Excursions around El Khorbat

El Khorbat is the ideal starting point for excursions through Ferkla oasis, the valley of Todra with it's famous gorges, the High Atlas, the Jebel Saghro and also the sand dunes of Erg Chebbi close to Merzouga.

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Door of the Ksar El Khorbat Akedim

Central street of the Ksar El Khorbat Oujdid

El Khorbat palm grove

Oil mill near El Khorbat

1. El Khorbat and it's palm grove by foot

ROUTE:

We start visiting the Ksar Oujdid with its covered alleys and the central square, and we also visit the inside of a traditional raw soil house.

After that we go for a walk around the Ksar Akedim, with labyrinthic structure.

We walk across the palm grove of El Khorbat until we get to Tassabelbalt hill, where we can have a panoramic view of the whole oasis and where each Friday single girls get together to the spring.

We take a different way across the palm grove to get back and there we can visit an oil mill.

SEE THE WORK OF THE MILL

TIME: Half day

COST:

• You can take on a guide for 150 DH

• If you travel with children it is a good thing to rent a donkey (40 DH)

SEE MORE PICTURES OF THIS WALK

SEE A MAP OF THE PALM GROVE

Biking through the oasis

Moulay Abdelaziz shrine in Asrir

Zaouïa of Sidi l'Houari

Dunes in El Ksiba n'Igourramen

2. Bike circuit through the Ferkla oasis following Charles de Foucauld's treck

ROUTE:

Leaving from El Khorbat, we bike across the palm grove until we get to Asrir. This village was in former times the economic capital of the oasis, with its Jew neighborhood, clay workshops and a mosque of the Almoravits time.

Going on across the Ferkla palm grove we arrive at Zaouïa Sidi l’Haouari, a sufi institution with a gorgeous raw soil minaret.

A last walk across a desert landscape leads us to the Khettaras (underground canals) in El Ksiba n’Igourramen, which are still in use.

Near the Khettaras, small dunes covered with palm trees offer us a charming environment.

We take a different way across the oasis to get back, seeing many Ksars as Tighfert, Gardemit and Sat.

SEE THE ROUTE ON A MAP

TIME: 5 hours including visits (20 Km).

COST:

• If you have your own bike, you can take on a guide with his bike for 200 DH.

• If you don't have a bike, you can rent one for 80 DH.

SEE MORE PICTURES OF THIS CIRCUIT

Todra gorges

The Kasbah of Cheikh Bassou

Ikelane mosque in d'Afanour

3. Todra Valley

ROUTE:

Leaving El Khorbat along the national road, we can soon find a little way that will lead us through the palm grove to El Hart n’Igourramen, an interesting clay men village.

Close to Tinghir we can find the Afanour Ksar with its old Ikelane mosque, which is restored and open to the visitors.

SEE MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS MOSQUE

Going to the famous Todra gorges, we can walk across the thickness of the palm grove in a gorgeous environment.

Finally, we can go up to the hill where are placed the ruins of El Glaoui Kasbah and gaze at the sunset.

We take the same way to get back to El Khorbat.

SEE THE ROUTE ON A MAP

TIME: a whole day lets us see everything deeply and quietly.

COST:

• If you have your own car, you can take on a guide for 200 DH.

• If you don’t have it, a good way to do this trip is by taxi for 600 DH.

Taghia n'Ifegh

Igoudamène

Aghbalou n'Kerdous

4. Trip to Aghbalou n’Kerdous

ROUTE:

Our road starts in the outskirts of Tinejdad and goes on next to El Ksiba n’Igourramen Khettaras and dunes  before getting close to the High Atlas.

There we first discover Taghia n’Ifegh, and then Igoudamène, two mountain oasis which offer splendid walks on foot.

Going through wild and amazing landscapes we arrive at Aghbalou n’Kerdous with its big spring and several Ksars placed among the wheat fields.

We take the same way to get back to El Khorbat.

SEE THE ROUTE ON A MAP

TIME: A whole day lets us see everything deeply and quietly.

