Travel to Morocco: Exotic Morocco

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Exotic Morocco

			DAYS: 9 GRADE: I define PRICE: From $2695 per person HIGHLIGHTS: Imperial City of Fes Meknes Volubilis UNESCO World Heritage Site Marrakech Sahara Desert ACCOMMODATIONS: Hotels/Lodges Wilderness Camp MEALS: As noted  [B-Breakfast, L-Lunch,   D-Dinner] Prices, Departure Dates and Included Services Send to a Friend Print this Itinerary

As we travel the ancient caravan routes of the Magreb, from the sand-shifting dunes of the mighty Sahara and walled Imperial Cities seemingly suspended in time, through scenic high-mountain passes and cliff-clinging Kasbahs and remarkably well preserved Roman ruins, our expert Moroccan guides delve deep into the culture of this magnificent destination. Colorful and vibrant Marrakech and the medieval souks of the Fez medina introduce us to Morocco's rich history, and the Wildland touch broadens our experience by including small villages and historical sites rich in Islamic history. The gregarious hospitality, tasty cuisine and lavish Moorish-style accommodations are not quickly forgotten. Our in-depth exploration of the Magrebs history and culture lifts the veil on a society balanced between an enchanting past and a vibrant modern identity.

DAY 1 :  CASABLANCA TO RABAT

On arrival in Casablanca, we are met by our guide and driver and transferred to our Rabat hotel. En route, we visit Casablanca's magnificent Mosque of Hassan II, heralded as the second largest mosque in the world. Morocco's modern capital of Rabat is the first of our Imperial Cities, and the official residence of King Mohammed VI. A visit to the Mohammed V Mausoleum and the remains of the Hassan Tower built in 1196 ACE provide an excellent introduction to Moroccan history, and we enjoy our first glimpse of Moroccan culture during a short walk through the narrow passageways of the Kasbah of the Oudayas, admiring the decorative doors and immersing ourselves in the sights and sounds of daily life. Dinner and overnight Farah Hotel or similar. [D]

	Roman Volubilis, Morocco's most important UNESCO World Heritage Site.

DAY 2 :  FEZ

This morning we drive east (1hr) to our second Imperial City, Meknes, with its famous gate of Bab El Mansour. At the impressive Dar Jamai Palace we visit the Royal Stables and the tomb of Moulay Ismail, the dreaded sultan of Morocco whose paranoia resulted in some of Moroccos' finest historical fortifications. Next we visit Volubilis, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Morocco's largest and best preserved Roman ruins. We walk the cobbled streets of Moulay Idriss, a holy city named after fourth generation and sainted descendant of Mohamed, the founder of Islam in Morocco and founder of the city of Fez, our next Imperial City and today's destination (1hr). Overnight at Riad Mabrouka or similar Moroccan-style guest house. [BLD]

DAY 3 :  FEZ

The mesmerizing call to dawn prayer begins slowly and builds to a crescendo as each of a hundred minarets joins the chorus; a sound integral to Fez; a sound which has echoed each morning through this exquisite walled city for over 1400 years. The former capital of Morocco and considered the first of the 'Imperial Cities', Fez remains Morocco's leading intellectual and religious center as well as a fascinating cultural hub. A walking tour of the bustling medina with visits to a tannery, wool souk (market), spice shops, and stalls loaded with dates and olives offers a thorough immersion in Moroccan mercantile life. We meet shop keepers and craftsmen whose skills have been passed from generation to generation, and begin to understand the fine web of tradition that makes Moroccan culture so enduring and rich. Walking through the maze of narrow passageways we visit the Qaraouine University, the Madrassa (Quranic school), and the Moulay Idriss II memorial. We end the day with a unique experience; the warmth and traditional hospitality of a local plains Arab family, and a home cooked dinner, perhaps a tagine or couscous, or even harira, the traditional soup that ends each Ramadan day. Overnight Riad Mabrouka or similar. [BLD]

A spice and apothecary stall in the bustling Fes medina.

DAY 4 :  ERFOUD

We settle back in our seats and watch the dramatic changes in landscape as our vehicle switch-backs over the Atlas Mountains and descend to the mighty Saharan Desert. The terrain on this full day drive (7hr) is varied and includes forests of giant cedar, high arid mountains with breathtaking views over tortuous mountain passes and, as we drop through the flattening foothills of scrub, the vast Saharan desert stretches before us for a thousand miles, from the Atlantic Ocean to the Red Sea. Following a centuries-old caravan route, we pass through the Beni Mguild Berber capital of Midelt, an important center for local carpet making. We begin to see ksars (fortified strongholds) along the way to Errachidia, where we pause to stretch our legs and eat a tasty tagine before continuing to Erfoud. Overnight at Xaluca Hotel or similar. [BLD]

