learn about morocco, by amir travels

Morocco, or the Kingdom of Morocco (official form) , (al- Mamlakatu'l - Maghribiya ) , Berber ( Tagldit N'Lmeghrib ), also called the "Kingdom chérifien " 9 , is a country in North Africa . His political capital is Rabat while the economic capital and the largest city is Casablanca. The country is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the west, Spain, Gibraltar and the Mediterranean Sea to the north and east of Algeria . In the south, it is bordered by Western Sahara, non-autonomous territory according to the UN , but mostly annexed by Morocco , which thereby control including the southern part of its border with Mauritania.

political regime

Morocco has a policy regime a constitutional monarchy whose current ruler is King Mohammed VI , the Alawite dynasty , established since 1666 and one of the oldest in the world today. Morocco is a member of the United Nations , the Arab League, the Arab Maghreb Union , Francophonie , Organisation of Islamic Cooperation , the Group of 77 , the Union for the Mediterranean and the Community of Sahel-Saharan States .
Morocco is the only African country not to be part of the African Union, but can benefit from the services of the organization , such as the services of the African Development Bank . In 1987 , Morocco has tried unsuccessfully to join the EEC, and in 2008 was awarded an "advanced status " with the EU10. On 15 May 2009 , he joined the North-South Centre of the Council of Europe11 . In June 2004, Morocco is designated as a major non - NATO ally by the United States12 .
According to historian Bernard Lugan is among others the lure of wealth from trade South (Sahara ) to the North (the West) that will attract the desires of various tribes with the hub city Marrakech naturally become the capital of various dynasties , especially those from the South ( Almoravids , Almohads , Saadian ) the history of Morocco ( Idrissid the Alawites ) and is marked by the trade of wealth from the South to the North. The history and origin of Morocco were , are and will be marked by the link with the Sahara


Toponymy



Saharan caravan in southern Morocco
Morocco has said Berber lmṛṛuk ( ⵍ ⵎ ⵕ ⵕ ⵓ ⴽ in Tifinagh ) , a name which derives from the pronunciation Amur n'wakuc ( "Love" , which means " country" and " Akouch " which means "God" which gives the "Land of God "or the" holy Land ") 14. Another etymology gives the interpretation of " land parcours15 . " This is the word that gave the name Marrakech16 .
Morocco is said in Arabic al -Maghrib ( المغرب ) , which means " the west " or " Occident17 " (literally : "The Maghreb ").
The same word in Arabic means both the Maghreb large18 sense , so when it is necessary to specify the Morocco called al -Maghrib al- aqṣaą ( المغرب الاقصى ) , meaning "the distant Sunset " or " the Far - West ", and refers to the Maghreb al -Maghrib al- ° arabiy ( المغرب العربي ) or " Arab West. "


Village in the High Atlas


tamraght Beach
The French name derives Morocco meanwhile the Portuguese pronunciation of Marrakech , Marrocos city center of the country founded in 1062 and was the capital of three dynasties (the Almoravids , the Almohads and Saadian ) . This pronunciation also derive Marruecos (Spanish ) Marocko (in Swedish) , Morocco (in English), Marokko (German , Norwegian and Dutch) , the Persians call them Marakech . The Turks called Fas which comes from the name of the ancient capital of Morocco under the Merinid dynasties Wattasid and Alawite ( before 1912 ), Fez . In ancient times, the Greeks called the inhabitants of the region Maurusiens . From the name, the region composed of Morocco and western Algeria was known of Mauretania ( not to be confused with Mauritania ) . The area was later divided into two provinces by the Romans Maurétanies : Mauretania Tingitane Volubilis with its capital ( Berber ancient city of Oulil ) and Mauretania with Cesarea Cesarean ( Tipaza ) for capital ( central and western Algeria ) . Morocco was the country where the ancient Greeks were located the mythical Garden of the Hesperides .
Morocco was known as the Kingdom of Marrakech in the three dynasties that had the city as its capital, and as the Kingdom of Fez dynasties who lived in Fez. Under the Alaouite dynasty , Morocco was also called Sherifian Empire . This name , widely used before 1956 , the remains today in reference to Alawite ruler , a descendant of the Prophet of Islam Muhammad, called " sherif " that is to say noble . In the nineteenth century, European cartographers always mention a " Kingdom of Morocco " , stating the ancient capital " Morocco " (for Marrakech). At independence, the country took the official name of the Kingdom of Morocco and the Sultan Mohammed ben Youssef became king under the name of Mohamed V.

