A Mystical Experience

  Marrakech is one of the four Imperial Cities and the mere mention of its name alone evokes tantalizing mystique and reflects the unmistakable charm of the Orient. At the dawn of Morocco’s history, Marrakech was one of the country’s most important cultural centres. The city gave Morocco its name and stood as the former capital of the country.

Absorbing influences from France, Spain and the rest of the Arab World, Marrakech has developed as one of Morocco’s most diverse cities, attracting artists and writers from around the world. The city itself has become one of Morocco’s greatest tourist draws.

Example Programme

DAY ONE
Assistance on arrival at Marrakesh airport. Transfer to the chosen hotel where welcome drinks are served before dinner.

DAY TWO
American buffet breakfast in the hotel. Then a guided tour of Marrakesh including the Koutoubia Mosque, the Saadian tombs and the Bahia Palace. The tour can also be undertaken as a treasure hunt with clues guiding participants to the various sights of interest - the best answers to other clues regarding what they have seen are rewarded by prizes. Lunch will be served at the hotel, then the tour will re-commence in a horse drawn carriages to the Menara Gardens, the walls of Marrakesh, the Royal Palace, the Souks and Djemaa El Fna Square.

After dinner in the hotel, a Casino evening at La Mamounia, including entrance, drinks and gambling chips. (Dining facilities up to 65 participants).

DAY THREE
Located at the foot of Djebel Toubkal, the highest peak of North Africa, the Berber village of Asni can be reached after crossing Tahnaout - a small village clinging to the mountain and hardly distinguishable from it and the steep gorges of the Gheghaia river. The weekly Tuesday and Saturday country markets are the meeting point of all the small farmers around. It is a very typical scene and an interesting place to browse around. This excursion will finish with highlight of a lunch at the "La Roseraie, a lovely restaurant set amidst a beautiful rose garden. Duration: Approximately 7 hrs.

American buffet breakfast at the hotel. After breakfast depart for Asni & Ouirgane.

Dinner this evening will be a Fantasia, under typical tents located in palm groves, Mechoui, Royal Couscous, a vibrant folklore show and Fantasia, a traditional horse race.

DAY FOUR
American buffet breakfast at the hotel. Morning at leisure, until transfer to the airport for departure.

Originally built in 1070 A.D. and famed for its palaces, gardens, open markets and festivals, Marrakech is a lively city at the foot of the magnificent Atlas Mountains. Set within ochre-coloured ramparts, the city was the capital of the Moorish empire and stood in high regard as an academic centre of the medieval world. In Marrakech, the Berbers and Arabs mingle with the nomads, and every imaginable commodity is traded while craftsmanship still flourishes.

One of the most enjoyable experiences to be had in is the vivacious and spirited ambience of the legendary Jemaa Al Fna Square, which when translated, aptly means ‘Court of Marvels’. Likened to an immense open-air theatre, an energetic assortment of jugglers, storytellers, snake charmers, magicians, acrobats, fortunetellers, dancers, public scribes with their black umbrellas, potion vendors, healers and apothecaries all add their part to a spectacle that can be only described as pure magic and truly unique to Marrakech.

As the sun sets, the square takes on a whole new atmosphere – one of enticing aromas wafting from the numerous open-air food stalls and providing a true taste of Morocco. At night it is pure magic when illuminated by myriad acetylene lamps it becomes almost like a ‘city within a city’. The square is always open and everything can be found to buy, from the mundane to piles of exotic spices and bunches of fresh mint – all visitors must do is follow their noses.

The other inherent attractions of Marrakech are its many souks and traditional markets. The pungent aroma of spices entices passers by with sacks laden with almonds, dates and olives. Exotic ingredients such a saffron, rose extract, henna, khol, pieces of amber, musk – visitors can be sure to find them all in the souks of Marrakech.

In the Copper Souk, artisans still churn out hand-crafted items following age-old traditions, whereas the Lagzhal Souk is home to the wool merchants, and the Zarbia Souk is famous for its many exotic carpets and kaftans.

Other notable sites in Marrakech include the Bahia Palace. Undoubtedly one of the most attractive to be found in the city, it is often simply referred to as the ‘resplendent’. It was built at the end of the 19th century to the requirements of the son of the grand vizier, and the structure covers eight hectares and is surrounded by splendid perfumed gardens.

The architect, El Haj Mohammed el Mekki, took seven years to oversee its construction. Many of the apartments that make up the large complex reflect Andalusian influences and open up on flowering gardens, with jasmine, orange and cypress trees, and makes for a pleasant and restful visit.

Elsewhere, the towering minarets of the Al Koutoubia Mosque have born witness to over 800 years of the city’s history and there is no point on the horizon from which visitors cannot see the mosque’s minarets. Known as the book venders’ mosque, due to the more than 200 bookstores around it, the building is only open to Muslims to enter. Changing colour at different times of the day, the pink sandstone of the mosque alters in hue as sunbeams strike it as the hours pass, and is certainly one of the most photographed sites in Marrakech.

The Saadian Tombs have been one of the great discoveries of the 20th century. In 1917, removal of one wall revealed their entrance and after excavation, they were finally opened to the public. The tombs are arranged as two separate mausoleums overlooking a garden, but the one that never fails to impress is the tomb of the Saadian Sultan, Moulay Ahmed al-Mansur. Measuring 10 metres by 12 metres, the tomb is topped by a stalactite-carved dome supported by 12 columns in Carrara marble, creating an awe-inspiring sight for those lucky enough to visit.

A delightful way to experience the true romance of Marrakech is in a horse-drawn carriage to visit the numerous gardens, notable among them being the Villa Majorelle Gardens with its perfect proportions reflected in the languid waters of the artificial lake. The world renowned Palmeraie or Palm Grove spreads over 13,000 hectares and is home to a world-class golf course, whereas the Agdal Orchards behind the Royal Palace are the venue for lavish festivals and settings.

The geographical diversity of Marrakech is amazing. An oasis on the edge of a desert, it is at the same time located at the foothills of the majestic snow-capped Atlas Mountains, which are just 20 kilometres away. The change in scenery is almost dramatic as can be seen from the terraced gardens of Wadi Ourika, with its quaint Berber villages.

Nature’s beauty is even more abundant on the outskirts of Marrakech. Short day trips can be taken to Asni, at the foothills of Djebel Toubkal and Ourigane where the landscape is reminiscent of the canyons in America. Incidentally, the snow covered Djebel Toubkal is the highest mountain in Morocco and one of the most popular hiking venues. Walking up to the mountain is a three-day trip.

East of Marrakech, in the Ourika Valley, the Ouzoud Falls cascade from a height of over 100 metres and the ‘Imi-n-Ifri’ or the ‘Gateway to the Abyss’, spans Wadi Mehasseur through immense rock formations to end in the Ait-Aadel Lake.

Located only 74 kilometres from Marrakech is Oukaimeden, a winter resort with the highest ski lift in Africa and spectacular views. For a peep into Morocco’s culture and customs, a trip to the charming mountain hamlet of Imlil is a must.