Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Isafarne Honey Collective
( 0677 78 75 48; Ighalen; 9am-1pm & 2.30-6pm Thu-Tue)
On the left about 13km after the
turn-off from the Ouarzazate road (about 2km before Tighdouine), you'll spot an eye-
catching pink building with the sign of a bee on your left. This initiative involves 120 Zat
locals in the production of a truly exceptional dark, spicy honey from wild Berber medi-
cinal plants that thrive in the Zat Valley. The president of the collective, Mr Ahmed Zaki,
will gladly treat you to a taste of the collective's honey (Dh250 per kilogram) with local
bread.
Mr Zaki can also help you identify the complex flavours you're tasting, which, depend-
ing on the time of year, may include verbena, wild sage, lavender, carob flower, wild mint,
walnut and mountain thyme. There are also cheaper pots of orange-blossom honey (Dh80)
on sale, harvested from the myriad orchards in the valley.
FOOD & DRINK
SOUQ DAYS
In the valleys surrounding Jebel Toubkal, towns have market days featuring local crafts, fresh produce
and donkeys on the following days:
Monday
Tnine
Tuesday
Tahanaoute, Aït-Ourir
Wednesday
Tighdouine
Thursday
El-Khemis Ouirgane
Friday
Aghmat
Saturday
Asni
Sunday
Setti Fatma
Ourika Valley
Temperatures are cooler in the shadow of snowcapped High Atlas peaks, and this bloom-
ing valley 45 minutes by car south of Marrakesh is the city's escape hatch from the soar-
ing summer heat. The valley is especially mood-altering from February to April, when al-
mond and cherry orchards bloom manically and wildflowers run riot.
Sadly Ourika's beauty and easy accessibility have lead to significant development,
which now threatens to mar its mountain-valley vibe. At Oulmes makeshift cafes and
BBQ joints line the riverside strung together by flimsy rope bridges that allow day-trip-
