Day trip — the longest day on the site
Ouarzazate andAït-Ben-Haddouday trip from Marrakech
The Aït-Ben-Haddou ksar and the town of Ouarzazate are visited on the same day from Marrakech, at the cost of 8 hours of driving. The route crosses the Tizi n’Tichka pass.
To spread the drive over several days, the Kasbah road tour covers the same sites without the long round trip.
How does the day at Ouarzazate and Aït-Ben-Haddou unfold?
The day leaves Marrakech at 6:30 and returns at 19:00. It includes eight hours of driving in total and five hours on site, split between the Aït-Ben-Haddou ksar and Ouarzazate itself.
- 06:30
Pickup at your accommodation
The early pickup happens at your riad in the medina, your hotel in Guéliz or your villa in the Palmeraie, ahead of the day’s eight hours of driving.
0 km - 07:00
Leaving Marrakech via Aït Ourir
The road leaves the Haouz plain and begins the climb toward the High Atlas.
37 km - 08:45
Crossing the Tizi n’Tichka pass
The pass marks the highest point of the day. A ten-minute stop allows photos from the viewpoint.
122 km - 10:15
Arrival at the Aït-Ben-Haddou ksar
A walking visit through the fortified lanes and up to the communal granary that overlooks the village.
180 km - 12:00
On to Ouarzazate for lunch
The route continues to Ouarzazate for lunch, then the visit of the Taourirt kasbah.
196 km - 13:30
Visiting the Atlas Studios
The film studios display sets built for international productions since 1983.
- 15:00
Departure toward Marrakech
The return trip follows the N9 and crosses the Tizi n’Tichka pass again in the late afternoon.
- 19:00
Drop-off at your accommodation
Back at the pickup address, after eight hours of driving across the day.
A 6:30 departure leaves five hours on site. A later start reduces the visit time by the same amount, without changing the price.
What is there to see at Ouarzazate and Aït-Ben-Haddou?
The day brings together the Aït-Ben-Haddou ksar, the Taourirt kasbah and the Atlas Studios. The ksar is a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1987, the only listed site on the trip.
The Aït-Ben-Haddou ksar
The Aït-Ben-Haddou ksar is a fortified earthen village built on the bank of the Mellah river at 1,300 m of altitude. UNESCO listed it as World Heritage in 1987.
Families still live in part of the ksar, while most of the houses now serve as film sets.
TODO: Aït-Ben-Haddou ksar entry fee for 2026
The Taourirt kasbah
The Taourirt kasbah is an earthen fortress built in Ouarzazate, the former residence of the Glaoui, pashas of Marrakech until 1956.
Its corner towers and rooms decorated with carved plaster are visited in 45 minutes.
TODO: Taourirt kasbah entry fee for 2026
The Atlas Studios
The Atlas Studios are film studios set up in Ouarzazate since 1983, which have hosted productions such as Gladiator and The Mummy.
The visitor route crosses an Egyptian temple set and a Tibetan street, built to withstand filming.
TODO: Atlas Studios entry fee for 2026
The Tizi n’Tichka pass
The Tizi n’Tichka pass peaks at 2,260 m and separates the Haouz plain from the Ouarzazate basin. A viewpoint overlooks the gorges of the Zat valley.
The full route, distance and duration, is detailed on the pass page.
How long does it take to reach Ouarzazate from Marrakech?
It takes 4 h 00 to cover the 196 km between Marrakech and Ouarzazate, crossing the Tizi n’Tichka at 2,260 m. The Aït-Ben-Haddou ksar sits at 180 km, before Ouarzazate.
This trip is the longest day on the site: eight hours of driving for five hours on site, between the ksar and Ouarzazate.
The Kasbah road tour spreads the same route over four days, with a night in Ouarzazate rather than a round trip.
How much does the Ouarzazate and Aït-Ben-Haddou trip cost?
