Tislit and Isli Lakes

The two lakes lie on the high plateau near Imilchil at around 2,200 metres, in bare stony country with almost no trees, and they are joined by a story: a young man and woman of different Ait Haddidou clans were forbidden to marry, wept until their tears made two lakes, and drowned themselves - Isli being the bridegroom and Tislit the bride. The annual moussem at Imilchil in September, a large gathering of the tribes with trading, music and betrothals, is tied to the same account, and it has been described in travel writing as a marriage market, which the people involved regard as an oversimplification. Tislit is the smaller and nearer, with a kasbah-style building on the shore; Isli is deeper, about a hundred metres, and a rougher drive away. Both sit in landscape that is empty and severe and worth the trip for that alone.

What you actually see

• Two lakes at 2,200 metres - Tislit the smaller and nearer, Isli deeper and further.
• The legend - lakes described as the tears of a couple forbidden to marry.
• The Imilchil moussem - a September gathering of the Ait Haddidou tied to the story.
• Empty high plateau - bare stony country with almost no trees.

When to go

May to October; September for the moussem. Half a day.

Honest expectations

The road to Imilchil is long and the track to Isli is rough. Winter snow closes the plateau. There are almost no facilities at either lake. The moussem is often described in exaggerated terms by outsiders.

Nearby

Imilchil village is between them; the Todra gorge road runs south.