Archive for the ‘Morocco Adventure Tours’ Category

Moroccan Kasbah’s of the Great South

Thursday, March 26th, 2015
Ait Benhaddou, Kasbahs of the Great South

Ait Benhaddou, Kasbahs of the Great South

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Moroccan Kasbah was a place for the local Caid or Pacha to live in and a place of defense when a city was under attack not unlike the medieval European keep. Sometimes, they were built on hilltops so that they could be more easily defended such as the famous Ait Benhaddou near Ouarzazate. It is no accident that many great films like Lawrence of Arabia and Gladiator were filmed here because it retains the character and atmosphere of centuries ago when it was an important post on the camel caravan route from Africa to Morocco.

Ait Benhaddou Kasbah was a busy teeming Ksar (a fortified town) with fortified towers and reinforced walls. Inside the Ksar, there was a central mosque surrounded by family homes, communal areas and small palaces. In its earlier history, Ait Benhaddou is believed to have housed thousands of inhabitants. It was composed of six Kasbahs and nearly fifty houses, made with red pisé and connected through a complex maze of narrow streets. Visitors can step straight into the medieval past and it is a great place to take the family to explore.

Valle of One-Thousand Kasbahs, Skoura Palmeraie

Valle of One-Thousand Kasbahs, Skoura Palmeraie

 

 

 

 

 

 

Morocco’s Southern region and in particular the region of Skoura is referred to the “Valley of one-thousand Kasbahs,” referring to the way-stations of ancient caravan routes traveled by tradesmen and adventurers. They brought with them customs and crafts, beliefs and skills, and they sought shelter and social interaction within secure Kasbah walls.

Skoura has superb Kasbahs on its doorstep, including the ruins of the Kasbah Amerhidil, and it is an excellent base from which to explore the Dades Valley, the Todra Gorge and the Valley of the Roses.

The Glaoui Kasbahs at Telouet and Taourit are also historic sites to visit on a Morocco Tour. Telouet, the seat of Thami El Glaoui Pacha of Marrakech under the French is an imposing ruin with a central living area which is relatively well preserved with the Glaoui’s living quarters bedecked in flowered zellij tiles looking out on to the village of Telouet. Kasbahs were also fortified mansions built by the rich and powerful caids and local feudal leaders. Kasbah Taourit is another imposing Glaoui Kasbah in Ouarzazate the capital of the South. The Krupp cannon which founded the fortunes of the Glaoui’s which enabled them to dominate rival tribes still lies outside Kasbah Taourit.

Ksar Ighnda Boutique Kasbah Hotel

Ksar Ighnda Boutique Kasbah Hotel

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Throughout the centuries Morocco’s strong and enduring Kasbahs have kept silent vigil guarding communities from potential attack which was all too common in the feudal era which lasted right up to the 1950’s chronicled in Gavin Maxwell’s epic account “Lords of the Atlas.”

Some of Morocco’s finest boutique riads and hotels are now converted Kasbahs. Built or rebuilt in traditional style, they have been renovated to accommodate tourists in luxury and style.

A few of the best examples are found in Ouarzazate and Skoura region. In the Ait Benhaddou Region, Riad Ksar Ighnda is a restored Kasbah with modern architecture that offers a luxury experience and stay inclusive of a private pool, roof top dining, a Hammam and is away from the city center.

In Skoura there are boutique riad guests houses, Les Jardins Des Skoura and Kasbah Ait Ben Damiette, converted Kasbahs that are French owned and offer up luxurious stays surrounded by gardens. Both are located in the heart of the Skoura palmeraie.

More Kasbah’s are being renovated and turned into boutique hotels and guesthouses to offer Moroccan travelers an exciting authentic experience.

The most well known Kasbah Hotel in Skoura is Dar Ahlam, “Dream House” which is an an opulent boutique hotel in the heart of the Skoura palmeraie. Built around a labyrinthine converted Kasbah from the early 20th century, this luxurious property consists of nine suites and three private villas in the attractive gardens with a large swimming pool.

Richard Branson’s Kasbah Tamadot is another well-known luxury Kasbah Hotel located in the foothills of the High Atlas Mountains. This property offers fantastic service, a beautiful spa, restaurant, and a stunning mountain backdrop.

Kasbah Bab Ourika in the Ourika Valley offers outstanding views of the High Atlas and is a great value place to stay with friendly staff and fantastic food made from produce from their own garden.

At Imlil at the foot of Jebel Toubkal with breathtaking terrace views of the peaks and valleys, Kasbah Du Toubkal is the perfect base for exploring the Atlas Mountains and experiencing Berber culture.

Today, as as Morocco traveler, the ancient Kasbahs of the Great South can be discovered through historic visits on a private tour and visitors also have the opportunity to stay in one.

For more information about Ancient Kasbahs of Morocco’s Great South or a Kasbah Tour.

