Group Marrakech

Day 1. MARRAKECH

Arrival you will be met by your English speaking representative who will accompany you on the transfer to your riad in the Medina.

Here you will receive the traditional Moroccan welcome hospitality of mint tea and Moroccan pastries. Once settled you can relax and unwind by taking the opportunity to experience a traditional 30 min Hammam with body scrub & 30min massage in the riad’s Spa (alternatively this can be taken at any time throughout the stay that is convenient to the delegate)

before your Welcome Dinner in the riad’s Moroccan restaurant. D

Day 2. MARRAKECH / TAHANOUTE / MARRAKECH.

The day starts with a trip into some of the most colourful markets (souks) in the world, where you learn how to source the best ingredients by looking, feeling, smelling and especially tasting. Preserved lemon, smen, argan oil and typical Moroccan spices will hold no secrets.

Now its time for you to learn the incredibly rich cuisine of this country during your hands-on cooking lessons back at the riad. The best part being when you sample the fruits of your labour for lunch.

(the group will be split in two for this activity – one half visit the souk whilst the others have the cookery lesson and vice versa. All will be together for lunch).

A restful afternoon at leisure before transferring 30 mins outside Marrakech for dinner as the sun sets in the spectacular Kasbah Angour.

From its privileged location in the High Atlas Mountains enjoy 360 degree views. This is a wonderful spot to unwind, far from the fast pace of the town. The majesty of the summits of the highest mountains in Morocco to the south & east and the attractive traditional villages in the valley to the north & west are complemented by the Kasbah’s red sandstone walls and its beautiful gardens. The overall feel is one of space and tranquilty. Following dinner return to your Marrakech Riad. BLD

Day 3. MARRAKECH / OURIKA / OUKAÎMEDEN /ASNI / IMLIL / MARRAKECH.

Departure from Marrakech around 08.00am for an exciting drive south through to one of Morocco’s longest and most beautiful, refreshing valleys – the Ourika Valley – teeming with lush vegetation, palmeraies, steep-sides gorges, ancient terraced irrigated fields and Berber hamlets.

Some 33km from Marrakech, this valley really starts at a small Berber village of Dar Caïd Ouriki, with its ruined, caïdal kasbah and mosque. Onward we drive up through hills of ever-changing colours – from red to grey to blue – in the midst of olive groves seeing the ochre-red villages set amongst terraced fields seeming to hang from the slopes. The majority of the villages we shall see are pisé, dug from the earth of the surrounding slopes. Taking a turn at Aghbalou the road takes us through the Jbel Oukaïmeden range, where the snow falls every winter, and we venture on to Morocco’s N°1 ski resort of Oukaïmeden with it’s ski lift 3273 metres above sea level taking in the breathtaking fairy tale valley below.

Travelling northward, with the magnificent peaks of the Western High Atlas always staring down on us, we circle down to the Berber hamlet of Tahanaoute. Making a turn south – up and over the hairpin bends of the Moulay Brahim Gorges and Upper valleys we make our way through the Asni Hills, which vary between 2020m and 2460m, passing through the village of Asni. Upon arrival at the Berber trailhead town of Imlil, set way up in the foothills of the Western High Atlas Mountains. We shall leave our vehicle and mount our mules for the short journey to our outdoor lunch venue on a terrace overlooking the village. With the mighty Jbel Toubkal – at 4167m the highest peak in the Maghreb – and her sisters Aguelzim (3547m) and Aksouâl (3847m) almost within touching distance, we set off on our private, guided journey for some 4km. Passing the hamlets of Taourirt, Targa and Imoulato toward the Berber village of Aremd (1843m). Resting a while in this rather singular village built seemingly house upon house on a large moraine spur, overlooking ancient irrigated terraced fields of barley, corn and vegetables surrounded by walnut and almond trees we then regroup to return through spectacular scenery to rejoin our vehicle at Imlil arriving back to Marrakech early evening.

This evenings dinner will be at The Yacout. This restaurant is a landmark of Marrakech Medina owned by Mohamed Zkhiri, who presides over the destiny of the sumptuous venue. The décor is enchanting with its private rooms and breath-taking panoramic view from the terrace overlooking the Medina and the Koutoubia mosque. Highly traditional Moroccan cuisine with a menu incorporating an amazing succession of flavours, and service that lives up to anyone’s standards. BLD

Day 4. MARRAKECH.

Following breakfast we transfer for an exhilarating quad biking experience on the outskirts of Marrakech. A range of bikes, full training, equipment and insurance is all included. Enjoy a 50km run through the famous oasis of Marrakech – the “Palmeraie” – crossing of the Oued Tensift; piste riding through Berber hamlets, dune scaling and lots more. Plenty of photo opportunities throughout! Alternatively, for those wanting to take a more traditional mode of transport, delegates can opt to explore Marrakech Palmeraie on horse back or by camel meharee. Lunch will be served at a restaurant in the area of the Palmeraie before everyone returns to their riad to spend the remainder of the day at leisure. BL

Day 5. MARRAKECH.

Breakfast and in accordance with your flight schedule transfer to airport for departure flight. B

B = Breakfast L=Lunch D=Dinner