day trip from Marrakech to Ouarzazate and Ait Ben Haddou

Ouarzazate

Ouarzazate nicknamed The door of the desert, is a city and capital of Ouarzazate Province in the Drâa-Tafilalet region of south-central Morocco. Ouarzazate is at an elevation of 1,160 meters (3,810 ft) in the middle of a bare plateau south of the High Atlas Mountains, with a desert to the city’s south.

Berber-speakers make up the majority of the town’s inhabitants, who were responsible for the creation of many of the prominent kasbahs. Ouarzazate is a primary tourist destination in Morocco for holidays, as well as a starting point for excursions into and across the Draa Valley and the desert. Aït Benhaddou (a fortified village) west of the city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Ouarzazate area is a noted film-making location, with Morocco’s biggest studios inviting many international companies to work here. Films such as Lawrence of Arabia (1962), The Man Who Would Be King (1975), The Living Daylights (1987), The Last Temptation of Christ (1988), The Mummy (1999), Gladiator (2000), Kingdom of Heaven (2005), Kundun (1997), Legionnaire (1998), Hanna (2011), The Hills Have Eyes (2006), and Salmon Fishing in Yemen (2011) were shot here, as was part of the TV series Game of Thrones.

The nearby Ouarzazate solar power station, co-funded by the Arab League, was connected to the Moroccan power grid in February 2016.

Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah

The site of the ksar has been fortified since the 11th century during the Almoravid period. None of the current buildings are believed to date from before the 17th century, but they were likely built with the same construction methods and designs as had been used for centuries before. The site’s strategic importance was due to its location in the Ounila Valley along with one of the main trans-Saharan trade routes. The Tizi n’Tichka pass, which was reached via this route, was one of the few routes across the Atlas Mountains, crossing between Marrakech and the Draa Valley on the edge of the Sahara. Other kasbahs and ksour were located all along this route, such as the nearby Tamdaght to the north.

Today, the ksar itself is only sparsely inhabited by several families. The depopulation over time is a result of the valley’s loss of strategic importance in the 20th century. Most local inhabitants now live in modern dwellings in the village on the other side of the river, and make a living off agriculture and especially off the tourist trade.

What’s the best time to travel to Morocco?
actually, Morocco is perfect for travel all year. the best time to visit the Sahara desert is The spring season that runs from March to May it is the best time to visit the desert of Morocco so that this period is characterized by moderate and beautiful weather, and Morocco knows calm rains and warm weather and is comfortable for tourism and enjoy its beauty, in this period you can visit all the cities of Morocco from the north To the south, especially in the month of May, which gives you the freedom to choose the region you want to spend the holiday. in the summer the weather is very hot in the Desert of Morocco, so you will want warm weather here on the Atlantic coast.

What Gifts and Memories can you return from morocco?
As soon as you start walking in Morocco, you will think about which souvenir to buy for yourself or for the people you love. The worry, believe it, you will be spoiled for choice. Here are some tips to help you.

Handcrafted terracotta pottery.
Wherever you go in the country, there will be shops selling handcrafted pottery items. Moroccans still use it today: they prepare their food in tagines, on terracotta braziers, and think that a real Moroccan couscous can only be served in a clay dish. You will find ashtrays, tagines-salad bowls-salt shakers, etc. There will be all sizes but the smallest are the most practical and often more affordable, The best pottery in the country comes from the city of Safi.

Clothes, hairstyles, and slippers.
Moroccan clothes are original and distinguished, Sellers usually wear them, You will be offered djellabas-Trousers-tunics of different cuts and fabrics, embroidered or without patterns. You’ll notice that the style differs from region to region. The gandouras would be a better option: there are for men and women, take the color that speaks to you, it is elegant, comfortable, and light. Don’t forget to take the slippers that go with it, you can always use them as slippers at home. Typical Moroccan slippers are made entirely of leather, so avoid those with plastic soles.

what is the currency of Morocco?
The official currency in circulation, which is used in the Kingdom of Morocco, is the currency of the Moroccan dirham, and it can be abbreviated as (MAD), and it is also the currency that is circulated in the Western Sahara region, and one dirham is made of one hundred divisions of the denomination of sub-denomination of sub The responsibility for the issuance and circulation of the currency in Morocco with its different classes and varieties (paper and metal) by the Moroccan Central Bank, and given the Moroccan currency price against the dollar, the US dollar is equivalent to the value of 9.6560 of the dirham for one dirham, according to the exchange rate for the dirham Two thousand and nineteen.

are the lunches included in Our private Tour?
the lunches don’t include in all our tours, There will be plenty of cafes on the way to the Sahara desert where to stop for lunch. Please feel free to choose on your own, or follow your driver’s recommendation if you wish.

