Experience a whole new world of travel! Switch up your European travel itinerary and take a detour to North Africa’s most vibrant country, Morocco. Beat your own path hiking the foothills of the Atlas Mountains and ride a camel! Journey to the Ourika valley to have tea with a local Berber family and relax with traditional Hamman baths at one of the local spas of Marrakech. Morocco will be an exciting worldly experience unlike anything you’ve ever encountered.
Please note: The trip meets at Marrakech Airport anytime on Thursday. Transportation to the Marrakech Airport is not included, so please plan your arrival accordingly.
A city of contrasts, Marrakech boasts a unique culture, deep history, special charm, and delicious cuisine. Any time on Thursday, based on your flight’s arrival time, a driver will meet you outside of the arrivals hall of the RAK airport for a private Bus2alps transfer into Marrakech (look for them holding a “BUS2ALPS” sign). Your guide(s) for the weekend will then meet you at the transfer drop off point and walk with you approximately 10 minutes to our Riad (top-rated traditional accommodation) in Marrakech. It usually takes about 1 hour to clear customs after arrival at the RAK airport.
After you arrive and get settled into the Riad, depending on your arrival time, you will have free time to explore the Souks of the Marrakech Medina. We will finish the evening with an included dinner of traditional Moroccan cuisine at our Riad.
*Please note, it is good to arrive as early as you can on Thursday, but we can accommodate late arrivals if needed. If you plan to arrive on Wednesday or depart on Monday, email [email protected] to arrange an additional night’s accommodation. For Wednesday arrivals, an airport transfer will also be included, but your Bus2alps guide will not join you until Thursday.
Friday morning, after breakfast, we depart on an excursion to the Ourika Valley and the foothills of the Atlas mountains. Along the way we will take a break at a Berber family’s house, where we will visit inside their home and have tea with the family members. We will then stop for a quick camel ride that goes into the base of the mountain paths. After that, we will commence the hike to see the waterfalls, followed by an included lunch by the riverside. This hike is strenuous, proper footwear (sneakers or tennis shoes) are required! We recommend bringing athletic or other comfortable clothes for the hike.
We will return to Marrakech around 17:00 – 18:00 in the evening for an included group dinner in the Jamaa El Fna Square, as we can watch as the square comes alive at night with musicians, artists, and crowds of Moroccans.
After breakfast Saturday morning you have a free morning and can choose to join one of the optional activities: an ATV tour or a traditional Hammam Bath & Massage. For those who do not wish to participate in an activity, the morning is yours to explore the souks of Marrakech or linger over lunch in the main square.
In the afternoon we will head off on an extensive walking tour of Marrakech led by a local guide. We will visit a Berber herbalist, the spice markets, the Marrakech Museum, and a cooperative featuring Moroccan jewelry, clothing and furniture. Please note that while panoramic photos are fine, permission should be asked before taking a close-up photo of a person or their shop in Morocco. Snake charmers and monkey trainers who can be seen around the square during the day charge for photographs.
In the evening we will arrange an optional group dinner at a nearby restaurant. Otherwise, the night is yours to explore!
Depending on your return flight time you will have the morning free to further explore Marrakech and finish some last minute haggling in the souks for souvenirs. Your Bus2alps trip leader will organize your transport back to the airport in time to meet your flight and will inform you of this time earlier in the weekend so you can plan accordingly.
1/2 Day desert ATV Tour: The ATV tour is a half day activity riding through the rock desert palm groves on the outskirts of Marrakech. This is a great additional activity if you’re looking for adventure and some amazing scenery. (€55)
Traditional Hammam Experience: The hammam is a traditional Moroccan bath house. The experience includes a full body clay mask in the steam room, followed by an exfoliating scrub down. It’s wonderful to soften the skin and detox the body. The experience finishes with a full body relaxation massage with Moroccan argan oil. ( €35)
Accommodation: While in Marrakech we stay in a traditional accommodation called a “Riad.” These beautiful buildings consist of rooms overlooking a central garden, usually with a fountain as the focus point. Rooms will be shared between 4-5 people.
Weather: The weather in Morocco tends to be warm during the day time but may cool down in the evenings. We recommend bringing a fleece or sweater to wear at night time. Although usually sunny, there are sometimes short rain showers during the months of November & December, so we recommend packing an umbrella and/or rain jacket.
Common Sense: Morocco is generally a very safe place to travel; Marrakech especially is welcoming to tourists. People following a few basic common sense travel rules should have no problem.
– Keep your passport and money safe at all times. Don’t carry your wallet in your back pocket. Travel in groups and don’t leave friends behind. Respect the local culture and they will respect you.
Shopping: Street vendors, sales people and hustlers can be very persistent. Bargaining is a part of daily life in Marrakech. If you are interested in something feel free to enter into the bargaining process, but never pay the first price and never feel obligated to pay more than you want to. If you do not want something politely say no thank you, hold up your hand and walk away. For those vendors who are particularly persistent, just ignore them and keep walking. Again, please note that you should ask permission before taking a close-up photo of a person or their shop in Morocco.
Accommodation: While in Marrakech we stay in a traditional accommodation called a “Riad.” These beautiful buildings consist of rooms overlooking a central garden, usually with a fountain as the focus point. Rooms will be shared between 4-5 people.
Weather: The weather in Morocco tends to be warm during the day time but may cool down in the evenings. We recommend bringing a fleece or sweater to wear at night time. Although usually sunny, there are sometimes short rain showers during the months of November & December, so we recommend packing an umbrella and/or rain jacket.
Common Sense: Morocco is generally a very safe place to travel; Marrakech especially is welcoming to tourists. People following a few basic common sense travel rules should have no problem.
Keep your passport and money safe at all times. Don’t carry your wallet in your back pocket. Travel in groups and don’t leave friends behind. Respect the local culture and they will respect you.
Shopping: Street vendors, sales people and hustlers can be very persistent. Bargaining is a part of daily life in Marrakech. If you are interested in something feel free to enter into the bargaining process, but never pay the first price and never feel obligated to pay more than you want to. If you do not want something politely say no thank you, hold up your hand and walk away. For those vendors who are particularly persistent, just ignore them and keep walking. Again, please note that you should ask permission before taking a close-up photo of a person or their shop in Morocco.
