Date: May – June, 2020
(The date of the festival depends on the collection of roses, exact date can be know one month before the festival)
In early May one of the most popular festivals in Morocco takes place, the “Festival of Roses”. The celebrating the harvest of roses in the small town of Kelaat M’gouna, located in the Dades Valley, which it is already known as the “Valley of Roses”.
In this town we find all kinds of products made with roses, from perfumes, creams, medicines and even jams. The festival attracts more than twenty thousand people willing to enjoy the dances and folk dances. For three days the town and tourists vibrate with music, colorful and fun. Three days in which to enjoy the best smell of the city: the rose water.
Different activities of all kinds are made. They start with covering the streets with a blanket of roses for shows and concerts continue outdoors with Berber groups. Many flower shows are also conducted to look in detail at each particular feature of each issue.
The last day of the festival which is usually on a Sunday, the election of Miss Roses takes place. The most beautiful women come out to dance dressed in their best kaftans and decorated with roses. You’ll also find exclusive type markets, fairs and souks these days. Do not miss the opportunity to visit a distillery where you will learn how pink rose water is made.
6 DAY TOUR FROM MARRAKECH TO THE SAHARA PASSING THROUGH THE VALLEY OF ROSES
DAY 1: MARRAKECH – KELAAT M’GOUNA
Route to Kelaat through the High Atlas Mountains via the Tizi n’Tichka Mountain pass. On the side of the mountains you will see farms and Berber villages. Continue via Skoura where we will visit a beautiful Kasbah called Amridil. Arrival in El Kelaat M’gouna capital of the Damascus rose from Morocco. Accommodation in a hotel located in the valley of roses.
DAY 2: THE KELAAT M’GOUNA – DADES VALLEY – TODRA GORGE
Discover the unique atmosphere of the festival of roses before continuing on the road to Todra Gorge through a track where you will have the opportunity to enjoy the tranquility of the mountains populated by Berber nomads, here you will explore a new sense of everyday life. In the afternoon arrival in Todra gorges. Accommodation in the heart of the Gorges.
DAY 3: KELAAT M’GOUNA – FESTIVAL OF ROSES
The day to visiting the Roses festival. The last day of the festival which is usually on a Sunday, the election of Miss Roses takes place. The most beautiful women come out to dance dressed in their best kaftans and decorated with roses. You’ll also find exclusive type markets, fairs and souks these days. Do not miss the opportunity to visit a distillery where you will learn how pink rose water is made. Accommodation in Riad.
DAY 4: THE TODRA GORGES – MERZOUGA
Traveling to Merzouga via the Todra Valley, Erfoud, Tinjdad and then to Merzouga, where you will see the Moroccan Saharan dunes. From there you will take the camels and cross the dunes of Erg Chebbi. Overnight in a nomad Bedouin tent in the middle of the dunes.
DAY 5: MERZOUGA – DRAA VALLEY – OUARZAZATE
Awaken early to climb the dunes and to watch the sunrise over the dunes. After the, continue our trip via the Draa valley, it´s around 6 hours to Ouarzazate through Rissani, one of the oldest cities of Morocco and the capital of the Alaouit dynasty. Our route goes west to the beautiful valley of the Draa. On the way you discover ancient Kasbahs and fortified villages. Continue traveling in the Draa Valley with its millions of palm trees and the typical village of Agdez. In the afternoon, arrival at the Hollywood of Africa; Ouarzazate.
DAY 6: OUARZAZATE – KASBAH OF AIT BENHADDOU – MARRAKECH
After breakfast you go to visit the movie studios. We drive back to Marrakech through the Kasbah of Ait Benhaddou where several movies were filmed as Lawrence of Arabia and Sahara tea. Continue to Marrakech.
Important: Tour program can be changed according to your travel dates.