Day 9: Ouarzazate - Ait Ben Haddou - Taroudant

After breakfast we drive to Ait Ben Haddou. It is located 35 km from Ouarzazate and it is a fortified city, built in the 11th century. Once up on a time this Kasbah was the former caravan route between the Sahara and Marrakesh. It is situated on a hill along the Ounila River and has some beautiful examples of kasbahs, which unfortunately sustain damage during each rainstorm and windstorms. Most of the towns inhabitants now live in a more modern village at the other side of the river; however, around five families are still living within this Kasbah. Ait Benhaddou Kasbah has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987 and several films have been shot there, including Lawrence of Arabia (1962), Time Bandits (1981), The Jewel of the Nile (1985), Kundun (1997), Gladiator (2000) and Alexander (2004).From this beautiful fortified house we head south west to the town of Taroudant. It is called the „Grandmother of Marrakesh“ because it resembles Marrakesh with its surrounding ramparts. The ramparts of the town are nearly 6 kilometers long. It has the feel of a small fortified market town on some caravan route. It is also known for its local crafts like jewelry and carpets. Taroudant contains almost the whole city within its walls. However, a new area is being developed outside the city walls. Under the Saadi Dynasty Taroudant knew its golden age, especially under the reign of Mohammed ash-Sheikh, who constructed the city walls and built the great mosque and its beautiful minaret in 1528. The town became the capital of the Saadians. Taroudant has rich plain and farms of grapes, corn, grain and oranges.Today the town is a notable marketing town and has a souk near each of its two main squares, Talmoklate. Not that far from Talmaklate square, there is the Arab souk specializes in handicrafts such as pottery, leather, carpets, rugs and jewelry. Dinner and overnight in the riad.