Across the High Atlas
Morocco
From the rose-red walls of Marrakech over the spine of the Atlas Mountains via the 2,260m Tizi n'Tichka pass, past kasbahs of red pisé, across the hammada plateau to Ouarzazate's film sets, through the Draa Valley's 40 km of palm groves, and into the Sahara at Merzouga's towering Erg Chebbi dunes. The great desert approach.
Explore on the interactive map →Stops along the route
- Marrakech
The Red City. Djemaa el-Fna square, the Bahia Palace, thousand-trade souqs, and the YSL Jardin Majorelle frame Africa's most sensory city. The N9 south begins 30km from the walls.
- Tizi n'Tichka Pass
High Atlas summit at 2,260m, the Saharan watershed. The descent reveals ochre kasbahs, Glaoua pise towers, and the first date palms of the pre-Saharan south.
- Ait Benhaddou
UNESCO pre-Saharan ksar of towering mud-brick towers on a hillside above the Ounila River. Gladiator, Lawrence of Arabia, and Game of Thrones all filmed among its walls.
- Ouarzazate
Door of the desert and North Africa's Hollywood. The Kasbah Taourirt, partly still inhabited, and Atlas Studios anchor a sun-bleached city on the edge of the Saharan plateau.
- Draa Valley
Forty kilometres of date-palm oasis lining the Draa River, punctuated by ancient ksour and Berber villages. The valley road is one of Morocco's most beautiful desert drives.
- Todra Gorge
The Todra River cuts through 300m walls of pink limestone narrowing to 10m at the canyon floor. A top North African climbing destination; the Tinghir palm oasis lies below.
- Merzouga
The Sahara's edge. Erg Chebbi dunes rise 160m east of the village, Morocco's highest. A camel trek to a nomad tent at dawn, watching sand glow from orange to gold, ends the journey.
Where to Eat
- Café ClockMoroccan Fusion
A vibrant café in Marrakech known for its camel burgers and cultural events.
- Kasbah ValentineTraditional Moroccan
A cozy restaurant near Ait Benhaddou offering authentic tagines and couscous.
- Restaurant DouyriaMoroccan
A rooftop restaurant in Ouarzazate with panoramic views and classic Moroccan dishes.
- Restaurant Café NoraBerber
A family-run eatery in Merzouga serving traditional Berber pizza and mint tea.
Things to Do
- Jardin MajorelleGarden
A stunning garden in Marrakech featuring exotic plants and vibrant blue architecture.
- Atlas Film StudiosFilm Studio Tour
Explore the world's largest film studio in Ouarzazate, known as 'Ouallywood'.
- Camel Trekking in MerzougaOutdoor Activity
Experience a camel ride across the Erg Chebbi dunes at sunrise or sunset.
- Hiking in Todra GorgeHike
Walk through the dramatic canyon with towering limestone cliffs and a serene river.
Travel advisory
The Tizi n'Tichka pass reaches 2,260m and can close due to snow between November and March. The road is paved throughout but includes tight switchbacks; take extra care with oncoming trucks. Side roads into the Draa Valley and smaller kasbahs are often unpaved.