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Ouarzazate is the most important of the southern towns and is strategically located at a crossroads that joins the north to the south and the east to the west.

For those who want a taste of the south and do not want to change hotels several times, Ouarzazate is the best located town from which to explore with daily excursions as far as Zagora, Agdz, Skoura, Tineghir and the Todra Gorge and dozens of breathtaking kasbahs.

It is an ideal base for exploring the Beau Geste of oasis and dune which makes Morocco's south unique. Within easy driving distance (30km) is one of the most spectacular Atlas villages Ait Benhaddou with its Kasbahs among the most elaborately decorated and best preserved.

The road from Ouarzazate passes directly between hundreds of kasbahs that line the Dades Valley and stretches 100 miles east to the Todra Gorge at Tineghir.

At El Kelaa des M'gouna, there are hedges of wild roses. Throughout May, the women from the surrounding villages pick 700 tons of pink rose petals, which are harvested and made into rather heady rosewater at the local distillery.

The people of this region are colourful, charming, helpful and very hospitable. You may well be invited into their homes for the a la menthe (mint tea) or even to join the family in a ritual kouskous, however, you should be warned that this may take several hours out of your day and you will be expected to leave a donation (normally around 100 dirhams).