Oukaïmeden, rupestral engravings

Oukaïmeden is one of the major sites of rupestral engravings of the High Atlas.

Where to sleep in Oukaïmeden?

The study of these engravings is of considerable importance, indeed, illustrated works are highly diversified: geometrical forms, anthropomorphes, weapons, hunting scenes, faunal representations....

Knowledge concerning the dating of these engravings is still fragmentary. Nevertheless, some representations of metal weapons were attached to the age of bronze, in particular the bronze daggers discovered in the high atlas (Oukaïmeden).

Oukaïmeden is one of the major sites of rupestral engravings of the High Atlas.
This Moroccan patrimony is not always easy to discover because of the difficulties of access to the majority of the sites. Oukaïmeden is thus privileged; its access by the road authorizes an easy discovery of these testimonies of a remote past.

It is a goal of pleasant walk and the research of engravings quickly becomes a passionate play of discovery.


PS : An excellent collection is advised to the visitors «Rupestral Engravings of High Atlas" of Susan Searight - Edisud/Belvisi editions.

Safi, the Castle of the Sea or Qasr el Bahr

Small 60 m squared fortress opening towards the old port by a surmounted gate with Portuguese emblems...


Where to sleep in safi ?



Raised by the Portuguese at the beginning of the 16th century, it was used as the governor residence. In the interior, beautiful pieces of artillery melted in Spain, Holland and in Portugal.

Remarkable view on the ocean

Essaouira, the Sqala

The Sqala that faces the ocean constitutes the principal fortification of the medina of Essaouira.

Where to sleep in Essaouira?


It is a fortress composed of an immense rectangular platform of two firmly built levels, the ground floor was used as military material warehouse, and the stage equipped with canons defended the port.
Some scenes of Othello film were turned here, realized by Orson Welles (gold palm in Cannes in 1952).

Ouarzazate, the Kasbah of Taourirt

The Kasbah of Taourirt: by its importance, its architecture and its decoration, it is one of the most beautiful Kasbahs of Morocco (classified historical monument). It was the largest residence of Glawi, the pasha of Marrakesh.


Where to sleep in Ouarzazate?

Its buildings of cob flanked by notched towers, are staged on superimposed levels, and ramparts with geometrical drawings. Possible to visit some of Glaoui’s old apartments, like the dining room , that kept their original decoration of painted stucco and their wooden cedar ceilings.

From the terrace, remarkable view on the Berber fortified village of Taourirt (anterior to the city of Ouarzazate, dating from the XIIIth century), the valley and its oases in addition to the mountains
ornate the horizon.

PS: guided tour from 8 am to 6 pm