the Moroccan Desert on 4x45 days/4 nights

Day 1: Marrakech– Telouat – Ait Ben Haddou – Ouarzazate

Early morning, departure from Marrakech by our 4WD. After few way moment, appears very beautiful scenery of small villages built in tiers succeed among oak trees, walnut groves and oleander bushes. The road snakes up before arriving at the spectacular Tizi n Tichka pass reaching 2260 m.

Just after the pass, we take the off-road for about 20 kilometres among deserted hills. The village of Telouet comes as a surprise dominated by the imposing ruins of the Kasbah. Which was once the main residence of the ‘ Lord of the Atlas’ Pacha El Glaoui , used to accommodate his court, the stables, a Mosque and countless slaves at a time when the man was ruling his own kingdom from Marrakech to Agadir and all the way east to the Sahara desert.

Visit of the Kasbah in Telouet, then tracks to Ait Ben-Haddou via Assif Ounila valley with its Berber villages… we reach the magnificently exotic Kasbah and ksour of Aït Ben Haddou, declared as World Heritage Site from UNESCO. Here we alight from our vehicle to visit these various Kasbahs, so closely-knit that they appear to be, but one complete building, backed up against the looming mountain in a stretch of unforgiving Hammada. The thick, high, sheer, elaborately decorated as a cob wall, stepped-up housing, turreted, crenulated ramparts, balustrades and arched 'babs'  which are a sight not to be missed. Obviously, here Hollywood has shot many of its films, including, as everyone will tell you: the Mommy, Gladiator, 7 days in Tibet, Babel, Alexander…Reaching Ouarzazate, for those of you who are interested; a visit to the impressive Atlas Film Studios can be arranged.
We’ll drive to the 100 year old Kasbah Taourirt for a quick visit of this complex of courtyards, a maze of richly decorated rooms, alleyways and crenulated towers. Dinner and overnight in Ouarzazate

Day 2: Ouarzazate– Gorges de Dadès – Gorges Todra – Erfoud– Merzouga

Driving further towards the beautiful Skoura (42 Km), where a small interval will be organized to visit the fabulous Kasbah of Amerhidl. Then we continue along this Valley of the Roses, through El Klâat Mgouna, (Citadel of the Mgouna Tribe) where thousands of small pink roses, first planted by French settlers, are grown to make the rose oil essence - "Eau de Rose" - so beloved by Berber people. Continuation on up to the Ksour of Aït Youl and a brief visit to this fortified village, tucked up against the stony slopes with its associated palm grove. Then we drive up via a superb grouping of Ksours at “Ait Arbi”, known by the local Berber as the "Hills of a Thousand Bodies", where the rocks shape look like human feet. We are now on a poor path, driving through a small canyon and zigzagging bends with narrower gap to reach Taghia n'Dadès, with some 63km from the foot of the Gorge, at Msemrir (1700m).
We shall now drive for some ½ hours down this fault in the plateau - giving all the appearance of the earth that has been savagely split open, by a great force - to make several plots on the way. In the evening these gorgeous rock formations are coloured with bands of pinks, reds and purples, whilst the ruins of Kasbahs and Ksours stare silently down on us.
We will stop for lunch at the heart of the Todra gorges. It is a wild landscape, populated with Berber villages and nomads minding their herds of goats. Hike down the narrow gorges, the fruit of the separation of the High Atlas and Djebel Sarrho. Where you’ll refresh yourself a bit by bathing your feet in the cold and crystalline water of the river… Then you take Lunch and continuation to the impressive Merzouga’s dunes of Erg Chebbi, we set out further east along the Tinejdad Valley - the stamping grounds of the Berber warriors of the south, the highly-independent Aït Atta tribe - through palm grove and stark hills along a well-surfaced road, occasionally covered with blown sand...
We continue to Merzouga, there we switch cars with camels in order to admire the sunset, and spend the night under Berber tents in a luxury bivouac, very deep between sand dunes.

