Tafraout Voyage
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From Marrakech Full Day Trip To Ourika Valley Atlas Mountains
3 Days Desert Tour From Marrakech to Merzouga
Half Day Quad Biking In Marrakech
Marrakech Shuttle Airport : Transfer to Marrakech Hotels
2 days Sahara desert from Marrakech to Zagora
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Tafraout Voyage - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)
Tafraout Voyage
- See all photos
From Marrakech Full Day Trip To Ourika Valley Atlas Mountains
3 Days Desert Tour From Marrakech to Merzouga
Half Day Quad Biking In Marrakech
Marrakech Shuttle Airport : Transfer to Marrakech Hotels
2 days Sahara desert from Marrakech to Zagora
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Tafraout Voyage - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)
Our website has been redesigned! Our team is still the same, always ready to listen to you and create your own tailor-made trip.
- Where to go in Morocco
The foothills of the Anti-Atlas mountains
At 1200 metres in altitude, in the foothills of the Anti-Atlas, Tafraout (the glacial valley), owes its name to the vertiginous panoramas open onto a valley shaped like a bowl. Overlooking the fertile gorges brimming with date tress, almonds trees and argan trees, Tafraout is surrounded by the pink granite of the mountain. At sunset, the incandescent peaks reflect these shades offering a stunning show.
Visit Tafraout and discover the pleasures of its precious oils and especially, its famous almond and prune tagine! This old commercial junction provides the infrastructure for travellers to discover the many picturesque villages of the surrounding area. Every day harkens a new walk, on the flanks of rocky slopes, or in the valley’s verdant palm groves.
Excursions around Tafraout
The Ammeln Valley, at the feet of Jebel Lkest, is home to most of the region’s valleys. Along waterfalls and rapids, you’ll discover magnificent wild gardens where fig trees, olive trees, date trees, and almond trees grow! In the spring, when the valley is a sheet of flowers, the landscape is absolutely magnificent. At the mouth of the valley, visit the village of Oumesnat to familiarize yourself with Berber artistry. Walking through alleyways lined with surprising homes, stop by the Ammeln museum of popular art. You can reach the village for the Agadir roud north of Tafraout. On the Aït Baha road, in the direction of Agadir, you’ll discover the Tizrgane kasbah, a grandiose construction perched atop an isolated outcrop. In the village streets you can admire the subtleties of Berber architecture. On the road to Tiznit, stop and admire the blue boulders at the village of Agard Oudad, known also for its immense block of tilted red stone nicknamed Napoleon’s hat. Not far from here, a trail will lead you to Aoumerkt allowing you to discover the works of Jean Vérame “painter of the desert”. A natural art exhibit that should not be missed under any circumstance by visitors to Tafraout! Not far from here, on the road to Tassrit, go off exploring the gorges of Aït Mansour. If you have a car, you’ll cross 25 km full of fantastic views over Jebel Lkest before reaching a stunning palm grove at the foot of some cliffs. This is where you will set off for a beautiful hike bringing you to the little villages of the region, some of which boast very interesting rock carvings.
Discover our sample itineraries that will allow you to explore Morocco on a unique trip, depending on the time you have available…
Practical information
Far from the sea and sheltered by its steep mountain slopes, the Anti-Atlas region experiences hot dry summers and chilly winters. In February, the valley and its plateaus are in bloom transforming the landscape into a flowery wonderland! The best time to visit is from September to May as this is when the conditions are best for hiking around Tafraout.
Tafraout is about 150 km south-east of Agadir, about a hundred km south of Taroudant and east of Tiznit. If you are not renting a car, you can access the region by a shared taxi or bus for a three to four hour drive from Agadir a two to three hour drive from Tiznit or an eight hour drive from Marrakech.
Continue your discovery of our country and the preparation of your trip by exploring other articles in our travel guide dedicated to Morocco!
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Tafraout – Desert Morocco Adventure Tours
Last updated on: May 20, 2017 08:40 by Icho Ouarzazate | Reading: 3 minutes | Published: May 20, 2017 08:40 | Category: Morocco
This 2017, Tafraout is a great place to visit. With a lot of things to do such as going to different attractions and experiencing tours, you will have an amazing travel destination. Below are some of the attractions you cannot afford to miss.
Vallee d’Ait Mansour
Table of Contents
- 1. Painted Rocks
- 2. DMA Day Tours
- 3. One Day Tour in Tafraout
Tafraout is a place where there are a lot of scenic spots. Like in Vallee d’Ait Mansour, any avid traveler will be able to witness its stunning scenery. There are fauna, mountains, and flora that can catch your attention and tinkle your interest. You can find trees as well as palms that can help you unwind. It is very peaceful that is a perfect place to feel the power of nature.
Vallee d’Ait Mansour really takes pride in its globally competitive and hospitable chefs. It has the most excellent and flavorful omelet in the country that can satisfy your cravings. Though you can cook an omelet on your own, its food is very different. So, you have to try it when you go to Vallee d’Ait Mansour.
Painted Rocks
In the suburbs of Tafraout, you will find painted rocks. It is a magnificent and aesthetic place to visit. It gives a special beauty and unforgettable memories in the southern part of the city. You can also take pictures for souvenirs. For sure, your friends, colleagues, and family relatives will be enticed to go to Tafraout this year.
Having different colors, they become a wonderful and stunning view of rocks. You will be impressed with the scenic spots. You will also breathe fresh air that is conducive to a perfect travel experience. When you look up at the sky, you will be surprised by its bluish appeal as well.
DMA Day Tours
Do you want to ride on a camel ? Worry no more as there are DMA day tours specially tailored to cater to all your travel needs. There is a professional and friendly tour guide whom you will enjoy and love talking with. But, make sure to bring one of your friends to have a more thrilling experience.
Unlike other Desert Morocco Adventure day trips in other cities, Tafraout has services that are available at a fairer cost. You do not need to break the bank to experience sitting on a camel. Whether or not you have a group of friends, all of you have the chance to take advantage of the ride at an affordable cost.
One Day Tour in Tafraout
To become aware of the unique style and way of Tafraout, grab our day tour. It is a great way for you to know the culture, traditions, and beliefs of its people. Aside from that, you will experience the hospitality of the residents. You will feel very special when you travel all throughout the place.
When you are zealous to taste its unique cuisine, our team will help you. Any food you taste, you will love and enjoy it for sure. You will certainly ask for more. Go to Tafraout today to have an unforgettable and magnificent travel journey!
Join countless satisfied travelers who have experienced Morocco with us. We customize every detail to make your Moroccan adventure uniquely yours. Explore the Magic of Morocco with us!
About Author
My name is Youssef, but my friends call me Icho as this is my Berber name. I work as a driver/guide. I also organize tailor-made adventure tours for groups, families, and individual travelers through Morocco. My passion is learning different languages as in my job I meet a lot of people from different countries and it is great to speak their languages.
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Morocco: Road trip to the Sahara
By Laura Fowler
The empty road turns into a track that peters out into desert floor, with holes here and there - mice? snakes? - and even in February the sun is intense. The land stretches out in all directions, shimmering to an uncertain horizon. From out of the heat haze materialises a figure, indistinct as a mirage. The figure takes shape: a young woman, incongruous in jeans and T-shirt, walking out of nothing, two wolf-like creatures circling her.
We are on the edge of the Sahara, in the middle of nowhere. For three days I have been travelling deeper and deeper into Morocco's relatively undiscovered south. The journey began in Taroudant, a city which, like Marrakech, is enclosed in centuriesold walls; but one of Taroudant's attractions is that it is not Marrakech. Tourists are few. Its Sunday market is the real deal: people, bikes and market carts flow around each other instinctively, like a shoal of fish. Villagers come from miles around to sell their wares: oranges, mint and saffron, and livestock, lowing and farting, which leave their mark long after they have been taken home. (The going rate is around £30 for a goat; a camel can fetch more than £1,000.)
Across Taroudant's spice-coloured rooftops are views of the snow-capped High Atlas mountains in one direction, the rolling Anti Atlas in the other. Below is a maze of lanes and souks, where I'm told you can stroll safely and without hassle, and so I do. 'Bonjour!' the young men call, and 'Ça va?'
My sense of adventure wanes when I realise I am quite, quite lost. So when a caleche pulls up I climb in, feeling slightly absurd, the Queen of Sheba up here in my horse-drawn carriage. But people take little notice, and it is a good way to explore the old city, better than a car for peering into hole-in-the-wall workshops. Vignettes are played out in a film reel of a foreign land: a weaver at his loom; a jeweller stringing beads; a butcher's shop where a baby goat's head sits on a spike, its skinned carcass hanging beside it, testicles bloated in the sun.
In his tracksuit, my driver is something of a boy racer. He yells to groups of girls as we pass, and they giggle and yell right back. I had asked him to take me to the town square, from where I'd planned to walk home. But we twist and turn through unfamiliar streets, and suddenly here we are, at my guesthouse unbidden. How curious, I think; what remarkable intuition! Yet somehow, in this mystical, unpredictable place, it makes perfect sense.
Later, a low sun casts long shadows across the town square, which is hushed yet teeming - if loitering can be described as teeming - with men. Hundreds of men, listening to musicians and wide-eyed storytellers' emphatic tales of magic and morality, or sitting at cafe tables drinking tea and talking, talking. 'Moroccans love to talk,' says Said, my guide in Taroudant. 'We talk all the time, about nothing at all.' I stay close to him, shrouded from head to toe, wondering where all the women are. 'They want some peace and quiet,' says Said with a grin.
