With its moon-like waves of mountains akin to the dunes of the Sahara, the Agafay desert is a nugget on the outskirts of Marrakech. Very shut and but very unique, these wide-open desertic areas lend themselves to glamping within the type of the good expeditions of yesteryear, and to Zen or sporting actions. A 100% oxygen getaway.
In Marrakech, there’s no must drive for hours to play the remake of Tea within the Sahara! Simply 45 minutes away, the Agafay desert rolls its waves of lunar mountains over 400 km² on the foot of the Atlas Mountains. Not a pinch of sand, however a reg sheared by a canyon worthy of southern oases, whose mild golden undulations kind a putting distinction with the barrier of snow-capped mountains in winter.
Take pleasure in a glamping weekend of sports activities, wellness, and even cultural actions. Light hikes, horseback using, mountain biking or camel trekking, buggy or sidecar rides, astronomy periods and even electro or path events underneath the moon: to every his personal desert!
- Meharee and picnic stylish
If he wears an orange chèche and an indigo go well with, it’s not folklore: like the entire Inara Camp workforce, Brahim hails from the Zagora area within the south and grew up in nomad tents within the Sahara. When he’s not tending to the camels within the in-house steady, he accompanies the Meharees along with his supple stride, accustomed to treading the erg. There’s no sand to get in the best way, simply the mild rhythm of the caravan, earlier than we pull up on one of many desert ships to observe the ribbons of light-toned mamelons, a small inexperienced area and a pink canyon the place a white-topped desk rises for an uncommon picnic.
- Classic sidecar escapes
You possibly can crisscross the Agafay desert on a quad or buggy, Paris-Dakar type. Or a lighter, Yellow Expedition-style trip in a classic sidecar. On the controls, a double-hatted pilot, skilled driver, and connoisseur of the area. Helmets screwed on, you compromise into the basket or the saddle for a clean trip over the tracks. Alongside the best way, we cease to get pleasure from a mint tea in a historic Zaouïa (spiritual complicated) and a spectacular lunch overlooking the Atlas Mountains.
- A day within the lifetime of a Fellah (Native farmer)
Tender inexperienced flowerbeds, a trellis…. “We picked 10 kilos of greens this morning!” rejoices Pierre-Yves Marais, whose utopia of making a self-sufficient ecolodge and greening the desert has turn into actuality. Between the natural vegetable backyard, the place Lahcen, the top gardener, runs permaculture workshops, the orchard, the steady of horses and camels and the farmyard, you possibly can play fellah earlier than sampling the backyard’s delicacies. And to immerse your self within the lifetime of an genuine farm, take a stroll with Abdou, the son of the home. Alongside the best way, we come throughout the daddy and his sheep. On arrival, tajines simmer on braziers: mom Fouzia and grandmother Messaouda do the honors on the farm.
- An astronomer for an evening
Ali has been an astronomer for 15 years “out of ardour”, and he is aware of share it! Co-founder of Morocco’s Darkish Sky reserve mission, he hosts sky-watching evenings removed from the brilliant lights of Marrakech. We scan the lunar craters and nebulae along with his telescope earlier than following the dance of his laser torch throughout the sky. The winter triangle takes form, adopted by Orion’s belt, stated to have impressed the alignment of the Giza pyramids. In Morocco, it guided the elders as they planted their crops. “In the event you noticed it earlier than the 4th prayer, it was too late, and by the fifth you needed to hurry!
- Unique starlit dinner
“Monotonous desert? Is Monsieur kidding?”. We’re reminded of this line from Théodore Monod, the good surveyor of the Sahara, amidst the darkish boulders of the Roches Noires. Even in its pocket, this desert is aware of be a chameleon. On this discreet little nook, the place Scarabeo Camp units up momentary camps and tables, the 360° panorama of the desert’s 50 shades of colour is the one factor to occupy our minds. At nightfall, the lanterns gentle up, the desk is ready and it’s time to dine nose to nose with the celebrities.
- Arty tub and sit back
La Pause is a confidential oasis between canyon and hills, and the very first nomadic refuge within the Agafay desert. Right here, you possibly can bathe in nature underneath the olive bushes, lulled by the murmur of the Seguias (irrigation canals) and bathe within the spring-water pool that stretches (17 by 9 meters) to the very high, going through the coppery domes of the desert. Under, a monumental sculpture unwinds its propellers: a associate of the 1.54 Up to date African Artwork Honest, La Pause can also be an artists’ residency, to be visited when the calendar permits.