Day 3: Merzouga– Khamlia– Taouz– Ouzina–  Ramlia–  M’harch

Early in the morning, and in order to admire the sunrise, return on camels to the bottom of the dunes. After breakfast, departure to the village of Khamlia (village of Gnaoua who make music in the desert), then a break for a mint tea in Gnaoua’s house. Then departure to Taouz and descent of Ziz Wadi by the track of Paris-Dakar passing by small village lost in the desert of Ouzina (and Ramlia, where you will have your lunch. After Ramlia crossed very sandy of the wadi Rheris and track which follows the mountain that leads to Mharch. Dinner and overnight in Mharech.

Day 4: M’harch – Zagora

After breakfast, departure to Zagora through the track of Paris-Dakar while crossing desert plates, Hamada’s and nomads under the tent. Dinner and overnight in Zagora.

Day 5: Zagora – La vallée de Draa – Agdez – Ouarzazate – Marrakech

After breakfast, departure to Ouarzazate via Draa’s Valley with its numerous palm groves and Kasbahs, also via the mountains of the Anti Atlas. Lunch and then continuation to Marrakech via the Tizi N’tichka’s passes.

The Full Circle of the South 4days/3 nights

The Full Circle of the South 4days/3 nights

This circuit is a combination of several successful landscapes; it takes us through their towering walls. A bewitching cocktail of colours purple, pink, rust, tan and purple ... An original route that plunges us into the authentic life of southern Morocco.
The scenery, as it rushes past, is intensely beautiful - a blur of browns, yellows and blues. The area is inhabited by the Berbers who most of them used to adopt the nomadic style as their life style. It attracts tourists from all over the world. Tourists visit the area to mingle it with the locals, enjoy camel trekking, the quietness of the desert, sunset and sunrise...etc. Right at the heart of the Berber country, the Drâa Valley is a series of oases and palm groves along the river's course, between the last of the Anti-Atlas Mountains and the very gates of the desert, first of stone, and then of sand. From Ouarzazate to Zagora, the road first crosses the plateau of Jebel Tifemine, almost a desert expanse, and then the road rises amid steep canyons to the Tizi n 'Tinififlt.

• The great valleys of southern Morocco: Dadès, Draa, the High Atlas and Anti Atlas.
• Todra and Dadès Gorges
• The agrarian and pastoral life, linked to a centuries-old tradition.
• Desert landscapes.
• The authentic face of the Sahara with its Kasbahs and ksours.
• A real track to discover the real Morocco.

All natural characteristics are present from Valleys, Dunes, and Palm groves passing through ancient Kasbahs.

Day 1: Marrakech – Ouarzazate – Zagora

In the morning, an enjoyable drive across the High Atlas Mountains, through the Tizi N'Tichka pass over 2260 meters. Beautiful village suspended on the flanks of the mountains…We'll call a halt to visit the Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou, registered as the world heritage of the UNESCO, hundreds of movies are shot in this local design: The Mommy, Gladiator, 7 Days in Tebet, Babel…etc. we continue on Ouarzazate, then we take the way to Zagora (about 167 Km ). Then we achieve Agdz, where you can emerge from the mountains to catch a first, extraordinary glimpse of the Draa Valley and the oases.  A thick streak of palms reaching out into the haze, and the first sign of the Draa Kasbahs, rising from the land where the green gives way to the desert. Dinner and overnight in Zagora.

Day 2: Zagora – Tansikht –Nqob – Tazzarine– Alnif– Erfoud – Merzouga

After breakfast, departure for Merzouga through unique desert landscapes, sprinkled with oasis. This very beautiful route with many small oases was one of the largest caravans in the past. Continuation towards Merzouga dunes.
You will experience a true camel trek in the Sahara desert, enjoying the grand solitude, immensity, and silence of the Sahara. At night spent under a starry sky… we will attend to lie down it of the sun in dunes of Erg Chebbi that constitute the big curiosity of the corner. It is real moving sculptures in the shape of draperies whose colours vary according to the intensity of light. They stand as the living defensive walls to doors of the desert. It can reach over than 150 ms.