I find them in the hammam. It is an unnerving contrast: out there covering every inch of yourself, and then, through an unmarked doorway, taking off everything in front of everyone. This is about as far from a spa treatment as you can get. There are no coloured-glass lanterns to flatter your curves; a single lightbulb, as naked as we are, hangs from the barrel-vaulted ceiling.
My first impression is of flesh, acres of pinkly scrubbed flesh: great, pendulous, watermelon breasts and monolithic thighs. It is a cross between a municipal swimming-pool shower room and a WI meeting. Far from peace and quiet, cacophonous conversation bounces off the white-tiled walls where women sit washing each other and their recalcitrant children.
I pick my way through bodies and plastic buckets to a mat, where a matronly type puts me over her knee and goes at me with a scouring pad while I try to relax, self-conscious and rigid as an ironing board. It is painful and unforgiving, but it offers an intimate window into daily life; away from their men, Moroccan women are suddenly uninhibited, warm and welcoming. Besides, I'm making the most of it - I'm not sure when my next hot bath will be. Tomorrow the real journey begins: a road trip through the mountains and desert to see Morocco's little-explored south.
We are taking the scenic route - me, photographer James Reeve and Lahcen, our driver. It is hard to imagine an unscenic route; the scenery is everywhere, we are immersed in it. Leaving the green Souss Valley, the road climbs up into the Anti Atlas until my ears pop. There are pockets of beauty: stepped terraces of green, layered like millefeuille and crinkly-edged with dry-stone walls; almond trees in pale-pink blossom that smells of honey (and the honey here smells of almond). In a valley of spiky argan trees are hundreds of goats eating everything in sight; they climb, somehow, to the tops of the trees for the nuts (the stones of which, once the goat has finished with them, are cracked open and used to make oil). The road is curiously empty, which suggests we are going nowhere, slowly. There is no reason you can't drive yourself, though having a driver has its advantages: ours also plays the role of guide, translator, historian and geologist. (And I suspect he is under strict instructions from the tour company never to exceed 100kph, because his driving is nothing like any previous journey I have made in North Africa, the full horror of which, like childbirth, your brain tricks you into forgetting.)
A guide can take you to see caves, for example, formed millennia ago by waterfalls, long dry, the stalactites a petrified likeness. Or to visit Berber villages of mud huts and ancient tradition. To reach them we have to cross a glacial river, and there is no bridge. Adventurer Joseph Thomson, in the 19th century, took three hours to cross a river in the Atlas with the help of several dozen soldiers and slaves, horses and camels. In the absence of horses we leap from rock to slippery rock, to the amusement of the village children, who can do it - literally - with their eyes shut.
In open doorways women bake flatbread and shell argan nuts. One wrinkly old lady, who must be 100 years old, sits next to a great mound of nuts that will surely outlast her, a mobile phone in her lap. There is a village of beekeepers, eerily empty of bees and people; so superstitious are they about the evil eye that they keep their hives out of sight behind walls. In one house we kneel at a table and share a tagine with our hosts, eating with the left hand, then make a toast - 'B'saha' - with sweet gunpowder tea. Higher up in the Anti Atlas, the scenery becomes bigger and barer: there are great folds of red-rock mountains, formed in the Ice Age, their exposed strata looking like a contour map. As we drive, the country starts to unfold. Along the way there is much stopping: to look at the view, to invariably emerge. Conversation is limited; James and I call out 'Salaam alaikum' ('Peace be upon you') to everyone, with an enthusiasm bordering on derangement, to make up for our lack of Arabic and Berber.
'Salaam alaikum!' I call to a man, from whose donkey traditional music blares – a ghetto-blaster tucked under a blanket. He grins and replies, an unintelligible stream of guttural vowels, glottal stops and poor dental hygiene, then ferrets around in his bag and pulls out a couple of snakes: a snake-charmer on his way between villages.
In an oasis in the Tata valley, towering palm trees cast zebra-stripes of shadow across squares of chlorophyll-green barley, and children play football beside the water, watched by herons, until a herd of goats storms the pitch.
Three women in bright hijabs amble over, sequins flashing in the sunlight. They pick up rocks, handing some to me, then hurl them at the treetops to knock down dates. For such petite women they are remarkably strong and excellent shots, and they laugh when my attempts fail. Dates shower down, and they press them into my hands.
It is a delight to arrive at our accommodation in Tata. Dar Infiane is a restored kasbah, a rabbit warren of pretty courtyards and charming rooms cocooned within thick walls. Watch the step and mind your head: some doorways are not even shoulder-height, so you have to bend double and unfold yourself into your room, once you've found it. By breakfast - taken on the roof, looking across the palm-filled valley - the sun is already hot. Calls to prayer come layered from the town's numerous mosques. At the entrance to one, in a reeking backstreet, I glimpse figures bent double and dressed in white for Mawlid, the Prophet Muhammad's birthday, sonorous prayer reverberating around the ornate walls.
Outside the town, in the shade of the palms, a celebratory feast is being prepared. Four men stand over the sacrificial cow. I have missed the struggle, but am in time to see the head hacked from the body with knives too short for such a task, the mess of its great neck, red and white and oozing; and the hide peeled away like the skin of ripe fruit.
Tradition endures in Tata. The town clock is 3,000 years old, and the clock-keeper looks not much younger. Lahcen takes me to meet him, and explains: a floating bowl in a bucket of water has a tiny hole in it. When it fills and sinks to the bottom, that marks one hour, and the clock-keeper ties a knot in a piece of string. One man does this from dawn till dusk, every day. It is like hearing a holy man's description of infinity.
We sit with him awhile. A man on a motorbike putters by, white robes streaming out behind him: Lawrence of Arabia on his modern steed, and with a mobile phone pressed to one ear. Phones, but no clocks? 'Oh, they have clocks,' says Lahcen.
Further west we go into the desert, where there is nothing but scrub and the odd miraculous acacia tree. Now and then a person in the distance gives you some idea of the scale of the landscape. There are nomads wandering among the goats; a camel-herder and his camels, perhaps 50 of them; a man chasing a donkey, robes hitched up above his knees.
We have left the road and are in the desert itself when we see the woman in jeans and T-shirt. We stop the car and wave madly, and ask what on earth she is doing out here in the middle of nowhere, alone. 'Just taking the dogs for a walk,' she shrugs, as though it is the most normal thing in the world.
She is the girlfriend of Sylvain, a man who came here from France a few years ago and never went home, and who built the desert camp we are heading for, Campement Akka Nait Sidi. We may be on the edge of something vast and unconquerable here, but to them it is just their back garden.
Sylvain leads us on foot to the edge of an escarpment and, spread below, on a terrace overlooking the valley floor, are a handful of nomad-style tents. (You may arrive by camel, if you prefer, or ride one into the desert; but bring a cushion.) The tents, woven from goat hair, are basic but cosy, with rugs, a double bed, a table and chairs. It’s the location you come for, and the peace: when the wind drops there is no sound at all. A flock of birds takes off suddenly, as though under starter’s orders, with a whoomph that’s startlingly loud.
The sun sets fast, red and gold. Like lunch, dinner is tagine of goat, eaten in the dining tent or under the stars. A full moon eclipses the lanterns, casting shadows as distinct as the sun and turning the land silver. I stay up, wrapped in blankets, until the re burns out, looking up at the constellations and vowing to learn to identify even one; feeling very far away from the world, and yet more connected to it than ever before.
If in the village of Icht small boys appear and offer to show you something, let them. It is less ominous than it sounds: they will lead you into a pitch-black tunnel which winds up to the crumbling kasbah, built when Icht was a caravanserai on a trading route. I am staying at the more modern Borj Biramane, in a stone bungalow that feels luxurious after a tent.
The wind howls through Icht, filling my hair and pockets with dust. It is on the edge of the Sahara, and about as close to the no-man’s-land that marks the border with Algeria as you can get. The hotel owner, Philippe (another Frenchman), will take you further into the desert in a four-wheel-drive to marvel at the vastness and geological weirdness. Rhino, giraffe and antelope, long since moved on, were etched 5,000 years ago onto cubes of granite that look as though they might have tumbled down from the cliff yesterday. Within such spectacular scenery, the drawings seem paltry and insubstantial: modern graffiti on the face of eternity.
I run up sand dunes and look across lemon-meringue-pie hills, whipped into peaks, to where a moon has appeared in the pastel-streaked sky. It looks huge, and so close, its own highlands and deserts clearly visible. And II might as well be on Mars, in this otherworldly, inhospitable red terrain.
On the way to Amtoudi Agadir the road stops in mid-air. The bridge is gone. Last year, says Lahcen, heavy rain swept the bridge away; a year on, and still no bridge. We steer off the road and over the stones of the dry riverbed.
The agadir is a hilltop fortress, where from 400AD until the 1970s the villagers kept their valuables, from grain to gemstones. It’s a steep, 45-minute climb above Amtoudi – quite a way to go for the daily shop – and it is worth starting early to zigzag your way up in the cool shadow of the valley, just as the sun is painting the top of the hills pink.
At the summit, a dude in sunglasses and a jellaba opens the door to the fort with a key made of wood, and shows me round the tiny rooms full of dust and artefacts, and the towers from which sentries must have enjoyed the view. Then he’s off back to the village – he has an appointment with a carpet-fitter – and it’s just me up here with the birds and the bees. Gradually I tune in to the tiniest sounds. The bees are the busiest things I’ve seen all week. Life passes slowly here. I think of the women shelling the argan nuts, the watchful camel-herder, the clock-keeper monitoring the passage of time in a bucket.
