The 'pink city' of Marrakech lies just to the north of the Atlas Mountains and enjoys a pleasant climate all year round. In the winter the snow-clad summits of the High Atlas rise majestically on the horizon, providing a magnificent backdrop to this exotic city. We have time to explore the palace walls, the old medina, museums and gardens as well as wandering through the bustling alleyways and souks. The colourful Djemaa el Fna is not to be missed - an ancient square where spice sellers vie for space with acrobats and snake charmers, musicians and monkey tamers. While in the Atlas Mountains we are based in the spectacular Kasbah du Toubkal, only a short walk from the Berber villages of Imlil and Aremd. On all sides striking peaks loom over the green and fertile valley. From the Kasbah the view includes the highest mountain in North Africa, Toubkal. To the sides of the valley are traditional terraced fields and orchards, farmed as they were centuries ago. Our day walks and discovery tours are designed to deliver the best views and greatest understanding of this historic and charming area.
During the summer the valley is busy with trekkers, western and Moroccan, keen to explore the region and climb the peaks; the village of Imlil buzzes with the excitement of their expeditions. At other times the valley reverts to its quiet rural roots. All seasons have their charm and we offer the oportunity to take this trip every week of the year either as part of a normal group of as a private departure.
Extend your stay: extra accommodation can be booked at Hotel Diwane in Marrakech, £53 per night in double/twin room, £39 in a single. There is a £5 booking fee in each case.
Private departures with a dedicated guide are possible for families on this holiday. Please call exodus (00 44) 0870 240 5550 or email: sales@exodus.co.uk for further details.
Further Information
Special equipment required: walking boots, small daypack, light waterproofs and sun protection. October to May: warm jacket and trousers, hat and gloves. We recommend modest dress for both sexes, with knees and shoulders covered. Extra expenses: For drinks allow £25, (more if you will be buying alcohol). In the souk a whole range of goods is available, both cheap and expensive. Credit cards are widely used and ATM machines are the best source of funds in Marrakech.
Meals Included: 7 breakfasts, 5 lunches and 7 dinners.
(Depending on flight arrival time either an evening meal will be provided on day 1 or a lunch on day 2)
Transport: we use minibuses for airport transfers and for the journeys between Marrakech and Imlil
Children: The standard group departures are not available to children under 16, but families can book private departures. Please call exodus (00 44) 0870 240 5550 or email: sales@exodus.co.uk for further details.
Joining locally: the land only joining and end point is the Diwane Hotel in Marrakech. It is about 20 minutes by taxi from Marrakech airport. A taxi will cost about 250 Dirhams (approx £17).
Group & Staff
Group departures min. 6, max. 16, plus leader.
Private departures min. 2, max. 16, plus leader.
Accommodation
In Marrakech we stay in the modern but traditionally-decorated 4-star Diwane Hotel. It is located just outside the medina and is only a short taxi ride or pleasent walk to the city centre. Whilst in the Atlas Mountains we stay in the beautifully-situated Kasbah du Toubkal. So stunning is its location and atmosphere, Martin Scorsese used the Kasbah to film his Tibetan epic Kundun. It was built in the 1940s and restored in the 1990s to its present glory. The Kasbah's responsible tourism policy ensures the local population gain employment, a policy highly commended in the BA Tourism For Tomorrow awards 2002.
Food
Breakfast in Marrakech is an extensive buffet with a wide selection of hot and cold food. Dinners here feature Moroccan and international cooking. At the Kasbah we start the day with croissants and crepes or "tanourte", a delicious pan-cooked bread. Dinners feature tajines, oven-cooked meat stews flavoured with olives, plums, dates and gentle spices, and harira, a rich and savoury soup. Couscous and kebabs are other Moroccan favourites, while the French-influenced dishes feature mainly lamb and chicken. Vegetarians are welcome, but please advise at the time of booking. In both hotels you can buy Moroccan wine; the country produces a wide variety, from light whites to some very robust reds.
Fly to Marrakech on the GB Airways flight from Heathrow (some departures fly Royal Air Maroc via Casablanca). Transfer to the hotel Diwane.
Day 2
In the morning we tour the beautiful gardens of Marrakech: Menara, Majorelle and Agdal as well as the walls of the Kings Palace. After lunch there’s free time to explore. In the late afternoon we transfer to the Kasbah du Toubkal.
Day 3
A gentle exploratory walk. Leaving the green fields and walnut trees of Imlil and Aremd, we follow the Mizane valley to the small shrine of Sidi Chamharouch at 2310m, a place of pilgrimage for many Moroccans. About 4 hours walking on well-defined mountain paths.
Day 4
A full day devoted to traditional Berber life; we visit local villages and learn about a typical day of a Berber family. We have a walk in the surrounding valley and study the agricultural methods little changed over 1000 years.
Day 5
Today we walk through the leafy orchards at the edge of the valley to Tizi Mzik (Mzik pass), where we are rewarded with magnificent views over the valley and village.
