We have improved our walking grade scale. Read more

Gardens of Marrakech and the Atlas Mountains

New holiday Early Booking Offer

■ Location: Morocco

■ Duration: 7 nights

■ Board Basis: Half Board Extra

■ Travel Dates: May-Oct 2027

■ Itineraries available: 1

■ Choice of Walking Grade: 1 details

■ Carbon Footprint: 1299kg CO2 details

Non-members From

£2,199

pp

Inc flights

Members From

£2,119

pp

Inc flights

For group booking of 10 or more please click here
Like lush green oases appearing out of nowhere against North Africa’s stark desert landscape, Moroccan gardens are magical. Guided by an expert horticulturalist, this tour reveals the age-old skills and gardening alchemy that have helped locals thrive in one of the world’s most unforgiving climates. From peaceful garden sanctuaries hidden in the middle of bustling Marrakech to art-inspired havens beneath the snow-capped Atlas Mountains, every stop will inspire lovers of the exotic. Highlights include Jardin Majorelle’s bold colours and Cubist designs, the jasmine-scented grounds of Bahia Palace, and André Heller’s otherworldly Anima Garden. We’ll also visit a saffron farm and enjoy a Berber cooking class using freshly picked ingredients.

Accommodation

A range of handpicked hotels...

Set within beautifully landscaped gardens in Marrakech’s Hivernage district, Kenzi Rose Garden Hotel offers a luxurious oasis close to the city’s top attractions. This stylish five-star hotel combines contemporary comfort with traditional Moroccan hospitality. Spacious, well-appointed bedrooms are arranged amongst palm-filled grounds and are equipped with air conditioning, safe, minibar, hairdryer and TV. A range of Moroccan and international cuisine is served in the hotel’s three restaurants. After a day of exploring unwind beside one of the hotel’s swimming pools, indulge in the spa and hammam, or simply relax amongst the fragrant gardens.  


Walking grades

From September 2026, we have expanded our walking grade scale from 6 to 10 points. While the holidays themselves have not changed (the routes, daily distances and ascent levels remain the same), our newly expanded 1-10 scale offers greater distinction between holidays and clearer grade descriptions, so you can choose a holiday that best suits you.

Gentle walking grade 1

Gentle walking grade 1

Short, easy walks on level paths with no stiles. Ideal for relaxed walking and active sightseeing. Typically, 2-3 miles (3-5km) or less, with little if any ascent.

What You’ll Love

  • Exploring the iconic Jardin Majorelle gardens once home to the famous fashion designer Yves Saint-Laurent 

  • A tour of Le Jardin Secret created by award-winning garden designer Tom Stuart-Smith 

  • Visiting artist André Heller's opulent, 3-hectare botanical garden with views of the Atlas Mountains 

  • A traditional Berber cooking class inside a secret garden including lunch


What's Included

  • Fully escorted travel and excursions with a Horticultural Specialist Tour Manager    

  • 7 nights’ bed and breakfast at the 5-star Kenzi Rose Garden Hotel  

  • 7 dinners including 5 at the hotel and 2 in local restaurants 

  • A soft drink, plus water, tea and coffee included with dinner 

  • All transport to and from sites of interest  

  • All entrance fees and guided visits as per the itinerary including Jardin Majorelle, André Heller’s Anima Garden, and a traditional cooking class including lunch

  • Return Flights from London including baggage and transfers 


Itinerary

Itinerary

Fly from London to Marrakech. On arrival, we transfer to our hotel, with time to settle in before getting to know your fellow travellers over dinner.
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    [title] => Arrival in Marrakech
    [introduction] => Fly from London to Marrakech. On arrival, we transfer to our hotel, with time to settle in before getting to know your fellow travellers over dinner.
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    [title] => Jardin Majorelle, YSL Museum and Marrakech Palaces
    [introduction] => 
    [description] => 

After breakfast, we begin our day at the iconic Jardin Majorelle, where bold blue architecture, exotic planting, and shaded pathways create one of Marrakech’s most memorable garden settings. We then continue to the Yves Saint Laurent Museum, which celebrates the creativity, influence, and legacy of one of fashion’s great visionaries. 

