Your full-day adventure includes:
A stroll the Unesco-protected kasbah, Ait Ben Haddou that still resembles its days in the 11th century, a visit to Taourirt Kasbah and ” Ouallywood” movie studios in Ouarzazate
Pick up in the morning and head towards the Atlas Mountains, to cross Tizi-n-Tichka around 2260 meters altitude. There the snow perseveres almost all over the year. An outstanding landscape on a road that winds the Atlas Berber villages. The trip continues towards Aït Benhaddou site, picturesque village one of Morocco’s most remarkable ksour or fortified village. It is is situated 32 km from Ouarzazate in Souss-Massa-Draâ on a hill along the Ouarzazate River. It has been declared Unesco World Heritage since 1987. Aït Benhaddou is one of many locations in this region used for shooting Hollywood films. Lawrence of Arabia was filmed here and Orson Welles used it as a location for Sodome and Gomorrah; and for Jesus of Nazareth the whole lower part of the village was rebuilt.
It’s a spectacular site and has stunning views surrounding it, you will enjoy taking photos to remember it. We suggest a stroll behind the Kasbah to see the ksars, individual plain earth houses still inhabited by Berber families. Most of these families now live at the other side of the river. Aït Benhaddou was once a significant stop for traders carrying gold, salt and slaves along the famous Southern Caravan route moving through the Sahara.
Your guide will tell you the history of Aït Benhaddou and the former caravan route between the Sahara and Marrakech.
Lunch will be on a terrace to enjoy a traditional Moroccan meal.
After lunch, departure towards the main Berber city in Morocco: Ouarzazate. Well known for its desertic landscape, dramatic mountains, by breathtaking valleys. Visit kasbah Taourirt.. Before returning to Marrakech, visit the Atlas Film Studios. David Lean filmed Lawrence of Arabia in the early 1960’s. International blockbusters shot here in recent years include: Cleopatra, Scorsese’s Kundun, Ridley Scott’s Gladiator, Oliver Stone’s Alexander The Great, and more recently they shot the series Games of Thrones.
The tour ends here and you will head back to Marrakech with the feeling that you have experienced a day rich in Berber history.
Day Trip Aït Benhaddou & Ouarzazate
Duration: 9:00am – 6:00pm
Transport: 4×4 or minivan
English, French, Spanish, Portuguese Speaking Driver/Guide
Pick up & Drop off point: Your Hotel In Marrakech
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Join us for a Morocco Journey.
All our Tours can be customized, we have total flexibility of duration and
itenerary according to your own wishes and needs.