Excursions Informations

HIGH ATLAS & DESERT

Full comfort 4WD excursion along Tizi N’test road through Tahanaout, to a dramatic mountain pass at 4000 feet altitude with wide views of the Kik plateau and it’s intensely farmed hills, ancient olive trees and stunning views of High Atlas mountains.

Through Asni valley, its apple orchards and bountiful hills of nut trees, on the way to Ouirgane valley, where forested vales alternate with arid landscapes to provide an exceptional display of fauna & flora.

On past the ancient salt marshes of Marigha to Lalla Takerkoust reservoir, an artificial lake more than 4 miles long, the light shining blue & green along hills of eucalyptus forest. The impressive dam itself dates back to the Protectorate. A cool haven of peace at the gates of bustling Marrakesh.

From the lake, our itinerary takes you through arid landscapes, where the few villages of adobe houses and farms blend in with the earthen hills, before emerging into a desert with breathtakingly wide views of High Atlas then crossing the N’fis wadi (non permanent river) on our way back to a late afternoon return to Marrakesh.

OURIKA VALLEY

Day excursion to the heart of foothills of the High Atlas, 1500 ft above Marrakech and less than an hour’s drive away. Settled from time immemorial by Berber tribes, the Ourika is one of the best preserved valleys in Morocco.

Explore the bio-aromatic gardens of Nektarome, the first biological garden of aromatic and medicinal plants in Morocco, enjoy first hand access to this bounty of sights, smells and tastes where you can learn to identify plants, natural perfumes and savoury ingredients. Better still, you can taste them as an infusion or as an ingredient of your freshly prepared lunch.

Our walking tour takes you along the left bank of the Ourika oued (or wadi, semi-permanent river), to discover one of the most beautiful valleys of the Atlas, the traditional Berber communities and their adobe villages dramatically carved from the hillside, where flocks of goats or sheep wander the olive groves & fruit orchards lining this green valley.

MARRAKESH HIGH ATLAS HIKE

Depart Marrakech, through Tahanaout, at the first foothills of the High Atlas mountain, where wide open fields give way to green valleys and sharp summits. The road follows the Reghaya wadi alternating bottom and top of the valley before climbing up a dramatic, 15 minute pass leading to Asni and it’s orchards of apple and hills of nut trees. Left then to Imlil, at the entrance of Toubkal national park and departure point for our hike which will take us to neighbouring villages: Mzik & Arhene, with beautiful views of Toubkal, the roof of North Africa at 4167 m.
Lunch then onwards, towards Aremd circus, a green meadow at the foot of a traditional village of red stones build on glacial residue spanning the valley. We descend toward Mizane, on along a small irrigation canal meandering through nut tree groves to reach Targa Timulay and finally return to Imlil to board our awaiting vehicle and return to Marrakech.

ZAT VALLEY DAY EXCURSION

About 30 miles out of Marrakech, the green Zat valley is not only amazing but also unspoilt, as it is well off the beaten paths.

The Zat valley takes it name from the wadi (impermanent river) that flows there with quiet paths meandering through ancestral fields and dramatic cliff villages, where people display warm, generous hospitality, then up and on towards the Yagour plateau, famous its ancient rock paintings.
On site, our guide offers either chauffeur driven all terrain vehicles or mule back rides for a closer, more intimate experience of this magnificent valley.
This grand day adventure offers immensely beautiful landscapes, exceptional views, amazing encounters & unforgettable memories.

Tighdouine (teerdween) is a must see, especially on a Wednesday to witness the weekly market. Tighdouine is the gateway to seven natural water springs, one of which provides sparkling water! These waters are famous throughout the kingdom for their curative virtues. Further along the mule track, we visit Talatast and its famed potters.

Should you wish to stay the night or otherwise customize your experience, we’d be happy to provide tailored solutions. Discover another Morocco through carefully selected up-and-coming destinations and a wide range activities from quiet family strolls to full adrenaline package or breathtakingly intimate moments. Dormant treasures are revealed far from the beaten paths. Choose the road less traveled to discover the generous, earthen hospitality of a historic culture spanning the desert and the ocean for thousands of years.

ESSAOUIRA (ES AWIRA)

Charif, our specialized guide with a BA in Moroccan History, will lead you on a discovery of the intimate alleys within the walls and the windswept ocean landscapes beyond. This world heritage site holds a bounty of architectural & cultural heritage. The Squala, the fortified city walls, the Bab Marrakesh bastion, laid out for you. In the old medina, discover a rich selection of fine craftsmanship, refined thuya woodworks, weavers, sculptures, jewelers, painters and musicians. A few miles away, discover unique venues to step out of time such as Imsouane, Sidi Kaouki, Mescala, or the Val d’Argan domain.

Essaouira Kasbah,
Facing a sometimes angry Atlantic, the Kasbah Sqala is a 200 yard long, heavily fortified rampart lined with Portuguese, where Sultan Sidi Mohammed installed his corsairs. It also featured in Orson Welles’ Othello and season 3 of Games of Thrones.

A MARRAKECH STROLL

Charif our knowledgeable guide will be delighted to take you on a guided stroll through the ancient and exotic alleys, stalls & workshops hosting all manners of exquisite traditional craftsmanship, along shaded galleries of ancient sultan palaces, helping foodies explore the four cardinal points of Berber culinary traditions or the throng of Jama El Fna night food market as dusks fall on this open air stage

Marrakesh’s name comes from the Tamazight words Muur meaning ‘country’ and Akuush meaning ‘God’, which would make it ‘The land of God’. Another meaning might be ‘rangelands’. The Medina is the beating heart of this millennial town, spanning 1500 acres, one of the largest medinas in Morocco and the most populated. Founded in 11th century as a military camp, its refined urbanism made extensive use of then empty rangelands, expanding the ramparts dramatically as this market city grew into a major hub for the medieval commercial caravans spanning the desert from Atlantic to the Red Sea and as far south as Timbuktu. The almoravide added a fortified kasbah to protect the city from Haouz raiders and thereby ensuring a flourishing dynasty.