Marrakech → Ouarzazate (door of the desert)

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.