Day 1 - DEPART USA Overnight flight to Casablanca. Day 2 - ARRIVE CASABLANCA Welcome to Morocco, considered the 'Jewel of North Africa'!Known to the Arabs as 'the farthest land of the setting sun', it is land so intrinsically beautiful andrich with heritage, it has attracted seekers of the exotic over the centuries. Even for the most seasonedtravellers, there is much to see and do. The Airport shuttle service departs from Casablanca Airport tothe tour hotel at 09.00, 11.00, 13.00 & 15.00 hours, then relax and settle in. Tonight join your TourDirector and fellow travellers for a Welcome Drink.
Hotel: Sheraton (D) Day 3 - CASABLANCA - FEZ After a sightseeing tour of Casablanca, depart for the capital Rabatto see the mausoleum of King Mohammed V and the Royal Palace. Now on to one of the kingdom'simperial cities, Meknes, dating back to the 11th century, its surroundings remaining unchanged forcenturies. Here make a rare highlight visit inside the Mosque and see Bab el-Mansour gateway beforecontinuing to Fez.
Hotel: Crowne Palace (BB, D) Day 4 - FEZ A day packed with fantastic sights and smells as you tour this carefully preserveduniversity city, which had its golden age in the fourteenth century, during the reign of the Merinidesdynasty. Visit the Medina of Fez and walk through its old streets. See one of the oldest universitiesin the world, taking time to haggle in the Bazaar and see Moroccan pottery. Oriental rugs are anattraction for bargain hunters, witness this most important handicraft of Fez. Tonight, enjoy a superbMoroccan Dinner and a Folklore Show with drums and belly dancing. (BB, HD) Day 5 - FEZ - ERFOUD Leave the bustle of the city behind and head for the spectacular snowcappedHigh Atlas Mountains. Pass through Ifrane before reaching the great cedar forests of Azrou.Travel up through the magnificent Ziz Gorges, past palm fringed towns to Er Rachidia, built by theFrench at an important crossroads. Your destination is Erfoud, on the edge of the Sahara Desert.
Hotel: Belere Erfoud (BB, L, D) Day 6 - ERFOUD - OUARZAZATE This morning there is the option of mounting camels, 'theships of the desert', to witness the glorious daybreak in the Sahara. Later, venture towards the oasis ofTinehir, noted for its silver and jewellery workshops. Take a detour to explore the Todra Gorge , theGrand Canyon of the Sahara. At Boumalne-du-Dades, encounter the dry rugged Dades Valley, dottedwith oases of figs, olives, date palms and with castellated mud houses hugging the slopes. The routeconcludes at Ouarzazate, film capital of Morocco, with everything from Lawrence of Arabia to StarWars being filmed here.
Hotel: Le Berbere Palace (BB, L, D) Day 7 - OUARZAZATE - MARRAKECH Get your cameras ready as you stop at the village ofAit Benhaddou, boasting one of Morocco's finest kasbahs. Continue via the spectacular Tizi n TichkaPass before descending past charming mountain villages, dense woods and green fields to the ochrecoloured city of Marrakech.
Hotel: Atlas Medina & Spa (BB, D) Day 8 - MARRAKECH Sightseeing includes an exploration of the fascinating Medina (old town), theKoutoubia Mosque, whose minaret dominates the Marrakech skyline, and a visit to the secluded tombsof the Saadi dynasty, hidden behind high walls. After some time to watch the dancers, storytellersand acrobats at the bustling Djemaa El Fna Square, take a scenic drive south of Marrakech to thebeautiful Ourika Valley. Visit a Moroccan family home to witness a traditional mint tea preparationceremony before returning to your hotel. Tonight, maybe consider an optional horse and buggy rideto the magical Djemaa el Fna Square to enjoy the sights and sounds by night, followed by dinner in atypical Moroccan restaurant? (BB) Day 9 - MARRAKECH - CASABLANCA Heading towards the Atlantic coast, say goodbye to thesnake charmers of Marrakech and drive back to Casablanca and spend your last afternoon of the tourat leisure enjoying this vibrant modern city at your own pace.
Hotel: Sheraton (BB, D) Day 10 - RETURN TO USA. Sadly, your Moroccan adventure comes to an end today. Airport shuttle service arrives at the airport at 07.00, 10.00 and 12.00 hours. (BB) |
