On these holidays you spend the first and last night in a simple riad-style hotel in Marrakech. The five mountain nights are spent in the AAZ gîtes.

In Marrakech, we stay in a simple but very comfortable riad-style hotel typical of Marrakech: the rooms surround a courtyard and the decor - typically Moroccan with its tiling and carved woodwork - is sumptuous.

The hotel is situated within spitting distance of the main focal point of Marrakech, the wonderful and partially medieval square Jemaa el Fnaa. Breakfast is taken on the hotel terrace. We have our evening meal in a local rooftop restaurant nearby. Wine will be available on the final evening, but alcohol generally isn't available on these holidays.

The AAZ has constructed a small gîte in each village in which we will stay - Tizirt, Ouerzatz and AÏt Ali. The gîtes were built by locals from local materials and are the only tourist accommodation available in the valley. They have a maximum capacity of 10 people and are relatievly comfortable with two or more bedrooms for guests, thick matresses and shared bathroom facilities (hot shower and Turkish toilet).

Our local cook will use the kitchen facilities to spoil us with Berber specialities. Rather than carrying bottled water, which is both too heavy and not friendly on the environment, we will purify local water using chlorine tablets (you won't notice the difference). Alcohol is not available in the Zat valley. During the day we will carry our own picnics consiting of delicious Moroccan salads, bread, cous cous, etc.