COST:

• If you have your own car, you can take on a guide for 200 DH.

• If you don’t have a private car, a good way to do this trip is by taxi for 600 DH.

• It is necessary to take something to eat for lunch.

Ksar Igoulmimen

Prehistoric tumulus

5. Gheris valley

ROUTE:

The national road leads us to Goulmima, where we can visit the old Ksar Igoulmimen with its Jew neighborhood.

Near Goulmima, we drive along a country lane full of prehistoric tumulus.

In the Tadighoust road, the Ksar Ait Yahia is also worthy of a visit.

In Tadighoust, the guest house Chez Pauline presents an interesting collection of African art. It is also a good place to drink something or to have breakfast. They offer a set menu for 125 DH, with French and Moroccan kitchen.

From Tadighoust, a 3 kilometers earth road brought us to Mo, a very active pottery village. You can also get there walking through the luxuriant and relaxing palm grove, starting from the above mentioned guest house.

We take the same way to get back to El Khorbat.

SEE THE ROUTE ON A MAP

TIME: A whole day lets us see everything deeply and quietly.

COST:

• If you have your own car, you can take on a guide for 200 DH.

• If you don’t have it, a good way to do this trip is by taxi for 500 DH.

The Tafilalt from the Ksar Tingheras

El Fida museum

Erg Chebbi dunes

6. The Tafilalt and Merzouga dunes

ROUTE:

A pretty asphalted road leads us to Erfoud and Rissani. Rissani is a village famous for its large market.

Before getting to Rissani we can visit the clay workshops of Moulay Abdellah Dkak, in the Ksar with the same name.

Over there we can find the royal palace El Fida, converted nowadays in a museum.

Later on we will arrive at Merzouga, where we can see the most amazing dunes of the whole Morocco.

We take the same way to get back to El Khorbat after the sunset.

SEE THE ROUTE ON A MAP

TIME: A whole day lets us see everything deeply and quietly.

COST:

• If you have your own car, you can take on a guide for 200 DH.

• If you don’t have it, a good way to do this trip is by taxi for 700 DH.

Imiter canyon

Gheris river near Amellaghou

Amsad gorges

7. Circuit from Todra gorges to Gheris gorges

ROUTE:

The national road gets us to Tinerhir. From there we go up along the famous gorges of Todra to Tamtatoucht, which has got seven Kasbahs.

We can see many high mountain landscapes and picturesque villages, like Ait Hani and mainly Assoul, with its apple trees gardens, its Kasbah and its Zaouïa.

Following the Gheris river, we go through Imiter canyon, where we can find several ways to climb up.

After Amellaghou, the wonderful Amsad gorges drives us to the palm groves of Gheris valley.

SEE THE ROUTE ON A MAP

TIME: A whole day.

COST:

• If you have your own car, you can take on a guide for 200 DH.

• If you don’t have it, a good way to do this trip is by taxi for 1.000 DH.

• It is necessary to take something to eat for lunch.

Ihandar

Alnif road through the Jebel Saghro

Jebel Asdaf summit

8. 4WD circuit through Jebel Saghro

ROUTE:

The dirt road leaves from the center of Tinejdad, goes along splendid oasis such as Ihandar and Taghia and gets into the Jebel Ougnat rocky mountain.

Going down through the south slope we can find other palm groves and so we get to Alnif.

We take a different country way across Jegel Saghro to go back.

Finally, before arriving to El Khorbat, those who like sport will be able to climb the Jebel Asdaf, where is placed an old fortress and you will enjoy its panoramic views.

SEE THE ROUTE ON A MAP

TIME: a whole day.

COST:

• If you have your own 4WD car, you can take on a guide for 200 DH.

• If you don’t have it, the best way to do this trip is renting a four wheel car with a driver (1500 DH including maximum four people).

• It is necessary to take something to eat for lunch.

Other possibilities

There are different one day tours you can make starting from El Khorbat, specially circuits with all terrain bikes. Other circuits are possible in one day from El Khorbat, specially mountain bike circuits. Don't hesitate to contact us for further information.