Marrakech

You will be greeted upon your arrival in Marrakech and taken to your riad in the city's historic medina. This evening is yours to relax and explore your surroundings at your own pace. You'll be on the outskirts of the historic medina, just a short drive from the hustle and bustle of Jemaa el Fna Plaza and its famous nighttime food market. La Maison Arabe is a big hotel in the manner of a traditional riad, featuring three restaurants, a piano bar, and a spa that includes a traditional hammam. All 12 rooms and 14 suites have opulent bathrooms adorned with Moroccan marble and granite, and many also feature cosy fireplaces and private balconies.  

Extra : You can choose to participate in a session at Maison Arabe's renowned cookery school, led by a dada (traditional Moroccan cook) or one of the hotel's own chefs. Traditionally, a three-course Moroccan meal is cooked in groups of no more than ten people.  

Overnight Stay at La Maison Arabe 

Marrakech

Start your half-day Marrakech orientation with a visit to the famous Koutoubia Mosque after meeting your own private guide. Start in the lively Jemaa el Fna Plaza and make your way to the chic shopping neighbourhood of Gueliz. Every night, this main plaza comes alive with the sounds of music and laughter from the many street performers who set up shop among the food vendors and outdoor cafes. You are free to go about or take a cab around town all afternoon. Explore the souks of the medina, where a wealth of hand-made products awaits and haggling is the norm.  

Overnight Stay at La Maison Arabe 

Marrakech

Leave the chaos of the medina and step into the tranquilly of the fabled Palmeraie with its breathtaking vistas of the mountains around Marrakech in a vintage sidecar. Go back in time to the glitzy 1930s with a visit to Gueliz and the Majorelle Gardens, designed by Yves St. Laurent. Have some free time in the 1920s-era gardens designed by the orientalist painter Jacques Majorelle. A bright cobalt colour called "Majorelle blue," after the artist Claude Monet, stands out against the lush greenery of exotic plants and the white walls of an Art Deco home. The Yves Saint. Laurent Museum (just down the street) houses a vast collection of the designer's masterpieces and opened at the same time as the YSL Museum in Paris; the Berber Museum (also on the grounds) features authentic Berber dress, jewellery, and antiques. The rest of today is free time.  

Overnight Stay at La Maison Arabe 

The Atlas Mountains

Leave Marrakech and head towards the Atlas Mountains today. Get off the road and check out multimedia artist André Heller's spectacular ANIMA Gardens on the way there. Concealed walkways lead to deep gardens and enchanted groves stocked with bizarre sculptures. Unexpected water features pop up, and trees are engraved with strange designs. From here, you can keep going into the Atlas Mountains to the Kasbah Bab Ourika. The Kasbah in the Ourika Valley is a fantastically remote alpine retreat. Its lack of airs and grace is a welcome contrast to the breathtaking location, which looks out over traditional Berber settlements and the green river valley below. There's no better place to unwind and get out and see the sights than this beautiful place, where the hosts go out of their way to make you feel at home and serve you fantastic food (most of which comes from their organic garden). Each of the hotel's 26 rooms has been thoughtfully designed and is outfitted with modern amenities.  

Overnight Stay at The Kasbah Bab Ourika 

The Atlas Mountains

After breakfast, you and your mountain guide will set off down a creek, through a shaded pine grove, and on to a rough trail that will bring you to the picturesque Berber village of Tagadirte by 11 a.m. After meeting a warm and welcoming Berber family, you'll share a traditional meal with them and gain insight into daily living in a remote mountain village. After lunch, continue on foot past the salt vats, a valuable economic resource, and down the valley's easy road to the hotel. The rest of the day is yours to do with as you please.  

Overnight Stay at The Kasbah Bab Ourika 

Skoura, Atlas Mountains

Return to the ancient caravan trading route that crossed the Atlas Mountains via the tribal pass. See the picturesque hilltop fortress of Ait Benhaddou, a favourite of modern filmmakers. Go through the historic district and chat with the local Berbers who have chosen to remain in the area. The Kingdom of Heaven and Gladiator sets are unmistakable. Next, check into your hotel in Skoura. Located in the middle of the palm grove of Skoura, which is famous for its many kasbahs, is Les Jardins de Skoura. It contains just five large bedrooms and three suites, a series of terraces, a pool beneath the olive trees, and a fantastic restaurant, and it is surrounded by beautiful, aromatic gardens. This is a great place to rest and recharge before heading back over the mountains, and it also serves as a great starting point for exploring the surrounding area.  

Overnight Stay at Les Jardins de Skoura 

Skoura

Spend another day hiking with your local guide to the summits of Skoura. See numerous beautiful kasbahs and learn about the region's irrigation system, which is essential to the region's renowned flower production. After lunch at the hotel, you'll take a quad bike trip to Ouarzazate this afternoon. It's time to head back to Skoura for the night.  

Les Jardins de Skoura 

Skoura to Marrakech

After some free time, you'll be driven to Ouarzazate to catch your flight to Marrakesh for the evening. Dinner and a belly-dancing spectacle await you tonight at Comptoir Darna, a popular restaurant in Marrakech featuring dishes from throughout the world.  

Overnight Stay at Riad Le Maison Arabe 

Depart Home

Private transfer to the airport after breakfast so you can catch your flight home.  

Depart