Marrakech and Atlas Mountains
Wednesday 02 October 2019 - Monday 07 October 2019
(5 nights)
From £919.00
Listed by Spice Holidays
Overview
This 6-day tour is packed with adventure, fun and relaxation, giving you a real taste of authentic Morocco. You'll spend a couple of nights in a riad in the heart of Marrakech's medina, the perfect location to explore the colourful markets and souks. After a scenic trip through lakes and mountains you'll arrive at Kasbah Africa where you'll spend the remainder of your trip visiting Berber villages, learning to cook tagine, camel trekking or simply relaxing in the mountains.
WHY MOROCCO?
In a place referred to as ‘the country that travels within you’, Morocco’s richly exotic and entrancing culture taps into all the senses. Take one tiny step out of Europe, and discover it’s a huge leap into a bold, richly exotic and enchanting world. It’s the gateway to Africa, and one of the few places that is so tantalising close to the UK yet offers such an incredible contrast
The tour operator for this flight inclusive holiday is Spice UK Ltd (ATOL 9046). This holiday is protected by the Civil Aviation Authority under the ATOL scheme in the event of failure of the tour operator. Spice UK Ltd holiday terms and conditions apply, as supplied with the full holiday information pack. Your money is protected via our trust account in compliance with EC travel regulations
Includes
Flights, transfers, 5 breakfasts, 5 evening meals and 3 lunches. 2 nights Riad accommodation in Marrakech, 3 nights Kasbah accommodation in the Atlas Mountains. Professional instructions, English-speaking guidesExtras
Insurance available through Spice UK if required. Single supp. £280. Some drinks & some meals, optional excursions and personal extras.Location & Itinerary
Day 1. Arrive Marrakech
Upon arriving in Marrakech, you'll be transferred to Riad Africa, a luxurious, authentic and charming riad hotel in the heart of the medina and just a five minute walk from Djemaa el Fna. The rest of the day is yours to explore - plunge into the bustle and bargains of the colourful bazaars or simply relax on the roof terrace of the riad.
Riad Africa
Meals included: dinner
Day 2. Explore Marrakech. Afternoon free for optional excursions
After a leisurely breakfast, half of the group will spend the morning on a privately guided tour to introduce you to some of the popular attractions of Marrakech's famous souks and medina, an ancient walled city renowned for its architecture and colourful open-air markets. You'll discover the Djemaa el Fna, the Koutoubia Mosque and Ben Youssef Madrasa as well as a maze of alleys and souks that typify old Marrakech. In the Djemaa el Fna, a huge public square and market place in the centre, we'll learn about its fascinating history whilst being surrounded by acrobats, jugglers, storytellers, snake-charmers, musicians and food sellers. The other half of the group will spend the morning at the cooking school, run by our trained chef who has over 30 years of experience in cooking Moroccan dishes. After a trip to the local market where you'll source ingredients, you'll head back to the riad for a traditional tea ceremony before starting the class. Fatim-Zahra will help you cook a variety of tasty recipes such as pastilla, tagine and couscous. You'll then enjoy the fruits of your labour for lunch on the terrace with a glass of wine. In the afternoon, each group will swap activities to either explore the medina or take part in the cooking school.
Riad Africa
Meals included: breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 3. Drive to Kasbah Africa in Atlas Mountains
The morning is at leisure for you to explore Marrakech before being transferred to the Atlas Mountains. We'll take a scenic route through Agafay Desert so that we can visit Lake Takarkoust, a 5000-hectare man-made lake originally built to provide power for Marrakech. We'll also stop at Moulay Brahim with a camel ride to old Asni, passing Berber villages and always with a spectacular backdrop of the High Atlas peaks. We'll arrive at Kasbah Africa mid afternoon, a tranquil setting perched on a mountainside with stunning views of the Azzaden Valley and a backdrop of the majestic peaks. Offering a high degree of exclusivity with just eight stone-built suites, this luxurious riverside retreat oozes Berber warmth and charm. Facilities include private star-gazing roof terraces, large swimming pool and lawn, Berber tent, extensive landscaped terraced gardens and a bar, lounge and restaurant with log fires.
