Travel to Morocco: Exotic Morocco Tour

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Exotic Morocco Tour

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

Travel the ancient caravan routes of the Magreb* with our expert Moroccan guide. We delve deep into the exotic culture and diverse landscapes from the walled Imperial Cities seemingly suspended in time, through scenic high-Atlas Mountain passes and cliff-clinging kasbahs, among remarkably well preserved Roman ruins and the shifting dunes of the mighty Sahara. Colorful and vibrant Marrakech and the medieval souks of the Fez medina introduce us to Morocco's rich history, and our local connections bring us close to small villages, local families and their important historical sites rich in Islamic history. The gregarious hospitality, flavorful cuisine and lavish Moorish-style accommodations are not quickly forgotten. Our in-depth exploration presented by our expert Moroccan guides lifts the veil on a society balanced between an enchanting past and a vibrant role in the modern world.

* Magreb means 'west' in Arabic, and has become a much-used term for Morocco.

DAY 1 :  ARRIVE CASABLANCA. DRIVE 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. Moroccos 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. 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. Overnight Farah Hotel or similar [D]

Please Note: Your sightseeing itinerary en route to Rabat today will be tailored to your international flight arrivae time in Casablanca

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

DAY 2 :  DRIVE FEZ VIA MEKNES, VOLUBILIS & MOULAY IDRIS
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 todays destination (1hr). Overnight Dar Anebar or similar Moroccan-style guest house [BLD]

A spice and apothecary stall in the bustling Fez medina.

DAY 3 :  WALKING TOUR OF 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 Imperial City, Fez remains Moroccos 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 arts have been passed from generation to generation, and begin to see the fine web of traditions that make Moroccan culture so enduring and rich. Walking through the maze of narrow passage-ways we visit 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 Dar Anebar or similar [BLD]

The tanneries at Fez

DAY 4 :  RISSANI: CROSS MIDDLE ATLAS MOUNTAINS

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 to the flattening foothills of scrub, the vast Saharan desert stretches before us for thousands of 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 on to Rissani. On arrival we have arranged a henna ceremony before dinner. Overnight Kasbah Ennasra or similar [BLD]

DAY 5 :  SAHARA ENCAMPMENT: ERG CHEBBI 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, Ksour Abdel Hamid and the Abdel Malik Kasbah. Our guide is on hand to offer advice. 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 right across Africa 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 the Rissani hotel.) Overnight Desert Encampment or Kasbah Ennasra or similar[BLD]

	Evocative and timeless Erg Chebbi.

DAY 6 :  DRIVE OUARZAZATE. VISIT TODRA GORGE
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's vast horizon. The true solitude and beauty of the Sahara shows itself only in such moments*. Back at camp for breakfast we drive to Todra Gorge (2.5 hrs) first heading towards the mountains then turning south, hugging the Atlas through a stark landscape dotted with fertile oasis and dramatic peaks. Turning off the main road to the impressive Todra Gorge we walk through the beautiful palmery oasis among local people tending their crops as we approach the spectacular gorge carved over millennium. After lunch in Tineghir, we continue (2 hrs) to Ouarzazate. Overnight Club Hanane Hotel or similar [BLD]

* NOTE: If you are staying in the hotel the previous night instead of camping in the desert you can depart directly from there for Ouzarzate.

DAY 7 :  DRIVE MARRAKECH VIA AIT BEN HADDOU
From Ouarzazate we depart for the often photographed village of Ait Ben Haddou. Once a fortified ksar, Ait Ben Haddou is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the setting for many desert films, including Lawrence of Arabia in the 1960s, Monty Python's The Life of Brian, The Jewel of the Nile and, more recently, Gladiator with Russell Crow. Ait Ben Haddou 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) on a sinuous road with spectacular views traversing the Tizi-n-Tickka (7,417 ft) the highest pass in Morocco. As we descend, the landscape turns green with oaks, walnut groves and oleander bushes.  Arriving in Marrakech mid afternoon, there is time to explore the narrow streets, shops and markets. As dusk begins to fall, the focus is the Djemaa el-Fna, the huge square in the medina and backdrop for an eclectic array of jugglers, storytellers, snake charmers, musicians and soothsayers. Mouth-watering aromas waft through the medina from the many rows of open-air food stalls. 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]

The High Atlas Mountains are an unforgetable back drop to the opulence and history of Marrakech

DAY 8 :  MARRAKECH: FULL DAY CITY TOUR
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. 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. Based on time and interest, we walk among the narrow streets and shops of the old city, view the extensive Berber collection of clothing, jewelry, textiles, doors, baskets and carpets at the Maison Tiskiwin, and/or walk through Jardin Majorelle, the extensive gardens of French painter Jacques Majorelle with a collection of plants from five continents. In Morocco, as in most North African and Middle Eastern cultures bartering is considered an opportunity to converse and interact as much as it is to establish an agreed price. Our guide will give you tips and invite you to enjoy the exchange with shopkeepers! Return to the medina for any last minute shopping before reflecting on our Moroccan adventure at a farewell dinner. Overnight Riad Daria or Riad Samsara or similar [BLD]

DAY 9 :  DEPARTURE OR BEGIN TRIP EXTENSION
Today we transfer to the airport for our international departure out of Marrakesh with connecting flight through Casablanca. Or extend your Morocco vacation with a few days along the coast.
or begin trip extension [B]

Questions? Ask Our Program Directors.

. C o n t a c t Kurt Kutay 1(800)345-4453 C o n t a c t Jeff Stivers 1(800)345-4453