Private
Tour of Morocco
Imperial Cities of Morocco
A 7 days tour of Morocco . Sahara Edition
Private
touring : start any day , or join a group dept on Fridays
While others may offer 2-3 languages on board their coaches and tours.
We provide PRIVATE group or individual tours, with the language of your
choice be it English, Spanish etc. Tour includes : Marrakech, Casablanca,
Fez (Fes) ,Meknes , Rabat , Ouarzazate, Tinghir , Erfoud , Midlet ,
Irfane & Merzouga ( one night in the Sahara) . Combine
with Egypt. Check out
the 10-Day Version . Compare
with the 8 day , 9
day , or the 12
day edition . Arriving by Ferry from Spain or Gibraltar ?
This adventure to Ouarzazate Casablanca, Fez , the Sahara, and Marrakech
allows you to go at your own pace, establishing your own itinerary in
the major cities, yet join our pre arranged camp in the Sahara.
We'll
send you a copy of the Lonely Planet guide to Morocco, so you can read
up on this romantic destination, and also the Lonely Planet Moroccan
Phrase book, so you can learn some useful phrases to ease your way.
DAY 1- CASABLANCA -Marrakech - Daily - Choose your own dates - Year
Round (LD)
Arrive at Casablanca. Our staff greets you at Casablanca's Mohamed V
Airport and escorts you to your hotel. We'll drop our luggage, have
a refreshing cup of tea or coffee, then head out for a panoramic
tour of the city including the exteriors of Casablanca's majestic
new Grand Mosque of King Hassan II, second only to the Great
Mosque at Mecca in size , before heading to Marrakech ( Lunch is included
enroute) : Private air-conditioned vehicle, private chauffeur, in Marrakech
your welcome dinner awaits you at the hotel . Room amenity : Plate of
Moroccan dates .
DAY
2 - MARRAKECH (BLD)
A full day tour of this great city which Winston Churchill called "the
most beautiful place in the world at sunset." Grab your guidebook
and explore! The top sights include the stately Koutoubia Minaret,
the Menara pavilion and gardens, the ruins of sprawling Bahia
Palace and it's Museum,
you'll see also the Majorelle Botanical Gardens of Yves Saint Laurent,
planted with trees and flowers from all over the world.
After
lunch at a charming local restaurant we continue on to Marrakech's fabulous
medieval souk (bazaar) Penetrating the labyrinthine souk, you'll
see some of the age-old guilds at work, including the dyers and tanners
-- and bring your camera --for famous Djemaa el-Fna square with
its circus atmosphere of itinerant dancers, jugglers, acrobats, storytellers,
soothsayers, snake charmers, medicine men and public scribes.
Evening
folk show dinner at Borj Bladi or Chez Ali " Méchoui Roasted
lamb cooked in Terracota oven " including return transfers always
on a private basis , vergeterian , please alert us in advance, this
show maybe touristy somewhat, yet we feel strongly that it is part of
the Moroccan experience and being in Marrakech . Add a tour to a nearby
Berber village? please click here.
DAY
3 - OURZAZATE (BLD)
Morning departure
to Ouarzazate crossing the Atlas Mountains and its striking scenery
through the Tizi N'Tichka Pass at an altitude of more than 2000 meters
Before reaching Ouarzazate, visit of the Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah, a wonderful
site now protected by UNESCO, having served as natural decor to numerous
films shooting. It is an area of crumbling Kasbahs grouped among patches
of wheat fields, terraced orchards, olives and date palms. It ascends
a small mountain and is surmounted by an « Agadir » (grain storage tower)
giving it an epic scale. Lunch is included enroute . Dinner at hotel.
DAY
4- OUARZAZATE / TODRA GORGE / ERFOUD / MERZOUGA (BLD)
From Marrakech explore the wonderful Road of 1000 Kasbahs in the direction
of Boumalne du Dades through Skoura and El Kelaa Des Mgouna . Upon arrival
in Boumalne we'll drive by impressive Ksours (fortified villages) and
fabulous rock formations and fantastic geological landscape. Continue
on the Road of 1000 Kasbahs towards Tinerghir, a former military outpost
built on terraces above a magnificent palm grove and the way into the
awesome Todra Gorge.
The
Todra Gorge is a massive fault in the plateau dividing the High Atlas
from the Jebel Sarho with a crystal-clear river running through it.
Lunch is included at the "End of the Earth," in the awesome gorge, between
300 meter cliffs.
Then
on to Erfoud crossing impressive palm groves and oases. On arrival in
Erfoud you will then take chauffeured four-wheel-drive vehicle (Turbo
Land Rover) to continue on to Merzouga, on the edge of the Sahara. There
will be a bonfire and an entertainment by the locals during the
evening.
Dinner and overnight in a Bedouin tent in the Sahara, offering
a magical sight of the sunset over the majestic dunes.
Accommodation: Bedouin Tent. Foam Mattress / Billow. Sheets. Blankets.
Toilet tents are available for your convenience. Your stay includes
a sunset or a sunrise camel ride
We camp in the shadow of the Erg Chebbi dunes south of Tafilalet Valley.
