This private Ait Ben Haddou day trip from Marrakech gives you your own vehicle, your own driver for the whole day, and a local guide waiting for you at the ksar. No other passengers, and no fixed group timetable once you are on the road.
The route crosses the High Atlas by the Tizi n’Tichka pass, at 2,260 metres the highest paved road in Morocco, then drops into the valley of the Ounila. Ait Ben Haddou is a UNESCO World Heritage ksar, a fortified village of packed earth that has stood on the old caravan road between the Sahara and Marrakech for centuries. Thirty kilometres further on, Ouarzazate is where Morocco makes its films.
Travelling on a smaller budget, or happy to share the vehicle? Compare with our shared day tour to Ait Ben Haddou and Ouarzazate, or browse all our private day trips from Marrakech.
8 AM
Pick-up in Marrakech. Your driver collects you at your riad or hotel, at the time you chose. The road heads east, out of the plain and into the High Atlas, climbing through walnut and almond terraces and past Berber villages built in tiers against the slope.
The Tizi n’Tichka pass. At 2,260 metres, the highest paved road in Morocco. There are viewpoints on the way up and on the way down, and your driver stops where the light and the view are worth it. This is a private vehicle, so the pace is yours.
The Kasbah of Telouet. A side road drops towards the valley of the Ounila and the old seat of the Glaoui family. From the outside it looks like a ruin. Inside, the painted ceilings and carved plaster of the reception rooms are still there. Whether you stop depends on how the day is running, and you decide with your driver on the road.
The ksar of Ait Ben Haddou. A local guide meets you at the foot of the village and walks you up through the alleys to the granary at the top, where the view opens over the riverbed, the palm groves and the plain beyond. He explains how a village of packed earth has held together for centuries, and which films were shot in which corner. Afterwards you have free time to wander on your own.
Lunch facing the ksar. Most travellers stop at one of the terraces across the river. The meal is not included in the tour price, so you pick the place and pay directly: expect roughly 100 to 150 MAD per person, around €10 to €15, for a tagine or a couscous with a drink.
Ouarzazate, thirty kilometres on. The town Moroccans call the Hollywood of Africa. The Taourirt Kasbah stands at the entrance to the centre, a nineteenth century earthen palace whose facade alone is worth the stop. The Atlas Film Studios sit a few minutes further out, with standing sets from major productions.
The two entrance fees. Neither is included in the tour price, and you decide on the day whether to go in: about 20 MAD, around €2, for the interior of the Taourirt Kasbah, and about 50 MAD, around €5, for the Atlas Film Studios. Both are paid on the spot, in cash.
Return to Marrakech. The High Atlas a second time, in the late afternoon light over the peaks and valleys. You are dropped at your accommodation, or anywhere else in the city you ask for.
Note: The prices listed below are per person and apply to a private tour.
| Number of Participants: | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7-9 | 10-13 | 14-17 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price per person: | 187€ | 99€ | 70€ | 55€ | 45€ | 40€ | 35€ | 25€ | 22€ |
Una excursión muy interesante y llena de paisajes increíbles. Ait Ben Haddou fue nuestro lugar favorito y Ouarzazate también nos gustó mucho. Es un día largo, pero está bien para quienes quieren conocer más allá de Marrakech.
A memorable Moroccan adventure. Our driver was friendly and patient, the mountain scenery was stunning, and the local guide at Ait Ben Haddou gave us a fascinating introduction to the old village.
Uma experiência fantástica pelas montanhas do Alto Atlas. Gostámos muito de Telouet, Ait Ben Haddou e Ouarzazate. O guia local foi simpático e explicou muito bem a história de Ait Ben Haddou.
A brilliant day out. We loved driving through the Atlas Mountains and stopping at scenic viewpoints. The local guide at Ait Ben Haddou was knowledgeable and made the visit much more interesting.
We really enjoyed the route and the historical sites. Ait Ben Haddou and the Cinema Studio in Ouarzazate were memorable. It is a very full day with a lot of driving, but the scenery makes it worthwhile.
