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Finding a date in the Draa Valley…

Last updated on January 22, 2016 by Claire / this article contains affiliate links (Info)

PREVIOUS LOCATION: 

SAHARA SUNRISE

NEXT LOCATION: 

AIT BENHADDOU

Morocco destination guide travel planning addict

Well, in fact, I found millions of dates in the Draa Valley... the fruit kind I mean. Sorry for the bad joke... And the worst is that I don't like eating dates... So we just drove through this beautiful valley and here are some pictures.

Draa Valley - Morocco - Things to do - Travel Guide

INFO & PLANNING TIPS - Draa valley

The Drâa valley runs Southeast of Ouarzazate. It is home to the Draa river (the longest in Morocco, 1100km) which flows from the High Atlas mountains and emerges over 95km between Agdz and Zagora. Thanks to the river a lush oasis has formed and it is filled with palm tree plantations.

Zagora used to be the end point of the trade caravan from Tombouctou. (which takes 52 days with camel according to a sign there). But the valley's history goes back for thousands of years.

TIPS FOR TRAVEL PLANNING ADDICTS

Getting to the Drâa Valley

  • N9, 50km Southeast from Ouarzazate
  • Main cities of Agdz and Zagora

Visiting the Drâa valley

  • The area is actually huge. Driving along the oasis via small roads will take you a good portion of the day
  • Most people only drive through it on the way to the desert
  • HIghlights include walking through the Palmeraies, the date market in Agdz 4WD driving to see the rock formations all around,  rock carvings and the waterfalls of Tisgui and more
  • Becoming more and more touristic, the valley offers good accomodation

The Drâa river

The Draa river is the longest in Morocco. It used to be flowing all along but now many portions are dry.

Draa river, Morocco

Purple mountains

What I loved the most were the layered red-mauve mountains. Their shapes and colors were fascinating. 

Draa valley purple mountains, Morocco
Draa valley palm trees and purple mountains, Morocco

The palmeraies

The Draa valley was originally known for its olives. However when the caravans came, they started palm tree plantations because the trees allowed to create more byproducts apart from the dates: carpets, shade, baskets...

And now there are palm trees everywhere!!!!  According to my guide there are 4 million palm tree in the area... that means a lot of dates...

Of course what you will see depends on when you go. The fruits are picked in October​.

Draa valley palm trees, Morocco
Draa valley - dates on palm trees, Morocco

The dates

We stopped by some market vendors selling dates. I had no ideas there were some many varieties of dates!

Draa valley - date market, Morocco

The end of the valley

Then we drove to the end of the valley and stopped on our way back to Ouarzazate to see intriguing shapes in the canyon and mountains.

Draa valley - geological formations, Morocco 1
Draa valley - geological formations, Morocco 2
Draa valley - geological formations, Morocco 3
Draa valley - geological formations, Morocco 4

Do you like dates?

PREVIOUS LOCATION: 

SAHARA SUNRISE

NEXT LOCATION: 

AIT BENHADDOU

Morocco destination guide travel planning addict

  

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I am the Travel Planning Geek behind the ZigZag Travel Guides. My goal is to provide you with clear and practical information to help you plan unforgettable trips! Read more

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