Marrakech

Half Day Historical City Sightseeing
 

Experience the history and culture of magnificent Marrakech with this guided, half day sightseeing tour of some of Marrakech's most famous sites.

Starting with a stop at the foot of the famous Koutoubia Minaret, one of the masterpiece works of Islamic architecture. Our tour continues into the stunning 12th century Kasbah, here we'll see the distinctive carved gate Bab Agnaou. Following this we continue to the 16th-century monument site of the Saadian Tombs. This is a must for architecture fans who can take in the wonderful Hispano-Mauresque architecture surrounding the burial ground of the Royal family.

We continue our tour with a walk through the Mellah (Jewish Quarter) and a visit to the aristocratic Bahia Palace, where we see a lush Moorish style garden in the courtyard of a large palace with beautifully painted residential rooms. We conclude our tour with a stroll through the famous Jemaa El Fna Square. Here you can take in the bustling atmosphere created by snake charmers, singers, story tellers and many other types of performers.
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Souks & Shopping Tour

What better way to be immersed in the ambiance of Morocco than to snap up a bargain on this leisurely trip to the colourful souks of Marrakech.

The souks are divided into smaller souks according to goods sold making it easier to navigate your way around this grand labyrinth. These amazing souks feature a fantastic variety of hand-crafted Moroccan goods ranging from babouche slippers, woodworks, brassworks, ironworks, bronzeworks, jewellery, kaftans, carpets, spices and pottery.

Additionally, keen shoppers may be interested to visit the best galleries for leather, antiques and hand crafted jewellery. Our tour allows you to enjoy shopping at your own pace, without becoming lost!
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Half Day Garden Tours

Visit the beautiful gardens of Marrakech in style with this half day horse-drawn carriage ride.

Our tour begins with Menara Gardens, where we see the small Saadian pavillion mirrored in still water, with the Atlas Mountains and olive groves in the background. Next our tour takes us across to the Agdal Gardens and continues along the old city ramparts, proceeding to the lush botanical Majorelle Gardens, privately owned by Yves St Laurent. Here is your chance to take in the spectacular beauty of the gardens whilst we stop for a stroll before returning to the hotel in style in our horse-drawn carriage.
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Half Day Marrakech That Was

Soak up the history of Marrakech with this fascinating half-day guided tour of the old medina.

Our tour begins with a walk through one of the most interesting quarters of Marrakech. Here we'll take in labyrinthine alleyways, mosques, hammams, traditional public bakeries, fondouks (old lodging houses used by the caravans) and fountains carved in wood and decorated with kuffic inscriptions.

Our tour also takes in the principal attractions, beginning with the 14th century Ben Yossef Medrassa and continuing with the nearby 12th century Kubba El Baroudyine with its beautiful dome, which is one of the last surviving examples of Almoravid art in Marrakech. Next we visit the nearby 19th century Menebhi palace which is home to the Musee de Marrakech, a private museum with rotating displays of Moroccan art.

Our next stop is a stroll through the colourful souks where you can take in the fascinating array of goods on display or see the craftsmen practicing their traditional handiwork. After a stroll through the maze of souks we emerge onto the famous Jemaa El Fna Square, where you can soak up the bustling atmosphere created by musicians, acrobats, snake charmers, story tellers and water sellers. We finish our tour with a stop at one of the terraces overlooking the antics of the square, the ideal place for a respite where we'll quietly enjoy a cool drink and reflect on Marrakech that was.
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Half Day Ourika Valley

This half day excursion begins with a very picturesque drive from Marrakech through the Gorge of Oued Ourika, allowing for photo stops and a stop to see the local pottery for sale at the Berber Museum, which is actually more similar to a shop. On Mondays and Fridays we also stop at the weekly Berber souk, which is a fascinating place to see the rural life and local trade.

Our journey continues along the rivers which meander through the foothills of the mountains, dotted with typical hamlets of baked clay and stones. Along the way we enjoy the opportunity to stop and visit the inside of a Berber home for a glass of tea and homemade Berber bread.
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Half Day Asni & Ouirgane

Full Day Telouet

This full day excursion takes us into the High Atlas Mountains to the top of the Tichka Pass (6,600 ft) and over to Telouet, where the fascinating Giaoui brothers (Madani and Thami) had their main residence. This vast complex of crumbling buildings was finally abandoned in 1956. This strange and remote Kasbah gives visitors a sense of the drama and history between 1893 and 1956 when the pacha Giaoui and his family were at the height of power and suffered their great fall. The fascinating events of this period and the personnel style of Thami El Giaoui are brilliantly unfolded in Gavin Maxwell's "Lord of the Atlas." The brooding romanticism of this novel almost compels readers to visit Telouet.
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Full Day Ait Ben Haddou & Ouarzazate

Enjoy spectacular scenery from the High Atlas Mountains on our full day excursion of Ait Ben Haddou & Ouazazte.

