Leaving the desert

Day 10

Today was a hiking day in Dadès Gorges, an outstanding area of geological beauty. The hike was supposed to take us through the gorge but recent rains meant it was still too boggy/muddy.

So instead we walked 8km along a dry river bed, up and over a hill and then alongside ‘Pattes des Singes’-Monkey Fingers. The rock formations are called the Monkey Fingers as they resemble the hands of Monkeys.

Lunch was in our guide’s house, green tea with thyme, bread with jam, honey and olive oil and a really tasty Msemen, vegetables baked in bread.
Aching legs expected tomorrow. Along with a blackening bruise on the back of Sarah’s leg where some kids rode a bike into her before the hike started.

Overnight: Bourmane dades

Day 11

Today was a drive along “The Road of a 1000 Kasbahs”. Many were built for private use, others for defensive purposes.
Our initial stop was at a meat market as it was auction day with cattle, sheep and goats being traded.

We stopped at a Women’s Cooperative that makes many creams/sprays and soaps with roses.
Next was a guided tour around a 17th century Kasbah, seeing the kitchens, family mosque and gardens amongst other things.

Lunch was at Ait Benhaddou (11th century Kasbah) before we climbed to the top, running the gauntlet of the vendors. This kasbah has been used for lots of filming including Gladiator, and Game of Thrones (specifically the slave market scene).

Another visit to a different women’s cooperative, this one supports women weaving rugs; a rug may well be on it’s way to Australia.
Settled in for the night, with a long driving day tomorrow.

Overnight: Ait Benhaddou

Fun fact: a palm grove has 3 layers of vegetation, an oasis has two!

Day 12

Today we left the desert plains behind and headed back over the High Atlas Mountains to our overnight stop in the mid-Atlas. It was a long driving day, but lots of stops at viewpoints to see the changing landscape.