For your exciting Marrakech Discovery Tour from Agadir you will be picked up at 0600h (06:00am) from your hotel.
You will set out for Marrakech in an air-conditioned vehicle with your bilingual guide (English and French-speaking). The excursion takes around 15 hours and you will cover a distance of approximately 580 km (348 miles).
At around 0800h (08:00am) you will stop for a coffee break (payable direct). You then continue your journey and arrive in Marrakech at around 1015h (10:15am).
Formerly an imperial city and important hub for camel caravans, Marrakech nestles near the foothills of the snow-capped Atlas Mountains. Because of the rich ochre color of its buildings, it is often known as the 'Red City'.
You will stop briefly outside the great Koutoubia Mosque, the largest in Marrakech and a fine example of Hispano-Moorish architecture. The square tower (minaret) is 69 m (221 ft) in height and topped with four gleaming copper globes.
Another short stop will be at the delightful Bahia Palace, built at the end of the 19th century. You will enter the complex to view the stunning stuccos, paintings, Islamic mosaics and coloured carved cedar wood roofs. And you can also enjoy the Moorish-style pleasure gardens, planted with orange trees, cypress trees and jasmines.
You will then have an hour to explore the Medina, the old fortified city of Marrakech with its labyrinthine alleyways, courtyards and cul de sacs. There are lots of colorful stalls selling carpets and other handicrafts. If you decide to buy, don't rush, and be prepared for hard bargaining.
By this time you will be hungry and ready to enjoy a delicious three-course lunch at the Palais Chahramane restaurant. The menu includes the following:
Moroccan salad or soup
Tagine (a slow-cooked aromatic stew) with chicken and lemon
Couscous with seven sorts of vegetables
Fruits of the season
Tea or coffee and Moroccan pastries
Drinks with the meal are not included and are payable direct.
After lunch you will be shown the beautiful buildings of the Ben Youssef Madrassa (university). Founded in the 14th century and reconstructed in the 16th century, it is an example of exquisite workmanship.
You will also see the colorful souk, full of aromatic spices and attractive handicrafts, before going on to the cultural extravaganza ofDjema El Fna. This is the liveliest square in Africa and famous the world over for the eclectic mix of fortune tellers, snake charmers, entertainers, story tellers, healers, and musicians that perform there day and night.
Around 1700h (05:00pm) you will board your vehicle for the return journey.
You will arrive in Agadir at around 2100h (09:00pm) and will be dropped off back at your hotel.