8 DAYS | 17-24 May 2025
ONLY 16 SPOTS AVAILABLE
THE TOUR
WHAT’S INCLUDED
ITINERARY
Meals Included: Dinner
Assalamu Alaikom!
Welcome to Morocco and the ochre city of Marrakech, an ancient city wrapped in European modernity. After checking in to your accommodation, your adventure begins today with a welcome meeting at 6pm, then you will head to one of the local women’s riads for a henna ceremony.
Henna, often used for intricate body art, is made from the dried leaves of the Lawsonia inermis plant. The paste, usually dark green or brown, is applied in beautiful, swirling patterns on the skin. Traditionally, it’s used for celebrations like weddings and festivals, symbolizing joy and good fortune.
Accompanied with a musical folkloric women’s band called Houwariyat. At the same place you will have your home cooked welcome dinner.
Arrival Activities
- Included (Group Basis)
- Marrakech – Henna Ceremony
- Marrakech – local female band (Howariyat)
- Marrakech – home cooked dinner
Accommodation: Riad Nesma or similar
Day 2: Marrakech
Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner
After breakfast today, meet your local guide and set off on a morning tour of the old medina, through the bustling souks that are the lifeblood flowing through the city. Explore tranquil courtyards filled with the scent of orange blossom, and the many salons and chambers that make up Bahia Palace. This splendid mansion was built in 1866 for a former slave who rose to power within the government.
Meander gently in the enclosed high-walled garden of le Jardins Secret. What was Formerly a palace dates to the mid-19th century now a dazzlingly beautiful little corner of a garden.
Stop by the Koutoubia Mosque, its famous minaret is the prototype for others of its kind around the world, including La Giralda in Seville. Then head to Nour Association for a quick embroidery workshop.
After that get ready for an authentic cookery experience ‘from Souk to plate’ as the locals do every day. Learn a few Darija words for ingredients, and head to the local market to buy all you need from local vendors, from meat, vegetables, spices to herbs. Afterwards, walk back to a local home and with your cook, level up your cooking skills and whip up a Tagine that you won’t dare to leave unfinished for dinner.
Included Activities
- Marrakech – Medina walking tour
- Marrakech – Bahia Palace visit
- Marrakech – Secret Garden visit
- Marrakech – Embroidery Workshop
- Marrakech – Cooking class with dinner.
Accommodation: Riad Nesma or similar
Day 3: Aroumd
Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner
Rise and shine early today for breakfast and a group meeting at 8 am. Your leader will go through everything you need to know about today’s trek before you set off into the mountains.
Leave Marrakech behind and drive across the plains towards the ancient marketplace of Tahanaoute, with views of valleys and the Atlas Mountains along the way. Arrive at Imlil – a mountainous village 1740 m above sea level, then take a short hike to your mountain base in the village of Aroumd. In the afternoon, stretch your legs with a gentle orientation walk.
Your accommodation tonight is a mountain gite (a traditional village house). Rooms are furnished in the Amazigh style, with low couches (which can be used as beds), tables, carpets and cushions. On warm nights, it’s often possible to sleep out on the terrace under the stars!
Included Activities
- Imlil – Imlil to Aroumd guided trek
Accommodation: Mountain Gite
Special information: Your travel time today will be approximately 1.5 hours. Your trekking distance will be approximately 3.5km or 1 hour, with 320 m of elevation gain. Your bathroom at the mountain gite accommodation will most likely be shared with others.
Day 4: Imlil
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Today, explore Aroumd on some of the local trails with your group. Get to know the terrain and acclimatise your body for the challenge of the summit ahead. Today’s main hike will depend on the weather and the group’s ability.
Acclimatisation hikes are quite slow, with a relaxed pace. Wherever your trip leader chooses, you’ll have the chance to enjoy the beautiful Moroccan countryside, where children run freely through the valleys and farmers tend to their plots of land. Donkeys provide a mode of transport for both young and old, with stony pathways winding through the mountains to villages hidden from the main roads. When you arrive back in your gite, tuck into a hearty dinner and rest up for tomorrow’s challenge.
Included Activities
- Imlil – Guided acclimatisation hike
Accommodation: Mountain Gite
Day 5: Mt Toubkal Base Camp
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
This morning you’ll begin your ascent of Mount Toubkal – North Africa’s highest peak. From Aroumd, the trail crosses the floodplain of the Ait Mizane Valley, before climbing steeply in a zigzag up the mountainside.
