Dades

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Dades

The Dades area is made up of a large valley, river, and a gorge all of the same name. Dades Valley is made lush and green by the Dades River, a tributary of the Draa River, Morocco’s longest river. 

The Dades River sustains almond, fig, walnut, and birch trees scattered throughout the valley in beautiful contrast to the earthen colored cliffs and rock formations. Palm groves add to the verdancy of the valley.  

For those who are interested in trekking, Dades Gorges and Dades Valley offer a vast array of adventures –– from an overnight with a nomad family reached by hiking to day treks throughout the area.  There’s something for everyone. 

Recommended Length of Stay: 1-2 nights

Morocco, though it is visited by thousands of tourists every year, remains an unknown country – the greater part of it as uncharted to the European or American visitor as was Tibet a hundred years ago.

Gavin Maxwell, Lords of the Atlas, 2000

Places to visit while here

Monkey Fingers

Monkey Fingers

An interesting geologic feature that stands out in the area are the monkey fingers. The rock formations have been…

Monkey Fingers

Region > Location > Monkey Fingers

An interesting geologic feature that stands out in the area are the monkey fingers. The rock formations have been eroded in such a way that they look like fingers. These unique features stretch along the road for several kilometers. 
Dades Gorges

Dades Gorges

Located 110 kilometers from Ouarzazate, Dades Gorges is best known for its marvelous scenery, peppered with kasbahs. From gravity…

Dades Gorges

Region > Location > Dades Gorges

Located 110 kilometers from Ouarzazate, Dades Gorges is best known for its marvelous scenery, peppered with kasbahs. From gravity defying rock formations to patterns chiseled into the cliffs, this is where you'll find some of Morocco’s most amazing landscapes. Truly a mesmerizing, humbling experience walking through the magnificent peaceful cliffs.   
Boumalne

Boumalne

The largest town in the area is Boumalne. From a vantage point just above the town, you can see…

Boumalne

Region > Location > Boumalne

The largest town in the area is Boumalne. From a vantage point just above the town, you can see an amazing panorama of the town spread out before you. Not much is known about the early history of the town, but it is currently home to a variety of cultures, most notably Berber. Prior to Morocco’s independence in 1956, the area was home to a large Jewish population. Upon independence, the majority of Jewish citizens migrated to Israel. Dades Gorges is located just north of Boumalne.
Dades Valley

Dades Valley

The Dades Valley stretches from the High Atlas Mountains in the north to Jbel Sarho in the south. Lush…

Dades Valley

Region > Location > Dades Valley

The Dades Valley stretches from the High Atlas Mountains in the north to Jbel Sarho in the south. Lush palm groves and elaborate kasbah ruins are scattered across the valley. Other contributors to the natural beauty are almond, fig, walnut, and birch trees which stand in contrast to the earthen colored rock formations.  Dades Valley is often called the Land of a Thousand Kasbahs as many kasbahs were originally built to defend the valley. 
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Nancy LauerDades

Merzouga

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Merzouga

Due to its strategic location, Merzouga is the popular starting point forf treks to the Erg Chebbi Dunes.  The village of Merzouga itself is quite small and rather touristy. 

West of Merzouga, Dayet Srji is a seasonal salt lake that’s created by the run off from the mountains. When full, the lake attracts a wide range of birds, including desert warblers, Egyptian night jars and, believe it or not, flamingos.

Recommended Length of Stay: 1 – 2 days

The desert landscape is always at its best in the half-light of dawn or dusk

Peter Bowles

Places to visit while here

Erg Chebi

Erg Chebi

Undoubtedly the star of the region, and the top attraction on the list of many tourists, Erg Chebbi holds…

Erg Chebi

Region > Location > Erg Chebi

Undoubtedly the star of the region, and the top attraction on the list of many tourists, Erg Chebbi holds some of the most beautiful sand dunes in the world. Reaching up to 500 feet (150 m) in height, these dunes alone cover an area of 31 miles (50 km) by 6 miles (10 km) lining the Algerian border.  Enjoy glamping, local music, sandboarding and 4x4 or camel safaris, as well as visiting local nomad families. A local custom is to come to Erg Chebbi and get buried neck-deep in the hot sand for a few minutes, believed to be a cure for rheumatism. This should be undertaken with caution and under the care of medical personnel.
Gnaoua Music Association

