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Ait Benhaddou UNESCO sites

Our most recommended Ait Benhaddou UNESCO sites

From Marrakech: 3-Day Sahara Tour to the Erg Chebbi Dunes

1. From Marrakech: 3-Day Sahara Tour to the Erg Chebbi Dunes

Sleep beneath the desert stars at a Berber campsite on an unforgettable dunes experience from Marrakech. Visit UNESCO-listed Ait Ben Haddou, the Valley of the Roses, and Tinghir. Stop at traditional Berber villages around the Todra Gorge and trek with a camel through the Erg Chebbi dunes, the highest in Morocco Day 1: Marrakech - TinghirYour shared 3-day desert tour from Marrakech to Merzouga will start early in the morning. Head to Ait Benhaddou through the Tizi Ntichka pass and the high Atlas Mountains. Make many stops along the way. Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Kasbah Ait Benhaddou, which also served as a set for various Hollywood blockbusters. Continue to Ouarzazate and Kasbah Taourirte before lunch. In the afternoon, drive to Tinghir via the Valley of the Roses before you reach your hotel located in Tinghir. Dinner and overnight.  Day 2: Tinghir – MerzougaAfter breakfast at your hotel in Tinghir, your journey will start today with a drive along the road of 1001 Kasbah to the Oasis of Tinghir, where you will deviate to a minor road driving along the river to Todra canyons After some time at leisure to enjoy the immensity of the huge cliffs, and lunch at a local café (at your leisure), continue early in the afternoon to Erfoud, famous for its date market, and a starting point of the ancient trading caravans crossing the Sahara desert to Tombouctou. Continue to Merzouga driving through some rocky desert landscape. Upon arrival at the edge of Erg Chebbi dunes, meet your camel caravan, and ride your camels through the amazing color-changing dunes with the sunset on the horizon as a backdrop. Reach your Sahara Desert camp, nestled in the middle of nowhere just before darkness. After some time to admire the dunes and the surrounding landscapes, get ready for a Moroccan dinner served under the stars next to a campfire. Late at night, enjoy Berber music with the local hosts playing drums Day 3: Merzouga – MarrakechAfter an early breakfast and a camel ride back to the main road, meet your driver and head back to Marrakech. Enjoy lunch on the road as you pass the Valley of Roses, and continue through the high atlas mountains to Marrakech. Finish your desert tour in Marrakech around 8 PM.

From Marrakech: 3-Day Desert Tour to Fes

2. From Marrakech: 3-Day Desert Tour to Fes

Discover Fes and Marrakech, Morocco's imperial cities, on a guided 3-day tour. Day 1: Marrakech — Ait Ben Haddou — Dades (1st night at Kasbah Amazigh) Your tour will start with an early pickup. Meet your driver at your hotel or riad in the morning and start your journey crossing the High Atlas Mountains towards Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou. After a guided walk in the village, continue to Ouarzazate for a leisurely lunch. In the early afternoon, travel northeast to Boumalne Dades. Take a drive along the Dades River with the marvelous sunset as your backdrop. Reach the way to Dades valley and make a pit stop to enjoy the amazing scenery. Then continue to a hotel where you will dine and rest for the night at Kasbah Amazigh. Day 2: Dades — Merzouga Start the day with breakfast at your hotel. Set out on a journey along the road of 1001 Kasbahs to Tinghir, an oasis where you will have the opportunity to enjoy an hour-long walk by the river bank all the way to Todgha Gorges. Here, get some free time to enjoy the scenery before lunch.  Early in the afternoon, walk to Merzouga, where your camel caravan awaits. From here, ride your camel through the sand dunes of Erg Chebbi while enjoying a mesmerizing sunset.  Before dark, reach your Sahara desert camp nestled between the dunes, where you will enjoy a Moroccan dinner under the stars while being entertained by local nomads playing their drums around the campfire. After the campfire, relax in your standard or luxury tent, depending on which one you choose. The standard tents are basic accommodation, while a private tent is subject to availability. The toilets are right outside, with facilities to freshen up in a shared room. If you choose the luxury tent, it is located in a more isolated and scenic area, providing extra comfort with proper bedding, and a guaranteed private tent with flushable western toilets, hot showers, and a rich dinner and breakfast. Day 3: Merzouga — Fes  Your desert camp hosts will wake you up if you wish to watch the sunrise. After breakfast, drive along the Ziz River with its amazing oasis lined with palm trees and fortified ksours (castles) all the way to Midelt, a small town in the middle of the Atlas Mountains, your lunch stop for the day. In the afternoon, continue crossing the Middle Atlas Mountains towards Fes. Notice a dramatic change in the landscape: snow-capped mountains, cedar forests, and rich vegetation, a complete 180 from the arid and rocky landscapes of the rest of the tour.  End your Marrakech to Fes desert tour in the early evening as your driver takes you to your riad or hotel in Fes.

