Fortified Kasbahs and Palaces
ARCHITECTURE The word "Kasbah" which can also designate in Arabic "ksar", in French "palace". Formerly the kasbah designated the palace of the local ruler or citadel. Today we mean by the word, the old quarter or the old city, and it is a word used only in the countries of North Africa.
The Kasbahs are mainly concentrated in southern Morocco specifically in the city of Ouarzazate and its region, the reason for which it is named "the city of a thousand Kasbahs". The latter is known for its large and beautiful Kasbahs with their original architectural construction, dating back to distant years.
Among these Kasbahs we find:
Ait Ben Heddou Kasbahs and Ksars
40 minutes from Ouarzazate, it is divided into two parts separated by a small river called "Wadi El Maleh". It has several doors to enter, one allows free access. Since the 1960s, she has been the theater of several films, including The Gladiator, Jesus of Nazareth ...
Taourirt Kasbah
This Kasbah is founded since the 17th century, it served as palace to the pasha of the city of Marrakech, Thami Lglaoui, it is square plan around a central patio, and with four levels. Henri Terrasse has dedicated a good part of his book "Berber Kasbahs, Atlas and Ouasis" to talk about his architectural style and its historical value.
Kasbah of storks
It is one of the private properties of the "Lglaoui" family, is today only ruins, most of the kasbah has collapsed, from the inside as from the outside. It consists of three levels, the highest of which is rich in decoration.
Amridil Kasbah
It is built on the right bank of L'oued Lhajaj, one of the oldest and most famous Kasbah of southern Morocco. It is built near an old hamlet that is now completely disappeared.
Telouet Kasbah
His name means: meeting place and meeting. Its occupant is Thami Lglaoui, the reason why sometimes it is called the palace of Glaoui. A Kasbah built between the 19th century and the 20th century. Located in the small village of Talouet, and occupies a strategic place in the High Atlas.
Kasbah Tamdaght
It is the property of Mr. Abdellah El Glaoui. Currently all parts of the Kasbah are in ruins except the part called Tadwarine. It has nine towers and it was built in brick juxtaposed and rammed, there are currently only five but in poor condition.
Tamnougalt Kasbah
Is located between Ouarzazat and Zagoura. This Kasbah was the place of residence of the village caid and a place of meetings of the representatives of the Sultanian authorities. The residences are presented under the aspect of a "kser". Currently it is ruined and damaged, the directors took the opportunity to shoot their films.
Kasbah Amzrou
The kser is located near the city of Zagoura. It is built on a hill. Its fortresses are preserved, but its bastions have practically disappeared. It has two main doors.
Tamgrout Kasbah religious sanctuary and school
It is a Kasbah located 25km from Zagoura, built on a desert land, and consists of about 200 homes almost all inhabited. It is the seat of the Naciriya religious order, one of the largest zaouiya in Morocco, founded in 982 of the Hegira.
Several Kasbahs and the land is alone: Ouarzazate.
So it has a large number of kasbahs, it seems that we are witnessing one of the stories of a thousand and one nights with its style charm and magic. We must therefore really think about preserving this heritage, protecting it and, above all, improving it.
The Kasbahs are mainly concentrated in southern Morocco specifically in the city of Ouarzazate and its region, the reason for which it is named "the city of a thousand Kasbahs". The latter is known for its large and beautiful Kasbahs with their original architectural construction, dating back to distant years.
Among these Kasbahs we find:
Ait Ben Heddou Kasbahs and Ksars
40 minutes from Ouarzazate, it is divided into two parts separated by a small river called "Wadi El Maleh". It has several doors to enter, one allows free access. Since the 1960s, she has been the theater of several films, including The Gladiator, Jesus of Nazareth ...
Taourirt Kasbah
This Kasbah is founded since the 17th century, it served as palace to the pasha of the city of Marrakech, Thami Lglaoui, it is square plan around a central patio, and with four levels. Henri Terrasse has dedicated a good part of his book "Berber Kasbahs, Atlas and Ouasis" to talk about his architectural style and its historical value.
Kasbah of storks
It is one of the private properties of the "Lglaoui" family, is today only ruins, most of the kasbah has collapsed, from the inside as from the outside. It consists of three levels, the highest of which is rich in decoration.
Amridil Kasbah
It is built on the right bank of L'oued Lhajaj, one of the oldest and most famous Kasbah of southern Morocco. It is built near an old hamlet that is now completely disappeared.
