Aït Ben Haddou and Ouarzazate in One Day from Marrakech

The 7am wake-up that's absolutely worth it

I won't pretend otherwise: when the alarm goes off at 6:30am for a 7:00am departure from your hotel, there's a split second of hesitation. And then you get into the car, you catch the first rosy light over the rooftops of Marrakech, and you understand that this day is going to be different. That's always how I feel when I accompany groups on this excursion, and ten years on, the emotion hasn't worn off one bit.

The Excursion Ouarzazate Aït Ben Haddou depuis Marrakech is, for me, one of the most beautiful days you can give someone who is discovering Morocco. We cover around 204 km of road — 2h30 to 3 hours of driving — but through such varied landscapes that the time flies by without you even noticing. You ride in comfort in an air-conditioned vehicle, with a French-speaking driver-guide who knows every bend in the road, every valley name, every kasbah story.

The Tizi N'Tichka pass, love at first sight

The road climbs quickly. The High Atlas opens up before you, the bends follow one after another, the peaks are dusted with snow in winter or gilded under the summer sun. We stop there for a photo break, to breathe in the cleaner air, to take in the fact that you've just gone from the ochre city to something far bigger.

That's where I love watching people take out their phones and then go quiet. Not because they're hunting for the perfect shot, but because they're simply awestruck.

Aït Ben Haddou, the timeless ksar

We then descend toward the South, and it's that first glimpse of Aït Ben Haddou that moves me every single time: the ksar rises above the riverbed, built of ochre earth and light, as if from another era entirely. This UNESCO World Heritage site is one of the best-preserved ksour in Morocco, and it's easy to understand why so many film productions have chosen it as their backdrop.

You wander through the paved alleyways — comfortable shoes are a must — climbing gradually up toward the fortified granary that overlooks the village. Entry fees are modest (around 15 MAD per person) and a local guide can be added to your group for an even richer experience (option available at €25/group).

Céline's tip: head into the site early, before the heat settles in. In summer, temperatures can exceed 45°C, so sunscreen, sunglasses and a good water bottle are your best allies.

Lunch and a break in Ouarzazate

After Aït Ben Haddou, it's a short drive to Ouarzazate. The city, nicknamed "the gateway to the desert," welcomes you with its wide palm-lined avenues and that particular light — intense and warm — that you find nowhere else. You're welcome to bring your own drinks and snacks for the road, but the local restaurants are well worth a lunch stop: tagines, couscous, seasonal salads… Southern Moroccan cuisine has flavours all its own.

The afternoon is dedicated to the Kasbah de Taourirt, one of the finest examples of pisé architecture in the region. Entry is payable on site (around 10 MAD). For film lovers, the production studios are also open to visitors for 80 MAD — Ouarzazate has hosted some of the world's most famous shoots, and you can feel it in the atmosphere of the city.

What I like to tell you before you book

This excursion is accessible to everyone — families, couples, friends — and the level is rated easy to moderate. The one thing to keep in mind: the paved alleyways of Aït Ben Haddou call for sturdy footwear. You don't need to be a hiker, but flat sandals or heels are best left behind.

On the practical side, booking must be made at least 5 days before your departure. A deposit is required at the time of booking, with the balance paid in cash on the day. Cancellation is free up to 5 days before — after that, the deposit is non-refundable.

Round-trip transport from your hotel or riad is included, as is the French-speaking driver-guide. All you have to do is set your alarm and let yourself be carried along. I promise you — this is a day you won't forget.

Want to go even further?

If this excursion whets your appetite for Morocco's deep south, know that we can also organise a full trip all the way to the dunes of Merzouga. Discover for example the voyage Marrakech – Merzouga en 5 jours or the Désert du Sahara Ouarzazate – Merzouga circuit for those who want to go all the way to the edge of the sand.