m.touch travel
Marrakech Excursions
Highlights
Essaouira
Archaeological research shows that Essaouira has been occupied since prehistoric times. The bay at Essaouira is partially sheltered by the island of Mogador, making it a peaceful harbour protected against strong marine winds. During the Middle Ages, a muslim saint named Sidi Mogdoul was buried in Essaouira. In 1506, the king of Portugal ordered a fortress to be built there, named "Castelo Real de Mogador". The fortress fell to the local resistance of the Regraga fraternity four years later. During the 16th century, various powers including Spain, England, the Netherlands and France tried in vain to conquer the locality. Essaouira remained a haven for the export of sugar molasses and the anchoring of pirates. Mohammed ben Abdallah encouraged Moroccan Jews to settle in the town and handle the trade with Europe. Jews once comprised 40% of the population, and the Jewish quarter, or mellah remains, containing many old synagogues and cemetery.
The Medina of Essaouira (formerly "Mogador") is a UNESCO World Heritage Listed city, as an example of a late 18th century fortified town, as transferred to North Africa.
In the early 1950s film director and actor Orson Welles stayed at the Hotel des Iles just south of the town walls during the filming of his 1952 classic version of "Othello" which contains several memorable scenes shot in the labyrinth streets and alleyways of the medina. Legend has it that during Welles's sojourn in the town he met Winston Churchill, another guest at the Hotel des Iles. Several other film directors have utilized Essaouira's photogenic and atmospheric qualities.
Ouarzazate
Once in its history, Ouarzazate had been a small crossing point for African traders seeking to reach northern cities in Morocco and Europe. During the French period, Ouarzazate expanded considerably as a garrison town, administrative centre, and customs post.
At present, it hosts one of the largest movie studios in the world, Atlas Studios. Several historical movies were shot on those studios, including Asterix & Obelix: Mission Cleopatra, Lawrence of Arabia, The Man Who Would Be King, Cleopatra, Kundun, Gladiator and lately Alexander, Kingdom of Heaven and Babel. The casbah-town of Ait Benhaddou is nearby. Many excursions through the valley of the Draa River into the Sahara start from the city. These include trips to Zagora, an oasis town surrounded by palm tree plantations, and the traditional departure point for camel trains to Timbuktu.
Berbers
Berbers are the indigenous peoples of North Africa west of the Nile Valley. They are discontinuously distributed from the Atlantic to the Siwa oasis, in Egypt, and from the Mediterranean to the Niger River. Historically they spoke various Berber languages, which together form a branch of the Afro-Asiatic language family. Today many of them speak Arabic. Between 14 and 25 million Berber-speakers live within this region, most densely in Algeria and Morocco.
Souk & Market Tour
Join us for a walking tour through one of the most exciting and vibrant cities in N.Africa.
Camel Trekking
Join us for a camel excursion for the day or 2 days with an overnight.
Excursions from Marrakech
The mountains are divided into additional and separate ranges, including the Middle Atlas, High Atlas, and Anti-Atlas. The highest peak is Jbel Toubkal, with an elevation of 13,671 ft in southwest Morocco.
The High Atlas in central Morocco rises in the west at the Atlantic coast and stretches in an eastern direction to the Moroccan-Algerian border. At the Atlantic and to the southwest the range drops abruptly and makes an impressive transition to the coast and the Anti-Atlas range. To the north, in the direction of Marrakech, the range descends less abruptly.
On the heights of Ouarzazate the massif is cut through by the Draa valley which opens southward. In this chaos of rocks the contrasts are astonishing: water runs in some places, forming clear basins. It is mainly inhabited by Berber people, who live in small villages and cultivate the high plains of Ourika Valley.
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Essaouira
Full Day Tour
Visit the beach and famous port of Essaouira on a day trip from Marrakech. You'll take a guided tour of the port and have the opportunity to discover the marvelous Argan oil when you visit a Women's Co-operative manufacturing this famous product.
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From $41.00pp
Essaouira Day Trip from Marrakech
Departures: April - October: Monday, Wednesday, Friday
Includes: Hotel Pick Up and Drop Off from centrally located Marrakech hotels, Lunch and Entrance Fees
Departure Time: 7:30am
Duration: 12 1/2
Cost: $41.00 pp
Itinerary Details & Secure Online Booking
For a private tour please use the above Inquiry Form
Formerly known by its old Portuguese name "Mogador", Essaouira is a citadel with a prestigious past. It has been occupied since prehistoric times and was famous for its Tyrian factory which supplied Rome with the legendary purple dye. A cradle for artists of all kinds, Essaouira is also well known for its fishing port and market, a hive of activity day or night.
During your time in Essaouira you will have a guided visit of the port, the Scala, the municipal market, jeweler's quarter and a handicrafts complex. There will also be time for a lunch break during the day (lunch is not included in tour price).
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Ourika Valley
Full Day Tour
Leave Marrakech behind as you join a day trip to Ourika Valley, a lush oasis of vegetation in the foothills of the magnificent Atlas Mountains about 30km drive.
