- 0:00 | the high Atlas Mountains of Morocco the tallest
in North Africa formed millions of years ago when - 0:06 | the land masses of Europe and Africa collided
near their highest point lies the Tizi n’Tichka - 0:12 | pass renowned for its tight hairpin turns and
breathtaking views once considered one of the - 0:19 | world’s most dangerous roads recent safety
upgrades have improved it significantly but - 0:25 | is it still a risky drive or simply one of the
most exhilarating we’re Chris and Lydia join - 0:31 | us as we find out for ourselves good morning
from our rooftop Terrace in our kasbah hotel - 0:39 | just outside of AIt Ben Haddou in [Music]
Morocco good morning the eyes are just open - 1:01 | been up since 4:30 but not we just couldn’t
sleep but um we thought we may as well watch - 1:08 | the sunrise from our apartment balcony or
rooftop Terrace rooftop Terrace yeah and - 1:16 | it’s just coming over and setting a it’s rising
behind me here we’re heading off to Marrakech - 1:23 | today and um yeah so this is the start of
a new day so come and see what we get up to - 1:32 | [Music]
- 1:38 | today what a spread having my
omelette beautiful pancakes and - 1:48 | lyd’s got gluten-free Crepes and a bowl of
[Music] coffee show me how you drink it l - 2:04 | look at that view behind you can you
just pinch yourself for a [Music] - 2:15 | moment after a hearty breakfast at
our magnificent kasba accommodation - 2:27 | we boarded the bus and set off
on the road to Marrakesh [Music] - 2:38 | today’s Journey follows the historic path
once traveled by Caravan Traders heading - 2:43 | north over the high Atlas Mountains via
the famous Tizi n’Tichka pass [Music] - 3:12 | as we leave the Arid desert Plains
behind the Towering peaks of the - 3:16 | high Atlas Mountains gradually
come into view it’s sunny down - 3:21 | here but up in the mountains the
clouds are beginning to gather - 3:30 | climbing higher the air grows
cooler and the clouds settle - 3:34 | in around us our Moroccan guide ilias
provides the insightful commentary so - 3:42 | it’s the most spectacular Road
in North Africa it’s like our - 3:47 | Alps and it is a great view but it’s invisible
now sorry what happened to the sunshine - 4:00 | it’s Fresh it is pretty cold I reckon
it’s maybe 5° oh yeah I’d like to wish - 4:09 | going for a panoramic view probably
of White Cloud but maybe we’ll see - 4:14 | something [Music] whoa it would
be nice on a clear day [Music] - 4:54 | hello [Music]
- 5:00 | that’s the way back down the [Music]
mountain on a clear day The View - 5:09 | must be spectacular but with the weather
beyond our control it’s time to begin our - 5:15 | [Music]
- 5:20 | descent the Tizi n’Tichka pass is one
of the most famous roads in Morocco - 5:30 | it zigzags its way up over 2200 m above sea
level making it the highest paved Road in North - 5:37 | Africa stretching 54 km the pass was originally
constructed in 1936 by the French army to connect - 5:46 | the Imperial City of Marrakech with Ouarzazate
and the desert regions south of the high Atlas - 5:52 | Mountains at one time the Tizi n’Tichka pass was
considered one of the most dangerous roads in - 5:58 | the world with its tight hairpin turns steep
descents and high elevations however recent - 6:05 | upgrades over the past few years have widened
the road removed some of the tightest turns - 6:11 | and added more guard rails seemingly making it
safer for travelers still the drive remains hair - 6:18 | raising and the risk of Rock Falls is real as we
were soon to [Music] discover what do you than - 7:14 | [Music]
- 7:15 | after crossing the highest parts of the pass
we followed the winding course of the Tichka - 7:20 | river through beautiful valleys which grew
increasingly green as we headed north [Music] - 7:35 | but our journey through the pass wasn’t over
- 7:37 | yet before long we began climbing
once more ascending back into the - 7:43 | [Music] clouds as the road narrowed and
visibility decreased the drive became more - 7:52 | unnerving especially in a large bus I could only
imagine the Steep drop hidden by the clouds on the - 7:59 | other side of the barrier and found myself
pressing an imaginary brake pedal with every - 8:04 | Bend in the end I realized it was easier
if I just didn’t look around too much - 8:29 | [Music]
- 8:44 | [Music]
- 8:59 | and just like that the terrain flattened and
we had crossed the pass was it a dangerous - 9:05 | drive for the most part I’d say no the road
surface was in good condition and the recent - 9:11 | upgrades have greatly improved its safety
on a clear sunny day you’d have no trouble - 9:17 | at all still it can be a challenging drive
as we found out the weather at the top can - 9:23 | be unpredictable with the high elevations
bringing Fog rain or even snow rain can - 9:29 | loosen rocks along the cliffs leading to
rock slides plus as the main route South - 9:35 | to the desert the road is often busy local
drivers are known to drive quickly and large - 9:41 | trucks also use the route so it’s important to
exercise caution drive to the conditions take - 9:48 | your time and soak in the incredible views even on
a foggy day the experience is absolutely worth it - 9:59 | the Tizi n’Tichka Pass took us just over
2 hours to drive so by the time we reached - 10:04 | the other side we were more than ready
for lunch luckily Ilias had called in a - 10:09 | few favors and soon we were pulling up to a
farmhouse for an incredible home-cooked meal - 10:29 | [Music]
- 10:40 | [Music]
- 10:53 | so this we call Rfissa so there is chicken there