Last stop: Tafraoute. This pleasant, sleepy town in the Ameln Valley, blanketed with almond blossom, is renowned for its beautiful women, and men come here to seek a wife. I will spend my last days hunting for antiques in the souk and lying by the pool at Chez Amaliya, on a terrace overlooking the valley’s striking rock formations (some of which were painted blue by the Belgian artist Jean Verame in the 1980s; they blot the landscape like a tattoo, though their scale is extraordinary).
Up on the mountain road, as we approach the Ameln Valley, Lahcen recalls a time he and his grandmother came here to revive body and soul in mineral springs, in a village called Lalla Mlouka, too small to appear on any map. The sun is hot, and the idea of a dip is appealing. But his memory is hazy and we come to a dead end; what was once a village is now fields again. Lahcen asks directions from a group of men, who all talk at once and at length. They gesture left and right. ‘They have never heard of it,’ says Lahcen eventually.
At the top of a steep hill, we stop and ask directions from a man and his wife. She is carrying a huge basket of wood on her back; he is carrying nothing at all. ‘Is that normal?’ I ask Lahcen, who looks embarrassed. ‘Maybe in the countryside,’ he says. ‘But in Marrakech, there is a woman who drives a bus!’
No one seems to have heard of Lalla Mlouka. We are about to give up when Lahcen, on a hunch, swings down a bumpy lane. On foot we skirt barley fields, following a spring upstream.
‘Here,’ he says. ‘This is for the women.’ He points across a gully, and respectfully leaves me to it. There is nothing here except a concrete cubicle, inside which are three girls, shivering and wet. Behind them the space drops away. Before I can change my mind I undress, leaving my clothes on the dirt floor, and blindly descend the steep steps into darkness.
‘Salaam alaikum!’ I call out. A hand comes up out of the gloom and guides me into the pool, warm and sulphurous. As my eyes become accustomed to the dim light from above, I make out three heads above the water; smiling, offering hands and names, theirs all strangeness and song. And I sink down into the water, fully immersed, in something real, and unseen.
WHERE TO STAY IN SOUTHERN MOROCCO
Dar Zitoune, Taroudant A delightful escape from the city, with its pool, gardens, spa and bar, well-trained staff and tasteful, spacious bungalows with hammam-like showers. 00 212 528 551141; www.darzitoune.com. Doubles from €120
Palais Salam, Taroudant Beloved for its faded grandeur and its shady, blue- and-white-tiled courtyards and fountains. In the dark lounge, stale cigarette smoke and a sense of better days long past hang in the air. But the rooms are authentic. 00 212 528 852130. Doubles from 934 dirhams (about £75)
Dar Infiane, Tata A restored kasbah full of labyrinthine passageways, pretty courtyards and unusual rooms; one, a gallery, has ve single beds, like a dwarves’ cottage, and looks down onto a salon with a piano. The staff are great, and so is the food. Knowledgeable French owner Patrick Simon can take you on a tour of the area. 00 212 661 610170; www.darinfiane.com. Doubles from around €80
Campement Akka Nait Sidi, Tissint A French-run, nomad-style desert camp in the most stunning location. Seven basic but comfortable tents, two dromedaries, solar- heated water in the shower block and a plunge pool for when the weather really hots up. The dining tent has daybeds and a firepit for evening socialising. 00 212 662 024184; www.cans-akkanaitsidi.com. Tents from about £45
Chez Lahcen, Tissint If camping doesn’t appeal, this is a more comfortable option. Opened last autumn on a cliff high above an oasis outside Tissint, this joint venture between Frenchman Sylvain Pidlon and the eponymous Lahcen Ousaïd has four rooms, all large, cool and minimal. 00 212 662 024184; www.cans-akkanaitsidi.com. Doubles from about £80, half-board
Borj Biramane, Icht It looks like a campsite, but don’t be put off; the rooms are well designed with nice bathrooms, the food is good and the French owners could not be friendlier. There’s a pool in the summer months. www.borj-biramane.com. Doubles from about £40
Chez Amaliya, Tafraoute The pool terrace, with its views of the Lion’s Head rock formation, is the reason to stay at this little guesthouse owned by a Dutch woman and her Moroccan husband. The food is good, too, but the rooms are small and dun-coloured. 00 212 528 800065; www.chezamaliya.com. Doubles from about £30
GETTING TO SOUTHERN MOROCCO
Naturally Morocco (www.naturally morocco.co.uk) can arrange bespoke itineraries like this to Southern Morocco and the Western Sahara.
BEST TIME TO GO TO SOUTHERN MOROCCO
Go in spring for the almond blossom and to avoid the summer heat.
To get connected to one of our most trusted tour operators to help you plan and book a trip to Morocco, or to see an itinerary curated by our editors, email [email protected] .
A Berber woman making flatbread
A bedroom at Chez Lahcen, Morocco
The city wall alongside Avenue Moulay Rachid, Morocco
An almond tree in blossom on the road to the Anti Atlas
Connor Sturges
Tabitha Joyce
Olivia Morelli
Sarah Rodrigues
Campement Akka Nait Sidi, Morocco
A bedroom at Dar Zitoune, Taroudant, Morocco
Lahcen Ousaid, co-owner of Chez Lahcen, Morocco
A sheep for sale in Taroudant's Sunday market, Morocco
A bedroom at Dar Infiane, Morocco
The restaurant at Dar Zitoune, Taroudant, Morocco
A snake charmer, Morocco
A passageway in the Amtoudi Agadir fortress, Morocco
View from the roof terrace at Dar Infiane, Morocco
Pool and gardens at Palais Salam, Taroudant, Morocco
The gardens at Dar Zitoune, Taroudant, Morocco
A courtyard at Dar Infiane, Morocco
Napoleon Rock, outside Tafraoute
Outside the dining tent at Campement Akka Nait Sidi, Morocco
Market stalls in Taroudant, Morocco
Goats feeding on a roadside argan tree between the Souss Valley and the Anti Atlas mountains, Morocco
The pool at Chez Amaliya, Morocco
The fortress's key-keeper, Morocco
The clock-keeper (right) and a friend in Tata, Morocco
Naopleon's Hat, Morocco
Tafraoute – a wonder away from tourist trails
- By Cristian
- June 28, 2023
Lunar landscapes, pink washed kasbahs and… painted rocks.
If Titans of Greek mythology, those giant supernatural beings fighting gods, ever had played in their childhood at molding boulders and cleaving rocks, Tafraoute, a little town 3 hours drive south of Agadir, must have been their playground. One hardly ever tires of happening upon most peculiar shapes. As I survey the horizon from the top of the highest crag of the area, vis -a- vis Napoleons Hat
– never met the chap yet it’s awkward how a French general’s name has stuck here out of all places – it dawns on me that we are in the presence of a geological accident. It is only Tafraoute and its surroundings where rocks seem to be piled upon each other forming granite crags jutting out of the ground, as some kind of absurd dream of a pharaoh renouncing too early the endeavor of erecting a colossal pyramid and leaving all detritus behind.
Besides me, the barren ridges of the Anti Atlas glint in the distance, half brazen, half charred, depending where you look from. Except for the astute acacia tree, sprouting sometimes plain horizontally out from between the stones, no stain of green or pasture greets the eye, if you except the few scattered shrubs here and there past hoping for the next rains to come soon. There is a time of day, not too long before dawn, where the sun slants the rocks as they gradually transform into metal mirrors, slick with the last rays of light.
The lumps of stone, eggs, potatoes, ice cubes, slabs, shards, at least that is what they seem to me, are piled up on top of each other. Come on, who dropped that on top of that ?! I hear myself speaking out loud. Not so far away, a gigantic stone egg seems to be tipping on top of a stool. For a second, I could just dart over and nudge it, see if it wobbles. But who’d want to alter anything in this Martian landscape ? Not that I’d know how that looks like. What is undeniably not Martian is the winter sun. Morning brought along a layer of frost on the window of the 4×4 that has by now long thawed away, as the thermometer shows 21 Celsius. Not bad for 1 January.
Tafraoute retains the aura of tradition and authenticity in a Morocco somewhat ‘adapted’ to tourists and their expectations. A Mecca for the hippies in the 70’s, the construction of its main hotel, Hotel des Amandiers, was inaugurated by no less than King Mohamed 5 in 1959, which says a lot about the ambitions of a tiny village to become a booming tourist destination. Needless to say, that boom never happened, not in the 1970’s when Agadir was Morocco’s star in the golden age of sea and sun tourism a s hordes of sunken Europeans were disembarking on the Moroccan coast in search of vitamin D and exoticism, and neither in more recent times when culture shock and local everything are banners highly flown. Yet, why not keep things as they are ?
Next afternoon I find myself in a carpet shop, where Hassan takes me through a grove of books about hiking, rock climbing, canyoning and trekking. After all, the area yields plenty to satisfy the most demanding. The lofty Anti Atlas ridge, culminating with Jebel Kest summit at almost 2400 meters high towers over the town and would stretch a few glutes, Tafraoute itself lying at 900 meters altitude. On the way, beware of the Lion’s Head. No, not the animal, the Moroccan lion being extinct now for at least a century, but a rock formation on the southern slope resembling the said feline. Speaking of rock climbing, an English couple and their friends have set up hundreds of climbing routes around Tafraoute, published a book and created a website .