Kasbah Africa
Meals included: breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 4. Explore Berber villages of the Atlas Mountains
Today will be spent exploring traditional villages in the Atlas Mountains, far away from the commercialisation seen in other valleys, where you'll meet the hospitable Berbers and learn how to make Berber bread. In the Azzaden Valley we'll follow a trail through orchards to Tassa Ouirgane village, passing walnut and almond trees, olive groves and numerous fruit trees including apple, peach, plum, apricots, quince, lemon and fig. We'll then visit the local village mill for a demonstration on how to make Berber bread. We’ll also learn about day to day village life. Lunch will be served back at Kasbah Africa, where you can spend the rest of the afternoon lazing by the pool or if you're feeling more active, there is an optional guided walk for no extra cost to Torort, a traditional Berber village.
Kasbah Africa
Meals included: breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 5. Azzaden Valley
On your penultimate day in the mountains, you can either spend the day relaxing by the pool at Kasbah Africa, or explore Azzaden Valley, a much quieter yet just as spectacular counterpart to the more crowded Atlas valleys. Here you can experience the local culture first-hand as you pass by tiny hamlets and villages scattered among deep gorges and juniper forests. On our last night at Kasbah Africa, we will enjoy an evening of Berber music, with traditional musicians around the fire pit - a real highlight of the trip and chance for you to experience authentic Morocco.
Accommodation: Kasbah Africa
Meals included: breakfast and dinner
Day 6. Depart Kasbah Africa and transfer to Marrakech airport
Meals included: breakfast
This trip includes 5 breakfasts, 3 lunches and 5 dinners. On your first full day, your meal will come from the fruits of your labour, as you will take part in the cooking school at Riad Africa - after a trip to the local market where you'll source ingredients, you'll head back to the riad for a traditional tea ceremony before starting the class. Fatim-Zahra will help you cook a variety of tasty recipes such as pastilla, tagine and couscous. For the rest of the time, you will enjoy a range of traditional dishes cooked by Moroccan chefs using fresh and locally sourced ingredients.
Travel & Stay
Accommodation will be reserved for you on a twin share basis in hotels unless you have already requested a single room at a supplementary cost. In Marrakech you will stay in Riad Africa, a luxurious, authentic and charming riad hotel in the heart of Marrakech medina and just five minutes’ walk from Djemaa el Fna. It is British & Dutch owned and managed but is run locally by a passionate and friendly local Moroccan team. It is a first-class category riad licensed by the Moroccan Ministry of Tourism. Facilities include two pools, spa and hammam service, African Bistro restaurant, African henna artist, sun terrace with Caidal tents, sun loungers, lounge with log fire, and more. In the mountains you will stay at Kasbah Africa, a luxurious riverside retreat with Berber warmth and charm in a tranquil setting with stunning views of the Azzaden Valley and a backdrop of the High Atlas peaks. Offering a high degree of exclusivity, the kasbah has stone-built suites, all with panoramic mountain and river views. Each suite has 40 square metres of living space and is furnished with hand-crafted walnut furniture with either two large singles or a super king size bed, wood burner, Berber rugs, a sofa and lounge chairs, spacious bathroom and private roof terrace offering spectacular and panoramic views – perfect for star-gazing. Facilities include a large swimming pool and lawn, Berber tent, extensive landscaped terraced gardens with abundant fruit and olive trees, a bar, lounge and restaurant with log fires, and of course panoramic river and mountain views.
Provisional Flight information
02/10/19 Gatwick to Marrakech Dep: 0625 Arr: 1005
07/10/19 Marrakech to Gatwick Dep: 1055 Arr: 1430
02/10/19 Manchester to Marrakech Dep: 0700 Arr: 1035
07/10/19 Marrakech to Manchester Dep: 2055 Arr: 0040(+1)
Marrakech and Atlas Mountains - Accommodation
| Type | Price | |
|---|---|---|
| Place in a twin share room | £0.00 | Sold Out |
| Place in a twin share room (Male only) | £0.00 | Sold Out |
| Single occupancy room | £280.00 | Sold Out |
Marrakech and Atlas Mountains
| Type | Price | |
|---|---|---|
| Manchester | £919.00 | Sold Out |
| London Gatwick | £959.00 | Sold Out |
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Host & Everything Else
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