We’ll depart early in the morning from your hotel or riad in Marrakech, embarking on a scenic journey toward Skoura Valley. As we cross the High Atlas Mountains, reaching an elevation of 2,260 meters, you’ll be treated to breathtaking natural landscapes.
Our first stop is the Kasbah of Aït-Ben-Haddou, one of Morocco’s oldest and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here, you’ll enjoy a guided tour of this remarkable site, exploring its ancient fortresses, known as kasbahs, which rise impressively to ten meters. Although most residents now inhabit a modern village across the river, eight families still live within the old kasbah. Visiting Aït-Ben-Haddou is like stepping onto a movie set; this iconic location has served as the backdrop for famous films such as Lawrence of Arabia, The Mummy, Gladiator, Alexander, and Prince of Persia. After exploring, we’ll have lunch nearby.
Following lunch, we’ll continue our journey to the Dades Valley, nestled between the High Atlas Mountains and the Jbel Saghro range to the south. This region boasts one of the largest oases and numerous kasbahs, earning the nickname “Valley of a Thousand Kasbahs.”
As we traverse the Dades Valley, we’ll have the opportunity to visit the Dades Gorge and the stunning Todra Gorges. The Grand Canyon area of Todra Gorge is renowned for its dramatic rock formations, making it one of the most breathtaking natural landscapes in Morocco. A road runs through the gorge, flanked by smooth canyon walls that rise impressively on either side. The sunlight struggles to penetrate this deep valley, and the icy river water flows through it.
We’ll spend the night in this spectacular setting, enjoying dinner at a cozy riad.