The road southeast from Marrakesh toward Ouarzazate climbs the Tizi-n-Tichka, one of the most dramatic passes in Morocco. However the easiest route to Ouarzazate lies to the east of this modern road, a narrow, graded track suitable only for 4x4 vehicles. The story behind this is partly told in the two kasbahs you see today, Aït Benhaddou and Telouet. Linking these kasbahs is the Oued Mellah valley, once a major trading route.
In the first of the kasbahs you will visit, Telouet, there are but a few rooms that can still be seen, as much of the kasbah has been closed off by falling ceilings and unsafe walls. However, the tiled walls, fluted pillars, beautifully painted wooden ceilings and coloured glass windows of the reception rooms allow you to imagine what it must have been like in its prime.
At the other end of the valley, after a 4x4 drive past Amazigh villages terraced into impossible mountainsides, and centuries old troglodyte dwellings, is Aït Benhaddou, another Glaoui kasbah used to control the Oued Mellah trade route. This is the most famous of all Moroccan kasbahs, largely due to its appearance in numerous Hollywood films. Under the auspices of UNESCO, villagers have been encouraged and assisted to move back into the fortified dwellings, thus ensuring that they are maintained and repaired after each winter's rain. Thus it is one of the best preserved and most beautiful examples of Atlas fortified architecture.
Start planning your tailor-made trip by contacting one of our Morocco specialists
These activities are designed to give you the most authentic experiences around where you're staying. We work with local guides, who use their knowledge and often a resident's eye to show you the main sights and more out-of-the-way attractions. Our specialists can suggest tours and activities that will introduce you to the local ways of life.
Amazigh Village & Assafou Foundation Visit
Head into the High Atlas Mountains to meet and have a traditional lunch with an Amazigh family before visiting the Assafou Foundation, a charity that supports local children, women and older men who want to further their education.
Cookery course at La Maison Arabe
La Maison Arabe in Marrakesh offers cooking workshops designed for anyone who wishes to discover the pleasures of Moroccan cooking.
Day trip to Kasbah du Toubkal
Head to Kasbah du Toubkal in the High Atlas Mountains for a day of relaxation, mule rides, walks and traditional hammams.
Essaouira Excursion
Visit an ancient Portuguese fortress that dates from the 18th century (formerly called Mogador) and one of the most attractive towns along Morocco’s Atlantic coast.
Guided excursion to the Gardens of Marrakesh
The gardens of Marrakesh are as famous as the medina itself and with or without a particular interest in gardening you will be sure to enjoy time spent in these beautiful retreats.
Marrakesh City Tour
In the morning you visit the historical sights, including the Saadian Tombs, the Koutoubia Mosque, and the El Badi Palace. In the afternoon you focus on the arts and crafts of the city visiting the souqs and concluding at the Djemaa El Fna.
Marrakesh Tasting Trail
Experience the tastes and smells of Moroccan cuisine with this tour that will take you through the culinary delights of Marrakesh’s Djemaa El Fna and its surrounding souqs.
Photographic Tour of Marrakesh
Pick up your camera for this half-day tour that takes in the workshops of Marrakesh’s artisans, medieval inns and Museum of Photography.
You can enjoy this activity as part of the suggested tours below, or we can weave it into a trip shaped entirely around you.
