Morocco is the most exotic country within easy reach of Europe, yet it remains enigmatic, un-crowded and full of the mysteries of the 'east'. This is particularly true in the south of Morocco and the High Atlas region.
Morocco offers the opportunity to enjoy a fabulously rich and varied cultural experience - journey in which you can visit World Heritage Sites ‘in a row’, one in the morning, another one in the afternoon, go shopping in the souks of Marrakech or Fez and enjoy a fresh fish dinner by the coast at the end of the day.
We do not want to rush your encounter with this exciting country and Morocco's Imperial cities - Fez, Meknes, Rabat & Marrakech - but we offer this journey just to introduce you with the magical footsteps of the past in the age-old Medinas of Morocco…
Your Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive Casablanca
We will be met on arrival at Casablanca airport by our local representative and transferred to our hotel. After checking in, and depending on our time of arrival, we have the rest of the day free in this bustling commercial capital of the Kingdom of Morocco. Overnight: Hotel Les Almohades, Casablanca. (1 night) (Dinner)
Day 2: Casablanca / Rabat / Volubilis / Fez (drive)
After breakfast we visit the Hassan II Mosque, the largest Mosque outside of Mecca. Hassan II Mosque, built for the 60th birthday of former Moroccan king Hassan II, is the largest religious monument in the world after Mecca. It has space for 25,000 worshippers inside and another 80,000 outside. The 210-meter minaret is the tallest in the world and is visible day and night for miles around.
Later we drive to Rabat to visit the main local monuments, including the Hassan Tower and the Mohamed V Mausoleum, where Hassan II is also buried alongside his father; the Kasbah of the Oudayas and the Oudaya Gate. Travel on to Volubilis, our window into the Roman history of Morocco, where the mosaics are wonderfully preserved, finishing our day in Fez. Overnight: Hotel Menzeh Zalagh, Fez. (2 nights) (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 3: Fez
After breakfast we have a full day in Fez to explore this, the best living example of a medieval Arab city and the religious capital of the Kingdom of Morocco. See here the 9th century Karaouine Mosque and university. The heart of the medina and its most important site is the great Karaouine Mosque, which is also the nation's oldest and one of its largest.
A wealthy woman, Fatima Alfehri, who fled from Tunisia, founded it in 859. And it was here, where the mosque with its great library expanded into a center of learning, well before the universities of Bologna and Oxford that the city's intellectual fame blossomed. Non-Muslims may not enter this enormous building, whose 16 naves are said to accommodate 20,000 people, but from the alley that winds around it, we can glimpse past its mighty doors and see its courtyards, fountains and part of its halls.
We continue the tour to the bustling souks, tanneries and admire the old Islamic architecture. Light lunch in a local restaurant, and dinner and overnight at our hotel in Fez. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 4: Fez / Meknes / Azrou / Beni Mellal / Afourer (drive)
Drive this morning to Meknes for city tour of the ancient capital of the Sultan Moulay Ismaël. His Royal stables there once housed 12,000 horses. The great monuments, the massive walls, the huge gates, the elaborate gardens, the integrated neighborhoods, the bustling markets, and the unique crafts and arts point to layers of history compacted and superimposed in every corner of the city.
So much history for the visitor to unravel and marvel; at that Meknes was classified in 1996 as a World Heritage Site. Time for a photo stop at the famous Bab Mansour, the ornate Bab Mansour El Alj (city gates) next to the huge El-Hdim public square that is always bustling with activity and more photo ops that one could hope to capture in the short time.
Then we’re off through the Middle Atlas Mountains to Azrou, famous for its woodcarvings, then on to the fruit-growing region of Beni Mellal and arriving for dinner and overnight stay in Afourer, a quiet Berber town nestling in the foothills of the Middle Atlas Mountains. Overnight: Hotel Tazerkount, Afourer. (1 night) (Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 5: Afourer / Marrakech (drive)
After breakfast, we continue with a morning drive along the Oum er Rbia valley to Marrakech. After checking in at our hotel we have the rest of the day at leisure. Overnight: Hotel Atlas Asni, Marrakech. (2 nights) (Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 6: Marrakech
The morning takes us into the historical sights of this, perhaps the most famous of the Imperial cities of Morocco, to see the 16th century Saadian tombs, the Medersa Ben Youssef, the 12th century Menara gardens and the Koutoubia Mosque. The 65-metre high minaret of the Koutoubia Mosque is visible from afar, and it is the landmark, which was to be the focal point for the modern neighborhood of Guéliz.
Unlike many mosques in Morocco’s old cities, it is readily approachable, being surrounded by an esplanade and rose gardens. The name Koutoubia derives from the Arabic kutoub (books) and means the ‘Booksellers’ Mosque’. No doubt the noble business of selling manuscripts was conducted in a souk close to the mosque.
After lunch in a local restaurant back into the Medina for the souks visit, terminating our sightseeing in the fabulous Djmba El Fna square, with its myriad of street performers - soothsayers, story tellers, tooth pullers, snake-charmers and many, many more. Evening is free for you to wander and shop at these rich bazaars. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 7: Marrakech / outbound flight
After breakfast, and in accordance with our flight schedule we shall leave for the airport for our return flight - or stay on with us in Morocco or Algeria to explore more of these wonderful countries.
Departure dates in 2008: For your convenience tour can depart any day.
Tour highlights:
- Hassan II Mosque, Casablanca
- Medina of Fez (WHS)
- Medina of Marrakech (WHS)
- The Historic City of Meknes (WHS)
- Archeological Site of Volubilis (WHS)
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Tour prices for 2008
USD: 1,485.00 / CAD: 1,560.00 – per person in double occupancy. Single room supplement is USD: 265.00 / CAD: 280.00
Price includes:
- Accommodation at specified or similar hotels
- All meals as specified in the itinerary (not including drinks)
- Transportation by chauffeured car, minibus or bus.
- Sightseeing tours and related entrance fees as listed in the itinerary
- An English-speaking guide throughout the tour
Price does not include:
- International flights and all airport taxes
- Photo and video tickets on sites (if applicable)
- Lunches and meals not specified
- Drinks / beverages with meals
- Any kind of insurance and visa fees
- Tips and other such costs for guides and drivers
- Any other expenses not mentioned above
Also see tour packages in:
Africa
Morocco
Cultural Journey
Email it to a friend:
Click here to email this vacation to a friend
|
