Special Tour ,The Engagement Festival - Imilchil
Join the Berbers, the indigenous people of North Africa as they celebrate one of their most renowned rituals, the wedding Festival at Imilchil. This is part of their heritage, which can be traced back the Neolitic period. Every year, as summer draws to an end, the nomadic tribes of the Ait Sokham and Ait Bougemmaz in the High Atlas Mountains, come down from the mountains and gather on the plateau at Imilchil to prepare for the winter ahead. This is the time of festival and it is during this festival that the young women of the tribe choose their husbands and wed.
There once were two young people who fell deeply in love in Morocco. Unfortunately, they were from enemy tribes. Their families wouldn't allow them to marry. Out of grief, they wept bitterly. They continued their crying day and night until they created two lakes made of their tears. Their despair was so great, they committed suicide by drowning in those two lakes. The Imilchil Moussem has been created to pay homage to those two young lovers. Henceforth, all the families granted total freedom to their children to marry whomever they chose. The engagement festivities take place every September in the largest souk of all the Ait Haddidou Tribe. The lakes are called "Isli", meaning bridegroom and "Tislit" meaning bride. The neighboring tribes gather together near these lakes, and the women choose their husbands. There is great feasting after the solemn and respectful ceremony.
For the young men and girls of the area, it is a tradition to get married on the day of the Moussem in ancient times, a holy man used to bless the betrothed at Agdoul, and legend says they were always happy.
The fiance festival is staged on the site of the tomb of the Oldman, who is venerated in the high atlas. It is a time for some 30,000 berbers from the mountains to assemble under tents for three days with their flocks, their horses and camels. It is an occasion for the young girls to wear their finery, their sumptuous silver jewelry, and to dance for hours under the sun and under the stars.
These festivals are not really connected with Moussems because they are joyful events with no religious associations. Each region holds a festival to celebrate the basic source of its wealth for the benefit of numerous visitors both from Morocco and abroad. Traditions have established the program of these local festivals. Everyone must conform to custom in order to be accepted by a society that is proud of its cultural and spiritual heritage.
Tour Itinerary
Day 01: Casablanca / Rabat
Morning arrival and assistance by our staff at Mohammed V Airport. Sightseeing tour of Casablanca. "Principal city in Morocco and capital in all but administration" Casablanca is now the largest port of the Maghreb - busier even than Marseille, the city on which it was modeled by the French. including visits to the central market, the Habous district, the Royal Palace, the Mohamed V square, the residential area of Anfa and the Hassan II Mosque. Sea food lunch at the Corniche in Ain Diab (coast line). Afternoon departure to Rabat, the capital of the nation. This city in many ways is what you would expect: elegant in its spacious European in self conscious in Its very civilized modern ways. Our visit begins in the Medina with the Kasbah of the Oudayas. Visit the venerated Mohamed V Mausoleum, the Hassan Tower, the Mosque, and the ramparts and walls of the Mechouar surrounding the Royal Palace. Dinner and over night at the hotel.
Day 02: Rabat/ Volubilis/ Meknes/ Fes
Transfer to Fes via Volubilis, the Roman capital of Northwestern Africa. Lunch in the interesting city of Meknes. Afternoon arrival to Fes with sightseeing of the Ramparts, the Gates, the Borjs (forts) and the Andalous part. Dinner is at the hotel, orientation meeting to follow.
Day 03: Fes
After breakfast, full-day tour of Fez, The most ancient of the imperial capitals, and the most complete medieval city of the Arab world. FES is unique. It is a place that stimulates your senses- with haunting and beautiful sounds, Infinite visual details, and unfiltered odors - and it seems to exist suspended in time somewhere between the Middle Ages and the modern times. Besides its electricity it owes absolutely nothing to the west. As a spectacle, this is an entirely satisfying experience. Visit in the morning, optional lunch at the Medina and shopping in the afternoon. Dinner and overnight at the hotel
Day 04: Fes/ Azrou/ Ksiba
We will be traveling from Fes to Ksibah visiting the Middle Atlas Berber villages and natural sights. We will arrive to Tisi'n'Isly pass in mid-afternoon, a caravan of mules will take us up MtTarrirecht (3km) in the High Atlas to Imilchil where the Festival is taking place. A caidal tent is pitched beside the Chief of the tribe as an honor for us (the guests), also to enjoy all the ceremonies and the festival activities. Dinner is with the Berbers round a campfire. (Camping)
Day 05: Imilchil
After breakfast we will take a mild hike to the breath taking plateau des lacs. We shall return to camp for lunch. Afternoon will be devoted to the festival activities among the Berbers. (Camping)
Day 06: Imilchil
After breakfast, we will take a morning walk in the mountains visiting the Berber nomads in their tents and sipping mint tea with them. Return to Imilchil for lunch. The afternoon is to share the happiness of the newly wed couples in a festive atmosphere with the indigenous Berber in their joyful chants and dances. Depart to Marrakech, dinner and over night at the hotel in Marrakech.
Day 07 : Marrakech
After breakfast, full-day tour of Marrakech. Historic visit of Marrakech will include the Menara, a magnificent pool surrounded by flowers, reflecting the image of a beautiful Moorish construction built in 1866 for the dignitaries. See glorious sunsets with the Atlas Mountains as a backdrop. Also, the pool is a functional irrigation system to the surrounding areas. The tour will see several impressive sights: The Koutoubia Minaret (the twin tower of la Giralda in Sevilla, Spain), the Saadian tombs demonstrating Moorish architecture in its perfection. The tombs, consisting of splendid mausoleums built in the sixteenth century, were walled for some time, not to be discovered until 1917.
Other sites include: the museum of Dar Si Said with the best display of Berber arts and crafts to be found; the remains of the Badii Palace, a historical monument chosen to host the annual National Festival of Popular Art, beginning the second Friday in June. The Bahia Palace still hosts dignitaries in the heart of the Mellah (Jewish quarter) today. Lunch at the hotel then a walk through the colorful souks of Marrakech in the afternoon. Conclude the day with a sunset drink overlooking the exciting Jamaa El Fna Square. Hassan's complimentary dinner at "Chez Ali" under Berber tents with fantasia show. Over night at the hotel.
Day 08: Marrakech / Essaouira
Departure to Essaouira (Mogador), a part from the immediate impact of sea air and the friendly animation of the town, the predominant images of Essaouira are of the Atlantic - of the rugged coast and offshore islands, the vast expense of empty sands trailing back along the promontory to the south, and the almost gothic scenery of the eighteen century fortifications. Lunch at Chalet de la Mer. Dinner and overnight at the Hotel.
Day 09: Essaouira / El Jadida / Casablanca
After breakfast departure to Casablanca via El Jadida / stop at El Oualidia. Relay and seafood lunch. Departure along the coastline to El Jadida - visit of the citadel. vestige of the Portuguese occupation during the 11th century. Continuation to Casablanca. Dinner and overnight at the Hotel.
Day 10: Casablanca / Airport Mohamed V
Morning departure to Mohammed V Airport with a memorable trip of a life time.