiquity.

We rented a yacht "Phantom" and went to the ocean to portray Hemingway.

It was not possible to catch tuna, but they pulled a bucket various little things, which the cook immediately made in the galley. Lunch in the open ocean had a beneficial effect on our bodies, tired of mountains and moving.

Further, according to the plan, Casablanca was again, but we were whispered about the beautiful Essaouira, and we made adjustments to the plan. On the way to Essaouira, we stopped at waterfalls, where the local population hunts by diving into the icy water. Our team, having broken the monopoly of the locals, to the delight of the French, dived into a cold font for nothing, disheartening the Berbers.

And so Essaouira(ESSAOUIRA) - the perfect end to our journey.

An ancient medina with such narrow streets that backpacks were carried to the hotel on a cart.

Back in the US BC. the Phoenicians founded a trading post here; in 650 BC there was a settlement of the Carthaginians; in 1 c. BC e. - This is the western tip of the Roman Empire, where purple tunic dye was mined.

Many times this land has changed its name and rulers, and now it is a beautiful resort town, which retained the manners of the hippies who once chose this place.

The old port with marrows on the ocean - crabs, lobsters, shrimps, moray eels of the very first freshness; fruits and vegetables; stores, with, imagine, marked prices.

A lot of art galleries with works by French and Italian artists. This is the town where we decided on occasion to return for a week and walk around all its streets without fuss.

The text uses the proverbs of the Russian people from the collection of V. Dahl

Tourists who have visited Morocco say: there are mountains everywhere. Other tourists who have visited Morocco say: there are no mountains, only deserts and beaches. And the third tourists who returned from the Maghreb say that there are mostly noisy cities there - and there is nothing else to see. We have not yet decided who to believe, but we will tell you more about the Moroccan mountains just in case.

By and large There are two mountain ranges in Morocco - the Atlas and the Rif.. The Atlas Mountains occupy a vast territory and go beyond the borders of the country, while the Reef is more compact and is completely located on the territory of Morocco. The Atlas itself is divided into several systems with completely different structure and climate, those small systems are divided into even smaller systems ... In general, there is where to wander.

Anti-Atlas (Small Atlas, Little Atlas).

Anti-Atlas is part of the Atlas Mountains in southwestern Morocco.. In the west, Anti-Atlas rests on the Atlantic Ocean, in the east it ends near the cities of Ouarzazate and Tafilalt. The length of this system of ridges is about 500 km. The prefix “Anti”, as it were, tells us that this is not even Atlas at all, but there is no better name for the Berbers than “Atlas”, so we had to name it as it was called.

Anti-Atlas - deserted place with bare rocks and moon-like landscapes. High mountains in the middle of the desert, where the land is dry, dry, and water is worth its weight in gold. It rarely rains here, immediately disappearing into the ground: the High Atlas takes everything for itself, throwing the Anti-Atlas into the paws of the Sahara desert. Thanks to these weather patterns settlements rare here, and mainly in areas of oases and river valleys. The north of the Anti-Atlas is cut off from the rest of the mountains by the fertile valley of the river Draa, spoiling the entire desert picture with green palm groves.

The Anti-Atlas Mountains reach an average of 2500-2700 meters in height. There are several popular areas here - Jbel Sagro, Jbel Sirva (3304 m volcano) and Jbel Bani. The most famous is Zhbel Sagro. This is a plateau, reminiscent of the landscapes of the American Grand Canyon, through which several tourist routes are laid with overnight stays in the Berber villages. For the company of Zhbel Sagro - the driest place of the Anti-Atlas and, in general, of all the Atlas mountains.

High Atlas.

High Atlas - the most high mountains Morocco and North Africa in general. We have written about him. The highest point is Jbel Toubkal (4167), and these mountains stretch from the Atlantic Ocean to the very border with Algeria for 1000 km. The High Atlas is separated from the Anti-Atlas by the Draa River.

Since the High Atlas is long mountains, The climate here is very different.. Closer to the sea, it is oceanic: quite wet, with snow, rain and deep rivers. The part with the top of Toubkal falls perfectly into this part, ending approximately in the middle of the mountain system. After it (this is approximately the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe town of Imilchil), the second type of climate begins to operate, continental. Here it is already drier and more deserted, the forests are not so cheerful, and in the villages they value water much more.

