Aït Benhaddou day trip from Marrakech

Across the High Atlas

Aït Benhaddou lies on the other side of the High Atlas, roughly 185 km from Marrakech. The road climbs to the Tizi n'Tichka pass at about 2,260 metres before descending towards Ouarzazate. With its many bends, the drive usually takes about three and a half to four hours each way, so this is one of the longest day trips from Marrakech.

The ksar

Aït Benhaddou is a ksar: a fortified village of earthen houses packed together on a hillside, once a stop on the caravan route between the Sahara and Marrakech. It has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1987. A small number of families still live in the old village, while most inhabitants have moved to the newer village across the river.

Its walls and towers have appeared in many films and series. Climbing to the granary at the top of the hill gives a wide view over the river valley and the surrounding desert.

Before you go

Because of the long drive, plan for a full day. The mountain road can be hard for people who suffer from motion sickness, and in winter snow can occasionally close the pass for a while; trips may be adjusted when the road requires it.

Practical tips

• Bring motion-sickness tablets if winding roads bother you.
• Wear good shoes for the climb through the ksar.
• It is cold at the pass in winter; bring a warm layer.

What a particular trip includes, how long you stay and which stops it makes depend on the option you book. They are shown under Ways to do this trip once dates and prices are published.