In the afternoon, we step into Marrakech’s regal past with a visit to Bahia Palace. This masterpiece of Moroccan craftsmanship combines grand courtyards adorned with decorative tilework and peaceful garden spaces planted with fragrant orange and cypress trees. 

We’ll also visit El Badi Palace. Once among the most magnificent palaces in the world, its ruins provide a hauntingly beautiful reminder of Morrocco’s golden age.

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After breakfast, we begin our day at the iconic Jardin Majorelle, where bold blue architecture, exotic planting, and shaded pathways create one of Marrakech’s most memorable garden settings. We then continue to the Yves Saint Laurent Museum, which celebrates the creativity, influence, and legacy of one of fashion’s great visionaries. 

In the afternoon, we step into Marrakech’s regal past with a visit to Bahia Palace. This masterpiece of Moroccan craftsmanship combines grand courtyards adorned with decorative tilework and peaceful garden spaces planted with fragrant orange and cypress trees. 

We’ll also visit El Badi Palace. Once among the most magnificent palaces in the world, its ruins provide a hauntingly beautiful reminder of Morrocco’s golden age.

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    [title] => Anima Garden, Saffron Plantation and Nectarome
    [introduction] => 
    [description] => 

This morning we visit André Heller’s Anima Garden, a wonderfully imaginative space where art, nature, and design combine beneath the dramatic backdrop of the snow-capped Atlas Mountains. 

We then continue to a local saffron plantation, where we’ll learn about the cultivation, colour, fragrance, and heritage of one of the world’s most precious spices. 

Later, we spend time at Nectarome, a sensory garden dedicated to aromatic plants, traditional Moroccan wellness therapies, and natural beauty treatments. Returning to the hotel, there’s time to relax before dinner at a local restaurant.

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This morning we visit André Heller’s Anima Garden, a wonderfully imaginative space where art, nature, and design combine beneath the dramatic backdrop of the snow-capped Atlas Mountains. 

We then continue to a local saffron plantation, where we’ll learn about the cultivation, colour, fragrance, and heritage of one of the world’s most precious spices. 

Later, we spend time at Nectarome, a sensory garden dedicated to aromatic plants, traditional Moroccan wellness therapies, and natural beauty treatments. Returning to the hotel, there’s time to relax before dinner at a local restaurant.

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    [title] => Free Day in Marrakech
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Today is free to explore Marrakech at your own pace. 

You may like to wander through the bustling medina, where souks overflow with colour, craft, and the scent of spices. Pause for mint tea in a shaded courtyard, visit one of the city’s museums or historic sites, or seek out a peaceful garden tucked behind ancient walls. However you choose to spend the day, it’s a wonderful opportunity to enjoy Marrakech your way. 

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Today is free to explore Marrakech at your own pace. 

You may like to wander through the bustling medina, where souks overflow with colour, craft, and the scent of spices. Pause for mint tea in a shaded courtyard, visit one of the city’s museums or historic sites, or seek out a peaceful garden tucked behind ancient walls. However you choose to spend the day, it’s a wonderful opportunity to enjoy Marrakech your way. 

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    [title] => Herb Garden and Berber Cooking Class
    [introduction] => 
    [description] => 

Step into a hidden garden where we’ll learn about the healing plants, aromatic herbs, and long-standing traditions that have shaped life here for generations. Guided by local experts, we’ll gather fresh ingredients before taking part in a hands-on Berber cooking class. 

Together, we’ll prepare classic dishes filled with fragrant spices and flavours, before sitting down to enjoy our meal in peaceful garden surroundings.

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Step into a hidden garden where we’ll learn about the healing plants, aromatic herbs, and long-standing traditions that have shaped life here for generations. Guided by local experts, we’ll gather fresh ingredients before taking part in a hands-on Berber cooking class. 

Together, we’ll prepare classic dishes filled with fragrant spices and flavours, before sitting down to enjoy our meal in peaceful garden surroundings.

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    [title] => Menara Gardens, Jnane Harti and Le Jardin Secret
    [introduction] => 
    [description] => 

After breakfast, we explore three of Marrakech’s most captivating green spaces, beginning with the historic Menara Gardens. Here, olive groves stretch towards the Atlas Mountains, and a tranquil reflecting pool captures the beauty of the surrounding landscape. 

We then continue to Jnane Harti, a peaceful city garden with shaded walkways and a slower pace that offers sanctuary from the bustle of Marrakech. 

