Few roads in Africa match the climb over the High Atlas. On this private Aït Benhaddou day trip you drive from Marrakech up to the Tizi n’Tichka pass at 2,260 meters, then down into a landscape of red earth, palm oases and mud-brick villages. The goal is Aït Benhaddou, a fortified ksar listed by UNESCO and one of the most filmed places in Morocco.
Walk across the riverbed and up through the alleys to the old granary at the top. From there the view sweeps over the desert plain, and it is easy to see why directors chose it for Gladiator, Lawrence of Arabia and Game of Thrones. After lunch, continue to Ouarzazate, the gateway to the Sahara, to see the Taourirt kasbah from outside and the film studios area.
It is a long day, about 11 to 12 hours, but it is the best way to see the Atlas and the south if you only have a few days in Marrakech. Short on time but craving dunes? Consider the 3-day desert tour to Merzouga instead.
