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Location
The Dades Gorges are located in Ouarzazate on the Middle-East of Morocco, and they have been a tourist attraction and a desired trip for many. On the other hand, to get to the Dades Gorges you would have to head to Boumagne du Dades once in Ouarzazate.
To understand all the places to go and visit in the Gorges you might want to get in touch with a guide who can assist you on gaining better knowledge of the Dades, and the people that live on them. A recommended guide you might want to get hold of is Mr. Idhammou.
Scenery
The Dades Gorge is a stunning drive on a snaking road, passing fig and almonds orchards. As you continue to slowly rise altitude you may notice some awe-inspiring rock formations rarely seen in Morocco, as well as Berber settlements and winding rivers.
The Dades have a fairy-tale like feeling. There are not enough words that can describe the experience of the trip. It’s just an awe-inspiring landscape. Big bright red dirt and rock make up the valley walls, and built up into the hillsides are ancient crumbling Kasbahs, once fortresses for local royalty. As the sun sets behind these Kasbahs it bathes the hills in warm light, the end result is magical, and as the sun finally sets, everything glows a dark pinkish red.
Transportation and Accommodation
To get to the Dades, you would have to take a communal taxi an hour or two from Boumagne and then hike for an hour. A communal taxi, also known as the gran taxi, invariably an old, beige Mercedes diesel sedan, which would make fast point to point trips once enough people wanted to go to the same place.
However, going with a tour group would be a lot better because if you go by yourself there is a possibility of getting cheated. However, going with your family would be another suggestion because transportation can be arranged by the guide. This would usually be Mini vans due to poor road conditions on your way to the Dades.
Hotels in the area are fair. The prices range from DH 620 to DH2,000 depending on the number of people.
Exploration
Finally, the last thing that worth doing while at the Dades would be exploring some of the villages that exist in the gorges. Dades Gorge begins as quite a wide valley with lush vegetation and Kasbahs dotted throughout. Finding out the fascinating history of them is worth the trip.
While you are at the Dades drive through a very famous route, the valley of Roses, the palm plantation of Skoura. The famous route is called the "Trail of a Thousand Kasbahs." This route is remembered because over 40 miles of road you pass by hundreds of ancient Kasbahs. All of which were once a very busy part of the old world salt and gold trade route from Timbuktu.
Ait Benhaddou which is famous for its spectacular Kasbahs is another of Morocco's World Heritage Sites and has been used a film set for many epics such as "Jesus of Nazareth" and "Gladiator."
Ait Benhaddou is one of the most beautiful ksar in all of Morocco. Ksar's are a group of earthen buildings surrounded by high walls, like a traditional pre-Saharan habitat. Not only will you find out about their history and way of life but will also hopefully learn a little bit more about Morocco, and its people.
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