Morocco Southwest Overland Trek

Upon your arrival at Menara Airport in Marrakech, your guide will be there to assist you with the check-in process at your hotel. Your day will be dedicated to a guided monumental walking tour of Marrakech’s many historical sites. Marrakech, known as the emblem of joy in Morocco, is a city that will captivate you with its rich history and vibrant culture.

In the morning, your guide will introduce the city of Marrakech's many historical sites, starting at the Menara, a magnificent pool surrounded by flowerbeds that reflect the image of a classic Moorish edifice. Walk around this beautiful garden built in 1866 for dignitaries who enjoyed glorious sunsets with the ethereal Atlas Mountains as a backdrop. The pool also functions as a traditional irrigation system, which makes Marrakech the best man-made oasis on Earth.

Your tour will cover many impressive sites, including the Koutoubia Minaret (identical to la Giralda, a tower found in Sevilla, Spain) and the Saadien tombs, demonstrating Moorish architecture at its best. The tombs consist of sixteenth-century mausoleums that had lain walled in and undiscovered until 1917. Next, you will explore the gardens of the Agdal and then the Marjorelle, which are the best gardens in Morocco. Finally, you will return to your hotel for dinner and other accommodations.

After Breakfast, our driver will take you to Imlil where your trekking crew will be waiting for you to greet you and load the mules with your belongings and what you need for your hiking expedition. Imlil (7400 ft), this Morocco Little Chamonix is way up into the foothills of the Western High Atlas ranges, where our trailhead for your journey starts. You will walk along a trail of supreme natural beauty with streams and paths all around you through terrasses of plowed plots hedged with fruit trees and blooming bushes. Hike eastward for almost two hours to reach the Tizi n'Tamatert (2272m). Here, we will pause to admire the village life and the view of the Imlil and Imennane Valley and its cliff-hanging villages to Mount Oukaimden(9700 ft) at the horizon.

Our afternoon will carry along the upper valley slopes for another hour or so to the villages of first Ouaneskra and then Amghedoul (6100 ft), set amidst terraced plots of land carved from the rugged slopes. Hike with your small group to reach the pretty - and the oldest - Berber village in the Toubkal Massif - Tacheddirt (6400 ft), set amongst terraced plots clawed from the surrounding craggy slopes, where we'll stay overnight in a Berber House.

Tacheddirt _ Iaabassene - Timichi Today, we will wake up with the villagers to enjoy their early activities and have a full Berber breakfast fresh from the oven. After breakfast, we start our day hike southeastwards to the terraced village of Timichi (5200 ft) on the western side of the Ourika Valley. Our hike will be around 3 hours in the morning up the Tizi n'Tacheddirt (9600 ft); hiking in this valley offers us a stunning panoramic view of the Jebel Aksouâl (11400 ft) on one side and of Bou Iguenouane (12600 ft) and Angour (12200 ft) on the other. This is an excellent introduction to the lash valley of Ourika and terraces.

After a picnic lunch next to a natural spring, we shall cross the pass and continue through the rocks northeast for three hours until we reach the Berber village of Laabassene (6400ft). Later, we will proceed down the valley to the old town of Timichi, set amongst ancient nut trees, where we'll have dinner and stay overnight in Kasbah Toubkal.

We will enjoy breakfast with a Berber family, then start our hike for a couple of hours in the morning to reach the lower slopes of this lush valley with vegetables and fruit groves. Here is where the Eureka Valley flows from, so many springs scattered all over the foothills of these mountains. Keep hiking down to Isghouarne and Agadir n'Aït Boulmane to arrive at the venerated Berber village of Setti Fadma. Lunch will be under thousand-year-old walnut trees, with waterfalls in the backdrop and hissing streams flowing all around. This is just as close as you can get to heaven on earth, an ethereal setting hard to find even in mythical books. Relax and reflect on a journey in nature at its best before we leave our mule caravan and cease our vehicle in the late afternoon, leading us back to Marrakech.

You will begin your day by traveling to Essaouira (Mogador), a picturesque city with a rich history. With fascinating antiquity, Essaouira was occupied by the Phoenicians and Carthaginians, supplied essential purple dyes to the Romans, absorbed the sophisticated Jewish arts of silversmithing, and spent centuries as a Portuguese enclave. Your guide will introduce the history of this 3000-year-old fishing port.

Despite the apparent influence of these civilizations, Essaouira has managed to remain a small, authentic Berber town. Alive with the breath of fresh air provided by the Atlantic, Essaouira is a jewel nestled in the rugged coast, with a vast expanse of empty sands trailing back along the peninsula towards the South. Your Bedouin Camp is set over the dunes of Diabet village. After an introductory tour, you will conclude your day with dinner and other accommodations in your camp.

