Local Living Morocco–Atlas Mountains

Arrive at any time. Attend a welcome meeting in the evening to get to know your CEO and fellow group members.

ACTIVITY: Begin your adventure today. There are no planned activities so feel free to explore or rest up for the excitement ahead.

ACTIVITY: Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.

Today meet your local guide and begin your adventure through Marrakech’s lively medina. This old, walled city, with ramparts and gates, has stood serving as protection from invaders since the 12th century. Wander through the labyrinthine streets and pass by significant sites like the historic Medersa Ben Youssef and Bahia Palace. Sit down for lunch at the Women’s Riad for some authentic, home-style cooking. While here the group will learn the importance of this business within the community and their support of local female-led initiatives. Enjoy the remainder of the afternoon free to explore. Dinner will be had on your own this evening in the cultural gem Café Clock.

ACTIVITY: Head into the maze of tiny streets and alleyways of the ancient medina to really get a taste of everyday life in Marrakech. Shop to your heart’s content in the souk and search out spices, traditional jalabas and slippers, or the famous Moroccan lanterns. Visit to the iconic Koutoubia Mosque and Dar Moustaqbel, a social impact student housing project dedicated to serving the local youth population. Learn more about the project's goals and initiatives. Then see the historic Medersa Ben Youssef and Bahia Palace from the outside.

ACTIVITY: Sit down for an included group lunch at the Women's Riad and savour a delicious, home-style meal. While there, travellers will learn about the ways in which the riad is supporting the local community and women-led initiatives.

FREE TIME: AFTERNOON Spend a free afternoon enjoying the sites, sounds, smells, and atmosphere of the city. Choose between a variety of activities ranging from museum visits to garden walks. Maybe check out Medersa Ben Youssef and Bahia Palace from the inside, on your own.

Spend a free morning in Marrakech before transferring to your local living stay in a remote Gîte located in the stunning Ourika Valley. Think breathtaking mountain scenery with snow-capped peaks of the High Atlas Mountains in the distance, and well-preserved Berber culture and traditions. There will be stop along the way in this small town near the Ourika River for lunch on your own. The final part of today’s travels includes a 4x4 ride along steep, unpaved roads finishing at the Gîte where there will be welcome tea and a village walk to explore the charming surroundings, and meet some of the locals. Later, learn a few Arabic words to help you communicate over the coming days.

FREE TIME: MORNING Take advantage of a slower morning to enjoy the bustle of city life before the group heads into the Ourika Valley.

TRANSPORT: Settle in and scan the beautiful mountain scenery from the comfort of your private vehicle between Marrakech and Tizi N'Oucheg Gîte. Please note that the last half hour of the drive will be in 4x4s along unpaved, steep, winding roads.

ACTIVITY: Upon arrival to your gîte stay, the group will received a warm welcome tea and some biscuits. Then, embark on a walk through the village to explore the gorgeous surroundings and interact with a few locals. Follow this up with Arabic lessons and learn a few words that will help you better communicate with the local residents over the next few days.

ACTIVITY: Gîte Tizi N'Oucheg is located in the Ourika Valley of the High Atlas Mountains and is special for its family atmosphere, focus on local culture, nature, and the opportunity to experience authentic Berber life through hikes, workshops, and delicious food. The property is specifically designed to immerse guests in the local culture, offering unique opportunities to interact with the villagers and deeper your knowledge about Berber traditions. Known for its warm and welcoming atmosphere, Tizi N'Oucheg gives travellers a true sense of community. Plus, not to mention the enjoyment of traditional Moroccan dishes like tagines and couscous prepares with fresh, locally grown ingredients. Their main focus is in supporting the sustainability of the local communities and preserving the beautiful, natural environment. Forge genuine connections and come away with a new appreciation for rural life in Morocco's Ourika Valley.

Today the group will split up in the morning. Half will enjoy a break-making experience in a local village home and half will immerse themselves in a weaving lesson in another village home to learn one of the region’s most cherished traditions: carpet making. Then, the groups will switch homes and experience the other activity before heading back to the Gîte for lunch. Enjoy your freshly-made bread as part of the meal. Later attend a tagine cooking class at another local villager’s home to round out an incredibly immersive cultural day in the Ourika Valley.

ACTIVITY: Enjoy a bread-making experience led by the women of the village. Enter a local home and spend time learning the traditional art of kneading the dough and working with the flour, salt, and warm water to create a delicious Moroccan bread. It's the perfect way to appreciate the daily life here in the valley and to connect with local women on a more personal level.

ACTIVITY: Become immersed in a traditional weaving experience hosted in a local village home. Learn one of the regions most cherished practices: carpet making. As you work gain a sense of the patience and expertise it takes to create such beautiful materials, and listen to explanations by locals on how important this textile making is to their community.

ACTIVITY: Travel to a local home in the village and learn the traditional cooking methods and preparation of tagine. The most distinctive element of this dish is the cooking vessel often made of clay or ceramic with a lid that traps the steam in when cooking. It's an ideal method for tenderizing meat and vegetables. The rich flavours make this a memorable dish and common spices include ginger, cumin, turmeric, cinnamon, and saffron. After getting those hands dirty during your lesson, you will sit down as a group and enjoy the meal with your host family.

