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The
Grace and Romance of Morocco
A
10 day private tour of Morocco with one night camping in the
Sahara
Get away to fascinating Morocco at unbeatable rates! We'll show you
the best of Morocco and its great cities, then a luxury Saharan Safari
for one night to Merzouga and a visit to Erfoud Oases. Your tour includes
air fare from JFK (or ask for add on from your home town).
Daily departure , year round
Day 1- JFK , Daily - Year Round
Board your flight at JFK International Airport. Dinner is served
on board. Overnight across the Atlantic , on to Casablanca. Add-on
air fare is available from major US cities . When you handle your air
fare , please deduct $ 600 from any of the listed rates
Day 2- CASABLANCA (B)
Your international flight arrives in Casablanca. . Our local
rep will meet you at the airport & assist with your transfer to your
hotel ,after you clear passports & customs formalities. Private chauffeured
air-conditioned minibus for a drive to your hotel, remainder of the
day at leisure .
Day 3 - FEZ (BLD)
In the morning we head for Rabat, the capital of Morocco: tour the Mausoleum
of King Mohamed V, a jewel of hispano-moorish architecture, the Hassan
Tower nearby and the Oudayas Kasbah overlooking the mouth of the Bou
Regreg River. Lunch enroute at a local restaurant, on to Fez for dinner
and overnight
Day 4- Meknes, Volubilis (BLD)
In the morning departure for Meknes, former Imperial City built at the
end of the 17th century by King Moulay Ismail. Arrival in time for city
sightseeing, including the old ramparts, the Moulay Ismail stables,
granaries and House of Water, Bab Mansour, one of the most beautiful
gate in Morocco and the Moulay Ismail Mausoleum. In the afternoon visit
of Volubilis that used to be one of the Roman Empire's most remote outposts,
whose well-preserved and partially restored ruins date largely from
2nd and 3rd centuries AD, although the site was originally settled by
Carthaginian traders in the 3rd century BC. Brief stop at the Moulay
Idriss picturesque village, before we head back for Fez. At night you
may attend a complimentary evening sound and light show at the old Medina,
or just relax at the hotel. Dinner and overnight accommodation at hotel.
Day 5 - FEZ (BD)
The whole day will be devoted to the visit of Fez, dating back to the
9th century and a plunge into biblical times. Flat and comfortable shoes
are a must for the visit of the Medina and its labyrinth of Souks having
been declared by UNESCO to be one of the world's cultural treasures.
See the old Koranic Bou Inania Medersa, the Quaraouyine Mosque (from
outside only), the Shrine of Moulay Idriss II, founder of he city, Nejjarine
and Seffarine Squares. At night gourmet Moroccan dinner at the Medina
Palace, a delightful and authentic venue in the Medina with an outstanding
tribal & folklore show, including traditional Moroccan wedding ceremony,
Arabo-Andalusian music, Folklore and Belly dance.
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Day 6 - ERFOUD, MERZOUGA ! (BLD)
Morning departure from Fez. You'll head south through the Middle Atlas
Mountains. Lunch is scheduled at Kasbah Asmaa in Midelt at the foot
of Djebel Ayachi. Continue on to Erfoud passing through the Legionnaires'
Pass, Rachidia and the Tafilalet Valley. Upon arrival in Erfoud, we
will take a chauffeured 4 Wheel Drive car (Turbo Land Rover) to go to
Merzouga, on the edge of the Sahara Desert, for a night spent camping
in a Bedouin tent. Your visit to Merzouga includes either a sunset or
sunrise camel ride. Please advise your preference? As you enjoy the
bonfire and our quartermaster brews traditional mint tea. Dinner (inclusive
of wine and mineral water) and overnight accommodation in a Bedouin
tent at the foot of Erg Chebbi dunes, offering a magical sight of the
sunset over the majestic dunes.
Day 7 - ERFOUD, OURZAZATE (BD)
You can wake up very early in the morning to admire the sunrise over
the dunes. After breakfast, you'll be driven back to Erfoud by chauffeured
4 Wheel Drive car for departure by your chauffeured minibus through
beautiful scenery of palmgrove's and oases to Tinerhir, a former military
outpost built on terraces above a magnificent palmgrove and the way
into the awesome Todra Gorge. Lunch is at the ends of the Earth," in
the gorge itself, between 300 meter high cliffs. Please note that in
some of the remote areas, luxury restaurants & conveniences are not
available, put rest assured of service PAR EXCELLENCE.
