Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
DRÂA VALLEY
From Ouarzazate the N9 plunges southeast into the Drâa Valley, formed by a narrow ribbon
of water from the High Atlas that occasionally emerges triumphantly in lush oases particu-
larly between Agdz and Zagora, a stretch of about 95km. The drive from Agdz to Zagora
takes three to four hours, though the more scenic Circuits Touristiques route (
Click here
)
follows the
piste
through the oasis. Beyond that, a road takes you 96km further south to
M'Hamid, a town 40km short of the Algerian border that marks the end of the road and the
start of the desert proper.
If you don't want to retrace your steps back to Ouarzazate along the N9, it's possible to
continue west of M'Hamid through the desert to Foum Zguid from where you can pick up
the N10 north via Tazenakht. For those with more time, it's possible to complete an enorm-
ous circuit east on the N12 from Tansikht (29km southeast of Agdz) to the Erg Chebbi dun-
efield near Merzouga and return to Ouarzazate via the Todra and Dadès Gorges.
TOP OF CHAPTER
Agdz
POP 9400
Travellers who zoom from Ouarzazate to Zagora are missing out on Agdz (ag-daz), a clas-
sic caravanserai oasis with ancient mudbrick kasbahs, a still-pristine
palmeraie
and a secret
desert prison.
As you approach Agdz, you'll see tajine-shaped
Jebel Kissane
on the horizon, and spot
mountain bikers heading off from Agdz to 1660m Tizi n'Tinififft, some 20km away. The
mountains glisten with what looks like snow, but that's a mirage: it's sunlight bouncing off
deposits of reflective mica. Agdz craft traditions include carving, pottery and basket-weav-
ing, and you might spot a few prime examples outside shops downtown or at the
Thursday
souq
(October and November).
That said, none of the key attractions of Agdz are apparent from the main road. The his-
toric centre of Agdz is east of the N9 about 1.5km along a dusty
piste,
so the old town has
been largely bypassed by mass-tourism development schemes. For that very reason, an un-
usual number of authentic mudbrick kasbahs have been preserved. Overnight visitors might
also take a morning stroll through the vast Agdz
palmeraie
, just to the north of the village.