Marrakech: Overnight Sahara Tour to Zagora & Ait Ben Haddou

3. Marrakech: Overnight Sahara Tour to Zagora & Ait Ben Haddou

Discover Ouarzazate and Zagora on this 2-day trip from Marrakech. Visit the Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou fortress and admire stunning views of the Atlas mountains. Ride camel through the Sahara during the sunset. Savor a local dinner and breakfast and stay overnight in a tent at the Zagora dunes.  Day 1: Begin with early-morning pickup from Marrakech. Travel through the dessert sandstone city of Ouarzazate. Stop at the Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou, where you will have free time to visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Continue to the verdant Draa Valley, which is well-known for its amazing ksour and kasbah. Head to Zagora and make your way to the windswept dunes for a sunset camel ride. Make camp at a campsite in the Zagora dunes and enjoy a hearty dinner of local flavors. Day 2: Wake early morning for a typical Berber breakfast before watching the sunrise from the back of your camel in the dunes. Board the bus and take the road back to Marrakech through the High Atlas Mountains.

Marrakech: 2-Day Zagora Desert & Kasbah Ait Benhaddou Tour

4. Marrakech: 2-Day Zagora Desert & Kasbah Ait Benhaddou Tour

Explore Ouarzazate and Zagora on a 2-day trip from Marrakech. Visit the Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou and admire the Atlas Mountains. Ride a camel to the campsite and savor a local dinner and breakfast. Stay overnight in a private tent at the Zagora dunes. Choose from a tour with a standard or a luxury tent. Day 1: Atlas Mountains, Kasbah Ait Benhaddou, and Zagora Following pickup from your hotel or riad in Marrakesh, begin by crossing the high atlas mountains via the Tizi N’ Tichka pass. Stop at the UNESCO world heritage kasbah fortress of Ait Ben Haddou where you will have free time to visit this Heritage Site. After a lunch break, continue to the verdant Draa Valley, which is well-known for its amazing kasbah fortresses. Head to Zagora and make your way to the windswept dunes. Watch the sunset while riding a camel to the campsite in the Zagora dunes. Delight in a delicious local dinner. Spend the night in a private standard or luxury tent under the stars. Day 2: Zagora, Draa Valley, and Ouarzazate On the second day, wake up early to enjoy a spectacular sunrise view followed by a typical Berber breakfast. You can then opt to take part in a camel trek journey back to meet your driver. Drive back to Marrakech through the High Atlas Mountains.

