Essence of Morocco

Upon your arrival to the Marrakech airport, you’ll be met by our driver for private transfer to your hotel in the city, an ideal spot for starting your magical Moroccan adventure. After checking in and getting settled into your four- or five-star accommodation, enjoy relaxing or get a preview of the city, perhaps visiting one of its most important historical mosques, the 12^th-century Kasbah Mosque of Marrakech and the Saadian Tombs, a historic royal necropolis on the mosque’s south side.

This morning you’ll get to know the Rose City more in-depth with a private guided tour. Visit one of the most magnificent sights in Marrakech, Bahia Palace. Built in the 1860s and expanded late in the late 19th century, it features intricate painted ceilings and a beautiful courtyard with white Italian Carrara marble floor. Explore the Dar Si Said Museum, also known as the Museum of Moroccan Arts, and after lunch, venture to the Ben Youssef Medersa Koranic School and Koutoubia Mosque.

The day is yours to explore and relax, perhaps enjoying the facilities at your hotel before heading into the city, jam-packed with markets, gardens, mosques and historic sites. Wander through the medina, the densely packed walled medieval city that dates to the Berber Empire, exploring the maze-like alleyways where the souks sell jewellery, pottery, traditional textiles, and all sorts of handcrafted items. Sampling the street food in the stalls of bustling Djemaa El-Fna square is the perfect way to spend the evening.

You’ll be met by private transfer this morning for a scenic drive to your hotel in Ourika through the tranquil countryside and into the ancient rocky peaks of the Atlas Mountains, home to some of North Africa’s most remote villages. Here, the Berber population measures distance by hours and days, the time it typically takes to travel between destinations. Abundant in wildflowers, waterfalls and canyons, the mountains stretch more than 1,550 miles, separating the desert from the Mediterranean and Atlantic.

Today you’ll discover some of the secrets these majestic mountains hold with a hike through Ourika Valley. Follow your expert mountain guide, a mule and muleteer who will carry all the supplies, including a picnic lunch, strolling south alongside the Ourika River. You’ll pass through the Berber villages of Timalize and Tamzendes, the salt mines and on to Akhilij and Tagadirt villages. Continuing on, the route winds through a forested valley and terraced fields of fruit trees, bringing lots of scenic views.

After checking out of your Ourika hotel, you’ll take private transfer to your hotel in Essaouira. After checking in, enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure, relaxing or taking a stroll around this laid-back surfing town with its colourful fishing boats, rich history and local eateries serving fresh seafood. You’ll find picturesque squares where you can sip mint tea, while soaking up the atmosphere and people watching, or explore the artist quarter where local artists display their works.

Join your private guide for a half-day walking tour of Essaouira’s historic sites. The city has a rich history which can be seen in the magnificent coastal ramparts, with cannons still intact. The region has been inhabited as far back as the 7^th-century BC. In the 16^th-century, it was fortified by the Portuguese. You might peek into the traditional souk, with its labyrinth-like streets, abundant colours and aromas. These markets are a treasure trove for everything from traditional clothing to food.

With your 7-nights tour come to an end, it will be time to head back to the airport. Enjoy breakfast and after checking out of your hotel you’ll take private transfer to either Essaouira’s or Marrakech’s airport for your flight home or further travels. If you’d like to do some more exploring before you leave, be sure to reach out to our travel experts.