Activities

discoveries, excursions & experiences in southern morocco

At Dar al Hossoun, you can enjoy the tranquility of the place whilst walking around the gardens, painting, taking pictures, swimming or enjoying some traditional Moroccan cuisine at our cookery classes, or simply relaxing at the Spa or by the pool.

For those who wish to have a more active time, there are plenty to choose from: hikes, taxis, or carriage rides, visits to the souks and tannery nearby, discovery of the “lost” valley of the High or Anti-Atlas region, Berber villages and tours of private homes and gardens.

Having travelled across Morocco for over 20 years and settled in Taroudant since 2009, we live and work in southern Morocco and would be happy to share with you our experiences, our outlook and stories during some of the many walks and trips we offer on a one-to-one basis.
Taroudant is the perfect place to discover the Souss area: Taroudant, the surrounding valleys and mountains, Agadir and the Atlantic coast…

THE EXTRAORDINARY IGOUDARROAD (FORTIFIED GRANARIES)

1200dhs / pers. (from 2 people).

Departure 9H15 return 17H30.

Accompaniment, guided tours, tea, lunch and transportation included (8h00 approximately)For lovers of culture and historical heritage, we will guide you to discover the most beautiful fortified collective granaries of Morocco.

Originally each Amazigh (Berber) village had its agadir or igherm (igoudar plural). Population, crops, seeds, jewelry… were sheltered in these fortified constructions. Each family had a private cell inside the walls where there was also a small mosque, underground water tanks and a prison, enough to hold a siege!.Heritage of exception with great architectural value some igoudar have been the subject of exceptional restorations.

A 1H15 from Dar al Hossoun, the doors of several Igoudars (granaries) that are dating back more than 700 years will be opened for you by Lamin (“the trusted man) appointed by the population and still keeper of the keys. A traditional tea will be served in the agadir. In the immensity of the Anti-Atlas landscapes, you will continue the road towards the Kasbah of Tizourgane, “the small Carcassonne”, granite granary dating from the XIII century. A fortress
became kasbah with the construction of dwellings within the enclosure itself in the XVI century.

Lunch served on the terrace of the fortress, the plateaus of the Anti-Atlas at your feet. On the way you will be able to stroll through a colorful traditional weekly souk. This popular place of the Moroccan life will offer you a trip in the time (Wednesdays and Sundays in Aït Baha, Thursdays in the small village of Khémis Ougnidif).

VISIT OF TAROUDANT

590dhs / pers. (from 2 people).

Support, lunch and transport in a horse-drawn carriage included (4h approx.).

We propose to discover Taroudant, its souks, the tannery, the Salam Palace…

Departure from Dar al Hossoun in a horse-drawn carriage, a tour of the ramparts and then discovery of the medina and its souks.

A stop at the tannery to discover the treatment of the skins and the manufacture of local leather goods in the tanners’ stalls (very reasonable rates).

A walk in the city center will allow you to discover the framework and the way of life of the Roudanese families…

Discovery of Sidi or Sidi, one of the oldest houses (made of adobe) of Taroudant and its collection of rare plants. Lunch on the spot.

Before returning, we will take you to the Salam Palace, former residence of the Pasha of Taroudant and former mythical hotel… a refreshment will be served on the spot, before your return trip in a horse-drawn carriage, to Dar al Hossoun

GARDEN & EARTH ARCHITECTURE SIDE

730dhs / pers. (from 2 persons).(from 2 persons)

Accompaniment and transportation included (Duration: about 4 hours)

In the medina of Taroudant and outside the ramparts, we offer a guided tour of 4 to 6 houses and private gardens, including Dar al Hossoun and Al Borj (program according to availability of places).

Note: the visit program may change according to the availability of the places. Please consult us beforehand for any details on the possible program.

Lunch included, in Sidi or Sidi, during the visit.

Closed parking at disposal.