ACTIVITY: Gîte Tizi N'Oucheg is located in the Ourika Valley of the High Atlas Mountains and is special for its family atmosphere, focus on local culture, nature, and the opportunity to experience authentic Berber life through hikes, workshops, and delicious food. The property is specifically designed to immerse guests in the local culture, offering unique opportunities to interact with the villagers and deeper your knowledge about Berber traditions. Known for its warm and welcoming atmosphere, Tizi N'Oucheg gives travellers a true sense of community. Plus, not to mention the enjoyment of traditional Moroccan dishes like tagines and couscous prepares with fresh, locally grown ingredients. Their main focus is in supporting the sustainability of the local communities and preserving the beautiful, natural environment. Forge genuine connections and come away with a new appreciation for rural life in Morocco's Ourika Valley.

Today get ready for a more active adventure as you hike alongside a local shepherd and gain a true feel of his daily routines. Exchange meaningful conversation along the way about his life and experiences in this unique region. Then, sit down for a packed lunch amidst the impressive scenery of the High Atlas Mountains. Return to the gîte in the afternoon to relax and recharge. Perhaps spend time sipping tea on the terrace before heading out to watch a football match amid the local villagers. If you’re feeling up to it, join in the fun and try to score a goal. Enjoy dinner back at the gîte after a full day of cultural immersion.

ACTIVITY: A shepherd's daily tasks revolve around the care and management of their flock. Join a shepherd from the village and hike with him into the foothills as you observe the routines of herding, ensuring the herd's access to food and water, navigating challenging terrain, and protection from predators. If the herd is sheep, you may witness the milking of them to make cheese back in the village. Shepherds are a vital part of Moroccan cultural heritage and represent the country's connection to its nomadic past. See for yourself along side an expert shepherd and then sit down to enjoy lunch amid the gorgeous views of the High Atlas Mountains. Along the way ask questions and listen to stories about what it's like to tend to herds as a means to support your family and community.

FREE TIME: Enjoy some free time to relax at the gîte and soak in the natural beauty of your surroundings.

ACTIVITY: This afternoon head into the village and watch a friendly football game between the local villagers. Gather around the field that is used for community gatherings. Cheer on the players and if you are feeling up to it, join in on the fun and try to help your team score a goal. It's the perfect way to feel woven into the fabric of daily life here in the Ourika Valley.

ACTIVITY: Gîte Tizi N'Oucheg is located in the Ourika Valley of the High Atlas Mountains and is special for its family atmosphere, focus on local culture, nature, and the opportunity to experience authentic Berber life through hikes, workshops, and delicious food. The property is specifically designed to immerse guests in the local culture, offering unique opportunities to interact with the villagers and deeper your knowledge about Berber traditions. Known for its warm and welcoming atmosphere, Tizi N'Oucheg gives travellers a true sense of community. Plus, not to mention the enjoyment of traditional Moroccan dishes like tagines and couscous prepares with fresh, locally grown ingredients. Their main focus is in supporting the sustainability of the local communities and preserving the beautiful, natural environment. Forge genuine connections and come away with a new appreciation for rural life in Morocco's Ourika Valley.

On your final full day at the gîte the group will travel to the local market where the villagers do their shopping. Explore the many different areas and get a sense of what is sold here, as well as the importance of this market in allowing the village to sustain their way of life outside of the city. Lunch will be had on your own in the market, and you can choose from a variety of local specialties to try. Transfer back to the gîte in the afternoon for some downtime before hiking to a nearby scenic location to have tea and watch the sunset amid the valley. Dinner this evening will be a special affair as it’s your final night together in your local living stay.

ACTIVITY: Travel into the village via private vehicle and visit the location of the weekly market, where local villages come to do their shopping. Understand the importance of this market in allowing the rural population in this valley to sustain their way of life away from the city. Wander amid the different stalls, learn about the produce, meat, and other items sold here and try your hand at bartering as is customary here. For lunch travellers will be able to choose the meat or vegetables they would like to eat and then one of the market stalls will BBQ the food for a delicious local lunch amid the bustling atmosphere of the weekly shopping. A time honoured tradition that is lost in a lot of today's modern culture.

ACTIVITY: For your final evening at the gîte, the group will embark on a short hike to a scenic spot overlooking the valley and village to enjoy the colours of sunset. Sip warm tea and relax in the stunning natural scenery of this tranquil location.

ACTIVITY: Gîte Tizi N'Oucheg is located in the Ourika Valley of the High Atlas Mountains and is special for its family atmosphere, focus on local culture, nature, and the opportunity to experience authentic Berber life through hikes, workshops, and delicious food. The property is specifically designed to immerse guests in the local culture, offering unique opportunities to interact with the villagers and deeper your knowledge about Berber traditions. Known for its warm and welcoming atmosphere, Tizi N'Oucheg gives travellers a true sense of community. Plus, not to mention the enjoyment of traditional Moroccan dishes like tagines and couscous prepares with fresh, locally grown ingredients. Their main focus is in supporting the sustainability of the local communities and preserving the beautiful, natural environment. Forge genuine connections and come away with a new appreciation for rural life in Morocco's Ourika Valley.

After breakfast travel back to Marrakech where the tour ends upon arrival to the airport. Please do not book onward travel before 2pm.TRANSPORT: Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.ACTIVITY: Not ready to leave? Your CEO can help with travel arrangements to extend your adventure.