CITY ESCAPE
THE OURIKA VALLEY

A city break to Marrakech isn't complete without venturing beyond the rose pink walls and exploring the surrounding countryside in all it's natural beauty.

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One of our most popular day trips takes us out of Marrakech on the route towards Amizmiz stopping at fabulously bohemian boutique hotel, the Beldi Country Club to view the last remaining hand blown glass factory in Morocco, from there we journey on to visit the inspiring Jarjeer Donkey Sanctuary founded by retired human rights lawyers, Susan Machin and Charles Hantom. A drive through the breathtaking foothills of the Atlas Mountains takes us to the Ourika Valley where we stop for lunch on the banks of the river Ourika in the cooling shade. Our final stop is at the Saffron Paradise, a lush garden dedicated to the cultivation of saffron spice where you can drink bio-herbal tea, take a barefoot walk and enjoy a blissful foot massage. From there it is a pleasant drive back to the city feeling thoroughly refreshed and reinvigorated.

Itinerary

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• Pick up at riad/hotel 9.00am

• Beldi Country Club - visit the last remaining glass blowing factory in Morocco, free time to wander around the beautiful gardens, enjoy the peace and quiet and take photos. Refreshments will be served.

• Jarjeer Donkey Sanctuary which offers a loving home to old, sick, abused and orphaned donkeys and mules. Opportunity to meet the Berber muleteers who come from the local villages and to learn about the valuable work of the sanctuary. Enjoy watching the animals from the viewing area and take refreshments at the newly built cafe constructed by local artisans using traditional earth building techniques.

• Drive across the High Atlas mountains to take lunch by the riverside in the picturesque Ourika Valley. 

• Saffron Paradise, a garden of delight in the Ourika Valley known for it's cultivation of saffron and beautiful gardens. Enjoy a barefoot walk and foot massage with refreshment of bio-herbal tea of plants from the gardens.

• Return to Marrakech and drop off at riad/hotel around 5 - 6pm.

This trip can also be taken in reverse, starting at the Saffron Paradise and finishing at the Beldi Country Club if you would like to enjoy an evening meal and glass of wine there before returning to Marrakech.

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The tour will include air conditioned transport with English speaking driver/guide, by 4WD or minibus depending on numbers.

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