Oases & Valleys · Full day
Valley of Roses — Kelaat M'Gouna
Fields of Damask roses and the distilleries of the rose valley
Duration
Full day
Group size
1–6 travellers
Difficulty
Easy
Languages
English, French
From / person
$350
Overview
A day in the Valley of Roses around Kelaat M'Gouna, where hedges of pink Damask roses line the fields and small distilleries turn the petals into rose water — best from late April to early June, around the rose harvest and festival.
Between the Dadès and the M'Goun, the valley around Kelaat M'Gouna is famous for its Damask roses, grown as hedgerows between the plots and harvested each spring. The petals are distilled locally into rose water and oil; the town holds a rose festival, usually in May, to mark the harvest.
We visit a working distillery to see (and smell) the process, walk among the rose hedges and kasbahs of the valley, and meet growers during the season. Outside the bloom the valley is still a beautiful, quiet kasbah drive — we'll tell you honestly what's in flower when you travel.
Trip highlights
- Damask-rose hedgerows along the valley fields (in season)
- A working rose-water and rose-oil distillery
- Kasbahs and oasis villages of the M'Goun valley
- The rose-harvest atmosphere in May
- Honest seasonal guidance on what's blooming
- A gentle, fragrant full day from Ouarzazate
Photo gallery
Inside the trip.
Day-by-day itinerary
Ouarzazate → Ouarzazate
- 1
Morning · Ouarzazate → Kelaat M'Gouna
~90 kmEast along the kasbah road to the rose town of Kelaat M'Gouna, with valley and kasbah photo stops on the way.
— - 2
Midday · Distillery & rose fields
M'Goun ValleyVisit a distillery for the rose-water process, then a walk among the rose hedges and plots (in season), with lunch in the valley.
L - 3
Afternoon · Return to Ouarzazate
Kasbah roadBack west along the valley with a kasbah stop, reaching Ouarzazate by late afternoon.
—
Cities & regions on this trip
You'll experience 3 destinations.
Each stop has its own deep-dive guide — geography, history, best season, things to see, and other tours that visit it. Tap any card to open its dedicated page.
Pre-Sahara · Southern Morocco
Ouarzazate & Aït Ben Haddou
The door of the desert and the Hollywood of Morocco — kasbahs, film studios and the start of every southern road.
Open guide
Pre-Sahara · Kasbah road
Dadès & Todra Gorges
Towering red canyons and switchback roads — the dramatic core of the kasbah route east of Ouarzazate.
Open guide
High Atlas · M'Goun massif
Aït Bougmez Valley
The 'Happy Valley' above the kasbah road — a remote High Atlas sanctuary whose M'Goun traverse descends to the Dadès north of Ouarzazate.
Open guideThe route
Map of Valley of Roses — Kelaat M'Gouna
3 stops across Oases & Valleys. Distances and timings are flexible — every itinerary is reshaped to your pace.
- 1
Ouarzazate
Start
- 2
Kelaat M'Gouna
Rose valley
- 3
Ouarzazate
End
What's included
- Private English-speaking driver-guide for the duration
- Vehicle (sedan, 4x4 or minivan) with fuel, tolls and parking
- All listed accommodation in hand-picked kasbahs, riads or desert camps
- Daily breakfast and meals as noted in the itinerary
- All listed entrance fees and guided activities
- Pickup and drop-off at your Ouarzazate (OZZ) hotel or the airport
- Bottled water and snacks on board
- 24/7 WhatsApp concierge based in Ouarzazate
Not included
- International flights to/from Morocco
- Travel insurance (we recommend a provider)
- Alcoholic drinks and personal shopping
- Optional activities marked “add-on” in your quote
- Tips for driver, guides and camp staff
What to bring
Pack light, pack smart.
- Comfortable walking shoes (kasbah steps and earthen lanes)
- Layers — pre-Saharan nights can drop sharply, even in summer
- Sun hat, sunglasses, SPF 30+ — the southern light is intense
- Modest cover-up for villages, mosques and shrines
- Reusable water bottle (we refill on the road)
- Adaptor for Type C/E plugs (220V)
Frequently asked
Questions about this tour.
When are the roses actually in bloom?
The Damask roses generally bloom and are harvested from late April to early June, with the rose festival usually in May. Outside that window the distilleries still run and the valley is lovely, but the fields won't be in flower — we'll tell you straight for your dates.
Can I change the dates or itinerary?
Yes. Every itinerary is a starting point. Add a day, swap a kasbah, change the start point — we'll re-quote in 24 hours and lock the price in writing before any deposit.
How fit do I need to be?
Easy. Light walking on kasbah steps and earthen lanes, plus optional activities you can opt in or out of on the day.
When should I book?
For high season (Oct–Apr) and any trip involving the Sahara or the Rose Valley harvest, book 6–10 weeks ahead. Last-minute (under 14 days) is usually still possible with a phone call.