Our tour starts with a drive through the fertile countryside of the Haouz Plain and continues with a drive up and across the High Atlas Mountains over Tizi N' Tichka Pass (6,600 feet) where we'll enjoy spectacular scenic views of mountains and semi-desert terrain topped by kasbahs and adobe homes.

On the other side of the mountain pass, a striking contrast of red clay villages and greenery leads us to Ait Ben Haddou - a wonderful 11th century Kasbah, declared by UNESCO to be an historical treasure. Thirty minutes beyond Ait Ben Haddou, we arrive at the beautiful city of Ouarzazate, a town with typical kasbah-style architecture. Ouarzazate has also become similar to a little Hollywood, with so many films being regularly made here, including Lawrence of Arabia, Cleopatra and the slavery scenes from Gladiator. Whilst here we'll visit the 17th century Taourirt Kasbah, the former residence of the Pacha Glaoui.

Please note that Taourirt Kasbah can be closed without notice due to filming. In this case, we will substitute a visit to Kasbah Tifoultoute, another Kasbah owned by Pacha Glaoui located on the outskirts of Ouarzazate.
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Full Day Essaouira

Visit the Atlantic Coast to see the charming town of Essaouria, one of the oldest and most important fishing ports in Morocco on this full day excursion.

Old Mogador was founded by the romans and inhabited by the Portuguese during the 17th century. This typical Portuguese harbour, with fine examples of both Moorish and Portuguese art, was the setting of the film Othello. Sightseeing shows visitors the harbour, the old medina, the 17th century cannons brought from Spain and the local artists' quarter.
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Evening at Yacout

Dine like a hollywood star on this luxury evening excursion set in an elegant Moroccan palace in the old Medina (Yacout).

Our evening begins with a cocktail on the rooftop overlooking the old medina of Marrakech or on the top floor of the palace which is tastefully decorated with traditional Moroccan fireplaces and fountains with carpets strewn about. After finishing our cocktails we will go downstairs to dine around the pool and in various intimate rooms, where you'll be awe of the stylish decor - muted colours with antique chandeliers and tables set with candelabras of silver and bronze, ornate crystal and china, and rose petals atop crisp white table linens.

Next the food is served, comprised of traditional Moroccan cuisine, beginning with an assortment of Moroccan salads and continuing with a choice of two main courses such as chicken with lemon and olives and tagine of lamb with vegetables. Our meal finishes with a dessert of pastilla au lait. Whilst we enjoy the delightful food, two Gnaoui musicians softly play music.

Price includes private, return transfers. Reserve early as Yacout is frequently booked up with Hollywood stars and heads of state. (Closed on Mondays.)
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Evening at Dar Moha

Enjoy traditional Moroccan hospitality in an intimate setting on our evening excursion to Dar Moha.

Our excursion takes us to a charming Moroccan riad in the old Medina. This house, formerly owned by the famous French fashion designer Balmain, is named Dar Moha, or house of Moha, after the present owner. We'll dine in style in either the garden near the pool or in various intimate rooms, decorated with fireplaces, antiques and interesting oriental oil paintings. The meal begins with Dar Moha's own special Moroccan salads and Briouattes (Moroccan samosas) stuffed with cheese or seafood; continues with a choice of pastilla (a flaky, filo dough type pastry) stuffed with vegetables, lotte (white fish) or pigeon; then a choice of tagine (concical shaped clay cooking vessel) such as John Dory fish, fillet, or lamb, then offers a choice of couscous, before finally finishing with their amazing choice of deserts. An arab Andalucian duo and lute player will play during dinner. Price includes private, return transfers.
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Evening at Chez Ali's Fantasia

Sample a grand folklore show, featuring tribesmen and women from different parts of the country. As well as being entertained throughout the evening, we'll also enjoy a traditional Moroccan dinner such as harrira soup, roasted meat with prunes, couscous with fresh vegetables, and a platter of fresh fruit served under traditional Caidal tents. The concluding highlight of the evening features a show of Arabian horses mounted by acrobats and cavaliers who simultaneously fire their rifles and demonstrate traditional forms of military combat.
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