Walking With Nomads - eco activities & experiences in Morocco

ECO Activities in Morocco

Walking with Desert Nomads

Truly authentic desert trekking and wild camping in Morocco’s desert and oases. You will walk with your camels (not camel riding) across beautiful and varied desert terrain in areas far from mainstream tourism. Learn how to live the life of a nomad with the unique opportunity to speak with the guides about their nomadic heritage.

These cultural desert treks can be from 1 to 5 days depending how much time you have and how far you wish to walk each day. The majority of our desert treks are located in the Taouz area of Morocco and can be combined with a stay at the ECO Desert Camp in Erg Chebbi too.

Anna Allworthy Walking with Nomads mountain trekking

Walking with Mountain Nomads

In the breathtakingly beautiful mountain areas of Boumalne Dades and Toudgha (Todra) Gorge, we offer Walking with Nomad experiences. Anything from a half day loop to a 4 day trek, you will be staying in nomadic encampments and learning more about the way of life of these ancient tribes people.

Despite being in the mountains this is hiking and not climbing and the experience can be easily slotted into your tour of Morocco. There is also the opportunity to stay overnight (before or after your trek) in one of the cave rooms at the Eco Lodge in the heart of the gorge.

Berber Carpet Weaver eco activity walking with nomads

The Forgotten Artisans of Sefrou

This is a wonderful (non touristic) experience to meet with local artisans in Sefrou famous for its Jewish heritage. The tour is conducted by a British woman who made Sefrou her artistic home several years ago. She is pivotal in the preservation of the artisan culture in this area and, for us, she acts as interpreter, allowing you to be able to chat freely with the artisans about their work.

A short distance from Sefrou is Bhalil, the village of cave homes, and here you will discover the tiny, hand woven buttons that adorn traditional Moroccan Kaftans and Djelabas. This is a cottage industry providing a way for girls / women to earn whilst working in the home or studying.

The lack of a cooperative for this product means that these women do not receive a fair price for their buttons, which are exported across the Arab world, but by visiting with them in their cave homes we can not only gain a first hand insight into their life but are providing an associated form of income for them.

The Only ECO Luxury Desert Camp

In a deep desert deserted spot, this Luxury ECO Desert Camp, built with hope, heart and ECO principles is the first of its kind and sits nestled in the apricot coloured dunes of the Moroccan Sahara, twinkling in the moonlight.

This camp has an exceptionally strong eco concept and impressive Vegetarian and Vegan menu options.

The owner / manager will be happy to sit and discuss his vision and achievements with you in order to provide an understanding of his inspiration and the particular challenges involved in building and maintaining an eco camp in the desert.

We recommend a minimum two night stay in order to slow the pace and have time to enjoy this extra special environment.

pottery woman Walking with Nomads ECO Tourism

The Women's World of Rural Pottery

The province of Taounate is blissfully remote but also has considerable cultural and environmental wealth that could make of it one of the best eco-tourist resorts in the country. But for now its a well kept secret.

The region offers a variety of natural resources including forests, mountains, caves, rivers and lakes. In addition to its rich cultural heritage, ( including festivals such as The Horse Festival Tissa, the Musical Folklore Ghayta in Taounate and Moulay Bouta Mousem) there is a strong traditional craft culture still alive and kicking.

As part of the vision of preserving and promoting ecotourism and human development here, we are working with rural women to provide the chance to earn their own living and integrate them in the process of sustainable development.

Pottery – During this unique travel experience you will journey back in time to witness, and join, the daily life of local pottery makers and explore the traditional methods and tools used for making pottery in an artistic, yet functional, workshop.

How to: Organic Farming Workshops

& Cooking Class (Vegan and Gluten free class option)

This is an exclusive opportunity to combine a stay at an organic small holding managed by one of the top chefs in Morocco with a series of unique “How To” workshops.

The location is a secret garden nestled between the snow-capped Atlas Mountains and the peace of nature in the surrounding valley. Set on five acres of fertile farmland amongst 300 olive and fruit trees, maintained using organic principles.

In addition to your choice from a series of informative workshops, you will also be able to collect seasonal vegetables from the organic garden roamed by sheep and chickens and discuss the different herbs and spices that flavour the diverse Moroccan cuisine, before you take part in a private culinary workshop over hot coals in the gardens.

Of course there should also be time to sit and relax by the pool amongst the perfumed tea and rose gardens.

The Ultimate ECO Tour of Morocco

We are thrilled to have created the ultimate eco tour of Morocco.

There is a one week and two week option and both incorporate as many of our eco experiences as possible. All accommodation is also chosen with commitment to the environment in mind. Although we can start from any of Morocco’s airports, we suggest you also investigate arriving in Tangier by ferry from Spain. This way you can make the journey from anywhere in Europe by train, coach (or car) and avoid flying completely. We would then collect you from Tangier Port and start the journey from there.

If our one and two week eco tour itineraries don’t suit your plans, get in touch and we will build you a bespoke tour.

Aromatic & Medicinal Plant Distillation

Due to the rich variety of the local flora and the existence of the National Agency of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, this is the best part of Morocco for an ethno-botany tour of medicinal and aromatic plant distillation.

We will combine a visit to the National Agency with a Botany Farm and a Rural Producer in a local village environment, in order for you to witness the different techniques ranging from certified organic to rustic and traditional. You may be able to see the results of the harvests of Orange Blossom, Lemon Verbena, Chamomile, Rosemary and Rosa Damascena depending on harvest dates.