Valley of Roses at Kelaat M'Gouna

What it is

Between the High Atlas and the desert, the Dades and M'Goun rivers water a ribbon of green fields. Farmers here plant damask roses as hedges around their plots of wheat and vegetables, so in late April and May the field edges turn pink. Women pick the flowers at dawn and sell them to cooperatives and distilleries in the town of Kelaat M'Gouna, which make rose water and oil. In May the town holds a rose festival with music, a parade and a market. Stalls along the main road sell rose water, soaps and strings of dried rosebuds all year.

Before you go

• Walk the field paths early in the morning to meet the pickers.
• The festival is usually in the first half of May. Dates are set close to the time.
• Hire a local guide for a half-day walk through the villages along the river.

The flowers you will see

Damask roseA fragrant pink rose grown for oil, water, and sweets in West and South AsiaRoseWoody perennial plants with showy, often fragrant flowers in many colours

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