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Marvellous Marrakech - Red House Hotel

8 Day Escorted Tour

Morocco, Africa
15 Meals Included
5 Excursions
Intermediate Pace

Embark on a fascinating journey uncovering the very best of Marrakech. Enjoy guided sightseeing tours of the vibrant streets of the old Medina, explore the Majorelle tropical gardens, visit picturesque Essaouira, and discover the tranquil oasis of Ourika Valley in the foothills of the Atlas Mountains. End your adventure with a stunning sunset atop a massive dune in the Agafay Desert and relaxing under the stars.

Highlights

  • Discover the beautiful architecture and sights of Marrakech, visiting Koutoubia Garden and El Bahia Palace
  • Explore the famous souks of Marrakech
  • Experience the beauty of the Majorelle gardens, famous for their lush tropical foliage, serene fountains, and diverse cactus collection
  • Navigate the maze-like streets of Essaouira
  • Travel to Ourika Valley, a lush oasis nestled in the foothills of the magnificent Atlas Mountains
  • Take in the vast views of the Agafay Desert as you enjoy a traditional Moroccan meal under the beautiful starry sky

Map Key

Train
Coach
Boat
Airplane
Walking
1
Number of nights

Itinerary

Day 1
UK to Marrakech

Dinner

On arrival to Marrakech airport you will be met and greeted by our local representative and transferred to the Opera Plaza Hotel, arriving in time for your first dinner in Morocco.

Day 2
Marrakech

Breakfast & Dinner

After breakfast at the hotel, explore the vibrant streets of the old Medina on a guided sightseeing tour, including the garden surrounding the Koutoubia Minaret. Visit the stunning marble columned El Bahia Palace, a fine example of Moorish architecture, with classic archways covered in gold leaf and stucco work. Continue through the labyrinth-like swarm of tiny alleyways in the medina, past a traditional public oven and fountains, making your way to Ben Youssef Madrasa, once one of the largest Koranic universities in the Arabic world. The tour continues through the bustling souks where you will see skilled craftsmen creating exquisite leather goods, jewellery, and furniture. Enjoy lunch in a traditional Moroccan restaurant, followed by a visit to Jemaa el-Fnaa, the vibrant main square of Marrakech, before returning to your hotel.

Day 3
Marrakech

Breakfast & Dinner

Following breakfast, head over to the world-renowned Majorelle tropical gardens. Be enchanted by the lush greenery, serene fountains and pools, dense bamboo forests and exotic cactus plants. Keep an eye out for over fifteen rare North African bird species flitting about and be amazed by the stunning cobalt buildings created by French artist Jacques Majorelle, later restored by Yves Saint Laurent. Make your way to the impressive red stoned city ramparts and ancient gates of Marrakech. The ramparts, which stretch over 6 miles and range in height from approximately 25 to 32 feet, are remarkably well-preserved and one of the city's main attractions. Take in the sight of the historical gates piercing the walls, including the famous Bab Khemis. Visit the Menara Gardens, literally an oasis in Marrakech with its famous pavilion. See the Palm Groves, an area of 54 square miles of palm trees in the north of the city. After a morning of exploring, spend the rest of your day at leisure, enjoying the sights and sounds of Marrakech at your own pace.

Day 4
Marrakech to Essaouira

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Venture to the picturesque Atlantic coast of Essaouira. Embark on a guided tour of the city, delving into its rich history and exploring its notable sites such as the impressive ramparts, bustling fishing port, charming Skala market and quaint Medina. As you stroll through the labyrinthine alleyways of this white and blue town, enjoy the street-side cafes and mesmerizing views of the azure sea in the backdrop. Next, head to the vibrant Skala municipal market, where you can witness skilled artisans crafting their goods in workshops and browse through an array of fresh and vibrant fruits and vegetables. Meander through the enchanting harbour before enjoying a traditional Moroccan lunch at one of the many local restaurants and returning to Marrakech in the afternoon.

Day 5
Marrakech

Breakfast & Dinner

Today, head to Ourika Valley - a popular destination among locals. Nestled in the foothills of the impressive Atlas Mountains, this lush valley offers an opportunity to embark on an adventure away from the city. Explore the region's verdant villages and flourishing orchards, as you make your way towards the Haouz Plain, leading to the ancient, abandoned village of Aghmat. This historical village, founded by the Berbers before the arrival of Islam, provides a glimpse into Morocco's rich cultural heritage. Next, venture into the Ighref to discover the captivating Jebel Yagour Mountain, renowned for its remarkable rock art. Marvel at the panoramic vistas of the charming Berber villages scattered throughout the area, as well as the glistening waters that carve through the foothills of the Atlas Mountains. Pause for a refreshing mint tea at a local herb garden and let yourself be enchanted by the awe-inspiring views stretching across the valley.

