Simply Morocco.

SOUKS  &  SQUARE HALF  DAY:

This half day excursion will give you the opportunity to discover life in the old city of Marrakech. So the main part of the visit will be the Souk which is the old and traditional market divided into many different sections :  each part of these markets is devoted to a different, traditional work.

First you see the old hotels where the tradesman used to stay with their caravans. Then you will visit the section where you see the carpenters, then the dyers or the dye markets where the wool is dyed for making carpets. After visit the craftsmen who paint on wood. Then those who work copper, brass, and silver. The walk will take you to the blacksmiths market as well as the leather market.

During your walk you will also stop to visit MEDERSA BEN YOUSSEF : the old university of Marrakech which was built in the 14^TH century where students used to live and study all the medieval sciences such as astronomy, algebra & mathematics, medicine & chemistry as well as theology, literature & philosophy.

Inside you will discover a large courtyard decorated with carved plaster & mosaics as well as carved cedar wood. In the middle there is a rectangular basin and on one side you see the small mosque for the prayer of the students covered with a wooden dome made of carved and painted wood. This is one of the most beautiful and interesting monuments in the city of  Marrakech.

After your visit of  MEDERSA  BEN  YOUSSEF , we continue visiting the traditional Souk with a walk along the KISSARIA with its colourful shops & bazaars. The walk will end in the square of JAMAA EL FNA where you will have free time to see the dancers & singers from different tribes, snake charmers, acrobats, story tellers, and fortune tellers … an occasion to admire this open air theatre from the terrace of a cafe drinking a glass of traditional mint tea.

ESSAOUIRA FULL  DAY:

ESSAOUIRA which was better known as MOGADOR, is a charming little town and seaside resort in which we visit the old MEDINA dating back to the 18^th century and the old Portuguese fortress.

In the morning we live Marrakech taking the road to the west and to the ATLANTIC ocean.

ESSAOUIRA lies at only 160 km from Marrakech, before arriving in Essaouira we pass a forest of ARGAN trees, which only exist in south west Morocco and Mexico.

The ARGAN tree is an ever green tree which gives fruits that the people here use to extract oil. You also see goats climbing up the trees to graze up the fruits and the leaves.

We start the visit from the MEDINA where you will see a number of markets full of different kinds of goods as well as small shops. We will also visit the MELLAH which used to be the Jewish quarter of ESSAOUIRA and the SKALA which is the old Portuguese fortress dating to the 16^thcentury and where you see the old cannons of Spanish origins. They are  made of bronze and some date from the 18^th century. Essaouira was built in 1760 by SIDI  MOHAMED  BEN  ABDELLAH.

The whole town extends over a low and marrow promontory, widely exposed to heavy tides in winter. Visitors will be surprised by its rectilinear streets which make it different to any other MEDINA in Morocco.

At the end of the visit we go to the harbour for lunch in a restaurant from which you can see the fishermen coming back from the sea and unloading their fish.

Free time after you have finished all your visits.

PALACES  &  MONUMENTS HALF  DAY: We start this historical visit from the KOUTOUBIA mosque where we can admire from outside one of the oldest minaret in north Africa and which is now one of the symbols of the old city of Marrakech.

The KOUTOUBIA dates back to the 12^th century and it was built by the 3^rd dynasty called ALMORAVIDS in a place considered as one of the most important in history of the city, measuring over 70 meters high than 12 meters along each side. This minaret with its fine architectural style is one of the Jewel of Moroccan art.

Visit to the BAHIA palace to have an idea of a Moroccan palace and its architecture. This palace was built by SI  MOUSSA, the prime minister of king SIDI MOHAMED BEN ABDERRAHMAN and by his son BA AHMED. The architect who designed the different apartments was EL HAJ MOHAMED AL MESFIWI in Andalousian traditions and taught by the Frenchman ERKMANN.

First we arrive in the courtyard paced with marble and surrounded by galleries.

After we arrive at a large Moorish garden planted with cypresses, banana, orange trees and jasmine. There are many fine rooms arranged on both sides of the garden and in particular a large reception room decorated with carved plaster ceramics and painted ceilings.

After we continue to the Alaouite style palace : Dar Si Saïd, built in the 19^th century by Saïd, brother of the grand vizier Ba Ahmed, has been the home of the Marrakech Museum of Moroccan arts. Such as : Southern Moroccan Crafts, from furniture and carpets to weapons and pottery, costumes and jewellery.

FANTASIA  DINNER:

This is the most spectacular show you can see in Morocco. It is the imitation of a real Moroccan celebration that would gather a number of different tribes and thousands of people.

As soon as you arrive you will be welcomed by the horsemen that will perform the show of the fantasia at the end of the evening. Then you will be welcomed by the different folkloric troops representing different regions of Morocco.

Dinner will be a typical Moroccan meal that would be served in such an occasion : several dishes of fine Moroccan cuisine.

During dinner each folklore troop will perform its traditional dancing and singing.