Gnaoua Music Association

The Ganawa Music Association is and NGO found in the village of Khamlia, known as simply the “Black Village.”…

Gnaoua Music Association

Region > Location > Gnaoua Music Association

The Ganawa Music Association is and NGO found in the village of Khamlia, known as simply the “Black Village.” The residents of Khamlia are descendants of slaves brought from west Africa 100s of years ago. They have retained their customs and music and enjoy performing for guests. 
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Nancy LauerMerzouga

Tinghir

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Tinghir

Tinghir is a small oasis city between the High Atlas and the Little Atlas in southeastern Morocco. Palm trees covering almost 50 kilometers on wide tracks along the Todgha River make this a prefered 15 km trekking route between Tinghir and the popular Todgha Gorge. Hikers and trekkers enjoy the wonderful scenery of the otherwise arid and deserted rocky region.

Recommended Length of Stay: Pass Through

The voyage of discovery is not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes.

Proust

Places to visit while here

Tinghir Historical Architecture

Tinghir Historical Architecture

Traditionally the architecture of Todgha was of unbaked clay. Building systems were pisé (rammed soil) and adobe (mud and…

Tinghir Historical Architecture

Region > Location > Tinghir Historical Architecture

Traditionally the architecture of Todgha was of unbaked clay. Building systems were pisé (rammed soil) and adobe (mud and straw bricks). The primary purpose of the architecture was for fortification and featured primarily kasbahs and ksars. A kasbah was home for one large, and usually powerful, family.  These homes were typically square with towers at the four corners, and sometimes a central courtyard. Kasbahs were typically arranged in a village, or ksar. Ksar is simply the plural form of kasbah. Ksar were surrounded by walls with watch towers spaced apart.  The original village of Tinghir is still inhabited and is situated just to the side of the “new city.”
Todgha Gorges

Todgha Gorges

Surrounded by orange limestone as high as 1,315 feet (400 meters) on both sides, the gorge is a welcome…

Todgha Gorges

Region > Location > Todgha Gorges

Surrounded by orange limestone as high as 1,315 feet (400 meters) on both sides, the gorge is a welcome relief from the heat in summer. The gorge was carved by the Todgha and Dades Rivers.  Todgha is a hiker’s favorite thanks to its gorgeous views and cool breezes. It is also a popular site for rock climbing. Caution is suggested as very few rock climbing organizations in Morocco follow the strict regulations that you’d find in the west. If interested, ODM can connect you with a qualified company. 
Todgha Valley

Todgha Valley

Todgha Valley is located on the southern slopes of the High Atlas Mountains. In spite of the surrounding arid…

Todgha Valley

Region > Location > Todgha Valley

Todgha Valley is located on the southern slopes of the High Atlas Mountains. In spite of the surrounding arid conditions, the valley serves as a river basin.  As a result, a concentration of well watered oases can be found throughout. Various Berber family cultivated plots run nearly 25 miles (40 kilometers) in length. Most of the population is Berber living in  traditional fortified oases villages and their modern extensions. Historically, the valley was of strategic importance due to its agricultural resources. For this reason it was located on a primary caravan route.  
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Nancy LauerTinghir

Ouarzazate

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Ouarzazate

Ouarzazate was established as a French garrison town. The majority of the population is Berber who are descendants to the people who built the kasbahs throughout the region. 

Ouarzazate is  known as the Moroccan Hollywood, in part due to the abundance of kasbahs in the area. World famous movies have been filmed across the country via the film studios in Ouarzazate. Some of the more recent movies are: 

  • Prince of Persia
  • Inception
  • American Sniper
  • Mission Impossible – Rogue Nation
  • The Bourne Ultimatum
  • The Bible
  • Gladiator 


Recommended Length of Stay: Pass through

I loved filming in Morocco; it was amazing. I’d never been anywhere like that. The culture was phenomenal. I was so blown away by the spirit of that country.

