Sahara Desert Tours
The Rose Valley of Morocco: Kelaat M'Gouna, Rosewater and the May Festival
Published November 5, 2026 by Morocco Amazing Tours
The short answer: the Rose Valley is the green oasis around Kelaat M'Gouna, about 90 km east of Ouarzazate on the road to the Dades Valley. Damask roses grow as hedges between the fields and are picked by hand at dawn from late April to May, when the town holds its Rose Festival. The rest of the year you can visit rosewater cooperatives and walk through the valley's kasbahs. It is a natural stop on the road from Marrakech to the Sahara.
Why roses grow here
The Damask rose (Rosa damascena) was brought to the region long ago, traditionally said to come with pilgrims or caravans from the Middle East. It thrives in the cold winters and dry springs of the valley at about 1,500 m. Families plant roses along the edges of their plots of barley, wheat and almond trees, so in May the whole valley smells of roses.
The harvest and the Rose Festival
- Harvest: late April to May, mostly by women, early in the morning while the petals are fresh.
- Festival: usually in May, with parades, folk music, a market of rose products and the election of a "Rose Queen". Dates change each year.
- Distilling: petals are steamed in copper stills to make rosewater; it takes a very large amount of petals to make a small quantity of rose oil.
What to do in Kelaat M'Gouna
| Activity | Time |
|---|---|
| Rosewater cooperative visit and tasting | 30 to 45 minutes |
| Walk among the rose hedges and kasbahs of the valley | 1 to 2 hours |
| Viewpoint over the oasis and the M'Goun mountains | 15 minutes |
| Lunch with an omelette or tagine and rose-flavoured treats | 1 hour |
Buy rose products from cooperatives with clear labels; real rose oil is expensive, and very cheap "rose oil" is usually perfume in another oil.
How to visit
Kelaat M'Gouna lies on the N10 between Skoura and Boumalne Dades, so you can stop on the first day of a desert tour: Marrakech, the Tizi n'Tichka pass, Ait Ben Haddou, Ouarzazate and Skoura, the Rose Valley, then the night in the Dades Valley. Our 3 day Sahara tour passes through it; in May we can time the trip for the harvest or the festival.
Best time to go
- Late April to May: blooming roses, harvest and festival.
- Spring and autumn: green fields and almond blossom (February to March) or golden colours (October).
- Summer: hot, but cooler than the desert; products are available year-round.
See all the other events of the year in our Morocco festivals calendar.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the Rose Valley in Morocco?
Around Kelaat M'Gouna, about 90 km east of Ouarzazate on the road to the Dades Valley and the Sahara.
When do the roses bloom in Kelaat M'Gouna?
From late April to May. The Rose Festival is usually held in May; dates are announced each year.
What can you buy in the Rose Valley?
Rosewater, rose oil, soaps, creams and dried rosebuds, ideally from cooperatives with clear labels.
Can I visit the Rose Valley on a desert tour?
Yes. It sits on the main road between Ouarzazate and the Dades Valley, on the first day of most tours from Marrakech to Merzouga.
Plan it with us: Merzouga desert tours and Desert tours from Marrakech.
See it with a private driver
Planning a trip around this? These private, driver-guided itineraries cover it — every route can be adjusted to your dates.
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