From Fes: 4-Day Trip to Marrakech via Merzouga with Lodging

5. From Fes: 4-Day Trip to Marrakech via Merzouga with Lodging

Day 1:Fes / Ifrane /Medilt/Merzouga Depart from fez We pass through Ifrane, a winter ski resort in a totally un Moroccan style built by the French in the 1930's to resemble a Swiss village; we continue passing throughthe cedars forest in Azrou you will see the monkeys , drive across the Middle Atlas Mountains and begin to descend towards the Sahara Desert. Half way, you will stop for lunch in the town of Midelt, famous for its fossils and rocks, then we continue towards merzouga in the road we will stop in a panoramic views to see the a huge oasis of palm tree we reach Merzouga,Dinner & Overnight in the Hotel . Accommodation : Kasbah Mohayut or Similar Day 2 :Merzouga / Erg Chebbi In the Morining visit approximately half day in the desert to see the different faces of deser, villages, stop to listen to some Saharan Music in El Khamlia, the oasis ,you will have a small visit to Rissani the first capital of dynasty alouite ,including some historical Kasbahs ,and the The famous Market ,you will have the opportunity to test the local food of the area the Pizza Berber , we continue to Merzouga ,. the guide and camel will be waiting to carry you across the sandy dunes of the erg-chebbi,you will enjoy the beauty of the sunset on camel, after 1 hou reach to the Camp in the Foot of the Dunes , After a wonderful Dinner, watch the Stars,and overnight in the Tent . Accommodation : Standard Desert Camp (Tent with Private Ensuite Bathroom ) Day 3 :Merzouga / Gorges Todra / Ouarzazate Get up early, to watch the sunrise which just behind the Algerian border, which is about 50 km from Merzouga. After Breakfast & shower, You’ll depart for Ouarzazate, traveling the rugged Road of a Thousand Kasbahs that rise up like turreted sand castles along this ancient caravan trading route. This area has long been a popular location for Hollywood films such as The Last Temptation of Christ, Jewel of the Nile, and most recently Hideous Kinky. The central region is one of the most exciting and romantic destinations of Morocco nestled along rich river valleys, palmeries and burnished mud-brick homes ablaze in vibrant color under the shelter of the blue desert sky. We stop for lunch and walk in todragorges , We’ll travel through the Dadès Valley past dramatic escarpments Dinner & Overnight . Accommodation : Hotel La Perle Du Sud or Similar Day 4 :Ouarzazate / Ait ben haddou / Marrakech After breakfast we visit Ouarzazate ,including the Atlas Studios movie studios, the largest and most famous of all Africa. From here we head to visit the famous Kasbah, declared UNESCO World Heritage and which was the scene of films like The Gladiator, Babel, Lawrence of Arabia,wecoutinue passing through the High Atlas and the Tizi-n-Tichka pass, along a road that climbs from the plains up to 2260 m above sea level passing through small villages & Panoramic Views .we will drop you off in your Hotel in Marrakech for the End of the Tour .

Marrakech: Ait Benhadou Kasbah & Ouarzazate

6. Marrakech: Ait Benhadou Kasbah & Ouarzazate

the day begins with pickup from Marrakech and leaves the city behind as you head towards the Atlas Mountains. Stop at the famous Tichka Pass, the highest road pass in Morocco, and admire breathtaking views of the scenery. Once You have worked up a bit of an appetite, enjoy lunch at a local eatery before arriving at the UNESCO listed Ait Benhaddou Kasbah (lunch and drink costs are not included). At Ait Benhaddou Kasbah, enjoy a guided tour (for a surcharge) or take free sightseeing and learn about its fascinating history and architecture. The kasbah dates back to the 17th century. Stop for a short visit of Ouarzazate, known as the Hollywood of Morocco. At the end of an unforgettable day, sit back, relax, and soak up stunning views of the landscape on the way back to Marrakech. Please consider travelling long distances and sharing with other people. Please make sure you don't have any airport departure today as the drive will be long

Ait Ben Haddou & Ouarzazate: Private Day Trip from Marrakech

7. Ait Ben Haddou & Ouarzazate: Private Day Trip from Marrakech

Cross the High Atlas Mountains by the Tizi n'Tichka Pass, 2,260 meters above sea level. See Berber villages perched on the side of the mountains, hardly distinguishable from the mountains themselves. On the far side of the mountains the landscape becomes desert-like. Admire the kasbah architecture featuring turrets, grilled windows, and peach-colored adobe walls. Continue to the ancient kasbah of Aït Ben Haddou, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Stop in Ouarzazate, known as Morocco's Hollywood. Movies filmed there including Diamond of the Nile, Lawrence of Arabia, Kingdom of Heaven, The Mommy, Gladiator, Seven Days in Tibet, Alexander the Great, Babel, and others.