Tatiana Maslany

Places to visit while here

Tiffoultoute Kasbah

Tiffoultoute Kasbah

If you’re in the mood for a smaller, lesser known Kasbah free from tourists, Tifoultoute has to be on…

Tiffoultoute Kasbah

Region > Location > Tiffoultoute Kasbah

If you're in the mood for a smaller, lesser known Kasbah free from tourists, Tifoultoute has to be on your list. Nine kilometers  east of Ouarzazate, this 17th century fortress overlooks the River Tifoultoute. This kasbah offers some very beautiful doors and walkways. The roof makes for a fantastic vantage point for some excellent views of the palm grove below. In its splendour it belonged  to a sheikh who was a rival of the caid of Ouarzazate. Later it passed to the  caliphate of Glaoui. The restored part is the portion that the Glaoui built in the 1880s. The oldest part has been dilapidated and abandoned.  The rooftop terrace offers an amazing panoramic view overlooking the Ouarzazate river valley. 
Fint Oasis

Fint Oasis

Fint Oasis is a large prolific patch of mesmerizing greenery in the middle of the desert, ten kilometers south…

Fint Oasis

Region > Location > Fint Oasis

Fint Oasis is a large prolific patch of mesmerizing greenery in the middle of the desert, ten kilometers south of Ouarzazate.  The area is composed of four traditional villages, with a blending of Moroccan, Berber, Arab, and Sub-Saharan cultures.   The area has garnered little tourism attention, and is an area where you’ll see vestiges of the past such as women washing clothes in the river. Colorful carpets and clothing are strewn to dry across the hillsides on washing day. People are very welcoming of foreigners. 
Atlas Film Studios

Atlas Film Studios

You’ll find Atlas Film Studios about five kilometers east of Ouarzazte. The studios were established in 1983 by entrepreneur…

Atlas Film Studios

Region > Location > Atlas Film Studios

You'll find Atlas Film Studios about five kilometers east of Ouarzazte. The studios were established in 1983 by entrepreneur Mohamed Belghmi. It covers 322,000 square feet of desert and mountains and has featured the movie sets of some of the world's greatest movies, such as: Star Wars, Gladiator, Kingdom of Heaven, The Mummy, and many more. 
Kasbah Taourirt

Kasbah Taourirt

Kasbah Taourirt lies just a few miles south of Ouarzazate. The kasbah is within the small village of Taourirt….

Kasbah Taourirt

Region > Location > Kasbah Taourirt

Kasbah Taourirt lies just a few miles south of Ouarzazate. The kasbah is within the small village of Taourirt. The kasbah sits at a historically significant crossroads of ancient caravan routes. According to oral tradition, the kasbah was built in the 17th century and expanded in 1930. The official records however date the kasbah in the 1930s.  At that time, it was used to house the second tier of the Glaoui Dynasty. During the colonial period, the French handed the Glaoui family full power to control the tribes in the south of Morocco. For this reason, the Glaoui,  became known as the “Lords of the Atlas.” Understandably, the Glaoui were not highly regarded by their countrymen, as they were seen as puppets to the French.  In 1953, the kasbah was classified as a national heritage, and in 1972, it was purchased by the city of Ouarzazate.  The inside of the kasbah features a maze of nearly 300 uniquely designed rooms connected by mysterious stairways and halls. Taourirt Kasbah is as much a magnificent sight on the inside as it is on the outside.
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Nancy LauerOuarzazate

Ait Ben Haddou

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Ait Ben Haddou

Ait Ben Haddou is a fortified city on the edge of the High Atlas Mountains. The site is along the former caravan route that ran between the desert and Marrakech. It’s amazing to think that a city made of mud, straw, and rocks has stayed put since the 15th century. Games of Thrones fans will be interested to know that Ait Ben Haddou is the fictional slave trading city of Yunaki.  

