Ouarzazate Excursion from Marrakech towards Ouarzazate  through the High Atlas Mountains via a well known and pictures pass.  The panoramic views are spectacular as we pass natural landscapes, traditional villages and the kasbahs typical of the Higher slopes of the mountains.  We will stop ito visit Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage site and tour its archetecturally interesting kasbah set amongst the palms.  We continue towards Ouarzazate, renowned as ‘Morocco’s Hollywood’ since so many scenes have been filmed here.  There are optional visits available to Taourite Kasbah, or you may prefer to linger longer over lunch at your chosen restaurant. Later in the afternoon we will travel back to Marrakech reaching your hotel around 7pm. Finally ends of Ouarzazate excursion from Marrakech.

Ksar Ait ben Haddou

The site of the ksar has been fortified since the 11th century during the Almoravid period. None of the current buildings are believed to date from before the 17th century, but they were likely built with the same construction methods and designs as had been used for centuries before. The site’s strategic importance was due to its location in the Ounila Valley along one of the main trans-Saharan trade routes. The Tizi n’Tichka pass, which was reached via this route, was one of the few routes across the Atlas Mountains, crossing between Marrakech and the Dra’a Valley on the edge of the Sahara.^[3][1] Other kasbahs and ksour were located all along this route, such as the nearby Tamdaght to the north.

Today, the ksar itself is only sparsely inhabited by several families. The depopulation over time is a result of the valley’s loss of strategic importance in the 20th century. Most local inhabitants now live in modern dwellings in the village on the other side of the river, and make a living off agriculture and especially off the tourist trade. In 2011 a new pedestrian bridge was completed linking the old ksar with the modern village, with the aim of making the ksar more accessible and to potentially encourage inhabitants to move back into its historic houses.

HIGHLIGHTS OUARZAZATE

Tizi’Tichka Pass

High Atlas Mountains

Kasbah Glaoui

Kasbah Taourite (optional)

Cinema Museum/Movie studio (optional)

Ait Ben Haddou

Included :

All transportation between destinations and activities with our clean and modern, air conditioned, fully insured minibus

Not Included :

Lunch

Optional tours

Beverages

Gratuities

Guide at Ait Ben Haddou

Cancellation Policy :

Cancel up to 48 hours in advance for a full refund