I wonder how many Paradise Valleys there are on the planet!
I’d come across reference to this one on several occasions over the past few years and, being a huge fan of Morocco, I reckoned I had to be missing out on something spectacular if even half the hype was to be believed!
The opportunity finally presented itself this year, when we were passing very close to the valley en route from Essaouira to Agadir….
It was now or never!!!
It was always going to be just a quick visit rather than a full day out and, with continuing restricted mobility, I was never going to explore much of the area.
You’ll find the oasis in the Tamraght River valley in the High Atlas Mountains. The approach road makes for a spectacular drive..
The car park is busy – mainly with minibuses and rentals..
The path rises up away from the car park …..
…before revealing the valley below….
Down by the river, a few rather ramshackle restaurants line its banks. Some visitors choose to linger here, enjoying a drink while dipping their feet in the (somewhat murky!! ) water…..
….most continue along the path to the deeper pools for a proper bathe (although water levels have dropped in recent years).
Verdict?
The first thing I’ll say is that, for me, the journey was the best part – the arid mountain landscape is lovely. Secondly, I’ve seen quite a bit of Morocco at this stage – including beautiful unspoilt oases away from major tourist regions. Thirdly – I couldn’t manage the full walk so it’s unfair to judge on my impressions alone….
For anyone on their first trip to Morocco and staying at a resort town on the coast, this will certainly give one the experience of a lush oasis contrasting with the surrounding countryside. At less than an hour’s drive from Agadir or Taghazout, its the perfect distance for an outing and with your own transport, you can easily spend a full day here, walking, swimming and sunbathing. Bring a picnic or else enjoy a tajine in one of the cafes. It’s about a 20 minute walk from the carpark to the river – wear runners or hiking sandals ( I don’t know how many I met, struggling in flipflops!).
Paradise? No. Too touristy and developed for my taste – it just didn’t appeal.
BUT – I’m glad I went because I’d always wonder!
It looks pretty (and I see what you mean about the drive) but not especially so and certainly not paradise! I always worry about such labels – if they need to call it that, are they trying to oversell its wonders? It reminds me quite a lot of a spot we visited in Oman, Wadi Bani Khalid, which was beautiful but very much a semi-commercial bathing spot.
I know the place you mean – well Wadi Bani Khalid would be a LOT better maintained than this place!
It looks like an interesting place to spend a couple of hours maybe early morning or late afternoon to avoid the heat and the tourists.
We were there late morning of course so it was VERY hot. I’d say I met a tour group (they weren’t big – 8-10 persons usually) every 5 minutes – it was very busy …
I had a chance to experience Berber culture and cuisine on a full-day, private trip to Paradise Valley from Marrakech that included hotel pickup and drop-off, traditional morning tea, an optional cooking class, and a lunch of tagine and fresh-baked bread, but I decided to explore the city instead. As much as I desired to visit Paradise Valley’s waterfalls, natural swimming pools, cliff jumps, and waterslides in a dramatic mountain setting., I didn’t feel like travelling 276 km each way. It’s more suitable as a day trip from Agadir. Thanks for sharing, and have a good day 🙂 Aiva xx
Much too far from Marrakech for a day trip – you made the right choice Aiva. I’d say there are better options closer to the city – but probably not so well known. But it sounds like a lovely day out if it includes walking, swimming and cooking – they’re certainly ticking a lot of boxes!!!!
Did you have a wonderful Northern Light display in Sligo on Fri night? We missed the whole thing!!
We did see the Northern Lights in Sligo on Friday night. It was a truly spectacular colour display 🥰🥰🥰
Such a privilege…..
It is! Our friends travelled to Finland and Iceland to see them, but didn’t get a chance as it was overcast
Ah that’s the chance you take – we’d a similar experience years ago in Norway – saw a bit of a shimmer but it was a long way to go!
I’m always amazed by people I see with the wrong footwear! The journey does look like the best part, at least you won’t wonder anymore.
I think when booking tours like this one, people (ok – teenagers and 20 somethings) see the word ‘swimming’ and assume that their flipflops will suffice! Or- because it’s not going to rain, they’ll be fine… I can never understand it especially when they are heading off for a day – they can easily leave stuff on the bus if they don’t need it – maybe it’s an Irish thing but no matter where I am in the world I seem to head off every morning prepared for the four seasons!!!
Very interesting! I’ve never been to an oasis.
Well then a tour like this would suit you perfectly Marie – just to enjoy the experience. Most of them of course are like this one – just cultivated areas along river beds. But the first one we ever visited was in ’02 in Tunisia – it was quite remote and had the camels and tents ….. very exotic!
It’s a good opportunity to get in touch with nature, away from the cities where visitors spend more time sightseeing.
That’s it’s main appeal actually – in this case it’s definitely more about the journey than the destination but it makes for a lovely break away from the resorts…
It looks lovely, and a chance to see a real and largely untouched part of Morocco. I’m really enjoying seeing more of the country through your posts.
I know you’ll get there some time Hannah!
You seem to like visiting these warmer climates, lately. Maybe a cruise would be the best way for my wife and me to see Morocco for a second time. Thanks for the Valley tour.
I’m finding myself veering more and more towards warmer climes – but it’s actually the greyness here that gets to me nowadays rather than the actually heat (although I LOVE that too!). A cruise to Morocco sounds absolutely lovely – I presume the ships pull in to Tangiers and Casablanca and there must be fabulous day trips from both.