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Cultural Immersion in Rose Valley & Atlas Mountains , Boumalne Dades

J
Julie I.
Dec 30, 2022
We arrived later than expected. However, our local guide made sure to feed us quickly (food was great) so that we had enough time for our... Read more
Janet
Janet H.
Oct 30, 2022
We really enjoyed our hike with Mohammad and the lunch with him and his wife. It was a great opportunity to learn about the area from... Read more
D
D T.
Oct 03, 2022
Mohamed Amjon, Brilliant guide for of facts and humour. His wife made the best food I tasted in the whole trip. Overall one of the best... Read more
Jennifer
Jennifer O.
Sep 28, 2022
Loved spending time with our guide and his lovely wife. They were incredibly welcoming!
Aarti
Aarti G.
Aug 28, 2022
We absolutely loved our hike in the Dades valley with Mohammed! This was one of the highlights of our trip. Mohammed was very knowledgeable and highly... Read more
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Overview

Enjoy a day trip to the Berber communities of the Atlas Mountains, passing through El Kelaa Mgouna, the capital of Morocco's famed Rose Valley, along the way. Here the intensely cultivated plots of farmland are bordered by rose bushes, which are used in the cosmetic industry to make rose water and rose oil. In May, a Rose Festival takes place, celebrating the year’s production.

You can make a quick stop at a rose collective to see the process of converting the petals into water and oil and sample some of the products.  

Then continue to the Atlas Mountains to immerse yourself in the region's unique culture, where you'll enjoy an easy walking tour while interacting with local Berber families. The foothills of the mountains offer a green oasis of vegetation, perfect for quaint towns to thrive. These authentic Berber villages offer a wealth of knowledge about the regional culture, traditions, and way of life.
 
A guide will lead you through the area on an easy walk. Along the way, you'll stop in a few villages to meet with locals. Admire the unique architecture, listen to stories about regional history, partake in fun activities, observe traditional farming techniques, enjoy live entertainment, and more. You'll receive a complete lesson on the Berber people and their lifestyles. 

At lunchtime, join a local family in their traditional house. While enjoying Berber and Moroccan cuisine, learn more about the history of this unique culture and enjoy an authentic tea ceremony.

Discover more cultural experiences in Morocco. 

Traveler reviews

Overall Rating (6 reviews)
5.0 out of 5
Feature ratings
Quality of Experience
5.0
Food
5.0
Guides, Drivers and Staff
5.0
Transport
4.6
J
Julie I.
Seattle, WA | Reviewed on Dec 30, 2022

We arrived later than expected. However, our local guide made sure to feed us quickly (food was great) so that we had enough time for our hike before the sun set. He took us to see the local kasbahs and for a short hike through the 'monkey fingers' rock formations. Even though the sun had set, he instructed our driver to take us up the famous windy road into the Dades canyon area for a spectacular view over the valley. He was so friendly and welcoming. Would recommend! Read more

We arrived later than expected. However, our local guide made sure to feed us quickly (food was great) so that we had enough time for our hike before the sun set. He took us to see the local kasbahs and for a short hike through the 'monkey fingers' rock formations. Even though the sun had set, he instructed our driver to take us up the famous windy road into the Dades canyon area for a spectacular view over the valley. He was so friendly and welcoming. Would recommend!

Tips for future travelers

Leave enough time to take advantage of the opportunities for hiking/walking in this area!

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Janet
Janet H.
Seattle, WA | Reviewed on Oct 30, 2022

We really enjoyed our hike with Mohammad and the lunch with him and his wife. It was a great opportunity to learn about the area from a local. The hike was just beautiful and Mohammad has a great sense of humor. We had a lot of fun. Lunch was delicious. Read more

We really enjoyed our hike with Mohammad and the lunch with him and his wife. It was a great opportunity to learn about the area from a local. The hike was just beautiful and Mohammad has a great sense of humor. We had a lot of fun. Lunch was delicious.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
D
D T.
the Netherlands | Reviewed on Oct 03, 2022

Mohamed Amjon,
Brilliant guide for of facts and humour. His wife made the best food I tasted in the whole trip. Overall one of the best days. Read more

Mohamed Amjon,
Brilliant guide for of facts and humour. His wife made the best food I tasted in the whole trip. Overall one of the best days.

Quality of Experience
Food
Taste
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Jennifer
Jennifer O.
Morristown, NJ | Reviewed on Sep 28, 2022

Loved spending time with our guide and his lovely wife. They were incredibly welcoming! Read more

Loved spending time with our guide and his lovely wife. They were incredibly welcoming!

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Taxi was definitely an adventure on its own.
Aarti
Aarti G.
the Netherlands | Reviewed on Aug 28, 2022

We absolutely loved our hike in the Dades valley with Mohammed! This was one of the highlights of our trip. Mohammed was very knowledgeable and highly enthusiastic and friendly, sharing with us stories of his life in the valley and many 'Berber wisdoms' that we greatly appreciated! It was lovely to end the hike by having lunch with him in his warm and welcoming home and to meet his lovely family. Read more

We absolutely loved our hike in the Dades valley with Mohammed! This was one of the highlights of our trip. Mohammed was very knowledgeable and highly enthusiastic and friendly, sharing with us stories of his life in the valley and many 'Berber wisdoms' that we greatly appreciated! It was lovely to end the hike by having lunch with him in his warm and welcoming home and to meet his lovely family.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
C
celeste r.
Fair Oaks, CA | Reviewed on Jun 28, 2022

Highly recommend you do this!! Read more

Highly recommend you do this!!

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport

Itineraries with Cultural Immersion in Rose Valley & Atlas Mountains

Essaouira, Morocco
Unique Cultural Experiences in Morocco

Morocco's distinct and authentic culture (unchanged in many ways) is perhaps the primary reason to explore the country. You'll find traditional villages that still live today as they have throughout history. Cities like Casablanca and Chefchaouen lift the veil and let you see the way locals live day-to-day. Visit small towns and Berber villages in the mountains, peruse artisan collectives, and get off the beaten path to discover Morocco's incredible countryside.

In port at Essaouira
Map of Highlights of Morocco: Fes, Atlas Mountains, Dades Valley, Marrakech & Essaouira - 14 Days
Highlights of Morocco: Fes, Atlas Mountains, Dades Valley, Marrakech & Essaouira - 14 Days

See some of Morocco's best sights on this two-week itinerary. You'll wander the streets of artsy seaside Asilah, then head to the sandier seas of the Atlas Mountains and Erg Chebi with a camel trek and desert camping. Follow expert guides through the bustling markets of Fes and Marrakech, and wrap up your trip in the bohemian enclave of Essaouira before you depart.