QUAD RAID - private tour with our guide

From 450 dhs / 2 pers minimum. (2 hours) departure directly from Taroudant, accompanied by a guide

Between the Atlas and Anti-Atlas mountains, you will ride along the tracks of the Roudanaise countryside in complete safety with a guide.
You’ll discover the landscapes around Taroudant, with their argan trees, mud villages, wadis, etc.

Accessible to all from 16 years in a stroll or much more sporty for adults who wish!

Allow 2 hours.

Departure from Taroudant.
Minimum 2 people

For this excursion, please note the following points:
Cover your whole body,
Wear trainers

Choice of price:
. 450dhs per person with their own quad for 2 hours
. 550dhs for 1 quad for 2 people (i.e. 275dhs per person)

TAROUDANT BY BIKE - Private tour with our guide

550 dhs / 10 pers max. (approx. 2h30 hours) departure directly from Dar Al Hossoun, Lunch included at Dar Al Hossoun

Private tour for a sporty and unusual discovery of Taroudant

You will leave Dar Al Hossoun and walk along the Oued Al Ouaár (magnificent canyons) to the ramparts and old gates of Taroudant, its pink medina, the old Mellah and its Jewish cemetery, the Kasbah and of course the many streets and squares of Taroudant, the oldest mosque in the city and its medersa (Koranic school dating from the 16th century) etc…

As you stroll along, you’ll discover craftsmen hard at work, colourful stalls selling magnificent fruit and vegetables, the smell of spices and olives, etc…

On your return, a healthy lunch will be waiting for you at Dar Al Hossoun.

Approximately 2h30 depending on your pedalling speed. Don’t hesitate to ask your guide to make all the stops you want (to take photos, admire the scenery or simply take a break).

Preferably in the morning, departing at 10.00 am (please book the day before at the latest).

IGUILIZ, THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE

1050dhs/pers. (from 2 persons).

Accompaniment, picnic lunch and transportation included (6 to 7 hours approximately).

Dar Al Hossoun takes you to discover the archaeological site discovered in 2004 by a Franco-Moroccan archaeological mission of the University of El Jadida and the University of Paris-Sorbonne.

In the early 1120s, the fortress of Iguîlîz was the starting point of a religious revolution that led to the foundation of the Almohad Empire, the most powerful empire known to the Muslim West in the medieval period, which would later succeed the rule of the Almoravids.

These ruins, whose trace has long been lost, are perched on a spur designed to resist attackers and from which one enjoys an unobstructed view of the surrounding valleys and mountains.

They are located about sixty kilometers from Taroudant. It takes 1 hour and 45 minutes to get there by the road that runs along a beautiful palm grove at the bottom of the canyon. Then 30 minutes of walking on a path.

THE PALMERAIE OF TIOUT

800dhs/pers. (from 2 persons).

Accompaniment, lunch and transportation included (about 5 hours).

Palm grove of 13 hectares and more than 20,000 palm trees, Tiout is the most northern of the known oases and the only one north of the Anti-Atlas.
Biblical landscapes, place of rural life of 7 hamlets and 300 families living directly or indirectly from the agricultural activities of the palm grove still organized as for centuries.
Discover the management of water, the distribution of land, the culture, the argan tree to the bottles of oil to the virtues become legendary … and, of course, the Berber cuisine of Jamila during the traditional lunch on the carpets of the nomad tent in the heart of the palm grove.

THE FABULOUS MILLENNIUM VALLEY OF CEDRATS

1050dhs/pers. (from 2 persons).

Accompaniment, picnic lunch and transport included: 6 hours approximately including 2h30 of walking on a mule track (bring hiking or sports shoes).

Nestled in the foothills of the Anti-Atlas mountain range, this excursion offers you the opportunity to discover magnificent landscapes.
We will do a rather sportive hike of 2h30 on a mule track which will lead us to the bottom of this beautiful canyon and will allow us to discover the culture of the cedar (variety of citrus fruits millennium) which is cultivated there since more than 2000 years and which is celebrated during the Jewish festival of the huts.
On the road, you will see the stations of artisanal production of charcoal and a quarry of pink marble and travertine that decorate the facades of the Hassan II mosque in Casablanca, in Berber villages.

