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Telouet Kasbah

One Day Tour Telouet Kasbah

Duration: 9:00am - 3:00pm 
Inclusion: Luxury Toyota 4x4
English, French Speaking Driver, Guide
Starting & Finishing Point: Your Hotel In Ouarzazate

ITINERARY

MORNING DEPARTURE:

After breakfast at your hotel, journey outside of Ouarzazate and visit the Telouet Kasbah, arguably to be one of the most extraordinary sights of the Atlas. Telouet was once an important stop on the Southern Caravan route for traders carrying spices, slaves and other commodities. Telouet’s Kasbah also known as Dar Glaoui once served as the royal headquarters and residence of the Glaoui tribe. Until Morocco’s independence in 1956, the Glaoui had power in the central Moroccan and French administration.

Today the Telouet Kasbah’s earth toned, dark red walls are crumbling, however, the dramatic history of its former residents makes it a favorite visit of many. After over half a century of decay this kasbah’s interior still stands out with its painted salon walls, the bright Zellij (tiles) and labyrinth of locked doors with dangling silver knockers. The kasbah boasts iron window grilles and finely carved ceilings decorated in a painterly fashion using Safron and Henna. All of the rooms that still remain include the harem, the kitchens, the cinema and roof top view which is a risky trek but enables you look down upon some of the old courts. After perusing the unbelievable myriad of connecting passages, trek up the nearby ornate central hill and see the astonishing panoramic view of this masterpiece born from quasi-medieval power created in the 20th century.

If you would like to extend your tour into a full day, ask your driver to continue the route to the Tichka Pass, high up in the Atlas Mountains, and visit the Berber villages in the vicinity where Berber communities have lived for generations.

MID-DAY:

Enjoy lunch in the village of Telouet and then take the road back by pise to Ouarzazate.