Our day ends at Le Jardin Secret, a restored oasis in the heart of the medina. The traditional Islamic design, flowing water, and carefully considered planting, of this elegant garden offers a quiet space for harmony and reflection. Returning to the hotel, there will be free time to freshen up before dinner at a local restaurant.  

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After breakfast, we explore three of Marrakech’s most captivating green spaces, beginning with the historic Menara Gardens. Here, olive groves stretch towards the Atlas Mountains, and a tranquil reflecting pool captures the beauty of the surrounding landscape. 

We then continue to Jnane Harti, a peaceful city garden with shaded walkways and a slower pace that offers sanctuary from the bustle of Marrakech. 

Our day ends at Le Jardin Secret, a restored oasis in the heart of the medina. The traditional Islamic design, flowing water, and carefully considered planting, of this elegant garden offers a quiet space for harmony and reflection. Returning to the hotel, there will be free time to freshen up before dinner at a local restaurant.  

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    [title] => Cactus Thiemann and Jnane Tamsna
    [introduction] => 
    [description] => 

Today we discover two very different examples of Marrakech’s garden artistry. 

At Cactus Thiemann, we explore a striking landscape filled with one of the world’s most impressive collections of cacti and succulents. Bold, sculptural, and highly distinctive, it’s a fascinating contrast to the city’s more traditional gardens. 

We then visit Jnane Tamsna, where Moroccan design meets contemporary style. With lush planting, shaded courtyards, and thoughtful details throughout, it’s a sophisticated oasis of colour and calm and a fitting end to our Moroccan garden odyssey.  

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Today we discover two very different examples of Marrakech’s garden artistry. 

At Cactus Thiemann, we explore a striking landscape filled with one of the world’s most impressive collections of cacti and succulents. Bold, sculptural, and highly distinctive, it’s a fascinating contrast to the city’s more traditional gardens. 

We then visit Jnane Tamsna, where Moroccan design meets contemporary style. With lush planting, shaded courtyards, and thoughtful details throughout, it’s a sophisticated oasis of colour and calm and a fitting end to our Moroccan garden odyssey.  

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    [title] => Departure
    [introduction] => 
    [description] => 

After breakfast, we transfer to Marrakech airport for our return flight to London. 

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After breakfast, we transfer to Marrakech airport for our return flight to London. 

Accommodation

Kenzi Rose Garden Hotel

Set within beautifully landscaped gardens in Marrakech’s Hivernage district, Kenzi Rose Garden Hotel offers a luxurious oasis close to the city’s top attractions. This stylish five-star hotel combines contemporary comfort with traditional Moroccan hospitality. Spacious, well-appointed bedrooms are arranged amongst palm-filled grounds and are equipped with air conditioning, safe, minibar, hairdryer and TV. A range of Moroccan and international cuisine is served in the hotel’s three restaurants. After a day of exploring unwind beside one of the hotel’s swimming pools, indulge in the spa and hammam, or simply relax amongst the fragrant gardens.  

More Information

Book your holiday ‘with flights’ and you can choose to depart from a range of UK airports* to your destination. For latest flight times and prices please call us on 0203-974-8865 or email reservations@hfholidays.co.uk  

If you choose to book your flights with us, we automatically include return transfers between the destination airport and hotel.  

If you are booking on a land-only basis, you can join the group transfer at an additional cost. To do so, your arrival and departure times must be in line with the scheduled group flight timings. Guests travelling at different times will need to arrange their own transfers. Please contact us before booking to discuss the available options and costs.

It's best to be prepared for all weather conditions. To make it easier, here is a list of items you should consider packing.   

Essentials  

  • Walking boots 

  • Waterproof jacket 

  • Waterproof trousers 

  • Insulated jacket/top 

  • Walking clothing  

  • Walking socks (plus spares)  

  • Sunhat 

  • Gloves/mitts and warm hat

  • Water bottle (minimum 2 litre capacity)  

  • Headtorch

  • High-factor sunscreen (minimum SPF 30)  

  • Swimcap (compulsory in Itialian resorts)

  • Sunglasses with a dark lens 

  • Rucksack (15-30 litres)  

  • Mobile phone 

  • Personal first aid kit (containing your medication, blister plasters, etc.) 

