Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Marrakesh & Central Morocco
Why Go?
The central region of Morocco is the most exciting and diverse destination in the entire
country. The biggest drawcard is the pink city of Marrakesh. Founded almost 1000 years
ago, it is one of the great cities of the Maghreb and its spectacular setting against the snow-
capped High Atlas mountains lingers long in the minds of most travellers.
Somehow this vibrant, bursting-at-the-seams city exists on the edge of the Sahara,
hemmed in by cloud-busting High Atlas passes. You'd never guess from GPS coordinates
that beyond them a burbling river interrupts stony-faced Todra Gorge, or rocks melt like
wax candles into the Dadès Gorge. Just when the rocky Ziz and Drâa Valleys seem utterly
barren, water seeps through fissures and bursts into exuberant palm oases. In the far south-
east, the sculpted sand dunes surrounding Merzouga and M'Hamid provide the perfect
pink-hued curtain call to this extraordinary region.
When to Go
Mar-Apr
Mountains thaw, desert blooms. Skip Easter holidays when prices jump.
May-Jun
Ideal High Atlas hiking: hot, not scorching. Accommodation and souq bargains.
Oct-Nov
Prime desert time: gentle breezes, dates galore.
