Day 3 of 9

Tue, Mar 17

🏜️Into the Sahara

◈Atlas Mountains → Dadès

Early flight to Marrakech, then begin your epic 3-day Sahara desert adventure! Cross the dramatic Atlas Mountains via Tizi n'Tichka Pass (2,260m - highest paved road in North Africa), and explore the ancient UNESCO kasbah of Aït Benhaddou.

→Today's Route

Marrakech, Morocco

Tizi n'Tichka Pass

Aït Benhaddou

Ouarzazate

Dadès Valley, Morocco

Marrakech → Atlas Mountains → Dadès Valley (~6-7 hours)

▶Preview

Watch: Into the Sahara

◇Gallery

Atlas Mountains

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Aït Benhaddou UNESCO Kasbah

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Berber village in the mountains

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✦Highlights

Tizi n'Tichka Pass

2,260m - Highest paved road in North Africa. Stunning mountain scenery, Berber villages.

Aït Benhaddou

UNESCO World Heritage kasbah. Filming location for Game of Thrones, Gladiator, Lawrence of Arabia.

Dadès Valley

"Valley of a Thousand Kasbahs" - dramatic red rock formations and traditional mud-brick villages.

◈Schedule

4:30 AM

Wake up, quick breakfast/coffee

→~25 min drive

5:00 AM

Taxi to Barcelona Airport

~7:00 AM

Flight BCN → Marrakech (Ryanair)

~9:30 AM

Arrive Marrakech Menara Airport

10:00 AM

Meet desert tour driver - BEGIN SAHARA TOUR

→~2 hours driving

10:30 AM

Drive through Marrakech toward Atlas Mountains

12:30 PM

Tizi n'Tichka Pass (2,260m) - Photo stops

1:30 PM

Lunch at roadside restaurant (included)

3:00 PM

Aït Benhaddou UNESCO kasbah

→~2 hours driving

4:30 PM

Continue through Ouarzazate ("Hollywood of Africa")

6:30 PM

Arrive at guesthouse in Dadès Valley

7:30 PM

Traditional Moroccan dinner at guesthouse

9:00 PM

Stargazing, rest up for tomorrow

Transport~$80

Other~$300

Day Total~$380-640

○Tips & Notes

◇Packing

→Layers - mountains are cold, valleys are warm
→Sunscreen and sunglasses
→Camera with charged batteries
→Snacks and water for the drive
→Cash for tips and small purchases

✦Good to Know

→No Wi-Fi in most guesthouses - embrace the disconnect!
→Basic but comfortable rooms with private bathroom
→Traditional Moroccan dinner and breakfast included

Tonight's Stay

Guesthouse, Dadès Valley

Included in tour