Er-Rich, Morocco: A Mountain Town Between the High Atlas and the Desert
A small town on the Oued Ziz where the eastern High Atlas gives way, road by road, to the oasis country and the Sahara.
Er-Rich, also known as Rich, is a place in Morocco's Drâ-Tafilalet region that marks the start of a dramatic change in the geography of eastern Morocco. This small town in Midelt Province is located close to the Oued Ziz and nestled between mountainous areas and the routes that head towards the south, the oases and the Sahara.
Where Is Er-Rich?
The town of Er-Rich, or Rich, is located in Midelt Province of Morocco. It lies between the Middle Atlas mountains and the eastern High Atlas, along the Oued Ziz. This location gave the town strategic importance as a crossroads between mountain and oasis terrain.
The setting of Er-Rich makes it ideal for those looking to explore the area around Midelt, Imilchil, Errachidia, Tinghir and the Sahara.
Er-Rich and the Oued Ziz
The Oued Ziz is a major feature of the landscape in southeastern Morocco and, coming from the mountains, its valley eventually leads to the oasis country further south.
However, around Er-Rich the scenery changes completely from that which is familiar to those used to the Tafilalet region. In this area, mountains, plateaus and valleys form the terrain.
This change in scenery is part of what makes Er-Rich an intriguing stop on a tour of the Atlas mountains of Morocco.
The Old Ksar and Local Heritage
Much of the history of Er-Rich is tied in with both the ksar and the river. In turn, the history of ksour such as Er-Rich is linked with the location of the town and its convenient position between the mountains and the valley.
To put it another way, if you are looking for a break in the mountains or a stop on the way from the High Atlas to the south, Er-Rich is well worth a visit.
Er-Rich as a Base for Exploring the Region
A tour of Er-Rich can be incorporated into a wider tour of eastern Morocco. Depending on the length and flexibility of your trip, you may want to consider visiting Midelt, Imilchil, Lake Isli, Lake Tislit, the eastern High Atlas, Errachidia, the Ziz Valley and the Sahara Desert.
In short, Er-Rich is perfect for those wishing to see more of Morocco beyond the usual tourist haunts.
Why Visit Er-Rich?
Er-Rich is not a rival to Marrakech or Fes, but rather a stop on the way to other interesting parts of Morocco.
It is an opportunity to see a part of the country where the main attraction is the journey from the mountains down through the valley to the desert.
For those who want to see more of Morocco, and not just the postcard destinations, Er-Rich is worth a visit.
Exploring Morocco Beyond the Famous Cities
A tour of Morocco need not be limited to the usual destinations. Even though many travellers to Morocco will include Fes, Marrakech and the Sahara, there is more to this country than these places.
Er-Rich, for example, is part of a different landscape, one that includes mountains, rivers, Amazigh people, ksour and the transition from the mountains to the oasis country and the desert.
If you are exploring Morocco beyond the postcard destinations, then a stop in Er-Rich will enhance your tour of this fascinating country.
Stopping at Er-Rich well
- Plan it as a stop, not a destination: Er-Rich sits on the road between the mountains and the desert — build it into a longer eastern route.
- Ask about the ksar: the old fortified village is the reason the town is worth the stop.
- Fuel and supplies: plan stops between Errachidia and the Sahara.
- Respect: this is a working town; ask before photographing people and their homes.