Ait Ben Haddou & Ouarzazate Full Day Tour With Transfer–Marrakesh

What's Included

Meeting and pickup

Itinerary

• 1
  Ait Ben Haddou

  The ksar of Ait Ben Haddou has been fortified since the 11th century, during the Almoravid era, though most existing structures date from the 17th century and were built using traditional earthen techniques. in the Ounila Valley made it a key stop along the trans-Saharan trade route, connecting Marrakech to the Dra’a Valley via the Tizi n'Tichka pass. Similar fortified villages, such as Tamdaght, lined this route. In recent decades, the ksar's population has declined, with only a few families still living inside. Most locals now reside across the river in modern homes and rely on agriculture and tourism. A pedestrian bridge built in 2011 connects the village to the ksar, improving access and supporting preservation efforts. In September 2023, the ksar was damaged by an earthquake, with reports of cracks, partial collapses, and ongoing structural concerns. Despite this, Ait Ben Haddou remains a UNESCO World Heritage site and a treasured symbol of Morocco’s history and architecture.

  2 hours • Admission ticket free
• 2
  Ouarzazate

  Ouarzazate began as a small stop for African traders heading north. In the 16th century, Sheikh Abu al-‘Abaas Ahmed al-Warzazi, local emir and father of Lalla Masuda, played a role in bringing the Sous-Dra’a region under Saadi control. The city once had a vibrant Jewish community, with around 170 Jews living in the Mellah in 1954. The nearly 300-year-old synagogue still stands, alongside a now-unused Jewish cemetery. During French rule, Ouarzazate expanded as a military and administrative hub. The Kasbah Taourirt, former residence of caïd T’hami El Glaoui, is a major historical site, along with a church built in 1931. In modern times, Ouarzazate gained global recognition—appearing on the 2006–2007 Dakar Rally route and becoming home to a large solar power plant, connected to the national grid in 2016. On November 1, 2023, the city was named a UNESCO Creative City, highlighting its cultural and artistic contributions.

  2 hours • Admission ticket free
• 3

  Located about 5 km west of Ouarzazate, Atlas Studios lies amid striking desert and mountain landscapes. Known as one of the largest film studios in the world, it features preserved film sets from past productions, making it a popular destination for guided tours and movie enthusiasts. Founded in 1983 by Moroccan entrepreneur Mohamed Belghmi, the studio quickly gained international attention. Its success is largely due to the region’s stable, sunny climate and the area’s ability to mimic a wide range of natural environments—from ancient Egypt to the Middle East and beyond—making it ideal for film and television production.

  2 hours • Admission ticket included
• 4

  Moroccan cinema features films in Arabic and Tamazight, with origins dating back to an 1897 film by Louis Lumière. Modern Moroccan cinema began with Wechma (1970) by Hamid Bénani, regarded as the country's first major film. Early productions often mirrored Egyptian melodramas before Moroccan filmmakers developed their own cinematic identity. In 1982, Farida Bourquia became the first Moroccan woman to direct a feature film. The Marrakech International Film Festival, launched in 2001, helped support and promote the growing industry. Amazigh-language cinema began gaining traction in the mid-2000s, supported by the CCM. Since 2020, Moroccan cinema has entered a dynamic new phase. In 2022, the country released its first animated films. By 2023, it saw record production levels and over 1.1 billion dirhams in foreign investment. Despite this growth, Hollywood films continue to dominate local box offices.

  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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