Itzer

Itzer is a city in Middle Atlas.

Take a grand taxi from Azrou (30 dirham), Zeida (8 dirham), Midelt (15 dirham), Boumia (10 dirham).

The town is small enough to walk from one end to the other in about 20 min. There is beautiful hiking in the area, very accessible from the town.

Visit the traditional weavers in the town's artisan association, Atlas Fil et Couleur. Ask for the Association or for "Moumi", the president of the Association.

Spend a day or two or three trekking in the mountains, forests and valleys surrounding Itzer.

Climb the plateau that overlooks the town, the nearby volcano, and the beginning of the High Atlas mountain range.

Visit a public bath ("hamman") (7 dirham)

Come on a Saturday morning for the regional souq, with everything from livestock to carpets and every kind of very fresh produce from the region.

Traditional, naturally-dyed Berber carpets, handbags and other artisan crafts. (www.afcmaroc.org)

Traditional Couscous made from medicinal herbs grown in the area (20 dirham/kg)

Traditional fried potato cakes ("makoda") in a sandwich with fresh soft bread and spicy sauce.

Snack "Moumi" next to the souq on Fridays and Saturdays for homemade sausage sandwiches and makoda (2.5 dirham).

There are several small and very nice cafes that serve freshly-brewed Moroccan tea, banana/apple smoothies and fresh-squeezed orange juice.

Contact Moumi to set up a traditional Berber homestay with one of the artisans from the Association. Email [email protected] or call Moumi at +212 666 76 55 68

Moumi, the president of the Association Atlas Fil et Couleur is your go-to man for just about anything you might need or want in the area. Email: [email protected], Mobile: +212 666 76 55 68 (French, English or Arabic)