Ouarzazate
From Wikitravel
Ouarzazate (ورزازات) is a city in Morocco.
[edit] Get in
Buses from:
- Inezgane(close to Agadir) twice a day 80 dirhams (prices are negotiable, can be reduced till 50 DH)
- Marrakesh- CTM Bus 70 dirham(twice a day, morning, evening), grand taxi 100 per person
Regional bus is cheaper, but not as nice, and runs more often. Two bus stations.
Often two flights a day during the week from Casablanca. Note that as with the rest of the town, the airport shuts down in the middle of the day for siesta (at least during the summer), so make sure you have cash with you when you arrive, or you may find yourself stranded at the airport!
[edit] Get around
The area around Mohammad V is very walkable. The CTM station is there as well. Petits taxis for within the city (no more than 10Dh from the airport to the hotel), grands taxis for between cities (no more than 300Dh to Ait Benhaddou and back...though you can probably get it lower), including to Ait Benhaddou and surrounding Kasbahs.
Don't be surprised if during a local taxi ride the driver requests you to "transfer taxis" or has "a friend to pick up on the way." When this happens, a friendly English (or other language) speaking person will start pitching you outings, most of them to Erg Chebbi near Merzouga or Zagora. If you are not interested, just politely tell them so, but if you are, you can negotiate a reasonable price with them.
Ouarzazate is very safe, but dont wander into weird corners at night. Crime throughout the Moroccan south is minimal, but its best not to take (too many) chances.
[edit][add listing] Do
- Ait Benhaddou - one of the best preserved Kasbahs . Taxi can take you there for 300 dirhams (probably possible to haggle cheaper price), driver will wait couple of hours. Very picturesque place, lots of movies were shot there (Gladiator). 10 dirham to visit kasbahs. You don't need a guide, but locals will follow you pretending to help and at the end will ask for money. Careful not to get too wet from the river when crossing it, since there's been reports of Schistosomiasis contracted from the water.
- Walk along the central square behind Muhammad V at night when everyone comes out. The kids go out to play football on the square, people go eat and socialize, and youll get a feel for the community just walking around.
- Plan an expedition out to Merzouga, M'Hamid and the Dunes of Erg Chebbi. A night in the Sahara is unforgettable and can be the best part of your Moroccan adventure. Ourzazate is the last big town in the south where this is easy and cheap to do. There are lots of agencies around that can arrange a trek like this, though this is the more expensive way to do it. A cheaper way, if you dont mind worrying about a few details, is to rent a car, go out there yourself, and negotiate an overnight in the desert with a Merzougan auberge (most of them offer overnights in the dessert). Renting a car and driving the way is relatively easy if you drive a stick. The roads out that way are very good and easy to navigate. The overnight in the Dunes should only cost about 400-500Dh. A grand taxi will also take you out that way and back for 1500-2000Dh. Everything out here is negotiable, so shop around for the best price.
[edit][add listing] Buy
Whatever you buy, it is likely you can't find it cheaper in Marrakech or Fes. Realize everything is negotiable!
[edit][add listing] Eat
Plenty of cheap restaurants along Mohammad V. Normal price for tagine should be about 30Dh.
[edit][add listing] Drink
Bottled water is cheap (10Dh) and widely available.
[edit][add listing] Sleep
Plenty of hotels of all ranges around town. Ask a cabby to bring you to one, but realize he'll pocket commission for bringing you there. La Gazella- clean, cheap hotel (156Dhm double room with hot shower), safe parking in the courtyard, ATM just next door, bakery across the road. Hotel Saghro A bit out of town across the river (you'll need a grand taxi to get there), but the rooms are nice and there's a restaurant on site. They even have a pool.
[edit] Nearby
- I Roccha (Irocha), Tiseldey/Tisselday, [1]. Extremely friendly hosts and international mix of travellers. Quiet and relaxing place overseeing a valley in a small village of Tisselday. For New Year holidays, normally confirms booking only for those who visited previously (and hosts liked them). edit
[edit] Get out
Drive further through Zagora to M'Hamid for trips in the desert by camels, 4x4 or quad bikes.
| This article is an outline and needs more content. It has a template, but there is not enough information present. Please plunge forward and help it grow! |
- Bed & breakfast:
- Golf Ouarzazate
