Asni

Asni is a little city in the foothills of the Atlas Mountains|High Atlas mountains in Morocco. It is about an hour's trip from Marrakech. As the town is on both the routes into and around the Atlas mountains and there is a steady drift of tourists and hence the place is full of hustlers. For a more peaceful stay near the Atlas mountains, carry on up the road to the more attractive Imlil.

Introduction

Weather in Asni during the summer (2023):

Max temperature of ~45°C (113°F) around 1:30PM
Min temperatureof ~15°C (60°F) around 5AM, before sunrise.
Rain: Very rare. Sometimes short, sharp downpours of dirty rain in the afternoons or thunderstorms.
Sun: Very intense. It's so much cooler in the shade (hard to find with the sun so high in the sky!). Causes perpetual sweat (despite low-ish humidity): at least 3 litres of water needed during a day spent outside.

Travel to Asni

Currently duplicated in Imlil It takes about 1 hour to get from Marrakech to Asni. There are buses from the central bus station which ostensibly leave every 30 minutes. A quicker way is to take a petit taxi to the out-of-town grand taxi 'park' (cost 15 dirhams. If you're better at haggling you can get this lower, if you care about a few pence). From there, a grand taxi will take you to Asni costing 15 dirhams per person, 6 sharing. (Grand taxis are maybe not the way, if you don't like sharing very confined spaces with strangers: the official policy is to seat 4 people in the back and two people on the passenger's seat.) Don't get ripped off taking a taxi straight from the airport!

If you are staying at Kasbah Tamadot (Sir Richard Branson's luxury hotel), private transfers are available from the Marrakech airport to the resort bookable through Virgin Limited Edition.

Transportation in Asni

Asni describes both the small village where the grand taxis drop you and the wider valley, however if we just consider the village: it is split into two parts. The commercial area, down by the primary street. Here there are shops lined up on either side of the road. Behind the shops up a slope to the south(?) a short distance is the residential part of the village, consisting of 50 or so houses.

Walking on foot is the way to get around (as the village is only a few hundred metres wide).

An old green Mercedes-Benz shuttle van shuttles between Asni and Imlil all day long (from 7AM onwards). Wait at the taxi area until someone shouts "ImlilImlilImlilImlilImlil!" It should cost just 10 dirhams (August 2008 prices). A taxi shouldn't cost that much more (about 15 dirhams to Imlil; about 30 dirhams to Marrakech). If, as a tourist, you're quoted a price in the hundreds of dirhams (this happens), say it's too expensive and walk away. You'll instantly be called back and asked to name your price: they will still want your business even if they can't rip you off.

What to See

This village has little to see. Old mud-brick houses seem amazing the first time you seem them, but you'll see more, higher up in the mountains, without all the agents and conmen. Compared to Imlil and Marrakech, Asni is noticeably less tourist and therefore is more like the 'real' Morocco whilst still offering all the amenities needed to stay there. It is, however, neither as picturesque as Imlil nor better located for visiting the Atlas. If you are looking for a base from which to explore deep into the Atlas, Asni's a bit too far north.

Muslim Travel Tips

For many Muslim there's little to do here beyond buying food and water and leaving. Okay, that's a bit harsh. Asni has many hammam (bath houses), which would have been nice after long walks in the day. There's also an internet cafe (6 dirhams/hour: bargain!)

What to buy in Asni

There are maybe 20 or 30 tiny shops in Asni, mostly selling exactly the same things. Food, water (probably a really good idea if you're planning to head further into the mountains. Bottled water gets more expensive the further you get from Marrakech? And if you feel like being conned and there are loads of really naff trinkets being sold by hustlers. Hustlers are out to get you. They'll invite you to their house, give you lots of mint tea and sell you an excellent but massively overpriced meal (50 dirhams each for cous-cous). They become really pushy when the inevitable "silver" bangles come out. They spend all day waiting around the cafe opposite the petrol station. Sunglasses allow you to avoid making eye-contact.

The weekly market (Saturdays) is big. Traders travel for hours and hours to get there, however Marrakech probably has everything you can buy here, at a lower price.

Halal Restaurants & Food in Asni

There are a couple of cafes on the main street mainly selling tagine: It's quite nice.
Rounds of bread, eggs and cigarettes all cost 1 dirham each.
Fruit and vegetables: from a couple of stalls, really fresh stuff, amazing flavour: e.g. 5 dirhams/kg for potatoes
There are a few butchers and several places to buy a Chicken (alive or dead)
Tinned foods and Sauces are sold in most shops

There no Cheese (except 'Laughing Cow') and although they sell milk, it's already curdled before you buy it.

Water: bottled water (1.5 litre bottles) can be purchased at most shops. Some shops have fridges and therefore sell cold water! The local residents drink the tap water with no problem, but foreigners should drink just small amounts at first to get used to it. The water in Asni is far better than in Marrakech.
Soft Drinks: Coke, Fanta, Sprite, cost around 7Dh for a litre bottle and can be purchased from a fridge too.
Alcohol: it's legal, but there's nowhere to buy it in Asni!

eHalal Group Launches Halal Guide to Asni

Asni - eHalal Travel Group, a leading provider of innovative Halal travel solutions for Muslim travelers to Asni, is thrilled to announce the official launch of its comprehensive Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Asni. This groundbreaking initiative aims to cater to the diverse needs of Muslim travelers, offering them a seamless and enriching travel experience in Asni and its surrounding regions.