Private transport costs €155 per vehicle in a 9-seater minibus, driver and fuel included. Lunch in Ouarzazate is paid on site, 100 to 160 MAD per person, at a restaurant near the kasbah.
This rate does not include meals or entry to the ksar, the Taourirt kasbah or the Atlas Studios.
Rates for the other capacities, from the 7-seater van to the 15-seater, are detailed on the rates page.
| Vehicle | Passengers | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Mercedes Vito | 7 | €135 |
| Hyundai Staria | 9 | €155 |
| Mercedes Sprinter | 12 | €195 |
| Mercedes Sprinter long | 15 | €225 |
The price covers the full round trip, including any toll and the driver waiting across both sites.
When is the best time to visit Ouarzazate and Aït-Ben-Haddou?
March to May and October to November give the best conditions, between 20 and 28 °C in the Ouarzazate basin. Summer passes 38 °C in the shade of the ksar.
The Tizi n’Tichka pass closes two to five days a year under snow, between December and February.
A pass closure cancels the day and moves the trip to the next day, at no extra cost.
| Period | Daytime in Ouarzazate | Night in Ouarzazate | Tizi n’Tichka pass |
|---|---|---|---|
| December – February | 16 – 20 °C | 0 – 5 °C | Possible closure under snow |
| March – May | 22 – 28 °C | 8 – 14 °C | Open |
| June – August | 34 – 40 °C | 18 – 24 °C | Open |
| September – November | 24 – 30 °C | 10 – 16 °C | Open |
Temperatures recorded in Ouarzazate at 1,160 m. The pass, at 2,260 m, stays 8 to 10 °C lower year-round.
What should you bring for the Ouarzazate and Aït-Ben-Haddou trip?
Bring closed shoes, water, cash and something to read for the drive. The day includes eight hours of driving, against five hours of visiting on site, with no long break at the midpoint.
- Closed shoes for the ksar’s sloped lanes
- Water, 2 litres per person for the whole day
- Cash in dirhams for the ksar and Taourirt kasbah entry fees
- Hat and sunscreen for the ksar visit in full sun
- A book or music for the eight hours of driving
- A travel pillow for the Tizi n’Tichka crossing
Which vehicle suits the Ouarzazate and Aït-Ben-Haddou trip?
The 9-seater minibus suits most groups on this long day. Above 12 passengers, the 15-seater keeps the same comfort across the eight hours of driving, without splitting the group into two vehicles.
What do Ouarzazate and Aït-Ben-Haddou look like?
What is the alternative to seeing Ouarzazate without the long day trip?
The four-day Kasbah road tour covers the ksar and Ouarzazate with a night on site, instead of a single long return drive. The Marrakech to Ouarzazate route page details the drive itself.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Aït-Ben-Haddou ksar still inhabited?
Yes, around ten families still live there. Most residents moved to the new village on the opposite bank of the Mellah river, keeping a shop and a small guesthouse inside the ksar for visitors.
Which films were shot at the Atlas Studios?
Gladiator, The Mummy and Kingdom of Heaven are among the productions hosted in Ouarzazate since 1983. The sets stay visible outside filming, on a guided route that takes about one hour, with no booking needed on quiet days.
Does the Tizi n’Tichka pass close in winter?
Yes, two to five days a year, under snow between December and February. A closure moves the trip to the next day, at no cost, since no other road links Marrakech to Ouarzazate.
Does the trip suit young children?
Not under age 6. The eight hours of driving exceed most young children’s tolerance, especially through the mountain bends near the Tizi n’Tichka pass. The Kasbah road tour, with a night on site, suits families better.
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Where are you going?
Send your dates and how many of you are travelling. You get a priced itinerary back — no commitment, no deposit.
- Phone
- +212 714 29 85 18
- Office
- Avenue Mohammed VI, Guéliz — 40000 Marrakech
- Hours
- Every day, 7:00 – 23:00 (GMT+1)