The sand mountains of the Erg hide scattered oases marked by groves
of date palms and greenery.

DAY
5 - MERZOUGA / ERFOUD / MIDELT / FEZ (BLD)
After breakfast we drive back (private 4 X 4 Turbo Land Rover ) to Erfoud
, where we pick up a private Mercedes sedan or air-conditioned motor
coach ( depending on the number of guests) .
We drive through Tafilalet region and the Errachidia and the famous
"Legionnaires Pass" ( Talghimat Pass" Lunch is included
at the foot of Djebel Ayachi in Midelt at Kasbah Asmaa. Continue through
the Middle Atlas Mountains in the direction of Fez. Late afternoon arrival
in Fez for dinner and overnight accommodation at hotel. The
city is yours to explore, guidebook in hand. The Lonely Planet guide
includes all the important things to see, and recommendations for restaurants
in all price ranges, so you'll never be at a loss for advice.
DAY
6- FEZ (BLD)
Oldest of Morocco's four Imperial Cities, Fez is endlessly fascinating,
and today we spend an extensive full day ( lunch is included at a local
restaurant.
Top sights today include : the medina (old city), the 15-century
Borj Nord Arms Museum, the gateway of the royal palace,
the fortifications of the Kasbah, the 9th-century Karaouine
Mosque and University, the medersas (theological seminaries) of
Bou Inania and Attarine, the shrine of the city's founder
Moulay Idris II, the Nejjarine Fountain, the monumental
gateway of Bab Boujelloud, the old harem gardens, Dar
Batha Museum, and the artisans' guilds in the souks. Dinner
is included at a Moroccan restaurant.
DAY
7 - DEPARTURE (B)
Our staff escorts you to Fez or Casablanca airport . Bon Voyage
Rates
per person in USD $
| Rates
per person in USD $ |
Category A
|
Category
B |
| Triple
|
US$
3150. |
US$
2830. |
|
Double |
US$
3210. |
US$
2900. |
|
Single |
US$
4670. |
US$
4010. |
DEPARTURE
DATES
You may begin your tour in Marrakech on any day of the week. If you
plan to take advantage of Royal Air Maroc's nonstop flights from New
York to Casablanca ( then connect to Marrakech) , you should plan to
depart New York on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday or Sunday, and begin
your tour in Marrakech on the following day (DAY 1 in the Sample Itinerary,
above).
For Dec 10 - Jan 3 , arrivals : please add a 10 % supplement to any
of the rates
Your
tour includes:
- Hotel
accommodations, including all taxes and service charges, as indicated
or similar.
- Continental
(B) breakfast daily; set-menu Lunch (L) or /and dinner (D) as shown
in the itinerary.
- Private
air-conditioned vehicle for all your transportation throughout Morocco
as per itinerary with a private English speaking chauffeur.
- Local
private guide in major cities and private guided sightseeing tours
as indicated in the itinerary, including all entry fees .
- All
transfers within Morocco , always on a private basis.
- Lonely
Planet guidebook to Morocco.
- Camping
in the Sahara as indicated , overnight in a tent ( guests must show
proof of insurance when taking any tour that includes the Sahara Camping)
.
- Tea,
mint tea or coffee upon arrival at your hotel in Casablanca on Day
1.
What's
not included:
- International
airfare to or from your home country
- Tips
- Travel
Insurance
Henna
party ( For ladies only ) :
One of the "insiders" excursions into Moroccan culture, a chance to
attend a henna party, the painting of hands and body r with this natural
red dye is a symbol of joy at weddings and regarded as a way to enhance
one's beauty , if interested in attending a Henna party , please let's
know in advance.
| Some
of the Hotels and Riads we work with |
Category A - Standard
|
Category B -
Modest First Class |
|
Marrakech |
Atlas
Medina or similar |
Atlas
Asni or similar
For Riads (Boutique hotels) :
Riad Atta or Riad Hamonie |
|
Fes |
Jnane
Palace , MERINIDES |
Royal
Mirage , Riad Luna |
| Casablanca
|
Farah Golden Tulip |
Idou
Anfa |
| Merzouga
|
Upgraded Berber Tent |
Standard
Berber Tent |
| Ouarzazate |
RIAD
SALAM |
Belere
or similar |
Accommodations
at a Riad :
This is where a traditional welcoming mint tea and a fruit basket await
you. Your personal requirements and relaxation are foremost. These luxurious
yet delightful Riads are usually a former palace , mansion, or large
residential house restored to 1930s , 1940s grandeur.
The Riad classical plan is : substantial walls and orientation to a
central patio with venerable trees provide a haven of peace in the midst
of bustling Marrakech. Guests are accommodated in usually only five
- ten guest suites, each with sitting area and the finest oriental appointments,
fireplace ( subject to the category you choose) ,air conditioning, and
European-style dining room ( subject to the category you choose) . Some
are with private terraces that provides a secluded window on the active
life of romantic and mysterious Marrakech.
|