Aït Ben Haddou and Ouarzazate film studios day trip
The ksar of Aït Ben Haddou is Morocco’s most famous fortified village, Unesco-listed and filmed in dozens of productions, including Gladiator and Game of Thrones. You reach it from Marrakech over the Tichka pass at 2,260 metres — one of the country’s great roads.
It is a long day — the longest of our day trips — but it crosses three worlds: the mountains, the earthen ksar above its river, and the Ouarzazate studios where major international productions are shot.
Highlights
- Unesco-listed ksar of Aït Ben Haddou
- Crossing the Tichka pass at 2,260 metres
- Ouarzazate film studios
- Panorama from the top of the ksar
How the day unfolds
- Very early startPick-up at your hotel, then the climb to the Tichka pass with photo stops.
- Aït Ben HaddouThrough the ksar’s lanes and up to the granary for the panorama.
- Lunch and OuarzazateLunch facing the ksar, then on to Ouarzazate — nicknamed “the Hollywood of Africa” — and its film studios.
- ReturnBack over the Tichka, arriving in Marrakech in the evening.
What’s included
- Return transport from your Marrakech hotel
- Visit of the Aït Ben Haddou ksar
What’s not included
- Lunch and drinks, paid on site
- Film studio entrance fee, paid on site
- Optional local guide at the ksar, paid on site
- Tips and personal expenses
Frequently asked questions
Is the day tiring?
It is our longest day trip, with around eight hours' driving in total. It earns its keep — which is why many prefer the overnight tour version.
Is the Tichka road scary?
It is a mountain road with bends, fully rebuilt and secured. Anyone prone to motion sickness should come prepared.
Can you go inside the ksar?
Yes — you walk up through its lanes to the top. Families still live there and open some houses to visitors.