Ouarzazate and Ait Benhaddou Day Trip from Marrakech — Hollywood of Africa

Just three hours south of Marrakech, the world changes completely. The High Atlas Mountains give way to golden pre-Saharan plains, ancient kasbahs rise from the earth and the landscape takes on a cinematic quality that has attracted filmmakers from around the world for decades. This private day trip takes you to the heart of it all. Your dedicated local driver and tour companion will pick you up from your hotel or riad in Marrakech and take you south over the Tizi n'Tichka mountain pass — one of the most spectacular drives in Morocco — before descending into the dramatic landscapes of the pre-Sahara. Your first destination is Ait Benhaddou — a UNESCO World Heritage kasbah that has stood since the 11th century and is perhaps the most filmed location in the world after Hollywood itself. Gladiator, Game of Thrones, The Mummy, Lawrence of Arabia, The Living Daylights — the list goes on. Your certified local guide will walk you through the ancient village, bringing its thousand-year history to life and pointing out the filming locations that have made this extraordinary place famous across the globe. From Ait Benhaddou you continue to Ouarzazate — the Hollywood of Africa. This remarkable city sits at the gateway to the Sahara and is home to some of the world's largest film studios, attracting major productions year after year thanks to its extraordinary landscapes, reliable sunshine and skilled local crews. Your companion will share the fascinating story of how this remote desert city became a global filmmaking powerhouse. A traditional Moroccan lunch is included before your companion drives you back over the mountains to Marrakech. By the time you arrive back in the city, you will have crossed some of the most breathtaking landscapes in North Africa and stood in places where cinema history was made. This is a private day trip — just you and the people you choose to share it with. No shared groups, no strangers.