Atlas Film Studios - Ouarzazate

Atlas Film Studios - Ouarzazate

Founded in 1983, ATLAS STUDIOS is the biggest Film Studio in Africa (one of the largests in the world), it is located in the west side of the city of Ouarzazate in Morocco. The site is spread over 20 hectares and offers all necessary services and equipments for productions: exterior and interior sets, production offices, workshops, stables with trained animals. More than that, the studio offers accommodation in the Oscar Hotel inside the studio for the stuff and film crew. Since 1983, the studio was expended many times due to the reliable climate and weather conditions.

Here is a Youtube video about what you would see inside the Atlas film Studios:

Many films and TV series used Atlas studios services because of the nature of the area that can mimic the natural environments of many countries.
Here are some famous Movies and TV series productions that used Atlas Studio services:

• Lawrence of Arabia
• Patton
• The Jewel of the Nile
• The Living Daylights
• The Mummy
• Gladiator
• Kingdom of Heaven
• Asterix & Obelix: Mission Cleopatra
• Babel
• Game of Thrones
• Atlantis
• The Amazing Race 10
• The Grand Tour

Most sets of many movies that were filmed in Atlas Film Studios are still in place, that's why the studio also became a popular tourist destination and offers a guided tour inside. (Entrance costs 50MAD per person).

At Hyper Morocco Tours all our Sahara Desert tours starting from Marrakech pass by the city of Ouarzazate, so in case you are interested in taking a look, we can add a stop to your trip at Atlas film studios or another one of the film studios located there,  We always try to provide you with the best experiences by giving you multiple choices.. cultural trips, camel trekking, sleeping in berber tent in the heart of the desert, berber clothing tryouts...
For more informations and booking please feel free to contact us

Read More

Ourika Valley

Ourika Valley

Ourika is the name of a river and a valley that is located in the High Atlas mountains about 30 km from Marrakech. The river rises in the High Atlas and flows through the Ourika Valley. The valley that is accessible by vehicles is about 60 km by road from Marrakech. And is located in the foothills of the High Atlas mountains, it contains a number of Berber villages, a set of waterfalls, and also some female co-operatives manufacturing Argan oil.

How to get there
From Marrakech you have several choices:
* Rent a car if you don't have one and go there by yourself, the road is mostly well maintained.
* Organized day trip, many agencies and also hotels and riads organize one day excursion to the Ourika valley for groups of tourists. You can also go there in a private day trip if you wish.
*The last option is go there in "Grand Taxi" it's the cheapest way and would be cheaper if you share it with other people going there The Grand Taxis take 6 people max (35MAD for each person), but make sure to think about the way back ahead of time as it is sometimes not easy to find a Grand Taxi to take you back to Marrakech.
What to do there
First of all the view is magneficient, the natural landscape all along the road is something really pleasant to see. You could also visit a local traditional house in one of the berber villages there if you have the chance, the simplicity of life there is not to be missed, also try their local food if you want to get the whole experience.
You can also visit one of the Argan Oil Co-operatives there, run for and by women especially divorced or unemployed, it's their way to help themselves and their families, you will get the chance to see them working on producing cooking and cosmetic oil, soaps, creams and a dip for bread known as amlou.
Another thing you will notice is the rope bridges crossing the fast flowing river, they call them berber bridges there, they look kind of dangerous to cross, so it could be an opportunity t take some memorable pictures (Indiana Jones style).
Finally there are some local products and jeweleries that you can also purchase from local merchant. Remember to bargain.

In Hyper Morocco Tours we organize one day trip to Ourika Valley, if you are interested in booking please email us or reach us through our Contact Form

Read More