Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Riad Kasbah Oliver
GUESTHOUSE
€€
( 0524 89 18 28;
www.homestaysmorocco.net
; Tighza; per person adult/child 6-12yr Dh300/100)
Owned by Tighza native Mohamed El Qasemy and his British wife, Carolyn, Riad Kas-
bah Oliver is a labour of love. Built by hand in stone and earth by local village
craftspeople, the result is simple, sustainable accommodation. Doors were fashioned in
Telouet and furniture up-cycled, and hot showers are solar-powered. Walking tours, salt-
mine visits, souq trips and tea with local villagers are just some of the activities that can
be arranged.
You'll find the turn-off to Tighza 11km east of Telouet, from where it is a 5km drive on
piste
to the village.
Le Lion d'Or Atlas
( 0524 88 85 07; meals Dh120)
Take a seat on the terrace overlooking the valley and order a
tajine with Telouet's speciality figs. You'll find the restaurant on your left 500m from the
kasbah.
MOROCCAN
€
Getting There & Away
From the N9 Marrakesh-Ouarzazate Rd, the turn-off to Telouet is signed 20km beyond
the pass. There's a daily bus from Bab Gehmat in Marrakesh (Dh50), which returns to
Marrakesh at 7am. Grands taxis are Dh70 per seat, but you might get stuck renting out all
six seats. There are no buses from Ouarzazate, only taxis.
WORTH A TRIP
THE OUNILLA VALLEY
Travellers equipped with a sturdy 2WD or 4WD, mountain bikes or good walking shoes can follow
the ancient desert caravan routes from Telouet to Aït Benhaddou through the splendid
Ounilla Valley
.
Although the first 12km is bumpy and slow going, the remaining 25km to Tamdaght is on good
graded
piste
. The fascinating route follows the course of the Oued Mellah passing through
Anmiter
(whose red-tower kasbah gives a glimpse of what Aït Benhaddou may have looked like in its original
state), Assaka, Tizgui and other picturesque villages dotting the
Gorge Assaka
. Exiting the Ounilla
Valley to the south, you'll spot
limestone threshing terraces
notched into an east-facing hillside. In
harvest season, you'll see villagers threshing grain on these stone platforms, just as they've done for
centuries.
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