DAY 1 MARRAKECH

Arrival Marrakech & transfer to the trendy boutique hotel ‘The Kech’

Dinner in hotel.

DAY 2 MARRAKECH

Breakfast in hotel & join a small group for :DISCOVER MARRAKECH (HALF DAY)Go back in time and discover some of Marrakech's historical landmarks. Your knowledgeable guide enlightens you on the intrigue surrounding the city’s illustrious buildings. Partake in one of North Africa’s most famous traditions as you drink a glass of invigorating mint tea.

Visit the austere Koutoubia Mosque and its minaret – a beautifully proportioned example of Hispano- Moresque art rising 80 metres (250 feet) into the sky. Discover the El Bahia Palace, a 19th-century building with a 2-acre garden and a haphazard arrangement of inner courtyards and apartments. Visit the 14th century Ben Youssef Medersa, one of the most beautiful buildings in Marrakech – with its subtle use of decoration, achieve through a balances combination of stucco & mosaic, marble and cedarwood, white marble basin & pillars.

Drink a glass of mint tea on the way, see some craftsmanship & visit a Berber apothecary to buy some spices or magic potions.

Free afternoon

DAY 3 MARRAKECH – OURIKA - MARRAKECH

Breakfast in hotel

THE BEAUTIFUL OURIKA VALLEY:

Escape from the heat or the hustle of Marrakech to the Ourika Valley, a lush oasis in the foothills of the impressive Atlas Mountains. Adventure away from the city and explore the region's green villages, orchards and vegetation. 

The journey over the Haouz Plain passes by the abandoned village of Aghmat, founded by the Berbers before the arrival of Islam. Continue to the ighref (the starting point for hikers) into Jebel Yagour, a mountain famous for its rock art.

Take in panoramic views of the tiny Berber villages that dot the area as well as the fast-flowing waters that cut through the mountain foothills irrigating the Ourika Valley. Stop for a refreshing mint tea at a local herb garden and sit back to enjoy the breathtaking views across the valley, over a traditional lunch at the Kasbah Ourika.

Return to the hotel to relax or maybe go shopping.

SUNSET OVER THE KOUTOUBIA, DJEMAA EL FNAAA in STYLE & TRADITIONAL BERBER BBQ:

In the evening, your driver will pick you up and go to see the sun set behind the Koutoubia Mosque. See the famous Djemaa El Fnaa in style, sitting back and relaxing as you ride in a horse-drawn carriage through the illuminated streets of Marrakesh at night. Drive past the famous Mamounia Hotel and watch the snake charmers, dancers, and soothsayers that give the city its enigmatic character before stopping to feast on a delicious Moroccan meal. Clip clop past floodlit fountains, ancient ramparts, and the Mellah, a vibrant Jewish district in the heart of the city.

On to Riad Zaid, boasting a traditional mosaic fountain and hand-painted stucco ceilings. On its lovely terrace, surrounded by aromatic plants and jasmine trees, sit down to take pleasure in an authentic Moroccan barbecue – but always with the hustle & bustle of the medina life in the backgound.

Start your meal with a selection of tasty salads, followed by a Berber barbecue of chicken and kefta kebabs cooked on charcoal, accompanied by scrumptious vegetable couscous and a decadent dessert or seasonal fruit. Delight in a steaming glass of mint tea and listen to contemporary background Moroccan music before being driven back to your hotel.

DAY 4 MARRAKECH (3 OPTIONS)

Breakfast in hotel

Today, the choice of being pampered, glimpsing the gateway to the desert or seeing one of Morocco’s natural wonders, the Ouzoud Falls.

OPTION 1 : CHILL OUT & RELAX BY THE POOL & TRADITIONAL HAMMAM & MASSSAGE

Just relax, and choose a time to be picked up and taken to a traditional hammam – a body scrub with natural black organic ghassoul, made from clay extracted from the Atlas beds, rich in magnesium, calcium & potassium & used for 12 centuries. An incontrovertible treatment in the hammam to gently exfoliate, leaving the skin an unparalleled satin, soft look & feel. Then, be pampered with an hour long comforting massage, using authentic essential oils.

Feeling absolutely fabulous – shop in the nearby trendy boutiques, maybe have a light lunch in one of the fusion restaurants, or your driver will take you back to the hotel.

Dinner in the hotel.

OPTION 2 : THE SOUTHERN DOORWAY TO THE SAHARA – OUARZAZATE (Private tour)

Journey to the "Door of the Sahara" for stunning scenery lined with kasbahs and palm groves. Learn from your guide how this historic area is finding further use in 21st-century culture. Take inspiration from the summit of the highest vehicular pass in Morocco and delight in a customary Berber lunch.