In addition to Toubkal, the High Atlas has Zhbel Mgun (4068), which is located approximately in the middle of the mountain system. An unremarkable peak in itself, Mgun is located in extremely picturesque wild valleys, which are pleasant for all kinds of trekkers and tourists to roam. In addition to Mgun, on the High Atlas there is also the Tichka plateau with dense forests and secret gorges.

Reef (Riff).

The Rif Mountains are located in northern Morocco., north of the Middle Atlas. They extend all the way to Cape Spartel, the southern tip of the Strait of Gibraltar. The cities of Tangier and Chefchaouen hide in the local mountains. The reef is the greenest mountains in all of Morocco.

Due to its proximity to the Mediterranean Sea, the climate in the Rif mountains differs sharply from the rest of Morocco and the rest of the Moroccan mountains. Everything is in order with the water here, and the landscapes are rather reminiscent of the Lycian Way than harsh desert landscapes. There are many forests here mountain rivers and waterfalls, although in summer it is still stuffy in these places ...

The reef is the birthplace of cannabis plantations in Morocco (the climate is painfully good). This is the only thing that slightly overshadows these places. First, the locals will persistently offer you to buy dope. Secondly, more and more valuable mountain forests are being cut down for hemp, as a result of which the local climate is slowly changing towards arid.

Middle Atlas.

Logically, the Middle Atlas should be somewhere in the middle between the Anti- and High Atlases, but no - it located north of the High Atlas, approximately northeast of Morocco. The length of the Middle Atlas is 350 km, the area is 100,000 km2, 15% of the peaks are above 2000 meters. In the south it borders on the High Atlas, in the north it smoothly passes into the Tell Atlas and the Rif Mountains. Live here Barbary macaques- a species that is currently under threat of extinction.

The highest point of the Middle Atlas - Zhbel Bu Nasor (3340). In winter, snow falls here (unlike Anti-Atlas), and in summer it is cooler than in the desert part of Morocco. Besides, four major Moroccan rivers pass through the region - Cebu, Oum Errabia, Bou Regreg and Muluya. Therefore, nature here is very diverse - in connection with which The Middle Atlas boasts a bunch of national parks. The most famous - Tazecca And Ifrane, where the mighty Atlas cedars grow, and in winter there is a ski resort.

Tell Atlas.

Tell Atlas belongs more to Algeria and Tunisia than to Morocco. In Morocco sticks it out small tail in the northeast of the country, east of the mountains Reef and Middle Atlas. There are already shallow heights - about 1500 meters (the highest point is 2308), although this is quite enough for the barrier between the Mediterranean Sea and the Sahara.

Reigns on Tell Atlas typical mediterranean climate, perhaps drier than in the Rif mountains. In summer, Sirocco blows from the Sahara through Tell Atlas - a dry, hot wind that slightly dries out the local atmosphere of life and joy. Tourists are not found here: places like these can be found in large numbers closer to major Moroccan cities and away from the border with Algeria.

Morocco is one of the most beautiful countries in Africa. .

Until the first century AD, the territory of the state was occupied by boundless savannah. However, the Sahara gradually advanced from the north. It has displaced part of the savannah. Nevertheless, Morocco is the greenest country in North Africa. The landscape of the country is very diverse. To the south is the Sahara. The coast of the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean is located in the north and west. The majestic Atlas Mountains stretch from the southwest to the northeast.

photo taken here:http://album.foto.ru/photo/741587/

The coast of the Atlantic Ocean has a flat relief. There are many wonderful beaches which are separated from each other by rocks. Mountains dominate the Mediterranean coast.

In these areas there are a large number of rock masses that end near the sea. The strip of beaches here is clearly narrower. Between the Meseta (Central Moroccan Plateau) and the Rif arc is the Gharb plain. The Cebu River flows through it. The valley of the Mouluya River is located in the northeast of Morocco. In the west of the country are coastal fertile plains such as Abda, Shauya and Duhala.

