8 DAYS MARRAKECH AND SURROUNDS
- Experience the enchanting allure of Morocco with Ethnic Morocco Tours on an exclusive 8-day journey. Begin in Essaouira, where you’ll explore the charming coastal town, sample wines at Val d'Argan, and wander the vibrant medina. Adventure awaits in the Agafay Desert with thrilling ATV rides, sunset camel treks, and a traditional Berber dinner under the stars. Discover the majestic High Atlas Mountains, trek through Berber villages, and enjoy a delicious local lunch. Conclude your trip in Marrakech, visiting historic sites and indulging in a relaxing hammam experience, cooking class, and traditional massage.
Duration
8 Days
Tour Type
Daily Tour
Group Size
30 People
Departure
Marrakech
DESCRIPTION:
Immerse yourself in Moroco’s cultural and natural allure on this exclusive 8-day Morocco tour showcasing Essaouira’s coastal charm, Agafay Desert’s rugged beauty, and the Atlas Mountains’ majesty.
Begin with a scenic drive from Marrakech to Essaouira, a charming seaside town on Morroco’s Atlantic coast. Stop at the Val d’Argan winery en route, sampling delicious red, white, rose, and orange wines while learning about the estate’s vine-growing process. Explore Essaouira’s fortified walls and busy fishing harbour as you wander through the town to the centuries-old medina, where local artists display handmade crafts, jewelry, and spices across several souks.
Embark on a journey to the vast Agafay Desert, a rough, dry plateau of lunar terrain stretching for miles. Race across the desert during your exciting ATV journey to a secluded desert hideaway overlooking the vast Moroccan wilderness, framed by olive trees and organic gardens. Enjoy a scenic camel ride through the desert hills bathed in the sunset glow before indulging in a delicious dinner in a traditional Berber tent below the canopy of desert stars.
Proceed toward the High Atlas Mountains, passing through traditional Berber villages and picturesque valleys en route. Depart on a mountain trek after arriving in Imlil, a small Berber village at the foothills of the High Atlas Mountains, and share a lunch of locally sourced salads, tagine, couscous, and fresh bread as you learn about the region’s history and culture.
Return to Marrakech and visit the beautiful 12th-century Koutoubia Mosque, the stunning 19th-century Bahia Palace, and the grand Dar El Bacha Museum of Confluences before continuing to the Ourika Valley. Unwind and reflect on your unforgettable Morocco trip with an immersive hamman experience, traditional massage, and a delicious cooking class with an acclaimed and experienced Moroccan chef.
PROGRAM DETAILS:
Arrival in Marrakech, welcome by our guide and transfer to the Riad or hotel of your choice. If time permits, let yourself be immersed in the atmosphere of this fascinating country with a self-guided tour of the Djemaa El Fna square. Every evening, food stalls are set up where you can taste a rich selection of typical local specialities.
After breakfast, drive to Essaouira, a charming and exotic seaside town on the Atlantic coast. En route, stop at the winery Val d'Argan for a lunch paired with wines. You'll find the French winemaker Charles Melia, his family, and his beautiful vineyards and relaxing setting, an ideal lunch spot. Upon arrival, you'll have a tour of the vineyards and impressive facilities where Charles and his crew produce five ranges of wines: red, white, rosé, gris, and orange. Learn what it's like to grow vines in Morocco, and how the production process works. After this delicious lunch paired with these five wines, short drive to visit an Argan oil cooperative where you’ll observe the extraction of Argan Oil. The demand for this product has increased significantly due to its use in both cosmetics and western cuisine. Rest of the day at leisure
Today you will explore Essaouira, with its beautiful, fortified walls and busy fishing harbor, it has preserved a truly Moroccan charm. You’ll walk along the city walls north of Moulay Hassan Square and then continue to Skala de la Ville where you will enjoy an unmatched view of the city’s port and its beautiful collection of bright blue fishing boats. Explore the Medina where artists continue to display their crafts just as they have done for centuries, and where merchants in the many souks have plenty to offer, including spices, fine woodcrafts, and jewelry. Rest of the day is at leisure
After breakfast, leave Essaouira and head to the Agafay Desert, a rough, dry, deserted plateau, stretching for miles. This semi-lunar terrain is unforgiving in the Summer months, but in the cooler seasons it provides a breath-taking environment, one that is often overlooked by those wanting to shuttle between the Atlas Mountains and Marrakech. Upon arrival, you will have about 2-hours to enjoy the ATV activity that is included. Then, enjoy this secluded desert hideaway overlooking the vast Moroccan wilderness, framed by olive trees and organic gardens. This magical place offers the opportunity to commune with nature. Enjoy lunch and then relax near the swimming pool or under a tent. Later enjoy a 40-minute scenic camel ride. After a safety briefing, don your Nomad dress with the shish (turban) and climb into the saddle on the back of a camel and relax as you enjoy a ride through the hills, take your camera out to snap some photos of the beautiful sunset as the sky changes colors through the stunning views. When your ride is complete, toast the sunset before dinner under the starry skies in a Berber tent.
