Marrakesh & the High Atlas Mountains

Today, your private guide will lead you around the city for a half-day historical tour. You visit the beautifully mosaicked Saadian Tombs, where the bodies of sultans and their families have rested for centuries, the Bahia Palace, Kotoubia Mosque, and the 15th-century Mellah (Jewish Quarter). This afternoon, you will have a tour of the hidden sides of Marrakesh. Your guide takes you into the different quarters of the souq to see craftspeople working on their various trades. You will explore a different side of Marrakesh, one that not many tourists see. This provides invaluable insight into the skilled work which goes into making the products you barter for in the souq.

Today, you will have a half-day visit to the Majorelle Gardens and Yves Saint Laurent Museum, with your private guide. The tranquil gardens provide a welcome contrast to the bustle of the medina. Here, you can stroll among cacti, bamboo and gurgling streams and visit the Amazigh Museum, which has a collection of items that once belonged to Amazigh tribes. This afternoon, head to La Maison Arabe, a prestigious hotel, for a cooking class where you'll discover the pleasures of Moroccan cooking and become familiar with one of the world's great cuisines. Afterwards, enjoy the delicious result of your hard work.

This morning you leave Marrakesh behind as you travel by private car into the rugged beauty of the High Atlas Mountains. After arriving at your accommodation in the peaceful foothills, relax and make use of the facilities, taking a dip in the pool or unwinding with a drink while enjoying the views. Alternatively, you may wish to begin exploring your surroundings, perhaps walking through the green hills and valleys.

Today, you visit a traditional Amazigh village, where you bake bread and cook tagine with a local family while learning about their way of life. Afterwards, visit the Assafou Foundation, which provides free education for children living in these rural communities. You can visit the centre where local women learn skills such as weaving so that they can sell their handicrafts at local markets or in Marrakesh's souqs.

Today you have a full day hike with your private guide who tailors the length of the walk according to your fitness levels. The hike will give you incredible views of the High Atlas Mountains, and you will also pass through rural villages to give you a better understanding of the way of life in these areas. You will eat a traditional Moroccan, home-cooked lunch with a local family in the mountains.

Today your private driver transfers you back to Marrakesh International Airport in time for your onward flight. Your return flight will arrive the same day.