Map of Morocco Retreat: Ouirgane including Morocco

Relax, rejuvenate and reconnect with nature in the serene foothills of the High Atlas Mountains

Leave the modern world of Marrakech behind and escape to a home away from home where olive trees and mountain vistas make your backdrop. The calm and comforts of Imazighen (Berber) hospitality await on this four-day retreat in Ouirgane, on the green edges of Mt Toubkal National Park. Surround yourself with the flavours and scents of this wild part of the country, hike the surrounding hills through small villages and farms, connect with altruistic locals, try your hand at making some iconic local dishes and, most importantly, take time to sit back, relax, and reconnect with yourself and nature.


Start
Marrakech, Morocco
Finish
Marrakech, Morocco
Destination
Morocco
Style
Comfort
Theme
Intrepid Retreats
Code
XMLO
Physical rating
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1, Max 12

Why you'll love this trip

  • Tap into the nomadic spirit of the Imazighen (Berbers) with a hike through the red earth hills and green-dotted valleys on the edges of Mt Toubkal National Park.

  • Break bread and connect with a local Imazighen family in their village and get a feel for daily life in the High Atlas region.

  • Learn the secrets and spices behind Morocco’s famous mint tea, tafarnout and tagine with a cooking demonstration followed by a feast on the delicious dishes for lunch.

  • Enjoy the comfort of your locally owned accommodation, where you’ll experience traditional Imazighen (Berber) hospitality and relish the small touches that make all the difference.

Is this trip right for you?

  • This trip includes a hiking tour in the High Atlas Mountains. This will take approximately 3 hours and the difficulty of the walk will be adjusted to group abilities. A moderate level of fitness and appropriate footwear and clothing will allow you to fully enjoy this inclusion.

  • The weather in Morocco can be extreme. Summer temperatures can be uncomfortably hot, especially for those who aren't accustomed to the heat, so please consider carefully what time of year you travel. If you do travel in the warmer months, pack layers to cover you from the sun, bring the necessary sun protection and drink plenty of water.

  • Ramadan is an annual month-long festival, during which travel can be a rewarding cultural experience, however some regular services may not be available during the day, such as restaurants or cafes, and occasionally travel can be disrupted by events. Your leader will adjust the itinerary accordingly, but please consider this when selecting your travel dates. You’ll find dates and further information in the ‘Climate and seasonal information’ section of the Essential Trip Information.

Itinerary

Start your Moroccan retreat with a welcome meeting in Marrakech at 11 am this morning, followed by the journey from the city to your accommodation in Ouirgane. Leaving the bustling streets of Marrakech in our rear-view mirror, take a deep breath as you reach the serene foothills of the High Atlas Mountains. Ouirgane is a place of peace and calm and a welcome escape from the action and chaos of Marrakech city life. Settle into your own oasis for the next few nights. Your retreat is a locally owned, traditional Imazighen (Berber) guest house, built in time-honoured style and full of character with small touches that make a big difference. This places truly feels like a home away from home. The bar, reading room, rose bush-surrounded swimming pool, and backdrop of olive trees and mountain views make it hard to even leave, even just to explore for the day. Tonight, you will enjoy a traditional dinner at the guesthouse, with the smells of lamb tagine, homemade bread and oranges with cinnamon filling the air.
Accommodation
  • Guesthouse (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Ouirgane - Welcome Dinner
Meals Included
  • Dinner
Special Information
The welcome meeting will take place at 11am at the hotel listed as the Joining Point in the Essential Trip Information. It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance and emergency contact details at this time and will head out towards Ouirgane straight after. If you are going to be late please let your booking agent or hotel reception know. We are happy to book additional accommodation for you in Marrakech, subject to availability.

Today’s travel time is approximately 1.5 hours.
Enjoy breakfast today, make sure you eat enough to fuel your body for this morning’s half-day hike deep in the beautiful landscape of the High Atlas Mountains. You’ll navigate boulders and crags, running streams, and pass through traditional Imazighen villages on the way, waving to the villagers as they go about their daily lives. Take in the surrounds that feel beyond the reach of the modern world. The red earth hills and valleys are dotted with green pines and terraced farmlands of almond, cherry and apple trees. Learn more about local life here as you finish your hike and tuck into lunch with a local Imazighen family (Berber people). Rest your legs back at the guesthouse with an afternoon to relax and soak up the atmosphere. Put your feet up and marvel at the views of lake and mountains before another delectable dinner this evening.
Accommodation
  • Guesthouse (1 night)
Included Activities
  • High Atlas Mountains - Guided Hike
  • Ouirgane - Home-cooked lunch
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Special Information
Today’s hike will be approximately 3 hours.
After breakfast this morning you’ll get a chance to learn the secrets and spices behind the delicious dishes you’ve been feasting on over the last couple of days. Join in with a cooking class at the guesthouse and get a demonstration of how to make Morocco’s signature tea, using mint grown right here in the garden. Then, because bread baking is a key part of Imazighen life, learn how they work the dough to make a special type of bread called tafarnout. If that wasn’t enough, get the inside info behind Morocco’s iconic (and incredibly tasty) tagine. Learn all the secret spices and techniques as it’s cooked outside over a wood fire. Then, enjoy the best part – eating everything you’ve helped create for lunch. The rest of the afternoon is yours, maybe ask your leader about joining one of the optional activities detailed below, or snooze off your lunch by the pool under the shade of a leafy tree.
Accommodation
  • Guesthouse (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Ouirgane - Cooking Class
  • Ouirgane - Moroccan tea making demonstration
Optional Activities
  • Ouirgane - Women's Association Visit & Carpet Making Demonstration - MAD50
  • Ouirgane - Beauty Therapy at Domaine la Roseraie - MAD400
  • Ouirgane - Domaine la Roseraie Massage (30 minutes) - MAD350
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
This morning, make sure you really take in that view and make the most of the guesthouse and surrounds. After a final breakfast together, depart for Marrakech. On your way back, perhaps ask your Tour Leader about the Intrepid Foundation-backed project – which your trip is helping support – called Education For All, which helps girls from remote villages in this region access an education. Once we arrive in Marrakech, it’s time to part ways.
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
This trip finishes upon arrival in Marrakech on Day 4 at the Finishing Point, as listed in the Essential Trip Information. Please do not book any flights until after 2pm this afternoon. If you would like to stay longer in Marrakech, we are happy to assist in booking additional accommodation for you, subject to availability.

Today’s travel time is approximately 1.5 hours.

Meals

3 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 3 dinners

Transport

Private minibus

Accommodation

Comfort style hotel (3 nights)

Included activities

  • Ouirgane - Welcome Dinner
  • High Atlas Mountains - Guided Hike
  • Ouirgane - Home-cooked lunch
  • Ouirgane - Cooking Class
  • Ouirgane - Moroccan tea making demonstration

Dates & availability

Trip departures are unavailable.

There are currently no scheduled departures on our Morocco Retreat: Ouirgane trip. If you are interested in other trips in the region visit one of the links below.

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Important notes

1. This trip starts in Marrakech on Day 1 at 11am. The group will depart immediately for Ouirgane. This trip finishes upon arrival in Marrakech on Day 4. Please do not book any flights until after 2pm this afternoon.
2. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights of your trip and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.

Essential trip information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

View Essential Trip Information

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