Your Marrakech to Ouarzazate day trip Via Ait Ben Haddou begins with an 08:00 AM departure from Marrakech, trading the busy medina for the quiet, winding roads of the High Atlas Mountains. As you head up to the famous Tizi n’Tichka pass, the highest paved road in North Africa, the views change from green valleys to rocky, snow-topped peaks. On the way, you can stop at scenic viewpoints to take photos of Berber villages on the hillsides and maybe visit local artisans selling rare semi-precious stones.
Upon descending the southern slopes, the landscape transforms into a sun-baked semi-desert. As you drive down the southern slopes, the scenery changes to a sun-baked semi-desert, bringing you to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Ait Benhaddou. This 11th-century clay village was once an important stop for trans-Saharan caravans. You can walk through its winding alleys and climb to the top for wide views.
After enjoying a traditional Moroccan lunch with a view of the old fortress, the tour heads to Ouarzazate, known as the “Hollywood of Africa.” Here, you’ll visit the impressive Taourirt Kasbah and the famous Atlas Film Studios, where sets from movies like Gladiator and Game of Thrones remain. The day ends with a scenic drive back, as the late afternoon sun colors the Atlas Mountains before you return to Marrakech in the evening.
