TREKKING IN BERBER COUNTRY FAMILY HOLIDAY

Itinerary

• Flight Inclusive itinerary
• Land Only itinerary

Day 1

Fly to Marrakech.

Day 2

Marrakech to the Atlas Mountains. In the morning we transfer to Tachbibt, which is about an hour and a half's drive from Marrakech. Here we meet our cook and team of muleteers who will be transporting our luggage over the next few days. From here we trek for 3 hours on gentle paths through this dry but cultivated landscape, stopping for lunch in the shade of an olive grove, before arriving in the village of Ait Bouzid. This village and the surrounding area is known as Ait Zitoun, which means the olive area, as the local residents make their living from cultivating orchards of olive trees. Some of the other crops grown in this part of the High Atlas Mountains include oranges, apples, walnuts, almonds, figs, winter barley and wheat.

Day 3

Trek to Ait Hamed. Today is a full day's trek of approximately 6 hours. We head up into the mountains which allows us fabulous views of the Haouz plain and lake Lalla Tazerkount. The day is spent walking through pine forests and following rivers which are bordered by oleander bushes. We end today's walk at Ait Hamed, a village of approximately 200 inhabitants at an altitude of 1400m. The buildings are constructed from locally-sourced stone and mud, and recently, more modern materials. Village life centres on farming, with methodically irrigated terraces

Day 4

Trek to Imi n'Tala. We enjoy a morning trek of about 3.5 hours through some of the beautiful and traditional villages of the Amizmiz valley. Again we will see well-tended, precariously situated terraces hugging the valley sides. Where water is available, these terraces are remarkably verdant and in early spring, the almond trees are in blossom, closely followed by the apple and then the walnut trees. This whole area is rich in minerals and the ever-changing colour of the mountains is evidence of this. At lunchtime we arrive at the village of Imi n'Tala, our base for tonight. This is a slightly larger Berber village, and the location lends itself to an active agricultural scene. In the afternoon there's the chance to take a stroll around the village, perhaps visiting one of the local water mills. There may also be the opportunity to watch the traditional way of baking bread

Day 5

Trek to Ardouz, transfer to Marrakech. Today we enjoy our last trek of about 4.5 hours and there are spectacular views of the High Atlas Mountains as we pass through the charming village of Tnirt, descending towards the valley of Ardouz. After lunch, we say goodbye to our team of muleteers and return to Marrakech, stopping off en-route for a brief visit to take a look around the Terre des Jeunes project. On arrival in Marrakech, the rest of the afternoon and evening are free.

Day 6

Marrakech. Our morning is spent on a guided walking tour of the 'pink city' of Marrakech and the afternoon is free for your own exploration. The town is a maze of bustling bazaars, palaces and mosques and in the evening we can visit the Djemma el Fna, the open-air central square around which Marrakech revolves. The name literally means 'place of death' as it was the place where the Sultans used to display the heads of their enemies. Now, with the foodstalls, snake charmers, water-sellers, travelling musicians and acrobats, the square is a place of entertainment for both Moroccan and overseas visitors.

Day 7

Marrakech. Today is a free day in Marrakech so you might choose to relax by the hotel pool after all the activities in the Mountains and the hustle and bustle of the city, or maybe take a short Calèche (horse drawn carriage) ride, potter around the souks bartering for souvenirs or take a hammam (steam bath). Alternatively, you could visit the peaceful Majorelle Gardens which are decorated throughout in Indigo Blue.

Day 8

Fly to London.