Telouet Kasbah
His name means: meeting place and meeting. Its occupant is Thami Lglaoui, the reason why sometimes it is called the palace of Glaoui. A Kasbah built between the 19th century and the 20th century. Located in the small village of Talouet, and occupies a strategic place in the High Atlas.
Kasbah Tamdaght
It is the property of Mr. Abdellah El Glaoui. Currently all parts of the Kasbah are in ruins except the part called Tadwarine. It has nine towers and it was built in brick juxtaposed and rammed, there are currently only five but in poor condition.
Tamnougalt Kasbah
Is located between Ouarzazat and Zagoura. This Kasbah was the place of residence of the village caid and a place of meetings of the representatives of the Sultanian authorities. The residences are presented under the aspect of a "kser". Currently it is ruined and damaged, the directors took the opportunity to shoot their films.
Kasbah Amzrou
The kser is located near the city of Zagoura. It is built on a hill. Its fortresses are preserved, but its bastions have practically disappeared. It has two main doors.
Tamgrout Kasbah religious sanctuary and school
It is a Kasbah located 25km from Zagoura, built on a desert land, and consists of about 200 homes almost all inhabited. It is the seat of the Naciriya religious order, one of the largest zaouiya in Morocco, founded in 982 of the Hegira.
Several Kasbahs and the land is alone: Ouarzazate.
So it has a large number of kasbahs, it seems that we are witnessing one of the stories of a thousand and one nights with its style charm and magic. We must therefore really think about preserving this heritage, protecting it and, above all, improving it.
Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrival in Marrakech
Reception at Marrakech Menara airport and transfer to the hotel.
Overnight at Riad in the Heart of the Medina ..
Day 2: Marrakech - Ouarzazate 200km.(BLD)
Departure to southern Morocco crossing the green hills of Wadi Zat, before continuing in the High Atlas Mountains and the spectacular Tichka Pass. Superb road and absolutely splendid landscapes declining ochres from brown to pink.
the first stop at the kasbah Telouet overlooking Wadi Imaren and surrounding hamlets. El Hadj Thami Glaoui, then Pasha of Marrakech, adds a luxurious palace. At the end of the protectorate in 1956, the Glaoui were banished from the kingdom. Their property was pillaged and abandoned, the erosion of time doing the rest. Even in its current state, the kasbah is worth visiting. The large empty rooms of the ceremonial salons still leave magnificent remains.
We will then take a mountain road towards Ait Benhaddou, crossing the beautiful valley of Ounila and its beautiful mountain casbahs. You will be seduced by the beauty of this valley many times painted by Majorelle, including Annemiter and Tighouza, where we will have lunch and take the time to discover this beautiful valley.
After the visit to Ait Benhaddou visit the ksar and lea Kasbah classified World Heritage by Unesco. Overlooking Wadi Melah, Ksar Aït Ben Haddou was under the control of the Glaoui clan, like Telouet. Strategic strongholds that controlled all commercial traffic from Africa and southern Morocco. After the Protectorate and the decay of Glaoui, just like Telouet, ksar Ait Benhaddou is abandoned.
It was in the 1960s that the cinema revived ksar Ait Ben Haddou, with films as famous as 'Jesus of Nazareth' or 'Lawrence of Arabia'.
Dinner and overnight at Riad Ouarzazate.
Day 3: Ouarzazate - Agdez 60km.(BLD)
Visit the Kasbah Taourirt the old residence of Pasha Glaoui, continue to Agdz which is the beginning of the Draa Valley. We will stop at the heart of the palm grove at the oasis of Tamnougalte in an authentic ksar. After the dejunee al Lakasbah begins an easy walk in the palm grove: 2h30 on foot. Discover the magnificent palm grove of the Draâ Valley, a generous biosphere rich in flora and fauna.
A heavenly visual with its lush gardens and beautiful paintings of men and women busy with the fields retaining an ancestral method of culture and visit Berber heritage and traditions plus Kasbah Caid Ali,
Dinner and Night at La Kasbah in the heart of the palm grove.
Day 4: Agdez - Zagora 90km.(BLD)
This road is among the most beautiful roads of the south thanks to palm oases, beautiful kasbah, rivers, mountains. and the culture of the Berbers of the south You will have the chance to visit the most beautiful kasbah of Tamnougalt, the kasbah of Timiderte.
On the way you will also enjoy the sight of other kasbahs and ksour such as, Ksar Hammou Our Said, KsarHad Ouled Othman, Ksar Igdaoun, Ksar Tissergat.
You can also visit the Museum of Arts and Traditions which contains a number of Berber handicrafts such as: objects, locks, jewelry, and local musical instruments.
