Marrakesh and The Atlas Mountains 2025 Tour

Marrakesh and The Atlas Mountains 2025 Tour

Immerse yourself in the truly captivating city of ochre-coloured Marrakesh, filled with intriguing souks, eye-catching minarets, vibrant squares and superb architecture, plus experience the stunning natural wonders of the snow-capped Atlas Mountains which pierce the striking azure blue sky.

What's Included:

• 5 nights in four-star superior accommodation
• 6 included experiences
• Half Board
• Expert Tour Manager
• Checked luggage
• All additional taxes

Included Holiday Highlights:

• Discover Marrakesh on a guided tour and explore its countless gems including the medieval medina, atmospheric souks and the extraordinary Jemaa el-Fnaa square.
• Visit the exotic Jardin Majorelle, once home to Yves St Laurent and experience the spectacular Atlas Mountains, Africa’s greatest mountain range and an ever-present backdrop to Marrakesh.
• Explore the Saadian Tombs, one of the finest examples of Moorish architecture.
• Wander through Essaouira, a 15th-century coastal town and one of North Africa’s most attractive ports.
• Relax with a five night stay in four-star superior accommodation inclusive of all local taxes, plus breakfast and dinner.

4* Grand Hotel Plaza's Facilities

• Swimming pool
• Spa & wellness
• Lounge & bar
• Restaurant
• Coffee shop
• Fitness centre
• 24-hour front desk
• Lift between floors
• Air-conditioning
• Laundry service
• Snacks

4* Grand Hotel Plaza

About the hotel

Designed in Arab Moorish style, the four-star superior Hotel Opera Plaza features rooms with modern décor and offers television, air-conditioning, ensuite, safe, hairdryer and a telephone.

There are three restaurants; the main restaurant, which serves international cuisine; and also, an Italian or Moroccan ‘à la carte’ restaurants. There is also a lounge bar, café bar, spa and large outdoor pool shaded by palm and olive trees.

Set in its own private grounds, this hotel is ideally located, allowing easy access to the sights of the old city.

Day 1: Arrival in Marrakesh

Arrive at the airport and transfer to our hotel.

Day 2: Marrakesh & the Saadian Tombs

Explore Marrakesh's labyrinth of tiny alleyways on a guided walking tour and visit the fascinating Saadian tombs.

In the morning, you'll enjoy a sightseeing tour during which we will see the Saadian tombs, one of the world’s finest examples of Moorish architecture, where classic archways are covered in gold leaf and stucco work. Plus, you'll experience the Bahia Palace, which when built was acclaimed as the world’s most beautiful palace, famed for its 50 marble columns.

You will also visit the famous souks or covered markets, where immensely skilled craftsmen create intricate leatherware, jewellery and furniture. At dusk, after dinner in the hotel, you'll visit the Jemaa el-Fnaa square, a showcase for traditional Moroccan life. You will experience a fantastic spectacle of musicians, dancers, fortune-tellers and snake charmers in an exhilarating kaleidoscope of colour.

Day 3: Marrakesh

In the morning, you'll continue your tour of marvellous Marrakesh. The city boasts a wealth of wonderful gardens, some vast with olive groves and lakes, providing a haven of peace and tranquillity away from the hustle and bustle of the city. One of the prettiest parks is the Jardin Majorelle: an amazing display of bamboo, bougainvillaea and cacti, formerly owned by Yves Saint-Laurent.

Surrounding the city are impressive ramparts stretching 19 miles long, still largely intact with imposing forts at various intervals. The gates are fine examples of classic Moorish architecture with their pastel hues changing colours depending on the time of day and the intensity of the light.

The afternoon is yours at leisure to further your exploration of Marrakesh at an unhurried pace or relax in your hotel and take advantage of its excellent facilities.

Day 4: Essaouira

Journey to the delightful coastal town of Essaouira.

Our day begins with a comfortable drive to the delightful coastal town of Essaouira, which came to prominence during the 15th century when the Portuguese established the medieval citadel that still stands today. Within its walls are a maze of tranquil squares and perfectly preserved streets, lined by whitewashed houses and pavement cafes.

It’s a sheer pleasure to stroll through the markets here, where the stalls groan under the weight of colourful fresh fruit and vegetables. Or simply wander along the harbour, bustling with a hive of activity and where fishermen repair their nets as they have done for centuries.

Essaouira is so charmingly unspoilt it has been featured as the location for several blockbuster productions, from Orson Welles’ Othello to Ridley Scott’s Kingdom of Heaven. During your journey, the real Morocco unfolds and the landscape changes from fertile green plains to a moon-like semi-desert, occasionally studded with palm trees.

Mud-brick villages blend perfectly into the background, while shepherds of all ages tend their herds of sheep and goat – the transport of choice here is very much the donkey.

Day 5: Atlas Mountains & Marrakesh

Drive into the stunning foothills to visit the iconic icy peaks, the Atlas Mountains.

Forming an ever-present backdrop and adding to Marrakesh’s wondrous setting are the soaring, snow-capped Atlas Mountains. In the morning, you'll take a drive into the stunning foothills with the countryside evolving from saffron-coloured fields to steeper, wooded slopes, slashed by dramatic, river-filled gorges.

Mammoth peaks soaring more than 3,000 metres high spear the vivid, blue sky while the desolate mountainside stretches before you. Then the forests commence, rolled out like a massive green carpet and beyond, misty plains stretch to the horizon in a patchwork of muted colours. There’s time to take in the spectacular vistas when we stop to stretch our legs and perhaps enjoy a cup of coffee or tea.

After a morning of sightseeing, we return to Marrakesh in the early afternoon. The rest of the day is at leisure, giving you ample time to make the most of your final day in this wonderful city.

Day 6: Return home

Transfer to the airport for your return flight.