Based in San Francisco, Vikram Uppal is an entrepreneur who also maintains a strong community focus as co-founder of the charitable organization Aid India. An avid traveler, Vik Uppal has traveled to locales around the world including Italy, Thailand, China, and Morocco.
One of the premier outdoor destinations in Morocco is the Atlas mountains, which span 1,200 miles from Tunisia to Agadir, a port on the Atlantic coast. Trekkers typically stay within four distinct areas: Sahro, Sirwa, Toubkal, and M’goun. The latter offers a relatively large population and lush vegetation, while the first two are hotter and less traveled. Easily accessed from Marrakesh, Toubkal features North Africa’s highest peak Jbel Toubkal, which reaches 13,671 feet and is popular among climbers.
For many, one of the highlights of the Atlas mountains is the chance to encounter rare birdlife, with the region providing a critical refuge for many larger avian species. Among those to watch for are Bonelli's Eagle, Moussier's Redstart, and the Barbary Falcon. There are also ancient terraced Berber villages dotting the mountains, with many featuring compact houses, mosques, and wells within the traditional fortifications of compacted mud walls.
