Atlas & Atlantic Coast

Arrival in Marrakech Airport, where you will be met by our On The Go representative and transferred to your centrally located hotel or riad. The remainder of the day and evening are free to independently explore the vibrant Djemaa el Fna Square. Full of colour, spicy aromas and traders, it’s best seen in the evening when overflowing with people, acrobats, fortune tellers, snake charmers and much more!

This morning we enjoy a guided city tour, taking in all the highlights of Marrakech including the Koutoubia Mosque and Bahia Palace. Spend the afternoon at leisure, perhaps visit to the beautiful Jardins de Majorelle or wander around the souks.

Marrakech - Ait Bougamez. An early morning departure takes us into the High Atlas Mountains along the route, for Fes. After a short drive we turn off south and arrive at the glorious waterfall of the Cascades D‘Ouzoud for lunch. After taking some time to rest and enjoy our magnificent surroundings it’s back onto the scenic mountain road past Azilal and onward to reach the heart of the High Atlas – the valleyof Ait Bougamez.

Ait Bougemez is a hidden gem, a valley close to Ighil Mgoun, the highest summit in Morocco apart from the Toubkal Range. The area is popular for trekking, as there is a long and easy trek from the Tessaout Sources/Tarkeddid Plateau, which is reached from the Ait Bougmez Valley. Exploring the valley is easily done on foot and it can be preferable to driving, as so many places still have poor roads. The centre of the region is the village of Tabant, and from here, in less than an hour’s walk several small villages can be explored - Imelghas, Iskatafene, Ikhf-n-Ighir, Agouti, Ait Imi Iqballioun, Ifrane, and Arous. Three hours walk away is the village of Taghoulit. With incredibly striking scenery and off the beaten track location, Ait Bougmez is still unspoilt. Here, you’ll spend the next three nights in a Kasbah, exploring the beautiful surrounding area.

Today, we can take a mule ride to the dinosaur tracks at the head of the valley, the route winds through fields of grain and the apple and almond orchards. After a picnic in the hills, we return to the Kasbah via a different route, stopping for a cup of tea in a Berber house.

If you're feeling energetic, a walk up to the pass of Tizi ait Imi is well rewarded with views of Jbel Mgoun and the southern peaks of the High Atlas, otherwise it’s possible to take a walk around the village, maybe see the felt makers and carpet makers at work and have a picnic at the side of a stream watching the farmers in the fields. In the afternoon, take a walk up to the World Heritage Site of Sidi Moussa - an ancient granary and fortification.

Ait Bougamez - Marrakech. Descending from the mountains today, we take the route past the lake of Bin Ouidane, where many wealthier Moroccan’s go for water sports. We then descend down to the Orange farms of Beni Mellal and take the road back to Marrakech. Spend the evening at leisure, perhaps wander around the souks, or enjoy a meal in one of the roof top restaurants overlooking Djemaa el Fna.

Marrakech - Essaouira. This morning we journey Essaouira, about 2.5 hours drive from Marrakech. Essaouira is a quiet seaside town with a long beach, an interesting little medina with souks and a grand harbour and fortifications. It's the perfect place to relax either on the beach, in a cafe on the square, or just watching the fishing boats coming in and out of the harbour.

Essaouira has avoided becoming a tourist trap and maintains the original charm which made it a firm favourite with many legendary stars, including Jimi Hendrix, Bob Marley and Orson Welles who filmed Othello in Essaouira.

Enjoy a lazy day at leisure in Essaouira. Perhaps take a camel ride along the beach, try a spot of wind surfing or simply laze about and soak up the sun. If you fancy some retail therapy, there are plenty of souks, a jewellery quarter and some good art galleries. Tonight, why not try one of the many tasty restaurants in the medina, where seafood is the speciality.

Essaouira - Marrakech. After a morning in Essaouira, you'll be transferred to Marrakech. On the way back its possible to stop at an Argan oil co-operative to see how the argan nuts from all the forests around Essaouira are converted into oils and soaps. Arrive back in Marrakech, in time for some last minute souvenir shopping.

Hotel check out and included onward departure transfer to the airport.

Should you wish to further explore Marrakech or any of Morocco's other cities or sights, please enquire so we can arrange the perfect holiday for you.

For information about visas, top travel tips and much more, take a look through our travel guide.