Page 274 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Morocco

272  MOROC C O REGION B Y REGION

road follows a string of oases. pyramids. At Tinzouline, a track
Villages have grown up around to the right leads to a site with
the old kasbahs, on the edge of rock engravings, 7 km
the road and in the palm grove. (4 miles) away.
About 6 km (4 miles) from The valley narrows in the
Agdz, a track branching off to approaches to the Azlag gorge,
the left leads to the majestic to the right of which is a high,
ksar of Tamnougalt, which smooth cliff. Soon after, a
once controlled access to the signpost indicating “Circuit
trade routes of the Draa valley. Touristique de Binzouli” leads to
The interior reveals some the palm grove, which reaches
striking frescoes, which were Zagora on the other side of the
painted in pale colours for the river. Ochre pisé koubbas line
shooting of a film. the valley, while cemeteries are
Continuing along the left filled with the vertical flat stones
bank of the Draa, the track leads that are typical of Muslim
Detail of the interior of the ksar at to the pisé village of Tamnougalt, graveyards. Between Tissergate
Tamnougalt, in the Draa valley with narrow, partly covered and Zagora, the palm grove
streets. Visitors wishing to see the stretches away to the distant
5 Draa Valley old kasbah may like to bring a foothills of Jbel Rhart.
torch, which is useful for viewing
Road Map C-D4. 200 km (124 miles)
between Ouarzazate and Zagora on its superb painted ceilings. 6 Zagora
road N9. ( Thu in Agdz. Tamnougalt, which is currently
undergoing restoration, also has Road Map D4. * 30,000.
Rock engravings discovered near a former mellah (Jewish quarter) @ Ouarzazate or grands taxis.
Tinzouline show that the Draa with a synagogue. n (0524) 88 24 85. ( Wed & Sun.
valley was inhabited by warriors Back on the Draa valley road, _ Moussem of Moulay Abdelkader
from prehistoric times. The valley, the elegant Timiderte Kasbah Jilali at Mouloud.
where buildings are in a good comes into view on the left
state of preservation, contains a bank of the wadi, backing onto Established by the French
wealth of ksour and kasbahs. Jbel Sarhro. Villages and ksour authorities during the
The road between Ouarzazate here are rarely signposted. In Protectorate, Zagora is the most
and Agdz crosses the desert Tansikht, a narrow road turns off convenient base for exploring
plateaux of Jbel Tifern ine. to the left towards Nekob, Jbel the region. The sign saying
Beyond Aït Saoun, hills of black Sarhro and Rissani, 233 km (145 “Timbuctu, 52 Days by Camel”
rock give way to steep canyons miles) away. The bridge over the evokes the great age of the
as the road climbs towards the wadi joins a sandy track that trans-Saharan caravans,
Tizi-n-Tinififft Pass, at 1,660 m passes through villages in the although the illusion is spoiled
(5,448 ft). To the north appear palm grove. To rejoin the road, by the presence of the large
the foothills of the High Atlas the river can be forded in concrete Préfecture behind it.
and to the east, Jbel Sarhro. several places. The village of Amazraou,
Agdz, an unassuming town Still leading in the direction set amid lemon, almond and
on the edge of a palm grove, of Zagora, the road passes the olive trees and gardens on the
is convenient for a short stop. Igdaoun Kasbah, with towers southern side of the town, is a
Between Agdz and Zagora, the in the shape of truncated haven of peace on the edge of

A camel trek through the peaceful palm grove in Zagora
For hotels and restaurants see pp312–13 and pp329–30

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Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Catalogue template “UK” LAYER
(Source v2.7)
Date 1st October 2013
Size 125mm x 217mm