Day 3: Merzouga –Erfoud– Tinghir– Ouarzazate

Departure towards Tinerhir, through the Ziz Valley, surrounded by tamarisks and palm trees. Visit of the palm grove followed by an incursion inside the Todra gorges, to the end of the carriage way, along an impressively high and narrow canyon. Continuation toward Marrakech running along the Dadès Valley, on the 1001 Kasbahs road, and from oasis to oasis: El Kelaâ des Mgouna (the city of roses), Skoura, Ouarzazate

Day 4: Ouarzazate – Marrakech

After visiting the movie studios and the Kasbah of Taourirt, a former home of El Bacha El Glaoui. Departure to Marrakech via the Tizi N'Tichka pass.

Souss and The Great South 5 days/ 4 nights

Souss and The Great South 5 days/ 4 nights

This circuit is a combination of several successful landscapes; it takes us through their towering walls. A bewitching cocktail of colors purple, pink, rust, tan and purple. An original route that plunges us into the authentic life of southern Morocco.
The scenery, as it rushes past, is intensely beautiful - a blur of browns, yellows and blues. The area is inhabited by the Berbers who most of them used to adopt the nomadic style as their life style. It attracts tourists from all over the world. Tourists visit the area to mingle it with the locals, enjoy camel trekking, the quietness of the desert, sunset and sunrise...etc. Right at the heart of the Berber country, the Drâa Valley is a series of oases and palm groves along the river's course, between the last of the Anti-Atlas Mountains and the very gates of the desert, first of stone, and then of sand. From Ouarzazate to Zagora, the road first crosses the plateau of Jebel Tifemine, almost a desert expanse, and then the road rises amid steep canyons to the Tizi n 'Tinififlt.

• The great valleys of southern Morocco the High Atlas and Anti Atlas.
• The agrarian and pastoral life, linked to a centuries-old tradition.
• Desert landscapes.
• The authentic face of the Sahara with its Kasbahs and Ksours.
• A real track to discover the real Morocco.

All natural characteristics are present from Valleys, Dunes, and Palm groves passing through ancient Kasbahs.

Day 1: Marrakech – Ouarzazate

In the morning an enjoyable drive across the High Atlas Mountains through the Tizi N’Tichka’s passes at 2260 meters. Beautiful village suspended on the flanks of the mountains… We'll call a halt to visit the Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou, registered to the world heritage of the UNESCO this walled village, spangled of notched towers and decorated of motives in the shape of lozenge, is considered understandably like one of most beautiful of the country. Hundreds of movies are shot in this decor «the diamond of the Nile ", «Lawrence of Arabia ", The Mommy, Gladiator, 7 days in Tebet, Babel…etc. Reaching Ouarzazate, for those of you who are interested, a visit to the impressive Atlas Film Studios can be arranged, we'll drive to the 100 year old Kasbah Taourirt for a quick visit of this complex of courtyards, a maze of richly decorated rooms, alleyways and crenulated towers. Dinner and overnight in Ouarzazate

Day 2: Ouarzazate – Taznakht – Foum Zguid – Tata

We leave in the direction of the village Foum Zguid via the Anti Atlas Mountains, where scenery will be changing between the semi deserts to weirdly shaped mountains. We are going through the mountains of Sirwa and the village Taznakhte, a Berber town well known with its handmade Berber carpets; we are proceeding until Foum Zguid. Continuation to Tata; small town, situated on the Open Sahara. Tourists use the town as a base for excursions in the area. Dinner and overnight in Tata.

Day 3: Tata – Akka – Bouzakarne – Tiznit

As our journey begins we drive through Kasbah villages and canter across white sand in direction of the desert to Akka. Akka is an oasis marked by clusters of red houses and villager going about their daily life. This was a stop on an ancient caravan route and subsequently became an area of Jewish settlement in Morocco. Then continuation through neck Kerdous to Tiznit, it is one of the very ancient Moroccan southern cities. Tiznit was founded back in 1881 by Sultan Hassan I, Tiznit is very famous for its silver jewellery activity, and is one of the nice tourist’s destinations in the south of Morocco.

