DAY TRIP FROM MARRAKECH TO AIT BEN HADDOU

Embark on a captivating journey through the High Atlas Mountains. Our driver will collect you from your Riad at 8:00 am and begin the ascent, traversing the famed Tizi-n-Tichka pass, the highest in Africa at a staggering 2260 meters. As you wind your way up, keep an eye out for Berber villages clinging to the mountainsides, their adobe structures camouflaged by the earth tones.

The descent brings you into verdant valleys where rivers flow, bordered by vibrant oleander bushes and fruit trees. Lush gardens brimming with olives, walnuts, pomegranates, and apples line the route. Here, Berber women and children tend to their sheep and goats, traversing the slopes with remarkable agility.

Prepare for a dramatic shift in scenery as you cross the mountains. The arid landscape unfolds, revealing traditional Kasbahs with corner towers, their adobe walls painted a soft peach color and adorned with intricate grillwork. Perfectly suited to the climate, these dwellings stand as testaments to Berber ingenuity.

Following the pass, a detour leads you to the Telouet Kasbah, once a grand palace and seat of the powerful Glaoui tribe. Their wealth stemmed partly from nearby salt mines. Now exposed to the elements, the Kasbah stands in ruins, a consequence of the last Pasha’s betrayal and subsequent property confiscation. However, persevere and be rewarded by the beautifully preserved inner sanctum upon reaching the far end.

The journey continues southward through the Ounila Valley, where verdant fields and gardens snake along the road. The colorful landscape boasts Berber villages, smaller Kasbahs, and a vibrant display of rock and soil hues. Here, olive and almond trees, alongside a medley of fruits, sustain the Berber families.

Your adventure culminates at the awe-inspiring Aït Ben Haddou Kasbah, the oldest and most renowned in Morocco. Its 17th-century earthen architecture, perfectly integrated with the environment, has secured its place as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This historic stronghold served as a vital stop on the ancient Salt Road, witnessing the passage of traders carrying treasures like gold, ivory, and salt from sub-Saharan Africa. Today, the Kasbah holds a new kind of fame, having served as a backdrop for numerous Hollywood blockbusters.

After a day filled with breathtaking scenery, captivating Berber life, and exploration of these magnificent Kasbahs, we will return to Marrakech via the Tichka pass, arriving in the early evening.