  • Passport 

  • Visa (if applicable) 

  • Copy of your travel insurance policy 

  • UK Global Health Insurance Card (formerly known as EHIC) 

Recommended

  • Collapsible walking poles 

  • Swimwear and travel towel

  • Snacks

  • Dry bags

  • Rubbish bags

  • Insect repellent

Optional extras

  • Camera 

  • Sit mat

  • Flask for hot drinks 

  • Durable lunch box

  • Gaiters 

  • GPS device (excluding Bhutan, Georgia and India)

Before booking, you should check with your doctor to see whether any health precautions are needed for your trip. Health advice and requirements can change, so we recommend doing this in good time before travel.

As a general rule, travellers should ensure they are up to date with routine UK vaccinations and boosters, including, for example, MMR and diphtheria, tetanus and polio. Some countries may require you to have specific vaccinations such as Malaria, Rabies and Yellow Fever. Please check with your GP if you are unsure.

Please note that the use or possession of some common prescription or over-the-counter medicines is restricted or banned in certain countries. If you will be carrying medication, you should check with the relevant embassy or consulate before travelling. As an extra precaution, we recommend keeping medication in its original packaging, carrying a copy of your prescription, and, where possible, asking your pharmacist to provide the medication name in the language of the country you are visiting.

For further country-specific health advice, visit www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk or www.traveldoctor.co.uk. If you are travelling from outside the UK, please consult your own doctor and check local entry requirements.

 

This information is for those travelling with a full ‘British Citizen’ passport; for all other nationalities or passport holders, please check with your local consulate for advice.

Passport Requirements

This information applies to travellers holding a full British Citizen passport. Entry requirements vary by destination and can change at short notice. For most EU and worldwide destinations, passports must be valid for the entire duration of your stay. Some countries also require a minimum period of validity remaining on your passport (often up to 6 months beyond your return date), even if you are not staying that long.
We strongly recommend ensuring your passport has at least six months’ validity remaining at the time of travel to avoid any issues.

If you hold a different type of British passport or a passport issued by another country, you must check the requirements with the relevant embassy, consulate, or official government website.

Visa Requirements

Visa rules depend on your nationality, destination, length of stay, and purpose of travel, and they can change frequently. It is your responsibility to check whether you require a visa before travelling.
British passport holders should check the latest entry, passport validity and visa requirements for their destination on the UK government’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) website:
https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice

 

 

Travel insurance is a condition of booking. Therefore, if you have not already arranged insurance, it is imperative that you do so before you travel.

For more information about healthcare and its costs, please visit: https://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/healthcare-abroad/

Drinking Water

Standards for drinking water vary widely around the world. In many destinations, tap water may not be safe to drink, brush your teeth with, or use for making ice. Where advised, you should drink only bottled or treated water and ensure that bottle seals are intact before use. If bottled water is unavailable, water should be boiled or filtered.

Staying well hydrated is particularly important in hot climates and during active holidays. Carry water with you and drink regularly. 

If you are unsure about local water safety, check official country-specific health advice before travel, or ask your accommodation or local guides for guidance once you arrive.

Morocco is a Muslim country. Whilst many places we visit are generally accepting of Western attire (you will see Moroccans wearing all styles!), traditional views are still held in smaller villages and in the medinas of the cities.

On your trip we advise you to dress modestly and respectfully. Both men and women should aim to cover their shoulders and knees, especially if visiting religious sites or rural areas. Opt for loose-fitting and conservative clothing to show respect for local customs and traditions.

Ticks are tiny creatures that live in vegetation and can attach themselves to passing animals or walkers and
may carry a risk of Lyme Disease. Please refer to NHS advice and guidelines for information prior to your
holiday.

Carbon Footprint - 1299kg CO2

We see it as our responsibility to minimise our emissions, not just for this year but every year to come. Our work with sustainability experts, ecollective, has enabled us to measure our carbon footprint and create a strategy to reduce the carbon intensity of our product by 5% each year. Our ambition is to be net zero by 2040 – earlier if we can.

Learn more
For May: David Hurrion
For May: David Hurrion

David is a highly respected British horticulturist, gardening writer, broadcaster, lecturer, and Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) judge. He has been growing plants for more than 50 years and has built a reputation as one of the UK's leading gardening experts.  

