This itinerary combines the bustling souks of colourful Marrakech with the timeless Berber culture and stunning views of the High Atlas Mountains. So you blend a vibrant city with mountain calm. It is a perfect week-long introduction to Morocco. As ever, the whole trip is private, with personal guides and drivers.
You begin in Marrakech, one of the closest places to find a truly different culture. The city grew along the ancient route linking the Sahara with the Mediterranean ports. Within the medina lies a maze of souks, selling almost anything imaginable. So you explore them with an expert guide. Along the way, we show you the hidden, secret corners too. You stay two nights in a boutique riad, the Riad Kaiss or Le Farnatchi.
Next, venture into the High Atlas, a drive of only about an hour. These peaks overlook Marrakech and stay snow-capped from November to March. Here live the Berber people, on hillsides farmed for centuries. So we tailor your two nights to how active you wish to be. For example, take lovely day walks through remote villages. Equally, visit a local Berber home for mint tea. You stay at Kasbah Tamadot or Domaine Malika.
Afterwards, return to Marrakech for three final nights of rest. On this second visit, we suggest the Palmeraie, just outside the city. There the hotels sit in verdant gardens, with larger pools and space to relax. So it makes a suitably restful finale. You stay at the Mandarin Oriental or Dar Zemora.
These final days bend entirely to you. So we can add experiences to match your interests. For example, return to the souks and the quirky museums, or visit the gardens of Marrakech. Equally, dig into the historical highlights. For an early thrill, drift over the Agafay Desert by hot-air balloon.
The charm lies in the contrast. First, Marrakech dazzles with colour and noise. Then the mountains soothe with space and silence. Meanwhile, the return to the city ends things gently. So you get energy and calm in one week. As a result, it suits first-time visitors beautifully.
Naturally, the hotels are lovely throughout. In the medina, the Riad Kaiss or Le Farnatchi. In the mountains, Kasbah Tamadot or Domaine Malika. Finally, the Mandarin Oriental or Dar Zemora in the Palmeraie.
Generally, spring and autumn bring the most comfortable weather. Winter, meanwhile, is mild and sunny, with snow on the peaks. By contrast, high summer can be very hot. So we tailor the timing to your plans. Either way, we advise on the ideal window for your dates.
The beauty of a week is the breathing room. So you never rush from sight to sight. Meanwhile, there is always time for the pool. Because it is private, each day bends around you. As a result, you return genuinely refreshed.
The mountains are the emotional heart of the trip. So you walk among villages farmed for centuries. There, a mint tea in a local home is a real privilege. Meanwhile, the views stretch for miles. As a result, the culture feels close at hand.
Finally, this route pairs well with more of Morocco. For example, add the Atlantic coast at Essaouira. Equally, extend into the Sahara. As ever, we shape the whole journey around you.
For a first trip, this is ideal. So you gather the highlights without rushing. Meanwhile, the comforts stay high throughout. As a result, you leave already planning to return.
As ever, this is only a starting point. So we shape the pace, the hotels and the experiences to suit. In the end, the week is entirely your own.
In the end, the magic is the mix. So you blend the city’s energy with mountain calm. Meanwhile, the return to Marrakech ends things gently. As a result, you enjoy both worlds in a single week.
Above all, the trip feels effortless. So the short drives keep the days relaxed. Meanwhile, your guides bring each place to life. As a result, you simply enjoy Morocco.
In the end, few combinations work so well. So the souks and the summits balance each other. Meanwhile, the week never feels stretched. As a result, it remains one of our most popular Moroccan trips.
The Palmeraie makes a restful close. So you swap the medina’s bustle for green gardens. Meanwhile, the larger pools invite long, lazy afternoons. In the end, you leave thoroughly relaxed.
It works beautifully over about a week. Of course, it can be extended. We will shape the length to suit you.
We suggest a medina riad first, then the greener Palmeraie to finish. So you enjoy both the buzz and the calm. We will advise either way.
Generally, spring, autumn and winter are most comfortable. We will advise on timing for your dates.
Entirely. The pace, hotels and experiences are all shaped around you. Simply share your dates and interests, and we will craft the rest.
| £1750P.P | - | £6000P.P |
|---|---|---|
| Silver | Gold |
| Days | Location | Hotel |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1-2 | Marrakech | Riad Kaiss Le Farnatchi |
| Day 3-4 | Atlas Mountains | Domaine Malika Kasbah Tamadot |
| Day 5-7 | Marrakech Palmeraie | Dar Zemora Mandarin Oriental Marrakech |
| Day 8 | Marrakech | Fly Home |
Arrive in Marrakech, with a fast-track arrival service. Once through customs, you are met and privately transferred to your hotel.
Spend the morning at leisure, then meet your guide and driver for a walking tour of the medina and souks. Begin at the iconic Djemaa el-Fna, then head into the narrow alleyways, each area specialising in a different trade, from leather to coppersmiths.
Your driver takes you an hour into the Atlas Mountains. Spend the rest of the day at leisure, taking in the views.
Tailor your day to how much you want to walk. Take a short amble to a local village for mint tea in a Berber home, or stretch your legs on a more challenging trek through the natural landscapes.
Return to Marrakech for three nights of R&R in the Palmeraie. We can add optional experiences such as the cultural and historical sites, hidden souks, quirky museums, gardens, a balloon flight, a street-food tour, mountain biking or a sidecar ride.
Take a private transfer to the airport for your flight home. Your itinerary can be extended and tailored to your interests.
Marrakech makes for a beautiful long weekend from any European city. With five days, you will have plenty of time to both explore and relax. The weather is perfect in the winter, and you can also immerse yourself in a fascinating culture.
We arrange totally bespoke trips and design an itinerary that is designed around you. You may have seen a suggested itinerary that we can base your plans around, or we can start with a blank sheet and paper and design something from scratch. You can leave a phone number and suggest a time to call you back, and we can also arrange to do this during the evenings or at weekends if you are busy during the daytime. We can also meet up with you in you fancy a coffee and are based in and around London.