Venture out of Morocco and across the high-elevation terrain of the High Atlas to reach Ait-Ben-Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site composed of kasbahs (forts) made of earthen clay. Immerse yourself in scenery and architecture that's straight out of Hollywood blockbusters as you explore this fabled landmark.

Meet up with your guide in Marrakech and settle in for the drive into the peaks of the High Atlas. Gaze out the window at the passing scenery of traditional Berber villages, cross over the Tizi n'Tichka mountain pass, and weave through fertile, oleander-scented river valleys brimming with olives, walnuts, pomegranates, pears, and quince.

Enter the arid desert landscape on the far side of the mountains, catching glimpses of peach-hued adobe architecture more suitable for the dry climate. Leave the main road and make your way to the abandoned ruins of the crumbling Kasbah Telouet on the old caravan route, where you can still see glimpses of opulent decorations in what was once the home of the Lords of the Atlas.

From there, continue on to Ait-Ben-Haddou, once one of the most important fortresses on the old Salt Road caravan route. Enjoy lunch in this remarkable setting, and then spend the afternoon exploring dusty lanes where traders once brought their gold, ivory, salt, and slaves on the journey from Sub-Saharan Africa to Marrakech and beyond.