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Morocco > Ouarzazate
 To
the south of The Atlas Mountains and 4-5 hours drive from Marrakech, Ouarzazate
is the film capital of Morocco.
Aït Benhaddou has Unesco world heritage status has been used to shoot scenes for
many films. Lawrence of Arabia, The Mountains of the Moon, Star Wars and others
were filmed there and tours of the film sets are available. The movies have bought much needed capital into the region which has
helped make Aït Benhaddou one of the best preserved Kasbah's in the region.
Activities
Ouarzazate is an ideal base from which to explore the south of Morocco. Atractions
include the Dades Valley, the Todra gorges, the fortified Kasbahs, the breathtaking sand
dunes, the charming Berber villages and oasis. However as a frontier town close
to The Algerian border it
is reputed as
being expensive as a supply stop unless you book your requirements in advance.
For golfers there is the
Ouarzazate Royal Golf Club, BP 83, Ouarzazate.
Sunday is market day where you will
find everything from henna, roses, cumin, Berber pottery, stone carving, and Ouzguita carpets.
Zagora is a dusty, single street town accessed from
Ouarzazate via the Draa Valley
Getting there
By road most visitors arrive from Marrakech via
the 2000 meter high Tizi'n Tishka pass with it's extraordinary views over the desert.
There are regular
flights from other Moroccan cities.
Form Ouarzazte, one can go
inside the Atlas mountains through the famous Dades canyon or on the other side
to the South through the paramount Drâa valley which drives to Zagora (at 52
camel days from Tombouctou as says an old road panel at the exit of this last
city before the Sahara desert).
At first sight, . However, its location and festivals save it from being just another dust-filled desert town. In many ways Zagora is the end of the line.If you follow the road from Ouarzazate through the gorgeous Draa Valley until the road ends, this is where you wind up. Zagora also used to be the beginning of another line. It is not far from this town that the famous sign " Timbouctou: 52 days" can be found. If the border were open, and you traveled by camel, this may be true as it was a caravan route in the past. The biggest festival in the Draa - the Moussem of Moulay Abdelkader Jilali- is celebrated here.
Zagora is a pleasant place to stay and explore the palm groves and kasbah. There are also some very nice hotels in the area. There is however, a lot of persistent children who will want to guide you or sell you a craft. As it is extremely hot, take it easy, don’t lose your temper and just expect the following. This is a place where you might even see real Tuaregs, and not just normal Moroccan posing as blue men.
There is a Wednesday souk, make sure to try the different types of dates-this place is known for their delicious and diverse dates.
The palm groves of Amazrou are across the bridge and are a wonderful place to wander or stay an evening. The hotel la Fibule is a great place to stay in grove itself.
Find a
flight to Ouarzazate
Ouarzazate Accommodation
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