Over the Atlas and into another world

Your day begins with an early pickup from your accommodation in Marrakech. From the city, the road climbs steadily through the foothills of the High Atlas, passing Berber villages, terraced hillsides, and roadside stalls selling pottery, minerals, and local produce.

The landscape shifts as you gain altitude. By the time you reach the Tizi n’Tichka pass — the highest paved road in North Africa at 2,260 metres — you are surrounded by bare rock, wide sky, and sweeping mountain views. There is time to stop, stretch, and take in the panorama before descending toward the southern side of the Atlas.

Walking through centuries at Aït Ben Haddou

Aït Ben Haddou is a fortified village — a ksar — built from earth and straw along a former trans-Saharan trade route. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and it remains one of Morocco’s most striking examples of traditional pre-Saharan architecture. A handful of families still live within its walls.

With a local guide, you walk through the narrow lanes and up through the ksar’s layered levels. The guide explains the building techniques, the history of the trade routes, and the role the site has played in international cinema — from Gladiator to Game of Thrones. From the top, the view extends across the Ounila Valley and the surrounding arid hills.

Lunch with a valley view

After the visit, you sit down for a relaxed Moroccan lunch at a local restaurant near the ksar. Expect a traditional spread — salads, tagine, bread, and mint tea — served with time to rest and absorb the setting before continuing to Ouarzazate.

Ouarzazate and the Glaoui legacy

A short drive brings you to Ouarzazate, known as the gateway to the Sahara. Here, you visit the Taourirt Kasbah, a sprawling 19th-century palace built by the powerful Glaoui family. Its mud-brick towers, painted ceilings, and rooftop views over the valley and the Atlas range make it a worthwhile stop and a quieter counterpart to the bustle of Aït Ben Haddou.

For those interested in cinema history, there is also the option to visit the nearby Atlas Film Studios — one of the world’s largest — where sets from Gladiator, The Mummy, and Kingdom of Heaven still stand. Entry is at your own pace and expense.

The return and the golden hour

The drive back to Marrakech follows the same spectacular route through the Atlas Mountains, this time in the softer light of late afternoon. Your driver makes the journey comfortable and steady, and you arrive back at your accommodation by early evening.