Situated in the Valley of Roses, Kasbah Chems is a top-rated B&B that offers Dadès Gorges and the Roses Valley tours. A captivating scent from the cliffs, as well as the infinity of pink-colored spots that emerge between the villages, provide visitors with a true sensory journey. Sarong (for going to/from the shower tent). Expect to pay around $50 to $60 a night here. Whether you're joining in on the festivities, or simply planning a visit around the Valley of Roses, you'll find all the need to know below. Saddlebags are provided. More from The National: Morocco in bloom: harvest season in the Valley of the Roses - in pictures. Every day several buses take route N10 and stop by Kallat Mgouna. The Fantasia field is located within walking distance. Coverage is good in towns and cities, and across the west of Morocco, but a little more erratic east and further south. With very reasonable prices and an out-of-the-way location, the Valley of the Roses is a great destination to treat yourself to a stylish stay.
Discover The fortified villages (Kasbahs). Day 13: Depart Marrakesh. The thing that make this guest house so special, though, is the people. The Valley of Roses sits at the foot of the High Atlas Mountains in Morocco, where the mountains meet the Dadès Valley. A petal-strewn parade of flower-decorated floats passes by, and street vendors offer various crafts, soaps, perfumes, lotions, oils, and dried roses. From here we drive off road to visit Ait Atta nomads living a tough pastoral existence, making their homes in the caves in the rock. "Until not long ago the villagers did not know the real meaning of the Rosa damascena, " Ourmassi told Inside Arabia. The location of this hotel makes it ideal, but it is also the "official" accommodations of the Festival. The valley of roses is carved out by the M'Goun river all the way to the town of Kalaat Magouna. So it's no wonder this magical essence sells for around $7, 000 per litre. The fame of this destination multiplied worldwide when this place was shown in a famous international project like Hollywood movie "Gladiator". On the streets, farmers load crates of flowers onto the backs of battered trucks, before puttering off for town with a crack of the exhaust and a cloud of black smoke, waving to children peeking from gateways as they rattle past. For instance, according to a narration, Hercules stayed one night in this cave in search of three golden apples.
Casablanca is about 7 to 8 hours from Kalaat Mgouna. The cave carries the history of centuries and is considered as a captivating beauty for archaeologists, historians and casual tourists. Wearing in a pink djellaba, hands traced with henna tattoos, she's making potpourri for the festival. Dressed in the traditional garb of her tribe – a flowery djellaba, striped mantle and sequinned headdress, a Berber tattoo inked on her chin – she's become a local celebrity as a champion of rural women's rights. The M'Goun Valley, often known as the Valley of Roses, is one of Morocco's most captivating natural attractions. If you fly into Marrakech then an additional transfer to Ouarzazate will be arranged at extra cost (c. 4hrs drive) so you need to arrive in time for this. Afterward, pass through the medina's historic gates and meander through twisting alleyways to find souks and hidden fondouks (historic inns which once hosted travelers and merchants). Once the group has reached 3 people, we will remove this supplement from your invoice and refund you if you have already paid it.
Considered the gateway between Europe and Africa, Tangier stretches along the Maghreb coast at the western entrance to the Strait of Gibraltar. You'll find the famed spice towers at Souk el Attarine and traditional Moroccan slippers at Souk Smata. Comfortable riding boots. It takes about 3, 000 rose petals to make just one liter of rosewater in a distillation process, and the harvest typically yields around 14, 000 liters. After lunch, we cross the river; it takes about 90 minutes to trek to get to Ighrem Aqdim village. The Rose valley Morocco Festival is one of the prettiest and most popular celebrations in Morocco. Pulling on thick gloves, she snips off the flower and breathes in the scent. Do not hesitage to give us a call. Visiting the Valley of Roses reveals breathtaking views such as those of dry landscapes of ocher rocks and green fields irrigated by the flow of Oued Dades, which gives life to this magnificent vegetation composed primarily of large fields of wild roses. After lunch, we proceed in the afternoon by enjoying the panoramic views of the High Atlas Mountains while taking a short walk on mule trails. Small four-wheel vehicles are an excellent way to discover Merzouga's extraordinary environment, allowing you to immerse yourself in the various wild landscapes and an atmosphere of total silence for an unforgettable experience.
