Morocco
Jewel of North Africa

1st Quarter - 2009

Morocco is considered the ‘Jewel of North Africa,’ intrinsically beautiful and rich with heritage.  Bordering the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea in northern Africa, Morocco has an eclectic identity that has been shaped by its location and long history. This Arab nation has many European influences because it's so close to the Continent. Arabic is the official language, but French is spoken widely.  While in Morocco, we will visit markets and bazaars that often serve as hubs for everyday life. Morocco's rugged yet scenic landscapes of the High Atlas Mountains and the starkly beautiful dunes of the Sahara have made it an increasingly popular destination.
(See tentative itinerary below)

We are currently in the process of planning this trip.
Once we have all the activities, hotels and other details confirmed,
and the price finalized, we will remove this information and post
a completed itinerary with the price.

If you are interested in learning more about this trip,
make a pre-reservation.
It is very important to make a no-obligation pre-reservation.
Those who have made a pre-reservation will be notified first
when the full itinerary and pricing is posted.

 Make a Pre-Reservation

A pre-reservation does not require any money.
Once the tour is finalized and a tour price available, those who have pre-reserved
a space will be contacted via email and asked to decide if they
want to make a deposit. If you are not interested, you don't have to do anything.

Tentative Itinerary

DAY 1 – ARRIVE CASABLANCA

Upon arrival, we will proceed directly to Rabat.  One of Morocco’s four ancient imperial cities, Rabat is the present-day capital.  It is a modern city with wide boulevards, gardens and light, white buildings but no less steeped in history with its origins going back to the 7th century. The King of Morocco lives here in his palace amid trees and flowers.  There is much local color to be found in the old part of the city, the Medina, and the Kasbah.  Enjoy the afternoon to explore on your own.

DAY 2 – RABAT – FEZ

We will have a morning sightseeing tour of Rabat with a blend of the historic and modern at Rabat’s Royal Palace, Hassan Tower, the magnificent Mausoleum of Mohammed V, the fortified Kasbah of Oudaias, and the peaceful Andalucian gardens.   En route to Fez, we will explore important World Heritage sites. Stop first at Meknes, Morocco’s youngest imperial city, to see the Bab el Mansour gateway and ruins of the imperial stables. Continue to Volubulis, known for its Roman ruins with intricate mosaics, and the holy town of Moulay Idriss.

DAY 3 – FEZ

Morocco’s oldest imperial city, Fez is known for its wealth of cultural, educational, and religious institutions.  It seems that the city of Fez still lingers in the Middle Ages. As you arrive in the city and begin to walk around, your senses are torn between beautiful sights, intricate sounds and colorful smells. Much of the city is still holding on to its French roots. Today includes sights and smells as we tour this carefully preserved university city, which had its golden age in the fourteenth century. Visit the medina of Fez and walk through its old streets. See one of the oldest universities in the world, taking time to haggle in the Bazaar and see Moroccan pottery. Oriental rugs are an attraction for bargain hunters and an important handicraft of Fez.

DAY 4 – FEZ – ERFOUD

Today we head for the spectacular snow-capped High Atlas Mountains, passing through Ifrane before reaching the great cedar forests of Azrou, through the magnificent Ziz Gorges and past palm fringed towns to Er Rachidia. The road from Er-Rachidia has some of the most spectacular scenery, with an ancient Berber fortress set in palm groves as far as the eye can see.  Our destination is Erfoud on the edge of the Sahara Desert.  Erfoud, with its dusty red buildings, has a ghost town atmosphere but is surrounded by some of the best scenery in Morocco.

DAY 5 – ERFOUD – OUARZAZATE

Witness daybreak in the Sahara with an option of riding camels, ‘the ships of the desert.’  Later, venture towards the oasis of Tinehir, noted for its silver and jewellery workshops. Take a detour to explore the Todra Gorge – the Grand Canyon of the Sahara.  At Boumalne-du-Dades, encounter the dry rugged Dades Valley, dotted with oases of figs, olives, date palms and with mud houses hugging the slopes. The route concludes at Ouarzazate at the foot of the Atlas Mountains, film capital of Morocco, with everything from Lawrence of Arabia to Star Wars being filmed here.

.

DAY 6 – OUARZAZATE – MARRAKESH

Today we will stop at the village of Aοt Benhaddou, boasting one of Morocco’s finest kasbahs. Continue via the spectacular Tizi n’Tichka Pass before descending past charming mountain villages, dense woods and green fields to the city of Marrakesh.  Marrakech is not only a fantastic city, it is also a symbol of the Morocco that once was, and which still survives here. Its spectacular setting against the snow-capped High Atlas Mountains lingers long in the minds of most travellers, and the famous Djemaa el-Fna square provides perhaps the greatest open-air spectacle in the world.  Be drawn back into a world of frenzied motion, where jugglers and storytellers jostle for position with snake charmers, magicians and acrobats. Your nose will guide you to row upon row of open-air food stalls whose pungent smoke fills the air with mouth-watering aromas.

DAY 7 – MARRAKESH

Sightseeing includes an exploration of the fascinating Medina (old town), the Koutoubia Mosque, whose minaret dominates the Marrakesh skyline, and a visit to the secluded tombs of the Saadi dynasty, hidden behind high walls. After some time to watch the dancers, storytellers and acrobats at the bustling Djemaa El Fna Square, take a scenic drive south of Marrakesh to the beautiful Ourika Valley.  In the heart of Berber country, the Ourika valley is one of the most beautiful and best preserved valleys in Morocco. There are tiny villages clinging to the steep hillsides, waterfalls and rocky landscapes merging with the desert - a wild and enticing combination on the edge of the Western Atlas mountains.

DAY 8 – MARRAKESH – CASABLANCA

Heading towards the Atlantic coast, we depart Marrakesh and drive back to Casablanca where we will spend the afternoon at leisure enjoying this vibrant modern city at your own pace.  Casablanca is the economic capital of Morocco and the biggest city, with about 5 million people.  Despite being modern, Casablanca has retained its charm and culture in the bustling, narrow streets of the Old Medina still partly enclosed by the original wall. Within this maze of narrow streets and whitewashed brick or stone houses you can buy everything from animals to spices by the kilo, or hand-made crafts. On one corner the smell of freshly cooked pastry makes your mouth water and on another olives, dozens of different varieties, can be sampled.

DAY 9 – RETURN TO USA

All previous information has been superseded.