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| South
Morocco |
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The South is a region
rich in folklore and beautiful landscape, scattered with small oasis
villages and quiet towns encircled by orchards and olive groves.
Tafilalt
Erfoud
is the centre for excursions to the oasis of Tafilalt and is kept
green and fertile by the underground waters of the Ziz
and the Rheris. Er Rachidia is
the provincial capital of the Tafilalt region, and has a bustling
market located on the main square. On the road between Er Rachidia
and Erfoud are the ‘Blue Springs’ at
Meski and natural amphitheatre of Cirque de Jaffar near
Midelt. Tinerhir, once a garrison of the French
Foreign Legion, is worth a visit for its kasbahs. Near
Tinerhir is the outstanding scenery of the Drâa Valley
(made famous for its red-earthern kasbahs) and the magnificent Todra
gorge.
The Deep South
This former French garrison is reached via a beautifully scenic
route from Marrakech over the Tizi n’Tichka pass.
Ouarzazate is a great starting point for tours to the deep
south. Of particular interest is the kasbah of Taourirt,
the Museum of Arts and Crafts and the Carpet Weavers’
Co-operative Shop.
About 30 kilometres (19 miles) from Ouarzazate is the UNESCO World-Heritage-listed
Ksar of Aït-Ben-Haddou. The Ksar is a traditional
pre-Saharan habitat and comprises a group of earthen buildings
enclosed by very high walls. Aït-Ben-Haddou
has featured in many films which include Lawrence of Arabia
and The Sheltering Sky.
The wonderful ochre-coloured cliffs and rock formations of the
Dadès Gorge, 1 of Morocco’s many
highlights, lie approximately 100 kilometres (63 miles) east of Ouarzazate.
Close by is the fine village of Boumalne du Dadès
which has various hotels and guest houses providing accommodation.
Zagora Region
It offers fantastic
views of the Draa Valley and desert from the top of the Djebel Zagora. The oasis of
Tamergroute, 18 kilometres (11 miles) away from Zagora,
has a library containing some of the earliest Arabic manuscripts,
written 9 centuries ago on gazelle skins and they are on display
at the Zaouia Nasseria. Mhamid with its palm plantation is at the gates of the great sand desert and are located close
by.
Elsewhere
South of Agadir, the pink kasbahs of Tafraoute
perch on spurs of rock, their façades often painted with
strange designs in ochre or white. Goulimine is
the site of the Blue Men’s souk, held on
weekend's. A camel market also takes place once a week, on Saturday's |
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