Trip overview
One day to cross the High Atlas over the Tizi n'Tichka, walk through the ksar of Aït Ben Haddou and take a look at Ouarzazate. Expect about 8 hours in the car there and back.
- Duration1 day
- Starts inMarrakech
- GroupPrivate or shared · 1–17 people
- DifficultyEasy
- LanguageEspañol
- DeparturesDaily departures all year round
Highlights
- Over the Tizi n'Tichka pass, at about 2,260 metres, with stops at viewpoints
- The ksar of Aït Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Walk up to the old granary, with views over the Ounila valley
- Local guide who explains mud-brick building
- Taourirt kasbah in Ouarzazate
- Atlas Studios, optional entry
- High Atlas Berber villages seen from the road
- Duration
- About 12 hours
- Driving
- ≈ 8 h there and back
- Distance
- ≈ 190 km each way
- Format
- Shared or private
What the day looks like
The ksar has been on the UNESCO World Heritage list since 1987 and sits on the far side of the High Atlas.
Before you book
This trip means a lot of time in the car: 3.5 to 4 hours each way, with bends for most of the road. On the shared version the timings are fixed. On the private one the driver stops at whichever viewpoints you like, and you can spend longer at the ksar or skip Ouarzazate. If anyone gets carsick, private helps.
If you have more days
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1: Marrakech – Tizi n'Tichka – Aït Ben Haddou – Ouarzazate – Marrakech
7:00 Pick-up from your riad or hotel in Marrakech; if the car can't get into your street, we meet at the nearest point. 9:00 Coffee on the climb into the Atlas and photos at the Tizi n'Tichka pass. 11:00 Arrival at Aït Ben Haddou and an hour and a half's walk with the local guide through the ksar, up to the granary at the top.
13:00 Lunch on a terrace facing the ksar, included only on the private option with lunch. 14:30 Ouarzazate: the Taourirt kasbah from outside and, if you ask, entry to Atlas Studios. 16:00 Departure for Marrakech over the same pass. 19:30 to 20:00 Arrival at your accommodation, depending on traffic and stops. In winter it gets dark early and the descent from the Tichka is done at night, more carefully and a little slower.
What's included
Included (5)
- Pick-up and drop-off at your accommodation in Marrakech
- Air-conditioned transport with driver
- Local guide inside the ksar of Aït Ben Haddou
- Bottled water
- Lunch (private option with lunch only)
Not included (5)
- Entry to Atlas Studios
- Lunch on the options without a meal
- Drinks
- Tips (optional)
- Travel insurance
Important information (6)
- The day lasts about 12 hours, around 8 of them in the car there and back.
- The Tichka road has lots of bends: if you get car sick, have a light breakfast and sit in the front.
- Inside the ksar there are earth steps and slopes; wear comfortable shoes.
- Some families in the ksar ask for a few dirhams to enter their home or go up to their terrace. Bring coins.
- From June to August Ouarzazate is very hot at midday; bring a cap, sun cream and water.
- If the pass is closed by snow, which happens on some winter days, we'll find another date with you.
Prices per person
Shared
Minibus with other travellers, driver and a local guide inside the ksar, with fixed timings
Private
Car just for your group with a Spanish-speaking driver and stops of your choice (price per person, based on 2)
Private with lunch
Private car, local guide in Aït Ben Haddou and lunch on a terrace facing the ksar
Fixed price per person, whatever the size of your group.
Payment and cancellation
You pay a 15% deposit when you book. The rest is paid on the first day of the trip, in cash or by bank transfer. You can also pay it by PayPal or card, with a 5% surcharge.
Private: free up to 48 hours before the start. If you cancel in time, we refund the full deposit.
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Leave a reviewFrequently asked questions
Can you see Aït Ben Haddou in a day from Marrakech?
Yes. We leave at around 7:00 and get back between 19:30 and 20:00. That's about 8 hours in the car in total, with stops, and around three hours between the ksar and Ouarzazate. If that sounds like a lot for one day, the easiest option is to include Aït Ben Haddou in a multi-day trip to the desert, which passes through on the way.
How long do we spend inside the ksar?
About an hour and a half with the guide, plus lunch if you have it there. That's enough to cross the river, walk the main lanes and climb up to the granary without rushing. On the private option you can stay longer in the ksar and cut the Ouarzazate stop short, or the other way round if you're more interested in the film studios.
Which option suits me, shared or private?
Shared is the cheapest and works well if you're travelling alone or as a couple and don't mind fixed timings. Private pays off from two or three people, with children, or if anyone gets car sick, because the driver stops whenever you need. It also lets you leave earlier, at 6:30, to reach the ksar when it's less crowded.
Can you visit the film studios in Ouarzazate?
Yes. Atlas Studios is open to the public with guided tours of some of the sets, such as temples, palaces or papier-mâché streets used in filming. You pay at the ticket office and the price changes from time to time, so ask us for the current amount before you set off. The visit takes about an hour and it's best to decide in the morning.
What happens if it snows on the Tizi n'Tichka?
It happens on some winter days, mainly between December and February. With snow, the authorities can close the pass for a few hours or a whole day. We check the state of the road the evening before and, if there's a risk, we let you know so you can change the date, or we suggest another trip closer by, such as the Ourika Valley.
