The least populated country in the world

Duration:

10 – 15 days starting and ending in Laayoune (W. Sahara). If starting with 4×4 already in Marrakech min 21 days is required for this kind of tour.

Means of transportation:

4×4 vehicle, on foot, camel (option).

Transfer Europe-Marrakesh or Europe-Casablanca-Laayoune (round trip by plane).

Highlights:

Experiencing the total solitude and peace of le grand desert, very varied in its topographic characteristics. Visiting the camel and goat herders of the remote Adrar-Souttouf and Tiris regions where very few tourists have ever been. Discovering paleo- and neolithic artifacts, gravures, preislamic tombs, fishing in the Atlantic with the local fishermen, visiting mussel collectors, beautiful Atlantic beaches, swimming and body-surfing, enjoying the wonderful scenery of Dakhla lagoon, relaxing in Iraifia stunning hot springs.

The story behind:

Western Sahara was the last bit of Sahara »discovered« by white men less than a century ago. Western Sahara used to be a Spanish colony. Since 1975 it is occupied by Morocco. There are very few original inhabitants – the nomadic Saharawis – still living in Western Sahara. Most of them live in refugee camps around Tindouf (Algeria) for more than 30 years now. Morocco controls some 80% of the West Saharan territory while the rest is in the hands of Polisario – the national liberation front of the Saharawi people. The Moroccans are not very nice to Saharawis, to say the least. Their control of borders and cities is discreet but nevertheless harsh. However, all the rest, the vast West Saharan desert is de facto left to Saharawis, who live their nomadic lives more or less as they always used to. Didi’s father for example manages a huge herd of 1.500 camels, other members of his family have large herds of goats.

Food:

Lots of rice and pasta, camel and goat milk, camel and goat meat, fruit and vegetables in modest quantities, fresh fish, shrimps and mussels, very sweet tea. Water is mostly drinkable.

Posted in > WESTERN SAHARA, In English: ]]> http://emigrator.wordpress.com/2009/02/16/western-sahara/feed/ 0 E-migrator img_0959 maroko-zahodna-sahara-novoleto2009-156 dsc_3790 maroko-zahodna-sahara-novoleto2009-142 img_1064 http://emigrator.wordpress.com/2009/02/16/southern-morocco-desert-tour/ http://emigrator.wordpress.com/2009/02/16/southern-morocco-desert-tour/#comments Mon, 16 Feb 2009 02:00:52 +0000 E-migrator SOUTHERN MOROCCO DESERT TOUR]]> http://emigrator.wordpress.com/?p=157 ]]>

Away from busy tourist trails

There is also a possibility of a tour in Southern Morocco desert, starting with 4×4 in Marrakech, passing Tiz’n’Tichka, Zagora, Mhamid, desert through the Draa valley and Iriqui salt flets, Tata, oasis Tiglit, Sidi Akhfenir, Naila lagoon, Sebha Dawra, and than back to Tiznit, Tizi’n’Test and Marakech. (one of possible itineraries, depends on time we have for the tour).

Duration:

We recommend  14 days, but tour can be prolonged or shortened as well.

Means of transportation:

4×4 vehicle, on foot, camel (option).
Transfer Europe-Marrakesh (round trip by plain).

Highlights:

Discovering fabulous landscapes very varied in its topographic characteristics: the natural beauties of Anti-Atlas, the wonderful scenery of the land of Kasbahs, beautiful oasis on the way, the mythic desert  of South Morocco, the Iriqui salt lake,  the Draa valley;  marvelous beaches and natural beauties of  the Naila lagoon (swimming!) and Sebha Dawra.

Food:

Nomadic kitchen when in desert, local restaurants on the road.

Accommodation:

Open-air or hayma (Saharawi tent)

Personal equipment:

Good sleeping bag, trekking shoes, sun protection, sunglasses, tent (only for Southern Morocco tour)

Best time to go:

October – end of April

Climate:

15 – 35 Cº day temperature, in winter months can be a little cool and humid at night, very rarely rain.

Health hazards:

Possible indigestion, sunstroke.

Potential dangers:

Unlikely (but not entirely unthinkable) time consuming albeit polite checks by the occupational authorities if we happen to run into a military patrol.

Strong ocean currents (we swim only in safe places).

There are still antitank mines in some areas of W. Sahara. These are remains of  a prolonged conflict between Morocco and Polisario which came to halt with the truce in 1984. We are going to move in zones, declared to be safe by Moroccan ministry of tourism.

Vaccination:

None

Visa:

No

P.s.:

Generally the way we do our thing is seemingly spontaneous and playful (too rigid planning never works out well in the desert, you inevitably end up stressed out “German” style). However, what we promise, we keep; the same goes for our Saharawi partners.