Watch Morocco to Timbuktu: An Arabian Adventure

Name: Morocco to Timbuktu: An Arabian Adventure
Genre: Documentary & Biography, Mini-Series, Travel
Released: 2017-12-18
Cast: Alice Morrison

Not Rated
2017
1 Season
7.7 (45)

Morocco to Timbuktu: An Arabian Adventure is a thrilling travel documentary series that takes viewers on an epic journey across the deserts and oases of North Africa, delving deep into the history, culture, and traditions of the Arabian people. Presented by the intrepid British explorer and journalist Alice Morrison, the series offers a fascinating insight into the diverse and complex world of the Maghreb and the Sahara, revealing the breathtaking landscapes, bustling cities, and ancient settlements that have shaped this vast and enigmatic region.

Split into six episodes, the series follows Morrison as she sets out from the bustling streets of Marrakesh and embarks on a challenging and often perilous journey that takes her through the heart of Morocco, Mauritania, and Mali, and finally to the legendary city of Timbuktu. Along the way, she encounters a diverse cast of characters, from nomadic tribespeople and Berber villagers to Tuareg traders and Islamic scholars, who share their rich tradition of storytelling, music, and hospitality.

One of the most striking aspects of the series is its focus on the cultural and social diversity of the Arab lands. Morrison takes great care to explore the different ways of life and belief systems that exist across the region, from the vibrant street culture of Moroccan markets to the austere beauty of Islamic architecture and calligraphy. She also touches on the complex historical and political forces that have shaped the region, such as the legacy of colonialism and the ongoing struggle for independence and self-determination.

Throughout the series, Morrison demonstrates an impressive ability to adapt to the challenges of travel in this rugged and sometimes inhospitable terrain. From navigating treacherous mountain passes and shifting sand dunes to cross-country trekking and camel riding, she proves to be a fearless and determined explorer, always pushing herself to new limits and discovering new insights into the world around her.

Her enthusiasm and curiosity are infectious, and viewers will find themselves drawn into her adventurous spirit and her deep love for the people and landscapes of this part of the world. Whether she's exploring the bustling markets of Marrakesh, sharing a cup of mint tea with Berber nomads, or learning the secrets of traditional medicine from a local herbalist, she approaches each encounter with a genuine sense of wonder and respect.

The production values of the series are top-notch, with stunning cinematography and a rich, immersive sound design that transports viewers right into the heart of the action. The music, too, is an integral part of the experience, with a mix of traditional and contemporary styles that capture the vibrant energy and cultural richness of the region.

Overall, Morocco to Timbuktu: An Arabian Adventure is a true gem of a travel documentary series. With its engaging presenter, breathtaking scenery, and fascinating insights into the diverse cultures and histories of the Arab lands, it's a must-see for anyone with an interest in travel, exploration, or anthropology. Whether you're an armchair traveler or a seasoned adventurer, this series is sure to inspire you to pack your bags and hit the road.

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Seasons

2. Episode 2

May 18, 2017

Alice Morrison takes on the vast Sahara in an epic camel trek over the dunes. At night by the campfire, she hears a shocking story of modern day slavery from her trekking guide. The next day, her journey across the sands is halted by the closed border between Algeria and Morocco. Undeterred, Alice heads west on another trading route to Guelmim. She stops in Tamegroute, where she finds a hidden library of ancient books, including manuscripts by a 16th-century Malian scholar. It is evidence that the trans-Saharan trade routes transferred knowledge as well as gold and salt.

1. Episode 1

December 18, 2017

Timbuktu - a place so mysterious, mythical and far, far away that it has become a legendary destination. Alice Morrison, Arabist, writer, explorer and Marrakech resident, follows what was once one of the world's richest trading networks - the infamous salt roads - across north Africa from the top of Morocco to the fabled sandstone city of Timbuktu. Trekking 2,000 miles across some of the deadliest landscapes on earth, Alice journeys deep into the history, culture and civilisation of both ancient and modern north Africa. Standing at the crossroads between north and sub-Saharan Africa, and straddling the vast Sahara Desert and the great River Niger, the legendary trading post of Timbuktu, now one of the most dangerous places on earth, was founded over a thousand years ago, and its wealth was built on two precious commodities - gold and salt. Over the centuries, caravans with thousands of camels passed regularly between Timbuktu and Morocco. They were led across the deadly trans-Saharan 'salt roads' by a desert tribe called the Tuareg, who still patrol the desert today. Setting off from Tangier, Europe's gateway to Africa, Alice learns how gold was in high demand in north Africa, to be minted into coins and adorn palaces. Its source was the gold mines of sub-Saharan Africa, and so the routes across the desert were forged. Hitching a ride in a crowded taxi of locals, Alice passes through the Islamic city of Fes, home to the world's oldest university, where she stays in a caravanserai, the ancient traders' version of a motel with mule and camel parking, and helps prepare the merchant's dish of the day, camel meatballs. Next, she catches the famous hippy train, the Marrakech Express, to the other northern terminus of trans-Saharan trade, the great market town of Marrakech. Deep in the ancient city, she learns how to treat leather the ancient way by wading up to her waist in vats of cow hide, poison and... pigeon poo. And at night in the grand square, Djemaa El Fnaa, she hears tall tales of the traders of old and their perilous travels across the Sahara. Continuing on foot, she treks in snow and storms across the mighty Atlas Mountains dotted with Berber villages; the Berbers, or Amazigh, are the indigenous people of Morocco. On the other side of the Atlas, Alice discovers ancient caves of salt, the commodity which gave the salt roads their name. Further south, she travels through valleys lined with casbahs, fortresses where the traders could stay in safety along the route with their valuable goods. In the barren, unforgiving heat of the Jebel Saghro desert, she enlists the help of Berber nomads. They still graze their animals there and live the same traditional lifestyle. They help her on her way to the ancient city of Sijilmasa, whose amazing forgotten ruins sit on the edge of the great Sahara Desert. It's a lost city, which was once a great trading post, a sanctuary for merchants arriving after the long trek across the Sahara from Timbuktu.

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