CLASSICAL  MOROCCO TOUR

11 DAYS / 10 NIGHTS

 

 

 

ITINERARY:

 

DAY 1 – CASABLANCA / RABAT

While in Casablanca you will stop at the Great Hassan II Mosque, the third largest Mosque in the world. You will visit the interior of the Mosque before departure to Rabat, the capital of Morocco. There you will enjoy a sightseeing tour of Rabat featuring the Mohammed V  Mausoleum, the Hassan Tower, the outside of the Royal Palace and the Ouddaya Kasbah. Dinner and overnight.

 

DAY 2 – RABAT / MEKNES / FES

After breakfast you will depart for the Imperial City of Meknes, also known as "the Moroccan Versailles". Meknes, with its monumental gates and city walls was founded at the end of the 17th century by the Sultan Moulay Ismail. The highlights will include Bab el Mansour (perhaps the finest gateway in Africa), "Dar Jamai" Museum, the old Medina, Moulay Ismail Mausoleum, old granaries and stables. Lunch will be at Palais M'nebhi in Meknes. After lunch you will depart for the ancient Roman city of Volubilis for a guided tour of the ruins. Departure and drive to Fes for your overnight stay at the Riad.

 

DAY 3 – FES MEDINA TOUR

After breakfast the entire day will be devoted to seeing the city of Fes, the spiritual capital of Morocco. Step back six centuries into the medieval Medina with its narrow and cobbled streets filled with ancient mosques, towering green glazed minarets and crumbling fondouks. Narrow openings into private worlds reveal architecture of peaceful courtyards filled with carved cedar, brilliantly colored mosaic tiles and delicately carved stucco ornaments. Suggested lunch will be at Palais Terrab, a beautiful Arab palace or an alternative venue of your choice. After lunch we will visit the Attarine and Abou Anania Medersas, the Nejjarine fountain, the Moulay Idriss Mausoleum, and the Karaouine Mosque. In the afternoon, we will visit the countless souks, the famous tanneries and Fes Jdid. Overnight at the Riad.

 

DAY 4 – FES / ERFOUD / MERZOUGA

After an early breakfast we depart to Erfoud through the scenic, wooded Middle Atlas Mountain region. Stop in Azrou to visit a Berber village known for its handicraft cooperative. Lunch will be at the Ayachi Hotel before continuing to Midelt (an important mining center) and the Ziz River through a series of fortified villages characterized by fascinating southern architecture. Arrival in Merzouga.

We will ride the camels to see the sunset over the dunes and spend the night in the desert camp. We will have a traditional tagine dinner, drink delicious mint tea, listen to traditional berber music while watching the stars and the rising moon in the amazing Sahara desert. 

 

DAY 5 – MERZOUGA / QUARZAZATE

Morning departure to Ouarzazate via the breathtaking scenery at Mgouna, the Rose valley and the palmerie of Skoura. Possible visit (if there is no production event) to the movie studio where scenes from Bertulucci's "The Sheltering Sky", Spielberg's "Gladiators", "The Last temptation of Christ", and "Lawrence of Arabia" were filmed. We will also visit in and around the area renowned for its Berber ceramic work and fine carpet making. If time permits, you will see the Tifoultout and Taourirt Kasbahs. Dinner and overnight.

 

DAY 6 – QUARZAZATE / MARRAKESH

After breakfast departure to the Ait Ben Haddou village where you will visit the ruins of this ancient Kasbah. Lunch at Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou before we continue via the Tiz-In-Tichka pass (7,415 ft / 2,260 m) and Taddert to Marrakesh. Dinner and overnight stay at Riad.

 

DAY 7 – MARRAKESH

Sightseeing of Marrakesh nicknamed "The Pearl of the South, "featuring a visit to the 16th century Saadian Tombs, "Dar Si Said" Museum of Moroccan Arts, the fragrant Menara Gardens, the Koutoubia Minaret and the magnificent Bahia Palace with its extraordinary tiles, opulent courtyard sand fountains. After lunch on your own, you will visit of the Djemmaa-el-Fna Square where fortune-tellers, acrobats, vendors, snake charmers and magicians put on a never-ending show. In the evening, (optional) entertainment dinner show at Shahramar restaurant before returning to the Riad for overnight stay.

 

 

DAY 8 - MARRAKESH

Sightseeing of the private gardens of Yves Saint Laurent and the private Islamic Art Museum. Drive along the city ramparts dividing the town into the oldest and the newest parts of Marrakesh. The afternoon is free to spend as you wish with your guide/driver at your disposal. Suggested dinner at a local restaurant and overnight at the Riad.

 

DAY 9 – MARRAKESH / ESSAOUIRA

After breakfast you will depart for the beautiful seaside town of Essaouira. After arrival and check-in, a sightseeing tour of the city will feature Essaouira's typical Portuguese harbor portraying influences of both Moorish and Portuguese design. Highlights will include the fishing harbor and the Skala (the Battery) left by the pirates. Optional: 1 hour Sea Tour by boat. The afternoon is free to spend at leisure. Overnight at the Riad.​

 

DAY 10 – ESSAOURIA / EL JADIDA / CASABLANCA

After breakfast the morning is free to spend at your leisure before departure to Casablanca via El Jadida with a stop at El Oualidia for lunch. Continuation along the coast of the Atlantic Ocean to reach El Jadida where you will be given a quick orientation tour. After arrival in Casablanca, you will check-in and spend the night at the hotel. Overnight.

 

DAY 11 - CASABLANCA

Transfer to Casablanca International airport.

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ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS: