Places
Things to do:
Dades
01
Private Scenic Drive Through the Gorge
Embark on a tailored drive through the legendary Dades Gorge, stopping at cliffside viewpoints, rock formations like “Monkey Fingers,” and quaint roadside cafés. A perfect introduction with time for exploration and photography.
02
Overnight in a Restored Kasbah
Experience Berber hospitality in a beautifully restored kasbah with views over the valley. Enjoy candlelit dinners, storytelling by the fire, and stargazing from the rooftop terrace.
03
Hike Between Villages With Local Guide
Set out on a private trek connecting traditional villages. Walk through gardens, cross dry riverbeds, and chat with locals harvesting figs and almonds. Includes a traditional lunch in a Berber home.
04
Sunrise Yoga or Meditation in the Canyons
Begin the day with a private sunrise session amidst the serenity of the canyon. Ideal for wellness travelers seeking balance and grounding in raw natural surroundings.
05
Photography Safari with Expert Guide
Join a professional photographer to capture the best light, textures, and faces of Dades. Learn techniques for shooting canyons, kasbahs, and desert life while discovering hidden corners.
06
Carpet & Weaving Workshop in a Women's Cooperative
Visit a women-run cooperative to learn about traditional weaving methods. Try your hand at loom work and understand the symbolism behind Berber carpet motifs.
Accommodations to consider
Dades
Carved by the Dades River and cradled between the Atlas and Jbel Saghro mountains, the Dades Valley is a cinematic landscape of crimson cliffs, dramatic gorges, and lush oases. This lesser-known gem reveals a quieter, more authentic Morocco — where Berber villages cling to the rock face and ancient kasbahs rise like mirages from the earth.
Traveling along the Route of a Thousand Kasbahs unveils fortified earthen dwellings, almond groves, and panoramic switchback roads that rival any scenic drive. The Dades Gorge itself offers a stunning contrast: sheer rock walls glowing in orange and rose hues at sunset, and winding canyons sculpted by wind and water over millennia.
Best time to visit: April to June and September to October — ideal for comfortable trekking, photography, and cultural immersion in the villages. Dades is where silence speaks volumes, and nature’s architecture astounds.
