Berber Market in Ida Ogourd & Visit of an Argan cooperative.
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Berber Market in Ida Ogourd & Visit of an Argan cooperative.
By Berberlands - Day Tours
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About
Rural markets usually take place once a week. On Wednesdays in the village of Ida Ogourd locals do their weekly shopping and meet ‘n’ greet friends. This market is a friendly, family affair which takes place on a small hill in a fertile area only 20km southeast of Essaouira.
Market-goers traditionally travel by donkey to get the goods they need for the forthcoming week: the “Donkey Parking Lot” surrounding the market is a sight to behold!
At the market you find vegetables, fruits, spices, housewares, tools, and construction materials as well as various services that are offered: a blacksmith putting new horseshoes onto donkeys’ hooves; a welder repairing pans, kettles, and teapots; a cobbler resoling shoes.
Of special note are barbers under tents - amusing barber shops, indeed!
As we stroll through the market we pick up interesting details about farmers’ lives in this region accompanied by background information on Berber culture in the Haha province. We finish our tour of the market with tea as we observe the busy scenery.
Afterwards we visit an Argan cooperative to learn about the production of precious Argan Oil - in all of the world this is a product unique to this area. We watch the Berber women at every step in extracting oil from the kernels of the Argan fruits using a delicate, traditional process done by hand. Of course, we taste this delicious oil that bears the name “Morocco’s Gold”.
Ages 0-99, max of 8 per group
Duration: 3h 30m
Start time: Check availability
Mobile ticket
Live guide: German, Arabic, English, French, Spanish
More
- Tea at the market.
- Private transportation
- Start:
- Avenue du Caire, Essaouira, MoroccoBab Sbaa is the gateway to the Medina. We meet at the front of the street where the blue taxis stop.
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Near public transportation
- Infant seats available
If you have questions about accessibility, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 128089P5- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Most travelers can participate
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
- This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 8 travelers
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.
- If you have questions about this tour or need help making your booking, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 128089P5
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About the operator
Don’t take it from us – here’s what people have to say about this operator:
- Q5236TVchristopherc0 contributionsGreat way to spend a morningLovely walk and very insightful. Well worth it. And the guide was incredible. Very friendly and helpful, full of interesting information.Written March 7, 2024
- Marcus M0 contributionsHad Dra - amazing experience 😊I have been before, and still thoroughly love this totally captivating authentic local farmer’s market. I arrived before sunrise and started at the far end of the market to experience all the animal trading, mainly cattle, but also horses, goats, poultry and camels. Wandering through the rest of the market it is split into house building material, spices, vegetables, homeware, etc, as well as hot tea sellers and food being cooked in hot coals. It is like stepping back in time. I took a ‘taxi collective’, 10 dirham each way from the grand taxi station on Ave 2 Mars in Essaouira. It took 5 minutes for the taxi to fill up before taking 25 minutes to get to Had Dra, and be dropped by the post office. The return taxi is on the other side of the road. Highly recommend, and worth getting there early.Written March 3, 2024
- elizabethgowing0 contributionsGuide didn't turn up. Phone number didn't work. Such a disappointmentI waited at the arranged meeting point but the guide and transport never turned up. Other tour guides waiting there could give me no information about the company. The phone number I'd been given didn't work. Such a disappointment - now trying to get my money backWritten January 3, 2024
- Explorer589761555390 contributionsAmazing tour!The tour guide was very knowledgeable and educated us on the wildlife, local traditions, and history behind Sidi M’barek and saw such serene views of the deserted beach and dunes of Sidi M’barek! We also enjoyed a very lovely tea break with a local berber family who were very friendly and welcoming of their home. Our tour guide was also very accommodating when translating to other tourists in different languages!Written September 18, 2023
- 395hansl0 contributionsAuthentic Moroccan experienceThis excursion is a great opportunity to experience an authentic Moroccan market. Naima is a super guide and she showed and explained the market and the farmer's life. Great to meet some of the market people, get some demos and taste the great food!Written September 17, 2023
- pclark7680 contributionsHad Draa Sunday marketThe market is truly local, thousands of Moroccan men but no Moroccan women, and in the 2 hours we were there saw less than 10 Europeans. You can buy any part of a animal there, and animal welfare is very different to ours. If you are squeamish definitely don’t go. If you want the real flavour of Morocco go. But beware of pick pockets, my wife had a bag stolen from inside her rucksack.Written May 21, 2023
- LieselotVM0 contributionsGreat dayIt was an amazing and relaxing day. The guide is very friendly and tells a lot about the environment of Essaouira. Thank you so much for the best time!Written January 31, 2023
- Renee S0 contributionsSunset hike through the dunes of EssouriaWe had the most wonderful walk with Claudia, owner of Berberland Eco Tours. She is such an ambassador for Essouria and the beautiful natural world that makes this a unique destination in Morocco. She knows so much about the plants and local legends, which she described during our sandy walk through the dunes to the ruins of the Sultans Palace. While we were there, we saw people horseback riding and ATV riding. We watched the sun set slowly on the horizon from the palace, a lovely place for photos. Then she took us to Jimi Hendrix bar in the small town of Diabet. I highly recommend a tour with Claudia.Written November 15, 2022
- Milena_M_E_Koch900 contributionsGreat local market experienceWe had a wonderful trip with Naima to a local market in Tidzi and visited an Argan cooperative. Naima explained everything in great detail and made us feel becoming part of the local culture. We absolutely loved it and would highly recommend it!Written September 9, 2021
