Ouarzazate & Ait Ben Haddou Excursion from Marrakech – Full Day

Ready for an epic road trip? This Marrakech tour takes us 190 km through the High Atlas mountains by way of Tizi n’Tichka, 2,260m (7,410ft) above sea level. The iconic driving route might be your most scenic yet, zig-zagging through undulating mountains and snow capped peaks with deep blue skies above.

“This is a slice of Moroccan life that most people won't see if they go by train, bus or airplane from place to place. Breathtaking scenery, highly recommended.” — KH, Connecticut

Our next stop is the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou. The ksar, is a traditional pre-Saharan habitat made up of earthen buildings surrounded by high walls. This striking example of southern Moroccan architecture makes for dramatic shots of clay brick urban castles.

Did you know? Several films have been shot in Aït Benhaddou, including The Mummy, Gladiator,Prince of Persia, Kingdom of Heaven, and Babel.

Coming down from the Atlas Mountains and before arriving at the Sahara desert, we’ll find several sand-colored kasbahs inhabited by Berbers. These villages benefit from the abundance of water from the mountain range, most especially that of Ouarzazate, our final stop on the tour.

Ouarzazate, situated at an elevation of 1,135 metres, is the largest town in the Moroccan Sahara. Our main destination here is Taourirt Kasbah, a former el Glaoui clan palace. The said family controlled a major caravan route to West Africa, reaching the zenith of its power during the French colonial rule. UNESCO helped in the site’s restoration, and one can get fabulous views of the surrounding landscapes from up top.

“I was most fascinated with the colorful doors of the village. The kasbah was equally impressive with its carved designs on the exterior and gorgeous tile work on the interior.” — Sandra, New Jersey