Would you like to walk the rose fields of Morocco and smell pure Rose Oil in a Moroccan distillery?
The very exclusive Moroccan Rose Valley Programme is designed for all rose lovers who want to see and smell the fragrant rose bushes in the special environment of Morocco. If you aren’t already, you’ll be addicted to the scent of roses when you return, and rich with new knowledge about roses, their scent and therapeutic power. We will visit them during the best blossom season, in a small group of 10 participants, so this is a unique opportunity to experience the Valley of the Roses in a very direct and intimate way. The culinary creation of traditional Moroccan dishes in homes of hospitable locals will add a touch of exotic sensuality to this very special rose experience.
Morocco is famous for its roses and rose products, just like Bulgaria or Turkey. Tradition says that those were brought to Morocco from Saudi Arabia in the 10th century. They are grown in large plantations in green oasis, south of the Atlas Mountains. The centre of the rose industry is a lovely flower town of Kalaat M’gouna in Moroccan Rose Valley. It is situated at 1450 m above sea level and has an ideal climate for growing roses.
Most of rose-growing and the production of the famous rose water and rose oil are carried out by so- called cooperatives, a form of co-operative societies. With the help of the government, which financially encourages such employment opportunities, particularly for women in backward rural areas, rose cooperatives are vehicles for development in that part of rural Morocco. As part of our programme, we will visit one such ‘rose cooperative’. We will join it in a rural rose field to pick fragrant flowers, and will be given an overview of the cooperative’s activities, distillation and other forms of processing rose flowers. We will have the opportunity to try and, of course, buy its fragrant products. Furthermore, we will have a lecture on the therapeutic power and uses of roses, and together we will walk through many shops selling rose products in the rose town of Kalaat M’gouna.
Rose Plantations
Lectures about roses
Rose distilleries
There are different ways to grow roses in Morocco. You will get to know old traditional, as well as modern ways. Moroccans take very good care of their roses, and roses repay them with a beautiful scent. We will see both large and small rose plantations and take part in rose picking.
With aromatherapyst, lecturer and rose enthusiast Eva Nedelko you will learn many things about roses. With extensive experiences in growing old fragrant roses, in using them in aromatherapy and distilling them, Eva is the one to answer your questions.
Modern rose distilleries are working beside more traditional ones and it is interesting to see how they operate. We will visit them and see that modern knowledge of rose distillation is not lacking in Morocco. It will also be interesting to hear how the government is helping them in this field.
Rose Festival
City of Kalaat M'gouna
Rose Cooperative
A colourful and unique rose festival is something you should really see. It only happens once a year and with some luck we will see it. It showcases the products of local rose growers, and organises various meetings and folklore events.
We will walk through the lively streets of the lovely rose capital Kalaat M’gouna. Those are lots of pink coloured shops with rose products in and around the city. They are always nice to visit and you may discover some quite innovative rose products there.
A visit to the first Moroccan female rose cooperative is something special and hearing to its story will touch you. We deliberately chose this cooperative to support its work with our visit. Fatima is the soul of the cooperative. Her simplicity might charm you, as well.
Morocco is also renowned for its exquisite cuisine. That is why friendly locals will invite us to join them in their authentic homes to prepare home-cooked meals and introduce to us old local traditions of henna skin-painting and kohl painting. We are sure that this delicious experiences will be something that we will not forget for a long time.
Our hosts Mohammed and Isabelle will add a special touch to our visit. Mohammed is an excellent chef of traditional Moroccan delicacies, an expert in Moroccan culture, customs and philosophy. Isabelle adds French accents to Moroccan dishes with a sophisticated flair. Surrely, their culinary creations would be appreciated in any exquisite restaurant in the world.
Traditional cooking
Rose Desserts
Henna Painting
Moroccan food is delicious. In a traditional family home, you will be able to help prepair your lunch. Some traditional ways of using Moroccan spices will be revealed to you.
Roses are also valued in Moroccan cuisine. Almost no traditional dessert is made without them. With an expert help of Isabelle we will have a look at the secret of using them for desserts.
Body painting with henna and charcoal is an ancient tradition in Morocco. Friendly locals will show us how and tell us why they did it. Get ready to be surprised!
Rose cooperative
Rose plantations
Rose distilleries
Price of Moroccan Rose Valley Programme
What is included in price?- Visit to a rose plantation
- Lectures on powers of roses
- Visit to the Rose Festival of Kalaat M'gouna
- Visit to a rose distillery
- Workshop in cooking a rose dessert
- Visit to the rose shops of Kalaat M'gouna
- Workshop in cooking traditional Moroccan dishes
- Evening talks on Moroccan customs
- Organisation of the Programme
APPLICATIONS FOR INDIVIDUAL TRAVELERS ARE NO LONGER POSSIBLE.