DAY 5 :  ERFOUD ERG CHEBBI SAND DUNES
This morning we have some options; a refreshing dip in the hotel pool or an excursion to the Holy City of Rissani to visit the Mausoleum of Moulay Ali Sherife, the Ksour of Abdel Hamid and the Abdel Malik Kasbah. Our guide is on hand to offer advise. In the afternoon we depart Erfoud in our 4x4 vehicle, stopping at a quarry to view rock excavations and fossils. At last we reach the vast Sahara, where the paved road ends (1hr). As the day cools, desert colors intensify. We mount camels and, accompanied by indigenous Touareg nomads in their famous blue-dyed turbans, we ride into the Erg Chebbi, a vast expanse of huge, drifting sand dunes. Touregs are truly masters of their domain. Centuries ago, Touregs turned the deadly Saharan sands into an ocean on which their ships of the desert (camels) traded goods as varied as dates and gold bullion from the Atlantic coast to Lake Chad. The sunset changes and deepens the hues of this mystical landscape as our surefooted dromedaries bring us to our desert camp. After a cold drink and a delicious dinner we retire under a vast star-lit desert sky to ponder the imponderable, and to marvel at the comfort of our private tents, mattresses, linens, pillows and Berber rugs. There is a shared bathroom facility. (Those not wishing to camp in the desert may overnight in an Erfoud hotel.) Overnight Desert Encampment or Xaluca Hotel. [BLD]

	Evocative and timeless Erg Chebbi.

DAY 6 :  OUARZAZATE

We awaken before dawn to see the moon reflected off millions of microscopic silicon chips in the sand. In darkness we mount our saddled camels for a short ride to watch the sun creep over the desert horizon. The true solitude and beauty of the Sahara shows itself only in such moments. Back at camp for breakfast, we re-board our vehicle and drive to Todra Gorge (3hrs) first heading towards the mountains then turning south, hugging the Atlas through a stark landscape dotted with fertile oases and dramatic volcanic and limestone peaks. Turning off the main road to the impressive Todra Gorge, if interest and time permits, we embark on an optional (1-2hr) walk through the gorge, exquisitely river-carved over millennium. After lunch in Tineghir, we continue (2 hrs) through the Dra Valley, known as the Valley of a Thousand Kasbahs, to picturesque Ouarzazate. Overnight at Club Hanane Hotel or similar. [BLD]

DAY 7 :  MARRAKECH

From Ouarzazate we depart for the often photographed village of Ait Benhaddou. Once a fortified ksar, Ait Benhaddou is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the setting for many desert films, including Lawrence of Arabia in the 1960s and more recently, Gladiator with Russell Crow. Ait Benhaddou is currently home to about ten families. Then it's off to vibrant Marrakech! Leaving the desert landscape of southern Morocco, we drive north from Ouarzazate into the High Atlas Mountains (4hrs), where we grind up a looping road with spectacular views over the Tizi-n-Tickka Pass (7,417 ft) the highest pass in Morocco. As we ascend, the landscape turns green with oaks, walnut groves and oleander bushes. Arriving in Marrakech mid afternoon, there is time to explore the narrow streets and engage in the time-honored skill of bartering for crafts and souvenirs with shopkeepers in the many shops. Remember, the human element of bartering is much more important than the purchase itself, and you will lose the respect of the locals if you simply accept the price.  So, settle down to a comfortably long haggle often involving tea and conversation. In fact the haggling is as much an excuse to sit and talk as it is to trade. As dusk begins to fall, the focus is the Djemaa el-Fna, the huge square in the Marrakech medina and backdrop for an eclectic array of jugglers, storytellers, snake charmers, musicians and soothsayers. Mouth-watering aromas from the many rows of open-air food stalls waft through the air. Perhaps we will retreat to a neighboring rooftop restaurant for a drink and the view. Overnight at Riad Daria or Riad Samsara or similar. [BLD]

DAY 8 :  MARRAKECH
Prepare for a full day delving into this distinctly Magrebi city's history. Marrakech has, for centuries, been Morocco's southern capital, competing with Fez not just metaphorically but militarily and religiously, too. Moroccan history is a repeating pattern of periods of liberalism followed by corruption, then religious revival and war. When religion and war exhaust the inhabitants, tolerance and liberalism at last return, and the pattern starts all over again. Marrakech and Fez have been the most common combatants in this repeating cycle of history. Posterity has lost many architectural masterpieces through such conflicts. Of those that remain, we tour the Palais de la Bahaia, which housed Bou Ahmed's four wives, 24 concubines and numerous children, and visit the Saadian Tombs, the royal burial ground of the Saadian dynasty. If time and interest allow, we view the extensive Berber collection of clothing, jewelry, textiles, doors, baskets and carpets at the Maison Tiskiwin and take a break to walk through Jardin Majorelle with its extensive international collection of plants. Return to the medina for any last minute shopping before reflecting on your Moroccan adventure at a farewell dinner. Overnight at Riad Daria or Riad Samsara or similar. [BLD]

DAY 9 :  DEPARTURE OR BEGIN TRIP EXTENSION
This morning we transfer to the airport for the flight to Casablanca to connect with our return flights home, or begin trip extension. [B]

Questions? Ask Our Program Directors.

. C o n t a c t Nilu Jenks 1(800)345-4453 C o n t a c t Adrian Chalker 1(800)345-4453