Upon arrival in Marrakesh you will be met by your private Alluring Africa driver, and transferred to your hotel. Sitting in the shadows of the mighty snow-clad peaks of the Atlas Mountains, Marrakech is not only one of Morocco’s most aesthetic cities, but also one of its most lively and exciting. Founded almost 1000 years ago, Marrakech is a feast for the senses and has remained at the heart of Moroccan life ever since, acting as Sultanate capital on occasions, but now undoubtedly as the country’s cultural centre. The Koutoubia Mosque is the largest mosque in Marrakech.

This morning meet your private guide for a full day exploration of Marrakesh. Visit Les Jardin Majorelle, where the French painter Jacques Majorelle (1886 – 1962) dedicated forty years of his life to the creation of the luxurious gardens and Berber museum. An amateur botanist, Majorelle included plants from all five continents in the gardens. Marjorelle’s studio, a Cubist style villa constructed by architect Paul Sinoir, has since been transformed into the museum, and is painted a vibrant blue. Since 1980 the garden has been owned by Yves Saint-Laurent and Pierre Bergé.

Afterwards explore Marrakech; city of immense energy and history and one of the most compelling of all African/Arab cities. The minaret was completed under the reign of the Almohad Caliph Yaqub al-Mansur (1184-1199) and was used as model for Giralda of Seville then for the Hassan Tower of Rabat. The name is derived from the Arabic al-Koutoubiyyin meaning “librarian” as it was once surrounded by manuscript sellers. The kasbah quarter is where you find the 12th Century gateway the Bab Agnaou and the famous necropolis of the Saadian kings, the Saadian Tombs. From here you head to the Jewish quarter to visit the impressive ruins of the 16th Century Badii Palace before heading to the 19th Century Bahia Palace, which is a wonderful example of Moroccan architecture.

Spend some time in a small village and experience the countryside first hand. Learn some of the daily tasks from baking your own bread, learning to make your own tagine, cooking on coals, milking the goats, going for water at the well and making mint tea. Return to Marrakesh where the afternoon is at leisure.

This morning depart Marrakech for Skoura. En route stop at Ouarzazate, home of Morocco’s own ‘Hollywood’ as well as the very impressive Kasbah Taourirt. Skoura is often referred as to as the valley of 1000 kasbah’s is a fertile oasis lined with immense palm groves that provide great views of the Atlas Mountains alongside deserted landscapes. It is renowned for the cultivation of roses. The palm groves were laid out in the 12th century by the Almohad sultan Yacoub el-Mansour and named after its original inhabitants, the Berbers of the Haskourene tribe. The most beautiful kasbah’s in southern Morocco can be found here. Many of them are still partially inhabited.

Spend a leisurely morning before exploring the Kasbahs & palm groves. Visit the most imposing of the kasbahs in this area that you will tour is 17th Century Amerhidil Kasbah. This fortified residence once belonged to the most powerful family responsible for protecting the village and its lands called the Glaoui. Today it is owned by the Sheikh of Amerhidil. Here you can opt to explore on foot, bicycle or by mule, enjoying gardens filled with pomegranate, apple, pear, fig, quince and olive trees.

Depart Skoura for Marrakech through the Valley of the Roses. Stop en route at Ait Benhaddou, one of the most spectacular sites found along the valley of the Kasbahs (fortified town). Located along the former trade route between the Sahara and Marrakech, it presents a majestic sight and has been featured as the back drop in many films including ‘Lawrence of Arabia’ and ‘Jesus of Nazareth’. The crumbling buildings made up of six Kasbahs and nearly fifty ksars, (individual Kasbahs) are built from local clay brick, it blends in with the landscape and can be seen from far away, rising above the desert plains. Continue the journey experiencing some of the most breathtaking views Morocco has to offer prior your arrival into Marrakesh.

This morning you will be transferred to the airport for your homebound flight.