However, you can apply as a group and we can make a tailor designed offer for you. Just send as an e-mail to info@eywineo.eu.
The price of The Moroccan Rose Valley Programme does not include the cost of arrival and departure to/from Morocco, accommodation, meals, insurances, transportation in Morocco. Flight tickets are to be arranged by participants. If you wish to arrive in Morocco earlier or extend your stay, you can also organise it according to your wishes.
What do our participants say about The Moroccan Rose Valley Programme
Additional SUGGESTIONS
Of course, we have put together some recommendations to make your trip and stay in Morocco easier. The nearest airports to Rose Valley are Marrakech and Quarzazat, the Marrakech airport has frequent and affordable connections to many cities in Europe.
We suggest that you arrive to Marrakech three days before we start our Moroccan Rose Valley Programme. It would be a pity not to see this colourful and vibrant city once you are in the region. You can stroll along the narrow commercial streets of the medina (the old town), packed with a variety of merchandise and handicrafts. The town is full of interesting historical buildings built in the typical Moroccan architectural style, which is very colourful thanks to the abundance of stonemasonry and ceramic details. It is a superb example of oriental architectural aesthetics.
For accommodation in Marrakech we recommend a nice riad close to the city centre. It is small and very privat, with a great overroof terrasse and a traditional open space in the centre of house. For our group there are reserved double and twin rooms, but the registration will need to be done by yourselves at the arrival in Marrrakech. The hotel also provids a delicious Moroccan breakfast and a taxi-transportation to the airport.
We suggest to visit at least some of the Marrakech attractions from the list below:
– excuisite Bahia Palace,
– largest Koranic School, the Ben Youssef Madrasa,
– beautiful Moroccan Secret Garden,
– Perfume Museum,
– necropolis of the former Saadi rulers of Marrakech,
– must-see colourful Jemaa el Fnaa Market in the city centre, which never sleeps.
Entrance fees are up to 10 EUR. If you wish, you can also take a guided tour with a local guide.
The Valley of the Roses is 285 km away from Marrakech and is accessible by scenic road through the Atlas Mountains via the Tichka Pass, which is at an altitude of 2,200 m. The drive to Kalaat M’gouna therefore takes approximately 6 hours. This ride can also be done together (public transport or taxi) and the cost of transport can be shared. City of Quarzazat is 95 km away from Kalaat M’gouna. Transportation to Kalaat M’gouna is possible by public transport or taxi.
For accommodation in Kalaat M’gouna we recommend an excellent riad on the outskirts of the city. Accommodation is available in authentic rooms and includes a delicious Moroccan breakfast, lunch and dinner. You may also experience traditional Moroccan hammam, discover the local traditions of painting with henna and kohl or dinner with local stories and traditions with Mohammed. For our group there are reserved double and twin rooms, but the registration will be done by yourselves at the arrival in Kalaat M’gouna.
Price of ADDITIONAL SUGGESTIONS: ... EUR
This price includes costs of all accomodation in Marrakech and Kalaat M’gouna, meals in Kalaat M’gouna, all transportation in Morroco. They are to be payed at the registration in Morroco. Excluded are just costs of lunch/dinner in Marrakech, visit to hammam, entries to the museums, insurances, flight to Morocco. Costs may vary slightly depending on the number of participants and the mode of transport chosen.
We will be happy to advise you on any dilemmas, provide you with all the detailed information and support your needs. Contact us at info@eywineo.eu or call on +386 41 505 897 (Eva). We are also planning a live online meeting with all participants before the trip.
Who will be with you?
Eva Nedelko
Eva is a Slovenian aromatherapist, lover of old rose varieties, author, distiller and lecturer. She completed her Master's Degree in Financial Management and gradually turned to aromatherapy while still working in the financial field. She designed a Fragrance Garden, full of traditional Slovenian herbs, and Eva's Rose Garden, rich with a collection of fragrant old rose varieties. She dedicates a lot of her time and care to those two. Consequently, Eva’s dedicated work with roses unlocked in her higher perceptions and her study of rose scents closely connected her with the world of essential oils. She has completed several internationally renowned aromatherapy trainings. She is also a Slovenian NPK Aromatherapist and a member of ICAN.
For more than eight years, Eva has been distilling essential oils of highest purity, now available under the EYWINEO brand which she co-established. For the past five years, she has also been a dedicated consultant for anyone who needs advice on health benefits of essential oils. Her special passion is holistic aromatherapy, which approaches and treats individual’s health issues holistically. She is happy to pass on her knowledge in workshops on distillation and aromatherapy.