Tafraoute Things to Do

4 more images

A lot of almonds grow around the Anti-Atlas so the area around Tafraoute is well known for its beautiful almond blossom season - and in particular the festival that is held to celebrate the blossoms and their forthcoming crop - this is held anytime from mid Feb to the first weekend in March depending on the weather and season.

Blossoms can be found from early January but when Ive been there in March they are in a raggedy end of season state and when there in mid Feb either slightly early or raggedy already - so mid Feb is ideal to aim for if its almond flowers you want to see.

Right around the area the roads are good for seeing them - including the back road to Tanalt and out to Ait Mansour - also the road to Ackchour.

A lot of Argane trees grow around here too but though the nut is much like an almond they have no flower.

2 more images

4 storey traditionelle house that was lived in by the same family for about 400 years until about 5 years ago - though recently turned into overnight accommodation for tourist guests.....this is in an excellent old mainly uninhabited ancient hilltop village amongst huge boulders - some incorporated into the buildings walls - with great views over the valley and other ancient fortified multi storey houses below.

Recently restored and still undergoing restoration this is an excellent insight into traditionelle berber living - where the animals were kept, where and how food supplies were stored to last through the seasons....

Open during hours of daylight

Not only a picturesque area with its pink rocks and buildings, and prolific almond blossoms to be seen all around the area during the month of February along with its famed Almond Blossom Festival, the area of the Ameln Valley, Jebel El Kest, is fast becoming a centre for avid rock-climbers....and craggers! (see what that means if you dont already know! in the website).

Steven Broadbent from the Oxford Alpine Club is responsible for a well received guidebook outlying discovered routes for climbs and all the information required for the sport - which can be purchased via the website provided below for Climb-Tafraoute.

they tend to recommend Les Amandiers, the big 4 star hotel on the hill as they give a discount for climbers and have culminated as a centre or base for climbing...though I have stayed there myself and wuold only regard it as a 3 star and as for a place to stay would recommmend better value in the town....a good place to eat though with great views and pool while you are up there!

4 more images

In French this interesting rock formation is known as Le Chapeau de Napoleon - Napoleons hat....not nose!

1 km from Tafraoute is the town or area's distinctive landmark - most advertising will have this representing Tafraoute as one of many, many interesting or beautiful rock formations or mountains around the area - and they are pretty much pink in colour.

Also characteristic of the area are the houses that are painted pink to match - or some places red - and there is an interesting village sitting right at the base of Napoleon's Hat, called Aguerd-Oudad, that like most villages around the area with often fascinating little hobbit like houses and doors make an interesting wander.

There is a concrete footpath alongside the main road all the way from Tafraoute to this village - often locals can be seen taking a walk along here for an evening stroll.

You can also continue on from Aguerd-Oudad a couple of kms or so on further to the 'Painted Rocks' - rocks painted various shades of blue and red by a Belgian painter back in 1984 - another tourist attraction and another tip!

In the area of Tafraoute the soil is fertile.
Except palmtrees, argan and almond trees you find also citrus trees.
When we had a closer look at the tree beside the house at the former picture, we saw, that is was full of citrons.
We liked it to see so many fruit trees in the village.

Central in the village Tafraoute is the Place Mohammed al-Khamis. In the area around the place are the bank, the postoffice, an internetcafe. For shopping there is a fruit and vegetable market, a souq, an artisanat, slippershopsand carpetshops.
Scattered in the village are some hotels and restaurants.
So it's nice to walk around a bit, have your tea or lunch and do your shopping.