Four mountain ranges, among which: High Atlas, Anti-Atlas, Rif and Middle Atlas, occupy a third of the territory of Morocco. The convex arc formed by them faces the Sahara. In the vicinity of the Reef is the end of the arc - the rock of Jebel Mu-sa. It is one of the legendary "Pillars of Hercules". The second - can be seen in clear weather.

The mountains are comparatively young. They appeared about 40 million years ago when the African Plate moved north. Then European Alps and the African Atlas rose after the bilateral compression of the continental plates. Although Earthquakes rarely occur in Morocco, mountains make the seismic situation quite unstable.

On the High and Middle Atlas, tourists can go trekking. There are all conditions for this.

The Reef mountain range stretches from the valley of the Muluya River to Gibraltar. The Cebu Ueda Depression (Taz Gate) separates the Reef from the Middle Atlas. Geologists believe that earlier the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea were connected through the gates of Taz. Today they connect the northern territory of Morocco with Algeria.

The Middle Atlas is also called Moroccan Switzerland. The reason for this are wonderful ski resorts, forests, lakes, meadows and waterfalls. Marrakech is located in the southwestern part of the Middle Atlas.

The High Atlas is the highest, most extensive and longest mountain range in the country. The highest point of the chain - Jebel Toubkal - reaches a height of 4165 meters. It is covered with eternal snows. Jebel Toubkal is the highest peak in the northern part of the African continent. The High Atlas, like the Sahara, is a sparsely populated part of Morocco.

The Jebel Sirva volcano and the oueda Sous depression separate the High Atlas from the Anti-Atlas. The height of Jebel Sirwa is 3304 meters.

Anti-Atlas is a mountain range. It is characterized by a dry climate and the presence of a large number of oases. Gradually, the southern slopes of the massif merge with the Dra plateau. The plateau itself - passes into the Sahara. The desert landscape is made up of sand dunes, plains and rocky areas. Desert territories stretched to Mauritania.

Morocco - fairy land, combining Arabic and African exoticism. It has everything for a great vacation: the gentle Mediterranean Sea, the violent waves of the Atlantic, the endless Sahara and even ski resorts. Stunning and amazing paradoxes await everyone who finds himself in a mixed world of ancient traditions and modern European technologies.

The kingdom is nestled between the two largest water basins in the world - the Atlantic and the Mediterranean Sea in northwestern Africa. State separates from Europe Strait of Gibraltar. On the eastern and southeastern borders, the kingdom adjoins Algeria, on the south side - to Western Sahara. The northwestern territory is surrounded by the Atlas Mountains. The capital of the Moroccan kingdom is Rabat.

The total area is 447 thousand km². The number of inhabitants is equal to 35 million. Approximately 60% of citizens are of Arab nationality, 40% are Berber. There are 60,000 people from Europe, mostly from France and Spain.

The official languages ​​in the state are Arabic and Berber. Approximately 40% of the total population speaks Berber. French is also fluent in this country. Spanish. Young people and residents of the capital speak English.

The generally accepted religion is Islam. 98.7% of citizens are Sunni Muslims, 1.1% are Christians, and 0.2% are Jews.

Regions and resorts

The territory of the kingdom includes 12 main administrative regions, each of which is unique in its own way:

• Eastern. It borders on Algerian territory. Oujda Center is the main rail and road junction.
• Casablanca-Settat. The financial center of the country, harmoniously combining huge ports with a well-preserved cultural heritage in the form of ancient monuments and architectural structures.
• Draa-Tafilalet. Here are located historical sights: the fortresses of Ait Benhaddou, Taurit Ouarzazate, the palace of Dar el Glaoui.
• Rabat-Sale-Kenitra. The coastal area is famous for its colorful and picturesque beach area, there is everything for successful surfing and diving.
• Tangier-Tetouan-El Hoceima. Industrial and maritime center kingdoms. It is famous for the Asila beach area, various variations of resorts on the coast. It attracts with the unusualness of historical sights.
• Gulimin. Here is one of best markets camels in the Sahara.
• Marrakesh. It offers a view of the Atlantic coast. The region attracts travelers with cozy resorts.
• El Aaiun. The population here is small, the main occupation is local industry.
• Sus-Mass. Offers the best resort areas with white sand and comfortable beaches.
• Beni Mellal. A small industrial region, equidistant from the coast and from the desert.
• Dakhla. There are all conditions for kitesurfing and windsurfing.
• Fes-Meknes. Famous for the ancient city near Meknes, the ancient Roman ruins of Volubilis. Architectural monuments and ancient ruins - a place to learn about the ancient Moroccan culture.

