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About This Trip
Uncover the spiritual and architectural heritage of the High Atlas with a full-day trip to the Tinmel Mosque and the peaceful Ouirgane Valley.
Step back in time as you explore one of Morocco’s most important historic sites, nestled in a breathtaking mountain landscape. This experience combines cultural discovery, mountain scenery, and authentic Berber hospitality.
Details
Leave Marrakech behind and journey into the scenic heart of the High Atlas Mountains. Your first stop is the Tinmel Mosque, a hidden gem and UNESCO World Heritage candidate, built in the 12th century by the Almohads. Though no longer in use for worship, it remains one of the few mosques in Morocco open to non-Muslims, allowing you to admire its powerful architecture and historical significance.
Continue on to the Ouirgane Valley, a tranquil and less-visited gem known for its red earth, olive groves, and surrounding mountain peaks. Stroll through local Berber villages, enjoy panoramic views, and savor a traditional lunch in a charming guesthouse or local family home.
This cultural and scenic escape offers a rare glimpse into Morocco’s spiritual past and the quiet beauty of mountain life.
- This day trip from Marrakech takes you to the heart of the cradle of the Almohad dynasty, promising a fabulous experience.
- Leaving the Red City, you'll head into the High Atlas Mountains, passing through villages and towns to reach Ouirgane in the Red Valley of Azzaden. Here, the River Nfiss flows into a dammed lake, continuing on to feed another lake downstream, where a hydroelectric power station stands.
- The journey takes around 2 hours. Your journey will include a stop at the Tinmal Mosque, in the Marrakech-Safi region.
- From Ouirgane, you will follow the road along the river that meanders deep into the Ijokak region. This is where the descendants of the Almohad dynasty live and work the land. At every turn, you'll discover adobe and Berber stone villages, surrounded by fruit trees and fertile fields. Rural Morocco reveals its charms to you, especially in spring when the valleys are adorned with almond blossoms. This landscape, unchanged for centuries, will immerse you in the authenticity of a bygone era. In the village of Ijokak, pottery is made from the local red clay, and you may have the opportunity to visit one of the pottery workshops.
- Further up in this atmosphere steeped in history, the road takes you to Tinmel. This 12th-century brick mosque has stood the test of time with admirable resilience. Currently being restored, it has been given a roof so that it can be used again for prayer. The Tinmal mosque is one of only two in Morocco open to non-Muslims. It retains its original features and has a splendid design. A guided tour will reveal the mosque's special features and captivating history.
- Duration: Full Day
- Available: Everyday
- Departure point: Riad or hotel
- Departure time: 09:00 AM local time
- Return time: 07:00 PM local time
- Return point: Your accommodation or an accessible place
- Cancellation Policy: Free cancellation 24 hours before scheduled departure, no cancellation fee is charged.