Day 6
Marrakech

Breakfast & Dinner

Enjoy breakfast and most of the day free at leisure. In the late afternoon, you will be picked up from the hotel to head to the stunning Agafay Desert. Embark on a journey back in time to the days of desert nomads, travelling south of the city and across the Haouz Plain, enjoying the stunning views of the snow-capped High Atlas Mountains along the way. Witness the charming Berber villages and take in the stunning panoramic views. Upon arriving at a local camp, take some time to unwind by the swimming pool or enjoy a short stroll over the surrounding hills and canyons. Later, marvel at the breathtaking sunset from atop the dunes with a fantastic view. Enjoy a Moroccan 3-course dinner in a serene Saharan atmosphere, complete with a campfire under the stars, later returning to the hotel for the night.

Day 7
Marrakech

Breakfast & Dinner

Today is for you to enjoy at leisure, with breakfast and dinner served at the hotel.

Day 8
Marrakech to UK

Breakfast

Transfer to the airport for your return flight, or continue on to your chosen extension.

View Full Itinerary

This tour can be booked by calling 1800 804 006

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Accommodation

The hotels listed below are provided for guidance only and final confirmation of your accommodation will be sent to you approximately 10 days before you travel
Red Hotel
7 nights
Marrakech, Morocco
More details

Extend Your Tour

Marvellous Marrakech - Red House Hotel with Atlas Mountains Mini Tour Extension

4 Day Extension
from

€1,626

pp

Marvellous Marrakech - Red House Hotel with Agadir Beach Stay

5 Day Extension
from

€1,653

pp

Important Information

The order of events and sightseeing may vary according to local conditions or for operational purposes. The schedules of the domestic airlines in country are subject to frequent changes. For this reason, we have indicated approximate times only. Your local guide will inform you of any schedule changes as they are informed of them. Some road construction &/or weather conditions may lengthen the driving times. Our intention is to adhere to the day-to-day itinerary as printed; however, order of events and sightseeing may vary according to local conditions.

If booking more than 12 weeks before departure a deposit of €324.50pp will need to be paid at the time of booking with the full amount payable at 12 weeks prior to departure. The deposit applies to adults and children. If you are within 12 weeks of travel then the full balance of the holiday will be payable.

It is your responsibility to check your passport validity. The embassy of Morocco in the UK advise that your passport should be valid for at least 3 months on your date of entry to Morocco. If your passport does not meet this requirement, you may face difficulties and you should check with the Moroccan authorities and your travel provider before travelling. Make sure your passport isn’t damaged. Some travellers have been refused entry when travelling on damaged passports. Sources of information include; https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice

Your flight will be departing from and returning to London Gatwick, with EasyJet. Baggage allowance (per person): Each passenger is entitled to 23kg of hold luggage plus 1 item of hand luggage not exceeding 56cm x 35cm x 22cm in size one personal item (such as a handbag or laptop case) not exceeding 43cm x 22cm x 25cm. Weight restrictions will be finalised on your final documentation. Should you wish to take additional luggage you will need to pay extra at check-in. Check-in should be at least 3 hours before departure. IMPORTANT: Please note that final flight details will be confirmed on your final documentation which will be sent to you approximately 21 days before departure. A printed E-ticket is no longer required at check-in, all you need to do is present your passport to the staff at the desk and your boarding pass will be given to you. If you wish to arrange Airport car parking or accommodation at preferential rates, we recommend you book this in advance with Holiday Extras on 0871 360 2000, quoting HX313.

We strongly recommend that you and all members of your party are suitably insured as soon as you book your holiday. It is a condition of booking that you must have suitable travel insurance. It is important that you purchase travel insurance that suitably covers your participation in whatever activities you may undertake at the time that you make your booking. To assist you with this, we have arranged travel insurance in partnership with Holiday Extras. To arrange your travel insurance with Holiday Extras, please call 0800 781 4237 and quote 'WK830' for preferential rates. Please ensure you provide us with the name of your insurer, policy number and their 24-hour emergency contact number as soon as possible. Mercury Holidays will not be liable for any costs incurred by you due to your failure to take out suitable travel insurance from the date of booking.

It is your responsibility to check any health and vaccination requirements applicable to your booked arrangements. We can only provide general information about this. Health and hygiene facilities and disease risks vary from country to country. You should take health advice about your own needs as early as possible and in good time before your departure. Sources of information include; www.fco.gov.uk, www.travelhealthpro.org.uk, www.hpa.org.uk, your General Practitioner or a specialist clinic.