Continue on the Road of a Thousand Kasbahs through Boulmane du Dades,
El Kelaa des Mgouna-the roses grown here are used to make perfume and
essence for the designer perfume shops in Paris. Late afternoon arrival
in Ouarzazate. Dinner and overnight accommodation at hotel.
Day 8 - Marrakech (BD)
In the morning visit of the Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah, a wonderful site
now protected by UNESCO, having served as natural decor to numerous
films. 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. In the afternoon you will be driven to Marrakesh through
the majestic scenery and the beautiful landscapes of the High Atlas
Mountains range and crossing the Tizi N'Tichka Pass, at more than 2,000
meters high. Early afternoon arrival in Marrakesh and check-in at hotel.
Remainder of the day at leisure. Dinner and overnight accommodation
at hotel.
Day 9 - MARRAKECH (BD)
After breakfast you may enjoy a full day sightseeing of Marrakesh. In
the morning the historical monuments: The Koutoubia Mosque (from outside),
the Tombs of the Saadian Dynasty and the Bahia Palace. Marrakesh dates
back as far as the year 1070 and several monuments stand out as landmarks
in the course of its history. The Koutoubia Mosque, sister tower to
Seville's Giralda, the minaret of which has become the symbol of the
city. Behind the ramparts that made Marrakesh a fortified city, are
the Saadian Tombs. The Mausoleum of the 16th century dynasty shows through
the delicacy of its carved wood ceiling, the great skill of Arabic craftsmen.
The more recently built Bahia Palace (19th century), with its succession
of rooms finely decorated in Arabic style, nest in gardens and "Riads"
planted with orange-and jasmine trees. Dar Si Said Museum of Moroccan
Arts & Crafts, a town palace which houses an important collection of
decorative arts. Enjoy viewing exquisite textiles, carpets, jewelry,
ceramics and hand-carved furniture. Afternoon Walking Discovery of the
Souks and Djemaa El Fna Square. The Souks of Marrakech are certainly
the most colorful and the most lively in Africa. The different trades
are grouped by services they offer: the Dyers, the Blacksmiths, the
Babouche and shoemakers, spices and fabric sellers. Your journey ends
at the renowned Djemaa El Fna Square, a popular entertainment area where
at the end of the afternoon, storytellers, snake-charmers, tooth-drawers
and dancers appear to entertain the crowd in a scene that is pure street
theater. At night you'll enjoy a gourmet Moroccan feast at "Dar Marjana,"
where clients are received as guests of the owner of this superb old
palace in the Medina. On arrival you'll be served a welcome drink in
the open air patio with a lovely fountain before moving to the dining
room. The gourmet Moroccan feast, pre-dinner drinks, wine and liquors
are all included. You'll also enjoy the Lutanist, Gnaouas duo, and a
Belly dancer as entertainment. Overnight at hotel.
DAY 10 - Departure (B)
After breakfast, our staff escorts you to Marrakesh Menara airport for
Royal Air Maroc domestic flight to Casablanca, connecting the same day
to NYC. .
Rates per
person in US$
Your tour includes:
- International airfare from JFK in " Y" class , as well
as air fare within Morocco, including tax
- All private airport transfers, transportation in Morocco .
- Private Guided sightseeing including all entrance fees. All as per
itinerary.
- Hotel and tenting accommodations as described in the itinerary,
including tax, service charge, and continental breakfast daily
- Meals as indicated: cB = Continental breakfast;
L = set-menu lunch; D
= set-menu dinner
- Escorted
private guided sightseeing tours by air conditioned private vehicle
indicated in the itinerary, including all entry fees
OUR PACKAGE DOES NOT INCLUDE:
Selected hotels & Properties :
First class 4 stars Hotels or Riads (
based on your preference, Raids are Moroccan mansions, renovated & turned
into boutique hotels):
Casablanca: Le Littoral or Idou Anfa
Fez: Wassim or Minzah Zalagh. Riads: Arabesque or Dar
El Ghalia
Ouarzazate: Kenzi Belere or Club Hanane
Marrakesh: Kenzi Farah or Imperial Borj or Tichka Salam. Riads:
Riad Malika
Deluxe 5 Star Hotels:
Casablanca: Sheraton
Fez: Sheraton
Ouarzazate: Meridien Berber Palace
Marrakesh: Sheraton Ultra
Ultra Luxury Deluxe Hotels:
Casablanca: Meridien Royal Mansour
Fez: Jnan Palace
Ouarzazate: Meridien Berber Palace
Marrakesh: Palmeraie Golf Palace & Resort, or for a supplement
of $820 per person you may upgrade to the legendary Mamounia hotel
( closed for repairs) , swimming pool view.
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