Becky is an avid rock climber and outdoor enthusiast and is now living in France as an expat. When she is not writing about travel gear and various destinations she has visited during her travels, you can find her playing with her two dogs.
“Green Morocco,” a term coined by the guys at Rug&Rock Adventures, is their own personal brand for this strikingly green region known as the Middle Atlas. In complete contrast to the Moroccan desert that we all know well, the canyons of the Middle Atlas mountain range are packed full of refreshing waterfalls and lakes among luscious green shrubbery. The best part of this region, apart from its obvious beauty, is that it is still largely unexplored and untouched by the tourism industry. Therefore what better way to experience this hidden gem than with the only company who offers adventures and full exploration of the area?
Rug&Rock Adventures was founded by passionate travelers who have many years experience of adventure travel and a love for outdoor sports. Therefore their tours came about by wanting to share their personal experience with others. Unlike other tour companies in Morocco, these guys specialize in multi adventure tours that all follow the formula of ‘adventure + nature + local communities.” In short, expect to take part in activities from canyoning and trekking with a small group of travelers where you’ll be welcomed into local communities as you learn more about their culture.
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Canyoning and Trekking Multi Adventure (Long Tour – 9 days)
Day 1 – A night in Marrakech in a traditional riad
Day 2 – A guided tour of the city’s medina and trekking in Ouzoud
Day 3 – Canyoning around Ouzoud Falls, aquatic trekking and exploring Bin El Ouidane Lake
Day 4 – Trekking to the rocky formations of La Cathèdrale
Day 5 – A road trip to Aguelmane Azigza National Park and visits to local villages
Day 6 – Trekking around the Aguelmane Azigza National Park
Day 7 – Trekking around Cèdre Gouraud Forest
Day 8 – Explore the city of Fez
Day 9 – The final day in Fez
Canyoning and Trekking Multi-Adventure (Short Tour – 5 days)
The first 4 days of the short tour are the same as the long tour with the final day spent in Marrakech. For the full itinerary of both tours check out the Rug&Rock Adventures website and for more adventures check out their blog.
For the tours at Rug&Rock Adventures you’re going to have to bring your physical fitness because there’s a lot of walking! If you think you have none, I’m sure sheer determination will do! Although each tour does contain a lot of adventure, they are highly praised for the whole Green Morocco experience. With the perfect balance of vigorous activity and relaxation time, you also get to spend sufficient time with the families accommodating you as well as making lifelong friends with the people in your group. On a tour this long, great people can really make your trip!
With each tour starting in the bustling city of Marrakech, you really do get to see all sides of Morocco. Leaving the old town and its vibrant markets behind, the first experience you will get of Green Morocco is the stunning sight of Ouzoud Falls. This is also where you will have your first trekking experience exploring the area and where you will be accommodated by your first family on top of the waterfalls before your full day of canyoning in the morning!
The full day canyoning experience is really the headline of the tour. It is a really fun and active way to explore the area by aquatic trekking, sliding down natural water slides, abseiling down waterfalls and jumping in pools. Sounds like fun right? Most companies who offer canyoning activities normally only run them for 2 -6 hours, but in this tour you get to take your time and explore the region all day with experts at hand.
The next couple of days will be full of hiking and trekking through lakes, green mountains, huge cedar trees, stunning waterfalls and forests, and whether you are a passionate hiker or a newbie you don’t have to worry about your level of experience. These tours have been organised in such a way that you’ll be taking sufficient breaks for food or a refreshing dip in the waterfalls to get you ready to go again!
Although the trekking can be challenging at times in the Moroccan heat, it is definitely worth the effort when you come across the tour highlights: the majestic rocky formations of La Cathedral and the vast Cèdre Gouraud Forest home to giant cedar trees and cheeky Barbary macaques. After a full couple of days hiking through different areas and being accommodated by local families, you will again find yourself in the heart of Marrakech or the city of Fez to spend your last day of the tour.
Check out this video for the whole short tour experience.
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Cost of Canyoning and Trekking with Rug&Rock Adventures
As of 2016, the multi adventure prices start from: £380 (short tour) and £675 (long tour). This includes the following on the long tour:
Food – 8 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 6 dinners
Accommodation
Transport between destinations
A full day Canyoning Experience
Gear & safety equipment
Expert mountain and tour guides
Financial protection in accordance with The Package Travel regulation.
For up to date prices check out the Rug&Rock Adventures website.
 What to Bring on this Multi Adventure in Green Morocco:
Change of clothes/trainers – wear light clothes that you don’t mind getting wet (wetsuit provided for canyoning).
Suncream
Camera
Swimsuit
Towel
Extra money
Rug&Rock Adventures are highly praised for their tours as they are a perfect blend of adventure and having the local Moroccan experience. From trekking through every kind of terrain to staying with a local family, learning about their culture and helping them cook, you won’t come away feeling anything but satisfied that you’ve exhausted the whole region. The two founders, Rafael and Omar, are also what make these tours. Their passion for adventure and linking travel with complete cultural immersion make them completely unique. It’s no wonder that the Green Morocco region is theirs alone.
Disclaimer: Please note that despite our collaboration with Rug&Rock Adventures, all opinions are ours and remain completely unbiased. All of these images were sourced from rug&rock.comÂ
If you’re looking for things to do in the area, check out some of our guides!
