Explore an Oasis Not Like The Others
Visit Tafilalet Oasis stretching on the outskirts of the ancient archaeological town of Sijilmassa. It is regarded as the birthplace for many Moroccan royal dynasties who raised from here and moved to use Fez, Meknes, or Rabat as capitals to rule the Kingdom.
The area has a wealth of architectural heritage of palatial mud villages known as the Ksours ( plural for a Ksar ). One can visit some of these Ksours where small communities still live in. Furthermore, he can stay in one of the local eco-friendly houses.
Visit Tafilalet Oasis: A Natural Paradise
The two dry rivers of Ziz and Ghriss discharge here and fed water to the oasis. Thus create a paradise where nowadays the green nature is challenging the real desertification and the sand invading this Jewel of the world.
Rich Cultural and Social Heritage
Tafilalet was an economic, cultural, and spiritual bridge between Sub-Sahara, North Africa, and Europe from the other side. For centuries caravans met in Sijilmassa which served as an opulent port trading center between the two continents.
Such a strategic position makes of the town of Sijilmassa and all the Ksours within Tafilalet Oasis an important gathering. A source for cultural and spiritual influence with other sides of Morocco like Fez, Marrakech, and Tangier. Also with other capitals deeper south like Chenguit in Mauritania and Timbuktu in Mali.
Many of the Ksours of Tafilalet have rich libraries with books dating hundreds of years ago. This richness is thanks to Intellectuals and spiritual leaders who lived here and left such a piece of knowledge in different aspects of the sciences. They are buried in Zaouias within the Ksours.
To Do List In Tafilalet
- Visit some of the 14th-century Ksours
- Enjoy a Morning or Sunset Walk in the Fields
- Stay with a local Family home inside the Ksar
- Cycle the 10 km paved road around the Oasis
- Spend a day with a farmer
- Spend a day with a Nomad family and see how they sustain
- Visit an ancient Library
- Take a photography tour: bird watching, wild desert reptiles, animals, villages, dramatic light-changing…
- Visit area Women and Men Artisanal Cooperatives
- Take a trip to Merzouga desert dunes either walking, cycling, or with a camel…
- Volunteer: Teach a skill, Plant Trees, Help to Restore
- Sleep on the roof under the stars ( Stargazing )
- Walk to the Desert of Merzouga
- Take a Camel Ride in the fields
- Enjoy a cooking class with a local family
- Visit the 4km deep and long Cave of “Kef Aziza”
- Visit the Rissani Local Market and,
- Moulay Ali Cherif ( Burial place for the founder of the current Dynasty )
- Take a trip to the fossil factories
- Visit the Khettarat 11th century irrigation system and,
- The Khamlia village: Attend a musical session as well as,
- Take a trip to Jbel Aoufilal – Tadaout -Taouz, to discover the prehistoric engraving
- Art Work: Stairway to Heaven built by German artist Hannsjörg Voth
FROM TAFILALET WITH LOVE
REACH OUT TO US
If you have a special request, interest to visit Tafilalet or to take any activity, please don’t hesitate to contact us.