4 DAY TOUR OPTION: MARRAKECH & AROUND THE ENVIRONS

EDUCATIONAL TOPICS:

Contrasting Cultures; Developing World City; World Heritage Site

Arrive into Marrakech Menara Airport and private coach transfer to hotel. If flight arrival time is in the morning/early afternoon, take lunch in the hotel.

Walk to the Old Medina. Here the city bustles and fascinates in equal measure. Take in a view of the Koutoubia Mosque, move across the Jemaa el Fna entertainment square and enter the Souks with a City Guide.

A traditional Apothecary visit is included too where much is learned about traditional medicines as well as culinary herbs and spices.

Dependent on time, perhaps some time can be given to explore the souks and/or enjoy viewing the sunset behind the Koutoubia mosque from a rooftop terrace cafe.

Overnight Marrakech

EDUCATIONAL TOPICS: Fold mountains; Hazardous environments; Water resource management; Traditional/New farming systems; Cultural Contrasts; Climate Change; Development Issues

Travelling south from Marrakech across the Marrakech Plain to the rural settlement of Amizmiz takes approximately 1 hour. But once in Amizmiz, in amongst the High Atlas, Marrakech feels like it could be a million miles away.

This area of the High Atlas experienced a major earthquake in September, 2023, Richter scale 6.8. The impact of this event was immense, with high loss of life and many villages greatly damaged with many buildings collapsed. Families were broken, livlihoods lost and for many life had to continue by living in tents. Some years on, the present situation will be seen in the gradual repair and rebuild of broken communities.

En route to Amizmiz, a visit to the Barage (dam) and reservoir of Lalla Takerkoust (water issues/water sustainability issues) is taken. This illustrates clearly aspects of large-scale water resource management, vital to this area’s productivity and survival.

In Amizmiz and its surroundings, life is very traditional. Amizmiz is a rural market town with much everyday activity as well as its added market day activity too (once a week).

An easy stroll around the settlement and into the surrounding rural landscapes shows the traditional farming methods used here and the variety of crops grown and livestock reared. A potter's village is visited to see how tagine pots are turned from locally gathered clay (with the option to "have a go" by some of the students).

Traditional, intricate irrigation systems are seen in operation; as a resource, water is utterly vital to any community’s survival. Chance encounters with local people can often enhance this experience of “real world living” so have some questions ready to ask through your Guide/Courier.

A relaxing picnic lunch (included) is taken in a forest glade.

Returning to the market town of Amizmiz in mid-afternoon, the group will embark the coach and head back in the direction of Marrakech. A stop will be made at Agafay and a camel ride taken for around 1 hour.

Return to Marrakech by late afternoon.

Overnight Marrakech

EDUCATIONAL TOPICS: Climate Change & its Impact; Traditional Agriculture; Understanding Different Cultures; Rural to Urban Migration, the Push & Pull Factors

This is a very special and most impacting day and is unique to Anzal Tours. There is full immersion into the reality of and engagement with rural life, its daily activities, its challenges and joys.

Travelling only a short distance north-eastwards from Marrakech (about 35 kms; about 45 minutes), across the Marrakech Plain, spending a day amongst the villagers and village activities of Douar Oulad Elguern is most enlightening and very stimulating.

This small, traditional village is little changed since its founding about 200 years ago. Farming has been the main economic activity here but changing climate and recent years of successive droughts has made survival here more and more marginal. There is evidence of this all around.

Spending a day with the village community is very special. Nothing is "put on" for visitors, all that you see and experience is as it would be on a normal day; it is all totally real.

Travelling from Marrakech, you travel across the Marrakech Plain, passing several traditional villages on the way. On arrival in Douar Oulad Elguern, you will be welcomed with the traditional tea ceremony in a typical village home's salon. There are many opportunities to engage with the very warmhearted villagers and to participate in several of their daily activities.

You first enjoy a traditional "second breakfast" in the salon, typically consisting of delicious home-made bread, olive oil, olives, honey and butter (much of the foods being from the land around).

After all the introductions and eating, it is then time to participate in some of the village's daily activities; time to roll up your sleeves … and, for the boys, trouser legs!

For females: Bread making, couscous making, vegetable preparation with some of the ladies of the village (no doubt with many children around so lots of informal fun) are the main activities. These are done in the ladies’ homes.

For males: Fetching water from the village well (with a donkey) perhaps, making traditional mud & straw bricks, making charcoal, taking a walk around the village and the land of the community are the main activities.

Everyone gathers back in the salon in early afternoon, with many stories to tell eachother of their varied morning’s village activities. Then your group enjoys a large and sumptuous lunch, traditionally eaten in a salon, around a round table and using fingers (traditionally washed first using a basin and kettle; forks and spoons available too!).

After some small siesta time, there is the opportunity to ask questions, discuss and otherwise evaluate what the day has provided for everyone. Perhaps too there might be time for taking a further stroll around the village, to see and learn of the challenges facing the community. If any artisans are working then their little workshops might be visited.

Option: Traditional henna decorative hand painting. The ladies of the village use natural henna, not the chemicals that some people use in Jemaa El Fna Square in Marrakech. At a supplement then this can be organized in the afternoon.

Mid to late afternoon return to Marrakech with perhaps some time, if wished back in the Medina.

Overnight Marrakech

Depending on your flight times, there may be the opportunity for more time to walk into Marrakech Medina.

An option is the Majorelle Gardens (once owned by Yves St Lauren). At a supplementary cost this can be added. The Gardens offer a most tranquil, a lush oasis by contrast to the bustling Medina.

Another option is the new and excellent Water Museum. This is an interactive museum where much is learned about gaining and using water over many centuries, from the distant past till the present day. At a supplementary cost this can be added.

Other supplementary options include Ben Youssef Koranic School, Bahia Palace, Saadian Tombs, Badi Palace.

Coach transfer to Marrakech Menara Airport