Departure at 8:00 am from Marrakech on the road. Travellers will have two main steps:

– The stop involving goats on Argan trees may not be included in the program due to various factors such as the goat mating season, the proliferation of Argan trees, or weather conditions in the region. But did you know that the Argan tree is also known as “the goat tree” because goats love its fruits? They climb the tree with surprising ease, cling to the branches, and taste its fruits. However, they only eat the pulp and discard the kernel, which the locals collect to make oil. Pretty cool, huh?

– Nestled between Essaouira and Marrakech lies a network of cooperatives dedicated to oil extraction from nuts. What sets these cooperatives apart is that women exclusively staff them. The women who work here are provided with paid employment, which allows them to achieve a certain level of independence. It is estimated that around 2000 women are employed in these cooperatives, which serve as a beacon of hope for female empowerment in the region.

Upon arrival in Essaouira, travellers will have approximately 5 hours of free time to explore the old medina.

Essaouira is a promising tourist destination thanks to its natural, historical, and cultural assets. Its medina, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2001, is a maze of alleys that divides the districts and various souks. Despite its complexity, the souk is well-organized and offers many products, including clothing, spices, jewellery, olives, fruits, and vegetables.

Visitors can dine at restaurants serving fresh catches of the day and other typical dishes. Taking a break on a shady terrace is recommended to savour Moroccan cuisine’s flavours.

During their free time, travellers can explore the beautiful medina and count the number of doors it has. The Medina has many gates, influenced by two different styles: the Cherifian style with rounded doors, reminiscent of the fortifications of Marrakech, and the European style with pedimented doors and fluted columns.

Tourists can also relax on deck chairs at the beach, enjoy a drink, or taste Moroccan specialities while soaking up the sun. Essaouira beach is one of the most beautiful in Morocco, with its golden sand and the swell of the waves. Visitors can admire the arabesques of the kitesurf sails in the blue sky and watch the surfers cross each other in a well-coordinated ballet.

For the more athletic visitors, it is possible to take lessons or rent equipment for kitesurfing or surfing.

The return from Essaouira is around 4:00 p.m.