Moroccan Discovery:
from the Imperial Cities to the Sahara
November 10-23, 2008
Trip Itinerary
Tour Highlights
- Private Sahara sunset excursion
- Visits to five UNESCO World Heritage sites
- Imperial cities of Rabat, Meknes, Fez, Marrakech
- Sacred town of Moulay Idress
- Ancient ruins of Volubilis
- Scenic "Route of a Thousand Kasbahs"
- Sahara camel ride
- Dramatic Todra Gorges
- Spectacular Atlas Mountain scenery
- Charming white-washed city of Essaouira
- Kasbahs of Ait ben-Haddou ... Home visit with Berber family ... Bustling Casablanca, Morocco’s largest city ...Outstanding accommodations.
Day-By-Day Overview
| Day | Itinerary | Hotel | Rating* |
| 1 | Depart U.S. for Casablanca | ||
| 2-3 | Rabat | Hilton Rabat | Deluxe |
| 4-5 | Fez | Palais Jamais | Deluxe |
| 6-7 | Erfoud | Xaluca Maadid | First Class |
| 8 | Ouarzazate | Berber Palace | First Class |
| 9-12 | Marrakech | Meridien N’Fis | Deluxe |
| 13 | Casablanca | Meridien Le Royal Mansour | Deluxe |
| 14 | Depart Casablanca for U.S. | ||
*Ratings are based on the Hotel & Travel Index, the travel industry standard reference.
Day 1
Depart U.S. for Casablanca,
Morocco
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Day 2
Casablanca/Rabat
After arriving
in Casablanca, the commercial center of
Morocco (and of all North Africa), we travel to
Rabat, where we check in at our hotel near
the Royal Palace. Tonight we enjoy a welcome
dinner in a local restaurant. L,D
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Day 3
Rabat
One of Morocco's four
ancient capitals, or imperial cities, Rabat is
again the country's capital, at once historic
and contemporary. We encounter this intriguing
combination on 's tour that
includes the Royal Palace, Hassan Tower, the
magnificent Mausoleum of Mohammed V,
the fortified Kasbah of Oudaias, and the
peaceful Andalucian gardens. B,D
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Day 4
Rabat/Volubilis/Fez
This morning
we depart Rabat for Fez, stopping along the
way in Meknes, Morocco's youngest imperial
city (and UNESCO World Heritage site).
We visit the Bab el Mansour gateway and the
ruins of the imperial stables before lunch in a
local restaurant. Then we continue on to the
ancient Roman ruins at the UNESCO site of
Volubilis, known for its intricate mosaics; and
at the holy town of Moulay Idriss. Late
afternoon we reach Fez and our elegant hotél
adjacent to the medina (old city), another
UNESCO site. B,L,D
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Day 5
Fez
Today we explore Morocco's oldest
imperial city, considered the "Athens of
Africa" for its wealth of cultural, educational,
and religious institutions. Highlights include
the 9th-century Kairouyine Mosque, one of
the most important in all Islam; the sacred
tomb of Moulay Idriss; and Nejarine Square,
with its great fountain. Lunch is in a local
restaurant in the Old City, a medieval maze
of alleys and lanes lined with souks (shops),
mosques, crafts guilds, and residences. Finally,
we tour the old mellah (Jewish quarter), where
Muslims now live in the charming old homes
with colored façades. B,L,D
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Day 6
Fez/Midelt/Erfoud
Traveling inland, we cross the fertile plains beyond Fez
and continue through the Middle Atlas
mountain range. Densely forested slopes of
cedar, cork, and pine give way to arid steppe,
as we follow historic routes well worn by
Berbers fleeing Arab invaders. We stop in the
small town of Midelt for lunch. Continuing
on we cross the Ziz River, passing rows of
towering palm trees and fortified villages
before reaching our hotel in Erfoud late in
the day. B,L,D
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Day 7
Erfoud/Merzouga
This morning
we visit the city of Rissani, with its 18th-century
ksar, a virtually impenetrable warren of
alleys; then continue on to the ruins of 17thcentury
Ksar Abbar fortress. We enjoy a tour
highlight this afternoon as we set out on a
sunset excursion to the breathtakingly beautiful
sand dunes at Merzouga on the edge of the