Embark on one of the most exciting trips from Marrakech and head towards the expansive Sahara Desert. Pass through Glaoui territory and see ancient kasbahs and fortified granaries. Ascend the Tizi N'Tichka Pass in the High Atlas mountains and admire the view from its peak at almost 2,250 metres (7,500 feet).

Rejuvenate over a delicious Berber lunch before continuing to a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the amazing Kasbah Aït Benhaddou – considered to be one of country's most beautiful villages and a striking example of the architecture in southern Morocco. Visit the Kasbah Taouirt, and of course not to be missed a visit to the Atlas studios where Hollywood blockbusters were filmed, such as The Mummy, Gladiator, Babel, Game of Thrones, Lawrence of Arabia, The Jewel in the Crown & many more. As this is a private tour, your driver will be quite relaxed about the timing.

Dinner in the hotel.

OPTION 3 : A MOROCCAN NATURAL WONDER – THE OUZOUD FALLS

Ouzoud Falls, one of the most breathtaking places in the country & highest natural waterfalls in North Africa. Green valleys, orchards, caves, gorges from the river El Abid and happy Barbary apes in their natural habitat make this tour a perfect day out.

Leave the city behind and pass red cliffs, oleander and doves en route to one of Morocco's most spectacular sights. The Ouzoud waterfalls are located in a plush valley near the High Atlas mountains, within the friendly Berber village of Tanaghmeilt. This tiered series of three waterfalls plunges from 110 metres (360 feet) above, its wide-to-narrow streams splashing into the river below.

A short walk takes you to the top of the falls where you can admire the beauty of the nature beneath your feet. Here you can also have lunch in a Berber restaurant and enjoy the waterfalls from its shaded terraces, or walk down the steps & explore the caves where water mills are used to grind wheat grain into flour (thereby the Berber word ‘Ouzoud’ meaning grinding grain).

Keep an eye out for apes coming to drink from the river, and have your camera ready to capture the cataracts and rainbows that can appear near the bottom of the waterfalls.

(NB : there is a lot of uneven ground & not recommended for those with walking difficulties)

(check with our holiday representative in Marrakech if there is a small group tour running – which will be cheaper depending on the number of participants)

DAY 5 : MARRAKECH – ESSAOUIRA

After breakfast in the hotel , its time to check out & leave the imperial city of Marrakech, to go West to the Atlantic coast & Essaouira. Check in to the Riad Maison du Sud, built in the 18th Century by a wealthy merchant for his familys, since restored but retaining many of its original features within its salons & en-suite rooms. The riad is wonderfully situated at the heart of the medina, but just a short walk from the beach, restaurants, cafés & souks. Its terraces offer panoramic views. Rooms are individual styled with en-suite bathrooms & sitting areas. Some are on a mezzanine floor.

A romantic dinner for 2 - choose to dine in either the fountain & rose petal patio courtyard, or in one of the intimate salons, tasting regional specialities including freshly grilled fish from the Atlantic !

DAYS 6 & 7 : ESSAOUIRA

Start the days with a traditional breakfast in the riad includes Moroccan pancakes & breads, with honey & homemade jams, & freshly squeezed oranges.

OVER THE NEXT 2 DAYS – either relax OR 3 OPTIONS

Explore Essaouira & its countryside to learn its history & see the landmarks, take this optional excursion:

OPTION 1 : OTHELLO’S ESSAOUIRA ( Medina, Port & Sqala)

Explore the best of Essaouira on this half-day guided tour and witness the amazing sights of the fortified city located in the Moroccan Atlantic coast and visit the fishing port and Scala “the Astapor” also known for being the filming location of the famously acclaimed series "Game of Thrones".

After breakfast, pick up from your hotel and join your guide to discover “The Mogador Essaouira” listed on the UNESCO World Heritage site. It combines history and culture with modern section located on its promenade. Our visit starts at the ancient fishing port, looking pleasurably mesmerizing as the fishing boats dock. You can even see wooden boats being made and the Île de Mogador in the distance. Visit the Museum “Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdallah the old Alaouite Sultan, the founder of the City», as anthropology and art unite at this quaint refurbished museum of regional art in a traditional house showcasing weapons, instruments, carpets, and historical photos of Essaouira.

Continue towards the medina. A wonderful labyrinth of streets, this 18th mid-century fortified town was built with the principles of contemporary European military architecture in a North African context, where we have the opportunity to wander the ancient streets and imagine what life used to be like before us. Explore the souks and the old caravan serai full of local artists selling their crafts made of thuya wood, pottery, jewelry etc.

