Ait Ben Haddou & Ouarzazate Day Trip with Transfer – Marrakesh

What's Included

Meeting and pickup

Itinerary

• 1
  Ait Ben Haddou

  Ait Ben Haddou, a fortified ksar in the Ounila Valley, has stood since the 11th century, with most existing structures dating from the 17th century and built using traditional earthen techniques. Its strategic position along the trans-Saharan trade route—linking Marrakech to the Dra'a Valley via the Tizi n'Tichka pass—made it a vital stop for traders. Similar fortified villages, such as Tamdaght, also lined this historic route. While once a thriving settlement, the ksar began to decline in the 20th century. Today, only a few families remain within its ancient walls, as most residents have relocated across the river to modern homes, relying on agriculture and tourism for income. In 2011, a pedestrian bridge was constructed to connect the ksar to the village, improving access and encouraging preservation. However, the site sustained damage during the September 2023 earthquake, with reports of cracks, partial collapses, and ongoing structural concerns threatening its integrity.

  2 hours • Admission ticket free
• 2
  Ouarzazate

  Ouarzazate began as a modest stop for African traders traveling north. In the 16th century, Sheikh Abu al-'Abaas Ahmed al-Warzazi, a local emir and father of Lalla Masuda, played a key role in bringing the Sous-Dra'a region under Saadian rule. By the mid-20th century, the city had a thriving Jewish community, with around 170 Jews living in the Mellah in 1954. The nearly 300-year-old Old Synagogue still stands today, along with a now-abandoned Jewish cemetery. During the French colonial era, Ouarzazate expanded into a military and administrative center. Kasbah Taourirt, once home to caïd T’hami El Glaoui, remains one of its most iconic landmarks, along with a church built in 1931. In modern times, Ouarzazate has gained attention as a cultural and renewable energy hub. It was featured on the 2006–2007 Dakar Rally route and became home to one of the world’s largest solar power plants, connected to the grid in 2016. On November 1, 2023, it was designated a UNESCO Creative City.

  2 hours • Admission ticket free
• 3

  Atlas Studios, located about 5 km west of Ouarzazate, is one of the world’s largest film studios, set against the striking backdrop of Morocco’s desert and mountain landscapes. Established in 1983 by Moroccan entrepreneur Mohamed Belghmi, the studio has flourished thanks to the region’s reliable climate and its remarkable ability to mimic a wide variety of natural settings—from ancient cities to faraway deserts—making it ideal for international film production. Over the years, it has hosted numerous iconic movies and TV shows, including scenes from Gladiator, Game of Thrones, and The Mummy. Many of the original sets remain intact, transforming the site into a popular destination for guided tours and film tourism. Visitors can walk through ancient temples, pharaoh’s palaces, and desert fortresses—all part of the cinematic magic preserved on site. Atlas Studios continues to play a vital role in Morocco’s growing film industry.

  2 hours • Admission ticket included
• 4

  Moroccan cinema includes films in both Arabic and Tamazight, with its roots tracing back to an 1897 film shot by Louis Lumière. Modern Moroccan cinema began with Wechma (1970) by Hamid Bénani, often considered the country’s first major feature. Early productions often reflected the influence of Egyptian melodramas, but local filmmakers gradually developed a distinct cinematic voice. A milestone came in 1982 when Farida Bourquia became Morocco’s first female director. The launch of the Marrakech International Film Festival in 2001 helped further support and promote the industry. Amazigh-language cinema gained traction in the mid-2000s with support from the Moroccan Cinema Center (CCM). Since 2020, Moroccan cinema has entered a new and dynamic phase. The country released its first animated films in 2022, and by 2023, reached record levels of production, backed by over 1.1 billion dirhams in foreign investment—even as Hollywood films continue to dominate local screens.

  2 hours • Admission ticket free

Additional info

• Service animals allowed
• Specialized infant seats are available
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels

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