Morocco: Marrakech, Foothills of the High Atlas & Essaouira
Fully-Guided Tour
Follow ancient trails linking Berber villages in the High Atlas Mountains, explore exotic delights in fabled Marrakech and stroll through stunning seaside Essaouira on this walking and hiking tour of Morocco.
View This TourStretching from its many Atlantic ports east through the Atlas Mountains, Morocco is home to an incredible range of trekking experiences for walkers and hikers of all ages and abilities. The High Atlas region in the center of the country spans dry tracts of savannah that offer some of the most dramatic and beautiful hiking you’ll find in all of Africa.
Hike across well-worn trails through the giant rock formations of the M’Goun Massif Traverse as it drops down to the Tessaout river valley giving way to views of far-reaching, untouched landscapes that seem plucked from prehistoric times. Traipse through the once-volcanic trails of Sirwa that cross through the Berber villages and their famed flat-topped stone cottages.
Ancient villages like Taliouine, recognizable by its surrounding fields of bright purple saffron fields against the otherwise arid landscape, have been welcoming visitors for centuries. Here you’ll pass through groves of walnut trees and fields of corn and barley, and are likely to get a greeting from one of the region’s many sheep and goat herders. Relish Morocco’s far-reaching culinary tradition with dishes like zaalouk—fresh eggplant, tomatoes, and garlic seasoned with locally grown spices—or makouda—deep-fried potatoes accompanied by spicy sauces that are a street food staple across Moroccan cities and towns.
Country Highlights
Hot, Spicy, Sweet & Tart
Tagine—a range of Moroccan stews named for the clay vessel in which they are cooked—has evolved across years with varying cultural influences. From the classic combination of lamb with dried prunes to a spicy sampling of tomatoes, lime, and cilantro, this quintessential Moroccan culinary tradition cannot be missed.
Bustling Medinas
The twisting, turning alleys of the medina are the historic soul of every Moroccan city. Many, in fact, still house a communal bread oven. At nearby souks—traditional Moroccan outdoor markets—you can survey wares from tanners, herbalists, farmers, and metal workers.
“The Little Rampart”
Essaouira, the small fortress city on Morocco’s Atlantic coast, has been an international destination for artists, musicians and bohemians since the 1960’s, when it inspired visitors such as Jimi Hendrix and Cat Stevens. Brimming with galleries and cafes and street musicians, it’s also home to miles of beaches inhabited by kite fliers, walkers, and children playing football.
Experience your destination like an insider with people who call it home.
Saida Ezzahoui
A native of the former imperial city of Fès, Morocco, Saida Ezzahoui is a licensed guide of this fascinating city and was one of the first female guides to accompany groups along trails through her beloved Atlas Mountains. With a degree in English Literature and fluency in three languages, Saida personifies the modern, yet traditional, Moroccan woman.
Jalil Braoul
Jalil Braoul was born in a small town outside of Morocco’s spiritual capital, Fès. With a BA in English Literature from the University of Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdellah (Fès), Jalil also brings to the trail more than fifteen years of guiding experience and an intimate knowledge of his native country’s renowned and lesser-known attributes.
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Read StoryMorocco: Marrakech, Foothills of the High Atlas & Essaouira
Morocco: Marrakech, Foothills of the High Atlas & Essaouira
Morocco: Marrakech, Foothills of the High Atlas & Essaouira
Morocco: Marrakech, Foothills of the High Atlas & Essaouira
Morocco: Marrakech, Foothills of the High Atlas & Essaouira
Morocco: Marrakech, Foothills of the High Atlas & Essaouira
Morocco: Marrakech, Foothills of the High Atlas & Essaouira
Morocco: Marrakech, Foothills of the High Atlas & Essaouira
Morocco: Marrakech, Foothills of the High Atlas & Essaouira
Morocco: Marrakech, Foothills of the High Atlas & Essaouira
Morocco: Marrakech, Foothills of the High Atlas & Essaouira
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Mon-Fri 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. ET
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