With the steady growth of Muslim tourism worldwide, eHalal Travel Group recognizes the importance of providing Muslim travelers with accessible, accurate, and up-to-date information to support their travel aspirations to Asni. The Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide is designed to be a one-stop resource, offering an array of invaluable information on various travel aspects, all carefully curated to align with Islamic principles and values.

The Travel Guide encompasses a wide range of features that will undoubtedly enhance the travel experience for Muslim visitors to Asni. Key components include:

Halal-Friendly Accommodations in Asni: A carefully selected list of hotels, lodges, and vacation rentals that cater to halal requirements, ensuring a comfortable and welcoming stay for Muslim travelers in Asni.

Halal Food, Restaurants and Dining in Asni: A comprehensive directory of restaurants, eateries, and food outlets offering halal-certified or halal-friendly options in Asni, allowing Muslim travelers to savor local cuisines without compromising their dietary preferences in Asni.

Prayer Facilities: Information on masjids, prayer rooms, and suitable locations for daily prayers in Asni, ensuring ease and convenience for Muslim visitors in fulfilling their religious obligations.

Local Attractions: An engaging compilation of Muslim-friendly attractions, cultural sites such as Museums, and points of interest in Asni, enabling travelers to explore the city's rich heritage while adhering to their values.

Transport and Logistics: Practical guidance on transportation options that accommodate Muslim travel needs, ensuring seamless movement within Asni and beyond.

Speaking about the launch, Irwan Shah, Chief Technology Officer of eHalal Travel Group in Asni, stated, "We are thrilled to introduce our Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide in Asni, a Muslim friendly destination known for its cultural richness and historical significance. Our goal is to empower Muslim travelers with accurate information and resources, enabling them to experience the wonders of Asni without any concerns about their faith-based requirements. This initiative reaffirms our commitment to creating inclusive and memorable travel experiences for all our clients."

The eHalal Travel Group's Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Asni is now accessible on this page. The guide will be regularly updated to ensure that Muslim travelers have access to the latest information, thus reinforcing its status as a reliable companion for Muslim travelers exploring Asni.

About eHalal Travel Group:

eHalal Travel Group Asni is a prominent name in the global Muslim travel industry, dedicated to providing innovative and all-inclusive travel solutions tailored to the needs of Muslim travelers worldwide. With a commitment to excellence and inclusivity, eHalal Travel Group aims to foster a seamless travel experience for its clients while respecting their religious and cultural values.

For Halal business inquiries in Asni, please contact:

eHalal Travel Group Asni Media: info@ehalal.io

Ramadan in Asni

Ramadan 2025 in Asni

Ramadan concludes with the festival of Eid al-Fitr, which may last several days, usually three in most countries.

The next Ramadan shall be from Friday, 28 February 2025 to Saturday, 29 March 2025

The next Eid al-Adha shall be on Friday, 6 June 2025

The next day of Raʾs al-Sana shall be on Thursday, 26 June 2025

The next day for Mawlid al-Nabī shall be on Monday, 16 September 2024

Muslim Friendly Hotels

There is one hostel and one hotel (The hotel has closed down, but the hostel is open for business).

Auberge Jeunesse d'Asni (Asni Youth Hostel) Web: %20Hostel&country=MA&city=a96129 ☎ +212 4-447713 30 dirhams/person/night, Location: 31.2478oN;7.9788oW. It's very basic but has everything crucial. The owners, Omar and Fatima, are very welcoming and friendly although they speak almost no English. A typical dorm comprises: a few metal bunkbeds (with mattresses, mattress covers and pillows), a concrete floor, a tin roof, walls, an electric light, a power socket, a lockable door and a window, nothing else. There are 2 showers to use free of charge and the water's perfect in the evening after being heated by the sun during the day. There's a delightful selection of 4 squat toilets in the outhouse (bring your own toilet paper). For water and there's a tap outside and another in the 'kitchen' to get fresh, drinkable waterAlso in the kitchen is a sink and a massive table (but no means to cook anything if you don't bring your own stove). Ask Omar nicely to use his freezer. There's a large garden area with plenty of shade under a canopy of trees, outdoor lighting and plenty of garden chairs knocking about to sit on. The hostel's really peaceful, secluded and shaded compared to the noise, bustle and heat of the town. This place is great: stay there!

Kasbah Tamadot 31.2221191,-7.9711048 ☎ +212 24 36 82 00 Sir Richard Branson's new luxury Moroccan retreat is in Asni. It has 19 rooms and suites.

Dar Tassa - Douar Tassaouirgane - Near Marigha, in the serene mountain setting of National Park, just over an hour's drive south of Marrakech in a hamlet accessed by a track ☎ +212 5 24484312€35 Check-in : 1:30PM / Check-out: noon Eco-friendly and cosy guest house. Built in traditional Berber style with traditional materials, it enjoys with stunning views from the picture window in the lounge and from the large roof terrace. The owners actively support eco tourism and local conservation projects. The seven suites and rooms are arranged around a spacious living/dining room with fountain. The cosy bedrooms are decorated with warm colours and Berber furnishings and have heating and air conditioning. There are three suites with double beds (extra bed feasible) with en suite bathrooms, two doubles with shared bathrooms and two twins/singles with shared bathrooms.

Where to travel next from Asni

To get back to Marrakech a grande taxi back is the best way. Taxis back to Marrakech are in general more expensive than coming here. Thit is because people often travel through the mountains, so there are fewer people coming back to Marrakech.
To go on up into the mountains, please read the Imlil page.

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