On the final day of our tour we started with the short drive from Ouarzazate to the photogenic Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou, a site used in many movies. We climbed to the top of the Kasbah taking in both the construction of the ancient site and the impressive views from the top.
Leaving Ait Ben Haddou we climbed back into the Atlas mountains. Unlike further north near Fez, the Atlas was much more barren in the south. We followed a gorge for quite a few miles which provided the now standard narrow green line in a sea of yellow and brown desert.
High in the mountains we reached our next destination. Before sitting down to lunch we visited another Kasbah, the Kasbah Telouet. This was once a spectacular pseudo-palace of the Pasha of Marrakesh but now for the most part has fallen into disrepair. The small part that was still maintained was amazing, especially the intricate tile work on the walls and floors.
The road descending the Atlas Mountains varied from the spectacular and well maintained, to a goat track under heavy maintenance (both engineering and financial challenges according to Ismail). We made a last stop at an Argan oil factory and shop, before the final leg into Marrakesh where we said goodbye to Ismail and Hassan.
After navigating the Medina in Fez, we were a bit more comfortable walking the last few hundred meters to our Riad, notwithstanding the argument between Eric and the two luggage carriers who wanted our life savings in payment for their five minutes of labour. Again we had a beautiful suite - for five star accommodation at a reasonable price you can't top Morocco. After a busy, exciting and tiring seven days, it was early to bed.
Leaving Ait Ben Haddou we climbed back into the Atlas mountains. Unlike further north near Fez, the Atlas was much more barren in the south. We followed a gorge for quite a few miles which provided the now standard narrow green line in a sea of yellow and brown desert.
High in the mountains we reached our next destination. Before sitting down to lunch we visited another Kasbah, the Kasbah Telouet. This was once a spectacular pseudo-palace of the Pasha of Marrakesh but now for the most part has fallen into disrepair. The small part that was still maintained was amazing, especially the intricate tile work on the walls and floors.
The road descending the Atlas Mountains varied from the spectacular and well maintained, to a goat track under heavy maintenance (both engineering and financial challenges according to Ismail). We made a last stop at an Argan oil factory and shop, before the final leg into Marrakesh where we said goodbye to Ismail and Hassan.
After navigating the Medina in Fez, we were a bit more comfortable walking the last few hundred meters to our Riad, notwithstanding the argument between Eric and the two luggage carriers who wanted our life savings in payment for their five minutes of labour. Again we had a beautiful suite - for five star accommodation at a reasonable price you can't top Morocco. After a busy, exciting and tiring seven days, it was early to bed.
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