The mud-built city, surrounded by palm trees, is an amazing site to behold. This UNESCO World Heritage Site has been featured in at least 20 Hollywood blockbusters. It is often described as the best way to delve into the past and immerse yourself in the Morocco of antiquity. While a few families still live in the ksar (small city of multiple kasbahs), most families have moved out of the ksar and into more modern housing across the river.

When the ksar was built, it was necessary to keep watch for approaching warring tribes. For that reason, the ksar has one of the best views in the region. From the top of the ksar, on a clear day, you can see for miles in all directions. 

Recommended Length of Stay:  ½ day

Read about Abdou, a Berber fire painter Ait Ben Haddou.

I loved Morocco. It’s very exotic and different from anywhere I’ve ever been.

Isla Fisher

Places to visit while here

Kasbah Tebi

Kasbah Tebi

Kasbah is a 400 year old traditional Berber kasbah located inside Ait Ben Haddou. The name Tebi was the…

Kasbah Tebi

Region > Location > Kasbah Tebi

Kasbah is a 400 year old traditional Berber kasbah located inside Ait Ben Haddou. The name Tebi was the first name of the grandfather of the current family members running the guest house. Many of our guests have happily stayed here. 
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Nancy LauerAit Ben Haddou

Midelt

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Midelt

MIdelt is located on a high plane between the Middle Atlas Mountains and the High Atlas Mountains. This is the center of Morocco’s apple region. 

The town is a good midway stop between Fes and Merzouga, however we often do not stop unless we have folks traveling with young kids. While Midelt is a nice town, the area isn’t necessarily worth taking up a whole night of precious tour time. 

Recommended Length of Stay: Pass Through or 1 night 

A stone from the hand of a friend is an apple.

Moroccan proverb

Places to visit while here

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Nancy LauerMidelt

Middle Atlas Mountains

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Middle Atlas Mountains

The Middle Atlas is a majestic mountain range in the north of Morocco.  A significant portion of its area rises over 6,500 feet (2,000 meters). In fact, its highest point is Jabal Bou Naceur at 11,110 feet (3,350 meters.) The Middle Atlas stretches 220 miles (350 km) in length. 

These mountains offer varied landscapes and a wide range of activities, from trekking and skiing to hunting and fishing.

It is said that prior to World War I, lions roamed this terrain. Unfortunately, the last of these Atlas lions was believed to have been killed in 1922, although it is rumored that the palace has recently discovered a few of these lions and are trying to preserve them. It’s impossible to know whether tidbits such as this are rumors or truth. 

Not all those who wander are lost

J.R.R. Tolkien

Places to visit while here

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Nancy LauerMiddle Atlas Mountains

Fes

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Fes

An ancient, beautiful and culturally rich city, once the capital of Morocco, Fes sits in the middle of the Fes Valley in the north of Morocco. 

Fes was founded by the Idrisid Dynasty between 789 and 808 A.D. In the 11th century, the Almoravids took the city and it continued under the dynasty of the Almohads during the 12th and 13th centuries. The Merinds then took the city from the 13th to the 15th centuries. During this time Fes Jadid (New Fes) was founded.

Today, these two parts represent the “old medina” and the “new medina” despite the fact that they are both quite old! 

Morocco’s second largest city is home to the oldest university in the world (founded by a woman!) The University of Al Kuaraouiyini, established in 859 A.D is still operating to this very day, making it the perfect complement to Fes Medina (the old Fes). Fes was inscripted as a UNESCO declared World Heritage Site in 1981, and is one of the world’s largest urban pedestrian only zones. 

Recommended Length of Stay: 2 days

The visitor senses something in Fes which he describes as a feeling of mystery; that is as good a way as any of describing the impression the city makes.

