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, bike rides (bikes available on site), 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.

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.

THE CITY OF AGADIR

Price: 1.050dhs per person (minimum 2 pers.) + optional visit to Crocopark (70dhs / pers.),
Includes guide, lunch and transport (duration: 5-6 hours / 3-hour drive round trip)
The bay of Agadir stretches for kilometers and we will start with Agadir Ofella, the ruined citadel that still watches over the “new town” followed by a promenade along the seafront and marina. In the port of Agadir, you will be served a fisherman lunch in a family friendly and popular place where you can indulge in fresh seafood such as fried squids and fish (shellfish also served on request) After that we will head towards the city where you will see official buildings dating back from the 60’s and built in concrete to reassure the population after the earthquake that nearly destroyed the entire city. We will then visit the largest souk (open every day except Mondays) and the fish market. At the start or the end of the tour, you may stop at Crocopark, home to 300 crocodiles from the Nile, a reminder of the wild crocodiles that used to live in Morocco up until the turn of the 20th century. It is located on the edge of the argan nature reserve and has an impressive plant collection and landscaping. Keep an eye out along the way to see the many shepherds walking their herds of sheep, goats or camels in the valley.

MASS NATURE PARK

DAR AL HOSSOUN MAISON D'HOTES TAROUDANT ECO LOGDE Flamand rose

Price: 1.250dhs per person (minimum 2 people)
Includes guide, lunch and transport (duration: 6-7 hours)
South of Agadir, the mouth of the Draâ river is a swamp area where vegetable gardens and water ponds attract an impressive bird colony. To fully appreciate the wilderness and beauty of the area, you can go on a walk around the park with a local guide. You might be able to observe the last remaining bald ibis colony in the wild. We will take a lunch break at a great local hotel restaurant by the seafront, offering a wild beach and 180° Ocean views. You may take a stroll around before or after lunch. On the way back, we will take a short stop at a small fisherman village called Tifnit to see the fishing boats returning from the sea and you may also be able to take a camel ride if you feel like it!