DAY TRIP FROM MARRAKECH TO AIT BEN HADDOU
Tour Details for DAY TRIP FROM MARRAKECH TO AIT BEN HADDOU
A day excursion to Ait Ben Haddou from Marrakech is a fantastic way to see the many interesting and varied aspects of Morocco. The magnificent background is provided by the towering High Atlas Mountains, which may be seen from several locations of the city. This specific journey immerses you in the rich history and regional culture of the Berber people by visiting the Kasbahs of Telouet and Ait Ben Haddou close to Ouarzazate.
You will go across the Tizi-n-Tichka pass, which offers you breath-taking panoramic views, on your way to the Kasbahs. With their own way of life evident in the fields and gardens that adorn the landscape, Berber communities may be found strewn across the valleys and on the slopes of the spectacular Atlas Mountains.
A magnificent witness to the architectural legacy of the area, Kasbah Aït Ben Haddou and Kasbah Telouet are UNESCO World legacy sites that showcase multigenerational habitation. You will also see snippets of smaller, more humble Berber dwellings as you travel down the Ounila Valley between the two Kasbahs, contributing to the trip’s rich cultural fabric.
Include
- English/spanish speaking driver
- Pick up and drop off
- modern air-conditioned 4×4 SUVs or vans or and minibuses
- Lunch
- Entrance fees and local guide in Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou and Telouet Kasbah
- The opportunity to ask the drive to stop for breaks or visits whenever you wish
Exclude
- Drinks
- Tips
Tour plan for DAY TRIP FROM MARRAKECH TO AIT BEN HADDOU :
When your driver arrives at your riad at 8:00, you will be taken over the magnificent High Atlas mountains and across the famous Tizi-n-Tichka pass, which is the highest crossing in Africa at 2260 meters.
You will be able to see Berber communities situated on the slope for the whole distance. Their earthy colors can give them the appearance of being concealed since they mix in so well with the surrounding soil. You will go by rivers dotted with fruit and oleander trees as you drop into valleys. Olive, walnut, pomegranate, apple, pear, and quince trees grow abundantly in the gardens here. In this idyllic environment, Berber women and children care for their sheep and goats, skillfully negotiating steep inclines to get food for their animals and fuel for their fires.
The terrain dramatically changes when you pass over to the opposite side of the mountains, becoming more akin to a semi-arid desert. This is where you will come across the unique Kasbah architecture, which is distinguished by grilled windows, corner towers, and walls with muted peach colors. The climate of the southern area has not been forgotten in the architecture of these typical adobe homes.
You will veer off the main road and onto a small road that leads to the Telouet Kasbah after crossing the Tichka pass. This magnificent building housed the powerful Glaoui tribe’s headquarters in addition to serving as a stately home. The salt mines in the area contributed to their fortune.
Every building that was added to the Kasbah is now in ruins and is open to the weather since the Pasha, who had plotted against Mohammed V’s banishment, had them taken and looted. Discover the furthest corners of the Kasbah and be ready to be delighted by the classic interior decorations.
Proceeding southward, the path leads you into the Ounila Valley, where meandering lanes intersect verdant meadows and gardens. The Berber towns and gardens, along with the vivid colors of the rock and soil, make for an enthralling setting. Numerous households in the area are supported by the abundant fruit, almond, and olive trees that grow in the little Kasbahs that dot the terrain.
The most famous and oldest Kasbah in Morocco, Aït Ben Haddou, is finally reached via this amazing route. Moreover, it is one of the nine UNESCO World Heritage sites in Morocco. The earthen structures and well-preserved architectural style merge in seamlessly with the surrounding natural environment.
During the historic Salt Road caravan routes, which carried slaves, gold, ivory, and salt from sub-Saharan Africa to Marrakech and other destinations, it acted as a major stronghold. The Kasbah has become even more well-known nowadays as a background for many Hollywood blockbuster movies.
After spending an enthralling day seeing the landscapes, getting a taste of Berber culture, and seeing these famous Kasbahs, you will take the main route back to Marrakech, retracing your steps over the Tichka pass. It’s predicted that you will arrive in the city early in the evening, capping an incredible voyage.
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