Our last stop will be at the ramparts and places around the Scala where “the Game of Thrones season 3” was filmed (Astapor).

Enjoy refreshment in the terrace café on the corniche overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. This is a perfect opportunity to get away from the city rush.

OPTION 2 : ESSAOUIRA COUNTRYSIDE & RAMBLE

08h00 pick up from your hotel

Join your guide for short ramble in the thuya forest to Sidi Mbarek waterfalls and Sidi Kaouki beach.

First stop in the area of DIiabat, a former hippy enclave where the Rolling Stones used to hang out and the inspiration for Jemi Hendrix’s song “Castles Made of Sand”. Visit the nearby ruined old palace. COMBI 10 – KECH & MAISON DU SUD ESSAOUIRA - VPUK – Sahara Tours International 07.03.2017 Continue to Sidi Mbarek, a small Berber village 35 km south of Essaouira, where the trek begins. Walk to the little cascade and visit the old Marabout (tomb of a Saint or wise man) Here, the convergence of a large sand dune, a small river, and an imposing rock splendidly frames a lovely bay. The streambrings some water (water level depends on the seasons/rain) into this very dry region to irrigate local crops. The landscape offers a rich interplay of green, blue and yellow.

Continue to Sidi Mbarek, a small Berber village 35 km south of Essaouira, where the trek begins. Walk to the little cascade and visit the old Marabout (tomb of a Saint or wise man) Here, the convergence of a large sand dune, a small river, and an imposing rock splendidly frames a lovely bay. The streambrings some water (water level depends on the seasons/rain) into this very dry region to irrigate local crops.

Walking time is 45 minutes to reach the cascade and 30 minutes back (round trip 1 hour 15 mins).

Continue to Sidi Kaouki, a relaxed surfers’ village, to enjoy a delicious sardine picnic, in an ideal lunch spot overlooking the large sandy beach.

On the way back to the city, there is also the option of visiting an Argan cooperative, to learn how precious Argan oil – unique to this area - is produced. The visit includes a tasting of the oil. A great, authentic day out.

OPTION 3 : BERBER LIFESTYLE

08h30 Pick up from your hotel and head inland to the countryside surrounding Essaouira.

First panorama stop at the Oued Ksob (oued means ‘river’ in local dialect) on the Atlantic coast, & great views of the eucalyptus thuya forest surrounded by sand dunes, a great spot for bird-watching as herons and other local fauna flock here throughout the day.

Thu ais tetraclinis articulata, also known as thuja articulata, sandarac, sandarac tree or Barbary thuja, endemic to the western Mediterranean region. The resin, known as sandarac, is used to make varnish and lacquer; it is particularly valued for preserving paintings.

The wood, known as thuya wood or citron wood, historically also known as thyine wood, is used for decorative woodwork, particularly wood from burls at the base of the trunk. Essaouira is famous for this marvellous marquetry.

Our journey continue through the berber villages belong to the region of Chiadma. A visit to a weekly market is provided on the itinerary such as Had Draa, Khmis Meskala, Tnine Idougard etc, where to see the farmers of the region travel by donkey to display their crops, animals and crafts and to shop for the week. Mainly for men, the gathering at Had Draa serves also for socializing: chatting over tea with friends, exchanging news in a café or under a tent. The market gives authentic insight into the daily lives of Berbers in the Moroccan countryside. Everything needed for living and working is to be found : food for the animals, simple windows made of wood, entrance doors made of metal in “Berber style”, handmade saddle bags for donkeys and camels, and household effects. Especially interesting are the “flying haircutters” offering haircuts and shaves under simple tents – you’ll as if you’re in a movie! Vegetables and fruits, nuts and spices give off their aromas of the Orient.

Enjoy your three course meal lunch at “Chez L’hbitant” and tast the best specialities in this area.

Continue to the village of Ain el Haja, the so-called “Gardens of Essaouira“, a lush, green oasis (“ain“). An irrigation system emanating from a natural spring allows crops to grow here. At the village, tall palm trees encircle olive and pomegranate groves, which in turn give shade for onions, corn and other crops, such as “slaoui”, a Moroccan vegetable from the pumpkin family used in delicious tagines. Ain el Hajar is not to be missed: a lovely green oasis in a dry region of prickly Argan trees on otherwise barren hills. You will take a short walk here, a gentle stroll through oases before rejoining the coastal road of Moulay Bouzerktoun the surfer’s village, returning to Essaouira.

DAY 8 : ESSAOUIRA to MARRAKECH

Breakfast & departure to Marrakech airport.