Trekking Through The High Atlas Mountains
We knew that the High Atlas Mountains of Morocco is a hot tourist spot for hikers and trekkers crossing Mount Toubkal, but we only found ourselves in the area as a detour from a surf contest, so we were obviously not prepared for a real backpacking adventure. However, we organized a short day hike with a local guide through our hotel. We had a memorable and wonderful experience–– even ending with a surprise souvenir purchase!
Kasbah du Toubkal: A National Geographic World's Most Unique Lodge
The drive from the coast of Taghazout to the High Atlas Mountains took around 5 or 6 hours. Repetitive at first (it was backtracking our original route, going back through Marrakesh), but dramatic by the end with beautiful views of the snowcapped mountains and treacherous one-way sized roads on the edge of a cliff. We were headed to the Kasbah du Toubkal, a National Geographic "one of the world's most unique lodges." A three-night stay at this remote lodge was a Christmas gift from my boss– she's known to give extravagant, generous, and extraordinary gifts. (Thank you Kyra!) That being said, we really didn't know what we were getting into, as we drove up the bumpy dirt road to a tiny rural village...
Ups & Downs in Taghazout, Morocco
On our first ever trip to Africa, I was feeling jittery and excited to check off another continent on the bucket list.... and perhaps a bit nervous after reading mixed reviews on Morocco. We were headed to the tiny surf town of Taghazout in Morocco for a surf contest. Our 12-day stay at a local surf and yoga villa had it's ups and downs, from fabulous ocean views and rooftop yoga to multi-day sickness and food poisoning. It was quite the experience...