Getting There
The highway between Ouarzazate and Er Rachidia/Erfoud passes through Boumalne du Dadès, the main transport hub of the Dadès Valley, as well as the town of El Kelaa M'gouna and the village of Skoura.
By Bus -- Buses depart daily for the region from Casablanca (12-13 hr.; 160dh-180dh/$20-$23/£10-£11); Er Rachidia (4-5 hr.; 35-50dh/$4.40-$6.25/£2.20-£3.15); Erfoud (5-6 hr.; 50dh-70dh/$6.25-$8.75/£3.15-£4.40); Tinerhir (2-3 hr.; 15-25dh/$1.90-$3.15/95p-£1.55); and Zagora (5-6 hr.; 50dh-70dh/$6.25-$8.75/£3.15-£4.40).
By Grand Taxi -- There are always grands taxis running the short distances between Ouarzazate and Skoura, Skoura and El Kelaa M'gouna, El Kelaa M'gouna and Boumalne du Dadès, and Boumalne du Dadès and Tinerhir. Fares range from 10dh to 25dh ($1.25-$3.15/65p-£1.55). Grands taxis and minibuses run fairly frequently throughout the day from Boumalne du Dadès up the Dadès Gorge to Msemrir, the village at the top of the gorge.
Visitor Information
In Boumalne du Dadès is the Bureau des Guides, next to Cafe des Fleurs at the west end of the town center (tel. 067/593292; hamou57@viola.fr). Born and bred in Boumalne du Dadès and an official guide since 1995, Hamou Aït Lhou is a fountain of knowledge on the geology and culture of the Dadès. He can arrange all manner of outings and treks (for example, a full-day trek at the Dadès Gorge, including lunch with a Berber family, for 250dh/$31/£16 per person), or can simply impart some knowledge for those going their own way. The small bureau is open daily when he's not out in the field.
Fast Facts
The main Tinerhir-Ouarzazate highway runs through the small town center of Boumalne du Dadès as avenue Mohammed V. Here you'll find a branch of Banque Populaire (tel. 024/808623) with a bureau de change and ATM, open Monday to Friday 8:15am to 3:45pm.
Pharmacie du Dadès (tel. 024/807683) is opposite the mosque, open Monday to Saturday 7:30am to 1pm, 3 to 8pm, and 9:30pm to 1am. Next door is Taziri Net cybercafe, open daily 9am to 11pm.
