Travel Cheap: Paradise Valley
Want to get to paradise? You’ve got to head to Morocco.
This northwest African nation is home to camels, culture, and a climate that simply can’t be beat. Fortunately for you (and me, for that matter), it’s also home to the Dirham—this unit of monetary measurement offers a badass currency conversion which you can truly count on to bring you more bang for your buck.
How much bang, you ask? As of this publication, 1 US dollar is equal to just over 9.5 Moroccan dirhams. A single euro will bring in nearly 11 dirhams, and a pound will net you just over 12. That alone makes Morocco a budget destination brimming with possibilities.
The possibility au jour, however, is Paradise Valley. This little oasis north of the Western Sahara Desert really does offer it all. Sun, palm trees, clear waters, and a relaxing atmosphere all make it perfect for getting away from the hustle and bustle of busy Agadir or enchanting Essaouira.
Paradise Valley, Morocco.
This hideaway offers the chance to get back to nature with camping, swimming, hiking, and everything in between. Read on to discover everything you need to know to get to Paradise, how to enjoy this valley without breaking the bank, and bonus tips on activities.
How to Get to Paradise Valley
Paradise Valley is located in the westernmost part of the High Atlas Mountains, around the valley of Tamrhakht. Getting there is a bit of a doozy, but it’s all part of the adventure. You’ll need to be west of the mountains in the coastal region of Morocco to access the valley easily. That region includes Taghazout, Essaouira, Agadir, and pretty much any other coastal city.
Paradise Valley is one of Morocco’s major tourist attractions, and the locals want you to be able to get there (and pay for transportation) as easily as possible. Wherever you are, it will be easiest to travel first to Agadir. Agadir is the closest major city to Aourir, which you’ll need to pass through to reach the valley. You can expect to pay around 5 MAD for the ride.
The view up from the Valley is lush and green until it turns to desert.
Whatever you do, don’t buy a tour. These can run you down financially, and they also take away the freedom of exploring the valley your own way. Paradise Valley is one of those truly badass gems where it’s possible to spend a week camping out and getting to know the scenery on your own terms. Swimming and hiking abounds here, and you don’t want to miss out because your guide wants to get back to the village for lunch.
Once you reach Aourir (also known as “banana village”), you’ll find a bustling hub of activity and a vast expanse of blue taxi-trucks waiting to usher you through their doors. These shared taxis are the best (re: cheapest) way to get to the entrance of Paradise. You’ll know you’re in the right place if you hear shouts of “Paradise! Paradise!” and you see tons of bananas everywhere.
A word of wisdom: Aourir is where you want to buy your supplies, if you haven’t bought them already. You’ll need food if you want to spend a couple nights down in Paradise, so stock up on bread and sardines (incredibly cheap, sourced right on the coast). Don’t forget to buy yourself a hefty bushel of bananas, either, because this is the banana village and that’s just what you’ve gotta do.
Tagine in Paradise goes really hard, so make sure you pick up all the supplies you need.
The blue taxis will take you right to the entrance, and they cost about 25 MAD. Keep in mind that these taxis aren’t on any sort of time schedule, they just leave when all the seats are filled. If the seats don’t fill up, the taxi may or may not go. You can theoretically buy the rest of the seats up as well if nobody shows up and the driver is hesitant to take such a light load. You’ll be there in about an hour, give or take a few.
Paradise Valley: Navigating the Trail
The easiest way to get the source (and the best camping spots) is by taking a winding trail from the highway at around 28 kilometers from Aourir. The trail is nearly 3 kilometers long and leads you there in about an hour. The best way is to hike directly through the Valley, which will take you a much longer but offers ample opportunities to take in the sights, sounds, and smells that Paradise has to offer.
You'll want to see this. Also jump in it, play in it, and explore all around it.
In the interest of full disclosure, I did the thru-hike because I failed spectacularly with research and didn’t know about the actual hiking trail. However, it was spectacular. To do the thru-hike, you’ll walk down from where the blue taxi drops you and navigate a road lined with little Berber shops. If you do the hike during the winter, nothing will be open and the place will be nearly deserted—that’s a recipe for success. The valley is also free to enter (score), so you won’t have to worry about paying a fee.
Internet pictures of Paradise Valley usually depict milling crowds of people everywhere, but in the winter you’ll barely see a soul as you wander through the gorge. Feel free to snack on dates, which grow freely and abundantly from palms along the water’s edge.
During our stay, we were pretty much the only people. Go in winter to have a similar experience!
It may take you several hours to get to the source, or even a day if you stop and smell the roses along the way. Take a dip in the clear pools, climb on all the cool rocks, and relish the tranquility of this place. It’s almost unreal, as if you could be the very first person to ever lay eyes on the place.
It can get a bit hairy walking through the Valley, but it's totally worth it.
You’re not, of course. That’s just how it feels. When you arrive at the source, you’ll know it. Unfortunately, visitors have taken their toll with trash, graffiti, and the remnants of old campfires. However, the place is still a magical wonderland of awesomeness.
Staying for the Night (Or the Week)
Staying for the night in Paradise is almost essential in experiencing its true beauty. There are two options for travelers. Camping is more economical (and more fun), but it’s also possible to stay in a resort near the end of the valley.
Camping
You’ll want to camp near the source, as downstream the water may not be up to par for drinking. However, the source is clean, clear, and absolutely delicious. Hike up through the trees to find an ideally flat nook to pitch your tent. As always, keep an eye on your fire and carry out your trash. Let’s keep Paradise paradisaical.
Graffiti does have its place in the world, but that place isn't here. Don't do it.
In the summer, it’s possible you may have problems camping out, making fires, and similar things if you camp too close to the well-traversed areas. If you keep far enough away from the howling crowds of tourists, you shouldn’t have any problems staying low-key. You definitely do want to be low-key here. Camping isn’t exactly illegal, but it’s a bit of a gray area. Make sure to stay hidden, for obvious reasons. In the winter, you might find yourself alone in Paradise or with only a few other budget travelers camping out.
Hotels
If you’d rather experience the magic of the valley from a comfortable hotel room, you can totally do that. There are several hotels and restaurants near the entrance of the trail, and they can be booked in advance or on the spot 9if there’s room) during peak tourism season. Out of season, many of them are closed. There are also restaurants which serve some pretty awesome food, so I’ve heard.
Trip Highlights and Things to Know Before You Go
Keep in mind that Paradise Valley is a major tourist attraction, so it’s important to pick your season wisely. Go for the winter, when many things are shut down and people are scarce. Remember to bring adequate supplies with you if you’re planning on camping out for a while, as it isn’t possible to get supplies once you’re in the valley. That being said, go for the gold and stay at least a few days. This place really is paradise.
Camping out in paradise. Yes, we caught the fish there. No, I don't recommend it.
Take Away
What: Hiking, Camping, Swimming, Paradise, Gorgeous Scenery
Where: Near Aourir, inland of the Moroccan coastal city of Agadir
Budget Cost: $30 (Food, Transport)
Bougie Cost: $80 (Restaurant Food, Transport, Lodging)
Bring: Swimsuit, Food & Camping Supply, Good Shoes
Trip Length: 1-7 Nights
Travel Rating: 5 Stars
All the images here are mine. They were taken with a mobile, so they're a bit grainy. But still awesome!