Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Grands taxis run to Azrou (Dh45, two hours) and Er-Rachidia (Dh60, two hours).
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Around Midelt
Midelt's location on the cusp of the eastern High Atlas makes it a great base for exploring.
Off the main routes, roads are rough
pistes
, with many only really negotiable between
May and October and even then only by 4WD. It's heaven for mountain bikers, as well as
ideal hiking country. Ksar Timnay Inter-Cultures in Midelt will rent you a 4WD (with
driver) for around Dh1000 - good value if there's a group of you.
Cirque Jaffar
The Cirque Jaffar winds through the foothills of Jebel Ayachi, 25km southwest of Midelt.
It's a rough
piste
, and regular cars will grumble on the route in all seasons but the height
of summer. The scenery is wonderful though - the dramatic crests of the Atlas, carpeted in
places with cedar forest, and studded with tiny Berber mountain villages.
From Midelt, take the Zaïdia road for about 10km and turn off at the signpost for the
village of Aït Oum Gam. Then follow the signs to Matkan Tounfit. After that the route
loops back through Tattiouine and on to Rte S3424 back to Midelt. Allow a day for the
whole 80km circuit. Ksar Timnay Inter-Cultures offers this day trip for Dh350 per person
including meals.
If walking is more your thing, and you have a tent, it's possible to strike out from Tim-
nay to the Cirque Jaffar on foot. A two-day round trip gives you a good taste of the area.
From Timnay you can walk to the village of Sidi Amar, which is surrounded by apple
orchards and is particularly colourful during the souq that's each Wednesday. Camp fur-
ther along at Jaffar, located in the valley in the centre of the spectacular circle. On day
two, return to the Timnay complex via the impressive river gorges. A guide isn't strictly
necessary, but one can be organised via Ksar Timnay Inter-Cultures. An equally good
companion is the guidebook
Grand Atlas Traverse
by Michael Peyron.
