How Far is Kasbah Ait Benhaddou from Marrakech or Ouarzazate
How Far is Kasbah Ait Benhaddou from Marrakech or Ouarzazate?
Standing on the brink of the mighty High Atlas Mountains, Kasbah Ait Benhaddou acts as an eastern gateway into the desert parts of Morocco. While the kasbah is somewhat remote and enigmatic in nature, it is fairly accessible from more well-traveled cities like Marrakech and Ouarzazate, which are used as bases for southern Morocco outings. How Far is Kasbah Ait Benhaddou from Marrakech or Ouarzazate?
Marrakech, often called the “Red City”, while bustling with culture and economy, is a world centrifuge of sort; Ouarzazate, on the other hand, is tagged the “door to the desert” and relatively moving wild tourism and film industry. How far any of these cities are from the ancient Kasbah can dictate and change the way routes of tours, transport, as well as the accommodation, get worked out by people who seek to visit.
In this particular article, we shall be giving a more thorough distance and route analysis between these locations so that prospective travelers receive useful information to plan their visits more efficiently.
Distance Between Marrakech and Kasbah Ait Benhaddou
The distance between Marrakech and Kasbah Ait Benhaddou is almost 190 kilometers (118 miles) by road. Car travel is commonly estimated at between three and a half and four hours, traffic and road conditions depending.
Route Overview
Leaving Marrakech, travelers would commonly take highway N9, well-surfaced and along paths through the High Atlas Mountains. The scenic drive passes through the Tizi n’Tichka pass sitting at an altitude of over 2,260 meters (7,400 feet), granting wonderful views of the nearby landscapes.
The route gradually descends from the mountains into the valley where Kasbah Ait Benhaddou lies, not very far from the town of Telouet. The winding roads are difficult to drive on but make up for it with incomparable vistas.
Travel Considerations
- Road conditions: The highway N9 is paved and generally in good conditions, but being mountain roads, caution is required especially in winter when snow or rain may interfere with visibility and road safety.
- Stops: Many road-trippers stop at Telouet Kasbah or in small Berber villages to get a feel of local culture.
- Transport options: The options along this route include private car rentals, organized tours, and buses. In case you want to be presented with guided experiences, there are many Morocco tours that include transportation between Marrakech and Kasbah Ait Benhaddou.
Distance Between Ouarzazate and Kasbah Ait Benhaddou
Ouarzazate lies much closer to Kasbah Ait Benhaddou compared to Marrakech.
The kasbah lies inside the northwest of Ouarzazate approximately thirty kilometers, or eighteen-and-a-half miles. Considering this short distance, a trip here by car would take about 30 to 40 minutes.
Overview of the Route
It is along the N10 highway that the drive from Ouarzazate to Kasbah Ait Benhaddou takes place. The road is quite straightforward and well maintained, as it cuts through a semi-arid landscape characteristic of the pre-Saharan region.
Due to the short distance, day trips from Ouarzazate to the kasbah are common, making Ouarzazate an ideal base for visitors interested in exploring southern Morocco’s heritage sites and desert landscapes.
Travel Considerations
1. Accessibility: The proximity of Kasbah Ait Benhaddou to Ouarzazate makes it easy to get to by private taxi, rental car, or guided tour.
2. Tourism infrastructure: Ouarzazate has lodging and services for tourists and many Morocco desert tours combine visits to Kasbah Ait Benhaddou with trips to things like the Atlas Film Studios or the Draa Valley.
Comparing Travel Times and Practical Implications
From Marrakech
Traveling from Marrakech to Kasbah Ait Benhaddou requires a longer journey through mountainous terrain; this would probably make for a nice adventure, but also calls for a little additional planning. Visitors usually pick staying overnight somewhere near the kasbah or in Ouarzazate to break up this long drive.
It is an almost four-hour journey, thus visitors should plan accordingly to maximize their stay there, especially if they wish to also expose themselves to the nearby area of the Aït Ben Haddou village or the neighboring valley.
From Ouarzazate
With Kasbah Ait Benhaddou lying close to Ouarzazate, day-trip sojourns become all the more flexible, enabling travelers to venture into the kasbah without the need to lodge anywhere around. The appeal of this accessibility lies in desert tours and visiting for film tourism.
Being a logistical center in Ouarzazate also assures countless means of transportation, ranging from rentals to private excursions.
Transportation Options
1. Private Vehicle or Rental Car
Many travelers choose to rent a car simply to enjoy the flexibility while exploring the southern part of Morocco and visiting Kasbah Ait Benhaddou. Driving gives the freedom to stop anywhere on a whim, including for scenic vistas or to visit nearby side attractions.
One, however, must be quite confident and cautious negotiating mountain roads, for instance those between Marrakech and this very kasbah. Guided tours or hiring a driver are better options for first-time visitors not familiar with Moroccan driving conditions.
2. Guided Tours
Tours are organized from Marrakech or Ouarzazate that allow travelers to take away the stress and allow the interpretation to be delivered by a knowledgeable guide, who gives historical and cultural context at the kasbah. Many tour operators offer tours that combine a visit to the kasbah with desert excursions or a visit to other sites of heritage.
Booking with a renowned operator guarantees transportation and even enhances the whole experience. Thus, Morocco desert tours have become increasingly popular among travelers of all styles and budgets.
3. Public Transport
Buses and shared taxis (grand taxis) ply between Marrakech, Ouarzazate, and other towns, but since the schedule is rather sparse and with the rural location of the kasbah, it is difficult to reach Kasbah Ait Benhaddou directly via public transportation.
An independent traveler using public transport may need to combine buses with local taxis.
Conclusion
Two major Moroccan cities, Marrakech and Ouarzazate, provide access to Kasbah Ait Benhaddou, and farther distances certainly impact travel arrangements.
Marrakech to Kasbah Ait Benhaddou measures approximately 190 kilometers of scenic, yet somewhat challenging mountain road that lasts for roughly four hours. From Ouarzazate lies less than 30 kilometers, making it a feasible day-trip aim from this desert city.
Depending on the itinerary, comfort with mountain driving, and interest for further regional exploration, visitors may select either starting point. Both cities provide a presence on their own, and the kasbah is captivating, lying between the High Atlas Mountains and the beginning of the desert.
