Southern Morocco explored

Today you have a full-day city tour with your private guide, a must for first-time visitors. A large city with narrow streets in intricate patterns, you stand a reasonable chance of getting lost without some form of initial orientation. Today’s tour takes in Marrakesh’s principal sights, including the Koutoubia Mosque, Saadian Tombs and the Bahia Palace, as well as its souqs and more hidden sides. This will be a great introduction to the city.

Today’s cooking class at the Amal Association women’s cooperative will be a truly meaningful experience. The mission behind this project is to provide young women with culinary training and employable skills to help them gain economic independence. Meet the women as they teach you how to cook traditional Moroccan cuisine, such as tagine and various side dishes. Afterwards, enjoy the fruits of your labour and gain a unique perspective on Moroccan life.

Depart Marrakesh today and head to the spectacular High Atlas Mountains just a short one-hour drive from the city. You have a half-day, guided hike with your local guide who grew up in the area. He will tailor the hike to your activity levels and point out flora and fauna, and tell you stories about growing up in the rural remoteness of the mountains. In the afternoon, relax at your mountain hotel, Kasbah Angour, and enjoy the splendid views.

Today, you continue your cultural exploration of southern Morocco and spend a day with a local Amazigh family in their rural mountainous village. There, you bake bread and prepare lunch together, drink mint tea and spend time learning about their way of life. Afterwards, visit the Assafou Foundation, which provides free education for children living in rural communities. Here you can visit the centre where local women learn skills such as weaving so that they can sell their handicrafts at local markets or in Marrakesh's souqs.

Today your private driver collects you from your hotel in the High Atlas Mountains and drives you to Taroudant. The journey south today will feature climbs of up to 2,100 metres, and winding hairpins offering dramatic views of the surrounding valleys and mountains. After, descend 1,600 metres in less than 30 kilometres as you head out west through the Sous Valley toward Taroudant.

Your day begins with a guided tour of Taroudant, a city steeped in history and culture in the heart of Morocco’s Souss Valley, also known as ‘Little Marrakesh.’ Known for its well-preserved city walls and bustling marketplaces, this tour offers a glimpse into the rich tapestry of traditional Moroccan city life. Afterwards, your guide and driver accompany you to visit Tioute and the town’s Kasbah, built during the 16th century.

The Souss Valley is a luscious green area which boasts an abundance of wildlife, great for birdwatching. Today, your local guide takes you on a walk through the Tioute oasis, where it is possible to spot various birds that call this area home. Enjoy lunch at the oasis before continuing to your hotel in Tafraoute, around three hours’ drive south.

Depart your Tafraoute hotel today as you head west to the Souss Massa National Park, via Tiznit and Mirleft. Today’s drive gives you a great introduction to the varied and unexplored towns and cities of southern Morocco. Tiznit is known for its exquisite silver jewellery and handicrafts, and one hour west, Mirleft is a charming, coastal town. After a full day’s driving and touring, you reach your accommodation in the Souss Massa National Park in the evening.

Join a local birdwatcher and your guide for a morning walk along the estuary to try spotting the many species that thrive here. This is home to a breeding initiative focusing on rare glossy ibis and marbled ducks, which increases your chances of seeing these elusive species.

Today is your last full day in Morocco, and another chance to continue birdwatching and spot those elusive marbled ducks, a globally threatened species you may not have seen the day before. Alternatively, you could spend the day relaxing on the beach or unwinding at the hotel’s spa.

This morning, your driver will collect you from Ksar Massa and drive you to Agadir Airport for your flight home. We have included fast-track departure assistance at the airport, meaning you skip the long queues at customs and have a stress-free time passing swiftly through to the departure lounge. Your return flight will arrive the same day.