The region of Zagora was historically very important because it was the starting point of the Chorafa (descendants of the prophet Mohammed) in the spread of Islam to the Atlantic coast as well as to the great Sahara to Timbuktu.
It is also interesting to visit Tamgroute a small village a few kilometers from the center of Zagora. In Tamgroute you visit the Koranic library which contains several manuscripts since the 11th century.
Day 5: Zagora - Desert Erg Chebbi - Merzouga 330km.(BLD)
The road between Zagora and Erg Chebbi Merzouga is stony desert, vast, empty (nomads' house and some villages along the road such as Tansikht, N'Kob, Tazarine, Alnif, and then the center of Rissani before arriving in end in the desert of Erg Chebbi.
Dinner and overnight at the Desert Hotel.
Day 6: Erg Chebbi Desert. (BLD)
After breakfast visit the local youth association of Hassilabiad where you can see the activities of young men and women of Hassilabiad. After the visit begins the tour of the dunes over a distance of about 50km.
In the center of Merzouga you will have a drink before continuing the path to the next station which will be Khamlia, a village whose population is native to Black Africa. Zaid with his brothers will welcome you to their home they will also invite you not only to drink a glass of tea but also to listen to their music Gnaoua desert.
In the vicinity of the village of Taouz is the archaeological site, this abandoned site 'contains engravings dating back 4000 years.
After Taouz you go to M'ifis this old colonial village was a center full of activities but after the exhaustion of the mines (zenk and col) people began to aban
Dinner and overnight at the Desert Hotel.
Day 7: Erg Chebbi dunes. (BLD)
Today morning you will take a walk in the oasis of Hassilabiad where you can see the authentic irrigation system. You can go for a walk in the village and visit the traditional bread oven.
In the afternoon, a few hours before sunset you start the camel ride to the middle of the dunes where our camp is where you will spend the night in nature in a traditional Berber tent.
Dinner and overnight at the Nomadic tents at the dunes.
Day 8: Merzouga – Rissani - Erfoud – Tinghir – Gorges de Toudra – vallée de Dadès – gorges de Dadès- vallée des roses – Kelaa M’gouna – Skoura 324km.(BLD)
Wake up early to watch the sunrise on the dunes, return to the camel inn. After breakfast, departure to Rissani and Erfoud to visit the fossilized marble factory before continuing to the palm groves of Touroug and Tinjdad. Arrival at the Toudra Gorge for lunch. In the afternoon, continue to the Dades gorges visit the Gorges and return to the Dades Valley to the Kasbah of Ait Youl where you take a track to admire the kasbah and ksour of the valley of roses to join Kelaa M'gouna, then we will leave for the palm grove of Skoura,
Dinner and Overnight at the Kasbah.
Day 9: Skoura - Ouarzazate - Atlas Mountains 299.(BLD)
After breakfast on the terrace of the Kasbah, short walk through the Palmeraie of Skoura, then departure for the visit of AMRIDIL kasbah , a beautiful fortified building that dates from the 17th century freshly renovated, continuation to Atlas Mountains via Ouarzazat and ourika valley.
Dinner and Overnight at Riad Jnane Imlil.
Day 10: Atlas trek - Marrakech 67km. (BL)
Full day trek around the Berber villages and waterfalls visit the Berber house and meet the local people of the Atlas. Lunch under the walnut trees near the river, back to the Riad for Moroccan Hammam. Afternoon transfer to your Riad in Marrakech
Overnight at the Riad in the Medina.
Day 11: Marrakech Guided visit.(BL)
After breakfast met your guide and start the visit of the ocher city, imperial capital founded in 1062, now famous all over the world. You will discover the gardens of Menara and the majestic silhouette of the Koutoubia overlooking the red houses, palaces of earth and the palm grove of Marrakech. You will be dazzled by the Bahia Palace, seat of the grand vizier Ba Hmad. You will have lunch in a Moroccan restaurant of the place and in the afternoon, you will visit the famous Jamaa El Fna Square, beating heart and permanent show of Marrakech. From there, you will enter the no less famous souq, in fact in the colorful multitude of the souq of the old medina, with the blacksmiths, the dyers, the leatherworkers, the sellers of frightening spices, the cabinetmakers, the tailors.
Majorelle Garden
the tombs Essadiens
Menara
El Badi Palace
Medrassa Ibn Youssef
Overnight at the Riad in the Medina.