is eggs there is Curry lentils onion and pancake - 11:03 | but not the morning one this one it’s made special
and it has to be thin the lunch of Rfissa was - 11:11 | exceptional as was the Moroccan Hospitality we’re
so grateful to the Moroccan family who welcomed - 11:17 | us into their Farmhouse for this delicious
meal with full bellies and warm Hearts we had - 11:23 | just a short 45 minute drive ahead of us before
reaching the bustling city of Marrakech [Music] - 11:41 | [Music]
- 11:54 | after being dropped off on the edge of the Old
Town Our Kind Porters wheeled our bags through - 11:59 | the winding alleys to our Riad perfectly
situated in the heart of Marrakech’s old - 12:05 | [Music] Medina following the customary
mint tea welcome we took some time to - 12:14 | explore the riads design is traditional
featuring a communal Central Courtyard - 12:20 | area for relaxing and dining ringed
by bedrooms on the upper level [Music] - 12:36 | in classic riad style the room has no windows to
- 12:40 | the street but instead the windows
face inward to overlook the central - 12:44 | Courtyard after a brief rest
we decided to venture out and - 12:53 | get our first taste of bustling Marrakech [Music]
- 13:13 | [Music]
- 13:27 | [Music]
- 13:41 | welcome to the chaos of the main
square Jemaa el-Fnaa [Music] - 14:04 | looking for somewhere now that we
can sit and watch Life go by here on - 14:09 | a Saturday night in Marrakech maybe
have some food and a [Music] drink - 14:25 | [Music] oh this is more my style less people less
- 14:35 | people a look at [Music] that this looks
like a very civilized place to watch the - 14:49 | sunset our first sunset in Marrakech is
looking to be a good one it’s a little - 14:56 | bit of cloud cover and the colors are
just amazing for this rooftop restaurant - 15:28 | [Music]
- 15:31 | [Music]
- 15:33 | [Applause]
- 15:36 | [Music]
- 15:38 | [Applause] [Music]
- 15:44 | this is
- 15:45 | [Music] crazy
- 16:02 | thank you for joining us today on the road to
Marrakech across a Tizi n’Tichka pass if you’re - 16:09 | new here don’t forget to hit the Subscribe button
to join our roving family and drop us a comment - 16:14 | to let us know where you’re watching from we
really enjoy hearing from you we hope to see - 16:19 | you next time as we explore the vibrant sights
and sounds smells and tastes of mares bye for now
In episode 12 of our Morocco vlog road trip, we take on the famous Tizi n’Tichka Pass across the High Atlas Mountains on the road to Marrakech. Often reported as one of the world’s most dangerous roads, this route, known as Maroc Col du Tichka, has recently been upgraded. But is it safe to drive now? Join us as we find out for ourselves!
The road through the Tizi Ticha pass is the highest paved road in North Africa, at 2260mm above sea level. It is the main route between Marrakech, Ouarzazate, and the Sahara Desert. With many tight hairpin turns & steep descents, the road can be narrow in parts and the risk of rock falls is ever present, as we found out first hand. But the views are breathtaking, even on a foggy day.
After crossing the High Atlas from Ait Ben Haddou, we stop at a farmhouse to enjoy a home-cooked meal of Rfissa, a delicious Moroccan specialty, before continuing to the historic Imperial City of Marrakech. Once settled into our riad in the heart of the old medina, we wander across the bustling main square, Jemaa el-Fnaa, and find a rooftop bar to watch a spectacular sunset.
If you love immersive travel experiences and stunning landscapes then this video on our Morocco road trip is perfect for you.
Don’t forget to LIKE and SUBSCRIBE for more travel vlogs! And please leave a COMMENT and let us know where you are from – we LOVE hearing from you!
Happy travels and see you in the next video!
#morocco #moroccovlog #travelvlog #tizintichka #marrakech #morrocotravelguide #moroccotravel #maroc #atlasmountains #dangerousroad #moroccotravelvlog #aitbenhaddou #ouarzazate #marrakesh #rfissa
Chapters:
00:00 – Introduction
00:34 – Sunrise at Kasbah Accommodation
02:27 – Ascend High Atlas Mountains
03:58 – Lookout Atop Tizi n’Tichka Pass
05:16 – Crossing Tizi n’Tichka Pass
06:24 – Rock Fall 1
08:11 – Rock Fall 2
10:07 – Rfissa For Lunch
11:29 – Arrival in Marrakech & Riad
12:53 – Medina, Jemaa el-Fnaa & Sunset
15:40 – Please Subscribe
My Music:
Our earlier Morocco Travel Vlog Series:
Episode 1 – Casablanca:
Episode 2 – Rabat:
Episode 3 – Chefchaouen:
Episode 4 – Volubilis/Meknes:
Episode 5 – Fez:
Episode 6 – Fez to Midelt Road Trip
Episode 7 – Ziz Valley:
Episode 8 – Sahara Desert:
Episode 9 – Todra Gorge:
Episode 10 – Dades Gorges:
Episode 11 – Ait Ben Haddou:
Moroccan Tour Company – Uncovered Trails:
Itinerary developed in conjunction with TravelManagers agent, Natalie Miller.
Rock Fall Sign – Image by Mudassar Iqbal from Pixabay
🌍 Hi, we’re Lydia & Chris, the Roving Balys!
🌍As an empty nest couple from Newcastle, Australia, we’ve traveled the world together for 30 years. We started this vlog to share our travel tales and showcase our beautiful region. We met traveling around Europe in 1995 and have since visited 50+ countries. We love discovering new places, meeting people, and trying local cuisines (including gluten-free options).Our journey has evolved from backpacking to family travel, and now back to couple adventures. With the kids doing their own thing, we’re ready to dust off our backpacks (now suitcases) and start new adventures. So grab a cup of coffee and come roving with us!
If you want to see more from The Roving Balys, we also run a travel blog over at:
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