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From $33.00
Ourika Valley Day Trip from Marrakech
Departures: April - October: Monday, Friday
Includes: Hotel Pick Up and Drop Off from centrally located Marrakech hotels, Lunch and Entrance Fees
Departure Time: 9:30am
Duration: 7 1/2 hrs
Cost: $33.00 pp
Itinerary Details & Secure Online Booking
For a private tour please use the above Inquiry Form
The Ourika Valley spreads between the first foothills of the Atlas Mountains, extending along the Wadi River. Despite it being so close to Marrakech, this beautiful green valley is one of the most pristine valleys in Morocco. Enjoy a guided visit of a herb garden where you are served traditional mint tea by the local people, before heading to lunch in a restaurant with panoramic views of the cascading valley below.
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Ouarzazate
Full Day Tour
On this day trip to Ouarzazate you will visit the former residence of the last sultan of Atlas and visit the Heritage listed village of Ait Ben Haddou a medieval red-earth village. This area is also famous for being the setting of many major motion pictures.
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$60.00 pp
Ouarzazate Day Trip from Marrakech
Departures: April - October: Monday, Wednesday, Friday
Includes: Hotel Pick Up and Drop Off from centrally located Marrakech hotels, Lunch and Entrance Fees
Departure Time: 7:00am
Duration: 13hrs
Cost: $60.00 pp
Itinerary Details & Secure Online Booking
For a private tour please use the above Inquiry Form
Cross the Atlas mountains through the Tichka gorge by way of one of Morocco's most winding and breath-taking roads.
Visit the Taouirt Kasbah, former residence of the Glaoui, the last sultan of the Atlas before stopping for lunch in Ouarzazate.
On the return journey you will stop for photo opportunities at one of the most beautiful ksours (fortified villages) of the Moroccan South. Ait Ben Haddou has been restored by UNESCO and is on the World Heritage List, a red-earth medieval village which appears to be lost in time.
The desert of Ouarzazate has appeared in many feature films including Lawrence of Arabia, Star Wars, Gladiator, Kingdom of Heaven and Babel.
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Berber Trails
4WD Day Trip
Follow ancient Berber Trails across the Atlas Mountains on a day trip from Marrakech into the Moroccan past. From the valleys to the mountain summits, you will discover the faces, smiles and traditional lifestyle of Morocco, away from the busy cities.
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$89.00 pp
Berber Trails 4WD Day Trip from Marrakech
Departures: April - October: Daily
Includes: Hotel Pick Up and Drop Off from centrally located Marrakech hotels, Lunch and Entrance Fees
Departure Time: 8:30am
Duration: 8hrs
Cost: $89.00 pp
Itinerary Details & Secure Online Booking
For a private tour please use the above Inquiry Form
The Moroccan landscape is not only majestic, it dictates the lives of the men and women who live in this region. Traveling by 4WD lets you get where the large tour buses can't go. Depending on the season, you may discover lush slopes covered with sheep or snow-covered summits.
In Tahanaout you will have a guided visit of the mills, with lunch served in the Kasbah of Ourika located in the famous Ourika Valley. You'll also sample traditional mint tea served by the locals in Tagoumt and enjoy a photo stop at the picturesque village of Sour.
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A Day in Toubkal
"a mountain retreat with the best rooftop views in North Africa". Condé Nast Magazine.
Spend a day in the Atlas Mountains & experience the true spirit of the Berber way of life at The Kasbah Du Toubkal with lunch at the Kasbah a walk in the mountains or a mule ride to a local village.
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85€ pp
Private Day Excursion to The Kasbah du Toubkal
Duration: 10hrs
Includes: All transport. lunch and guides from Marrakech.
A unique experience & a day you will always remember.
Cost: 85.00€ pp
Availability: All year
Itinerary:
• 09.00 Depart Marrakech by minibus/Land Rover
• 09.30 Visit souk Tahanoute (Tuesday), Asni (Saturday). Other days, come straight to Kasbah and spend more time in Imlil / Kasbah.
• 10.30 Depart Asni/ Tahanoute for Imlil
• 11.15 Arrive Imlil, visit village and walk/mule ride to Kasbah
• 12.00 Lunch at the Kasbah du Toubkal
• 14.00 Relax at the Kasbah or take a mule ride/short trek to outlying Berber village for mint tea in a Berber house*.
• 16.00 Depart Imlil.
• 17.30 Return to your hotel, Marrakech
* Given time either of these trails are possibly after lunch.
Targa Imoula, South East of the Kasbah
Visit the village of Targa Imoula, visible from the roof of the Kasbah, with shady orchards and walnut groves on route
•Depart Kasbah and return via Imlil village
•Duration 45 minutes walking time (you may wish to take tea in one of the villages)
Mzig, West of the Kasbah
•Walk through the village of Mzig, hidden away around to the West. The views of Imlil and the terraces are beautiful from here
•Depart Kasbah and return via Imlil village
•Duration 45 mins to one hour walking time