At the end of the meal, you will be invited outside to see the horsemen who charge and shoot in the air using their old powder rifles.

 This show is linked to the wars that used to take place between the tribes many generations ago, now it is only part of the Moroccan traditions.

OUARZAZATE FULL  DAY:

Journey across the high ATLAS mountains to what is considered as a gateway to the SAHARA desert.

First passing the HAOUZ plain of which Marrakech is the centre, then we arrive at the ATLAS mountains where we can admire beautiful scenery : there are small villages made of clay and stone on the side of the hills and inhabited by Berber people who are considered to the first inhabitants of Morocco.

The crossing of the high ATLAS mountains will take around 3 hours and will be divided into two parts.

First stop is to the summit of TIZI N’TICHKA and the 2^nd stop is to OUARZAZATE.

TIZI N’TICHKA is the region of the high ATLAS that faces the west thus it receives a lot of rain and snow from the ATLANTIC ocean. This region is green. The scenery will change completely as we start crossing the south east and the SAHARA. This region is the place where you start feeling the SAHARA with its beautiful scenery of dry rocks and green valleys. Magnificent architecture of the berbers. Especially the KASBAHS which were built centuries ago to protect themselves from their enemies.

These KASBAHS are fortresses built of clay and stone and represent a unique architecture style that you could only see in south Morocco. Some of these KASBAHS are still inhabited, and we will stop to see one of the most beautiful called AIT BEN HADDOU.

From the KASBAH we drive down to OUARZAZATE which is a big administrative centre in the south of Morocco.

THE  VALLEY  OF  OURIKA FULL  DAY:

We leave Marrakech taking the route to the mountain range in north Africa where the highest peak rises up to 4165 meters.

The road crosses a green plane where the country people live on agriculture. They grow barley, wheat and different kinds of fruits vegetables.

The first valley is called OURIKA. Inhabited by a tribe of Berbers living in small communities in their village which is made of clay and stone. This tribe was ruled by a chief called CAID OURIKI who lived in the KASBAH next to the most important village in the valley : the OURIKA village.

We will stop at this village to visit the local market, this rural market is the gathering place for all inhabitants of the valley and the place where they sell their products. These people start their journey to the market early morning on their donkeys and mules carrying their goods.

On arrival in the market place we see the place where they leave their donkeys. Its amazing to see dozens and dozens of animals standing one next to the other …

Inside the market we see hundreds of people selling and buying all different kinds of goods : you will also discover the traditional cafes and restaurants of this rural market.

After we continue along this valley across a series of beautiful villages built on the hill and the slopes of the mountains stopping from time to time to take pictures and admire the beautiful pottery made by the craftsmen in their villages …

MOROCCAN NIGHTS: 

IN THE HEART OF THE MARRAKECH SOUQ , COME AND DISCOVER THE TRADITIONNAL MOROCCAN HOSPITALITY.

WE HAVE SELECTED FOR YOU AN EVENING DINER / SHOW WHICH WILL TAKE YOU BACK TO THE MOROCCO OF BYGONE TIMES .

THE RESTAURANT DAR HADJ IDDER IS SITUATED IN PALATIAL SURROUNDINGS AND OFFERS YOU THE SAME TYPE OF FOOD AND ENTERTAINEMENT THAT WAS AFFORDED TO THE SULTANS OF YESTERYEAR .

RICHLY DECORATED WITH FINE BROCADES AND FURNISHED WITH ANTIQUES SOME OF WHICH DATE BACK TO THE 18^th CENTURY, DAR HADJ IDDER IS REALLY SOMETHING DIFFERENT. TOGETHER WITH THE NATIONAL DISHES SERVED ALL OF WHICH ARE OF A VERY HIGH STANDARD AND THE EXCELLENT SERVICE , THE ROMANTISICISM AND SHEER BEAUTY OF THE BELLY DANCERS WILL LEAVE YOU ASTOUNDED .

 THERE IS REALLY NO BETTER WAY TO CONCLUDE YOUR STAY IN MOROCCO THAN SAMPLING THE TRULY ROMANTIC ATMOSPHERE OF THIS FAMOUS RESTAURANT .

IMLIL WITH 4WD:  Departure from Marrakech in 4WD, on the road of Tahanaoute. Asni and finally Imlil. A valley opens in front of us, On the foot of the highest mountain of Morocco, Jbel Toubkal (4165m). This site called Imlil (1740m) is 64km in the south of Marrakech. Imlil is populated by a Berber tribe the “Aït-Mizzane”.

In the heart of the Atlas. It is the starting point of the most of the excursions to the solid mass of Toubkal.

This excursion is known to join the traditions of the inhabitants of this region with the natural richness: Villages, tops, valleys, valleys fruit-bearing and rivers.

 Al Menara Sound & Light Show:

An exceptional and unforgettable evening in the splendid field royal of Menara. Discover the magic of the Show Al Menara, reflections and wonders and its fairyhood of lights, sounds, its symphony watery pyrotechnics and the enthusiastic play of the acrobats, dancers and actors.