I’d never explored an Oasis; I was intrigued by the expedition offered by our dear friends at Dar Hossoun in Taroudant.
A short drive from the property, it’s always a scenic journey in Morocco, where you pass through small villages which come to life on Market Day, I adore seeing local people going about their lives. Donkey carts trotting on the edge of the highway, their rattan baskets brimming with just harvested vegetables. Young boys riding sidesaddle atop a mule, perhaps on his way home from school. Enormous hay trucks precariously leaning to one side…loading the huge hay trucks is an art form! The adobe houses, with their ornate wooden doors, are photo worthy. Every alley has a story to tell, children playing between earthen walls, offering a glimpse into the traditional Berber way of life.
Tiout Oasis is a perfect picturesque day-trip destination from either Taroudant or Agadir, offering visitors a serene atmosphere, breathtaking natural scenery, and an authentic glimpse into Amazigh (Berber) village life. Nestled at the foothills of the Anti-Atlas Mountains, it is easily accessible by car, there are always interesting sites en route to their field trips!
Begin at the top of the hill where an ancient Kasbah is perched, dating back to the Saadian period, (16th Century). The Tiout palm grove is a maze of greenery at the foot of the Kasbah.
Far from the typical tourist tracks, the Oasis is a unique blend of plantings. I’ve seen a Palm Oasis from the road, not knowing that plants or buildings were scattered amid the palm trees. The palm groves stretch endlessly, a sea of green against the dry ochre earth.
As you begin the walk or if you prefer, hire a mule and trot through the oasis! Palm trees sway in the gentle breeze, casting cool shadows over the sandy paths and tidy rows of vegetables. A loud braying donkey hides in the orchards of pomegranate, oranges and olives. Birds swoop and pluck bugs out of the air. Wander at your own pace along the winding paths through the oasis. It was surprising to see a variety of plantations, from fig and olive trees to almond trees and plots of wheat and vegetables. Every turn offers a new surprise, all under the cover of towering palms.
At the edge of the fields, you may hear the trickle of water before you discover the centuries old cement irrigation channels, the ‘seguias’, the traditional irrigation channels. The channels have manual locks, to divert the water to various fields. An abundant water source irrigates the oasis, where many irrigation canals crisscross the landscape, families monitor the flow and take turns shutting and diverting the flow of the canals.
The oasis is a testament to the ingenuity of the Berber people who carved out the intricate irrigation channels in the midst of a desert environment. The channels are a lifeline for the thousands of palm trees and the locals who live nearby.
What a pleasant surprise to discover a few small restaurants serving traditional lunch amid the palms. Florence, the lovely owner of Dar Hossoun, made us a lunch reservation; under the tranquil shade of a large tent, the walls and floors were covered in multicolored patterns and prints, comfy cushions and low tables set the stage for an amazing Moroccan banquet. Begin with washing your hands from a small pitcher and marvel at the endless array of delectable treats delivered from the tiny kitchen. The woman and her son who own the restaurant make everything fresh, including the bread she was patiently kneading.
We encountered a few artisans along the twisting paths; I’m always an easy sell for a local artist! Along a wide clearing, one enterprising woman was renting enormous handmade blankets to visitors to use while they picnic or snooze under the palms. She had beautiful bushels of fragrant spices and herbs – again, I am a good consumer, supporting the locals everywhere I travel!
At the end of the oasis path, we discovered the piscine! The crystal-clear waters of the pool are surrounded by lush greenery, soak in the beauty of nature!
Captivating villages, a shady oasis, locals tending to crops, donkeys, still the beasts of burden; its stepping back in time—daily scenes that still define life in Tiout today; an authentic charming atmosphere.
Highly Recommend!
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