After studying horticulture at Writtle College in Essex, David worked in gardens and nurseries across the UK, gaining extensive practical experience with a wide range of plants, soils, and growing conditions. He later qualified as a teacher and has taught subjects including botany, soil science, plant identification, propagation, garden design, and crop production at various educational levels.  

Perhaps best known for his work with BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine, David served as Deputy Editor and later Associate Editor. Over more than two decades, he has written and edited numerous articles on gardening, helping inspire and educate gardeners throughout the UK. He is also a regular speaker, course leader, and gardening commentator on television, radio, and online platforms.  

David has travelled extensively worldwide and has reached every continent apart from Antarctica. He has been leading garden tours for many years and brings his infectious enthusiasm, a wealth of knowledge and expertise to each destination he visits, sharing both technical and practical knowledge of gardening to his guests. 

For October: Julia Corden
For October: Julia Corden

Julia Corden is an experienced horticulturalist, lecturer, and garden tour leader with a distinguished career spanning more than 25 years. Trained in horticulture at both RHS Garden Wisley and the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE), she has developed an exceptional depth of knowledge in plant cultivation, garden management, and botanical exploration. 

Julia played a pivotal role in the establishment of the renowned Explorers Garden in Pitlochry, where she served as Garden Manager for 18 years. During her tenure, she helped transform the garden into a celebrated horticultural destination, showcasing plants collected from some of the world's most biodiverse regions. 

A passionate plantswoman and explorer, Julia has led horticultural expeditions to Bhutan and India and has guided botanical and garden tours across the globe for over two decades. Her extensive travels have taken her to destinations including Costa Rica, Switzerland, New Zealand, the Falkland Islands, and Newfoundland, providing her with a rich understanding of diverse landscapes, flora, and gardening traditions. 

Alongside her practical and expeditionary work, Julia has lectured extensively throughout the UK, Europe, and North America, sharing her expertise with gardening enthusiasts, horticultural societies, and professional audiences. She is also a former President of the Scottish Rock Garden Club, reflecting her longstanding commitment to advancing horticultural knowledge and promoting excellence within the gardening community. 

Code: MAR07-LGW10

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Dates & availability

Gardens of Marrakech and the Atlas Mountains

Members save an additional £80 on this booking and get a range of other exclusive benefits. Add HF Membership to your booking online. Read more about membership

2027

Early Booking Offer Save £100 Per Person

3 May - 10 May 2027

7 nights. Trip notes

Twin & double rooms

Non-members

£2,299 £2,199

£2,049 £1,949

pp

Members

£2,219 £2,119

£1,969 £1,869

pp
Single rooms

£2,869 £2,769

pp

£2,789 £2,689

pp

£2,619 £2,519

pp

£2,539 £2,439

pp

Early Booking Offer Save £100 Per Person

2 Oct - 9 Oct 2027

7 nights. Trip notes

Twin & double rooms

Non-members

£2,349 £2,249

£2,049 £1,949

pp

Members

£2,269 £2,169

£1,969 £1,869

pp
Single rooms

£2,919 £2,819

pp

£2,839 £2,739

pp

£2,619 £2,519

pp

£2,539 £2,439

pp
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Flexible choice of guided walks

Experienced volunteer HF Leaders guide every walk at our UK country houses, offering up to three daily options. Making it easy to find a holiday to suit your ability, and with the flexibility to switch grades each walking day.

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Book early with confidence

Become an HF Member to benefit from our Price Pledge. Secure your first choice of holiday early, and if the cost drops after you book, we will automatically refund the difference (exc. travel agent, group and self-guided bookings).

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Book with confidence

If the flights we have organised are cancelled or changed, we’ll do everything we can to find alternative transport, with minimal disruption to your holiday

If we cancel your holiday, we honour all refund requests 

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Travel with confidence

We know that peace of mind is priceless, so we’ll always go above and beyond to meet – and exceed – expectations

If the flights we have organised are cancelled or changed, we’ll do everything we can to find alternative transport, with minimal disruption to your holiday

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HF Holidays

A British heritage brand with 111 years of experience

Offering a choice of over 260 itineraries in nearly 40 countries

Run as a co-operative with 40,000-plus members

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