Seeming a bit disheartened, if I were to take a guess, most likely by the drop in tourism caused by the pandemic, Hassan doesn’t even bother to try and sell me a carpet from the thorough selection. A Jewish wool cape hangs on the wall next to the entrance and I stop to admire it briefly. The last rays of sun caress the boulders as I make my way to the Painted Rocks , just a few miles outside the village and pitch camp for the night.
The morning is chilly. Clouds have gathered on the horizon and even the stone lumps have been engulfed by the fog. Later in the morning, the fog dissipates and an azure blue sky prevails. The surrounding villages are a joy to behold with their vintage pink- washed kasbahs. I briefly stop for a chat with Jean and Bernadette, the owners of El Malara , where myself and many of our guests have resided in the past.
When is time to leave, only one thing is on my mind: when will I get back ? A silent vow is made, to return before summer and not solo. Hidden wonders like this one are best enjoyed in good company… Fifteen years of living in the country have perhaps blunted my ability for being easily enthused. Here, in Tafraoute, the martian landscape makes almost all of the caché. There is no doubt about it. Yet, overcoming it, a feeling of a place that hasn’t changed much, that in a way is still redolent of… Morocco. Unimpacted yet by the mass tourism. And likely to continue so. For many of us, that’s priceless.
© Sun Trails 2021. All rights reserved. No part of this article may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher.
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Tafraoute – Practical Information
Tafraoute is a haven of peace.
Journey from Agadir: 1 hour 25 mins / 85 km
Main city of the Anti-Atlas, Tafraoute is a mixture of houses in pink colors and small shopping streets set in a breathtaking landscape. Villages and palm groves dot the Ammeln Valley, and the colors of the high mountains blaze at dawn and dusk. With all its charm, Tafraoute is an ideal base for multiple activities, including hiking, mountain biking and paragliding. The peak day in Tafraoute is Wednesday, Souk day (GPS point: 29.720698, -8.972851).
In the center of Tafraoute, you will find a very pleasant little market with renovated alleys, on the hill dominated by the minaret. Craftsmen in their shops offer antiques, rugs and crafts (including the famous multicolored round-toed slippers). The women wear their magnificent traditional clothes hemmed with braids.
The city is a symbol of rest and tranquility. You can find some unique events there throughout the year:
- The Almond Festival which takes place in February of each year.
- The Anarouz Film and Mountain Festival, it takes place once a year during the spring.
- The Tifaouine Festival of songs and music, it takes place once a year, in summer.
Far from the coast and well sheltered by the mountain range, Tafraoute experiences a hot and dry climate in summer, and it can be very cold in winter. In February, the valley and the plateaus are covered with almond trees in bloom, and offer a fabulous landscape! The months of September to May are the best months for hiking around Tafraout.
The paths leading to the village of Ammeln or to Aguerd Oudad (painted rocks ) allow you to take unforgettable walks.
How to get there:
Tafraout is located about 150 kilometers southeast of Agadir, a hundred kilometers south of Taroudant and east of Tiznit. In Agadir, just take the N10 to the R105 towards Biougra – Ait Baha- Tafraoute. If you do not a have a vehicle, you can opt for collective taxis or for buses, which will allow you to reach Agadir (3-4 hours) or Tiznit (2-3 hours). From Marrakech, count on at least 8 hours of road.
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The Best Time Of The Year To Visit Tafraoute 🤩 – A Seasonal Guide
The best time of he year to visit Tafraout is during spring (March to May) to witness the stunning almond blossoms or in autumn (September to November) for a more tranquil experience.
These seasons offer pleasant weather and a range of outdoor activities. Avoiding the extremes of summer and winter ensures an optimal visit to this Moroccan gem.
In this guide, we’ll explore the best times to visit Tafraout , taking into account its climate, activities, and cultural events.
Table of Contents
What kind of weather can I expect in Tafraout?
Tafraout generally has a Mediterranean climate with warm, dry summers and mild winters. Summers can be hot, with temperatures reaching the mid-30s Celsius (mid-90s Fahrenheit). Winters are milder, with daytime temperatures ranging from 10 to 20 degrees Celsius (50 to 68 degrees Fahrenheit). However, temperatures can vary, and it’s advisable to check the weather forecast before planning your visit.
Best Time to Explore Tafraout’s Landscapes:
Spring blossoms:.
Tafraout’s almond blossoms, painting the landscape in vibrant hues, are a sight to behold. The best time to witness this natural spectacle is during the spring months when the region undergoes a captivating transformation.
Summer Adventure
For outdoor enthusiasts, summer presents an ideal time to explore Tafraout’s rugged terrain. Hiking, rock climbing, and discovering the beauty of the Anti-Atlas Mountains are popular activities during this season .
Autumn Tranquility
Autumn brings a sense of calm to Tafraout, with mild weather providing an ideal setting for a peaceful retreat. This season is perfect for those seeking a more relaxed and culturally immersive experience.
Winter Charm
Winter in Tafraout has its own unique charm. Visitors can enjoy winter sports and participate in cultural events, making it an enticing option for those who appreciate a different side of the region.
Festivals and Events in Tafraoute:
Welcome to the yearly Almond Blossom Festival! It happens around the second week of February, when the almond trees are bursting with flowers. If you visit Morocco during this time, you’ll enjoy traditional dance, Berber stories, beautiful blooming trees, and, of course, tasty food at this unique festival!
10 Best Hotels in Tafraout Under $19 In (2024) With 😮 Scenery
To truly immerse yourself in the local culture, consider planning your visit aroun d Tafraout’s festivals and events . This subsection will provide an overview of these cultural celebrations, helping you align your trip with vibrant local traditions.
Understanding Tafraout’s Climate:
Overview of tafraout’s climate:.
Tafraout experiences two distinct seasons – summer and winter. Each season brings its own charm, offering visitors a diverse range of experiences.
Temperature:
- Summer (June to September): Warm, around 80°F to 86°F.
- Winter (November to March): Cooler, between 38°F and 59°F.
Precipitation:
- Wet Season (October to April): More rain, peaking in December.
- Dry Season (April to October): Very little rain, especially in June and July.
- Bright Season (April to August): Lots of sun, with June having the most.
- Dark Season (November to February): Less sun, with December having the least.
- Windy Period (March to June): Windier, peaking in May.
- Calm Period (June to March): Less windy, especially in August.
Best Time to Visit:
- General Tourism (May to September): Good for outdoor activities.
- Hot-Weather Activities (July to August): Ideal for beach and pool visits.
- Almond Blossom Season (March to May): Beautiful landscapes.
- Cultural Festivals: Check for local events.
Tafraoute-10 Best Photography Spots 😍 (Stunning Views) 😍
Overview Chart
Best times:.
- Tourism: May to September.
- Hot-Weather Activities: July to August.
Consider local festivals and the stunning almond blossom season for a complete experience.
6 Best Places To Eat in Tafraout -Top Secret Restaurants
Temperature and weather patterns.
Throughout the year, Tafraout witnesses variations in temperature and weather conditions. Understanding these patterns is key to planning a visit that aligns with your preferences.
Practical Considerations:
9 Things To Do in Tafraout With Recommendations and Tips
Accommodation and Availability
Booking accommodations well in advance is advisable, especially during peak seasons. This subsection will offer practical tips on securing the best lodgings and ensuring a comfortable stay.
Budget-Friendly Options
For budget-conscious travelers, certain times of the year offer special deals and opportunities to save on expenses. Discover the best strategies for making the most of your budget without compromising on the experience.
Local Tips and Recommendations while Visiting Tafraoute:
Insider tips from locals.
Local insights can enhance your Tafraout experience. Learn from the locals about magnificent Berber jewel, lesser-known attractions, and valuable advice that goes beyond the typical tourist guide.
Some Practical Tips from Locals For More Cultural authenticity While Visiting Tafraoute:
- Local Markets: Visit the weekly souks (markets) for a genuine taste of daily life. Bargain respectfully and try local produce.
- Guided Berber Tours: Opt for local guides for treks or tours. They provide unique insights into the landscapes and culture.
- Homestays: Consider staying in a Berber homestay for an immersive experience. You’ll learn about daily life firsthand.
- Berber Phrases: Learn basic Amazigh phrases. Locals appreciate the effort, and it can lead to meaningful interactions.
- Cafes and Tea Houses: Frequent local cafes and tea houses for casual conversations. It’s a great way to connect with friendly residents.
- Respect Cultural Norms: Respect local customs, especially in more conservative areas. Dress modestly and ask permission before taking photos.
- Transport Tips: Ask locals for the best modes of transportation. They often know reliable and affordable options.
- Safety Insights: Inquire about safe areas and practices. Locals can provide valuable guidance on navigating Tafraout securely.
- Weather Wisdom: Check with locals for weather tips. They know the nuances of local climate changes that might not be in standard forecasts.
- Local Festivals: Keep an eye out for local festivals or events. These gatherings offer a fantastic chance to experience Berber traditions.
Here are Some Frequently ask Questions about Tafraoute Weather:
What is the typical weather in Tafraout?
Tafraout experiences a Mediterranean climate with warm, dry summers and mild winters.
When is the best time to visit Tafraout for pleasant weather?
The best time is spring (March to May) and fall (September to November) when temperatures are moderate.
How hot does it get in Tafraout during summer?
Summer temperatures can reach the mid-30s Celsius (mid-90s Fahrenheit).
What is the temperature range in winter?
