Get prepared for an enchanting & purely-cultural experience highlighting the history of the southern part of Morocco. This private Telouet & Ait Benhaddou day trip from Marrakech is highly recommended if you are keen to learn about the mysterious history of the region that helped shape the overall history of Morocco. Telouet Kasbah is a witness of prosperity & richness, and the “Lords of the Atlas” remain a perfect example on how wealth and power can be acquired even in the middle of nowhere. You’ll have the chance to have a guided walking tour of the Ait Benhaddou Village and learn about its historical background. To sum it up all, even though the day trips requires around 5 hours of driving but it does really worth it.
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Itinerary
Most of our tour itineraries & packages are private as we aim to clear the ground for purely-cultural experiences while maintaining the delivery of personal service. However, we may take shared bookings on some occasions when the group (maximum 8) is already set. The featured price can change based on the number of passengers & the category of the desert camp.
Day 1 – Marrakech – Tizi n’Tichka – Telouet – Ait Benhaddou – Ighrem Ougdal – Marrakech
Early pick up from your hotel/Riad, you’ll head south crossing the High Atlas Mountains that stand like a wall diving Morocco into two contradictory parts in terms of the landscapes, culture, lifestyle and history. Drive through the Tizi n’Tichka Pass with the possibility to include a short break in a local Argan Cooperative run by women to learn about how Argan oil is being extracted from the seeds using traditional methods.
You’ll have the opportunity to take beautiful pictures as the landscapes are panoramic. Divert from the main road to the Telouet Village that is located in the heart of the Atlas Mountains. Once you approach the Telouet Village, a tremendous castle will catch your eyes from afar. Even though most of the structure is crumbling but it reveals prosperity and richness that this village once acquired.
The Galoui brothers “Lords of the Atlas” controlled the famous route of caravans that used to carry goods from Marrakech to the Sub-Saharan Lands. They made wealth thanks to the nearby salt mines to the extent that one of the brothers was appointed as the Pasha of Marrakech by the Sultan Hassan I.
You’ll drive to the Ait Benhaddou Village that dates back to the 14th century. This village consists of numerous Kasbahs (fortresses), a UNESCO World Heritage Site and has been used as a backdrop for shooting many Hollywood Movies including Lawrence of Arabia, Gladiator, Prince of Persia, Kingdom of Heaven and many others.
After lunch, you’ll drive back to Marrakech through the High Atlas Mountains while including short breaks for using bathrooms and for taking more pictures.
We’ll make sure to drop you off at your chosen accommodation or arrange with the staff members of your Riad to come escort you if you are staying within the old walls of Marrakech’s Medina.
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Important Information
Price Includes
- A/C & well-maintained 4WD driven by an expert English speaking driver/guide.
- Pick up from your Marrakech hotel/Riad/Villa
- Local taxes
- Drop-off at your Marrakech accommodation or in the closest accessible location if we can’t do it by car as we’ll make sure you get there safely by prior-arrangement.
Price Excludes
- Beverages including water
- Lunch
- Tips when appropriate
- Extras.
Terms & Conditions
Prices are “from”, per person, based on at least 2 adults sharing, and include all taxes. Prices can change based on the number of passengers sharing.
