The famous ksar — and the far better road to reach it.
Ait Benhaddou is one of Morocco's best-known fortified ksars: a fortified village of earthen kasbahs stacked on a hillside above a usually dry river. Every coach on the Tichka stops here. What most of them miss is that the interesting approach is not the main road at all, but the old Ounila valley route that drops down from Telouet — a slower, rougher and far more rewarding way in.
Instead of continuing on the main Tichka road, riders can turn off at Telouet and follow the Ounila valley south. The road is narrow, partly rough and threads past small villages, terraced fields and older kasbahs with almost no traffic. It takes longer than the main road and can make the approach to Ait Benhaddou a rewarding part of the ride when conditions suit the route.
The site is a UNESCO World Heritage property and is genuinely impressive up close — earthen construction, defensive walls and a steep climb to the granary at the top. Crossing the riverbed on foot to reach it takes a few minutes. An hour or two covers it comfortably.
Midday brings the coach traffic from Marrakech. Early morning and late afternoon are quieter and the low light on the earthen walls is far better for photographs. Riders staying overnight in the village get the site almost to themselves at either end of the day.
Ait Benhaddou sits naturally between the Tichka pass and Ouarzazate, roughly half an hour from the latter. It works as a lunch stop on a transfer day, or as an overnight if you want the ksar without the crowds and an early start towards the desert.
One to two hours for the ksar. Half a day if you take the Ounila valley road in, which is the version worth doing.
Spring and autumn for comfortable temperatures and good light. Winter is fine and quiet; summer middays are hot on the exposed hillside.
Marrakech→Marrakech
A compact but varied loop from Marrakech across the High Atlas to the Sahara and back. Ride the Tizi n'Tichka pass, the kasbah valleys, Dades and Todra gorges, desert pistes around Erg Chebbi and the palm-lined Draa Valley, combining mountains, desert and culture in one week.
Marrakech→Marrakech
An eight-day Marrakech loop with a slower approach to the Sahara and more time in Morocco's southern valleys. Ride through the Ounila Valley, Dades and Todra gorges, spend two nights around Erg Chebbi, then return through the Draa Valley, Ouarzazate and Ait Benhaddou. The pace leaves room for photographs, short walks and desert exploration.
Casablanca→Marrakech
A sweeping north-to-south motorcycle journey from Casablanca to Marrakech through Fes, the cedar forests of the Middle Atlas, the Ziz Valley and the Sahara. After a full desert day at Erg Chebbi, ride west through Todra and Dades, Ouarzazate and Ait Benhaddou before crossing the High Atlas. The final route, pace and riding level are confirmed with you before booking.
Casablanca→Casablanca
Our 12-day loop combines the Atlantic coast, the High Atlas and Anti-Atlas ranges, the kasbah valleys, remote southern pistes and the dunes of Erg Chebbi before returning to Casablanca. With nights in Essaouira, Marrakech, the Sahara and the Draa region, it combines a wide range of landscapes and riding conditions in one itinerary.
Casablanca→Flexible
A private Moroccan motorcycle journey built around your dates, riding experience and the landscapes you most want to see. The ten-day example below runs from Casablanca to Marrakech through Chefchaouen, Fes, the Middle Atlas, the Sahara at Merzouga and the kasbah valleys, with rest days built in. We can shorten it, extend it or start from another city.
We combine destinations into multi-day routes — from a short coast and Atlas loop to a Grand Morocco expedition.
