🍵 You'll never believe where they served me mint tea...

Tea time got weird (in the best way) in Morocco

Picture this: A sizzling tagine lunch cooked on the mountainside.

You're sitting at a small wooden table for three, tucked in a tiny cave hanging over the blue-green waters of the lower Akchour waterfall. Suddenly, a waiter appears, nimbly balancing a silver tray with a tea set as he lowers himself down a set of precarious stone steps etched out of the mountainside.

Now, that's what I call a feast for all the senses.

If you're looking for an uncharted oasis that captures the essence of Morocco's natural beauty, Akchour is the place. Just a 45-minute drive from Chefchaouen, it's nestled in the Talassemtane National Park.

The drive there winds through the Rif Mountains, with sweeping views of the Mediterranean landscape. As the road twists and turns, each bend peels back another layer of Morocco's wild beauty.

But make no mistake - this isn't your average stroll in the park. The hike to the waterfalls is a 2-3 hour affair, depending on your pace and how often you stop to marvel at the surroundings.

There are two trails to choose from: one leading to the lower cascades and another to the aptly named God's Bridge, a natural wonder that looks like something out of a Gothic novel.

Being at the end of my Moroccan adventure (and out of shape), I opted for the Lower Cascades Trail. It was the perfect blend of challenge and leisure, with plenty of spots to catch my breath and soak up the scenery.

And believe me, Mother Nature did not disappoint.

The trail winds alongside a shimmering emerald-toned river, where Moroccan families picnic on the banks.

It's easy to see why this is a local favorite. Along the way, you'll encounter trail-side tagine cooks, fresh juice stands, and snack vendors, with a mix of Moroccans and tourists hiking, swimming, and hanging out.

Once I had my fill of the clear water, rushing waterfalls, and relaxing rest spots, we headed back to Chefchaouen for a peaceful night at the cozy Riad Puerta Azul - which I highly recommend. The breakfast included with your room is divine.

It’s a colorful and cozy riad to rest and get a good night’s sleep before and after such a beautiful hike.

If you want to catch up on my posts and recommendations from my summer adventure, you can read the others here:

👉  Grab a mint tea, here's your postcard from Morocco

👉  Oh, the colors of Morocco…

👉  Imagine you're on a camel in the Sahara

👉  Special Morocco stories I'd only share with you

And if you have recommendations for me, please leave them in the comments or shoot me an email. I've had plenty of friends get in touch because they're planning a trip to Morocco!

Until next week,

Jen

P.S. We’re almost at the end of summer, and I’m getting into newsletter planning mode. If there’s anything you’d like me to write about — especially if you’re one of my Sustack-curious folks, please hit reply (or leave a comment) and let me know.

P.P.S. Remember, just for August, I’m offering 60-minute content/writing coaching sessions for $75. 🤸 I know staying motivated during August is hard, so I hope this helps. But when September rolls around, this unbelievably generous deal goes away! What are ya waiting for? Book your session with this link, or fire off an email ASAP. (Don’t dilly-dally like you’re in Morocco!)