Ounila valley | ⴰⵙⵉⴼ ⵓⵏⵉⵍⴰ
From Telouet to Ait Benhaddou
Ounila is a narrow River, runs from the high atlas downs to Ait Ben Haddou until it joins Imini River. In the valley a lot of villages, kasbahs, green gardens and colourful geology. Also, the region is inhabited by the most hospitable Amazigh people.
P1506 is the secondary route linking Ait ben Haddou to Tizi-n-Tichka pass. It takes longer than the main route N9. However, P1506 offers breath-taking views and a chance to visit some hidden landmarks of the High Atlas Mountains.
As you are driving through the small route, you can imagine hundreds, even thousands of camels in a caravan travelling through their journey from the sub-Saharan cities to Marrakech. Ounila valley was one of the main passageways for those caravans travelling for weeks transporting Saharan merchandise and salt.
This valley is loaded with travelling history, and as you are going through it, you as well become part of its history.
The Main attractions of Ounila Valley are:
• AÏT BEN HADDOU
• TAMDAGHT KASBAH
• KSAR OF ANMITER
• TELOUET KASBAH
How get to Ounila?
Option 1
Have a travel agency arrange for you a day trip to visit Ait Ben Haddou, and then carry on through Ounila valley, and come back by Road N9.
Option 2
Visit Ounila valley on your way to/from Marrakech. You can even spend the night in one of the many guesthouses along the valley
Option 3
A lot of agencies organize daily trips from Marrakech to Ait Ben Haddou also visit Ounila valley.
Please note that public transport, buses, and shared taxi do not use P1506 while travelling from Marrakesh to Ouarzazate. They only use route N9 because it’s faster.