However, if you want to go further you'll need a 4WD and a serious sense of adventure. This cozy bed and breakfast is housed in an authentic kasbah that dates back at least to the 18th century - although, no one really knows how old it really is. 'The fragrance is best in the morning, but we must work quickly, ' she says, dropping the flower into a robe gathered around her waist known as a tachtate. Stretching for about 30 km, the aptly named Valley of Roses is one of the longest valleys in Morocco. 'These are the roses of the Asif M'Goun River, ' she says, cradling a blossom in her hand. The rose festival dates vary each year. It's one of the best-reviewed stays in the region with great views, lovely rooms, and delicious Moroccan food.
The region is known for manufacturing Roses water. Speaking of your room, the guest rooms all have air conditioning, a safe, a minibar, and a television. DAY 3: KELAAT M'GOUNA – FESTIVAL OF ROSES. DAY 4: THE TODRA GORGES – MERZOUGA. We descend the valley of Oleanders and pass through Agouti, El Hot. This is about the only time a profusion of colour is still clinging to the rose bushes in the valley. Thermals are a good option for sleeping in, or a t-shirt and shorts for warmer nights. M'GOUNA TO BOU THARAR – 30KM / 45 MIN.
6 million flowers, are required to make a single litre of rose oil, and with each litre fetching around €12, 000 (£10, 000), the rewards are obvious. If everyone arrives early enough you may leave for Skoura in the afternoon and spend your evening in a riad in Skoura, near the stables. Important: Tour program can be changed according to your travel dates. Gloves - your hands are particularly exposed to the sun whilst riding.
The parade is an opportunity to view the famous Berber dance tradition of male drummers and female dancers who perform alongside the festivities. Make a stop in Erfoud, a bustling market town known for its annual Date Festival, fossil mining, and artisan factories. The rose petals are distilled for their sweet-scented oil, a teaspoon of which can cost £70. Dawn is tinting the Atlas Mountains rust-red as the rose-pickers of Hdida set out for work. If you prefer to fly to Marrakesh then there is an additional transfer cost of €140 each way (per vehicle and split between all guests arriving/departing Marrakech) payable on location. Equestrian equipment. The Roses prevent the herd of animals from entering the cultures. The bus ride might take longer than Grand Taxis. Walkthrough the Spectacular Mgoun Gorges. It's used in everyday life or sold across the world.
You can check Ouarzazate's bus station or CTM bus station. The festival typically ends with a gigantic fair where producers from across the region converge to sell their products at competitive, customer-friendly prices, and people can buy household goods, clothing, and agricultural supplies. Guide and local team. Aside from being a tourist attraction, the abundance of roses has given rise to a distillation industry, that supplies Morocco and the rest of the globe with rose-derived products. 1 horse equipped with saddle and bridle per rider. What to do in Roses valley? The standard tents are not en suite, but there is a tent that houses multiple flushing toilets and sinks with running water. Thousands of Moroccan tourists from larger cities attend, and you can enjoy traditional song and dance as they parade through the streets. If your passport does not meet this requirement you may face difficulties and you should check with the Moroccan authorities and your travel provider before travelling. 2 person tents and foam mattress. The best option to get to the valley from Casablanca would be to fly into Ouarzazate airport and then drive to Mgouna or drive to Marrakech, spend a few days and then drive to the valley from there.
You'll learn more about this seasonal activity, where women of the cooperative pick buds and petals weighed down by the dew, transporting their harvest to the farm in large sheets that they carry on their backs. Another tale reveals that there was a cave named Hercules Cave with a huge tunnel that connects Spain with Morocco. This recently renovated hotel just outside of the center of Kelaat M'Gouna offers comfortable rooms in close proximity to the Festival activities. But here the women are in charge of the rose harvest; they do the growing and the picking, and often the drying and distilling too. Day 8 8: OUARZAZATE - LONDONTransfer to the airport for your flight back to the UK.
'The sun will burn the petals and then the perfume will be ruined. 'It takes two weeks for the flowers to dry. At one end of the stadium, a red tent has been erected, where dignitaries and VIPs sit, ready to cast votes.