Moussem of IMILCHIL: The Marriage Festival

IMILCHIL FESTIVAL

25th - 27th AUGUST 2008

Deep in the heart of Morocco survives a culture with an ancient way of life virtually untouched by the outside world. To this day, scattered among the peaks of the High Atlas Mountains, Berber tribes maintain traditions begun by their ancestors hundreds of years ago.

High on a verdant plateau sits IMILCHIL, the pastoral gathering place for the surrounding tribes of the AIT SOKHAM and AIT BOUGUEMMAZ. They gather at the end of summer, in the early days of September, having spent the spring and the heat of summer in the mountain peaks with their flocks. Now it is time to begin the transition to leave the nomadic life behind and settle in for the winter months. It is time to prepare the plots and terraces for the autumn sowing. And now it is the time, as it has been for centuries, for the social gathering to occur.

Berber tribes gather for the celebrations. As well as being the place to choose a potential spouse, the Moussem of Imilchil operates as a fair or a big market, with artisans and farmers offering their produce to a wider market than is available at the weekly Souk.

Itinerary

Day 1: MARRAKECH

Meeting and greeting at Marrakech Airport - Transfer to Mont Gueliz Hotel 3*** (or similar) - Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Day 2: MARRAKECH - TINGHIR

Breakfast at the hotel and departure to Ouarzazate via the Tizin Tichka Pass. Lunch en route at the Ait Benhaddou Kasbah (superb Berber fortress classified as a world patrimony by the UNESCO). We continue our drive towards Tinghir via some breathtaking sceneries - Dinner and overnight at the Kenzi Saghro Hotel 4**** (or similar).

Day 3: TINGHIR - IMILCHIL

Breakfast at the hotel then departure to Imilchil. Discovery of the lifestyle of the Berber tribe of AIT HDIDOU and the festivities of the legendary Moussem of Imilchil (Imilchil Festival) - Dinner and overnight at the Tisslite Auberge (guesthouse) or similar.

Days 4 & 5: IMILCHIL

The whole day spent at the Festival of Imilchil - full board basis at the guesthouse.

Day 6: IMILCHIL - OUARZAZATE

Breakfast at the guesthouse and departure towards Ouarzazate via Tinghir. Lunch at the TODRA Gorges. Dinner & overnight at the Mercure Hotel 4**** in Ouarzazate or similar.

Day 7: OUARZAZATE - MARRAKECH

After breakfast - departure to Marrakech via the tracks of Telouet (lunch at Telouet Kasbah) - Dinner and overnight at the Mont Gueliz Hotel 3*** or similar in Marrakech.

Day 8: MARRAKECH

Breakfast at the hotel and transfer to Marrakech. (Possibility of extending your stay in Marrakech with a rich programme of excursions, activities and sightseeing.)

Price per person: £715

Single room supplement: £70

The price includes:

• Transfers: Marrakech Airport - Hotel - Marrakech Airport
• Ground transportation by 4x4 vehicles with driver
• Accommodation in the hotels mentioned in the itinerary for 7 nights
• Full board basis (all meals)
• Our permanent assistance

The price does not include:

• Air fare
• Guide during the tour
• Personal expenditure, drinks and tips
• Travel insurance