Ouarzazate-Ait Ben Haddou Day Trip from Marrakech Atlas Mountains

From $450 • 11 hours 30 minutes • Safari Desert Tours • Ait Ben Haddou, Marrakesh, Morocco • Pickup available • Free until 1 day before

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Why we love it?

The Ouarzazate-Ait Ben Haddou Day Trip from Marrakech offers an immersive experience into the stunning landscapes and rich culture of Morocco. Over the course of 11 hours and 30 minutes, travelers will explore the UNESCO World Heritage site of Ait Ben Haddou, known for its dramatic earthen clay architecture and historical significance as a former caravan stop. This tour is ideal for those seeking a blend of history, culture, and breathtaking scenery, with private transportation provided in an air-conditioned minivan or 4WD, ensuring comfort throughout the journey. An English-speaking driver enhances the experience by offering insights into the region's heritage and landmarks.

Inclusions

pick-up & drop off from your accommodation in Marrakech.
Transport by minivan or 4WD with an English speaking driver.
Private transportation
Air-conditioned vehicle
Fuel surcharge
Bottled water
1 hour guided visit to Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah with local guide.

Exclusions

Lunch
Gratuities (Optional)

Itinerary

Step 1

Departure from Marrakech around 07H30 to Ouarzazate we pass over the High Atlas Mountains. During the journey we will enjoy many beautiful scenes of the Berber villages, elevated views of the mountains.
a short stop in t'izt tichka pass at elevation of 2260 meters of altitude. to take pictures of the spectacular atlas mountains

Step 2

there's a beautiful hidden kasbah in the middle of the atlas mountains at elevation of (1800 m) Telouet Kasbah is a Kasbah along the former route of the caravans from the Sahara over the Atlas Mountains to Marrakech. The kasbah was the seat of the El Glaoui family's power, thus sometimes also called the Palace of Glaoui. Its construction started in 1860 and it was further expanded in later years.
TICKET COST 2 EUROS PER PERSON.

Step 3

before to arrive to Ouarzazate of 30 Km there is the fortified Kasbah of Ait Benhaddou, built in the 11th century. Once upon a time this Kasbah was the former caravan route between the Sahara and Marrakech. It is situated on a hill along the Ounila River and has some beautiful examples of Kasbahs, which unfortunately sustain damage during each rainstorm and windstorms. Most of the town’s inhabitants now live in a more modern village at the other side of the river; however, around five families are still living within this Kasbah. Ait Benhaddou Kasbah has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987 and several films have been shot there, including Lawrence of Arabia (1962), Time Bandits (1981), The Jewel of the Nile (1985), Kundun (1997), Gladiator (2000) and Alexander (2004)

Step 4

Ouarzazate (Hollywood of Africa, Noiselessly town, the door of the desert), is a city situated in the middle of a bare plateau, south of the High Atlas Mountains. It is mainly inhabited by Berbers, who constructed many of the prominent Kasbahs and building for which the area is known. One of those building is Taourirt Kasbah diverted in 17th century. Why this town is nicknamed as Hollywood of Africa? Simply because it has been noted as a film-making location, with Morocco’s biggest studios inviting many international film companies to shoot their movies like: Lawrence of Arabia (1962), The Living Daylights (1987), The Last Temptation of Christ (1988), The Mummy (1999), Gladiator (2000), Kingdom of Heaven (2005), Martin Scorsese’s Kundun (1997) and Babel (2005).

You can visit the Studio of Cinema, Kasbah Taourirt, and Museum of Cinema. Afterwards we return to Marrakech in the late afternoon.