After breakfast, drive towards the High Atlas Mountains through traditional Berber villages and picturesque valleys. Arrive in Imlil, a small Berber village located in the foothills of the High Atlas Mountains. Meet your local mountain guide and start your trekking adventure through the surrounding Mountains and explore the traditional Berber villages along the way. Your guide will tell you about the local culture and history of the area. Arrive at a scenic spot and enjoy a traditional Berber lunch with a local family. The meal will include salads, tagine or couscous, and fresh bread, all made with locally sourced ingredients. Continue your trek through the waterfalls and Mountains and take in the stunning views of the surrounding landscapes. Your guide will point out the local flora and fauna along the way. Return to Imlil and say farewell to your mountain guide. Continue to your hotel for dinner and overnight.
After breakfast, drive to Marrakech, the “Red City”, a majestic place filled with palaces, gardens, markets, and mosques. Stop at the Koutoubia Mosque with its 282 ft minaret, an architectural landmark dating back to the late 12th century. Continue to the 19th century stunning Bahia Palace and discover the intricate work done by the local artisans to decorate this splendid home built by a powerful Vizir for his harem. The building includes one hundred and fifty rooms, countless courtyards and interior gardens, a veritable labyrinth of corridors, a Koranic school, hammams, a harem, stables. From there you will explore artisan quarters and the colorful souks to interact with the real life of Marrakech people. Continue to Dar El Bacha Museum of Confluences, built in 1910. It was the residence of Thami El Glaoui, named Pasha of Marrakech by Sultan Moulay Youssef in 1912. It is one of the medina's finest examples of Riad architecture, dripping with Moroccan Zellige (colorful geometric tilework), intricate white plasterwork and heavy carved cedar-wood lintels. Before sunset you will visit Jemaa El Fna.. Located at the entrance of the Medina, this triangular square is surrounded by restaurants, stands and public buildings, and provides everyday commercial activities and various forms of entertainment. It is a magical circus where fortune tellers, henna artists, fire eaters, snake charmers, dancing wild costumed monkeys, story tellers, hypnotic medicine-men, cross dressers, tooth pullers, musicians including real Gnaoua, and acrobats gather in a cacophonic feast. After the tour, drive to The Bennounas Farm, a Berber-style modern villa, set in a spectacular location with the Atlas Mountains in the background.
After breakfast, start your day with a guided Tibetan. After a light lunch, it’s time for a hammam where you’ll be immersed in a typical Moroccan atmosphere filled with water, oils, essences, and perfumes. Enjoy a 30-min. scrub done by expert hands with black soap or soothing spices eliminating toxins from your body. After the Hammam, you’ll experience a 30-min. traditional massage to eliminate tensions and gain energy and vitality. A tea is served in the relaxing room or by the pool where fresh drinks are at your disposal. Around 4:30 preparations start for your cooking class. First, collect vegetables from the garden (if season permits) then bring them to the kitchen to begin your immersive experience with Azzeddine, who has received 3 stars for his restaurant Zitoune in New York. You will dine on the food you cooked. After dinner, enjoy the sunset on the terrace of the villa or continue the always captivating conversation with the hosts.
Today, the day of return has come and say goodbye and return home with your memory full of memories and in your luggage.
Depending on departure, more free time then departure from your Riad / hotel and transfer to the airport and flight home.
- Included
- Private 4*4 Transport & Airport Transfers: Fully-Escorted
- Professional driver English speaking
- 7 Nights Authentic, Stylish Accommodation
- Visite to Val d'Argane
- Trekking to Atlas Mountains including lunch with a local family
- Day retreat at the Bennounas Farm with Lunch , cooking class, and Dinner
- Certified Marrakech Medina Guide
- Healthy fresh Moroccan meals
- Mineral water provided throughout the trip
- Added peace of mind with Excellent Trip Advisor reviews










