Over the Atlas to Ouarzazate & Aït Benhaddou Kasbah
The Tizi n'Tichka pass takes you over the Atlas to Aït Benhaddou, a UNESCO Kasbah where Gladiator, Game of Thrones, and Lawrence of Arabia were filmed. Long day but worth every minute.
Aït Ben Haddou is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, inscribed in 1987 as a group of earthen buildings behind high walls, the reference example of southern Moroccan pre-Saharan building.
About this tour
Cross the High Atlas over the breathtaking Tizi n'Tichka pass (2,260 m) to reach Aït Benhaddou, the most famous ksar in Morocco and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This earthen fortress village has starred in Lawrence of Arabia, Gladiator and Game of Thrones, and walking its alleys feels like stepping onto a film set, because it often is one.
Your private driver handles the spectacular mountain road while you enjoy the views and photo stops. Continue to Ouarzazate, the 'door of the desert' and home to Morocco's famous film studios, and visit the historic Kasbah Taourirt. A big, rewarding day for lovers of history, cinema and dramatic landscapes.
Highlights
- ✓Tizi n'Tichka, Morocco's highest paved mountain pass
- ✓Aït Benhaddou, a UNESCO World Heritage ksar
- ✓A world-famous film location (Gladiator, Game of Thrones)
- ✓Ouarzazate film studios and Kasbah Taourirt
- ✓Endless Atlas viewpoints and Berber villages
- ✓Private, flexible pace with photo stops
Your day, step by step
Good to know
- •A long but rewarding day, comfortable clothes recommended
- •Lunch and entry fees aren't included in the base price
- •A local guide at Aït Benhaddou is a small, worthwhile extra
- •Can be extended into a 2-day desert trip on request
Frequently asked questions
Is the mountain road safe?
Yes, your experienced driver knows it well and we stop often for photos.
How long is the drive?
About 4 hours each way over the pass; the scenery makes it fly by.
Can we continue to the Sahara?
Absolutely, ask us about the 2 or 3-day Merzouga option.
Map
What's included
- Tizi n'Tichka mountain pass
- Aït Benhaddou UNESCO Kasbah
- Atlas film studios (Ouarzazate)
- Argan stop on return
- Early start (07:00), late return (20:30)
Not included: lunch & meals, entry tickets/fees, drinks and personal expenses.
Related tours
How far is Ouarzazate from Marrakech?
About 200 km over the Tizi n'Tichka pass, roughly 4 hours by road. It is not a long distance but it is a slow one, 54 km of hairpins on National Route 9.
How much is a private transfer to Ouarzazate?
€120 per vehicle, not per person. Tolls, fuel and one stop included, price fixed at booking.
How do I get from Ouarzazate back to Marrakech?
The same road and the same €120. We collect from any hotel or riad in Ouarzazate, or from Aït Benhaddou if that is where you finished.
How high is the Tizi n'Tichka pass?
The pass is 2,260 m high. It is the highest major mountain pass in North Africa, cut by the French military in 1936.
Is the road difficult?
The surface is good but it is winding, 54 km of switchbacks. If anyone in the car gets travel sick, take something before leaving rather than halfway up.
Can it snow on the pass?
Yes, from November to March there can be snow at the summit while Marrakech is in shirtsleeves. The pass rarely closes, but it happens. We check before setting out in winter.
How much is the bus to Ouarzazate?
Around 100 to 120 MAD with CTM or Supratours, taking about 4 hours. It is a real option and considerably cheaper for one or two people.
Should I take the bus or a car?
The bus is fine and cheap if you are one or two people going city to city. The car wins if you want to stop at Aït Benhaddou, which is 20 km before Ouarzazate and the main reason most people make this trip at all.
Can we stop at Aït Benhaddou?
Yes, and you should. The earthen ksar has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987 and around ten families still live inside. A stop is included on request.
What was filmed at Aït Benhaddou?
Lawrence of Arabia, The Sheltering Sky, Gladiator and a long list since. Atlas Studios in Ouarzazate itself, opened in 1983, is among the largest film studios in the world by area.
Can we visit the film studios?
Yes, Atlas Studios is open to visitors for an entrance fee, which is not included in the transfer price. Allow about an hour.
Is Ouarzazate worth a night?
If you are continuing to the desert, yes, it breaks a long journey and the Dades and Draa valleys are both reachable from there. As a destination on its own it is a half-day town.
Can you continue to Merzouga or the Sahara?
Yes. Ouarzazate is on the road to Merzouga, so many passengers carry on rather than returning to Marrakech. Our 3-day Sahara tour follows exactly this route.
Can you take us to the Dades or Draa valleys?
Yes, both start near Ouarzazate. Tell us where you want to end up and we quote the direct run.
How long should we allow for the day?
If you are going and returning in one day, allow twelve hours door to door with a stop at Aït Benhaddou. It is a full day and not a relaxed one.
Is there anywhere to stop on the way up?
Yes, several cafés on the pass with views back down the valley. One stop is included and on a four-hour drive we would encourage it.
One price, any vehicle
€130 for the whole car, whichever vehicle you take, sedan, SUV or van, up to 7 passengers. The price covers up to 4 passengers; 5 to 7 passengers and pick-ups between 21:00 and 07:00 each add 50%. Traffic does not change it. For more than 7 we send two cars; message us and we will quote it.
Sources & official information
Reviewed August 2026 by Ahlam Giyat, travel editor at Taxi Maroc Aéroport, Marrakech.