This tour is accessible to most people with a good level of fitness and normal mobility. It involves climbing steep stairs and getting on and off coaches and boats. This tour is not suitable for anyone with walking difficulties.

The currency in Morocco is the Moroccan Dirham (DH) and it is a closed currency. This means it is not possible to buy Moroccan money in the UK before you travel. It is important to budget carefully as you should not take any Dirham out of Morocco when you depart. There are foreign exchange offices and cash machines available in most places during your tour. Your tour guide will assist you at the start of your tour with currency exchange. Credit and debit cards are accepted in most hotels and some shops and restaurants; a charge is sometimes added for using them. We recommend that you exchange your currency before you leave the UK. It is important that you budget carefully and ensure you have the right form of currency before you arrive in the country.

As normal practice you may be asked for your credit card details on check-in at the hotel in order to cover any extras incurred during your stay. If you do not have a credit card, you may be asked for a cash deposit. MasterCard and Visa are widely accepted in hotels as well as American Express.

You will need to take some extra money with you to cover any dinners where these are not mentioned in your itinerary and personal purchases, such as souvenirs, extra drinks and snacks. Approximately £200-£300 per person should be sufficient for the duration of your tour.

Tipping

Tipping is at your discretion. We would recommend approximately 270 DH per person for the guide and 215 DH per person for the driver. This will be collected by your guide at the end of your tour for your convenience. It is asked that you tip in the local currency, please do not give coins as these are difficult to exchange. We also recommend 10 DH for waiter service in restaurants and hotels.

The minimum number of travellers in your group will be 10, and the maximum will be 30. If in the unlikely event there are less than 10 people booked on your tour date, we will endeavour to reduce any disruption to your holiday and try to operate your tour with lower passenger numbers. If we are not able to operate your departure date then you may be asked to change to a different date and a full refund will be made available to you should this alternative not be suitable.

This is a fully escorted tour meaning that you will be met by a local guide in each of the cities that you visit, ensuring that you have first-hand knowledge at all times.

Private Tour: If you have booked a private tour then you will be accompanied by a Driver Guide or a Driver and Local Guides. These will be available to you during all scheduled sightseeing. Private Tours can depart on any day of the week depending on flight and train schedules and the opening days of the attractions. They will follow the itinerary as described in the brochure unless you have been advised otherwise and you will still have all of the same meals, sightseeing and local excursions included.

Your accommodation is selected for convenience, location, comfort or character, and can range from business hotels to leisure hotels. Hotel accommodation is generally rated as local three to four-star standard, but please note there is no international classification system for hotels, and differences in facilities and quality do exist compared to what you might expect in the UK. All group tours hotels have private bathroom facilities and air-conditioning, where needed. Rest assured that all accommodation used by Mercury Holidays is regularly inspected by our staff and partners to ensure that standards meet your needs.

Breakfast is always western style and served in the hotel each morning. Dinner on your tour (when included) will be taken in local restaurants or at the hotel. A variety of restaurants are visited giving you the chance to experience a range of dishes and flavours.

It is not recommended to drink the tap water, even in developed countries water may contain unfamiliar elements that can cause upset stomachs. In less developed countries water is not filtered in the same way.

Please contact Customer Experience for questions about other dietary requirements or allergy information

Ramadan is the most important month in the Muslim Calendar, and it is a time for people to be with their loved ones, self-reflect and renew their faith. During this time Muslims fast from dawn until dusk and abstain from eating, drinking, smoking and chewing gum. If you are a tourist visiting Egypt, you will not be expected to fast. While eating, drinking and smoking is strictly prohibited in public places, hotels/cruises will offer meals and non-alcoholic/alcoholic drinks at many of their restaurants and bars. Your guide during your tour will be on hand to give you any additional information that you require.

A head scarf for women is recommended for entry into any religious site as well as for everyone to cover shoulders and knees.

On your arrival in Marrakech you will be met by a representative from our local agent, Sahara Tours, holding a sign displaying: “Mercury Holidays”. The Mercury Holidays/Sahara Tours representative will show you to your transfer vehicle. Your national guide will be on hand 24 hours a day should you have any queries.

Sahara Tours: 27-29 Complexe Agador, Boulevard 20 Août, Agadir, Morocco

Contact number: 00212 528 840421 / 528 840611 Email ihsane.stirak@gmail.com or reservation@stimaroc.com

Emergency contact information Mobile: 00212 661 38 08 82 Email: ihsane.stirak@gmail.com or reservation@stimaroc.com