1 day
year-round
17 pax
Day Trip to Ait Benhaddou and Ouarzazate
Through this day trip to Ait Benhaddou you should know that this spot is more than just a film set, though; it is a ksar, a fortified village whose history goes back almost a thousand years, although the maze of narrow and crenulated towers you see these days are mainly from the 17th century. As a strategic stop for caravans of camels, often numbering hundreds, on the trans-Saharan trade route from the Sudan to Marrakech carrying gold, silver and slaves and returning with salt, it would have been a thriving town, home to thousands. And Ouarzazate is the “Door of the Desert,”
Itinerary day by day
Marrakech - Tizi N'tichka - Ait Benhaddou - Ouarzazate - Marrakech
At 8:00am you driver/tour guide will meet you at the
closest point to you Riad or in you hotel to head south through Tizi N’Tichka pass (2260m) in the High Atlas
Mountains. You will enjoy a windy road, beautiful landscapes with different
colors and Berber villages lined along the way. The first pause will be in Ait
Barka village. It will be around 10:00am to take beautiful pictures; sip a cup
of hot drink (tea-coffee …) loosen up and continue your route via the Highest
Atlas Mountains by its TIZI N’TICHKA. The second pause will take place in the
peak of TICHKA. Arriving to Ait Benhaddou where you will be guided by local
guide, for 1 hour, to shed light on the history of this amazing heritage. Then
you will have free time for lunch and it will be around one14:00pm. After that you will head to explore Ouarzazate, the “Door of the
Desert”, by its famous Taourirt Kasbah and the «Ouallywood» studio.
Ait Benhaddou is more than just a film set. It is
a 17th century UNESCO-protected red mud-brick ksar, which has formed the
backdrop for many Hollywood movies production such as Lawrence of Arabia, Jesus
of Nazareth, Gladiator, Game of Thrones and many others.
It is a ksar, a fortified village whose history
goes back centuries ago, although the maze of narrow and crenulated towers
you see these days are mainly from the 17th century. As a strategic stop
for caravans of camels, often numbering hundreds, on the trans-Saharan trade
route from Tumbuktu to Marrakech carrying gold, silver and slaves and returning
with salt, it would have been a thriving town, home to thousands. In the
Ksar the road winds endlessly through the hills of rich reds and pale white.
At the crest of another hill, seemingly like all the
others, appears a vista unlike any other. The water that flows in the winter
has created an ocean of green – trees and grass – life amongst the rock and
where there is life you will find the humans. Cut into the hills is an ancient
village, the squares edges the only thing distinguishing it from the hills into
which it is built. Rising to the top of the hill, families still live and work
amongst the tourists.
While in Morocco we are
pleased to support the wonderful work of Ennajah Association and Chabab Time,
two nonprofit organizations. the first one based in Zagora and aims to create
sustainable development in community through The Fight Against School Dropouts
of girls by providing transportation and providing water for the population ...
The second one is based
in Rabat but works all over Morocco and aims to motivate young people to
actively participate in Public life. We may also pick a local Berber
school to donate supplies & small toys, spreading joy in simple ways, and
giving a bit back to the local people of the area.
Last but not least, we
want you to have the opportunity to give back, to support vulnerable families
in meaningful ways. To build authentic connections and know that your visit
matters. That when you leave, you’ll take carpets and Argan oil and lanterns
and photographs and memories, but you’ll also leave a mark that made a
difference.
We, in Morocco Social Impact Travel
« MSITravels », care about our customers and their comfort. Thus, we
offer different kind of transportation depending on the number of travelers and
the chosen tour. E.g. if the tour is off-road we will offer a 4 wheels drive
car for each 4 customers maximum. Otherwise we have 7 seats Minivan, Minibus for 17 travelers and Coach for more than 17 travelers.
Included:
⋎ Eng, Fr or Spanish-speaking professional driver/tour guide
⋎ Guide: ksar Ait Benhaddou
⋎
Private Transportation: minivan or minibus
⋎
Air-conditioned vehicle
⋎
Visit to women's cooperatives
⋎
Toll road fees, fuel charges and all taxes
⋎ Transport Insurance
⋎ Wifi on board
⋎ An opportunity to meet up with locals
Excluded:
×
Flights
×
Travel Insurance
× Gratuities
×
Additional services
×
Drinks
×
Anything mentioned not
in ‘included’
- Booking -
180.00€
Price varies by group size
