Ouarzazate, Aït Benhaddou & Atlas Studios Premium Day Trip

From the High Atlas to Morocco’s Cinematic South Leave Marrakech behind and trade the city for the sweeping landscapes of the High Atlas. Settle into your air-conditioned vehicle as the road carries you towards the mountains, with your guide bringing the changing scenery and local stories to life along the way. A brief pause at Ait Barka, near Toufliht, gives you time to stretch, take in the surroundings, and refresh before the climb continues. Soon, the landscape becomes more dramatic as the road winds through the High Atlas towards the legendary Tizi n'Tichka Pass. At 2,260 metres above sea level, step out at Tizi n'Tichka for panoramic mountain views and a moment to appreciate one of Morocco’s most striking high-altitude landscapes. Then descend through the mountains towards the warmer, more rugged scenery of southern Morocco. The road leads to Aït Benhaddou, where you can pause for lunch with views towards the historic ksar, with lunch available at your own expense. Then comes the heart of the experience: entering the Ksar of Aït Benhaddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with your guide. Walk through its narrow earthen lanes, pass beneath its fortified walls and admire the traditional architecture that has made this ancient settlement one of Morocco’s most recognisable landmarks. As you explore the ksar, your guide brings its history, architecture and stories to life while you take in the extraordinary landscape surrounding it. Aït Benhaddou is also deeply connected to Morocco’s cinematic legacy. Its distinctive architecture and dramatic setting have featured in major productions including Gladiator, Kingdom of Heaven, The Mummy, Lawrence of Arabia and Game of Thrones, where the ksar was transformed into the fictional city of Yunkai. From centuries-old heritage, continue towards Ouarzazate, where Morocco’s landscapes meet the world of international cinema. At Atlas Corporation Studios, step behind the scenes and explore impressive film sets created for stories of ancient kingdoms, distant civilizations and extraordinary worlds. The studio visit is available with the applicable entry fee paid separately. After your time among the film sets, begin the scenic return journey across the High Atlas, watching the landscape transform once again as you travel back towards Marrakech. From the dramatic 2,260-metre Tizi n'Tichka Pass, to the Ksar of Aït Benhaddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the legendary film sets of Ouarzazate, this is more than a day trip. It is a carefully paced journey through Morocco’s mountain landscapes, historic heritage and cinematic soul — with every stage adding another chapter to the story.