For more information about the Fes Festival of World Sacred Music Morocco’s Imperial CitiesSeaside Resorts,Sahara Desert,Berber villagesA Taste of MoroccoMagical Kasbahs, Ruins & WaterfallsAbsolute Morocco, The Best of MarrakechFes, and Ouarzazate

Discover The Best of Morocco - Travel Exploration
Travel Exploration specializes in Morocco Travel.  We provide Tours and travel opportunities to Morocco for the independent traveler and tailor-made tours for families and groups with a distinctly unique flavor. From Morocco’s Seven Imperial Cities, to the Magical Sahara Travel Exploration offers a captivating experience that will inspire you. At Travel Exploration we guarantee that you will discover the best of Morocco! Call Travel Exploration at 1 (800) 787-8806 or + 1 (212) 618882681 and let’s book a tour to Morocco for you today.

Travel Exploration Morocco Travel Excursions & Tours 2010, Your Morocco Travel Guide

Wednesday, January 27th, 2010

Let 2010 be the year you choose to Travel to Morocco! Morocco is a cold country with a hot sun and offers a wide array of exciting travel opportunities. Travel Exploration Morocco’s Excursions and tour include the great Sahara Desert which stands alone offering a majestic beauty that is second to none. The Sahara Desert’s dunes make way for camel treks and 4×4 exploration. Foreigners from abroad come to Morocco to enjoy sunset camel treks to an Oasis where they can have an overnight stay in a traditional bivouac tent in the Sahara Desert, sleep under the stars and explore the Sahara’s unique flora and fauna. The Sahara Desert’s mélange of Berber, Arab (Sahrawi) and Tuareg people give it immense character.

Berber-Girl

Moroccan travelers who visit the Sahara can pay homage to its history by visiting Saharan Desert towns such as Merzouga, M’hamid, Rissani, Erfoud, the capital of Fossils, and Zagora. The Sahara Desert region continues to produce some of Morocco’s most original silver jewelry, amber and trade beads, handmade wooden items such as mirrors and boxes that have an overlay of animal skin or leather that are painted by the Tuareg people. Sahara artists also produce a stunning array of Berber and Tuareg silver crosses that are indigenous to the Sahara Desert Zagora region.

Beaded-Bag-Zagora

There is also a rich heritage of weaving traditions in Morocco. The Berber and Tuareg weaving techniques are unique to Southern Morocco and when visiting Morocco for a travel and exploration adventure, make sure to seek out local villages and carpet shops recommended by Travel Exploration in Southern Morocco. The Ouarzazate and Zagora region offer unlimited shopping opportunities for Berber carpets that can be purchased at a reasonable price; with a portion of the proceeds given to local Berber villages.

Berber-Carpet

Other Morocco Tours for the adventure traveler include trekking in the Atlas Mountains of Jbbel Toukbal or spending a week in Morocco to discover Morocco’s Imperial Cities such of Casablanca, Rabat, Marrakech, Fes, Meknes, the holy city of Moulay Idriss and the Ancient Roman Ruins of Volubilis.

When taking a Morocco Tour to the Imperial cities, it is important to explore Morocco’s old medinas’ (cities), Morocco’s historical monuments, palaces and mosques plus its lush gardens. La Mammounia Hotel & Garden, Le Koutoubia Mosque and Le Koutoubia Garden, the Majorelle Gardens and the Menara Gardens are just a few located in Marrakech that will enable travelers to Morocco to engage in the natural surroundings this unique, modern and moderate Muslim country offers.

High-Atlas-Toukabal-Trekking

When visiting Morocco for a travel and exploration opportunity, don’t miss out on the exploration of Moroccan cuisine for a taste of Morocco and Moroccan music festivals. Morocco’s red hamra city of Marrakech has paved the way for a new style of Moroccan cuisine. Marrakech boasts the hottest restaurants that serve up an mélange of French, Moroccan flavors alongside the trendiest International imported food chains that enable foreign travelers to Morocco and locals to eat sushi, pizza and hamburgers.

Morocco’s music festivals and local mousseums are another travel and exploration opportunity. There are over 50 annual mousseums and music festivals held annually in Morocco. Each mousseum and music festival has a different meaning, theme, and musical repertoire that make them an attractive option for a Morocco Tour.

Imilchil-Wedding Festival

For singles or independent travelers who wish to explore Morocco alone, Travel Exploration Morocco offers specialized tours lead by an English speaking driver and guide for reasonable prices. Travel Exploration Morocco also offers the option of customized, private Morocco group tours. Travel Exploration Morocco Travel guarantees you will discover the best of Morocco while having an up-close, authentic experience with Moroccan people.

