Drâa Valley Tour

Duration: 9:00am - 6:00pm
Morocco Travel Included: Marrakech City & Sightseeing Tour, Luxury Morocco Transport, English, Arabic, French Speaking Driver, Marrakech Expert Licensed Guide
Starting & Finishing Point: Your Riad or Hotel In Ouarzazate

Travel to Morocco and visit the Draa Valley's (Book a Tour or call (800) 787-8806) breathtaking volcanic rock formations and 45 qualities of dates. Let us be your guide to Morocco Travel. 

►The Draâ Valley is Morocco'slongest river and is formed by the confluence of the Dades River and Imini River. It flows from the HighAtlasMountains southeastward to Tagounit and from Tagounit mostly westwards to the Atlantic Ocean somewhat north of Tan-Tan. The water from the Draâ is used to irrigate Palmeraies and small horticulture along the river. The inhabitants of the Draâ are called Drawi, used to refer to the dark skinned people of Draâ that make up the largest portion of its inhabitants.

►During a Draa Valley one-day tour, you will start the road from Ouarzazate and drive by 4x4 through the Draa Valley region. Discover the volcanic rock and breathtaking landscapes along with the old route of the caravans. 

►Continue to the town of Agdz, referred to as the Door to the Draa Valley and renowned for its market of dates and lush palmeraie. Stop for a panoramic view of the entire of the Draa Valley Palmeraie. Photograph the Draa Valley scenic landscapes.  

►Journey from Agdz on a seven-kilometer pise in the Draa Valley to discover old Ksars where the Berbers have been living for centuries. This area is recognized for its population of Haritine people, who are black descendants from the region of Mali.

►The Draa Valley was originally known as the Valley of Olives until the 19th Century. During this period the caravans passed through and the valley gave rise to the date palms from the the pits left on the trails they traveled. The palms proved to be a better choice as a commodity because they provide dates that are used to make baskets, leafy carpets and offer shade for the local community. 

►Next, tour Kasbah Tamnougalt. Kasbah Tamnougalt is incredible with its soaring spaces built of red pise (mud), tunnels and Kasbahs. Kasbah Tamnougalt also has a large Jewish quarter (mellah).

►Then continue the road to N’kob. Just 5 kilometers after Nkob you will visit the village of AitOuzzine (the nice village). Ait Ouzzine is nestled within the Middle Atlas Mountains. Aït Ouzzine is a Berber village inhabited by over 300 families who live in beautifully painted crenulated Kasbahs, with their own henna fields, water wells, livestock and gardens. This peaceful village is tucked away along an impressive desert route connecting the Draa Valley (Tansikht) and Rissani. Meet a local Berber family, partake in a cooking lesson of how to make traditional bread and a tajine.

►Then explore and tour the village by foot. Walk in the green fields and see how the traditional Berbers live with their gardens of herbs, livestock, and henna plants. 

►Lunch with be served in Ait Ouzzine. The menu will include a traditional meal of fresh baked bread with spices and a chicken and vegetable tajine and fresh local fruits for dessert. After lunch, you can have your hands and feet painted with henna or your hair adorned with saffron by a local village artist and relax. Experience the tradition of Berber perfume made from musk and amber along with the villages own spices.

► October is the seasonofdates. If your tour is taken during the month of October and time allows, your driver will take you on a tour to see how the locals select and pack dates of which you have the option to participate.  Return to Ouarzazate in the early evening.