Kids in the Kasbahs Family Adventure, Morocco
Itinerary
DAY 1 - DEPART LONDON
After your flight, you transfer to your accommodation in
Marrakech and check in. Even today, the name Marrakech conjures up
images of scenes from the Arabian Nights: alleyways, souks, stalls
and markets. This remarkable city, dating from the 11th century,
never fails to satisfy the curiosity of adventurous travellers. The
graceful architecture of the renowned Koutoubia Minaret, dominates
the skyline. Hotel -1 night (Swimming Pool)
DAY 2 – MARRAKECH & AIT BENHADDOU
To orientate yourselves, you start with a walking tour of the
centre -which takes in the main sights and make your way into the
sprawling souk. As is usual in a souk, individual trades and crafts
are concentrated in one street or area, so the shoemakers are all
next to each other, as are the jewellers, the potters, weavers etc.
This is the best place in Morocco to sharpen your bargaining
skills, and you’re almost certain to be tempted by some of the
extraordinary variety of merchandise on display -perhaps a pair of
traditional Moroccan slippers, or some exotic spices. The Djemaa
el-Fna provides the throbbing atmosphere of a medieval fair; it
always seems full of life and continues late into the night.
In this great open square at the heart of the medina, snake
charmers and jugglers are among those who vie to entertain you. Red
fez-wearing sellers offer freshly squeezed orange juice, perhaps
the most delicious you will ever taste and in the evening wonderful
smells waft by as food stalls cook up their local delicacies. Each
time of day seems to carry a distinct character, so do keep popping
back for more!
Around noon you commence your five-hour bus journey across the
Atlas Mountains -rising to a height of 2260m at the Tizi-n-Tichka
Pass. Continuing on you drive to Ait Benhaddou, one of the
best-preserved fortified kasbahs in the country. With its dramatic
walls of red earth and slit windows, this is a magnificent example
of a stronghold. The surrounding villages also deserve your
attention. Ait Benhaddou itself sits upon a lofty pinnacle of rock
overlooking a river. Dating from around the 15th century, its
importance as a trading post gradually dwindled, and today’s
inhabitants eke out a living from farming the meagre soil. However,
because of its beauty, it has been used as a setting for films,
such as ‘Gladiator’ amongst many others. Hotel -1 night (Swimming
Pool) (B)
DAY 3 - IFERGANE
Leaving Ait Benhaddou, you skirt the southern edge of the Atlas
Mountains, whose hazy outline is visible in the distance. First
light is often the most magical time of day -as the strong winter
sun burns off the mists that hover around the valleys. Autumn and
winter are our favourite seasons in Morocco. The heat of the summer
months has subsided to leave warm, sunny days in which to explore.
In the foothills of the mountains, you will visit some of the
villages of this area -home to the Berber people who inhabited the
land centuries before the Arabs arrived a mere 1,200 or so years
ago. These proud people still speak a separate language, which
consists of three main dialects. Although Arabic is gaining an
ever-increasing foothold, most people especially the young -know a
few words of French too. Journey time today is approx. 6 hours.
With the fading sun dipping below the mountains, you will
undoubtedly find yourselves sipping a traditionally prepared glass
of sweet mint tea while you wait for your evening meal to be
served. Often the sound of the muezzin can be heard giving the call
to prayer. Auberge -2 nights (Swimming Pool) (B)
DAY 4 - IFERGANE
Today is a free day giving you the opportunity to walk and to
enjoy the fresh air and scenery. You can stroll through the
orangerie and there are local villages to explore. The area is
known for the production of Argan oil and it should be possible to
learn about the process and perhaps even see it being produced.
(B)
DAY 5 - ESSAOUIRA
Today you set off to the coast for a change of scenery. Journey
time is approx. 5 hours but this is broken up with a lunch stop on
the beach at Agadir. Arriving in Essaouira you find yourselves in
one of Morocco’s most attractive coastal cities. The wild waves of
the Atlantic crash remorselessly onto the rocky coastline of this
old pirates’ hideout. Portuguese, Berber and French battlements
encircle the maze of narrow lanes with tiny cafes looking out onto
small squares. Two fortresses look out over the ocean, and on an
offshore island stands another, even larger castle. As befits a
seaport, the pace of life is more relaxed here, and the whitewashed
streets lend a seemingly Mediterranean air to the city. Hotel -2
nights (B)
DAY 6 - ESSAOUIRA
This morning you can stroll around the lively old port, which is
full of colour and interest. The early morning is the best time
-when fishermen can be seen bringing in their catch or mending
their nets. The harbour was once the lair of pirates who sailed out
to plunder richly laden ships that passed along the coast -after
all, this was the main trade route round the Cape of Good Hope to
Western Europe. It later became a free port, when it had a small
international community of merchants. The cosmopolitan mixture of
different influences makes it a wonderful place to explore -and it
is full of visual surprises. The whole day is free to relax and
wander as you please. Take a leisurely stroll along the ramparts,
visit the little workshops which specialise in ornate inlaid work
using thuya wood a local conifer; spend time on the glorious beach
or enjoy a meal of freshly-cooked sardines down on the quayside.
(B)
DAY 7 - MARRAKECH
Leaving Essaouira behind, you journey inland by private charter
bus to Marrakech (approx 3 hours). This gives you the whole
afternoon to explore this amazing city and search the souks for
those last minute treasures. Alternatively if you’d like to
experience the relaxation of a traditional bath, your group leader
will advise where to find the nearest hammam -for just a few
dirhams, you’ll be steamed and scrubbed until you shine! Hotel – 1
night (Swimming pool) (B)
DAY 8 - FLY TO LONDON
Transfer to the airport and fly to London. (B)
BLD = breakfast, lunch, dinner.
Quick Links:
kasbah family adventure morocco -
introduction
kasbah family adventure morocco -
factfile
kasbah family adventure morocco -
map
kasbah family adventure morocco - dates
& prices
kasbah family adventure morocco - booking
enquiry
kasbah family adventure morocco - before
you go
REF: Morocco -Kids in the Kasbahs FEW - AC0008