TRAVEL EXPLORATION MOROCCO TOURS 2010

Tuareg-Man-Erg-Chegaga-M'hamid-DunesMOROCCO SAHARA TOURS & MOROCCO EXCURSIONS FROM MARRAKECH

M’hamid Sahara – A Morocco excursion from Marrakech that includes a sunset camel trek to the Erg Chegga M’hamid Dunes and visit of Zagora

Merzouga Sahara Desert – An excursion from Marrakech that includes a sunset camel trek over the Erg Chebbi Dunes and sleeping by an Oasis

Zagora Dunes of Tinfo – An excursion from Marrakech that includes visiting Tamagroute, Spiritual Zaouira, Koranic Library and Dunes of Tinfo

MOROCCO SAHARA TOURS & MOROCCO EXCURSIONS FROM OUARZAZATE

M’hamid Sahara – A Morocco excursion from Ouarzazate that includes a sunset camel trek to the Erg Chegga M’hamid Dunes and visit of Zagora

Merzouga Sahara  Desert – An excursion from Ouarzazate that includes a sunset camel trek over the Erg Chebbi Dunes and sleeping by an Oasis

Zagora Dunes of Tinfo – An excursion from Marrakech that includes visiting Tamagroute, Spiritual Zaouira, Koranic Library and Dunes of Tinfo

Skoura-Palmary

MOROCCO NATURE TOURS & MOROCCO EXCURSIONS FROM OUARZAZATE

Ait Benhaddou – UNESCO World Heritage Site

Oasis of Fint – An Oasis Just 20 Minutes from Ouarzazate

Mount Mgoun & Bouthgrar – Valley of Nomads

Dades Valley – Dades Pins and windy roads

Todra Gorge – A spectacle of immense colored rock

Skoura – A Palmary With One thousand Kasbahs

4x4-Tour-4x4-Landcruiser

4×4 TRAVEL & TOURS IN MOROCCO

MOROCCO ADVENTURE TOURS

Ancient Kasbahs & Waterfalls – Visit Ait Benhaddou, Kasbah Taouirirt, Kasbah Amerdihl, the Cascades D’Ouzoue, Oum er Rbia

High Atlas Trekking Jbel Toukbal – Journey to Imlil and Trek to Jbel Toukbal, Overnight in Berber villages, and Summit at sunrise

Magical Sahara Desert – Discover the Sahara Desert on a one-week journey that takes you to Southern Morocco’s Sahara towns and a camel trek

Berber Village Discovery – A week with the Berbers – Discover how the indigenous people of Morocco live in ancient Kasbahs in a community

Discover Ouarzazate – The best of Ouarzazate, this Morocco tour offers a true Southern Morocco trip of this region

Pottery-Zellij-Tour-Morocco

MOROCCO ART & CUISINE TOURS

Pottery & Zellij Design Tour – A journey into the world of Marrakech, Fes and Zaogra’s Pottery and Zellij tile making traditions

Cuisine Tours – The Hottest cuisine and Moroccan food from fresh market souk, straight to your plate. Learn how to cook Moroccan style

Gnawa-Gnaoua-Festival-Musicians

MOROCCO MUSIC TOURS

Fes Festival of Sacred Music Tour – The 16th Edition of this famous Sacred World Music Celebration and VIP passes plus front stage seats

The Gnaoua Festival of World Music Tour – Spend your holiday seaside, exploring Portuguese Ramparts in Essaouira and the Gnaoua Festival

Sufi Festival – An ancient tradition of Sufi Music celebrated in Fes, a UNESCO World Heritage site each year, trance-like music Sufi-style

Meknes-Fantasia-Mousseum

MOROCCO MOUSSEUMS

Aid Al Adha / A’d el-Khebir – Commemoration of Abrahams sacrifice
Imilchil Marriage Festival– A Marriage Festival held in the Atlas Mountains

Meknes Equestrian Mousseum – A traditional Fantasia Equestrian Horse Extravaganza
El Kella des Mgouna – Valley of Roses, A Rose festival celebrated each year where the Ms. Roses is chosen

Goulimine – A fair for camel traders

Sefrou – A Festival of the cherry harvest
Setti Fatma – The most popular moussem held in the Ourika valley

Moulay Idriss Zerhoun – Moussem of Moulay Idriss, the patron saint of Fes The Date Festival – Held in Erfoudz

Ramadan – Month of fasting where Muslims honor the holy holiday with special foods eaten in the evening and meals after sunset only

Eid al Fitr – End of Ramadan, a celebration of “meat” and the confidence and honor that Ramadan has been fulfilled

For more information about a Travel Exploration Morocco Travel Excursion or Tour for 2010

For more information about Travel and Tours to Morocco plus highlights on Moroccan culture visit Morocco’s Imperial CitiesSeaside Resorts,Sahara DesertBerber villagesA Taste of MoroccoMagical Kasbahs, Ruins & WaterfallsAbsolute Morocco, The Best of MarrakechFes, and Ouarzazate.

Discover The Best of Morocco - Travel Exploration

Travel Exploration specializes in Morocco Travel. We provide Tours and travel opportunities to Morocco for the independent traveler and tailor-made tours for families and groups with a distinctly unique flavor. From Morocco’s Seven Imperial Cities, to the Magical Sahara Travel Exploration offers a captivating experience that will inspire you. At Travel Exploration we guarantee that you will discover the best of Morocco! Call Travel Exploration at 1 (800) 787-8806  or 1 (917)703-2078  and let’s book a tour to Morocco for you today.

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