Audio Guide of Tiout Oasis

As a natural area and a living community, access to the palm grove is open 24 hours a day, although I recommend visiting in daylight. It is about 30 km from Taroudant, and the most convenient way to get there is by rental car or shared taxi, a journey of around 40 minutes on a fairly decent road.

Entry to walk through the palm grove is completely free; no one charges you to enjoy nature here. However, bring cash if you plan to hire a donkey ride, eat at the local cooperative, or have tea at the Kasbah overlooking the hill.

If you want the full experience without stress, set aside between 3 and 4 hours. That gives you enough time for a peaceful walk among the palm trees, to climb up to the Kasbah for panoramic views, and to enjoy a traditional Berber lunch.

Beyond its more than 20,000 palm trees, this place is famous because the classic film 'Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves' was shot here in 1954. It is an authentic oasis that has sustained Berber agricultural life for centuries thanks to its ingenious traditional irrigation system.

Spring and autumn are ideal for avoiding the intense heat of the Moroccan summer. Try to arrive early in the morning or at sunset; the golden light over the palm trees and the Kasbah creates a spectacular photographic setting you will not want to miss.

The paths are uneven dirt tracks, so wheelchair access is difficult. However, for those who simply get tired from walking, the local solution is foolproof: rent a donkey, the area's signature transport, which can take you around the route.

Since you are so close, it is well worth combining this visit with Taroudant, known as 'Little Marrakesh.' Its impressive adobe walls and souks, which are less overwhelming than those of the larger city, are the perfect complement to a day in nature.

Go up to Tiout Kasbah, now a restaurant, to have tea with the best views of the valley. And very importantly: if you decide to take the donkey tour, negotiate and agree on the price before you get on; it is part of the local culture and will help you avoid misunderstandings at the end.