- Hannahtp830 contributionsWonderful experience!We took a walking tour through the countryside, along the coast with two young children (2 and 6ys).They both rode a for much of day. Our guide, Claudia is great, very friendly and knowledgable. We enjoyed some incredible scenery, had fun running/sliding down dunes, looked around historic places and finished our day with a delicious lunch in the home of a local Berber family who were very welcoming to us. It was a great experience to share with our kids. We would definitely recommend Claudia and Berberlands and hope to do and tour in the future when we return to Essaouira.Written January 19, 2020
- AVIVA L0 contributionsKnowledgeable guides and fascinating cultural insightsI have been on several excursions with Berberlands, the latest being the visit to the Arganarie, Marabout and the incredible ruins of the 16th century sugar mills near Ida Ougourd. Our guide, Naima, was really well-informed, (with excellent English!) and I learnt so much about Argan, the fruit, the production and the importance of these beautiful trees to the local people. The sugar mill was fascinating and we were able to walk amongst the ruins of the aqueduct and mill house while Naima explained the history of the place. We also visited a lovely Berber family for a delicious tea and enjoyed a visit to a local women's Argan cooperative to see how they processed the argan nuts to make oils and other products. It is really great to be able to learn more about the local culture and history with a friendly and knowledgeable guide. It is also a unique opportunity to visit authentic places off the tourist trail and meet the amazing local Berber people, who are always friendly and welcoming.Written January 15, 2020
- AVIVA L0 contributionsStunning deserted beach and fascinating landscapeI did this tour with a group of friends with Naima as our guide. The beach was stunning with miles of clear sands to walk and have time to enjoy the sunshine. The landscape along the coast was fascinating and we really enjoyed visiting the waterfall and seeing the tiny terrapins swimming in the pool below. After this we visited a marabout and found out about Sidi Mbarek, Naima was a really interesting guide who shared lots of local knowledge with us. We then visited a lovely Berber family and enjoyed a delicious tea with them in their traditional home. A delightful afternoon and fascinating visit, thank you!Written January 15, 2020
- 512mail0 contributionsWonderful Day!We had an amazing day visiting the Berber Market - a great way to experience the real Morocco and then trips to the Oasis and Moulay Bouzektoun. Our guide Naima was fantastic - so friendly and knowledgeable. Because of her familiarity with the market we were able to taste foods and sample produce that just wouldn't have been possible without her. We never felt rushed or pampered - just well looked after. Communication with Claudia was great and transport comfortable. Wonderful day & great value for money. We'd highly recommend both the company and this excursion.Written January 3, 2020
- Peter Didrik H0 contributionsMrWe had a wonderful trip. Claudia was interesting, knowledgeable, and humorous. Picture taken at lunchtime when we dashed in and out of waterfront caves.Written November 3, 2019
- sommieh f0 contributionsA very authentic experienceI thoroughly enjoyed this excursion. As an added bonus we stopped at the Argan cooperative. The market itself was a slice of village life, from livestock to foods and every other thing imaginable. We even had grilled camel meat for lunch! The oasis was beautiful as well, and such a contrast to the busy market.Claudia was an excellent guide, making me feel welcomed from the minute I stepped into the van. This was my second Berberlands trip and I am considering another!Written October 29, 2019
These reviews are the subjective opinions of Tripadvisor members and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
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5.0
6 reviews
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Mr-Reeee
New York City, NY15 contributions
Sep 2022 • Couples
It's a short drive from Essaouira.
Some Moroccan friends who own a lamp store suggested we go.
Lot's of stuff to see.
Food, fruit, vegetables, spices, clothing, carpets. Lots of donkeys.
A fun few hours to walk around. People are friendly and inviting.
Definitely worth doing.
Some Moroccan friends who own a lamp store suggested we go.
Lot's of stuff to see.
Food, fruit, vegetables, spices, clothing, carpets. Lots of donkeys.
A fun few hours to walk around. People are friendly and inviting.
Definitely worth doing.
Written August 17, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi, thanks for your insight to your experience. It was a pleasure to host you on this tour!
Written August 22, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
enna-7
chepstow56 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
Very informative and interesting visit. Our guide was very personable and friendly. The market is large with distinct sections. The livestock and butchery areas are not for the faint hearted or animal rights activists! But we enjoyed seeing Berber life in all its reality.
The visit to the argan oil cooperative was also very interesting.
The visit to the argan oil cooperative was also very interesting.
Written February 27, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Anna-Lina M
5 contributions
Oct 2019 • Friends
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
We had a great day! Everything worked out wonderfully and we were picked up punctually at the meeting point. Claudia convinced after the first encounter with her knowledge of the country and the people. She speaks several languages and this gave us a very good insight into the life of Moroccan people. She has insider knowledge and you can understand many bizarre things more easily. She is so sympathetic and competent! We can only recommend a trip with her and wish all participants a great time! ♥️
We had a great day! Everything worked out wonderfully and we were picked up punctually at the meeting point. Claudia convinced after the first encounter with her knowledge of the country and the people. She speaks several languages and this gave us a very good insight into the life of Moroccan people. She has insider knowledge and you can understand many bizarre things more easily. She is so sympathetic and competent! We can only recommend a trip with her and wish all participants a great time! ♥️
Written October 9, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you very much for the review, I enjoyed the sharing with you! Hope to see you again, wish you all the best and I hope your cousin is back on track.
Written October 11, 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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