Travels Through Morocco - Atlas Mountains, Part One

in #travel6 years ago

Nothing like the fresh, invigorating air of the Atlas Mountains

After 3 days in Marrakech, we felt it was high time to get out of the intense, sticky heat of the city and drive south to the famed Atlas Mountains. Not even a few minutes outside the heart of the city, you begin to see the looming presence of the Atlas Mountain range, stretching seemingly forever into the horizon (as you can see from my photo below!). As we drove closer, the mountains got more and more dominating, until we stumbled upon some Berber villages dotted at the base of the mountain range.

One of the villages we stumbled upon was a village called Ourika, about 2km from the mountain (again pictured below). Here they create one of Morocco's most famous exports: Argan Oil. Extracted as an oil from the argan tree, its an oil that is used locally for cooking, but is exported to other countries due to its famed cosmetic properties. Its very sought after, and because of this a lot of fakes are made and sold in cities like Marrakech and Fes where they use other inferior oils such as sunflower or olive oil.

Hence it was nice to travel to the source where it is made purely and naturally, and see how it is done for myself. In fact, I was lucky enough to have a photo with some of the hard-working people who make this product from scratch!

If you do get a chance, try to visit this wonderful place. It's a nice break from the hustle and bustle of Marrakech (and is a bit cooler too!). Stay tuned for the next post where we climb up the mountains to find waterfalls, ravines, rivers and impressive peaks!

The Atlas Mountains, Morocco


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Details
🌏 | Atlas Mountains, Morocco
📷 | Samsung S8
🎨 | Lightroom Mobile edits used


Over the next few weeks I'll be trekking through Morocco and I'll be share with you my thoughts, feelings, tips and warnings about visiting each place along the way. Being a photographer, I will be doing this while sharing my photos with all of you too! I sincerely hope you all enjoy.

Please do follow if you want to keep up with my travel through this country <3

Any upvotes or resteems are hugely appreciated! Much love, everybody.

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Oh damn nice!! Thanks for the shout I truly appreciate it :D

I'be been to the top of Morocco twice for a short time but want to go back again soon for an extended trip. As an older traveller I'm not sure what would be best for getting around, maybe a motorbike and stay in hostels...

Thats awesome! By top of Morocco you mean Tangier? I would stay hostels are fine. Most hostel goers in Africa are more mature than Asian/European hostel mates. You'll love it either way.

Thanks; I'll be going just as son as crypto goes right up and I can cash out, get a camera and a motorbike and go

Me too, really waiting for that boom. And to retire soon and open my own hostel

I lived a couple of years in Thailand before they changed the visa rules and found people are opening hostels there all over the place

Ah thats a shame. I think people do try and get around the regulation. Luckily I have a dual British-Filipino passport so a hostel on a Philippine island is the dream! Where did you live in Thailand?

I spent a year travelling all over and almost all of the islands; then I got married and spent a year in east Thailand; then a couple of years in Chiang Mai which I really liked and would be there still of they hadn't changed the visa rules. If I had lots of money I could still get a visa, but I don't have that kind of money right now...

Chiang Mai is stunning, I really envy that you were able to live there for a couple of years and I sincerely hope you find a way of living there again, bud.

còn tôi ước được một lần đến đó mà không có được, chất đến chết luôn vận chưa đến được

Một ngày bạn sẽ trước khi cơ thể chết

Welcome to Morocco

Welcome to Morocco

Beautiful!!

Such breathtaking and such magnificent captures. You really got great photography skills. Interesting content, one amazing post. Pic 1 is my super favorite, larger than life.

Pic 1 is my fave too, hence why I chose it :P

lovely pix

that's a beautiful backyard

The Berbers who live here are very lucky indeed.

Ahh these mountains seems to be gud

This is breathtaking Africa is beautiful with beautiful places

Africa really is gorgeous. Very different from Asia and Europe in terms of culture and people but beautiful nonetheless.

all very beautiful some impressive photos all spectacular good work with the photos
a great greeting

Owo .....
Love this place . i want to go there . really beautiful

Its gorgeous here it really is.