An oasis in the Dades Valley is responsible for the area's alternative name: the Valley of the Roses. El Kelaa des M'Gouna - the only town of any note in the area - acts as Morocco's rose capital, a vast distilling plant there producing the litres of scented rose-water so popular in the nation's cooking and perfumery.
Although El Kelaa smells divine all year round, the best time to visit is in late May, when the rose farmers from the surrounding hills gather to celebrate the year's harvest. With ten tons of petals required to produce a few litres of precious oil, the harvest is understandably a labour of love, and the culminating festivities are all the livelier for it. A souk (market) springs up along El Kelaa's main street, with plenty of music and dancing to brighten up the proceedings. A Rose Queen is also elected to reign over the year's scented crop.Please note: Moroccan festivals are based on a calendar different to our own. The dates given here are a guide only, as celebrations depend on harvests and other natural manifestations, making it impossible to predict the exact date that they will occur each year. The Moroccan Tourist Office and Whatsonwhen suggest that you exercise caution and ask tourist offices locally before you travel - even we can't predict the vagaries of the weather!