The Desert & Cities of the South

Southern Morocco is the new frontier for those seeking a slightly different experience or quite often the destination of choice for repeat visits and for those with a more adventurous spirit. Below are links to the various 'mini' destinations we have chosen south of the High Atlas Mountains. It is possible to combine any number of destinations within southern Morocco either on a self-drive itinerary or with our excellent car and private driver service. Why not simply use Ouarzazate as a base for exciting excursions and sightseeing (pre-booked or reserved locally). Our team are highly experienced in arranging such holidays on most budgets.

Ouarzazate was built in 1928 and is now, among other things, the starting point for trips into Southern Morocco. The recently restored Taourirt kasbah proves this point; UNESCO has recognized this district with its ochre adobe buildings as a World Heritage of Humanity site. Ouarzazate has been unfailingly linked with cinema since 1984 - its climate, geographical situation and economic conditions have encouraged film studios to locate there. The sets of films such as Lawrence of Arabia and Asterix & Obelix: Mission Cleopatra or the Sheltering Sky and Gladiator can be visited at the Atlas Film Studios. You can't leave Ouarzazate without visiting the Tiffoultoute kasbah and the Ait Ben Haddou ksar. These remarkable examples of traditional architecture give a foretaste of the famous Route of the 1000 kasbahs.

The Skoura palmeraie, where many fruit trees grow: pomegranate, almond, apricot, date, fig and olive, is situated 42km east of Ouarzazate. It also houses several kasbahs, more and more impressive as you penetrate deeper and deeper into the palm grove. The Dadès Valley runs from Ouarzazate to Boumalne. It is dry and lined with kasbahs and unique fortified villages. After leaving Tineghir you arrive at the magnificent Todra Gorge; it narrows as its sides tower higher and higher (up to 300m) above your head. By continuing your trip along the Dadès, you pass through the rose country, El Kelaât M'Gouna, where rose water, so vital for treatment of complexions, is made. In May, the rose has the place of honour in a three-day festival held throughout the area - you can see rose water being made and buy associated products or just enormous bunches of roses to dry.

The Drâa Valley extending for almost 200km towards the South irrigates a narrow oasis where dates and henna grow. After leaving the Drâa Valley, a series of oases rapidly succeed each other along the fine desert-like road leading to Zagora. M'Hamid is the starting point for trips into the Sahara. For the real desert continue west from Tinfou to the Ch'gaga dunes which extend for 150km. One of which can reach a height of 150m. This is the dream place for answering the call of the desert.

Taroudant	Ouarzazate	Near Ouarzazate	Draa Valley
* a smaller and calmer version of Marrakech, located in the Souss Valley near Agadir in the southwest.	* Ouarzazate is an ideal base for those who are not keen to self-drive around the desert circuit.	* Kasbah accommodation in Skoura and within a short drive of the kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou.	* Kasbah accommodation in the scenic Draa Valley to the south of Ouarzazate (Agdz and N'kob).
Morocco's Gorges	Desert Towns	Deep South of Morocco	Desert Excursions
* Ideal places for walking and climbing are the famous gorges of the Dades Valley and Todra Valley.	* Do not miss a visit the fringes of the Sahara - you can do this in small hotels and kasbahs at Erfoud, Rissani, Merzouga and Zagora.	* There is yet more fascinating country beyond the well-travelled routes - real outposts "off the beaten track" - Foum Zguid, Tata & the unspoilt coast south of Agadir.	* Merzouga and the dunes at Erg Chebbi or Zagora and the dunes at Ch'Gagga and Erg Lihoudi offer the chance to explore the desert by camel or 4WD.

    

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