Fes To Marrakech: 3-Day Desert Tour

8. Fes To Marrakech: 3-Day Desert Tour

Travel between the 2 imperial cities of Fes and Marrakech with a Moroccan desert tour. On this 3-day guided excursion, discover the secrets of the Sahara desert. Day 1: Fes – Midelt – Merzouga You’ll be picked up from your accommodation in Fes and head first to the fertile plains of Sais and to the cedar forests in the middle of the Atlas Mountains. Stop for lunch in Midelt, then continue along the majestic Ziz River, where palms stand in fortified kasbahs. Drive to Erfoud through the oasis and continue on to Merzouga, where you’ll climb onto your camel and follow your guide for a stunning ride through the orange dunes. From the back of these animals, you’ll watch the sun set over the dunes. You’ll then spend the night in a desert camp, to experience the nomad life. If you select the upgrade on checkout, you’ll spend the night in a luxurious en suite camping set-up. Day 2: Merzouga – Dades Wake up early in the morning to watch the sun rising over the desert before breakfast. Your first stop of the day will be to Rissani, known for being the location of the mausoleum of the founder of the Alaouite Dynasty of Morocco. Then, head to Tinghir on the route of the 1000 kasbahs, exploring the kasours and oases in the High Atlas mountain range. Take an hour to explore the Todgha River and admire this beautiful site and the canyons. Before lunch, visit the Berber village of Azrou with your guide to discover their traditional lifestyle. In the afternoon, you’ll drive to the Dades Valley to visit one of the oldest kasbahs in the region. You’ll then be dropped off at your guest house or hotel in Dades. Day 3: Dades – Kelaa Mgouna – Ouarzazate – Ait ben Haddou – Marrakech After breakfast at your hotel, travel to Kelaa Mgouna in the Rose Valley, a famous rose plantation. Visit one of the rose growers’ cooperatives and discover how the workers mix distilled rose water to create scents. Continue along the kasbahs to Ouarzazate, known as the “door of the Sahara”, often used as a filming location. Next you’re off to Kasbah Ait ben Haddou, a UNESCO-listed fortified village. Explore this beautiful site with your guide and learn more about its Moroccan earthen clay architecture. In the afternoon, take the Tizi-n-Tichka pass through the Atlas Mountains, where Berbers have been living for centuries. You’ll arrive back in Marrakech in the late afternoon.

Private Day Trip to Telouet & Ait Ben Haddou

9. Private Day Trip to Telouet & Ait Ben Haddou

You’ll be picked up in Marrakech from where you'll head out in an air-conditioned 4WD vehicle on a drive across the largest mountains in North Africa. En route you’ll enjoy panoramic views of the High Atlas Mountains and fertile valleys. This 10-hour trip is priced for a group of up to 4 persons. See the salt mines in the Ounila Valley, the Pacha Glaoui Kasbah, and Telouet. Visit the Ksar (Castle) of Ait-Ben-Haddou, listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage site. The village of Ait-Ben-Haddou is situated on a hill in the Souss Massa Draa region, along the Ouarzazate River. It was an important stop for traders carrying gold, salt, and slaves along the main caravan route through the Sahara. Both Lawrence of Arabia and Jesus of Nazareth were filmed here. The entire lower part of the village was rebuilt, and in recent years, more controlled restoration was carried out under the watchful eye of UNESCO. Lunch will be in a local restaurant in Ait-Ben-Haddou, where you’ll enjoy your meal with panoramic views of the Kasbah. You'll then return to Marrakech via the Tizi n’Tichka pass.

