Join us for a one day tour to the Kasbah Ait Benhaddou and Ouarzazate. After breakfast we will drive you 3 hours one way takes you to the gateway of Sahara, traversing the Tizi n'Tichka Pass of the High Atlas. The desert and steep mountain hillsides are clustered with fortified mud dwellings housing many families and their livestock. You'll spend the afternoon exploring the UNESCO world heritage site of Ait Benhaddou, which has been used as a backdrop for more than 20 films and was one of the most important fortress strongholds on the old Salt Road caravan routes, where traders brought slaves, gold, ivory and salt from Saharan Africa to Marrakech and beyond. You may also visit Ouarzazate, and the Atlas film studios where films such as the Mummy, Gladiator, Lawrence of Arabia etc. have been filmed; or take a walk in oasis riverside gardens at Tamdaught village; or offroad to Telouet where you'll visit the old Glaoui kasbah. This kasbah has an amazing story behind it, that is intrinsically linked to the formation of Morocco as a country. It was once a beautiful kasbah but now stands crumbling to ruins because no one wants to remember "the vulture" sultan and his son "Thami" who lived here until the 1950's; adds about 2 hours, including loo stops etc. Recommended year round.
Itinerary Highlights
Scenic drive across High Atlas Mountains via Tizi n'Tichka Pass
Visit UNESCO World Heritage Site Ait Benhaddou (20+ film locations)
Explore Ouarzazate and Atlas Film Studios
Optional visits to Tamdaught village oasis or Telouet Kasbah
Discover ancient Salt Road caravan history
See traditional fortified mud dwellings (kasbahs)
Tour Options
Standard: Ait Benhaddou & Ouarzazate with film studios
Extended: Adds 2 hours for Telouet Kasbah visit
Nature Option: Includes Tamdaught village oasis walk
Practical Information
Duration: Full day (approximately 12-14 hours)
Operating: Daily, year-round
Start Time: Morning after breakfast (typically 7:00-8:00 AM)
Meeting Point: Your hotel in Marrakech
Ending Point: Your hotel in Marrakech