Difference in time

Climate

In the Moroccan kingdom, the climate changes as you move across the country: near water bodies it is subtropical, but the farther inland, the more signs of continental appear. Winter is characterized by high humidity and positive temperatures. The summer period is moderately dry and quite hot, at this time the Azores anticyclone dominates, which sets the tone for the weather.

One of the most popular seasons is from April to the end of autumn. For a luxurious celebration of Christmas in December, tourists from different countries, especially those who are close to Morocco. The low season runs from November to March. Average temperatures vary within +13…+17 °С, dropping to +7…+10 °С at night. Although this is a good time for sightseeing.

Most vacationers appreciate the country for the beach season and try to get on vacation from April to October. The water of the Atlantic Ocean warms up to +25 °С, the air temperature rises to +30 °С. If you dream of gentle warm waves, then choose the velvet season, which falls on August-September.

Visa and customs

The Moroccan kingdom accepts Russian citizens without a visa for 90 days. They only need to have a passport with them.

In order not to have problems with the customs division, it is important to strictly follow the rules. The currency of any state can be imported into the kingdom without restrictions. The export of dirhams is not allowed, therefore it is undesirable to exchange large sums immediately.

Photo and video equipment is allowed to be imported, but if there is a permit and a declaration, alcoholic beverages in the form of 1 unit of strong alcohol 0.5 liters or 1 liter of wine, the number of cigarettes, cigars, tobacco is also limited: 1 block of cigarettes is allowed, cigars - up to 50 units. As for things for personal use, there is a ban on perfume: up to 5 ml or up to 50 ml of scented water.

A complete ban applies to any materials with 18+ content. There must be a permit for weapons and ammunition.

How to get there?

The most convenient way to get there is by air. There are direct flights from Moscow to the capital and Casablanca. Direct flights are also possible from St. Petersburg. In addition, airlines offer many options for flights with transfers in European centers such as Brussels, Paris, Rome. There are relatively inexpensive flights through the Baltic States and Finland.

The fastest and cheapest flight from Moscow to Casablanca is offered Turkish Airlines with a comfortable transfer in Istanbul. You can choose 2 options when the transfer lasts 2 or 8 hours, and use the extra time for sightseeing in Istanbul. The price is one of the most inexpensive and affordable - varies within $ 250.

Good for saving charter flights, which fall on the peak tourist season. And although they are not always regular, they can even help you fly to cities such as Marrakech and Agadir.

An interesting way to get into the country is by ship. To do this, you will first have to get to Spain by any suitable flight, and from there take a ferry to Morocco. A fascinating ferry swim lasts only 1-2 hours. The only nuance that needs to be taken into account in this case is the need for a Schengen visa.

Excursions

• Visit Bahia Palace and Majorelle Garden in Marrakech.
• Tour of the Dar el Makhzen Museum in Tangier.
• Inspection in Maarif.
• Walk through the amusement park Parc Sindibad in Casablanca.
• Sightseeing tour of the capital Rabat.
• Watching the show "Fantasy" in Marrakesh.
• Camel and horse riding in the Sousse valley.

Transport

Public transport in the kingdom is popular with travelers. The structure of local air communications is well developed, it includes 2 international airports and hundreds of smaller ones. The national Moroccan airline is the leading one. Prices are affordable and range from $50 to $150 depending on the distance. The most popular flights from Casablanca are:

• Agadir;
• Fes;
• Marrakesh;
• Rabat;
• Tangier.

Passenger trains in the country are distinguished by coziness and comfort, their equipment fully meets modern requirements. Delivery is possible throughout the country. The carriages provide seating and sleeping places, depending on the comfort offered, there is a first, second and VIP class. It is more profitable to buy tickets in advance at the box office at the stations, so you can avoid an extra surcharge of 20%. Seats in class 2 carriages are the cheapest. Using the railway, it is convenient to move between major centers:

• Casablanca;
• Tangier;
• Wyda;
• Oujda;
• El Jadida.

