Quad Tours Around Ouarzazate: The Five Routes and How to Choose

Ouarzazate sits on a high plateau at 1119 m, surrounded by rocky hills, dry riverbeds, palm oases and the film sets that earned it the nickname Hollywood of the desert. Every guided ride leaves from just outside the city, and within minutes the tarmac gives way to gravel tracks and open stony plains. There are five routes, and they differ less in difficulty than in time and destination. Here is how they compare.

What every quad route includes

Whichever ride you choose, the basics stay the same. A personal guide rides with you, leads the way, shares the stories of the region and keeps the group together. You ride a sturdy, well maintained all terrain quad, and safety equipment, including a helmet, is provided. The pace and the exact line of the route are adapted to your preferences and experience, so a nervous first timer and a confident rider can both enjoy the same destination. Groups range from a single rider up to twenty.

The prices shown on the site are starting prices. They give you a reference point, and the team confirms the final amount for your date and your group when they reply to your request.

The five quad routes

Kingdom of Heaven film set, 1 hour

The shortest ride crosses desert and mountain terrain to the fortress where the medieval battle scenes of Kingdom of Heaven were filmed. Rocky hills and wide open ground lead to the crenellated walls, which make a striking backdrop for photographs. It is the natural choice for a first taste of quad riding, for travellers with only a morning or a late afternoon free, and for film fans who want to stand where the cameras rolled. The Kingdom of Heaven quad tour starts from 30 USD.

Kasbah Tifoultoute and the cinema studio, 2 hours

Two hours lets you combine riding with real sightseeing. The first stop is Kasbah Tifoultoute, an eighteenth century fortress above the river valley, with views over the Ouarzazate River, the city and the Atlas Mountains. The second is the Ouarzazate cinema studio, where you walk among sets from productions such as Gladiator, The Mummy and Game of Thrones. This route starts from 55 USD and suits riders who care about history and cinema as much as the trail. If the film sets are a highlight for you, read our guide to Atlas Film Studios before you go.

Fint oasis, 3 hours

This is the ride for people who want the scenery to change. You cross arid plateaus, rocky hills and panoramic viewpoints while the landscape grows wilder, and then the ground opens onto Fint: palm groves, flowing water and traditional Berber villages tucked between the hills. The name means hidden in Tamazight, and it fits. Your guide explains how life in the oasis works, and you share mint tea with locals before riding back. The Fint oasis quad tour starts from 75 USD, and the river crossings below the palms are some of the most photographed moments of any ride in the area.

Ait Ben Haddou, half day

The half day route follows desert trails, rocky plateaus, dry riverbeds and valleys, past remote Berber villages, to the ksar of Ait Ben Haddou. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1987, the fortified village has appeared in Gladiator, Game of Thrones and Kingdom of Heaven. After the ride you have free time to walk its clay alleys and climb to the granary at the top for the view over the valley. It starts from 85 USD and is the best pick if you want one ride that ends at a landmark known around the world. Our article on quad experiences near Ait Ben Haddou goes into more detail.

The full day, three sites in one ride

The full day brings the highlights together. You gear up in the morning just outside Ouarzazate and receive a full safety briefing, then ride gravel paths, plateaus, riverbeds and traditional trails to Ait Ben Haddou, continue to the Kingdom of Heaven film location, and head south in the afternoon to the Fint oasis for mint tea with the villagers. It starts from 150 USD. It is a long day on the quad, best for riders comfortable on rough ground.

How to choose your route

• Short on time or new to quads: the one hour Kingdom of Heaven ride gives you real off road terrain and a famous set without filling your day.
• Curious about history and cinema: the two hour Tifoultoute and cinema studio route packs a kasbah and film sets into one outing.
• Looking for landscape and village life: the three hour Fint ride offers the biggest change of scenery, from bare plateau to green oasis.
• Want a world famous landmark: the half day to Ait Ben Haddou ends at the UNESCO ksar with time to explore.
• Want it all: the full day covers Ait Ben Haddou, the Kingdom of Heaven set and Fint.

Think about the season too. Ouarzazate has a desert climate with little rain. July is the hottest month, at around 38°C, so in summer a shorter ride early or late in the day is usually more pleasant. In January the lows drop to around 3°C, and a warm layer under your jacket makes a real difference once the sun goes down. If you are still hesitating between a quad and a buggy, our honest comparison of quad or buggy in Ouarzazate explains the differences.

Practical tips before you ride

• Wear closed shoes and long trousers you do not mind getting dusty.
• Bring sunglasses, sun cream and a scarf or buff against the dust. A bottle of water is always worth carrying.
• Tell the team your riding experience when you send your request, so the guide can set the right pace.
• If you are travelling with children, would like to carry a passenger, or have a health condition, mention it in your request and ask what is possible. The team will confirm the details for your group.
• Ask about the meeting point. Rides leave from just outside the city, and the team will tell you exactly where to meet when they confirm your date.

Ready to ride?

Choose the route that matches your time and your curiosity, then send a reservation request with your preferred date, the number of riders and the route you have in mind. If you would like help deciding, ask the team on WhatsApp.