Winter temperatures range from 10 to 20 degrees Celsius (50 to 68 degrees Fahrenheit).
Does Tafraout experience rainfall?
Rainfall is limited, and the region is mostly dry, especially during the summer months.
Are there temperature variations in different parts of Tafraout?
Yes, temperatures can vary, and mountainous areas might be cooler than lower elevations.
Should I be prepared for sudden weather changes?
While Tafraout is generally stable, it’s advisable to check the weather forecast due to potential variations.
Can I expect cool evenings in Tafraout?
Yes, evenings can be cool, especially in the winter, so bringing layers is recommended.
Are there specific weather-related considerations for hiking in Tafraout?
Hikers should be aware of temperature fluctuations and carry sufficient water, especially during the warmer months.
How accurate are weather forecasts for Tafraout?
Weather forecasts are generally reliable, but it’s advisable to check closer to your travel date for the latest updates.
From what i have experienced as a guide, i believe that choosing the best time to visit Tafraout involves considering a variety of factors, from climate to cultural events. By following this guide, you’ll be well-equipped to plan a trip that aligns with your preferences and ensures a memorable experience in this enchanting Moroccan destination.
Mountain Biking Tour in Tafraoute – Exploring the Blue Rocks
Hello! My name is Mohamed Machich. I’m a passionate tourist guide living in Morocco, and I’m excited to share my knowledge and expertise through this website . Let’s embark on an unforgettable journey together!
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13 Days - Cruising in luxury along the Russian Volga river.
When it comes to river cruises in Russia, the Volga Dream offers an unprecedented level of luxury, as well as the finest accommodation, delicious food, best service and care in the industry. The advent of the boutique Volga Dream reveals the tsarist-era luxury and provides superior service, installing the ship as the class of the waterway. These voyages have half the amount of guests that are on other Russian River cruises and offer small group tours . These voyages also offer premium hotels in the centre of town during your sightseeing stays in Moscow and St. Petersburg.
The Volga Dream with 60 crew members and a capacity for just over 100 passengers, has the lowest passenger-to-crew ratio among Russian river cruise ships. With so few guests amid the ship’s spacious arrangement, it feels like sailing aboard a private yacht. You’ll find no hassle disembarking at the various ports of call, no delays at mealtime.
This cruise can be from St. Petersburg to Moscow or in reverse. It stops at quaint villages, such as the tiny, picturesque island of Kizhy, along the way and gives you plenty of time to explore Russia in detail.
The Volga Dream voyages are a wonderful way to see a beautiful country so rich in history and the culture.
Please note that all our itineraries, inclusions, dates and prices displayed on this website may change at any time. If you book an itinerary today and have this confirmed it will be the itinerary that is delivered to you. However, the online itinerary on our website may change in the meantime.
As a Certified B Corporation, 50 Degrees North has designed this tour using handpicked local hoteliers and suppliers who share our ethos of delivering services and activities of high social and environmental standards.
The CO2-e per person per day of all tours is carefully measured following each season. We fully offset all emissions of our tours on your behalf, and we constantly look at ways to reduce emissions where possible.
Transportation
MS Volga Dream carries 109 passengers, with a crew of 60. The ship has 56 comfortable cabins and all feature either a window or a porthole and a bathroom with separate glass shower. Each cabin is equipped with air conditioning, mini-bar, safety deposit box, telephone, and flat screen television featuring international satellite programming and films as well as various radio and music channel options.
The highlight of this cruise for many travellers spending time on the Volga Dream was getting to meet the crew. They are gracious and talented hosts who really go out of their way to make sure everyone has a wonderful journey.
- Accommodation in comfortable centrally located hotels in Moscow and St. Petersburg
- Daily sightseeing in small groups of never more than 20-25 guests
- Visits to the Kremlin & Armory Chamber, City tour & Metro ride, Red Square & GUM Department store, Armory and Tretyakov Gallery in Moscow
- Visits to the magnificent Hermitage, Catherines Palace in Pushkin, Faberge Museum, Peter & Paul's Fortress, City tour and Peterhof (Lower Park & Bath Cottage) in St. Petersburg
- 4 breakfasts in the hotels
- 6 breakfasts / 6 lunches / 6 dinners aboard MS Volga Dream with unlimited house, including a BBQ on deck
- House wines, beer and soft drinks included with all lunches and dinners
- Free time to explore in St. Petersburg and Moscow
- 24 hour coffee station
- Welcome & farewell cocktails
- 4 fascinating lectures by Russian professors about Russian history and politics
- Diverse range of cultural activities aboard MS Volga Dream including Russian Dinner & Vodka testing, Russian classical music concert, cooking lessons, tea ceremony and more.
- Russian visa invitation letter
- Arrival & departure transfers
- Welcome meeting with the guide
- Daily supply of bottled water
- Port charges
Not Included
- International flights
- Visa to Russia
- All services not mentioned in the program
- Tips and Gratuities
Day 1 - Arrival in Moscow
Upon arrival in Moscow, transfer to the deluxe Marriott Aurora located in the historic city centre near the Bolshoi Theatre and Moscow Kremlin. In the evening gather for the warm-up meeting with your guide (available at the hotel lobby from 6pm to 9pm) or spend the rest of the day exploring central Moscow on your own.
Please note that the itinerary from St. Petersburg to Moscow mirrors itinerary from Moscow to St. Petersburg. You can choose which way you wish to travel by the dates of the departures.
2021 programs: Gold program: Hotel in Moscow is Ararat Park Hyatt or Marriott Aurora. Platinum program: Hotel in Moscow is Marriott Aurora or St. Regis.
Restaurants
Optional Add Ons
Day 2 - Exploring Moscow - city tour & Novodevichi Cemetery
Begin the day with an orientation city tour of Moscow and then proceed to the famous Novodevichi Cemetery which holds the tombs of Russian authors, musicians, playwrights, and poets, as well as famous actors, political leaders, and scientists.
The rest of the afternoon is at leisure to explore Moscow on your own or seek out a cultural performance at one of the city’s renowned venues.
This evening you can enjoy an optional opera or ballet performance at the famed Bolshoi Theatre (subject to the schedule of performances). Ask us before departure to secure your seat.
City tour includes: Red Square walking tour, St. Basil's Cathedral (photo stop w/o entrance), GUM Department Store (entrance), Cathedral of Christ the Savior (entrance if time and availability allows), Novodevichy Cemetery (entrance).
2020 City tour includes: Red Square walking tour, St. Basil's Cathedral (photo stop w/o entrance), GUM Department Store (entrance), Cathedral of Christ the Savior (entrance if time and availability allows), Novodevichy Cemetery (entrance).
2021 City tour includes: Tverskaya Street, Lubyanka Square, Kremlin embankment, Cathedral of Christ the Savior (entrance if time and availability allows), Novodevichy Cemetery (entrance), Novodevichy convent (photo stop).
Day 3 - Visit the Kremlin and the Armoury Museum
This morning enter the Kremlin for a visit to the Armory Museum, with its collection of tsarist thrones, ceremonial crowns, coaches and gifts of state. Continue to the beautifully frescoed 15th-century Assumption and Archangel Cathedrals.
The balance of the day is at leisure for independent exploration or optional tours at your choice.
2021 program: In addition to Kremlin, visit the magnificent Red Square and its famous landmarks - Lenin's Tomb and St. Basil's cathedral (outside), a colorful multi-domed complex whose architects were supposedly blinded by Ivan the Terrible so that they would never again be able to recreate such splendor.
Day 4 - Tretyakov Gallery & Metro Ride then embarkation on the Volga Dream
This morning is free for an independent walk or lunch in hotel near-by area. At noon, check-out from your hotel and proceed to Tretyakov Gallery, the first museum dedicated exclusively to Russian fine art. Explore Moscow’s Metro, known for its architectural splendour and transfer to the awaiting luxurious MS Volga Dream to begin sailing along the Russian waterways. Gather for the Captain's welcome reception and dinner as we begin our cruise.
Volga Dream Experience: Bread, Salt & Vodka Welcome Aboard Ceremony
Accommodation
Day 5 - Cruise to Uglich, a Golden Ring city dating back to the 10th century
After a full day of cruising through forested countryside, dock in the ancient trading town of Uglich, one of the spokes of Russia’s renowned Golden Ring. Explore the impressive Church of St. Dmitri-on-the-Blood, erected on the site where Dmitri, son of Ivan the Terrible, was murdered in 1591, and attend an enchanting concert of choral music at St. John’s Church.
During the cruise, you will have opportunities to partake in activities, some cultural, informative and others, relaxing. There are guest speakers on board certain voyages and there are movies shown on Russian Culture and History. There are chances to learn the Russian Cyrillic alphabet and learn traditional crafts. You can get into the the kitchen and learn some Russian cooking secrets or get 'behind the scenes' in the heart of the ship - the engine rooms.
Volga Dream Experience: Documentary Film “Construction of the Moscow Canal”
Day 6 - Stroll in the oldest city on the Volga River, Yaroslavl, a World Heritage site.
Founded in 1010, Yaroslavl is one of the oldest cities in central Russia and the Volga’s first port. In the Spassky Monastery see the Transfiguration of the Savior and admire the mosaics at the Church of Elijah the Prophet. Take part in a costumed reception at the governor’s house, and then re-board the MS Volga Dream in time for lunch.
Volga Dream Experience: Costumed Russian Tea Ceremony & Russian Cooking Class
Day 7 - Visit the village of Goritsy to tour the fortress-like Kirillov-Belozersky Monastery.
