Marrakech, Berber Villages & Coast
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About This Tour
A perfect balance of culture, adventure, and relaxation, this Marrakech High Atlas Mountains and Essaouira 8-day tour offers an unforgettable experience featuring the highlights of the imperial city of Marrakech, breathtaking hiking in the Ourika Valley at the foothills of the High Atlas Mountains, and leisurely moments in the coastal town of Essaouira.
Begin your journey in Marrakech, a city renowned for its vibrant atmosphere and rich history. Spend your days wandering through the exotic souks of ancient Medina, where colorful stalls brim with handcrafted goods, spices, and textiles. As you meander through the narrow alleyways, you’ll encounter the magnificent Koutoubia Mosque and the lively Jemaa el-Fna Square, a UNESCO World Heritage site that comes alive with musicians, storytellers, and street vendors at night.
Your Marrakech High Atlas Mountains and Essaouira continues with a hike in the stunning Ourika Valley, a picturesque region known for its lush landscapes and traditional Berber villages. Here, you'll have the unique opportunity to learn about local culture and cuisine by sharing a meal with a welcoming Berber family. Enjoy traditional dishes made with fresh, locally sourced ingredients, and immerse yourself in the warmth of Moroccan hospitality.
Next, you’ll journey to Essaouira, a charming coastal town characterized by its laid-back atmosphere and stunning seafront fortifications. Explore the well-preserved Medina, another UNESCO World Heritage site, where you can discover art galleries, local crafts, and fresh seafood. The scenic ramparts offer breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean, making it a perfect spot for a leisurely stroll or simply relaxing by the shore.
As you wander the streets of Essaouira, you’ll also encounter the vibrant blend of Moroccan and Portuguese influences, evident in the architecture and culture of this coastal gem. Whether you’re enjoying a cup of mint tea at a seaside café or browsing through artisanal shops, Essaouira provides a refreshing contrast to the bustling energy of Marrakech.
This 8-day Marrakech High Atlas Mountains and Essaouira Tour is designed to provide you with a rich tapestry of experiences, from the vibrant souks of Marrakech to the serene beauty of the High Atlas Mountains and the coastal charm of Essaouira. It’s a journey that encapsulates the essence of Morocco, making it a perfect getaway for those seeking adventure, culture, and relaxation.
What’s Included
- Private A/C Vehicle, Fuel
- English speaking driver during the tour
- Pick up & Drop off service
- Arrival & Departure Transfers
- Local Guide in Marrakech
- Local guide in Ourika Valley
- Local guide in Taroudante
- Marrakech Full Day Guided Visit
- Breakfast is daily included
- Centrally located Hotels & Riads
- Free time to explore the sites , walks
- Flexible and customized Stops
- Drinks
- Meals than those mentioned above
- Extras
Tour Plan
Expand allCollapse all1: Welcome to Marrakech
Welcome to Marrakech! Meet your driver at the airport and drive to your hotel where you will be welcomed with a fresh moroccan mint tea. Orient yourself in a bustling, vibrant old medina with narrow alleyways, riads and markets. A cacophony of sights, sounds and smells - spices and sweet pastries.
2: Explore Marrakech
This morning enjoy a guided tour of Marrakech, taking in all of the highlights of the Medina (old city centre), The Bahia Palace, Medrassa Ben Youssef, Dar EL Bacha, see the Koutoubia Mosque from outside  Souks and Jamaa el Fna Square.
3: Hiking in the High Atlas Mountains
You will be picked up at 09 a.m. from your hotel and drive to Ourika Valley with the opportunity to visit the magical Anima gardens where nature & art meet. After about 30 minutes drive, we will reach Anima gardens, a place with hundreds of botanical influences from around the world blended together with artworks by Picasso, Haring, Rodin and more! We will drive another 30 minutes until we arrive at the village of Setti Fatma, passing various adobe Berber villages and eventually visit one. Relax in one of the cafés on the riverbank and enjoy your lunch, spend the rest of the day listening to the sound of the stream with the High Atlas Mountains as a backdrop. Drive back late in the afternoon to Marrakech, where your day trip to Ourika Valley will end with a drop off at your hotel.
4: Marrakech - Taroudante
Pick up from Marrakech at 9 a.m. and drive through the vast Haouz plain before the zigzagging road & Ghighaya gorges, pass through Asni town where an important Jewish community lived before 1960. Continue to Ouirgane village, visit the lake, following the road to Ijoukak valley in Nfis valley, then have mint tea in a Berber house. We will stop to visit Tinmel mosque (built on 12th century by Almohade dynasty as the 1st Quran school & the start of their conquest of Marrakech to push out Almoravide dynasty). Continue to Taroudant via the famous Tizi-n-Test mountain ( 2093 m ), above the sea level, which offers spectacular views over the countryside. On arrival at the summit, you may choose to take a hot drink and a simple but tasty tagine served by the little Auberge, which provides a wide command of the far reaching views. Arriving in the distinctive red-walled city of Taroudante, which dates back to the 11th century. Check in to your hotel and overnight in Taroudante.
5: Taroudante - Agadir
After breakfast in your hotel, you’ll have free time to wander around and explore the area on your own or with a local guide, plus there will be time to enjoy a refreshing mint tea before leaving Taroudante. Afterwards, we will continue through the fertile Souss Valley, passing banana and citrus fruit plantations. Our next stop will be in Souss-Massa National Park, home to a considerable biological and ecological diversity. The park comprises various plant species, mammalian fauna and birds. The Massa Lagoon, is an important bird habitat and is packed with flamingos, avocets, ducks, etc. In the late afternoon, we will drive to our hotel in Agadir. Check in and free evening to spend at your leisure.
6: Agadir - Essaouira
After breakfast, you will have enough time to explore Agadir, drive to the Valley of the Birds, walk along the beach. Afterwards, drive up to a Kasbah which sits atop a hill at the north fringe of the city for a marvelous panoramic view of Agadir and the coast. Later on, we will continue our journey to Essaouira, by the way of the splendid village of Taghazoute, Morocco’s top surfing spot. Arrive in Essaouira in the late afternoon, check in to your Hotel. Overnight in Essaouira.
7: Free Day in Essaouira
Essaouira is a quite interesting and pleasant town to spend a day in. Stroll down the beautifully decorated alleys and traditional markets of the old Medina and discover the wood workshops, jewelry stores, art galleries, and so on. Later, visit the harbor and do not miss a walk along the beach.
8: Departure Day
It's time to say goodbye to Morocco! Enjoy one last delicious breakfast and walk at the beach.  Head to the Marrakech Menara airport or Casablanca Airport for your flight home.