Peter Bowles

Places to visit while here

Pottery

Pottery

Fes is well known for its leather and its pottery. There are many shops throughout the souks in the…

Pottery

Region > Location > Pottery

Fes is well known for its leather and its pottery. There are many shops throughout the souks in the medina. The one we choose to support as a company is interested in showing off this generational skill. Watching them craft the mosaics is fascinating and you quickly recognize that the skill wasn’t just picked up after a few months of training. It is also a shop that uses safe materials. There is no lead in their paint, and most of their tableware is dishwasher safe.

Synagogue Ibn Danan

Synagogue Ibn Danan

The Synagogue Ibn Danan is one of the few remaining buildings in the Fesi Jewish Quarters. The synagogue was…

Synagogue Ibn Danan

Region > Location > Synagogue Ibn Danan

The Synagogue Ibn Danan is one of the few remaining buildings in the Fesi Jewish Quarters. The synagogue was built in the 17th century by a wealthy Jewish family. At the time of its building, the Jewish quarter was a thriving part of the city. The synagogue is designed with tiles, stucco, and of course the Moorish arched doorways.  Unfortunately, following World War II, the synagogue fell into disrepair despite receiving assistance from nearby Jewish communities hoping to preserve it. It was many years before the hope for restoration was realized. In 1996, the World Monuments Fund joined with the Moroccan Ministry of Culture and the Judeo-Moroccan Cultural Heritage Foundation to complete a full restoration. The synagogue was reopened to the public in 1999. 
Al Attarine Madrassa

Al Attarine Madrassa

Al Attarine Madrassa is a Koranic school built in 1323 by the Marinid Sultan Uthman II Abu Said. The…

Al Attarine Madrassa

Region > Location > Al Attarine Madrassa

Al Attarine Madrassa is a Koranic school built in 1323 by the Marinid Sultan Uthman II Abu Said. The courtyard, floors, and walls are decorated in traditional Marinid craftsmanship. The madrassa is found at the entrance to the spice and perfume market in the Fes medina. In fact, al-Attarine Madrassa means “the school of the perfumers.”  The rectangular courtyard seen in the photo is the heart of the madrassa and is an amazing example of Marinid craftsmanship. If your interest lies in architecture, this is a must see.
Sidi Ahmed Tijani Zaouia and Mosque

Sidi Ahmed Tijani Zaouia and Mosque

The Zaouia Sidi Ahmed Tijani Mosque is a Kornic school and mosque. It was founded by the Sufi Cheikh…

Sidi Ahmed Tijani Zaouia and Mosque

Region > Location > Sidi Ahmed Tijani Zaouia and Mosque

The Zaouia Sidi Ahmed Tijani Mosque is a Kornic school and mosque. It was founded by the Sufi Cheikh Sidi Ahmed Tijani in the 1700s. It’s considered one of the most eclectic mosques found in North Africa due to its outward design.
Kuaraouiyini University and Mosque

Kuaraouiyini University and Mosque

Located in the middle of Fes Medina is the Kuaraouiyini Mosque, the second-largest mosque in Morocco, with its thousand-year-old…

Kuaraouiyini University and Mosque

Region > Location > Kuaraouiyini University and Mosque

Located in the middle of Fes Medina is the Kuaraouiyini Mosque, the second-largest mosque in Morocco, with its thousand-year-old minaret. It even has its own university, by the same name, which is the oldest continually functioning university in the world. 

The Quaraouiyine Mosque is considered the holiest mosque in Morocco, and governs the Islamic calendar across the country. It was founded in 857 by Fatima al-Fihri, the daughter of a wealthy refugee from the city of Kairouan in Tunisia. She established the mosque to cater to the Tunisian community in Fes, but it soon became one of Morocco's recognizable icons, especially with its highly reputable university. 

The mosque is an exquisite representation of Islamic art, and it's also home to the Kuaraouiyini  Library, one of the oldest in the world. It containins incredibly rare and precious manuscripts and documents. Non-Muslims are not permitted inside, however the door is often open and you can often take a peek. 

Tanneries of Fes

Tanneries of Fes

One of the most iconic aspects of the souks is the tanneries, the ancient leather bazaars of Fes. Located…

Tanneries of Fes

Region > Location > Tanneries of Fes