BERBER VILLAGES OF THE HIGH ATLAS MOUNTAINS, MOROCCO, NORTH AFRICA -- Part 7

IMAGES BY STEVE WRIGHT, WORDS BY LISA SYKES/THE GUARDIAN

Descending through the sweet-smelling pines and gnarled junipers we saw the summit of Toubkal in the distance, a faint triangular point against the blue sky. 

Below were well-kept terraces of fruit trees covered in spring blossom. Boulders and scree covered the valley floor, the aftermath of dangerous flash floods that had been caused by summer storms.

Later, the first star of the evening, the Etoile de berger or shepherd's star, rose in the sky and, on cue, dark blobs on the mountainside began moving across and down the slopes.

The flocks were coming home.

BERBER VILLAGES OF THE HIGH ATLAS MOUNTAINS, MOROCCO, NORTH AFRICA -- Part 6

IMAGES BY STEVE WRIGHT, WORDS BY LISA SYKES/THE GUARDIAN

On my first day of walking we climbed to the tizi (mountain pass) that gave us a spectacular view into the neighbouring Tacheddirt valley. 

Walking at a steady pace that still left me breathless on the steepest parts, we saw few other tourists. 

It was quiet in early March, the beginning of the season in the High Atlas, but the sun was already strong, burning my face before I realised it.

In the late afternoons, the temperature began to fall, and by the evening I was wearing two fleeces, jacket, thermal underwear, hat and gloves.