Day Tour From Marrakech To Ait Ben Haddou and Ouarzazate via Atlas Mountains

Day Tour From Marrakech To Ait Ben Haddou & Ouarzazate, once the lavish 20th-century home of notorious Thami el Glaoui. Making a popular side trip for those visiting the Sahara from Marrakech, Aït Ben Haddou also boasts an impressive resume of film credit

On this day trip from Marrakech to Ouarzazate & Visit the Air Ben Haddou you’ll travel across the High Atlas Mountains to reach a vast desert plain that forms the outer reaches of the Sahara. This is a remarkable land of contrasts with river-fed oasis towns, contorted ancient volcanic wilderness, flourishing valleys, dramatic stone and mud-built Kasbahs and fortified villages known as Ksars. Begin your small-group day trip with a pickup from your Marrakech accommodation. Hop inside your air-conditioned 4x4 or minivan and soak up the scenery as you travel into the Atlas Mountains. Learn about life in the mountain villages, and traverse the spectacular Tizi-n-Tichka pass, climbing to 7,415 feet (2,260 meters) on route. Behold the vast Anti-Atlas region beyond the pass, and follow ancient caravan routes that linked Marrakech to the Sahara Desert. As you travel, hear about the merchants who traded slaves and gold along the route, and pass through desert hills, fruit groves and timeless villages. After around three hours, arrive at Aït Benhaddou, known for its well-preserved, UNESCO-listed kasbah. Head inside (own expense) to explore the adobe-built houses and streets, and learn how the kasbah featured in movies such as Jesus of Nazareth and the first Star Wars. Despite the early start, this is a really great day out !