After breakfast, you will take a walk to Sidi Kouki. There, you will visit Berber shepherds and their goats grazing on top of argan trees. You will explore the daily life of this part of Morocco, known for its argan oil production. Return to camp for dinner.

Sidi Kouki: Sidi Kouki, a coastal village along Morocco's Atlantic shores, beckons with its serene beaches and rugged beauty. Located near Essaouira, Sidi Kouki is renowned for its laid-back atmosphere and excellent surfing conditions. Travelers flock here to escape the hustle and bustle, immersing themselves in the tranquility of its pristine coastline and golden sands. With its charming cafes, traditional riads, and breathtaking sunsets, Sidi Kouki offers a perfect blend of relaxation and adventure for those seeking an idyllic seaside retreat in Morocco.

Once you arrive at the Berber compound, you will be welcomed by the manager and staff at the door, as the Moroccan tradition is to meet the guests with a plate of dates and milk. After checking into your room, you will be offered a tea ceremony in the Moroccan way. Here, you will have a class on how to brew mint tea the Berber way. The tea has fresh homemade bread, olive oil, Argan oil, honey, Almond-batter, butter, fresh, natural eggs, and Rfisa ( bread with butter and honey).

After the ceremony, there are four options to choose from a, stay with the ladies in the kitchen to learn how to make traditional Tagine Berber way.

b. To knead the dough with a lady and bake it in a traditional oven.

c. To fetch water from the well on a donkey. _ After a beautiful lunch in a traditional Berber setting, you can walk through the village for an entire afternoon.

You will feast on couscous for dinner. Later, you can enjoy some Berber dance and music with local friends. It is bedtime.

You will be served a typical Moroccan breakfast: Harira with dates, fresh eggs, natural fresh butter, Argan oil, olive oil, honey, Amlou (an almond butter), fresh homemade bread, Musemen, Mint tea, spiced coffee, and milk.

Later, your guide will take you on a hike through the Seksaoua valley. This is a beautiful hike of 6 to 8 Km to study medicinal herbs naturally grown in this valley. Enjoy exploring the vistas while trekking in this valley with your small group.

The BCC staff will prepare a picnic site by the river, where you will be served lunch and can relax for a while. They will have a barbecue, salads, mint tea, and cakes. Then, walk back to the BCC, looking for more plants.

Arrive at the BCC, then experience a steam bath at a local family Hammam. You will be offered a prestigious tagine called Trid with Chicken (homemade filo dough) at dinner. Enjoy Berber music and drink Thym and Saffron tea. Later, you will retreat to your room for a good night's sleep.

Seksaoua Valley: The Sesaoua Valley, a hidden gem within the rugged terrain of Morocco's High Atlas Mountains, offers a breathtaking escape into nature's embrace. Renowned for its stunning landscapes and rich biodiversity, this tranquil valley boasts verdant forests, cascading waterfalls, and meandering streams. Adventurers flock here to explore its pristine wilderness, trekking along ancient trails and discovering hidden Berber villages. With its serene ambiance and untouched beauty, the Sesaoua Valley promises an unforgettable adventure for those seeking solace amidst Morocco's majestic mountain scenery.

As usual, breakfast will be served traditionally with Baghrir pancakes or Mesamen. You will go through the plants you have collected. Some local ladies will show you how they use those plants as traditional medicine. They will also show you how they use cactus as a shampoo and another plant (Tasra in Berber) as a soap to clean clothes.

Lunch will offer a Goat tagine with Argan oil. This is a specialty of this region.
In the afternoon, our group will be hosted by a local family and have tea with them. We will also learn how to write down names in Berber and Arabic. Dinner will be at the Berber Cultural Center, where we will Enjoy music and dance with locals.

The Berber Cultural Center of Imintanout stands as a vibrant testament to Morocco's rich heritage and the enduring traditions of the Berber people. Located in the heart of Imintanout, this center offers a captivating journey into Berber culture through interactive exhibits, workshops, and cultural events. Visitors can immerse themselves in Berber cuisine, music, crafts, and language traditions, gaining a deeper understanding of this ancient and vibrant culture. With its warm hospitality and immersive experiences, the Berber Cultural Center of Imintanout invites travelers to explore the fascinating world of the Berber people and their enduring legacy in Morocco.

Return to the Joy city of Marrakech, the jewel of Morocco. Enjoy a free day of shopping. Walk in the souks and buy goods in the bazaar. Dinner will be at a typical Moroccan restaurant with Entertainment.

We will take you back to the Airport to connect with your flight to your next destination.