Morocco Travel Guide

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WORKSHOP

Midelt

    Sleeping

1    Hôtel  Atlas

    Eating

2    Complexe   Touristique Le  Pin

3    Fast   Food

4    Sandwich   Atlas

Midelt consists of little more than one main street (Ave Mohammed V in the north, which
becomes Ave Hassan II to the south), a modest market (souq days are Sunday and
Wednesday) and a number of oversized restaurants, which cater to the tourist buses whistling
through on their way south.

CLIMBING JEBEL AYACHI

The highest mountain    in  the eastern High    Atlas,  Jebel   Ayachi  (3737m) is  more    a   massif  than    a   single  peak,   stretching  along   a

45km    ridge   southwest   of  Midelt. Its size    offers  a   host    of  trekking    opportunities,  not least   an  ascent  of  Ichichi n’Boukhlib, the

highest peak.

The best    time    to  tackle  Jebel   Ayachi  is  April   to  May or  September   to  November,   although    you should  be  aware   that    snow    can

persist above   3400m   well    into    July.   From    Midelt, take    a   grand   taxi    to  the village of  Tattiouine, from    where   you start   the climb.  It’s

a   tiring  but nontechnical    ascent  achievable  in  a   single  day.    There’s a   simple  mountain    bivouac at  the summit, although    you’ll

obviously   need    to  bring   your    own supplies.

A   guide   is  definitely  a   good    idea.   The best    place   to  arrange one is  through the Complexe    Touristique Timnay  Inter-Cultures  (

Click   here )  north   of  Midelt. The daily   rate    is  around  Dh300.  An  alternative,    if  you’re  up  to  organising  it, is  to  hire    a   mule    and

driver  in  Tattiouine.

Sights

Kasbah Myriem

(Atelier de Tissages et Borderie; 0535 58 24 43; 8am-noon & 2-5.30pm Mon-Thu & Sat)
If you’re in the mood for carpets, this workshop, about 1.5km out of town, is worth a look. It
assists Berber women develop their embroidery and weaving. The workshop provides looms
and materials, as well as a simple place to work. Local girls – aged 15 or so – come here in
order to learn these skills from more experienced women. Literacy lessons are also offered.
Follow the signs from the main road, then enter behind the clinic.

While you are here, you may wish to peek into the monastery ( services at 7.15am daily
& 10am Sun) , which is home to five Franciscan monks. The grounds and chapel are a peaceful
place to collect your thoughts. Ring the bell at the gate to the right of the workshop.