Travelers looking to get from Marrakesh to Boumalne Dades have two modes of transport to choose from for the 191-mile (308 km) journey. Those looking to save time may wish to fly from Marrakesh to Ouarzazate and then either rent a car or book a private transfer to Boumalne Dades. Those who do not mind six hours in the car or who wish to stop at points of interest along the way can make the journey entirely by private transfer.
By Flight and Private Transfer
Duration: 3 hours, 10 minutes
Direct flights from the Marrakesh airport (RAK) get to Ouarzazate (OZZ) in one hour and 20 minutes. From there, you will want to hire a car and take the two-hour drive to Boumalne Dades.
Along the drive from Ouarzazate to Boumalne Dades, there are several places along the way you may wish to stop and experience. The drive itself is spectacular, with roads lined with kasbahs, palm groves, and small villages. Much of the route is narrow, with only a small barrier between the edge of the road and the steep gorges below. If you are driving yourself, make sure you take this part of the drive slowly and carefully.
For some top-notch site-seeing, stop at the Barrage El Mansour Eddahbi, a lake that offers stunning 360-degree mountain vistas and the occasional wandering herd of camels.
Farther along, stop in the small town of Skoura, a desert oasis where you can wander among palm groves and see ancient castles, including the 17th-century Amerhidil Kasbah, which is featured on the back of the 50 dirham note.
About 30 minutes outside of Boumalne Dades, you will reach Kelâat M'Gouna, a town that is famous for its roses. If you are traveling in the spring, make a point to stop in Kelâat M'Gouna, as the town will be blanketed in flowers. In early May, an annual celebration of the rose is held with a large festival and parade.
By Private Transfer
Duration: 6 hours
Those who would like to see more of the country between Marrakesh and Boumalne Dades will want to complete the entire journey by private transfer. While the stop after Ouarzazate will be the same as those listed above, there are many interesting points before you reach Ouarzazate as well.
The High Atlas route curves through beautiful mountain landscapes. The famous Tizi n'Tichka pass will take you through the high-altitude mist to a panoramic view of valleys and snowcapped mountains. From there, you can opt to take a slightly longer route down through the Ounila Valley, which is dotted with small villages, orchards, and abandoned kasbahs.
A fitting final stop before you reach Ouarzazate is the Aït Benhaddou ksar, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that has served as the set for multiple Hollywood films set in Morocco and the wider Arab world.