Welcome to Ait Ben Haddou
With the help of some Hollywood touch-ups, this Unesco-protected red mudbrick ksar (fortified vilage) seems frozen in time, still resembling its days in the 11th century as an Almoravid caravanserai. Movie buffs may recognise it from Lawrence of Arabia, Jesus of Nazareth (for which much of Aït Ben Haddou was rebuilt), Jewel of the Nile (note the Egyptian towers) and Gladiator. A less retouched kasbah can be found 6km north along the tarmac from Aït Ben Haddou: the Tamdaght kasbah, a crumbling Glaoui fortification topped by storks’ nests.
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Ait Ben Haddou activities
Overnight Sahara Tour from Marrakech
Day 1: Marrakech to Mhamid (D)A guide will pick you up from your accommodations so that you may leave Marrakech. Begin the drive through the scenic High Atlas mountains and admire the breathtaking scenery. Continue to Draa Valley, crossing the second pass, Tizi N'Tnifift on the way. Reach Agdez where you will break for lunch. Next, move on to the historical town of Tamegrout where you will visit an underground Kasbah. Finally, ride camels for approximately 90-minutes after arriving in Mhamid. Overnight: Nomad Tents Day 2: Erg Lihoudi Dunes to Marrakech (B)After enjoying the sunrise and breakfast, ride camels back to meet your driver. Drive back through the Draa valley towards Ouarzazate, discovering the hidden treasures of the Southern region. Stop in Ouarzazate to visit one of the most famous Kasbahs " Taourirt Kasbah" and the film studios. Afterwards, the trip will continue to Ait benhaddou village, the fortified Ksar with its beautiful Kasbahs. Enjoy lunch in one of local restaurants before driving back to Marrakech in the afternoon.
2-Day Zagora Desert Tour from Marrakech
Day 1: Marrakesh - Zagora After pickup from Marrakech at 7am, you will begin your journey crossing the High Atlas Mountains through the Tizi n'tichka pass toward the beautiful village of Ait Benhaddou. Upon arrival at the site, enjoy the splendour of its historical castle which is built on a hill, overlooking the area.From there, you will stop in Draa Valley well-known for its amazing Ksour and Kasbah before climbing to an altitude of over 3,800 feet (1160 meters) in the arid land of Ouarzazate city. Within the last portion of the drive connecting Ouarzazate with Zagora, you will admire the most beautiful valleys of Morocco and its beautiful villages filled with local handicraft shops.In the past, the Oasis of Zagora was a caravan centre, the starting point of the great trans-Saharan convoys. Once there, you will enjoy a 1-hour camel ride from Zagora to reach the bivouac campsite. Along the way, you will be able to view the amazing panoramic sunset. At the camp, you will savour a traditional dinner under the starlit sky and retire to your tent to spend the night near the dunes of Zagora.Day 2: Zagora - Marrakesh In the early morning around 5am, you will wake to a beautiful sunrise over the sand dunes and enjoy a typical Berber breakfast offered at the camp. Once again, you will ride camel for 1 hour going to Zagora. If time and weather permits, you will visit Tamegroute. It's only about 13 miles (20 kilometers) from Zagora on the old road to Timbuktu. The town is known for its historical library of the Koranic School of Zaouia Naciria and by the handicrafts cooperative of pottery.Along the route to Marrakech, you will enjoy lunch in a local restaurant (at own expense) before making the circuit again through the Atlas mountains and through the Tizi n'Tichka pass.
3 days 2 nights private desert tour from Fes to Marrakesh
Day 1: Fez - Ifrane - Midelt – Ziz Gorges - Erfoud - Rissani - MerzougaWe will pick you up at 08h00 AM from your hotel or Riad then drive south to the city of Ifrane across the Middle Atlas mountains. we will stop on our way at the nice cedar forests to see the protected Barbarian Apes in their natural habitat. After we will travel through the Tizi Ntalghamt pass to Midelt city and along the wonderful Ziz Gorges carved through volcanic rock, you’ll observe views of the Middle-Atlas plateau and the scenery changing to reveal hints of the desert as you move toward the city of Errachidia. After lunch we’ll continue our drive through the Ziz Valley to Erfoud, Rissani and Merzouga. After, we’ll leave our luggage in a safe room then take a camel ride to a Berber camp in the Erg Chebbi Sand Dunes considered as the highest sand dunes in North Africa. The camel ride takes about 1hr 30 min, then we ll relax in Berber tents for our night in the desert. The tents are well equipped with blankets, mattresses and cushions. After dinner we will get together around the fire and enjoy the listening to traditional Berber drums under the stars. Day 2: Merzouga - Todra Gorge - Dades Valley -OurzazateWe will wake up early to enjoy a wonderful sunrise on the dunes then take a camel ride back to your hotel. After freshening up and breakfast we’ll leave for Tinghir, Todra Gorges where you will have your lunch. After lunch we’ll drive through the Dades Valley towards Kalaat Mgouna and Ouarzazate. This road provides numerous photo opportunities. We’ll visit the Roses valley and Sekoura village, then continue to Ouarzazate, “the Hollywood of Africa“, where we will have dinner and spend the night. Day 3: Ouarzazate- Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah - High Atlas mountain - MarrakechThe Driver will take you from the hotel after breakfast to discover Ouarzazate city starting with international ATLAS studio, then You’ll explore the UNESCO world heritage site of Ait Ben Haddou ( Ait BenHaddou village), used as a backdrop for more than 25 international films, it was one of the most important fortress strongholds on the old Salt Road caravan, where traders brought gold, slaves, ivory and salt from Saharan Africa to Morocco and beyond. Traversing the Tizin Tichka Pass of the High Atlas where the steep mountain hillsides are clustered with fortified mud dwellings housing many berber families and their domestic animals.Arriving on Marrakech you will be transferred to your hotel.
