Aït Benhaddou & Ouarzazate Day Trip

The Aït Benhaddou & Ouarzazate Day Trip is a 12-hour excursion from Marrakech for travellers who want to cross the High Atlas and see Morocco's most famous fortified village in a single day. It includes hotel pickup, an air-conditioned vehicle and a local guide at Aït Benhaddou, from €40 per person in a small group or as a private trip.

Across the High Atlas on the Tizi n'Tichka

This is a long but rewarding day. The route follows the N9 over the Tizi n'Tichka pass at 2,260 metres, the highest major road pass in Morocco, with hairpin bends, walnut-shaded villages and views down into the Ounila valley. Aït Benhaddou is around 190 km from Marrakech, about 3.5 to 4 hours with photo stops, and Ouarzazate lies a further 30 km beyond. Expect around seven hours of driving in total, which is why we start early and use comfortable, air-conditioned vehicles.

Aït Benhaddou: the UNESCO ksar

Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987, the Ksar of Aït Benhaddou is a cluster of earthen kasbahs and houses stacked up a hillside above the Ounila river, once a stop on the caravan route between the Sahara and Marrakech. A licensed local guide walks you through its lanes, explains how rammed-earth pisé is built and repaired, and leads you to the ruined granary at the summit for the classic view over the valley. Film fans will recognise it from Gladiator, Lawrence of Arabia and Game of Thrones.

Ouarzazate

After lunch you continue to Ouarzazate, the gateway to Morocco's south. Here you can see the Kasbah of Taourirt, the former residence of the Glaoui family, from outside or visit its restored rooms, and pass the Atlas Film Studios, where sets from many international productions still stand. Entrance tickets are not included, so you only pay for what interests you.

• Tizi n'Tichka pass at 2,260 m with photo stops
• Guided visit of the Aït Benhaddou ksar
• Ouarzazate: Taourirt Kasbah and the film studios (tickets extra)
• Lunch stop with a view of the ksar (own expense)

Is it worth doing in one day?

Yes, if you are short on time and do not plan a Sahara tour. If you are going to Merzouga or Zagora anyway, both routes already pass through Aït Benhaddou, so you can skip this trip. Our Aït Benhaddou history and visiting guide goes deeper into the site, and the Tizi n'Tichka pass road guide explains what to expect on the drive.

Travel tips

The pass can be cold and occasionally snowy between December and March, so bring a warm layer. Travellers prone to motion sickness should sit at the front and take precautions before the mountain section.