High Atlas Mountains, Hotels & Trekking, Immouzer - REDISCOVER THE WORLD - MOROCCO

High Atlas Mountains - Immouzer

Surrounded by magnificent waterfalls this hillside retreat is recommended for the full relaxation treatment - ideal for walking, bird watching, fossil hunting or merely putting your feet up by the pool. The journey to the hotel passes through the aptly named ‘Paradise Valley’ dotted with olive and almond trees. The village itself is famous for honey production with a festival in May. Nestled in the heart of a beautiful and fertile valley, this is Imouzzer, the town of the Ida Outanane Berber tribes.

Having climbed the mountains 61km to the north of Agadir, a valley with a variety of landscapes and contrasting colours cries out to be discovered. To reach Imouzzer from Agadir, just follow the Atlantic coast along the beautiful road from Cape Ghir. The strip of sand is soon replaced by luxuriant vegetation. In Tamraght, the profusion of banana groves astonishes visitors. Small and very sweet, the bananas can be bought at the roadside. Before taking the mountain path in Amesnaz, you must visit Taghazout, a famous surf spot, and the lighthouse on Cape Ghir. There's no need for a 4x4! Take the Oulma road and cross the Asif Tamraght gorge before entering Paradise Valley. Dwarf palm trees, argan trees which only grow in the part of Morocco, waterfalls crashing onto many different levels of rock, boulders in strange-looking shapes... You will have that incomparable feeling of being somewhere completely different.

This area of terraced crops and undulating plateaus – covered with argan, palm, almond, juniper and olive trees – is Paradise Valley. This is where the small town of Imouzzer with its white houses appears, looking over a palm grove surrounded by almond, olive and argan trees. Argan trees only grow in this region of Morocco. The high quality oil from its nuts is used in cooking and the cosmetics industry. The area around Imouzzer provides opportunities for refreshment breaks, whether in the natural pools of the Asif Tamraght gorge or the Tinkert wadi waterfalls (where water flows only in winter). Another product of this rich land is the honey celebrated every year, the region, particularly Izourki Oufella, produces different, highly refined, varieties of it using thyme, orange blossom and even cactus, which is very popular in Morocco. The great Berber tribe called Ida Outanane is linked to the town's name. Its strong cultural identity and its traditions can be discovered as you pass through the traditional villages of Paradise Valley. The Ida Outanane lived independently until 1927.

Hotel des Cascades

Auberge des Cascades - beautiful views from all parts of the hotel

A stay in Immouzzer is one that begins and ends with total relaxation in beautiful and scenic surroundings (on a good day you can catch the sunset over the ocean). The Hotel des Cascades is located high up in the Atlas foothills (1200m), a stunning 90 minute (60kms) drive north of Agadir. The hotel's manager and all the staff will make you feel very welcome.

From the hotel itself one can look down across many landscaped terraces, each one enclosing another facet of this wonderful retreat; down from the breakfast terrace is the swimming pool, down again are the tennis courts and so on. A short walk from the hotel takes guests to the magnificent waterfalls from which the hotel gets its name, in fact the sound of the water is never far away.

Ideal for a romantic break, a retreat from a hectic lifestyle or as a base for further exploration of the Moroccan countryside, we cannot recommend the Cascades enough. Please note that Immouzzer village is just a simple mountain hamlet.

Accommodation: 27 reasonably large rooms which we would describe as simple, all have private bathroom, heating and a balcony or terrace.

Auberge des Cascades - swimming pool with children's pool adjacent

Facilities: Swimming pool, children's pool, landscaped gardens, restaurant (with log fire for cooler winter months), bar, tennis courts, rambling excursions.

Transfer Time from Airport:

2 hours (private transfer) via Agadir

Walking & Sightseeing in the area - on foot or by mule, these are suitable for all levels. They almost all involve a refreshing stop at the natural pools of Assif Tamraght and the many-leveled waterfall of the "Bridal Veil", so-called because of its walls whitened by limestone. Also take a detour via the caves in the village of Assif El Had. These trips make it possible to meet inhabitants and to visit many Berber villages (Aziar, Taba, Igui n’Taguast, etc.). This is an opportunity to admire the work pottery, rug-weaving and sculpture craft studios. In this bee-keeping region, it is also possible to come across honey as well as argan cooperatives. Further south, on the Atlantic coast, the Souss Massa national park provides an opportunity to observe a multitude of birds such as bald ibises, an endangered species whose last colonies live here. A reintroduction program has meant the return of gazelles, ostriches and antelopes.

scenes from trekking in the area around Immouzer

Immouzer and the Auberge de Cascades can be used as a base for trekking in the National Park surrounding the area. Contact us for details of day trekking opportunities and longer treks staying at the hotel and in Berber Houses and gites.

Honey festival - this takes place at the beginning of May in Imouzzer. Its thyme and wild lavender honey is unique. A mixture of almonds and argan oil, it gives us amlou, a succulent traditional dish from the Souss region.

Outdoor sports - activities like mountain-biking, riding and potholing are being developed. For potholing, the impressive Wintimdouine caves, south of Imouzzer, are the largest in Morocco (18km long!). Protected from the north winds, Taghazout is a famous surfing spot. The town is in the process of becoming a very popular beach resort with an intimate aspect all of its own.

Holiday Prices

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