Day 1:
Marrakech
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Welcome to Morocco! Following your transfer from the airport to our joining hotel in the heart of Marrakech, make the most of your first day and explore the souks and Djemaa El Fna (the legendary main square). Be sure to be at the hotel for the pre-departure meeting at 18.00 where you will meet your fellow travellers. (D)
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Day 2:
Gorges du Dades
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Leaving Marrakech, we venture through the Gorges du Dades, a stunning valley which extends from the High Atlas to the Jebel Sahro range in the south. Berbers built many Kasbahs in the vicinity of gorges for defence purposes and these, combined with its natural beauty make this area a fitting backdrop to the start of your adventure! (B, L, D)
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Day 3:
Todra Gorge
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This morning brings the opportunity to explore the Gorge du Dades, walking through the foothills and the local villages and getting a feel for the area.
After lunch we head east and discover the charm of the Todra Gorge with its plunging depths to its 300m high cliffs. Witness its changing colour, from bright yellow under the mid day sun to orange and red as the sun slowly moves from east to west. Here you can enjoy optional rock climbing(in summer)but if getting up close to the scenery or seeing it from horseback isn’t your thing, you can just chill out and enjoy the view!
Later we visit the village co-operative where you can see and buy authentic, Berber, handmade rugs, kilims and carpets. (B, L, D)
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Day 4:
Sahara Desert
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We leave Todra and make our way across the Jebel Sahro towards Erg Chebbi where magnificent sand dunes signal the start of the Sahara Desert. En route, we stop for a swim and some lunch before arriving at Merzouga where we leave our vehicle and take a camel trek into the desert to a Berber camp. Savour the quiet majesty of the desert and enjoy every moment of this highlight of your Moroccan adventure. This evening, enjoy local food and a night under the Saharan stars. To seal this as an experience of a life time, surf the Sahara Desert and try Dune Boarding! (B, L, D)
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Day 5:
Ouarzazate
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We leave the Sahara Desert and continue our adventure through the Dadès Valley along the route of 1000 Kasbahs. This area boasts a beautiful landscape dotted with untouched villages that preserve that sense of times past where you can witness villagers going about their daily routine.
We venture on to Ouarzazate, which African traders once used as a resting place on their journeys up to Europe which makes sense as it is an intersection, triangulated by the Atlas, Draa and Dades Valleys. This areas appeal is best conveyed through its use as a film set for many great films - The Last Temptation of Christ, The Living Daylights and, more recently, Gladiator.
We make it in time for a swim which leaves you refreshed and ready to explore the centre.
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Day 6:
Ait Benhaddou
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This morning, the adventure continues as we head for Aït Benhaddou, a ‘fortified city', situated along the former caravan route between the Sahara Desert and Marrakech. En route, choose from optional quad biking or a visit to the film studio. We then travel over the High Atlas mountains on our way to Marrakech. On a hill along the Ouarzazate River we find Aït Benhaddou. A UNESCO World Heritage site, it boasts great examples of Kasbahs, some of which remain inhabited. (B, L, D)
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Day 7:
Marrakech
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Glowing red, like a welcoming campfire, against the snow capped High Atlas Mountains, the very name Marrakech conjures up images of a mysterious, distant city; magic carpets and snake charmers; frankincense and myrrh brought in by camel trains.
Explore the medina with its rose-coloured walls and tangle of winding streets and bustling souks. The focal point is the central square, the Djemâa-el-Fna, an extraordinary gathering and market place, full of colour, spicy aromas and traders. It is best seen in the evening when overflowing with food stalls, dancers, acrobats, fortune tellers, musicians and henna artists – a great place to practice your bargaining skills!
Towering over all this is the Koutoubia mosque, the tallest building in the city, and a reminder of the importance of Islam to the lives of the city's residents. Try a traditional hammam, a steam bath followed by an exfoliating massage – it’s the ideal end to the day as your adventure holiday comes to an end. (B)
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Day 8:
Marrakech
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The adventure holiday ends after breakfast. (B)
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