Before returning the rental car in Tangers —a Hyundai i10 that was brand new yet strangely uncomfortable—we decided to take one last adventure: Achakkar Falls (often called Ackhor Falls).

Now, let me talk about car rentals in Morocco for a moment. The web made it sound like we could get a car for 7 euros a day, but reality kicked in when we ended up paying around 40 CAD per day for a rental from a company I actually trusted. And just when I thought I was cruising smoothly, I got a speeding ticket for doing 71 km/h in a 60 km/h zone—a 150 dirham lesson in Moroccan traffic rules. But hey, what’s a road trip without an unexpected fine?

---

The Road to Achakkar Falls

The drive from Tangier to Achakkar Falls was long and winding, twisting through small villages and endless hills. Right before reaching we saw ladies with a clay oven selling fresh baked Moroccan bread with cookies. I put some olive oil and ate it, and man oh man it was probably the best I have ever had. After what felt like forever, we arrived at the falls’ entrance, paid a 10-dirham parking fee, and started walking.

The falls themselves were okay, nothing out of this world, but what made the spot unique was the vibrant atmosphere—small natural pools with inviting, cool water, but also crowded with tables, families, and the smell of tajine cooking everywhere. It was tempting to jump in, but the idea of swimming while surrounded by plastic chairs and BBQ smoke didn’t exactly scream “nature retreat.”

That’s when we made a decision (with some help of other tourists who we met along the way)—skip the falls and take on the mountain hike to the Bridge of the Gods.

---

The Hike to the Bridge of the Gods

This hike? Easily one of the most interesting and challenging ones I’ve done.

With Sanaa getting tired every few minutes, the steep ascent became an endurance test, but every time we stopped to catch our breath, the views stole it again. Mountains stretched endlessly, the golden glow of the setting sun painted the cliffs, and for a moment, the struggle of the climb felt worth it.

By the time we finally reached the top, we made one small but crucial mistake—we took the wrong path on the way down. What started as a minor detour turned into an uneasy realization:

• We were lost.
• It was getting dark.
• No one else was around.

That small moment of panic started creeping in—what if we can’t find our way back before nightfall? The further we walked, the more the trees seemed to blend into each other, making every path look the same. But somehow, we found our way back to the right trail.

And just when we thought we had seen it all, we spotted something unexpected on the other side of the mountain—a pack of wolves descending the slope.

It was one of those surreal, humbling moments—seeing wild animals moving freely in their natural habitat as if they owned the land (which, let’s be honest, they did). Beautiful, yet intimidating.

---

The Realization: It’s the Journey, Not the Destination

This hike made me appreciate something that’s true in life, in travel, and even in business—

The “destination” is just a fleeting moment—a few seconds of awe, a snapshot for memory. But the journey? The struggle, the uncertainty, the unexpected encounters—that’s where the real beauty lies.

At the end of the hike, Zara decided to take a cold plunge in the water, and we rewarded ourselves with some amazing BBQ meat before heading back.

Tired, sore, and full—what an incredible day.

Would I do it again? Absolutely.

Would I pick a better rental car next time? Most definitely.