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Discover Amizmiz villages
Nestled in the foothills of the High Atlas
Mountains, just south of the city of Marrakech in Morocco, lies a
town that is relatively unknown to visitors and seldom visited.
Amizmiz is a quaint and traditional town that seems to have been
forgotten by time and passed over by modernization, yet is home to
some of the most picturesque landscapes and adventures that Morocco
has to offer.
Most of the ten thousand residents of Amizmiz
are predominantly Berbers and speak in the Tashelhit dialect. One of
the cultural attractions of the town is the weekly bustle of the
souk that is held here on Tuesdays. Every vendor and merchant in the
area comes to the souk to sell their wares. It is known that
visitors are able to find exquisite items and unique souvenirs here,
as the town is not tourist orientated, and therefore does not
mass-produce typical tourism memorabilia. Amizmiz is not a town
filled with attractions such as museums, monuments and public parks,
and even on a Friday night most places are closed by eight. Rather
it has become increasingly popular for its breathtaking mountain
ranges, photographic opportunities and hiking.
There are
several hiking trails for visitors to follow, ranging from short to
long distance routes. The town is a good central location to explore
the surrounding areas from and attractions in the region include the
Stone Villages of the Valley of Qued Amizmiz, the Azgour Mining
Village, The Cave Habitations of Imin Tala, the Waterfalls of
Tazakka and the Qued Valley Walnut Groves. Other activities include
horse riding trails, discovering the strawberries, oaks and vast
pine forests of Amizmiz or marveling at the skill and talent of the
local potters.
As a destination in Morocco, Amizmiz is not a
town that is filled with pumping nightlife and rivers of tourists,
but it does have many hidden gems. All it takes is for visitors to
find them. And it is this quality that makes visiting Amizmiz an
adventure instead of a tourist destination. At first glance, the
town seems to be no more than a lost part of Moroccan history, but
on closer inspection visitors will find wonderful attractions and
memorable sights to enjoy and remember.
BERBER VILLAGES OF THE AMIZMIZ
PLAIN
Regular tour guaranteed with minimum 5 persons
Departure of trek during several days of the week and throughout the
year according to number of participants
Itinerary:
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Day 1: |
Marrakech
Arrive at Marrakech Airport
and Transfer to the hotel or raid - Dinner and
overnight.
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Day 2: |
Marrakech / Ait Zitoun (900m).
Transfer to the foothill of the High Atlas Mountains
(around 40 minutes drive ) where we will meet our guides and
mules. On the way rich farming of cereals and barley. Arrival
to Ait Zitoun, a Berber Village situated in Haouz known for
olives trees. (Around 3 hours of walking). Lunch on the way.
Diner and accommodation in a Berber guesthouse.
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Day 3: |
Ait Zitoun (900 m) - Ait Hmad
(1400m).
After breakfast, we continue towards the
Tizgui Village, from where we will appreciate the nice
panoramic view of the Haouz plain and the Amizmiz Region. We
will cross the Ait Ahmad pass where at its feet we will
discover a terasse farming and the villages at mountains
flank. (around 5 hours walking). Lunch on the way and
overnight in a Berber guesthouse .Ait Ahmad: A village
constructed with clay and stones in the middle of mineral
landscape at 1200 m altitude. This village counts about 200
inhabitants. Life is based essentially on irrigation farming:
fruit trees, cereals, legumes and animal breeding.
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Day 4: |
Ait Hmad (1400 m) - Imi n'Talat
(1500m).
We continue on the left bank of Amizmiz
River. We will discover the local life style of the Berber
villages we cross: traditional agriculture, pastoral life,
women workshops. We will arrive in the middle of the afternoon
to the Berber guesthouse where we will take a Moroccan bath
(Hammam). We will discover also the traditional bread making
at our host’s house. Lunch en the route and dinner in the
Berber guest house (Around 5 hours walking). Imi n’Tala: A
large Berber village situated on a mountain flake and exposed
to the right bank of the Amezmiz valley which provides to this
village a rich agriculture. Unfortunately none of theses
villages has electricity nor water but inhabitants
hospitality remains legendary.
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Day 5: |
Imin’Tala - Forester house -
Marrakech
We make our way to Marrakech via Berber
villages and valley of the Atlas Mountains (around 4 hours
walking). Diner and overnight at hotel in Marrakech.
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Day 6: |
Marrakech
Free day in Marrakesh to
explore the city and possibly relax at the traditional sauna
(hammam).
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Day 7: |
Marrakech / Departure
Breakfast at the
hotel or raid and transfer to Marrakech Airport and flay
home! |
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More Programs...
NB: Cost : Hotel in
half pension, camel and carriers for taking your stuff, nights under
tents 2 places with soft beds. Meals for the entire treks. Transport
 from/to Marrakech, mountain guide..
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