From Marrakesh: Private 4-Day Sahara Desert Discovery Tour

10. From Marrakesh: Private 4-Day Sahara Desert Discovery Tour

Drive into the heart of the Sahara Desert on a safari that takes in the historic souks and Kasbahs of Aït Benhaddou, Tourirt, and Amerhidil in Skoura. Ride camels over the windswept dunes of Erg Chebbi, sleep in authentic nomad tents, and drive over the dramatic and twisting Tizi n’ Tichka Pass across the High Atlas Mountains. Day 1: Depart Marrakech and drive through the High Atlas Mountains, via the twisting Tizi n’ Tichka mountain pass to Ouarzazate. Vsit the exotic Kasbah of Aït Benhaddou, then continue to Ouarzazate center, where you can tour the Atlas Studios, the largest movie studio in Africa. Enjoy lunch at the Kasbah of Tourirt, former residence of the Glaoui Dynasty. Continue to Rose Valley and the Kasbah of Amerhidil in Skoura, situated by the Amerhidil River and one of the largest in Morocco. Overnight in the Dades Valley. Day 2: After breakfast, depart for the Dadès Gorges and stop to enjoy the spectacular scenery while sipping on mint tea, also known as “Berber Whiskey.” Continue to Tinghir via Boulman Dadès, and see beautiful palm trees and lush landscapes. The journey then moves on the Todra Gorges for a leisurely lunch. After lunch, drive to Merzouga to trek by camel across the wind-blown Erg Chebbi dunes, a classic Saharan Desert of all the picture books. Spend the evening in a bivouac (camp) with a typical Moroccan dinner. Sleep in a traditional nomadic camel hair tent. Day 3: Wake up to a spectacular desert sunrise during breakfast. Bivouac trekkers will return by camel and continue to the small town of Rissani, where you will visit the Ksours and Kasbahs of Tafilalt, stopping at the Tafilalt Palm Grove en route. Go to the zaouia of Moulay Ali Sherif (mausoleum of the dynasty’s founder) on local market day in Rissani to see traditional souks. Next, drive to Ouarzazate via Alnfe, Tazarine, Drâa Valley, and Agdz, visiting the Tamnougalt Kasbah. Overnight in a Kasbah Riad, where you will have the opportunity to visit the Kasbah of Tourirt. Day 4: Following breakfast, continue your return journey to Marrakech via the Tizi n’Tichka Pass over the High Atlas Mountains, stopping en route for lunch.

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What people are saying about Ait Benhaddou

Overall rating

4.2 / 5

based on 819 reviews

The 3 days were amazing, we travelled so far and saw so much. Everything from the snowy atlas to the Sahara was beautiful. The trip is well organised, and both nights’ accommodation is nice. First night is a grand hotel with clean big rooms, second night at the camps there are big tents with single beds and also tents with two double beds in for couples. Sunset and sunrise camel rides are brilliant. The only thing to note which isn’t so great is the lunch stops each day. Locations were nice but the food wasn’t great, exactly the same each day. You really get the feeling that this is where all the tour guides being their customers as affiliates, the restaurants are trying to get you in and out as fast as possible - 2nd and 3rd courses brought out while most still eating 1st. And they often came round asking for money while people were still eating. always set menus 100-125 dhs. The driver also gave info on what we were passing to front seat passengers but nothing to guys in the back

Overall an amazing experience. Lots to see and do packed into 3 days! Our driver, Mohamed, was excellent and we could tell he was experienced. He navigated the mountain roads safely and got us in and out of our stops in a timely fashion (we didn’t have to wait long for our lunches). Make sure you take lots of extra small bills to tip guides that are provided in the towns and you also have to pay for most toilette stops along the way. Lunches were reasonably priced and there was never any pressure to buy anything. The only concern was the seats on the bus needed to be repaired. The one I sat in was stuck in the lean back position the whole time and was very lumpy.

Very nice experience! You will spend a lot of time in the car, but the driver stops very often and you get to see different parts of the country. If you have time to go more than one night, go for it, but we didn't have a lot of time and this trip was the best option and I totally recommend it! The driver was friendly and the guide in the desert was an extremely nice person. The only negative thing is the lack of choices for the meals during the day, and it is clear that they increase the prices just for the tourists.

We had a good time on the tour. Everything was well organized. We are thankful especially to our driver, Mohammed, who drove safely and explained us the upcoming programs throughout the day. I think it's a perfect trip if you want to see the Atlas and want to experience slightly the desert life.

So much to see and experience in just 3 days, worth the long travelling hours