Along the way, pass the pilgrimage site of Sidi Chamarouch, home to the tomb of the local marabout (Muslim holy man). Only Muslims are permitted to cross the bridge and approach the large white stone that serves as a shrine.
From here, climb steeply through a series of switchbacks and traverse the flank of the valley above the river. Arrive at Toubkal Base Camp (3207 metres above sea level) and enjoy a hearty dinner and make sure you get plenty of sleep before the big ascent tomorrow.
Included Activities
- Imlil – Imlil to Mount Toubkal Basecamp guided hike
Accommodation: Mountain Gite
Day 6: Toubkal Summit
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Embrace an early start this morning as you tackle the rocky terrain that leads to the summit of Mount Toubkal. At 4,167 m above sea level, this is truly the roof of North Africa. Take in the beautiful silence of the morning while you make the final climb, which can involve some scrambling. Your effort is rewarded by views from the summit, which on a clear day can include the entire Atlas Mountain range, the Atlantic coast to the west and the Sahara Desert to the east.
After a rest at the summit and time spent marvelling at the view, descend to base camp. You’ll fuel up with a hearty lunch before heading back to Aroumd, where your local host will be waiting to welcome you back with homecooked dinner to celebrate your achievements in the High Atlas Mountains.
Included Activities
- Mount Toubkal guided summit trek
Accommodation: Mountain Gite
Day 7: Marrakech
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Today you will drive along the winding roads of the Atlas, bound for Marrakech. After arrival and check-in, savour a delicious lunch at the Amal Association, supporting local women while enjoying traditional Moroccan dishes.
In the afternoon, indulge in a relaxing hammam massage at Mythic Spa, rejuvenating your body and spirit. Conclude your day with a delightful dinner at Al Fassia, known for its exquisite Moroccan cuisine and warm atmosphere, providing the perfect end to a day of wellness and culinary experiences.
Included Activities
- Marrakech – Relaxing hammam massage
- Marrakech – Lunch at Amal Association
- Marrakech – Dinner at Al Fassia Restaurant
Accommodation: Riad Nesma or similar
Day 8: Marrakech
Meals Included: Breakfast
Your trip ends today after breakfast.
Departure Transfer
- Included (Group Basis)
ACCOMMODATION
Our accommodation for the trip will be an array of 3-4* hotels. We have carefully chosen the accommodation to maximise your experience on this bucket list trip.
*You will be sharing a room with another guest, in a room with twin beds, with an ensuite. Rooms will be allocated randomly, unless specified otherwise.
PRICE
£1,599 per person including all as stated above and must be booked via Intrepid Travel.
WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED
✕ Flights to and from the trip (please speak to Intrepid about flights)
✕ Travel insurance for the trip
✕ Any additional meals or drinks not stated above
✕ Any additional activities not stated above
✕ Airport transfers if you arrive or depart outside of the recommended times
*There will be one transfer per trip for arrival and one for departure. Attendees will be recommended a flight, but if you book alternative flights, transfers will not be provided and will be at the cost of the guest.
INSURANCE
It is the attendee’s responsibility to have the appropriate travel insurance for this trip. It is compulsory for all guests to have travel insurance. Please let us know you have appropriate travel insurance before the trip.
FLIGHTS
Flights are not included as we wanted to give you the option of where to fly when and where you want. However, if you want help booking flights, Intrepid Travel is on hand to help you throughout the booking process and can book flights for you if required.
BOOKING
To book your spot, get in touch with Intrepid Travel and use the reference ‘OAG Morocco’.
To secure your place on this tour, you must pay a non-refundable deposit of £200 per person. To book please email [email protected]m or contact the Intrepid Team on 0808 274 5111.
Do you want to pay in installments? Once you’ve reserved your space you can arrange this with Intrepid – no extra fees.
You can read the terms and conditions via the trip itinerary PDF.
ABOUT INTREPID TRAVEL
I have teamed up with Intrepid Travel to help host our OAG Overseas trips. They are experts in group travel with over 30 years of experience, and most importantly they are a B Corp, meaning responsible travel has always been at the core of what they do. Travelling with Intrepid means not just better trips for you, it’s better for local communities, better for wildlife, and better for the planet. Read more about their Foundation here.