Sahara. In the enormous silence we watch the
sun set over the desert as we take a camel ride
along the dunes. B,D
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Day 8
Erfoud/Tinehir/Todra Gorges/
Ouarzazate
Our destination is in the snow-topped High Atlas. The day features
one beautiful scene after another, including the
village of Tinehir, a stunning mountain oasis
rising on a series of riverside terraces lush with
palm trees; and the spectacular 984-foot Todra
Gorge, home to a variety of rare bird and plant
species. Following lunch here we visit El
Kelaa des Mgouna, known for its roses, then
set out on the fabled "Route of a Thousand
Kasbahs" ancient caravan route. Late afternoon
we reach the town of Ouarzazate where
we spend the night. B,L,D
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Day 9
|
|
Ait ben-Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage site |
Ouarzazate/Ait ben-Haddou/
Marrakech
En route to Marrakech,
we stop first at Ait ben-Haddou, a UNESCO
World Heritage site and one of southern
Morocco's most interesting and scenic
villages. Its old section consists of deep red
kasbahs packed together so tightly they appear
to be a single unit. Then as we begin our
descent from the High Atlas, we pass through
typical villages with fortified walls and stone
houses with earthen roofs. In Tizi N'Tichka,
we traverse the Pass of the Pastures (alt.
7,415 ft), where life is much as it was centuries
ago: shepherds bring their flocks to the
high pastures every summer, then return with
them to their villages in autumn. Arriving in
Marrakech late afternoon, we enjoy a horse
and carriage ride before dinner. B,D
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Day 10
 |
Koutoubia Mosque |
Marrakech
Once the capital
of southern Morocco, the imperial city of
Marrakech is an alluring oasis with a temperate
climate, distinct charm, and fascinating sights.
Our day-long tour includes the beautifully
proportioned Koutoubia Mosque with
its distinctive 282-foot minaret, the Andalucian-
style El Bahia Palace, and lush Majorelle
Garden. Then we visit the heart of Marrakech,
Place Djemaa el Fna, crowded with
snake charmers, entertainers, barbers, and
vendors. And in the maze of narrow alleys in
the heart of the medina here (also a UNESCO
site), we visit the city's renowned souks: stall
after stall selling foodstuffs, basketry, textiles,
carpets and wool, leather and jewelry. B,D
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Day 11
Marrakech/Ourika Valley
This
morning we travel to lush Ourika Valley in
the High Atlas, where we visit a typical Berber
village; here we enjoy mint tea and a henna
ceremony in the home of a local family. We
return to Marrakech in time for lunch on our
own and an afternoon at leisure. Tonight we
enjoy a traditional Moroccan dinner at one of
the city’s excellent local restaurants. B,D
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Day 12
Marrakech/Essaouira
Today we
travel to the fortified city of Essaouira on
Morocco's Atlantic coast. Known especially
for its white-washed homes trimmed with blue
shutters and doors, Essaouira is considered one
of Morocco’s loveliest cities; its medina and city
ramparts have been designated a UNESCO
World Heritage Site. We’ll trace Essaouira's
Phoenician, Berber, Portuguese, Jewish, and
French past in the well-preserved architecture,
souks, harbor, and artisans' workshops. After
a full day of touring we return to Marrakech
late afternoon. B,D
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Day 13
Marrakech/Casablanca
We leave
Marrakech this morning by coach for Casablanca,
then tour the city this afternoon.
Highlights include the harbor area, corniche,
city hall and tribunal, and the magnificent
Hassan II Mosque. Tonight we celebrate our
Moroccan adventure at a farewell dinner in
our hotel. B,D
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Day 14
Depart for U.S.
After breakfast
this morning we transfer to the airport for
our return flight to the U.S. B
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