Day 12: Marrakech - Airport. (B)
Today is your last day, you can still visit some last places in Marrakech. You can also go shopping and buy some gifts for family and friends. We are ready to drive you to the airport.
End of our services.
Day 1: Arrival in Marrakech
Reception at Marrakech Menara airport and transfer to the hotel.
Overnight at Riad in the Heart of the Medina ..
Day 2: Marrakech - Ouarzazate 200km.(BLD)
Departure to southern Morocco crossing the green hills of Wadi Zat, before continuing in the High Atlas Mountains and the spectacular Tichka Pass. Superb road and absolutely splendid landscapes declining ochres from brown to pink.
the first stop at the kasbah Telouet overlooking Wadi Imaren and surrounding hamlets. El Hadj Thami Glaoui, then Pasha of Marrakech, adds a luxurious palace. At the end of the protectorate in 1956, the Glaoui were banished from the kingdom. Their property was pillaged and abandoned, the erosion of time doing the rest. Even in its current state, the kasbah is worth visiting. The large empty rooms of the ceremonial salons still leave magnificent remains.
We will then take a mountain road towards Ait Benhaddou, crossing the beautiful valley of Ounila and its beautiful mountain casbahs. You will be seduced by the beauty of this valley many times painted by Majorelle, including Annemiter and Tighouza, where we will have lunch and take the time to discover this beautiful valley.
After the visit to Ait Benhaddou visit the ksar and lea Kasbah classified World Heritage by Unesco. Overlooking Wadi Melah, Ksar Aït Ben Haddou was under the control of the Glaoui clan, like Telouet. Strategic strongholds that controlled all commercial traffic from Africa and southern Morocco. After the Protectorate and the decay of Glaoui, just like Telouet, ksar Ait Benhaddou is abandoned.
It was in the 1960s that the cinema revived ksar Ait Ben Haddou, with films as famous as 'Jesus of Nazareth' or 'Lawrence of Arabia'.
Dinner and overnight at Riad Ouarzazate.
Day 3: Ouarzazate - Agdez 60km.(BLD)
Visit the Kasbah Taourirt the old residence of Pasha Glaoui, continue to Agdz which is the beginning of the Draa Valley. We will stop at the heart of the palm grove at the oasis of Tamnougalte in an authentic ksar. After the dejunee al Lakasbah begins an easy walk in the palm grove: 2h30 on foot. Discover the magnificent palm grove of the Draâ Valley, a generous biosphere rich in flora and fauna.
A heavenly visual with its lush gardens and beautiful paintings of men and women busy with the fields retaining an ancestral method of culture and visit Berber heritage and traditions plus Kasbah Caid Ali,
Dinner and Night at La Kasbah in the heart of the palm grove.
Day 4: Agdez - Zagora 90km.(BLD)
This road is among the most beautiful roads of the south thanks to palm oases, beautiful kasbah, rivers, mountains. and the culture of the Berbers of the south You will have the chance to visit the most beautiful kasbah of Tamnougalt, the kasbah of Timiderte.
On the way you will also enjoy the sight of other kasbahs and ksour such as, Ksar Hammou Our Said, KsarHad Ouled Othman, Ksar Igdaoun, Ksar Tissergat.
You can also visit the Museum of Arts and Traditions which contains a number of Berber handicrafts such as: objects, locks, jewelry, and local musical instruments.
The region of Zagora was historically very important because it was the starting point of the Chorafa (descendants of the prophet Mohammed) in the spread of Islam to the Atlantic coast as well as to the great Sahara to Timbuktu.
It is also interesting to visit Tamgroute a small village a few kilometers from the center of Zagora. In Tamgroute you visit the Koranic library which contains several manuscripts since the 11th century.
Day 5: Zagora - Desert Erg Chebbi - Merzouga 330km.(BLD)
The road between Zagora and Erg Chebbi Merzouga is stony desert, vast, empty (nomads' house and some villages along the road such as Tansikht, N'Kob, Tazarine, Alnif, and then the center of Rissani before arriving in end in the desert of Erg Chebbi.
Dinner and overnight at the Desert Hotel.
Day 6: Erg Chebbi Desert. (BLD)
After breakfast visit the local youth association of Hassilabiad where you can see the activities of young men and women of Hassilabiad. After the visit begins the tour of the dunes over a distance of about 50km.
In the center of Merzouga you will have a drink before continuing the path to the next station which will be Khamlia, a village whose population is native to Black Africa. Zaid with his brothers will welcome you to their home they will also invite you not only to drink a glass of tea but also to listen to their music Gnaoua desert.
