Aït Benhaddou & Ouarzazate: Kasbah Day over the High Atlas
Tour at a glance
- Duration
- Full day
- Start
- Marrakech (pick-up at your hotel or riad)
- End
- Marrakech
- Group size
- 1 to 12 travellers
- Languages
- English, Spanish, French, Arabic
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Best time
- October–April.
- Vehicle
- Air-conditioned 4x4, minivan or minibus by group size
About the Aït Benhaddou day trip
Aït Benhaddou is the most famous kasbah village in Morocco: a cluster of earthen houses and towers climbing a hill above the Ounila river, on the old caravan route between the Sahara and Marrakech. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site and has been the backdrop for dozens of films and series.
This private day trip takes the spectacular N9 road over the Tizi n’Tichka, at 2,260 m the highest paved pass in the High Atlas, with stops at argan cooperatives and mountain viewpoints. After a guided visit of the ksar you continue to Ouarzazate to see the Taourirt kasbah, the former residence of the Glaoui family, or the Atlas film studios.
It is a long day (about 400 km), but a private car makes it comfortable, and it gives a real taste of the south if you do not have time for a desert tour.
Highlights
- Tizi n’Tichka, 2,260 m
- UNESCO ksar of Aït Benhaddou
- Granary at the top of the ksar with views
- Taourirt kasbah or film studios in Ouarzazate
- Berber villages along the N9
- Flexible stops for photos
Route map of the Aït Benhaddou day trip
- 1Marrakech
- 2Tizi n’Tichka
- 3Aït Benhaddou
- 4Ouarzazate
- ↩Back to Marrakech
The door of the desert: film studios, kasbahs, the Draa Valley palm groves and the UNESCO-listed Aït Benhaddou. All tours in Ouarzazate & Zagora
Itinerary for the day
-
07:30 Pick-up in Marrakech
Leave early to enjoy the mountain light on the Tichka road.
-
09:30 Tizi n’Tichka pass
Photo stop at the top of the pass and a tea in a Berber café.
-
11:30 Aït Benhaddou
Cross the river and climb through the ksar to the old granary at the top. Lunch with a view of the kasbah.
-
14:30 Ouarzazate
Visit the Taourirt kasbah or the Atlas film studios.
-
20:00 Back in Marrakech
Drive back over the Atlas to your accommodation.
Times and driving durations are approximate and can be adapted. It is a private tour, so you can change stops with your driver-guide.
Prices for the Aït Benhaddou day trip
Your private tour, with prices per group size. All prices are in euros and include everything listed under “What’s included”.
| Travellers | Total | Per person |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | €190 | €190 |
| 2 | €190 | €95 |
| 3 | €190 | €63 |
| 4 | €190 | €48 |
| 6 | €190 | €32 |
| 8 | €190 | €24 |
The more you are, the less you pay per person. Children count as travellers when they need a bed.
What's included
Included
- Private vehicle with driver for the day
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off in Marrakech
- Bottled water
Not included
- Local guide in Aït Benhaddou (optional)
- Entrance to Taourirt kasbah or film studios
- Lunch
- Tips
Good to know before you go
What to bring
Comfortable walking shoes, sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat.
A warm layer: nights in the desert and the mountains are cold, even in spring.
Best time for this tour
October–April.
The tour runs every day of the year. Start dates are flexible.
Payment & cancellation
Pay online with PayPal or a debit or credit card. Free cancellation with full refund up to 48 hours before the start.
Read the full policyFrequently asked questions
How much does the aït benhaddou day trip cost?
For 2 travellers the private day trip costs €95 per person (€190 in total), and for 4 travellers €48 per person. The price is for your own vehicle and driver, so it goes down as your group grows.
Is Aït Benhaddou worth a day trip from Marrakech?
Yes, if you enjoy mountain roads and history. It is a long day; if you can, add one night and visit the desert too (see our 2-day Zagora tour).
Is the Tichka road safe?
Yes. It is a well-maintained national road with many curves. Our drivers drive it every week.
Do people still live in Aït Benhaddou?
A few families still live in the old ksar; most moved to the new village across the river.
Can we visit Telouet kasbah too?
Yes, it adds about 1 h 30. Write it in the booking notes.
How do I pay and when is my booking confirmed?
You pay online with PayPal or a debit or credit card through PayPal’s secure checkout, and you receive a receipt by email. If online payment is not available, you can send a booking request instead: we confirm it and send you a secure payment link. After booking, and Saïd or our team contacts you on WhatsApp to arrange the pick-up. Free cancellation up to 48 hours before departure.
Are your tours private or shared?
All our tours are private: only you and your travel companions, with your own vehicle and driver-guide.
Can you build a custom itinerary?
Yes. Tell us your dates, interests and budget, and a local travel designer will plan a tailor-made route across Morocco with clear, all-inclusive prices.
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