Oasis and Palms, the Ziz Valley
11/05/07 13:31 | Morocco Articles
The Ziz Valley in the south of Morocco was part of a caravan route that took travelers from the desert near Merzouga to the Mediterranean Sea. The Valley itself is a welcome relief from the desert brown. Palm trees and dates grow in abundance. Entry point into the Ziz is Source Bleue de Meski. Men tending fields and donkeys carrying goods from one village to another are common sights. Up the river are the ruins of an old fortress or ksar. A steep climb gives a reward to the ruins and ancient structures of the area.
In the region is one of Morocco’s most important oases, Tafilalet. Additionally, another place of interest is the Wadi Ziz, a long limestone corridor with palm trees that provide shade for the Kasbah of Ifri, carved out by the Ziz River. Waters of the Ziz River form a vast emerald lake by the Hassan Addakhil Dam. Women can be seen doing their laundry in the shade of apricot trees growing around the lake.

The road through the Ziz Valley to Erfoud descends from the plateau where the oasis of Tafilalet is found. The road passes between the sheer sides of the valley and winds through several villages. It underscores the difference of the lush valley to the surrounding rocky desert.

Written by: Carole Morris
Provided by: Morocco Tours with Journey Beyond Travel