We’re driving the Tizi n’Tichka Pass in Morocco, heading to Marrakesh on a fine April morning. It’s a 4-hour long drive, with superb scenery along the route and we can’t wait to hit the road.
Our starting point is the bustling town of Ouarzazate. It’s been our overnight stay, returning from the desert at M’Hamid and a transit route for other overlanding folk.
The Tizi n’Tichka drive is in a book we have – ‘1001 Drives to Experience Before You Die’. Slowly over the years, we’ve been trying to drive as many as possible, so this adds to the opportunity to tick off another.
Atlas Mountains – Driving the Tizi n’Tichka Pass Morocco
The drive is a distance of around 122 miles, taking us over the Atlas Mountains, on a sealed road.
It’s also a Top Gear route from their ‘Drives of a Lifetime’ so we’re hoping for good things ahead!
As with any drive like this, we make sure we’re full with fuel. Here in Morocco fuel stations are commonplace, but we still want peace of mind before setting off.
Leaving Ouarzazate takes us by its film studios, where many Holywood movies have been filmed. This desert-like setting is on the edge of the bustling town and looks huge.
Rock formations and Summit stop
We’re soon immersing ourselves in the incredible views, complete with a landscape of red rock formations and dark stone cliffs. The mountain of desert terrain stretch for miles as the road climbs higher.
As the climb begins to plateau, there’s opportunity to stop at the summit sign. We’re 2260m high and several stalls are selling souvenirs, many with the same stock and all wanting our business.
Trio’s of ornamental pigs seem to be the big souvenirs on sale. We quite like the look of the pig trio, but with so many requests for purchase from so many sellers, we head back to the camper and re-join the road!
Tagine with a view
A little further along the road is a rest area with several roadside cafe’s and Tagine’s cooking away on coals outside.
We pull up and decide to take coffee at one of the cafe’s on offer. On the opposite side of the road, the cafe owner has a small raised seating area looking out across a vast expanse of mountainous scenery. The views are spectacular and winds strong!
Nonetheless, we sit trying to enjoy the view, but soon decide to retreat back to the shelter of the roadside.
Sitting beside the cooking Tagine is too tempting. After the coffee is finished, we order a lamb and chicken Tagine, tucking into the tasty dish with a large flat bread and frites.
Souvenir shop – Driving the Tizi n’Tichka Pass Morocco
The meal is tasty, the views amazing and the hospitality from the friendly host welcoming. The owner also has a souvenir shop, where he shows the souvenirs on offer once our meal is over.
We’re happy to buy some goods, simply because he leaves us to look quietly and has some lovely stone camels for sale.
We’ve been wanting to buy some goods and love the little stone camels here and the relaxed way we can browse. So, after a good look around, we end up buying a few souvenirs, coming away with a deal on 3 stone camels and a teapot!
Changing landscape – Driving the Tizi n’Tichka Pass Morocco
Back at the campervan with souvenirs safely stored away, we’re ready to return to the route.
As the road winds down the mountain, a quick glance upwards, reveals the rock and cliffs of the landscape above.
It’s been a phenomenal route, with amazing views of vast terrain and now we’re entering a different phase.
The road enters a new phase of greenery, with less mountainous, harsh terrain to the earlier section of the drive.
Arriving at Marrakesh
As our drive nears Marrakesh, the landscape changes. We’re now passing crops of deep green and walnut and oak trees, it’s a sight we’re not expecting and it’s beautiful.
We’re checking the motorhome parking Apps for a place to stay overnight, but the first choice ends in a wild goose chase.
The roads are now busy, with lots going on around us again and no sign of the campground. In the end, we decide to give up and try elsewhere.
It’s a nuisance, as we’ve gone out of our way, but that’s how some days go so we don’t fret.
Instead, we end up trying an alternative campsite on the outskirts of Marrakesh. Driving along the dirt road, we’re following our Sat Nav but the area doesn’t look right for a campsite.
Strange place for a campsite
We’re in a residential village, driving a track between buildings when a local flags us down. He offers to show us to the campsite, a usual occurrence here in Morocco. Sometimes we go, other times we don’t, instinctively this time, we follow!
Our intuition is a good move, as the entrance to a rather luxury hotel appears. Wow! this looks incredible. After initial thoughts of being in a strange place for a campsite, we’re now taken aback.
We give the local a tip and drive into the hotel and campsite with an excited feel. This is going to be good, our earlier wild goose chase now seen as a stroke of luck. All we have to do now is find a place to park up amongst the neatly marked pitches and check in.
This hidden little gem of accommodation and camping turns out to be just amazing. More on Camping Manzil la Tortue next time!
