Morocco Tour to Kasbah Telouet

by Younes F. Morocco Travel Expert

Kasbah Telouet is situated in the little Berber village of Telouet in Morocco. It is located at an altitude of 1,800 meters on the Atlas Mountains. This kasbah is on the erstwhile route of the caravans from the Sahara along the Atlas Mountains to Marrakech. Blessed with natural beauty, it is surrounded by olive, fig and palm trees. Many private tours from marrakech offer a variety of ways to explore this impressive and iconic site. Morocco Private Tour - Ait Ben Haddou

History of Kasbah Telouet

The Kasbah Telouet has a rich history with deep French roots. It is home to some of the finest Moroccan-Andalusian craftsmanship that can be seen in the ruins of this place. The oldest part of this region was built in 1860. Part of the ancient trans-Saharan trading route, it was ruled for a long time by T’hami El Glaoui, at the time when French ruled Morocco. The ruler was not liked by the natives as he was considered a French ally. When Morocco gained independence from the French rule, the kasbah was ransacked and looted. When the new trans-Atlas highway was built, the Kasbah Telouet was intentionally bypassed. Therefore, it cannot be reached via the highway and you need to veer away from the main road to explore this historical place.

Staying at the Kasbah Telouet

After reaching Kasbah Telouet, you can stay at Maison d'Hotes La Kasbah. It is only 45 km from Ait benhadou and has air-conditioned rooms with beautiful views of the garden and the mountains. The rooms are decorated in traditional Moroccan style. Each room has a spacious private bathroom. Breakfast is served every morning and traditional Moroccan meals are also available at the hotel. The hotel has three types of rooms: Economy Double Room, Quadruple Room with Bathroom and Double or Twin Room with Mountain View. The guest house is located 140 km away from Marrakech Airport and only 100 km from Ouarzazate and Al-Mansour Ad-Dahbi Lake.

Visiting the Kasbah Telouet

Kasbah Telouet can be visited from Ouarzazate. As you make your way towards the kasbah, you will be welcomed by the sight of an imposing building on a small hill. The walls are ravaged and unkempt due to years of neglect and almost on the verge of collapsing. The entrance is also ruined with broken walls and sights of rubble everywhere. Moving towards the place, you may start wondering what is so special about it. If you feel like going back, then don’t, because what lies ahead is truly remarkable.

Inside the kasbah, you will find splendid craftsmanship in the form of intricate wood carvings and mosaics. The architecture is almost similar to the Bahia Palace in Marrakech. The wealth spent on the architecture clearly tells you about the prosperity of the owner of this place. Jewish Morocco Tour - Ouarzazate

Detailed View of the Kasbah

As you enter the kasbah, you will find stairs that you can climb to reach the first floor. There are many passages and rooms here that will take you to an arched wooden door. The Moorish architecture of this place is a joy to behold and admire. After entering through the door, you will reach the reception area that has been decorated Moroccan-Andalusian style. The sudden transition from the dilapidated exterior to the magnificent interior is simply astonishing. This place looks like a whole new world when compared with other Moroccan kasbahs.

The kasbah has some well-preserved rooms like the reception area and bedrooms that are illuminated by natural daylight. The checkered-patterned floors are laid in marble and look simply sublime. The lower sections of the columns and arches are decorated in mosaics and the upper regions are embellished with stucco work that has a traditional Islamic air about it. The main bedroom has a panel of silk brocade and each section of the panel has different color schemes. The Moorish wooden doorways along with carved cedar-wood ceilings that are painted in different colors, add to the overall look of the place.

Though the place has depreciated in grandeur due to years of neglect, it still looks wonderful in its own way. It is said that this place was created by three hundred craftsmen and artists, who toiled for nearly three years. By staying here for a few hours, you can transport yourself to an era that has long passed by.

Places Near Kasbah Telouet

Ouarzazate is only one-and-a-half-hour drive from Kasbah Telouet and can be visited for a wonderful experience. Ouarzazate is also known as the door of the desert and it is inhabited by Berber-speakers. Here, you can go to a beautiful desert oasis known as the Fint. This palm oasis can be reached via quadbikes or ATV. This tour is ideal for visitors who seek some adventure on their trips. On this tour, you will be driving along the same route that was used by caravans of yesteryears. On your way, you will pass by the traditional Berber villages and interesting rock formations. You can take a few moments here to snap up some pics with your loved ones. After reaching the oasis, tourists can relax and have a cup of tea if they want. Morocco Vacation and travel packages

Another way to enjoy Ouarzazate is by staying at a desert camp. On your way to the camp, you can watch UNESCO world heritage classified site Ait Benhaddou Kasbah. A guided tour will help you learn about the history of this popular place. On your way, you will find the Draa valley, which has some wonderful scenic views. You can also stop at the village of M’Hamid where you can enjoy the camel ride. You can reach the camp at dusk where you will be served dinner next to the campfire. Enjoy the tranquility of desert away from the hustle and bustle of big cities. Rest at the camp and watch the sun rise over the dunes in the morning.

Kasbah Telouet and nearby places are ideal for visitors who want a bit of solitude, adventure and something different from the mundane stuff. Spending time in this region helps you relax and recharge your batteries. After completing your visit here, you can move on to the next destinations with a fresh mind and body.