Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Those art-deco tourism posters you'll see all over Morocco showing a red-and-white kas-
bah in a rocky oasis aren't exaggerating: just 6.5km into the gorge the old Glaoui
kasbah
of Aït Youl is set against a lush backdrop of almond and fig trees. A couple of kilometres
past Aït Youl, the road crosses an
oued;
this river valley offers a sneaky back way to
Kelaâ M'Gouna on foot.
Gorge de Miguirne
Cresting over a small pass, 14km from Boumalne, is the hidden Gorge de Miguirne (Sidi
Boubar Gorge), which joins the Dadès Gorge from the south. It offers a pleasant half-day
hike amid its springs and rock pools. The owner of Restaurant Meguirne, 14km from Bou-
malne, can provide guides.
GORGE
VALLEY
Tamlalt Valley
Eighteen kilometres from Boumalne brings you to extraordinary red rock formations that
look like wax, melting right into the green carpet of the
palmeraie
below
Aït Arbi
. They're
known locally as
Les Doigts de Singes
(or 'Monkey's Fingers') given their bizarre wind-
worn shapes. A little further on is the more colourfully named 'Valley of Human Bodies',
where famished travellers are said to have died of hunger and been turned to stone.
Association Gorge du Dadès
( 0677 90 96 70, 0666 39 69 49; 24km Aït Oudinar; 2-5pm Mon-Sat)
Tufted carpets are made
at this weaving cooperative, but soft kilim blankets made with undyed, extra-fluffy
lambswool are signature pieces. The women are introducing non-chemical dyes made
from local walnuts shells (brown), onion skins (yellow) and poppies (black). Items are
sold at fixed prices and the weaver is paid directly.
From the roadside sign, follow arrows to the western bank to find the converted stable
currently housing the cooperative.
ARTS & CRAFTS
