Tour Overview
The country is one of Africa's most popular travel destinations. No matter how well-seasoned a traveler you are, you'll find plenty to see and do: fine Atlantic and Mediterranean beaches, desert excursions, wondrous imperial cities, Islamic landmarks, wild Joujoukan trance music, Roman antiquities, resort facilities, mountain villages and towering sand dunes…Day by Day Itinerary
Day 1: Casablanca, Morocco- RabatArrive Mohammed V International Airport. You are met and transferred to the city for a tour of Casablanca. The name evokes good living, romance and adventure in a tropical sitting, an image that the 1943 Humphrey Bogart film conveyed to cinema-goers in the drab years of the world war 2. Casablanca growth is fairly recent It is the bustling, French influenced, business center of Morocco. A short tour of the city will take you past the Medina, the Mohammed V square, United Nations place, the central market, the new Hassan II Mosque, Morocco’s tallest building, and along the magnificent Ain Diab corniche, reminiscent of Cannes. Continue to Rabat, the first of the Imperial cities that you will visit, and the administrative capital of Morocco.
Hilton Hotel Rabat Day 2: Rabat- Meknes- Volubilis- Fes
A short drive takes you to Meknes, the megalomaniacal creation of Moulay Ismail, the most cruel and tyrannical of all Morocco’s sultans, contemporary of Louis XIV and James II of England. The city had over fifty palaces, with almost eighteen miles of walls and 20 gates. Visit the most impressive of these gates, Bab Mansour with its vivid green tiles and the Moulay Ismail Mausoleum. Continue to the Roman ruins of Volubilis, high on a plateau overlooking the Holy City of Moulay Idriss nestled in a lush valley below. The Atlas Mountains in the background add to the beauty of the setting. The 2nd and 3rd century Roman town of Volubilis is noted for its colorful and interesting mosaics depicting daily life, the capitol and triumphal arch. Volubilis was a center for the export to Rome of lions, Barbary bears and elephants to be slaughtered for rituals and celebrations. Within 200 years all three species became virtually extinct in Morocco. Continue past fields of wheat, mint, mimosa and cork trees to Fes.
Breakfast
Palais Jamai Hotel Day 3: Fes
Enjoy a full day guided tour of Fes. Founded in 807, Fes is the most ancient of the Imperial cities and is considered to be the most complete medieval city of the Arab world. It is a unique and remarkable place that stimulates all your senses, with haunting and beautiful sounds, visual richness, and wafting smells—suspended in time between the Middle Ages and today. Today enjoy lunch and cultural exchange with a local Moroccan family. In the afternoon, the exploration includes the Fes el Bali (Old Fes) with its palaces, mosques and medersas (Koran schools.) Visit the large Kairaouine mosque, one of the oldest universities in the world, and the 14th century Medersa Bou Inania noted for its Koranic scripture in stucco, intricately carved wood and colorful tiles. Fez el Bali is a thousand-year-old labyrinth of 300 mosques and 9,400 winding streets and alleyways. 13th century tanneries and all manner of souks: henna, spice, carpenters, blacksmiths, and food, surround the fountain at Place Nejarine (Carpenters place) and vie for your attention.
Breakfast, Lunch
Palais Jamai Hotel Day 4: Fes- Erfoud- Merzouga
Drive through fertile valleys and into the cedar forests and beautiful lakes of the Middle Atlas Mountains. Pass through Ifrane, a charming European looking ski resort and Azrou, a typical Berber town with flat-roofed earthen houses. Stop for optional lunch at the nature reserve of Midelt before reaching the first slopes of the High Atlas. After Tizi Ntarghempt (6040 ft) begin your descent into the impressive palm groves and fortified villages of the Ziz valley and Erfoud, your base for exploration. At Erfoud landrovers are at your disposal for a 40-minute drive to Merzouga dunes. Meet the camels for short ride to the dunes to watch sunset. Enjoy a taste of Berber life and spend the night in a private tent at the Dunes of Erg Chebbi, the largest sand dunes in Morocco. Your tent has two single beds with adjacent toilet and shower facilities.
Breakfast, Dinner
Exclusive Mobile Camp – Merzouga Bivouac Day 5: Merzouga- Erfoud- Ouarzazate
After breakfast, depart for Ouarzazate. Drive through the ancient fortified desert town of Rissani, the last visible point of the Ziz River and the beginning of the desert. Continue to the barely visible ruins of Sijilmasa, which flourished in the 8th century and was the famous capital of a caravan route. Visit the quarry where blocs of fossilized fish plants and many other old sea minerals are taken to a factory to be cut into slices from which many objects are produced. Continue though lunar like landscape to Tineghir, one of the largest and most beautiful oases in Morocco. Continue towards Ouarzazate along the southern flank of the High Atlas Mountains. Stop in the heart of the Dades Valley at the oasis Kelaa Mgouna, famous for its Persian roses and the manufacture of rose water perfume essences. Your drive takes you on through this rather harsh valley, hemmed in by the High Atlas and Anti Atlas Mountains, dotted with decorated kasbahs of the local Berber people. The desolation of the scenery makes the lushness of the oases of Tenerhir and Skoura even more astounding, when they appear. Evening arrival to Ouarzazate for overnight.
Breakfast, Dinner
Berbere Palace Hotel Day 6: Ouarzazate- Marrakech
This morning, visit two magnificent Kasbahs, Tifoultoute and Taourirt. Continue to Ait Benhaddou, the backdrop for famous films such as “Lawrence of Arabia. Gladiator, Kingdom of Heaven and many other movies. Continue to Marrakech along the River Imini through stretches of desert, picturesque farmland, Berber villages, and ruins of ancient kasbahs. Arriving mid-day, you will get your first glimpse of exotic Marrakech. Positioned in the shadows of the High Atlas Mountains and blessed with a perfect climate, Marrakech is one of Morocco’s most important cultural centers. Founded in 1062, this pink city was twice the capital of Morocco and evidence remains of its historical significance. Enjoy the balance of your day at leisure.
Breakfast
Le Meridian N’Fis Hotel Day 7: Marrakech
Enjoy a guided tour of the Marrakech Medina with your guide. Begin by visiting the twelfth-century Koutoubia (Book Sellers) Mosque. Continue on to the Bahya Palace and the Palace of Dar Si Aid. This afternoon you will walk through the labyrinth of streets and souks with quarters of dyers, carpenters, jewelers, and many others. End at D’Jemaa Lfna square, a big popular fairground; unfolding day after day with its story tellers, fire eaters, acrobats, snake charmers, fortune tellers, water sellers, etc.
Breakfast
Le Meridian N’Fis Hotel Day 8: Marrakech
After breakfast, enjoy a horse drawn carriage ride to Menara Park (olive groves) and Majorelle Gardens (subtropical botanical garden with verdant groves of bamboo, dwarf palms multicolored bougainvillea and various lily covered pools.) Return to your hotel and enjoy the afternoon at your leisure.
Breakfast
Le Meridian N’Fis Hotel Day 9: Depart Marrakech
Private transfer to Marrakech International Airport.
Breakfast True adventures in travel can sometimes be accompanied by unexpected changes in conditions, itineraries and occasionally your accommodations. Participants should travel with a spirit of adventure and flexibility. Remember to pack your patience and sense of humor! Be willing to look past self-imposed ideals of Western amenities and do not compare these new experiences with your life back home. Travel often includes visiting destinations with modest infrastructures and a bending definition of comfort. That being said, some locations are nestled in absolute luxury where pampering is the norm. Participants should generally be in good health and prepared to travel in locations without medical facilities.
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