STM buses are one of the best public and demanded native species transport in Morocco. The road infrastructure is excellently developed, most of the roads are paved. Efficient communication has been established between cities, about desired flights easy to find on the company's website.

Traditionally, taxis in the country are divided into 2 types: petite and grand. Petit works inside cities, small cars can carry no more than 3 passengers. The color depends on the city. So, in Casablanca the cars are defiantly red, in Marrakesh they are beige, and in Mohammedia they are bright green. The price is affordable and does not exceed 40 MAD.

Grand taxis are designed for intercity flights. They are designed for 6 passengers. Drivers prefer to load to the maximum and only then start moving.

Since the roads are in excellent condition, it makes sense to rent a car. The rental price starts from 20 EUR per day, while it includes insurance, unlimited mileage and technical support.

Communication and Wi-Fi

Finding free Wi-Fi zones in the country is not a problem; they are located not only in the capital, but also adjacent to central region large and medium cities. Airport, shopping centers, hotels offer internet services. Roaming is available to subscribers of major Russian mobile operators.

Money

The official currency of the country is the dirham (MAD). The banking structure operates in a standard manner: from Monday to Friday. Some branches are open on Saturday. All banks are equipped with multifunctional comfortable ATMs that serve most cards. In them, you can easily exchange any cash for local dirhams. You can freely use travel checks, credit cards, which are accepted in the capital's hotels, shops and restaurants. You can cash them in banks.

Approximate prices:

• inexpensive lunch for one - 50 MAD;
• dinner for two including alcohol - 100 MAD;
• a cup of coffee - 8 MAD;
• mineral water 0.5 l - 6 MAD;
• white bread - 12 MAD;
• eggs - 25 MAD;
• hard cheese 1 kg - 40 MAD;
• meat 1 kg - 80 MAD;
• apples 1 kg - 15 MAD;
• grapes 1 kg - 28 MAD;
• tomatoes 1 kg - 14 MAD;
• potatoes 1 kg - 16 MAD;
• average taxi ride - 40 MAD;
• bus ride, metro - 10-15 MAD;
• a room in a hostel - 30 MAD;
• sightseeing tour from 120 to 200 MAD.

How to avoid problems

• Despite the fact that Morocco has a low crime rate, there are a number of rules that you should know in order not to find yourself in an unpleasant situation. These include the following recommendations:
• Do not travel around the country on your own without guides, without knowing the language and without experience.
• Leave your parking ticket under your windshield.
• For comfortable movement, accurately indicate the area, street, possible landmarks, since there are often problems with signs and local maps.
• Do not swim on prohibited beaches.
• Avoid walking late in the evening and at night.
• Do not visit suspicious places.
• Do not exceed the speed limit in a rented car.
• Remember that you are in a Muslim country, it is worth giving up too revealing clothes and respect local traditions.

Big cities

• Casablanca.
• Tangier.
• Tetouan.
• Safi.
• Rabat.
• Meknes.
• Agadir.

shopping

Shopping centers and shops in Morocco operate in the usual mode generally accepted in the country. The main shopping artery of Casablanca is full of prestigious boutiques, souvenir shops are full of colorful goods. Bargaining in the markets is not only possible, it is one of the local traditions. In addition, such a skill will help to buy the goods you like at 3 or even 10 times cheaper, since Moroccans love bargaining and the prices for all products are much higher.

While enjoying a holiday in an amazing country, travelers naturally think about bringing a piece of pleasant memories as a keepsake and making gifts to friends and relatives. What to choose from a huge variety? Popular shopping:

• Grandma's slippers;
• paintings with historical subjects;
• argan oil and cosmetics based on it;
• leather lamps;
• traditional copper teapot of unusual shape;
• silver and copper utensils;
• leather accessories;
• ceramics;
• woolen carpets woven by hand;
• local varieties of clothing;
• Jellaba robe.