Early this morning we cross Lake Beloye, or the White Lake, formerly known as the “tsar’s fishing grounds”. Arrive in the peaceful village of Goritsy to tour the fortress-like Kirillov-Belozersky Monastery with magnificent frescoes by one of the Russia's most renowned icon painters. Return to the ship for a late lunch.
Volga Dream Experience: Russian Dinner with Vodka Tasting
Day 8 - Explore a tiny, picturesque island of Kizhy, a UNESCO World Heritage Site on the Lake Onega.
The Kareliya region, which spans the area from St. Petersburg to the Arctic Circle, is a vast wilderness of forest and water. Discover Lake Onega, fed by 58 rivers and home to 1,369 islands, including Kizhi. See a collection of ancient Russian wooden houses and windmills, and the famous Transfiguration church, built in 1714 without a single nail.
Volga Dream Experience: Piano Concert – pieces by Tchaikovsky and Rakhmaninov
Day 9 - Navigate the Svir River toward Lake Ladoga, Europe's largest freshwater lake.
Be on the deck as we navigate the Svir River toward Lake Ladoga, Europe's largest freshwater lake, past a shoreline dotted with graceful willows, alder trees and stately pines. Step ashore for a brief visit to either Mandrogi or Svirstroy - a small and charming village on the River Svir, with a population of about 1000. Warm and welcoming Svirstroy villagers will offer tea with jam and “pirozhki” (local pies). They will enthusiastically tell you all about Russian tradition, lifestyle and the attractions of Svirstroy village while proudly showing off their homes and kitchen gardens.
After tea hop on a bus for a tour of the nearby town to see the monument of the WWII and visit a local primary school.
Volga Dream Experience: Barbeque on the Open Deck
Day 10 - Arrive into St. Petersburg
Disembark this morning in St. Petersburg, which Peter the Great transformed from marshland into the vibrant city of islands, canals, bridges and pastel-colored palaces. Continue with an orientation tour of St. Petersburg and enter Peter and Paul Fortress, this family shrine of the Romanovs.
Following lunch enter the famed Hermitage Museum, whose four hundred rooms contain spectacular examples of nearly all schools of Western art, including one of the greatest collections of French impressionist works. This evening check-in at the five-star Kempinski Moika 22.
This evening enjoy an optional opera or ballet performance at the famed Mariinsky or Mikhailovskiy Theatre (subject to the schedule of performances).
City Tour includes: Peter & Paul Cathedral (entrance), Split of Basil Island (walking tour), St. Isaac Cathedral (photo stop), Spilled Blood Church (photo stop), Nevskiy Prospekt drive.
2021 Program: Hermitage visit on day 11
Day 11 - St. Petersburg's Peterhof - often cited as the "Versailles of Russia".
Begin today at the meticulously restored Peterhof, St. Petersburg most famous and spectacular Imperial estate, often cited as the "Versalles of Russia". Visit authentic Bath Cottage and stroll in the vast Lower Park with 176 fountains of various forms and styles and four cascades, majestic palaces, numerous gilded statues of ancient gods and heroes. Tour: 10am - 3pm
The balance of the day is at leisure for independent exploration.
2021 Program: The day begins at the world class Hermitage Museum, home to one of world’s most important collections of European art.
Day 12 - Catherine’s Palace, Amber Room & the Faberge Museum
This morning travel to Catherine the Great’s Palace, which houses the extraordinary Amber Room, its six tons of solid amber deftly carved and framed in gold leaf. Once deemed the “eighth wonder of the world,” the room was stripped by the Nazis in 1941, but majestically reconstructed in honour of St. Petersburg’s 300th birthday.
After lunch at Podvorie, a restaurant in a traditional Russian log house, return to St. Petersburg and visit Faberge museum, which contains world's largest collection of works by Carl Faberge, including 9 Easter eggs commissioned by the Russian royal family.
2021 program: This morning, join one of the optional tours or explore St. Petersburg at your own pace. In the afternoon, drive to Catherine the Great’s Palace. Visit to Faberge museum is not included in 2021 Gold program.
Day 13 - Tour ends in St.Petersburg
Transfer to the airport this morning for your flight.
Important Information
This voyage can be upgraded to the Imperial, which includes Four Seasons hotels, cabins, smaller groups on excursions and included activities such as early entrance to the Hermitage and local lunches.
Gold Program Room categories on Volga Dream:
- Standard - cabins are all twins (101-118).
- Superior - Stateroom on the main deck all twin (201 - 210).
- Deluxe - Stateroom on Promenade deck (double; 301-315, 317-324) or Sun deck (twin; 406-409, 411 & 412)
- Junior Suite - double on Promenade & Sun deck (316 & 406).
- Deluxe Junior Suite - double on Sun deck (402-404).
- Owners Suite - double on Promenade deck (300).
- Single - Standard Single on the Promenade deck (325 & 326) .
- Single - Deluxe on Sun deck (410).
Special Guest Lecturers on each journey are a wonderful addition - if designing your trip around these lecturers interests you, please let us know.
Please note:
- There is only a photo stop by the Church of Spilled Blood in St.Petersburg. If you wish to go inside you will be able to do it in your free time (it is centrally located).
TRAVEL WITH CONFIDENCE:
• Passenger health and safety is Volga Dream’s highest priority. • Volga Dream is a small ship with only 100 passengers, which means social distancing is easily achieved. All staterooms and suites have independent ventilation, air-flow systems and individual air conditioning units. • Passengers with flu-like symptoms will not be allowed to board. • All public areas will be disinfected and sanitized frequently and daily. Handsanitizing facilities will be provided on board. • Guests and staff will be subject to regular temperature monitoring. • The ship has well-equipped medical facilities and there is always a doctor on board.
Interactive Tour Map
If you want to commit to a booking please use the Book Tour form below.
Enquire about this tour
Book your tour now. We will contact you to confirm this request.
Click here to book this tour
Visa Requirement
Please note for China, Mongolia and Russia, you will need to arrange your visa before you go. We have supplied links to these visa applications within our Visa section. It is your responsibility to do this before your trip but please don't hesitate to speak to us if you need any assistance. It isn't unusual for our guests to have questions particularly about the Russian visa so please call us if you are in any doubt.
Volga Dream Russian River Cruises
Practical information for your volga dream russian river cruises.
Internet Connection You can access Internet through Wi-Fi in the Lounge on your personal computer or use public computers connected to the Internet in the Library. Internet connection is available 90% time during the cruise.
Smoking Guests are asked to refrain from smoking in all inside areas at all the time. Smoking is only allowed in a specially designated outside area on the Sun Deck.
Elevators Unfortunately, technical layout of the ship does not allow to build an elevator. Main stairs however, have been reconstructed in a way to make them less steep and more comfortable for walking.
Special Dietary Requirements Along with the regular dishes, our standard daily menu also features a vegetarian option. If you have special dietary requirements (vegan, low salt, no pork, etc.) please make sure to send them to us. Our Chef and Maitre D will follow your personal diet and will serve the food you are used to.
Optional Drinks During the cruise all extra expenses will be charged to your personal on board account which shall be cleared on the last day of the cruise.
Forms of payment on board We do accept all types of credit cards, including Visa, Master Card, Circus, and American Express. Unfortunately we do not accept travel checks and other forms of non-cash payment.
Special Dress Code We advise that our guests are dressed elegantly and comfortable during the cruise, but do not apply any special dressing requirements. For the Captain's Welcome and Farewell Cocktails and also evening concerts cocktail dressing and jackets has been frequently chosen to wear by our guests.
Languages Spoken The main language spoken on the cruise is English.
Travel Safe
Travel insurance and safety.
Travel insurance is compulsory for all tours with 50 Degrees North. The safety of our travellers, staff and operators is a major priority of 50 Degrees North. With an operational office in Norway, 50 Degrees North has access to an up-to-the-minute flow of information regarding the countries we work in. We are also in regular contact with the various operators we use. Their in-depth knowledge and understanding of their various areas is vital.
Tafraout Voyage
- See all photos
From Marrakech Full Day Trip To Ourika Valley Atlas Mountains
3 Days Desert Tour From Marrakech to Merzouga
Half Day Quad Biking In Marrakech
Marrakech Shuttle Airport : Transfer to Marrakech Hotels
2 days Sahara desert from Marrakech to Zagora
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
TAFRAOUT VOYAGE (Marrakech) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Moscow/Zelenograd and New Moscow
- 1.1 By plane
- 1.2 By train
- 4 Events, Festivals
Zelenograd and New Moscow are two large parts of Moscow city, that lie (often far) outside consolidated residential zone of the city, which lies within and just beyond the MKAD (Moscow Ring Road).
Zelenograd was added in Moscow in 1968 as one of the leading scientific centers. New Moscow was added to Moscow in 2012, forming Novomoskovky and Troitskiy Administrativniy Okrugs with plans of new vast expansion. New Moscow territory is yet to change according to its new city status. Even though suburbial kind construction intensifies in Novomoskovsky Administrativniy Okrug, Troitskiy Administrativniy Okrug still mostly has a rural feel.
Get in [ edit ]
By plane [ edit ]
Vnukovo and Ostafyevo airports are situated in New Moscow proper, though from Ostafyevo airport you still have to go through the "old" Moscow. It is possible to get from Sheremetyevo to Zelenograd without going to the old city - you have to change to 400 minibus on Leningrad highway or on local train on Planernaya. From Domodedovo airport you'll have to go through the old city anyway (the route through Domodedovo and Podolsk will take more time).