MENTAGA VALLEY AND CLAUDIO BRAVO PALACE MUSEUM

1050dhs/pers. (from 2 persons).

Accompaniment, lunch and transportation included (about 6 hours). Optional: visit of the palace-museum of Claudio Bravo (200dhs/ pers. to pay on the spot)

A superb day trip that will take you to the High Atlas, to discover Berber villages and earthen houses, one of the last workshops of production of objects and terracotta tiles, traditional oil mills (in season), a merchant of Berber doors and other antiques, beautiful landscapes following an oasis of olive trees, palm trees and other carob trees, going up along the river at the bottom of the valley. Lunch in a traditional Berber house full of charm.
A beautiful walk through the terraced fields along the river for about 1 hour,
you will have the opportunity to see the inhabitants of the village working their plots.
At the end of the day, you will have the opportunity to visit the palace-museum and gardens of Claudio Bravo, Chilean painter who ended his life in Taroudant in 2011.
1h30 to 2h visit of this exceptional property dotted with superb works of art.

ANIMAL PARK AND DRY GARDENS CROCOPARK

Crocopark wildlife park and dry gardens
Lunch at the park restaurant
Taghazout beach for a swim
Walking and surfing

Excursion possible for 2 people or more – Private guided tour, transport, park entrance and restaurant taken care of by us – Allow approximately 8 hours – Departure from Dar al Hossoun at 09:00 – Price for 2 people: 1,300dhs/pers – Price for children under 12: 50%.

A 45-minute drive will take you to the Parc Crocopark at the entrance to Agadir. The park is both an animal park, where you can get up close and personal with different species, and a dry garden planted with interesting species and origins.

Among the animals are 300 Nils crocodiles, which are fed at around 12 noon (from March to October), an impressive sight… giant tortoises, marmosets, pythons and anacondas…. You can also walk through the park and see the magnificent iguanas, which are semi-liberty around you in their shimmering blue, green and yellow robes…. A wonderful discovery!

There are also play areas for younger children to enjoy. Lunch at the Park’s restaurant.

Departure for the large Taghazout Bay beach, 10km north of Agadir, the world temple of waves and surfing.

Stroll along the promenade between Devil’s Rock and Taghazout, watch the surfers and take a dip (the water is never very cold thanks to the Golf Stream). Why not try your hand at surfing by hiring a board on site (hire and possibly an introduction to surfing with a professional instructor are available in addition to the par cet entrance fee on prior reservation.

17:00 departure for your return to Taroudant.

DISCOVER AGADIR

The great souk
Lunch at the restaurant
A few steps on the beach
Cable car
Kasbah of Oufella

Excursion possible for 2 people or more – Private guided tour, transport and restaurant provided by us – Allow approximately 8 hours – Departure from Dar al Hossoun at 09:00 – Price for 2 people: 1,300dhs/pers – Price for children under 12: -50%.

Arriving in Agadir, you’ll discover the Grand Souk, curved around its beautiful ancestral earthen ramparts, whose gates have recently been restored to their former glory. Stroll through the magnificent fruit and vegetable stalls. An explosion of colours and smells!

Stroll through the other aisles, filled with food products, spices, cakes, argan oil, amlou, etc., and take a “breakfast” break to sample them if you wish before visiting the shops selling manufactured goods, bags, T-shirts, etc.

After this Berber shopping, you’ll head to the restaurant for a pleasant lunch break.

The restaurant is just 100m from Agadir’s main beach, so you can take a stroll there after lunch before heading back to the cable car station, which will take you to the Kasbah Oufella at the top of the hill bearing the words Allah (God), the Nation and the King in white stone letters. You’ll have a commanding view of the entire bay of Agadir, its beach, port and ocean.