Kitchen

As in any country, Morocco has traditional dishes. Amazingly delicious, they are easy to prepare and really healthy. The menu contains many exotic vegetables and fruits, spices and aromatic herbs. What delicacies you should definitely try:

• bulgur salad;
• couscous with quince and chicken pieces;
• couscous with pomegranate and crushed almonds;
• pumpkin stew;
• chickpea salad;
• kesre bread;
• meatballs in spicy tomato sauce;
• pancakes bergir;
• creamy pumpkin soup;
• salted lemons;
• meat baked in pumpkin;
• chickpeas with spices and spinach;
• Moroccan sesame cookies;
• lamb or juicy chicken tagine;
• salad with quinoa and pomegranate;
• kharsha cakes.

Entertainment and attractions

Main entertainment:

• beach resorts;
• Menara;
• Jamaa el Fna;
• Toubkal;
• skiing in the Atlas;
• Ukaimeden with 10 ski runs;
• Ifran;
• Lezgira beach;
• Majorelle garden;
• waterfall, desert and canyon at Ouzoud;
• Al-Kutubiya; Folklore ceremonies and processions in Casablanca;
• festival folk arts capital.

Attractions:

• mausoleum of Kasbah Uday;
• tomb of the Saadites;
• Hassan Mosque;
• Shefsha - an old town;
• mausoleum of Mohammed;
• Medina of Marrakech;
• Madrasah Ali-ben-Yousef;
• house Tiskivin;
• Medina of Chefchaouen;
• mosque Koutoubia;
• Madrasah Ali-ben-Yousef.

Holidays and events

• January 1 - the beginning of the year, New Year's celebrations.
• January 11 - Independence Day.
• March 3 - anniversary of the coronation of Hassan II.
• April 30 - Eid-al-Kabir, sacrifice.
• May 1 - Workers' Day.
• May (date subject to change) - New Year according to Muslim tradition, the first day of Muharram.
• May 23 - National holiday.
• June 1 is a celebration in honor of children and the poor.
• July 9 - Youth Day.
• July (date subject to change) - Mohammed's birthday.
• August 20 - Revolution Day.
• November 6 - "Green March" (the so-called annexation of the northern part of Western Sahara).
• December 24 - Christmas Eve.

Historical facts

• The history of Morocco begins with the Berbers, the first inhabitants of the country.
• In Morocco, many cities were founded by the Romans.
• In the IV century BC. e. the Moors and Berbers were transformed into Mauritania, which was under Roman and Carthaginian rule, and then even under the yoke of the Vandals.
• The Arabs called Maghreb the conquered western Africa.
• After the Arab wars, the capital was constantly transferred from Marrakesh to Fez and back.
• During the Almoravid government, the country was the center of a majestic empire. The Berbers were forced to convert to Islam, and the former monarchs were killed in the conquered lands, thereby increasing the popularity of the state.
• During Saadian rule, Morocco managed to regain some of its lands.
• After the Saadites, the Alawites came to power, who still dominate. During their reign, Morocco ceased to prosper and even turned into a pirate state.
• In 1912, the lands of Morocco were divided between Spain and France.
• During the uprising of the Rif Republic, Rabat was proclaimed the capital, which to this day remains the center of Morocco.
• Until 1956, the state was a protectorate.
• In our time, the ruler of the kingdom is Mohammed VI.

• You can bring any currency to the kingdom, but be sure to exchange it, as the locals only use dirhams.
• With money, there is another important principle that should be taken into account. If you are in the kingdom for more than 2 days, then you can safely change dirhams to the currency you need, but in amounts not exceeding 50%. If your presence lasted less than 2 days, then feel free to count on a full exchange of 100%.
• Photographs should not be taken without the permission of residents. A special ban on filming applies to all administrative units and their employees.
• When choosing clothes for walking, give preference to more restrained. Short shorts, skirts, swimwear will only be appropriate on the beaches.
• If you want beer or wine, go to a cafe, drinking alcohol on the street in Morocco is highly undesirable.