Is it safe to travel to Morocco?
yes, Morocco is one of the safest countries in the world, you won’t afraid about anything Morocco will make you happy.

what kind of clothes are in Morocco?
Moroccan traditional dress is the group of traditional and popular garments that Moroccans have preserved and still preserved for centuries, as it is evident that they cling to various traditional garments, especially in weddings and religious occasions, whether old or young, male or female. There is no doubt that the traditional costume is an integral part of the heritage, and heritage is one of the essential elements for the construction of civilization, it is necessary for the development of civilization, as the traditional costume is a tool for defining nations and a symbol for their distinctiveness and uniqueness and is the best witness to the degree of their awareness and the diversity of successive civilizations.

Can I customize my trip?
yes, you can do it, Contact us and tell us where will you start and end, Our team will help you with your request.

What are popular dishes in Morocco?
The Kingdom of Morocco, like other countries in the region, is characterized by many of its popular dishes or those that were the product of pollination of some civilizations whose name has long been associated with the Kingdom’s name. In this report, we will know the most prominent of these dishes that Moroccans excelled in cooking.

Couscous … the food that is not missing from the table.
Morocco is famous for its barbarian couscous food, which dates back to the time of BC. Couscous is divided into two types in the kingdom: couscous with vegetables or “seven vegetables” as Moroccans like to call it, while the second type is couscous “with raisins” or “with enough” depending on the region, and is considered Couscous is the main dish on Friday, and you can only find it on the lunch table.

“Tangia” .. Marrakech food.
No one can visit the city of “Marrakech” unless it is eaten from the “Tangia” dish of the famous Jamaâ El Fna Square. This dish, which the city of “Red City” is famous for, consists of veal, ghee, olive oil, and free saffron filaments, in addition to spices. Moroccan and water.

Moroccan Tajin.
It is the most famous traditional Moroccan dish besides couscous, which comes from the Arab Maghreb and especially Morocco, and this dish is also very common in Algeria and Tunisia, but according to many studies it is of Berber origin.

How can I access the Internet in Morocco?
The main networks operating in Morocco are Maroc Telecom, Orange, Inwi. It is quite simple to purchase a prepaid SIM card at the airport or tobacco stands in the cities provided your smartphone is unlocked. Or you can get wifi at a restaurant or cafe.

Can I visit the Sahara Desert in the summer?
Many clients request a tour of the Sahara during the months of June, July, August, and early September. If Morocco is on your agenda for your summer vacation. Do so, our vehicles will be equipped with air conditioning during your visit, including your room in each hotel. Regarding the camel trek in the Sahara, we start this activity very late, where the weather is cooler.

Do I need medication for my trip to Morocco?
You can bring it (Imodium) in case of diarrhea, you never know how your body system will react to new foods from different waters.

Can I travel with my children to visit Morocco?
Insurance! Traveling is the perfect way to open up a child’s world to possibilities and wonders. Strong experiences lead to new interests, and exposure to different cultures, languages, and environments helps today’s children to become the responsible and balanced adults of tomorrow. If you are traveling in a spacious, air-conditioned luxury car, you will have a special tour with fewer hours of driving in the vehicle, including many stops throughout the Morocco tour.

How should I dress in Morocco?
Morocco is becoming more modern than before, most of the country is used to tourists. In general, a woman traveling to Morocco should wear long skirts and dresses, jeans or pants.

What is the average tip in Morocco?
Although tipping is not compulsory in Morocco, rounding off the bill and tipping in restaurants and cafes is common practice. If you are happy with the service provided by the waiters, drivers, and other service employees, leaving a small tip of “20 DH” is a good way to show your appreciation.

From €50