3 days 2 nights private desert tour from Fes to Marrakesh
ItineraryDay 1: Fez - Ifrane - Midelt – Ziz Gorges - Erfoud - Rissani - MerzougaStop At: Fez Mellah, Fes, Fes-Boulemane RegionWe will pick you up at 08h00 AM from your hotel or Riad then drive south to the city of Ifrane across the Middle Atlas mountains. we will stop on our way at the nice cedar forests to see the protected Barbarian Apes in their natural habitat. After we will travel through the Tizi Ntalghamt pass to Midelt city and along the wonderful Ziz Gorges carved through volcanic rock, you’ll observe views of the Middle-Atlas plateau and the scenery changing to reveal hints of the desert as you move toward the city of Errachidia. After lunch we’ll continue our drive through the Ziz Valley to Erfoud, Rissani and Merzouga. After, we’ll leave our luggage in a safe room then take a camel ride to a Berber camp in the Erg Chebbi Sand Dunes considered as the highest sand dunes in North Africa. The camel ride takes about 1hr 30 min, then we ll relax in Berber tents for our night in the desert. The tents are well equipped with blankets, mattresses and cushions. After dinner we will get together around the fire and enjoy the listening to traditional Berber drums under the stars.Duration: 4 hoursNo meals included on this day.No accommodation included on this day.Day 2: Merzouga - Todra Gorge - Dades Valley -OurzazateStop At: Merzouga Desert, Merzouga, Meknes-Tafilalet RegionWe will wake up early to enjoy a wonderful sunrise on the dunes then take a camel ride back to your hotel. After freshening up and breakfast we’ll leave for Tinghir, Todra Gorges where you will have your lunch. After lunch we’ll drive through the Dades Valley towards Kalaat Mgouna and Ouarzazate. This road provides numerous photo opportunities. We’ll visit the Roses valley and Sekoura village, then continue to Ouarzazate, “the Hollywood of Africa“, where we will have dinner and spend the night.Duration: 4 hoursNo meals included on this day.No accommodation included on this day.Day 3: Ouarzazate- Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah - High Atlas mountain - MarrakechStop At: Musee Theatre Memoire de Ouarzazate, Ouarzazate, Souss-Massa-Draa RegionThe Driver will take you from the hotel after breakfast to discover Ouarzazate city starting with international ATLAS studio, then You’ll explore the UNESCO world heritage site of Ait Ben Haddou ( Ait BenHaddou village), used as a backdrop for more than 25 international films, it was one of the most important fortress strongholds on the old Salt Road caravan, where traders brought gold, slaves, ivory and salt from Saharan Africa to Morocco and beyond. Traversing the Tizin Tichka Pass of the High Atlas where the steep mountain hillsides are clustered with fortified mud dwellings housing many berber families and their domestic animals.Arriving on Marrakech you will be transferred to your hotel.Duration: 3 hoursNo meals included on this day.No accommodation included on this day.