• Surprisingly, snow falls very often in Morocco and there are even ski resorts.
• This country is home to the oldest university in the world, Al Qaraouine.
• Sultan Moulay Ismail is the largest father in the world.
• There are more Berbers in this country than Arabs.
• According to the Berber calendar, it is now 2968.
• Many popular films and series have been filmed in Morocco: Gladiator, The Mummy, Prince of Persia, Alexander. And Xar Ait Ben Haddu, who is over a thousand years old, reincarnated as Yunkai in Game of Thrones.
• Argan oil, "liquid gold", is produced in Morocco.
• The first travel blogger was a Moroccan.
• In Morocco, it is illegal to throw away bread.
• The declaration of love in Morocco sounds like this: “You conquered my liver.”

Who would have thought that you can go to Africa to, at an altitude of 3270 meters, do skiing or go snowboarding. It turns out that in winter fairy tale, with snow, ski slopes, you can plunge into the peaks of the Atlas Mountains, which are located near Marrakech. On the slopes of the mountains majestically shake their paws, firs, and the peaks are shrouded in dazzling beauty with white coats of snow.

The amazing country of Morocco is a mixture of oriental traditions, mosques of the sultans, the sounds of Islamic Africa and the aroma of spices with cathedrals and palaces built in European styles.

The borders of the endless hot Sahara desert pass almost next to the peaks of the Atlas Mountains, which border the northwestern part of Africa. A coastal zone Atlantic and mediterranean seas- these are splendid sandy beaches and luxurious fashionable hotels, as well as the exotic medina of the Middle Ages.

The Kingdom of Morocco became independent in 1956. Since, at one time, the country was a colony of France, it was the French who came to Morocco with pleasure to ride from the snowy Atlas Mountains.

Here is one of the most high points North Africa - Jebel Toubkal (its height is 4167 m). Therefore, the ski resorts of Ifrane, Ukaymeden and Michlifan are located in the Atlas Mountains.

Ifrane

Ifrane ski resort is called "Moroccan Switzerland". The resort is located at an altitude of 1665 m. 20 km from Ifrane is located ski resort And Mountain peak Hebri with luxurious slopes from which you can ski, getting real pleasure. Unique place, more like Scandinavia, with cozy hotels near the ski slopes, small European houses, with well-groomed lawns and clean streets.

The city of Ifrane is a delight. You will not remain indifferent if you see blue lakes and waterfalls shrouded in iridescent flashes, which are hidden among cedar forests.

Translated from the Berber language, "Ifran", it means "cave". It turns out that among the Atlas mountain range, people began to settle in the 16th century. They made dugouts and lived there. Many found a normal home only at the beginning of the 20th century, and today dugouts are used as cellars. In 1913, the French made Morocco their colony, and the locals made room, leaving for the mountains.

In the 20th century, Europe became fascinated with the concept of building low-rise cities surrounded by parks. From the beginning of the 30s, Ifrane began to settle down and gradually turn into a "Garden City". There are no distinctions in it, the buildings were surrounded by squares and parks. Buildings in the city were built by engineers and architects who took part in the creation of new quarters in Rabat and Casablanca. All Ifrane buildings are classical European style. At the same time, such atypical buildings were built in Ifrane as the palace of Sultan Mohammed bin Yusuf, the building of the Catholic Cathedral and the Post Office.

The French noted for themselves that while all of Morocco is languishing from the heat, there is snow in the Atlas Mountains, which allows you to have a good rest, riding from the mountains and take a breath after the scorching sun.

Over time, Ifrane has become a ski resort with chalet-style houses. Cozy, surrounded by parks and flower gardens Ifrane, the Moroccan king chose as a residence. And in 1995, it was in Ifrane that the Moroccan University was founded. calling card Ifrane is a lion carved in stone.

Climate of Ifrane

Ifrane is located at an altitude of 1665 m, in the mountains. Therefore, from January to March there is a lot of snow. Winter temperatures can reach -10*C. IN summer time it often rains, and the temperature is up to +28*C. The entire Atlas mountain range stretches for 800 km. Since damp winds blew from the ocean, the snow in the mountains is grainy.

In addition to skiing, tourists can have a great time riding horses, walking and admiring magnificent landscapes, or go fishing to the lakes.

In the vicinity of Ifrane there is a magnificent national park, in which entire colonies of monkeys live freely. In the valleys of the Atlas Mountains, you can see luxurious meadows covered with a flower carpet. There are also volcanic plateaus.

