Morocco Day 5: Chebbi Dunes to Tinghir

Where and when: Chebbi Dunes to Tinghir, 30 January 2025

0930: After waking upto a beautiful sunrise, it is time to say goodby to the desert. Unlike yesyerday, when we arrived on camels, we have a much quicker exit in landcruisers.

1030: We traverse the baby Atlas mountain range. We stop in Erfoud at a fossil workshop.

There are a lot of fossils in the area. Local quarries excavate fossils and incorporate them into crockery, ornaments, coffetables and even decorative sinks.

1245: Stop to look at the Khetterra irrogation system. This one built in 17th century and worked up until 75 years ago.

The system is a way to bring water from a source far away to irrigate farms.  An underground channel is dug starting at the water spring, bit like a horizontal mineshaft. However the channel is only a few meters below ground, so it is created by digging lots of vertical shafts to bring out the earth.

Construction of the Khettara system relies on collective labor contributed by various families and tribes. One significant advantage of this system is that, by running underground, the water channels minimise evaporation. The strategically positioned shafts also facilitate maintenance and access.

1315: Stop for lunch at a small Oasis.

1700: Short walk along the Todra gorge (also known as the Todgha gorge).

Todra gorge is a natural oasis created by the River Todra carving its way through limestone for many centuries.

The gorge has canyon walls that reach over 400 metres in height and is 10 meters wide at the narrowest point. The river Todra flows at the bottom of the canyon. During the dry season, you can walk across the floor of the canyon.

1900: At Hotel Saghro for the night. Berber omelette and soup for dinner.