Marrakech History and Souqs  Walking Tour:    :
With the touch of a journey back into time and quite the best introduction to this Garden City, we shall visit the dramatic Almohad Koutoubia Minaret and the lavishly-decorated Saadien Tombs – some dating from the middle 1550s; the 14th century Ben Youssef Medersa - one of the most beautiful buildings in Marrakech and thence through the labyrinth of narrow alleyways making up the renowned cool, colourful and aromatic Souqs of Marrakech - the Dyers’ Souq being the last to be visitied - finishing our guided visit in the Djemâa el Fna Square (the ‘Assembly of the Dead’), where, until the 19th century, were traditionally displayed the severed heads of criminals. Now we see stalls of goods, from fruit to alarm clocks; snake charmers and water sellers; fortune tellers and public scribes; tumblers and nakkachat - women with syringes full of henna – soothsayers and gnaoua musicians. The perfect start to any stay in Marrakech for, without a doubt, you’ll be back in the souqs for more, but it’s best not to get lost on your first adventure.

The Berber Trails:  
An excursion of some 7 hours into the jaggedly-peaked magnificent High Atlas Eastern Oukaïmeden Range of mountains in a 4 wheel drive vehicle, taking us up through the Oued Zat Valley, dominated by the Taska n’Zat to pass by ancient Berber villages, built of pisé clawed from the mountain slopes, tucked away in arguably the most beautiful valley in the Kingdom of Morocco – the Ourika. This is a rare and wonderful opportunity to capture the totally different lifestyle of the hardy Berber people, as well as to enjoy a refreshing vista of dramatic and luxuriant countryside. Far from the heat of Marrakech, we shall take our lunch (included) in this charming Ourika Valley before returning to our hotel in the late afternoon. Little walking is actually involved.

The Kasbah of Telouet: 

An early (8 o’clock) departure to one of the grandest of all the Atlas fortresses and perhaps the most famous - the Telouet Kasbah. At an altitude of over 7000 feet, this is the one-time strategic home of the ‘Lords of the Atlas’, the warrior brothers Glaoui, who ruled and rampaged over southern Morocco during the French Protectorate. Sir Winston Churchill and personalities such as he were once on the exclusive guest lists. The splendour of the kasbah is gently fading, yet there is more than enough left of this fascinating and ancient residence to give you a fine example of another epoch in Morocco’s colourful history. This easy tour of the kasbah is of one full day from Marrakech, made usually by minibus or 4 wheel drive. (Lunch is not included.)

Enchanting Essaouira:   

At around half past eight in the morning we set out towards the west, to the Atlantic coast and the ancient Phonenician town of Mogador – a corruption of the Berber word Amegdul, meaning ‘well-protected’ – and now, since Independence, called Essaouira - ‘Little Picture .’ Abandoned by the Portuguese in 1541, it was not until 1765 when the Alaouite Sultan Sidi Mohammad Ibn Abdullah transformed Mogador into a fortified city. The ramparts were never that effective in keeping out the marauding tribesmen but now, a charming artists’ town with its old port and cannons overlooking the fishing fleet, Essaouira invites you to wander through the narrow alleyways which make up the Medina to witness artisans at work making their wooden tables, boxes and sundry items in lemon or briar wood inlaid with mother of pearl –the purple dye produced by the crushed shellfish were exported by the conquering Romans to colour the togas of the rich back home. Perhaps a dip in the waters of the ocean before returning to the bustle of Marrakech? A camel ride along the beach? Lunch is not included, but you’ll enjoy Essouaira’s famed seafood, either on the quayside or in one of the several quaint cafés that decorate this charming historical town before returning back to Marrakech by late evening..

The remarkable Chez Ali Fantasia : 

As an excellent finale to any stay in Marrakech, Chez Ali is truly a 1001 Nights’ experience.
Our journey this evening takes us out of the heat of the city on a road to palm groves, where twinkling lights beckon us out of the darkness to a magnificent spectacle. As the evening progresses, various folklore groups pass through the nomad tents singing and dancing to their throbbing music. The highlight comes at the end of our meal when we are invited to witness charging robed horsemen in a display of their old tribal power as they shout and fire off their muskets and muzzle-loaders, bringing their horses to a sudden halt before us. Above us, in the night sky, Sheherezade and her Prince fly to the heavens on their magic carpet ride whilst fireworks light the sky as our evening of magical splendour comes to an end.

 

 

Imm. Oumlil N. 26, av. Hassan II, Agadir 80000
complete@menara.ma
Tel1 : (212) 28 82 34 01  / tel2 : (212) 28 82 34 02
Fax : (212) 28 82 34 03
www.complete-tours.com