Ifrane has an excellent infrastructure with good ski slopes. There are many hotels on the slopes of the mountains and in the valleys (for every taste and budget). The resort is included in the list of environmentally friendly cities around the world.

The city has many shops, craft shops and boutiques. And, of course, the bazaar, where fish and vegetables, fruits and spices lie in even slides. At the clothing market, you can buy whatever your heart desires, including souvenirs.

Ukaimeden

The highest ski resort in Africa is Ukaimeden. The city is located at an altitude of 2600 m. Jebel Attar Peak is located at an altitude of 3258 m. You can get there by lift.

Ukaimeden ski resort is the most major resort Morocco. By rock paintings, with images of hunting scenes, fights and various figures, it is clear that the first villages appeared here as early as the 1st century BC.

The resort of Ukaimeden is five magnificent slopes for professional skiers. The length of the trails is from 600 to 1000 m. But there are also trails for children. There are seven ski lifts for guests. And tourists can live not only in hotels, but also in small houses, such as a chalet. They are beautifully placed right on the slopes of the mountain range.

If you come down from the mountains, you can go to the beach or go surfing. Fortunately, the ocean is nearby. Tourists can rent sports equipment and contact instructors who will help you learn the basics of skiing.

The fitness and wellness center includes a gym, massage parlour, or hammam. There is a heated swimming pool and solarium. The lounge bar has a huge fireplace. In the evening you can relax in one of the restaurants.

Donkeys ply between the tracks, on which tourists ride with pleasure. If you want to go mountain climbing, or you are interested in archery, go to the mountains on foot, or take a jeep safari around mountain range, then at the resort you will be happy to provide all this.

Weather in Oukaimeden

In the foothills of the resort, the weather is very hot, as it is located in the tropical zone. But, the higher you climb the slopes of the mountains, the cooler it gets. And already at an altitude of 2500 m, the temperature is below 0 * C. Starting from the end of November, snow cover sets in the mountains.

In the lower tier of the slopes you can see a lot of greenery, and in the valleys - a lot of flowers. Cedar and yew forests rise along the slopes of the mountains. At an altitude of 3000 m, you can observe alpine meadows covered with luxurious flower carpets. In the oases located inside the deserts, the locals grow date palms.

To the south of the Ukeimeden ski resort lies the chic Toubkal Park and the most high peak Atlas - Toubkal (its height is 4100 m).

Michlifan

Michlifane is another resort in Morocco where you can go skiing. skiing. It is located near the city of Fes, right in the mountains. The resort is located at an altitude of 2000 m.

At the service of vacationers - all kinds winter sports. There are 5 well-equipped trails here, and you can climb to the tops of the mountains by lift.

In the vicinity of Michlifane, there is a National Park with the largest cedar forests. It is here that the oldest cedar of Morocco Gouro grows, it is already about 1000 years old.

What food is served in ski resorts

Moroccan cuisine is a synthesis of various cuisines: Arabic, Moorish, Oriental, European. Therefore, many consider the cuisine of Morocco to be one of the most unusual.

The basis of the Moroccan cuisine is mainly vegetable and fruit dishes, seafood and meat dishes. And, of course, lots of spices. Local markets of the country are ready to provide everyone with greens, vegetables, fish and fruits. The locals are engaged in the cultivation of olives, the oil of which is so high quality and tasty that it is exported.

The pride of Morocco are all kinds of citrus fruits (tangerines, lemons, grapefruits). Moroccan tangerines are considered the most delicious in the world. High in the mountains of Morocco, you will definitely be offered them!

Moroccan dishes served in the mountains are mainly legumes (lentils, chickpeas, soybeans and beans). And as hot dishes, you can try sheep, cow, goat or poultry meat.

Barley, wheat and millet are grown wherever possible in Morocco. The entire coast of the ocean is a storehouse of fish products. It is there that the canning industry is well developed. Therefore, if you, after active day skiing, you want to taste fish - there will be no problems with this.

You should definitely visit Morocco, one of the ski resorts. Except active rest, you can visit a lot historical sites, get unforgettable impressions and enjoy every minute of your vacation. We assure you, you will get real pleasure and want to visit Morocco more than once!