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City & Sahara Experience
Morocco is a tapestry of colours. In Marrakesh, these range from the brilliant green, blue and white tiles of the mosques to the earthy ochre of the ramparts, and from the rich reds of the rugs to the deep pinks of the flowers in the gardens. Even the food is colourful, featuring courgettes, aubergines and red peppers. Beyond the city, enjoy the surprisingly lush greenery of the nearby Ourika Valley, followed by the spectacular and ever-changing colours of the desert, on our memorable journey into the sub-Saharan dunes. Nights: 7
Starting point: Riad in Marrakesh. Riads are atmospheric hotels found in historic districts of the city. Taking their name from the shaded, fragrant courtyard that the bedrooms all open onto, riads are intimate, typically Moroccan hotels. All have a roof terrace and individually styled (and sized) bedrooms, giving you various upgrade options. Breakfast only is included, leaving you free to take your pick of the eateries in the city, which range from street vendors selling local specialities to top-class restaurants. Hotel staff will be happy to make recommendations. We offer several riads in Marrakesh, and which one you stay in will depend on availability. Day 1: take your time to experience the unique atmosphere of Marrakesh, which is surrounded by ochre-coloured ramparts. To help you get your bearings, we include a half-day orientation tour which introduces you to the souks (markets) and finishes at Djemaa El Fna, the large open square that forms the heart of the city. It is here that dozens of acrobats, musicians, dancers and storytellers gather to amuse the crowds. Accommodation: Riad in Marrakesh, as above.
Day 2: you will be collected from your hotel and transferred to the Ourika Valley, one of the longest and most beautiful in the country, with lush vegetation, palm groves and Berber hamlets (in which you may well see Berber women weaving intricately patterned rugs). You set off through olive groves to an ochre-coloured village, then continue along a winding hillside path via another hamlet, the peak of Adrar n'Bou Tazete (3,050 metres) providing a dramatic backdrop. Lunch is taken on the banks of a river, and then you walk between ancient walnut groves and through a narrow, green valley to the Setti Fadma Cascades, where you may be lucky enough to see a Barbary Ape. You return to Marrakesh by taxi (4 hours' walking, plus 1-hour transfer each way). Accommodation: Riad in Marrakesh, as above.
Day 3: to make the long but remarkable journey across the mountains to the sub-Saharan dunes in one day (the return journey takes a more leisurely two days), today starts very early. Your guide collects you for the journey by 4WD vehicle across the Glaoua Plain, over the Tizi n'Tichka Pass in the High Atlas Mountains, and along the dramatic Oued Draa Valley. After lunch at a hotel in the small oasis town of Zagora, you continue south-east with your desert guide, passing through dunes to reach the ancient village of Tamegroute with its several kasbahs. Here you pause to visit the museum and library, which houses illuminated Koran scrolls produced on gazelle hide, some of Pythagoras' works, early maths text books and, most fascinating of all, some of Alexander the Great's original maps. Another drive brings you Oulad-Driss. Here you swap the jeep for a dromedary and begin your two-hour camel ride over the dunes and stony plateaux to the dunes of Erg Lihouïdi in time for a magnificent sunset. Strictly speaking, this is not the Sahara, but the scenery is the same. You may be able to enjoy a further hour-long circular ride through the dunes before dinner, if you so wish.
Accommodation: nomad-style tents, Erg Lihouïdi. These spacious, carpeted tents make for a comfortable night in the desert, though you may well wish to sleep out in the open air beneath the starry sky. Day 4: again, you have an early start, but this is usually rewarded with a spectacular sunrise, a chance to see the colours of the desert in all their glory. After a two-hour camel ride back across the dunes you rejoin the 4WD vehicle and travel for around two hours to Zagora, where you have the rest of the day free to relax at your hotel and stroll around the town, which is surrounded by palm groves and is famous for its succulent dates. Accommodation: hotel in Zagora (which one depends on availability - more details will be given at the time of booking - but all have a swimming pool).
Day 5: the drive back to Marrakesh takes you through the Valley of a Thousand Kasbahs. Your guide will be happy to make the occasional stop for photographs - the kasbah at Agdz is particularly photogenic - and it is usually possible to make a detour to the splendid Fint Oasis. The highlight, however, is Aït Ben Haddou, a Unesco World Heritage Site in recognition of the kasbahs' outstanding levels of preservation. So closely-knit are they that they appear to be one huge building of elaborately patterned pisé walls, elegant arches and crenellated ramparts. It is no wonder that scenes of from so many films, including Lawrence of Arabia, were shot here. After a light lunch, you continue north over the Adrar n'Deren Mountains to return to Marrakesh at around 7pm. Accommodation: Riad in Marrakesh, as above.
Day 6: your final day is free to enjoy the captivating atmosphere of Marrakesh one last time. Accommodation: Riad in Marrakesh, as above. Options for extending your holiday: we offer a 14-night Moroccan Experience which combines this holiday with our two Moroccan walking holidays, Through the Foothills and Beneath Djebel Toubkal. Alternatively, for a complete contrast and some fresh sea air, add three nights in Essaouira on the Atlantic Coast. With its ancient walls and archways, sheltered bay and bustling harbour, it’s a delightful place to relax, to explore the winding cobbled streets of the medina, or to stroll along the seafront and sample delicious fresh fish dishes at open air restaurants after watching the fishermen bring in their catch. Stay at one of our carefully selected riads, stylish hotels reflecting both the atmosphere and charm of this lovely city and offering first-class hospitality. Prices & travel
Prices are based on standard rooms at Riad Daria in Marrakesh Recommended destination airport: Marrakesh > Any queries? Let us call you back  |
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Travel by camel into the dunes 
