The Best Adventure Activities in Ouarzazate

Many travellers pass through Ouarzazate on the way to somewhere else. That is a shame, because the city sits between the High Atlas and the Anti Atlas, within reach of deserts, canyons, valleys, palm groves and Berber villages, and there is plenty here to fill several active days. Whether you have an afternoon or a week, here are the experiences worth planning around, from an hour on a quad to a night under a nomad tent.

Quad riding on desert trails

Quad riding is the most popular way to get out into the landscape around Ouarzazate. You ride a sturdy all terrain quad behind a local guide across gravel tracks, rocky plateaus and dry riverbeds, with a helmet and safety equipment provided. There are five routes: one hour to the Kingdom of Heaven film set, two hours to Kasbah Tifoultoute and the cinema studio, three hours to the Fint oasis, a half day to Ait Ben Haddou, and a full day that links Ait Ben Haddou, the Kingdom of Heaven set and Fint. Prices start from 30 USD for the shortest ride. Browse all the quad tours from Ouarzazate to compare them side by side.

Buggy driving for a seated adventure

A buggy covers the same five routes as the quads, but you sit in a seat behind a steering wheel rather than astride the machine. Many people find that more relaxed on long stretches, and it suits travellers who prefer the feel of driving to the feel of riding. The buggy tours start from 100 USD for the one hour Kingdom of Heaven ride and go up to the full day. The three hour run to Fint is a good middle ground, with desert trails, rocky ground and a tea break among the villages of the oasis.

Horse riding through palm groves

For a slower, quieter way to see the region, saddle up. The horse rides follow desert trails, palm groves and old paths, with a strong, well trained horse matched to your experience and a guide at your side. The routes mirror the motorised ones with one twist: the two hour ride goes to Kasbah Tifoultoute, and the full day links the Kingdom of Heaven set, Tifoultoute and Fint. Prices start from 25 USD for one hour. The half day ride to Ait Ben Haddou is a lovely way to arrive at the ksar, the way travellers did for centuries. See all horse rides around Ouarzazate.

Kasbahs and film studios

Adventure here is never only about the trail. Ouarzazate is part of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network for film, and its studios and sets have hosted productions such as Lawrence of Arabia, Gladiator, Babel, Kingdom of Heaven, Prince of Persia and Game of Thrones. Atlas Film Studios, just west of the city on the road toward Marrakech, offers guided tours of its indoor and outdoor sets, and because it is still in use you may even cross a film crew.

The kasbahs tell an older story. In the centre of town, Taourirt Kasbah was a residence of the Glaoui family, with carved and painted cedar ceilings and zellige inside. Outside the city, Kasbah Tifoultoute overlooks the river valley, and the seventeenth century ksar of Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1987, once stood on the trade route linking Sudan to Marrakech. Several quad, buggy and horse routes stop at these places, so you can combine riding and sightseeing in a single outing.

Day trips by private vehicle

Ouarzazate is a natural base for full day excursions. With a private vehicle and an English speaking driver you can head south through the Draa Valley to Zagora, Tamegroute and the first dunes of Tinfou; east to the Valley of Roses and the Dades Gorges; along the road of a thousand kasbahs to the Todra Gorges; or into the High Atlas foothills to the Berber village of Tiggert, where a mule ride takes you in search of amethyst before lunch with a local family. These trips include a private vehicle, a driver and lunch, and they are priced per person. Compare them on the day trips from Ouarzazate page.

A night in the desert

If you have two days or more, a night in the dunes is hard to beat. The two day tour to Erg Chebbi near Merzouga passes the Skoura palm grove and the Todra Gorges, then ends with a sunset camel trek and a night in a nomad camp, with dinner, breakfast and sunrise over the sand. The drive is around five hours each way. Longer itineraries add the Dades Gorges, remote villages, or the wilder dunes of Erg Chigaga beyond Mhamid. All the options are on the desert tours page.

Putting it all together

A good rhythm for a short stay is one active outing a day, with time left for the town. For example, a quad or buggy ride to Fint in the morning, then Taourirt Kasbah in the late afternoon; the next day a horse ride to Ait Ben Haddou; then a day trip or a desert night before you move on.

• Mind the season. Ouarzazate has a desert climate with little rain. July is the hottest month, around 38°C, while January nights fall to around 3°C. Plan outdoor activities for the cooler hours in summer and pack warm layers in winter.
• Dress for dust and sun. Closed shoes, long trousers, sunglasses, sun cream and a scarf make every ride more comfortable. Carry water.
• Ask before you assume. If you are travelling with children or have a health condition, mention it when you send your request and ask the team which activities suit your group.

When you know what you would like to do, send a reservation request with your dates and the activities you have in mind, or ask the team on WhatsApp to help you build your days in Ouarzazate.