Ksour, kasbahs and oases of the Great Moroccan South

Trip Description

Accomodation

Stay program

• day 1

  Ouarzazate

  

  Welcome at Ouarzazate airport by a taxi chartered by your host. Discovery of an ancient zaouia and a women's craft cooperative. Half-board accommodation at the friendly guesthouse Le Jardin de Yuda. Good food and warm welcome.

• day 2

  Drâa Valley

  

  A mineral and scenic road, offering many photogenic viewpoints, gives access to the famous and lush Drâa Valley, dotted with palm groves. A must-see visit to the impressive ksar Tamnougalte. Half-board overnight stay in an old kasbah in Oulad Othmane, where the descendants of the last local lord warmly welcome you. Pool and panorama.

• day 3

  Drâa Valley (continued) and the valley of the 45 kasbahs

  

  Try to visit the gardens with Abdelmajid before leaving the kasbah. A detour to the ksar of Timiderte is worth it, especially if you take some time to hike in the palm grove with Abdou. A day with little driving allows you to stay in Nkob and its valley with 45 kasbahs, and to enjoy the pool. A recommended alternative would be to start the road to the foot of Jebel Saghro and to stay in a very, very simple small inn that is perfectly located facing the Bab n’Ali peaks. Right next door, a gorge is worth a hiking trip.

• day 4

  Jebel Saghro and Todgha

  

  Road in the Jebel Saghro to the Bab n’Ali peaks and the nearby gorge (see the alternative suggested for the previous day). The new road rises in a mineral landscape up to a small canyon that you should not miss approaching on foot. Then, you descend towards the Dadès Valley to reach Tinherir. There, make a round trip to the Todra Gorge, a famous attraction (avoid school holidays and scorching weekends when the crowds soar!). On the way back, take the time to freely stroll through the palm grove up to the old ruined earth villages, which are still evocative. Accommodation at the Hotel Tomboctou in Tinherir, a well-kept former kasbah, with a pool and bar.

• day 5

  Dadès

  

  With the driver's agreement and depending on the condition of the tracks, you could consider making a loop passing through the north of the Todra Gorge up to the Dades Gorge. Otherwise, you can do a round trip in the Dades Gorge, with its remarkable viewpoints, geological curiosities, old photogenic kasbahs (not always open to visitors), and hiking opportunities, to be organized with your host. Half-board at the guesthouse Riad Gabsi: very warm welcome, good food, panoramic pool.

• day 6

  Valley of the Roses and Skoura palm grove

  

  Switch to the parallel valley known as the Valley of Roses, with its original mineral colors, its majestic kasbahs, and, again, hiking opportunities on the Bou Tahrar side. Check with the driver if it is possible to continue higher up the valley towards a mountain pass, depending on recent weather conditions. Continue to the Skoura palm grove, vast and dotted with kasbahs. Half-board accommodation in a comfortable ecolodge.

• day 7

  Skoura Palm Grove

  

  Little road: prefer hiking in the palm grove. And above all, don't miss the guided tour of the Amridil kasbah (several distinct parts to visit, by the way). Same half-board accommodation.

• day 8

  Return flight

  Transfer by taxi to Ouarzazate airport.