Day 4: Tiznit – Tafraout – Agadir – Taroudant

Departure to discover the region of Tafraout’s rocks painted Amelnes valley and the valley of Ait Mansour. Continuation to Taroudant, the old capital of the Souss and one of the typical Cities of Morocco, Turn of the ramparts, visits Souks and discovered of Berber pottery. This town offers more than a complete change of scenery: it is famous for its jewellery souk and its craftwork of copper, leather and carved stone. Dinner and overnight in Taroudant.

Day 5: Taroudant –Marrakech

Breakfast, departure to visit the town of Taroudant or "Little Marrakech", we back in time when we visit the charming town with red walls perfectly preserved in its magnificent ramparts. Continuation to Marrakech. Arriving at the end of our services.

Le Désert Marocain En 4x4 – 5 jours/4 nuits

1^erjour: Marrakech– Telouat – Ait Ben Haddou – Ouarzazate
Nous partons en 4X4, direction le Tichka 2260 m, le plus haut col routier du Maroc, puis tournons à gauche vers Telouat. Visite du Kasbah et continuation environs 12 Km dans une route goudronnée, pour entamer la piste un peu difficile, environs 35 Km, pour les parcourir, il faut compter au minimum 4h. Nous passerons plusieurs villages Berbères, puis la vallée aux mille charmes de l’Asif Ounila pour arriver enfin à Ait Ben Haddou, Nous visiterons ce merveilleux Ksar qui est inscrit au patrimoine mondial de l’Unesco, ce village fortifié est considéré à juste titre comme l’un des plus beaux sites du pays, plusieurs films sont tournés dans ce décor: the mommy, Gladiator, 7 days in Tebet, Alexander the Great, Babel… Continuation vers Ouarzazate, visite de la Kasbah de Taourirte et les studios de cinéma. Arrivée, dîner et nuit.
2^eme jour :Ouarzazate– Gorges de Dadès – Gorges Todra – Erfoud– Merzouga
Départ matinal vers la route de mille kasbahs, visite la Kasabah Amrédhyle à skoura continuation vers la capitale des roses Kalaa Mgouna. et par une piste de 50 Km depuis Kalaa M’gouna on traverse la vallée des roses et on rejoint la vallée du Dades à la Kasbah d’Ait Youl. On monte jusqu’aux Gorges du Dades, après, retour par la vallée du Dades jusqu’à Boumalne pour continuer vers Tinghir et les gorges de todra. Visite des gorges du Todra (15 Km de Tinghir)  et départ vers la ville d’Erfoud en traversant la palmeraie de Tinjdad, la palmeraie de Touroug et la ville d’Erfoud visite l’atelier de la production de marbres des fossiles .Continuation vers les impressionnantes dunes de Merzouga (Erg chebi). Echange de véhicule contre les dromadaires pour admirer le coucher du soleil et passer la nuit au Cœur des dunes. Dîner et nuit.
3^eme jour : Merzouga – Khamlia – Taouz – Ouzina – Ramlia – M’harch 
Après le petit déjeuner départ pour le village de Khamlia (village de Gnaoua qui font de la musique dans le désert) avec un arrêt pour un thé à la mente chez les gnaoua, ensuite départ pour Taouz et les gravures rupestres puis descente de Oued Ziz par la piste de paris-Dakar et passage par des petits villages perdu dans le désert d’Ouzina (déjeuner sur place) et de Ramlia, après Ramlia traversée tr
4^eme jour : M’harch – Zagora
Apres le petit déjeuner, départ pour Zagora, par la piste de Paris-Dakar en traversant des plateaux désertiques ; les hamadas et les nomades sous la tente. Dîner et nuit.
ès sablonneuse de l’oued Rheris et piste qui suit la montagne jusq’a M’harch. Dîner et nuit à l’auberge.
5^eme jour : Zagora – La vallée de Draa – Agdez – Ouarzazate – Marrakech
Après le petit déjeuner départ pour Ouarzazate en traversant la sublime vallée de Draa avec son cortège de palmiers et via le village berbère d ‘Agdz et l’Anti-Atlas (1660 m d’Altitude). Apres midi on rejoint Marrakech par le col de Tizi n’Tichka.