Morocco day 16. From Merzouga to Azrou

Submitted by maria on Mon, 23/09/2024 - 13:42

Today we have a long day's drive, heading north to Fez, but we will spend the night in Azrou.

Risani market

Risani market

 

 

We stop in Risani for breakfast and take the opportunity to visit the weekly market that is being held today. The city is very lively, apart from the fruit and vegetable market you can also see the animal market.

Risani had an important strategic position thanks to the caravans of traders passing through in the direction of the Sahara, hence the importance of the market.

We have breakfast in Panorama café for 210dh 4 pax, with Berber tajine of eggs with tomato, bread, jam, cheese and tea.

 

Risani market

Risani market

 

 

We continue our way north on the N13 towards Erfoud towards the Ziz valley, where, apart from the incredible views, you can still see ancient ksaors and kasbahs.

 

Ziz valley

Ziz valley

 

 

We stop in the small village of Meski, near Er Rachidia, to visit the Source Bleue, a complex of natural springs and fountains that is in decline, next to the palm grove and a camping area. We are approached by a very friendly man who shows us around the complex, now without water, due to the abuse of the aquifers for irrigation. He says that next year the main pool will be repaired and water will be available again. He invites us to a tea included in the entrance fee 10dh/pax.

 

Source Bleue

Source Bleue

 

 

We continue our way to Dounia Kasbah where we eat a free buffet menu for 100dh/pax not including drinks, but you can bring your own water.

 

Roast chicken

Roast chicken

 

 

As we move north, the landscape changes from arid desert to vast fields of cereal crops, olive groves and meadows with large herds of cattle. Nomadic settlements for grazing.

The mountains are covered with trees, especially cedars, and we are approaching one of the most important cedar forests in the country.

 

Gite Camping

Gite Camping

 

 

On arrival in Azrou we bought dinner in a shop in the centre of the village. It is a very lively town.


Our accommodation is on the outskirts, the Gite Camping Amazigh, two double rooms with shared bathroom 37€/4pax. The bathroom in the building was the worst but in the camping area there was a better bathroom.


We enjoyed a beautiful sunset.

 

 

Sunset

Sunset

 

 

Accommodation in Gite Camping Amazigh two double rooms with shared bathroom 37€/4pax.

Breakfast at Panorama cafe for 210dh 4 pax, with Berber tajine of eggs with tomato, bread, jam, cheese and tea.

Lunch at Dounia Kasbah where we eat a free buffet menu for 100dh/pax not including drinks, but you can bring your own water.