By train [ edit ]
Local trains connect Zelenograd with Leningrad Train Station, Tver, Klin and Konakovo. Local trains from Kiev Train Station pass through northern part of New Moscow between Novoperedelkino and Krekshino. To go to Zosimova Pustyn you may want to go all the way to Bekasovo, but trains there are infrequent. It is possible to get to New Moscow through Podolsk, but you'll have to change to bus there.
By bus [ edit ]
Most frequent bus to Zelenograd is bus 400 from Rechnoi Vokzal. It has special pricing. Buses are primary way of public transport to get to New Moscow, new buses are often added. Most buses start from Yugo-Zapadnaya and Tepliy Stan metroes, and Podolsk train station. Troitsk serves as a bus hub.
By car [ edit ]
Zelenograd is accessible by M10 highway. Major highways in New Moscow are M3, A101, Warsaw highway Podolsk - Kresty (joining with A101), first "Beton Ring" A107 and Borovsk highway Peredelkino - Vnukovo - to join with M3. M10 and A101 are often highly congested, M3 may be less prone to it, except Moscow vicinity, and crossing with A107, A107 is congested near M3 crossing, which is northwest of New Moscow; Warsaw highway is congested in Podolsk, and you'll have to pass congested M2 to get there from MKAD.
Connect [ edit ]
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- Moscow Tours
Our 20 Best Moscow Tours of 2022
Join us on an unforgettable tour to Moscow, the capital of Russia. Imagine visiting Red Square, St. Basil’s the Kremlin and more. Moscow is one of Europe’s most vibrant cities and one of Russia’s most historical. All of our tours to Moscow are fully customizable and can be adjusted to fit any budget. Our most popular tours are listed below. Please click on the tour details to learn more or contact us for more information about our Moscow tours using the form at the side of the page. You can also schedule a call with one of our Russian travel specialists to learn more.
Classic Moscow
This is our most popular Moscow tour that includes all the most prominent sights. You will become acquainted with ancient Russia in the Kremlin, admire Russian art in the Tretyakov Gallery, listen to street musicians as you stroll along the Old Arbat street, and learn about Soviet times on the Moscow Metro tour.
Accommodation
PRIVATE TOUR
A Week in Moscow
This tour is a perfect choice for those who wish to get to know Moscow in depth. One of the highlights of this package is the KGB history tour which gives an interesting perspective on the Cold War. You will also have time for exploring the city on your own or doing extra sightseeing.
Weekend in Moscow
This tour is a great way to get acquainted with the capital of Russia if you are short of time. You will see all the main attractions of the city, the most important of which is the Kremlin - the heart of Russia. The tour starts on Friday and can be combined with a business trip.
Group Tour Moscow Break by Intourist
Russia's capital has so much to offer, from the Kremlin and the Metro to the Old Arbat street and the Tretyakov Gallery. Besides these sites, you will also visit a fascinating country estate which today is quite off the beaten path, Gorky Estate, where the Soviet leader Lenin spent the last months of his life.
Kolomenskoye Tour with transport
The history of Kolomenskoye stretches back for centuries. In 1380, Dmitri Donskoi’s army passed through Kolomenskoye on their way to the Kulikovo battlefield, and it was...
Tours by car
Kremlin, Red Sq., Cathedrals & Armory Tour
The Kremlin is truly a fascinating structure, at the same time it is an ancient tower, the city’s former military fortification, a palace, an armory, the sovereign treasury...
Walking tours
Kremlin, Red Sq., Cathedrals, Armory, Diamond Fund Tour
Old Arbat walking tour
You will be told of the street’s interesting history and view the street’s artisan culture. You will also have the opportunity to view and purchase souvenirs from the...
Tour to Sergiev Posad with transport
Considered by some to be the Russian Vatican, Sergiev Posad is the temporary residence of the Patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church. The Trinity St. Sergius Monastery (Lavra)...
Tour to Kuskovo with transport
The Kuskovo Estate often called the Moscow Versailles due to its perfectly preserved French park, is an example of an 18th century, luxurious Moscow summer residence. Its history...
Tour to Tsaritsyno with transport
The Tsaritsyno Estate is located in the southern part of Moscow. The estate was constructed for Catherine the Great by the Russian architects Bazhenov and Kazakov in a romantic...
Moscow Metro and Old Arbat Tour
The Moscow Metro is one of the largest and most grandly built metro systems in the world. It was meant to be a showcase of the Soviet Union’s achievements for both the Russians...
Vodka Museum Tour with transport (excursion and vodka tasting)
Vodka is an important component of Russian life, an element of national identity and everyday culture. We invite you to visit the Vodka Museum and feel the atmosphere of long-gone...
Mikhail Bulgakov Apartment Museum
This apartment museum located close to Patriarch Ponds became the prototype of the "bad apartment" described in the novel "The Master and Margarita." Currently the museum's...
Kremlin, Red Sq., Cathedrals & Diamond Fund Tour
The State Museum of Lev Tolstoy Tour
Take this opportunity to learn more about the Russian writer Lev Tolstoy. During the visit to the museum you will see part of a vast collection of exhibits connected to Tolstoy...
Novodevichy Convent Tour with transport
Tour of the Novodevichy Monastery. Founded in 1524 by Grand Prince VasiliIoanovich, the original convent was enclosed by fortified walls and contained 12 towers. The structure...
City Tour with Visit to St. Basils & Red Sq. with transport
Panoramic City Tour. This Moscow tour is a great start to your trip and the best way to get acquainted with many of the city’s major highlights. Our professional guide will...
City Tour of Moscow
Head to the heart of Moscow with a professional guide on a 4-hour private walk through the city center. See Tverskaya and Old Arbat streets, Theatre Square with the world-famous...
Moscow Metro walking tour
Kremlin, Red Square and Cathedrals Tour
KGB Tour with transport
This is a very interesting and insightful tour. You will visit places connected with Stalin’s terror - a time of great repression and fear. You will be shown monuments to...
Soviet and Post-Soviet Moscow Tour
The tour begins with a drive or walk down Tverskaya Street – a Soviet masterpiece. In the years of Soviet power, Tverskaya began to undergo a transformation: it was widened...
Tretyakov State Gallery Tour
This world-famous gallery contains masterpieces of Russian art beginning in the 10th century up until today. You will view exquisite Russian icons and paintings from the 18th and...
Jewish Heritage of Moscow Tour
This tour offers a detailed look into the history and present-day life of the Jewish community of Moscow. On the tour, you will visit sites connected with the cultural and religious...
Vodka Museum Tour with transport (excursion only)
Lena, our guide in Moscow was excellent. She was very knowledgable and could answer any question we had for her. We liked that she could pick up on our interests and take us places we might not have thought of to go. When we realized that one of the places we had chosen to see would probably not be that interesting to us, she was able to arrange entry to the Diamond Fund and the Armoury for us. Riding the Metro with Lena was a real adventure and a lot of fun. In Saint Petersburg we found Anna well versed in the history of the Tsars and in the Hermitage collection. Arkady in Veliky Novgorod was a very good guide and answered all of our questions with ease. Novgorod was perhaps a long way to go for a day trip, but we did enjoy it. Vasily was a great driver to have and kept us safe with good humour and skill. We enjoyed ourselves so much, my daughter says she is already planning to return. We would both have no hesistation to recommend ExpresstoRussia to anyone we know.
Just wanted to let you know that My grandson Bruno and I couldn´t have been more pleased with our week in Moscow (6/15 - 6/21). We were absolutely enchanted with the whole experience, including getting lost a couple of times in the Metro during our free time. Although both our guides (both Eleanas) were excellent, I would particularly commend the first one (she took us to the Tatiakov, the KGB tour, and to that beautiful cemetery where so many great Russian artists, authors, composers, musicians, militarists, and politicians are buried). Her knowledge is encyclopedic; and her understanding of today´s Russia as a product of its past was, for us, truly enlightening. I will be taking another tour in Russia, with my wife, within the next two or three years. I will be in touch with you when the time comes. Meanwhile, I will refer you to other potential visitors to Russia as I meet them.
Tours to Moscow
Our Moscow tours are land only meaning that you arrange your own air travel to Russia and our expert staff meets you at the airport and handles everything else from there. Our online Airline Ticket booking system offers some of the most competitive rates to Russia available on the web so if you need tickets, please visit our Russian air ticket center . Rest assured that you will be taken great care of on one of our Moscow tours. Express to Russia has a fully staffed office in Moscow that will help to make your visit fun, informative and unforgettable. Please remember that of all these tours are private and can be adjusted to your taste. You can add, replace or skip some sights; you can add more days to the package or cut the tour short. Our specialists will be glad to help you create the tour of your dreams!
Moscow, a City Like No Other
Moscow is Russia’s largest city with a population of between 12 and 13 million. It is also Europe’s largest city and when you visit Moscow, you can feel it. The layout and architecture of the city is eclectic, ranging from crooked, ancient streets and alleyways to wide, bustling boulevards, from medieval churches to Stalin skyscrapers and to modern, glass buildings towering over everything and of course in the center of it all is the Kremlin and the magnificent Red Square. Moscow is also home to a fantastic, efficient and very beautiful metro system – each station having its own special design. In fact, Express to Russia’s Moscow metro tours and excursions are some of our most popular attractions that we offer. On our Moscow tours, you will see this and more.