Best Tour of Morocco-12 Night from Casablanca
ItineraryDay 1: Casablanca Stop At: Maroc FerArrival & Transfer to your hotel.Duration: 2 hoursNo meals included on this day.No accommodation included on this day.Day 2: Casablanca/Rabat/Chefchaouen (the blue city) (B)Pass By: Chefchaouen Medina, Chefchaouen, Tangier-Tetouan RegionBreakfast than Visit the richly decorated Hassan II mosque (10€ payable in spot) , than departure for Rabat, historical visit: Mohamed V mausoleum, King palace, Oudaya kasbah and departure for Chefchaouen. Overnight.Meals included: • BreakfastNo accommodation included on this day.Day 3: Chefchaouen/Volubilis -Meknes (B)Pass By: Meknes Medina, Meknes, Meknes-Tafilalet RegionBreakfast Visit the Chefchaouen, than depart for Imperial city of Meknes: historical visit: Bab El Mansour, the Granary and the stables which contained more than 12000 horses, the UNESCO World Heritage site of Volubulis and it's glimpse into Morocco's Roman past. Overnight.Meals included: • BreakfastNo accommodation included on this day.Day 4: From mekens To FezPass By: Fez Mellah, Fes, Fes-Boulemane RegionBreakfast: Day dedicated to the historical guided visit of Fes: medina, Quaraouine university, Attarine medersa, kingdom Palace, multicolored souks, Tannery, Overnight.Meals included: • BreakfastNo accommodation included on this day.Day 5: From Fez to Midelt (B)Pass By: Middle Atlas, Skoura M'Daz, Souss-Massa-Draa RegionTravel through the middle Atlas, drive further south passing by several towns and you will get the opportunity to view nomads living in tents alongside the way. Overnight Meals included: • BreakfastNo accommodation included on this day.Day 6: From Midelt To Merzouga (sand dunes) (B, D) Pass By: Merzouga Desert, Merzouga, Meknes-Tafilalet Region depart to reach the desert camp in the midle of dunes where you will spend the night, dinner include around the campfire under the stars and sleep in Nomad Berber tent in desert.Meals included: • Breakfast • DinnerNo accommodation included on this day.Day 7: From Merzouga to Todra Gorge (B, D)Pass By: Todgha Gorge, Tinerhir, Souss-Massa-Draa RegionDepart via Rissani, to Tinghir. Continuing on the road alongside the river to reach the Todra gorges (canyon) where you will Walk on foot through this stunning place while enjoying the views of high rock walls (up to 300m) Dinner & overnight.Meals included: • Breakfast • DinnerNo accommodation included on this day.Day 8: From Todra Gorges to Valley of roses - Ouarzazate (B, D)Pass By: Musee Theatre Memoire de Ouarzazate, Ouarzazate, Souss-Massa-Draa RegionDepart to Ouarzazate via Skoura palm groves, you will arrive to Ouarzazate, visit the Kasbah, cinema museum. Dinner incl.Meals included: • Breakfast • DinnerNo accommodation included on this day.Day 9: From Ouarzazate to Marrakech (B)Pass By: Ksar of Ait-Ben-Haddou, Ait Ben Haddou, Souss-Massa-Draa RegionVisit Ksar Aït Benhaddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and departure via the High Atlas to reach Marrakech. Overnight at hotel.Meals included: • BreakfastNo accommodation included on this day.Day 10: Marrakech Pass By: Marrakech Souk, Marrakech, Marrakech-Tensift-El Haouz RegionBreakfast, Day dedicated to Marrakech visit: Bahia palace, Saadians tombs, Jemaa El Fna place, Majorelle garden, late, you have an a optional Moroccan evening or diner live show (50€/person except drink).Meals included: • BreakfastNo accommodation included on this day.Day 11: Marrakech Pass By: Marrakech Souk, Marrakech, Marrakech-Tensift-El Haouz RegionBreakfast in hotel, time at your disposal for relaxing or shoppingMeals included: • BreakfastNo accommodation included on this day.Day 12: From Marrakech to Casablanca Pass By: New Medina of Casablanca, Casablanca, Grand Casablanca RegionDeparture for Casablanca, overn...Meals included: • BreakfastNo accommodation included on this day.Day 13: Transfer from hotel to airport Pass By: New Medina of Casablanca, Casablanca, Grand Casablanca RegionAirport transferNo meals included on this day.No accommodation included on this day.
Merzouga desert tour
ItineraryDay 1: From Marrakech to Dades gorges through atlas mountains and ait ben haddou KasbahStop At: Ksar of Ait-Ben-Haddou, Ait Ben Haddou, Souss-Massa-Draa Region1 hour: guided visit with local nomad1 hour: lunchDuration: 2 hoursStop At: Gorges du Dades, Boumalne Dades, Souss-Massa-Draa RegionPanoramic view on weird formation of clay and volcanic mountains called "monkeys paws" locallyDuration: 10 minutesMeals included: • Dinner: Rich dinner: Appetizer, lunch and dinnerAccommodation included: Riad dades, dar essyaha, kasbah didis, amazighchez l'habitant, labyrinth dades or similar Depending on availabilityDay 2: Reach Merzouga Erg Chebbi by crossing Tinghir and Todra Gorges and spend the night under the sahara skyStop At: Gargantas del Todra, Tinerhir, Souss-Massa-Draa Region1 hour: visit the area with local guideand ddiscover berbers lifestyle (donations are welcome)Duration: 2 hoursStop At: Erg Chebbi, Casablanca, Grand Casablanca RegionSpend a whole night with the nomads Duration: 14 hoursMeals included: • Breakfast: Breakfast in the hotel • Dinner: Dinner at the camp: Appetizer, principal dish & dessertAccommodation included: Layali camp or similar, depending on availability but same standardsDay 3: From Merzouga to Marrakech through dades, roses valley and Atlas mountainsStop At: Roses Valley, El Kelaa M'gouna, Souss-Massa-Draa Region1 hour: stop for a lunch in amazing restaurantDuration: 1 hourMeals included: • Breakfast: Breakfast at the camp as a buffetNo accommodation included on this day.