Irohalen. Between mountains, valleys and desert

Route overview

Nature and historical heritage
Want to discover the essentials of Morocco: Chichaoua the craft town, the Imintanout valley and the majestic mountains of Irohalen. Between mountains, valleys and desert, you will discover a mixture of culture and natural settings that make this region magical.

Located 75 km from the city of Marrakech, Chichaoua is a small Moroccan town located in the great plain of the Province of the same name, bounded by the Province of Essaouira to the West, the Province of AL Haouz and the prefecture of Marrakech Ménara to the East, the Province of Youssofia to the North and the Province of Taroudante to the South. Want to discover the artisanal city? Let's go ! There are several ways to do this. City of the mountains, with a breathtaking landscape, its vast terrain with yellowish sand for desert tourists.

Downtown

After more than an hour's drive, you will arrive in Chichaoua, in the city center you will have a short break for a coffee or a glass of tea, the cafes are also famous for their delicious breakfast. On the menu, traditional bread, mint tea (essential drink) and olive oil. A good breakfast to continue your adventure.

Tilddat panoramic view

Direction for the highest peak of Chichaoua, admire a superb view throughout the city, an opportunity to take photos and selfies.

Lunch break

This is the ideal time to have your lunch. The city is known for its tagines, but the famous dish is the Moroccan skewers, to be enjoyed with a good mint tea. A delight not to be missed!

Sugar Factory Tour

This factory represents resistance to the vagaries of time and the extent of human negligence, struggling to stand as the witness of a radiant history that has made an entire region talk about it. Built during the time of the Saadians between 1576 and 1578, this sugar refinery had long contributed to the influence of an entire industry developed at the time. You are invited to access the ruins that remained of the Sugar Factory, in order to discover the history of this site.

Rampart Laabid (Slaves)

You will continue your discovery of the history of the city by visiting the Rampart of Abid, a historical monument testifies to the era of slavery which is often linked to that of the Gnaoua. The slaves worked in the sugar refineries installed in the region of Chichaoua, allowing the barter of this commodity against other precious goods, such as marble from Italy. Finally, some slaves were "exported" to the Americas or the Canary Islands from the port of Essaouira and the Saharan coasts in the XNUMXth century.

Chichaoua Lanterns Experience

Moroccan lanterns are a specific element of home decoration. Of various shapes, they take on different colors under the hands of artisans. In the province of Chichaoua, several cooperatives manufacture the lanterns, it is the ideal opportunity to visit workshops in order to discover the secret of these craftsmen.

One night at Adrian's farmhouse

After a long day, it's time to rest. Adrian's guest farm is the perfect place to spend a night and relax. You are invited to visit the small gastronomic museum of this host farm, which exhibits the history of the cuisine of the whole region, with its mehraz, its old gsââ, its khabiates, its tajines, its ghorbel...

Take your time to discover the place and take pictures.

In the morning, you will leave Chichaoua to go to the valley of Imintanout, a small town located at the foot of the Great Atlas. You will feel the welcoming breaths of the Berber mountains, forming a pleasant panoramic view.
As soon as you arrive, you will start with a small visit of the city.

Jewish Quarter Mellah

Jewish Cemetery You are invited to a short visit to the old Jewish quarter (Mellah), it was the quarter of Moroccan Jews, most of whom were traders. Imintanout was a commercial relay between the region of Souss and that of Marrakech.

Urguss Mountain

Direction Jbel Ourgous, located southeast of Imintanoute, is a mountain with an altitude of 1476 meters. Admire the panoramic view of the whole city and take the opportunity to take beautiful photos.

Afala Ntalat Water Tower

A water tower but not like the others, a nice place to relax and take pictures. You will admire the mosaic stairs full of bright colors and emotions.

Kabah Sultan Lakhal

Immerse yourself in the world of kasbahs and discover a historical, cultural and spiritual place in the region! Over the peaks and valleys of Imintanoute, visit this ancient fortified castle with grandiose ramparts, they will make you live a fascinating experience in the heart of the most beautiful Moroccan legends.

As you cross the Irohalen Mountains, there will be several stops to enjoy the beauty of the landscape. Between the mountains is our destination, a small village named Douar Zaouia. This small mountain village has an authentic beauty thanks to the landscape that surrounds it. It is also a spiritual village, in a small valley there is a traditional Koranic school where the inhabitants of the region learn the Koran. The voices in unison of groups of children reciting the Koran compose a tone that characterizes the place. This village is a reminder of life in the mountains, with its traditional architecture preserved from any contemporary influence. With its people who are warm and supportive and offer visitors great hospitality, its small stone houses and its large surrounding mountains, you will feel like you have traveled back in time.

Welcome back to town! rest and take your shower.

Recommendations

• Enjoy your holidays to the fullest, and engrave one more good memory in your
  memory.
• Take your time and pleasure to make great photos.
• Participate in as many workshops as possible.
• Enjoy the warm welcome of the locals.
• Take your time to visit as many cooperatives as possible.
• Enjoy the purity of the air.
• Do good for your morale.
• Enjoy the rich gastronomy of the region.

Planning

Ps: this itinerary is designed in such a way as to facilitate the planning of your trip. However, times and dates remain flexible. Do not hesitate to lengthen or shorten your stay in one of the points of interest according to their influence on you.

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Info & Booking

The tourist circuits practiced in the Chichaoua Province are mainly marketed by tour operators abroad, travel agencies specializing in rural tourism and particularly those based in Marrakech and tourist guides directly or via their websites.