Kasbahs & Ksour · Full day
Ounila Valley & Telouet — The Old Kasbah Road
The pre-tarmac caravan route over the Atlas, kasbah by kasbah
Duration
Full day
Group size
1–6 travellers
Difficulty
Easy
Languages
English, French
From / person
$410
Overview
The scenic back road that the caravans used before the Tizi n'Tichka was paved: up the Ounila Valley from Aït Ben Haddou through earthen villages to the Glaoui palace-kasbah of Telouet, and back — a loop few day-trippers take.
Before the modern pass, the trade route over the Atlas ran up the Ounila Valley — a string of red-earth villages, terraced fields and small kasbahs between Aït Ben Haddou and Telouet. We follow that old road, stopping at Tamdaght and the saffron-and-mud hamlets along the river, to reach Telouet: the crumbling, astonishing palace of the Glaoui pashas, where plain walls hide rooms of painted cedar and zellij.
It's a slow, beautiful loop on a partly unpaved road, returning to Ouarzazate via Aït Ben Haddou. A favourite for travellers who've seen the headline sights and want the quieter valley behind them.
Trip highlights
- The old caravan road up the Ounila Valley
- The Glaoui palace-kasbah of Telouet and its painted salons
- Earthen villages and terraced fields along the river
- The kasbah of Tamdaght near Aït Ben Haddou
- A scenic loop most day tours skip
- Aït Ben Haddou in the day's softer light
Photo gallery
Inside the trip.
Day-by-day itinerary
Ouarzazate → Ouarzazate
- 1
Morning · Ouarzazate → Aït Ben Haddou → Ounila
Ounila ValleyOut to Aït Ben Haddou and Tamdaght, then up the unpaved Ounila valley road through red-earth villages, stopping for the views and the kasbahs.
— - 2
Midday · Telouet Kasbah
TelouetThe Glaoui palace-kasbah — its painted-cedar ceilings and zellij rooms — with lunch in the village.
L - 3
Afternoon · Return to Ouarzazate
Ounila → OuarzazateBack down the valley with a last stop at Aït Ben Haddou in the afternoon light before returning to Ouarzazate.
—
Cities & regions on this trip
You'll experience 1 destination.
Each stop has its own deep-dive guide — geography, history, best season, things to see, and other tours that visit it. Tap any card to open its dedicated page.
The route
Map of Ounila Valley & Telouet — The Old Kasbah Road
5 stops across Kasbahs & Ksour. Distances and timings are flexible — every itinerary is reshaped to your pace.
- 1
Ouarzazate
Start
- 2
Aït Ben Haddou
- 3
Ounila Valley
- 4
Telouet
Kasbah
- 5
Ouarzazate
End
What's included
- Private English-speaking driver-guide for the duration
- Vehicle (sedan, 4x4 or minivan) with fuel, tolls and parking
- All listed accommodation in hand-picked kasbahs, riads or desert camps
- Daily breakfast and meals as noted in the itinerary
- All listed entrance fees and guided activities
- Pickup and drop-off at your Ouarzazate (OZZ) hotel or the airport
- Bottled water and snacks on board
- 24/7 WhatsApp concierge based in Ouarzazate
Not included
- International flights to/from Morocco
- Travel insurance (we recommend a provider)
- Alcoholic drinks and personal shopping
- Optional activities marked “add-on” in your quote
- Tips for driver, guides and camp staff
What to bring
Pack light, pack smart.
- Comfortable walking shoes (kasbah steps and earthen lanes)
- Layers — pre-Saharan nights can drop sharply, even in summer
- Sun hat, sunglasses, SPF 30+ — the southern light is intense
- Modest cover-up for villages, mosques and shrines
- Reusable water bottle (we refill on the road)
- Adaptor for Type C/E plugs (220V)
Frequently asked
Questions about this tour.
Is the Ounila road rough?
Parts are unpaved and bumpy but perfectly fine in our vehicle — no off-road experience needed on your part. It's slower than the main pass, which is exactly why it's so quiet and scenic.
Can I change the dates or itinerary?
Yes. Every itinerary is a starting point. Add a day, swap a kasbah, change the start point — we'll re-quote in 24 hours and lock the price in writing before any deposit.
How fit do I need to be?
Easy. Light walking on kasbah steps and earthen lanes, plus optional activities you can opt in or out of on the day.
When should I book?
For high season (Oct–Apr) and any trip involving the Sahara or the Rose Valley harvest, book 6–10 weeks ahead. Last-minute (under 14 days) is usually still possible with a phone call.
