Arrival
Marrakech. You will have a half day free upon arrival to discover this vibrant
“Red City” thanks to its pink-tinted buildings. Plunge into the excitement of
Djemâa El-Fna Square in the heart of Morocco. There you will be delighted by
the dancers, snake charmers, jugglers, narrators, and singers. This reflects
the oral culture of this city. Spend the night in a Riad.
Day 2: Marrakech to Imlil for Mountain Trekking
Leaving
the riad in Marrakech and heading to the Atlas Mountains, driving along the
fabulous Oued of Riraya ( the name of the whole valley starting from Tahanaout
32km from Marrakech ) enjoying the landscape the Mountainous Berber villages
all along Ait Mizane valley. Imlil is the starting point from which you will
start hiking. Thelocal guide and the muleteers team (the cook & muleteers)
will take care of you, carrying your staff & cooking delicious Berber
meals. The highed you get the more stunning views become. the mule path is the
only way to follow until you reach Toubkal refuge (3200m). Once you arrive
there, you can spend the night in either the refuge or in a tent.
Day 3: Trekking Early
After breakfast,
You will continue to the summit, the altitude of which is 4167m. It is the
highest one in Africa after the one of Kalimajaro in kenya. It takes about
three hours to reach it from the refuge.
After
1h of the exploration taking pictures of
the amazing mountains, you will trek down to the based camp; the downhill takes
just 2h. The guide will normally carry the pack lunches but you will have lunch
on you return to the based camp. After lunch you start walking down to the
starting point by the same mule path. Your driver will be in Imlil to pick you
up. Overnight in a Berber guest House.
Day 4: Imlil to Ouarzazat and Ait ben Hadou
Early
morning, depart Imlil. Following, cross the Tizi n Tichka pass settling in the
High Atlas Mountains (short stops to take a look at the wonderful landscape and
the berber villages). Afterwards, you will visit the UNESCO World Heritage
site, Ait Ben Haddou and the Taourirt Kasbah in Ouarzazate. Night in Ouarzazate.
Day 5: Ouarzazat / Zagora / Tamagroute / Mhamid / Erg Chegaga:
Today’s
journey will take you to Tamgroute to visit the famous Coranic Library,
subterranean kasbah and the Manufacture of pottery. Next, you will carry on
towards M’hamid, the "doorway to the Sahara desert" for lunch on the
place. In the afternoon, after one hour camel ride, we take a track which
carries out through the rocky, desert scenery towards the sand dunes of Chegaga
that spread over 40 km, enjoying the sunset. Overnight in a desert camp under a
star-filled sky.
Day 6: ERG CHIGGAGA / LAKE IRIKI / FOUM ZGUID / TAZENAKHT / TAROUDANT
Breakfast
will be served simultaneously with a beautiful sunrise. Cross the desert, stony
( hammada in the local language), and pass the Sacred Source ( the Draa river
runs underground for 300 kilometers and this is one of the over ground springs)
and then the huge dried up Lake Iriki, famous for its fossils. Later on, we
reach Foum Zguid and Tazenakht. The latter is a Berber carpet center. After
lunch, we reach Tilouine, where the whole of Morocco gets its saffron and then
Taroudant in which we will have dinner and accommodation.
Day 7: Taroudant Agadir
Today
we will head to Agadir. Next, We will head down to Agadir’s port for lunch; options
include seafood or international cuisine along the boardwalk close to the
ocean. Stroll along the port, people
watch and visit the action packed fishing market in which you select choose an assortment of fish to have cooked for you
on the spot. Visit the Valley of the
Birds. The Valley of the Birds has pleasant, lush vegetation that draws in
birds throughout the year. There is also a waterfall, zoo and aviary that you
may want to visit once you’ve tired of the beach.
Another option is to ask your guide to take you eight kilometers from the
center of Agadir to see the Kasbah. Located on a hill north of the port, the
Kasbah stands on the raised plateau of Ancienne Talborjt and is one of the few
relics left behind from the 1960 earthquake that destroyed old Agadir.
Overnight in Agadir.
Day 8: AGADIR
Enjoy
breakfast in one of Agadir’s beachside cafes with views of the beach. The
expansive fine sanded area is swept every morning.
After breakfast, head to the beach and rent a sunbed and umbrella for a morning
of swimming. Agadir has a strong Atlantic undertow that is enjoyed by travelers
pursuing jet skiing, windsurfing or other water sports.
Day 9: Agadir to Essaouira:
Today
is devoted to drivinlg along the cost targeting to reach Essaouira.It is a
small town famour for woodwork, windsurfing, antiquities in addition to white
painted houses and their blue windows and doors, a well-designed picture. Since
the 16th century, Essaouira has also been known by its Portuguese name of
Mogador. The Berber name means the wall, a reference to the fortress walls that
originally enclosed the city. This day can be alloted to bathing and relaxing
on the beach of this coastal city. On the fortifications of the old town you
will trace Portuguese, French and Berber architecture. Its whitewashed houses,
cool breezes, relaxed atmosphere along with its friendly cafes, numerous
craftsmen and the delicious fresh fish make this a charming place to stay the
night.
Day 10: Essaouira to Marrakech
In the
Afternoon leave Essaouira towards Marrakech. In the afternoon, plunge into the
excitement of the place Djemâa El-Fna Square in the heart of Morocco. There you
will be delighted by the dancers, snake charmers, jugglers, narrators. A
context which reflects the orla Art in that city. Overnight in a Riad in the
Medina.
Day 12: Marrakech Following
Today,
you will have a whole day tour of Marrakech. You will visit the Koutoubia
Minaret, the Majorelle Gardens, the 16th century Saadian Tombs, the Bahia
Palace, and the Dar Si Said Palace museum of jewelry, kaftans, leatherwork,
carpets, chests and doors. Spend the night in a Riad.
Day 13: Breakfast and Transfer to the airport for a Departure if Required .