In the vicinity of the village of Taouz is the archaeological site, this abandoned site 'contains engravings dating back 4000 years.
After Taouz you go to M'ifis this old colonial village was a center full of activities but after the exhaustion of the mines (zenk and col) people began to aban
Dinner and overnight at the Desert Hotel.
Day 7: Erg Chebbi dunes. (BLD)
Today morning you will take a walk in the oasis of Hassilabiad where you can see the authentic irrigation system. You can go for a walk in the village and visit the traditional bread oven.
In the afternoon, a few hours before sunset you start the camel ride to the middle of the dunes where our camp is where you will spend the night in nature in a traditional Berber tent.
Dinner and overnight at the Nomadic tents at the dunes.
Day 8: Merzouga – Rissani - Erfoud – Tinghir – Gorges de Toudra – vallée de Dadès – gorges de Dadès- vallée des roses – Kelaa M’gouna – Skoura 324km.(BLD)
Wake up early to watch the sunrise on the dunes, return to the camel inn. After breakfast, departure to Rissani and Erfoud to visit the fossilized marble factory before continuing to the palm groves of Touroug and Tinjdad. Arrival at the Toudra Gorge for lunch. In the afternoon, continue to the Dades gorges visit the Gorges and return to the Dades Valley to the Kasbah of Ait Youl where you take a track to admire the kasbah and ksour of the valley of roses to join Kelaa M'gouna, then we will leave for the palm grove of Skoura,
Dinner and Overnight at the Kasbah.
Day 9: Skoura - Ouarzazate - Atlas Mountains 299.(BLD)
After breakfast on the terrace of the Kasbah, short walk through the Palmeraie of Skoura, then departure for the visit of AMRIDIL kasbah , a beautiful fortified building that dates from the 17th century freshly renovated, continuation to Atlas Mountains via Ouarzazat and ourika valley.
Dinner and Overnight at Riad Jnane Imlil.
Day 10: Atlas trek - Marrakech 67km. (BL)
Full day trek around the Berber villages and waterfalls visit the Berber house and meet the local people of the Atlas. Lunch under the walnut trees near the river, back to the Riad for Moroccan Hammam. Afternoon transfer to your Riad in Marrakech
Overnight at the Riad in the Medina.
Day 11: Marrakech Guided visit.(BL)
After breakfast met your guide and start the visit of the ocher city, imperial capital founded in 1062, now famous all over the world. You will discover the gardens of Menara and the majestic silhouette of the Koutoubia overlooking the red houses, palaces of earth and the palm grove of Marrakech. You will be dazzled by the Bahia Palace, seat of the grand vizier Ba Hmad. You will have lunch in a Moroccan restaurant of the place and in the afternoon, you will visit the famous Jamaa El Fna Square, beating heart and permanent show of Marrakech. From there, you will enter the no less famous souq, in fact in the colorful multitude of the souq of the old medina, with the blacksmiths, the dyers, the leatherworkers, the sellers of frightening spices, the cabinetmakers, the tailors.
Majorelle Garden
the tombs Essadiens
Menara
El Badi Palace
Medrassa Ibn Youssef
Overnight at the Riad in the Medina.
Day 12: Marrakech - Airport. (B)
Today is your last day, you can still visit some last places in Marrakech. You can also go shopping and buy some gifts for family and friends. We are ready to drive you to the airport.
End of our services.
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATIONS
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SERVICES INCLUDED
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SERVICE EXCLUDED
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PRICE
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- Duration: ................12 days /8 nights
- GRADE:....................EASY.
- PERIOD: ..................All the year.
- PICK UP DETAILS:.................Pick up from the airport / Meeting point.
- DROP OFF DETAILS:.............Drop off at the airport.
- ACCOMMODATION: ............Kasbahs - Places- Comfortable Riads & Guesthouses.
- FOOD & DRINKS:..................Fresh Salade & Hot meals Moroccan tagines will be provided in the restaurants.
- English speaking driver guide.
- Comfortable & AC vehicle (Gaz included)
- 11 nights Accommodation at authentic Riads equivalent to 4* (including 1 night at the nomadic camp).
- Trek in the Atlas Mountains.
- Camel ride in Merzouga dunes.
- Meals (11 Breakfasts, 8 Dinners, 10 Lunches).
- Meals not mentioned on the itinerary
- Drinks
- Visit Fees
- Tips
We mainely arrange private tours, but if you could not afford the price, we will open a new departure for you, the rates are based on the private / group size, preferred hotels / Riads.
