Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
Two Sides of Morocco From Marrakech to the Mountains
Morocco – Marrakech – Mount Toubkhal – Imlil – Ourika
The fun kicks off in Marrakech, where you’ll explore the medina’s maze-like streets, souqs and palaces with a local guide. You'll also have the chance to channel your inner chef during a Moroccan cooking class in a traditional riad kitchen. Consider your culinary repertoire officially spiced up...
All that hustle and bustle of the city is bound to leave you craving some peace and quiet, and where better to find it than in the High Atlas Mountains?
First, you’ll stay in the charming village of Imlil, nestled at the foot of Mount Toubkal (North Africa’s highest peak). Spend your days ambling along scenic trails and your evenings unwinding in the hammam, before embarking on a multi-day trek through the Azzaden Valley. It’s safe to say you’ll be knocking your step goal out of the park on this trip...
Itinerary
100% customisable for you
The countdown is over, the bags are packed and excitement levels are officially sky-high – today your adventure to Morocco begins.
Head to the airport, whizz through security and board your direct four-hour flight to Marrakech, plenty of time to make a solid dent in your holiday read.
You’ll touch down in this one-of-a-kind city this afternoon, where you’ll be met at the airport by your local driver and whisked straight to your charming hotel in the heart of the medina. And as tradition dictates, kick off your three-night stay with a glass of Moroccan mint tea on the terrace. The first of many, we’re sure...
If energy levels allow, explore the winding lanes of the Red City. Soak up the sights, sounds and smells...with the latter sure to tempt you into a traditional restaurant for a hearty tagine (a slow-cooked stew served in a clay pot). Then retreat to your hotel for a restful night – the real adventure begins tomorrow...
Marrakech is yours for the taking this morning. Start at the central Djemaa el-Fna square, then venture out to explore alley after alley of fragrant spice stalls and traders selling leather goods, handwoven textiles and beaded jewellery. Why not start early on those souvenirs?
With a shiny new trinket secured, join your private guide for a deeper exploration of the city’s past. As one of Morocco’s former imperial capitals, Marrakech has rich architectural history, much of it concentrated in the Jewish Quarter.
Highlights include the Koutoubia Mosque and minaret, the Saadian Necropolis, El Badi Palace, Bahia Palace, and the Lezama Synagogue, with plenty of time to admire the artisanal design and dedicated worship behind each site. Let the oohing and aahing commence....
All that exploring is bound to work up a mighty appetite, so tuck into a mezze platter this evening and try a little bit of everything.
Spice things up – literally – during your stay in Marrakech with a traditional Moroccan cooking class. In the company of an expert chef, discover how fragrant spices such as cumin, saffron and ras el hanout work in harmony to create those quintessentially Moroccan flavours.
Then, roll up your sleeves and tie your apron as you put theory into practice and make your very own tagine. Slow-cooked, spicy, and superbly seasoned, your lunch will taste all the better knowing the hard work that’s gone into making it.
With a food coma looming, retreat to your hotel for some well-earned downtime before heading back into the medina for dinner – although that homemade tagine might be a tough act to follow...
Bid Marrakech a fond farewell this morning and meet your local driver for the one-and-a-half-hour journey south into the High Atlas Mountains. A road trip this epic calls for an equally good soundtrack, so ask your driver to tune into our destination-specific playlist as you climb higher and higher.
When you arrive at the village of Imlil, check in to your cosy mountain lodge – your home away from home for the next two nights. Set at the foot of Mount Toubkal (North Africa’s highest peak), spend some time settling in and enjoying the cooler air and slower pace of life.
Then, meet your personal mountain guide (lucky you) to discuss your preferences for walks and treks. If you’re raring to go, head out for an introductory hike through the sleepy village, following mule tracks between terraced fields and walnut groves.
In the evening, enjoy a hearty dinner back at the lodge and appreciate the stretching silence of the Atlas as the light fades over the surrounding peaks.
With tomorrow’s mountainous adventure on the horizon, today’s all about taking it slow and giving yourself time to acclimatise to the altitude.
Take a wander around the kasbah (historic fortress), find a shady reading spot or head to the market for another round of souvenir shopping.
As evening falls, dine somewhere local and feast on some authentic Berber dishes. With minimal light pollution, the stars come out in full force here, so have those shooting-star wishes at the ready...
Rise bright and early this morning, then fuel up with a hearty breakfast and spice-infused coffee. You’ll need the energy for today’s hike...
With your guide leading the way and a trusty donkey kindly taking care of your bags (what a trooper), set off on your trek through the High Atlas mountains. The trail threads through open valleys and juniper forests, so keep your eyes on the views and your camera close at hand to snap plenty of epic shots – all destined for the holiday album, surely.
With a picnic lunch enjoyed en route, the walk culminates after around three to four hours in the Azzaden Valley, a peaceful pocket of the mountains that feels wonderfully untouched by modern life.
When you finally reach your remote trekking lodge, check in for the night and enjoy some well-deserved R&R.
Lace up your boots this morning, then head out to discover more of the Azzaden Valley with your private mountain guide. With several treks of varying lengths to choose from, you can tailor today’s adventure to your fitness level and interests.
Fancy taking it (relatively) easy? Opt for a moderate walk through the valley’s villages. Otherwise, if you’re feeling particularly energetic, tackle a more strenuous seven-hour circular route past the Lepiney Refuge and over the Tizi n’Tzikert pass, set at over 9,000ft.
Another seven-hour trail takes you across the Tizi n’Teouti and Tizi n’Tougdalt passes, each over 8,000ft.
Enjoy a picnic lunch along the way – the perfect opportunity to stop, catch your breath and admire the beauty of your surroundings.
When you’re all hiked out, return to the lodge in the afternoon and relax as dinner is prepared. If you didn’t enjoy a dip in the hammam yesterday, your muscles will thank you for it today...
After breakfast, it’s time to say goodbye to your mountain hideaway and begin the trek back to your original lodge. You can either retrace your steps or ask your guide to mix things up with a different route, enjoying a new perspective on the rugged hillside landscapes.
When you finally return to the lodge (phew), settle in for one final dinner beneath the stars, complete with a celebratory tipple for several rewarding days traversing Mount Toubkal’s trails. Cheers to that.
With your suitcase stuffed with souq souvenirs and your hiking boots thoroughly worn in, your adventure across Morocco has come to an end.
After one last traditional breakfast, you’ll be privately transferred back to Marrakech Menara Airport, a one-and-a-half-hour drive away. From here, board your four-hour flight home and find yourself back on British soil – rather flatter and decidedly less dramatic – later the same day.
Why visit Morocco with Original Travel ?
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
Enquire nowA few of the benefits of travelling with us to Morocco
- Our local Concierges
- The Original Travel app
- Wi-Fi router and e-Sim
- Destination Dossier
- 24-hour helpline
- Expert guides
- 100% carbon absorption