The Kasbah, which was destroyed by the great earthquake of 1967, has recently had its whitewashed earthen walls restored. Inside, you can discover the history of the old Kasbah by following the discovery trails.

Cable car: adult ticket 120dhs / 90dhs for children under 1m40 / free for children under 80cm.
Entrance to the Oufella Kasbah: adults 90dhs / 7 to 17 years 65dhs / -7 years
Audio guides (30dhs) to be paid on site.

17H00 departure for your return to Taroudant.

MASSA NATURE PARK

Excursion possible for 2 people or more Private guided tour, transport and picnic provided by us – Allow around 8 hours – Departure from Dar al Hossoun at 9am – Price for 2 people: Dhs1300/person – Price for children under 12: -50%.

To the south of Agadir, the mouth of the Draá is home to a marshy area with alternating vegetable gardens and waterholes that birds love. This is a beautiful ornithological reserve, where you can observe the world’s only colony of Bald Ibis in the wild…

We’ll go as far as the mouth of the ocean and its long beach.
A beautiful walk in the park lasting around 1h30 to 2h00 (+ picnic time) accompanied by an animal guide will allow you to appreciate this wild nature.

After the picnic you can stay on the beach or, if you prefer, we can go, still accompanied by our guide, to the neighbouring 33,800-hectare wildlife park, which is home to numerous gazelles, antelopes, ostriches, onyx, etc.

During this SAFARI, the guide will tell us about the different species of African origin that we will come across in semi-liberty in this park.

This activity will last 1h30
Entrance fee to the animal park: 150.00Dhs to be paid by you.
17H00 departure for your return to Taroudant.

DECOUVERTE D’AGADIR

Le grand souk, déjeuner au restaurant Quelques pas sur la plage, le téléphérique & la Kasbah d’Oufella

Excursion possible à partir de 2 personnes - Tour privé guidé, transport et restaurant pris en charge par nos soins - Compter environ 8h - Départ de Dar al Hossoun à 09h00 - Tarif 2 personnes: 1300dhs/pers -Tarif enfant -12ans : -50%

Arrivés à Agadir, vous découvrirez le Grand Souk, cintré de ses beaux remparts de terre ancestraux dont les portes ont récemment été réhabilitées dans les rêgles de l’ont, un trésor. Vous déambulerez au travers des magnifiques étals de fruits et légumes. Une explosion de couleurs et d’odeurs !

Parcourez les autres allées garnies de produits alimentaires, épices, gâteaux, huile d’argan, amlou etc… et pourrez faire une pause « petit déjeuner » pour les déguster si vous le souhaitez avant de vous rendre dans les boutiques de produits manufacturés, sacs, tee-shirts etc…

Après ce shopping berbère, vous vous rendrez au restaurant pour une agréable pause déjeuner.

Le restaurent se trouve à 100m de la grande plage d’Agadir alors vous pourrez aller y faire quelques pas après le repas avant de repartir vers la station de téléphérique qui vous conduira à la Kasbah Oufella au sommet de la colline portant en lettres de pierres blanches les mots : Allah (Le dieu), la nation et le roi. Une vue dominante de toute la baie d’Agadir, sa plage, son port et l’océan s’offriront à vous.

La Kasbah détruite par le grand tremblement de terre de 1967 vient de voir ses murs d’enceinte de terre et chaux blanche récemment restaurés. A l’intérieur, des chemins de découverte de l’ancienne Kasbah vous ferons découvrir son histoire.

Téléphérique : AR adulte 120dhs / 90dhs pour enfants de -1m40 / gratuit pour les enfants de - de 80cm.
Entrée de la kasbah Oufella : adulte 90dhs / 7 à 17 ans 65dhs / -7ans
Audio guides (30dhs) à régler sur place par vos soins.

17H00 départ pour votre retour à Taroudant.