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You'll explore the exotic city of Marrakech and then spend two nights on the coast before returning back to Marrakech. You'll be met at the airport in Marrakech where your private car will be waiting for you to take you to your Riad in the center of it all. Spend the next day exploring the city with your guide taking in sights such as the Saadian Tombs, El-Bahia Palce the Koutoubia Minaret and the Jemaa el-Fna. Translated as the Square of the art, it's the main open space in Marrakech,and as old as the city itself. Once the scene of public executions, it is now the city's cultural epicentre, thronged day and night with a carnival of local life, including snake charmers, dentists, scribes and herbalists. In the evenings, the square becomes a venue for alfresco eating and entertainment of a bizarre nature with troupes of costumed acrobats, storytellers, magicians, and semi-mystical gnawa musicians. Just a few hours drive away you'll be on the coast exploring the exotic city of Essaouira. You'll spend the next two nights here before heading back to Marrakech for one last night before returning home.
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Itinerary
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Day 1
Marrakech Airport transfer with private vehicle and driver. Enjoy dinner at leisure (not included in tour price). La Maison Arabe, a legendary hotel located in the romantic medina of Marrakech, includes 17 rooms and suites, two restaurants, a swimming pool, spa and cooking school.
Marrakech is known as the "Red City" and is an important and former imperial city in Morocco. It has a population of 1,070,838 (as of 2004), and is the capital of the mid-southwestern economic region of Marrakech-Tensift-Al Haouz, near the foothills of the snow-capped Atlas Mountains.
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 Marrakech |
 La Maison Arabe |
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Day 2
Marrakech Private car, guide & driver at your disposal for the day. (Mercedes Viano/Vito or similar) After breakfast you will be met at your hotel and taken on a full day guided tour of Marrakech. Your tour usually starts at the 12th century Koutoubia Mosque but you can discuss all of the options with your guide. The mosques beautiful minaret dominates the skyline of Marrakech and can be seen from almost every approach to the city thanks to a long-standing planning ordinance that forbids any other building in the old city to rise above the height of a palm tree. You will also visit the El-Bahia Palace, this 19th century palace is elaborate in its decoration and was built over a period seven years for Ba Ahmed, the son of the Grand Vizier Si Moussa, there are row after row of apartments—that once housed Ahmed's harem—a trapezoidal garden, a huge tiled courtyard, and many hidden treasures, both in the form of antique objets d'art and the palace's convergence of Andalusian and Moorish architecture. One of most visited sites in Morocco are the Saadian Tombs which were only accessible via the mosque next door. However, in 1917 they were opened to the public and can now be accessed via a narrow passage that leads to an enclosed garden watched over by two mausoleums that include more than one hundred mosaic decorated tombs. The Koranic School Medersa Ben Youssef which is a Theological college founded by the Merenid Sultan Abu Hassan in the 14th century, and restored in 1564 by the Saadians who made it the largest theological college in the Maghreb and a rival to the important Medersa Bou Inania in Fés. Enjoy dinner at leisure (not included in tour price). Overnight at La Maison Arabe.
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Day 3
Marrakech This morning you'll say goodbye to Marrakech and head up to the High Atlas Mountains where spectacular scenery awaits. Berber villages lay terraced into the hillside as you approach the Atlas Mountains. Morning excursion to the High Atlas Mountains and Kasbah du Toubkal. Head south from Marrakech along the hairpin bends which eventually leads to one of only two passes through the High Atlas Mountains. Perhaps make a brief stop at the Berber villages of Tahanoute or Asni and continue to the village of Imlil, where you will take a ten minute walk up to Kasbah du Toubkal. Mules will be available if you prefer to ride! Situated on a hilltop with commanding views of the surrounding valley, the Kasbah du Toubkal was built as a summer palace for the Pasha El Glaoui. It is now a wonderful place to experience Berber hospitality and a great base from which to explore the High Atlas. Enjoy a traditional Berber lunch on the terrace overlooking the snow-capped peaks or a picnic lunch on the trail. You may wish to take a stroll to a nearby Berber village, where an invitation to share mint tea with the locals can be arranged. Kasbah du Toubkal has been heavily involved in sharing its prosperity with the local mountain villages, sponsoring much-needed health and educational projects. Back to Marrakech at your leisure and the remainder of the day is free for more exploration of Marrakech.
Enjoy lunch (included in tour price). Enjoy dinner at leisure (not included in tour price). Overnight at La Maison Arabe.
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Day 4
Marrakech - Essaouira Private car & driver at your disposal for the day. Travel to Essaouria Enjoy time at leisure to explore at your own pace, or relax in your hotel. Enjoy dinner at leisure (not included in tour price). A the edge of the ramparts, Dar L'Oussia stands as a sentry scanning the horizon. With warm hospitality, attentive and discreet service, Dar L'Oussia welcomes guests to its 24 rooms and suites decorated in traditional elegance. The Riad also offers a traditional hammam and a small spa with massage. This hotel lounges in the sun offering gorgeous views of the bay, the sea, the port and the Medina. It is the perfect place to unwind in this beautiful town. Essaouira is a laid-back fishing port whose narrow streets are lined with whitewashed, blue-shuttered houses. Long considered as one of the best anchorages of the Moroccan coast, during the 5th century BC the Carthaginian navigator Hanno established a trading post. The actual city of Essaouira was only built during the 18th century. Mohammed III, wishing to reorient his kingdom towards the Atlantic for increased exchanges with European powers. Today it is a city of charm and relaxation with gorgeous ocean views and plenty of optional activities on offer.
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 Essaouira |
 Riad Dar L'oussia Room |
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Day 5
Essaouira Essaouira offers a great variety of optional activities. Choose between mountain biking, hiking, horseback, fishing, sailing, surfing, wind surfing, kite surfing, camel rides, visits to vineyards, trekking, visits to Argan oil production, rural tourism. Ask your guide to assist you. Enjoy dinner at leisure (not included in tour price). Overnight at Riad Dar L'Oussia .
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 Essaouira |
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Day 6
Essaouira - Marrakech Private car & driver at your disposal for the day. Travel to Marrakech Depart from Marakech international airport - end of itinerary.
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Trip Includes
All ground transport in a comfortable air conditioned vehicle - English speaking professional driver - Private guide for tours - All park and reserve entrance fees, including local government taxes - Domestic flights, airport transfers, meals as indicated on the itinerary
Trip Excludes
Laundry - Tips - Soft drinks and alcoholic beverages including mineral water - International airfare - Visas - Optional activities/extras - Vacation insurance (purchase at www.kensingtontours.com/insurance.cfm )
Trip Terms & Conditions
- Your deposit is due immediately on booking (30% of program price). The balance is due 90 days prior to departure. We accept payment via credit card, certified check, wire transfer or money order.
- The price shown is per person, and does not include international air fare to/from the trip start point
- Cost increases in currency exchange, government fees, taxes, surcharges or hotel/lodge tariff increases between quote date and start date are payable by the client.
- We will exercise best efforts to book hotels per the itinerary, however, in busy seasons and with client bookings made within 90 days of tour date we may be forced to offer substitutes. We will endeavour to confirm final hotel bookings as soon as possible.
- Cancellations 90 days or more prior to departure will receive full refund less any non-refundable paid fees (e.g. non-refundable cruise or hotel deposits). 60-89 days will be subject to loss of deposit. 30-59 days will be subject to loss of 50% of program price. 29 days or less will be subject to 100% of program price.
- Payment of the program price constitutes your acceptance of the terms and conditions set out at www.kensingtontours.com/terms.cfm
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