Day 6
Free time in the morning to relax in the wonderful surroundings of the Kasbah before heading off, by mini bus, to the green and lush Ouirgane valley for lunch. In the afternoon we visit the Tamesloht Kasbah and the surrounding village, once an ancient religious centre founded by Moulay Cherif Abdellah Ben Hossain in 1563. We visit the potters' cooperative that supplies most of the souks of Marrakech. In the late afternoon we return to the city.
Day 7
A morning guided tour of Marrakech, including the Dar Si Said Museum & Bahia Palace, then onwards to the famous central square, Djemaa El Fna and bustling souk. The afternoon is free for souvenir shopping and last minute sightseeing. In the evening, for our farewell dinner, we will eat at a traditional Moroccan restaurant.
Day 8
In the morning we transfer to the airport for our flight back to London.
Departures Between
Price from
28 Aug 2004 11 Sep 2004
*£635
12 Feb 2005
*£650
15 May 2004 29 May 2004 16 Oct 2004 30 Oct 2004
*£660
*Prices subject to confirmation
Local payment 1200 Dirhams (approx. £80). Single room supplement £255
The 'pink city' of Marrakech lies just to the north of the Atlas Mountains and enjoys a pleasant climate all year round. In the winter the snow-clad summits of the High Atlas rise majestically on the horizon, providing a magnificent backdrop to this exotic city. We have time to explore the palace walls, the old medina, museums and gardens as well as wandering through the bustling alleyways and souks. The colourful Djemaa el Fna is not to be missed - an ancient square where spice sellers vie for space with acrobats and snake charmers, musicians and monkey tamers. While in the Atlas Mountains we are based in the spectacular Kasbah du Toubkal, only a short walk from the Berber villages of Imlil and Aremd. On all sides striking peaks loom over the green and fertile valley. From the Kasbah the view includes the highest mountain in North Africa, Toubkal. To the sides of the valley are traditional terraced fields and orchards, farmed as they were centuries ago. Our day walks and discovery tours are designed to deliver the best views and greatest understanding of this historic and charming area.
During the summer the valley is busy with trekkers, western and Moroccan, keen to explore the region and climb the peaks; the village of Imlil buzzes with the excitement of their expeditions. At other times the valley reverts to its quiet rural roots. All seasons have their charm and we offer the oportunity to take this trip every week of the year either as part of a normal group of as a private departure.
Extend your stay: extra accommodation can be booked at Hotel Diwane in Marrakech, £53 per night in double/twin room, £39 in a single. There is a £5 booking fee in each case.
Private departures with a dedicated guide are possible for families on this holiday. Please call exodus (00 44) 0870 240 5550 or email: sales@exodus.co.uk for further details.
Further Information
Special equipment required: walking boots, small daypack, light waterproofs and sun protection. October to May: warm jacket and trousers, hat and gloves. We recommend modest dress for both sexes, with knees and shoulders covered. Extra expenses: For drinks allow £25, (more if you will be buying alcohol). In the souk a whole range of goods is available, both cheap and expensive. Credit cards are widely used and ATM machines are the best source of funds in Marrakech.
Meals Included: 7 breakfasts, 5 lunches and 7 dinners.
(Depending on flight arrival time either an evening meal will be provided on day 1 or a lunch on day 2)
Transport: we use minibuses for airport transfers and for the journeys between Marrakech and Imlil
Children: The standard group departures are not available to children under 16, but families can book private departures. Please call exodus (00 44) 0870 240 5550 or email: sales@exodus.co.uk for further details.
Joining locally: the land only joining and end point is the Diwane Hotel in Marrakech. It is about 20 minutes by taxi from Marrakech airport. A taxi will cost about 250 Dirhams (approx £17).
Group & Staff
Group departures min. 6, max. 16, plus leader.
Private departures min. 2, max. 16, plus leader.
Accommodation
In Marrakech we stay in the modern but traditionally-decorated 4-star Diwane Hotel. It is located just outside the medina and is only a short taxi ride or pleasent walk to the city centre. Whilst in the Atlas Mountains we stay in the beautifully-situated Kasbah du Toubkal. So stunning is its location and atmosphere, Martin Scorsese used the Kasbah to film his Tibetan epic Kundun. It was built in the 1940s and restored in the 1990s to its present glory. The Kasbah's responsible tourism policy ensures the local population gain employment, a policy highly commended in the BA Tourism For Tomorrow awards 2002.
Food
Breakfast in Marrakech is an extensive buffet with a wide selection of hot and cold food. Dinners here feature Moroccan and international cooking. At the Kasbah we start the day with croissants and crepes or "tanourte", a delicious pan-cooked bread. Dinners feature tajines, oven-cooked meat stews flavoured with olives, plums, dates and gentle spices, and harira, a rich and savoury soup. Couscous and kebabs are other Moroccan favourites, while the French-influenced dishes feature mainly lamb and chicken. Vegetarians are welcome, but please advise at the time of booking. In both hotels you can buy Moroccan wine; the country produces a wide variety, from light whites to some very robust reds.