Moscow Tours centering on Russian History
Moscow has a long and interesting history and has been the capital of Russia in many of its different iterations – capital of the Grand Duchy of Moscow , the Russian Empire and of course the Soviet Union (who could ever forget the Soviet Union?). Moscow, was founded in the 12th century by Prince Yuri Dolgaruki (Yuri of the long arms – he really did have long arms!). From that time on, it was home to the Russian Tsars until Peter the Great moved the capital to St. Petersburg in 1703. The city has survived invasions and sieges from the Mongols, the Tartars, the Poles, Lithuanians and Napoleon but has always persevered. Our Moscow tours will enlighten you on this great history and give you insights into Muscovites and their unique culture. Our Moscow tours show you what the city is like today but also brings to life the past. Moscow never seems to sleep and is bursting with energy. A Moscow tour with Express to Russia is truly the best way of getting to know Russia’s largest and most vibrant city.
Frequently Asked Questions From Our Travelers
What is the best time to visit moscow.
Any time of year is fine depending on what you plan to do. Summertime is pleasantly warm, ideal for exploring the city and its vibrant atmosphere, but Moscow will be much busier and accommodation is more expensive. Winter can be quite cold but beautiful nonetheless, and this is unproblematic if you intend to spend most of your trip in museums and galleries. There are also various festivals and events organised throughout the year. For more information about the best time to visit, read our guide
How many days are enough in Moscow?
If you plan your itinerary strategically and aren’t averse to a packed schedule, you can cover Moscow’s main sights over a long weekend. Most popular attractions are in the city centre, and the Moscow Metro allows you to cover much ground in a small amount of time. Ensure that your accommodation is fairly central and book tickets in advance, so that you can make the most of your days. For an informative and well-organised day out, check out our Moscow day tours with options to suit all interests.
Do they speak English in Moscow?
As Russia’s capital city, tourists are well accommodated in Moscow. There should be English-speaking staff in restaurants, bars, hotels, shops and attractions in tourist hotspots, and there are also English-speaking tourist police. Transport services have English translations on their maps and English announcements via intercom; alternatively, order taxis from the Yandex Taxi app (Russian Uber), though it’s unlikely that your taxi driver will speak English. If you get stuck and cannot communicate, it’s fine to use Google Translate.
Is it safe to travel to Moscow?
It is no less safe to travel to Moscow than to any European city if you exercise common sense and look after your belongings. As with every city some regions can be more unsavoury than others, but no tourist attractions are located there. The traffic in Moscow is notorious, so exercise caution when crossing roads. Do not take unlicensed taxis; book in advance or take public transport, which is widespread and perfectly safe. If you encounter any problems, look for the special tourist police who can help you. For more information, read our guide about staying safe in Russia .
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The travel agency Tafraout Voyage Inter organizes excursions, trips and tours from Marrakech to several destinations in Morocco. You'll find day trips to Essaouira, to Ouzoud Cascades, the Ourika Valley, Ouarzazate and its Kasbahs and many other destinations. ... We completed the 3 day, 2 night Sahara excursion with Tafraout and were so happy ...
Tafraout Voyage: Great Excursion! (2 day, 1 night Sahara) - See 60 traveler reviews, 29 candid photos, and great deals for Marrakech, Morocco, at Tripadvisor.
Tafraout Voyage: sahara desert tour - See 60 traveler reviews, 29 candid photos, and great deals for Marrakech, Morocco, at Tripadvisor.
Nestled in a valley among the Anti-Atlas Mountains in the south of Morocco is one of the country's most precious treasures: the secluded oasis of Tafraoute. You will have to drive some 250km from Agadir on winding roads and dirt paths to get there. Once you arrive you will realize Tafraoute is worth the effort.
The travel agency Tafraout Voyage Inter organizes excursions, trips and tours from Marrakech to several destinations in Morocco. You'll find day trips to Essaouira, to Ouzoud Cascades, the Ourika Valley, Ouarzazate and its Kasbahs and many other destinations. You can also visit the imperial cities of Morocco such as Fez, Meknes, Rabat and ...
Book your tickets online for Tafraout Voyage, Marrakech: See 59 reviews, articles, and 29 photos of Tafraout Voyage, ranked No.799 on Tripadvisor among 2,608 attractions in Marrakech. ... When we arrived in the Sahara desert, our camels were waiting for us and we rode them about an hour to the camp site. The camp site far exceeded our expectations.
Que faire Tafraoute : visitez les plus beaux endroits Tafraoute, préparez votre voyage et vos vacances (hébergement, location, transport, activités).
From Agadir the R105 leads to Tafraoute in 3 hours. From Taroudant, the P1723 leads south to the R106 which gets you onto the R105 to Tafraoute (3 hours). Coming from Tiznit on the R104, in a small settlement called Jemaa-Ida-Oussemlal, there is a junction with signs both pointing to Tafraoute; One says 40 km and the other 60 km.
What not to miss. Tafraoute is the perfect base for climbers, hikers and those interested in exploring Berber culture in the surrounding hills. Although guidebooks generally mention the town's key sights (see below), the real beauty of Tafraoute is the drive to and from the town. Road R105 runs over the tail end of the Anti Atlas mountains ...
Excursions around Tafraout. The Ammeln Valley, at the feet of Jebel Lkest, is home to most of the region's valleys. Along waterfalls and rapids, you'll discover magnificent wild gardens where fig trees, olive trees, date trees, and almond trees grow! In the spring, when the valley is a sheet of flowers, the landscape is absolutely magnificent.
Recherchez les Horaires et Prix des voyages Trans Tassaout - نقل تساوات, comparez avec d'autres sociétés et achetez votre billet en ligne en 2 minutes, partout au Maroc ! Trouvez les horaires, l'emplacement des gares routières, le numéro de téléphone, les promos et les services offerts à bord des bus Tarfaya Travel - أسفار طرفاية.
1. Painted Rocks. 2. DMA Day Tours. 3. One Day Tour in Tafraout. Tafraout is a place where there are a lot of scenic spots. Like in Vallee d'Ait Mansour, any avid traveler will be able to witness its stunning scenery. There are fauna, mountains, and flora that can catch your attention and tinkle your interest.
WHERE TO STAY IN SOUTHERN MOROCCO. Dar Zitoune, Taroudant A delightful escape from the city, with its pool, gardens, spa and bar, well-trained staff and tasteful, spacious bungalows with hammam-like showers. 00 212 528 551141; www.darzitoune.com. Doubles from €120.
Tafraoute retains the aura of tradition and authenticity in a Morocco somewhat 'adapted' to tourists and their expectations. A Mecca for the hippies in the 70's, the construction of its main hotel, Hotel des Amandiers, was inaugurated by no less than King Mohamed 5 in 1959, which says a lot about the ambitions of a tiny village to become a booming tourist destination.
Tafraout is located about 150 kilometers southeast of Agadir, a hundred kilometers south of Taroudant and east of Tiznit. In Agadir, just take the N10 to the R105 towards Biougra - Ait Baha- Tafraoute. If you do not a have a vehicle, you can opt for collective taxis or for buses, which will allow you to reach Agadir (3-4 hours) or Tiznit (2-3 ...
The best time of he year to visit Tafraout is during spring (March to May) to witness the stunning almond blossoms or in autumn (September to November) for a more tranquil experience. These seasons offer pleasant weather and a range of outdoor activities. Avoiding the extremes of summer and winter ensures an optimal visit to this Moroccan gem.
Tafraout Voyage, Marrakesh, Morocco. 1,547 likes. Tafraout Voyage is a travel agency located in Marrakech very close to the Jemaa el Fna big square. We offer our clients many services like day trips...
Tafraout Voyage: Great Three Day Sahara Tour with Adell - See 60 traveler reviews, 29 candid photos, and great deals for Marrakech, Morocco, at Tripadvisor.
Russia has been subject to major terrorist attacks starting from a series of explosions that hit Moscow apartment blocks in 1999, followed by the Moscow theater hostage crisis in 2002 and the Beslan school siege in 2004.. The Islamic State has also carried out coordinated, large-scale attacks on music venues throughout Europe since the 2010s, including a similar attack in Paris during a rock ...
The Volga Dream voyages are a wonderful way to see a beautiful country so rich in history and the culture. Day 1. Arrival in Moscow. Day 2. Exploring Moscow - city tour & Novodevichi Cemetery. Day 3. Visit the Kremlin and the Armoury Museum. Day 4. Tretyakov Gallery & Metro Ride then embarkation on the Volga Dream.
The travel agency Tafraout Voyage Inter organizes excursions, trips and tours from Marrakech to several destinations in Morocco. You'll find day trips to Essaouira, to Ouzoud Cascades, the Ourika Valley, Ouarzazate and its Kasbahs and many other destinations. You can also visit the imperial cities of Morocco such as Fez, Meknes, Rabat and ...
Zelenograd and New Moscow are two large parts of Moscow city, that lie (often far) outside consolidated residential zone of the city, which lies within and just beyond the MKAD (Moscow Ring Road).. Zelenograd was added in Moscow in 1968 as one of the leading scientific centers. New Moscow was added to Moscow in 2012, forming Novomoskovky and Troitskiy Administrativniy Okrugs with plans of new ...
This tour is a perfect choice for those who wish to get to know Moscow in depth. One of the highlights of this package is the KGB history tour which gives an interesting perspective on the Cold War. You will also have time for exploring the city on your own or doing extra sightseeing. $ 941 From/Per person. Details.