Wednesday, October 19, 2011

See Morocco next May!

Meknes City Walls

Morocco
Escorted* Group Tour
$2595 pp/do land only


May 2: Arrival / Casablanca / Rabat
Upon arrival in Casablanca, we will be met and then transferred to Rabat, the "Imperial Garden City" and also the administrative capitol of the kingdom.  Check in at the hotel for overnight. (B/D)

May 3: Rabat / Meknes / Volubilis / Fes
After breakfast we check out and begin our sightseeing of Rabat. Our tour includes the Kasbah of the Oudayas, the Hassan Tower and Mosque, the splendid Mohamed V Mausoleum and the Mechouar - the ramparts and walls surrounding the Royal Palace. Afterwards we depart Rabat for Meknes, the "Moroccan Versailles," founded at the end of the 17th century by Moulay Ismail, a contemporary of France's Louis XIV. Our exploration of this area includes the Bab El Mansour, considered to be the finest gateway in Morocco, the Hari Souani, the Moulay's stables, and the new and old Medinas. We will continue to the Roman ruins of Volubilis and tour the site, then continue to Fes for overnight. (B/D)

May 4: Fes
This morning, explore Fes, the oldest of the Imperial Cities, known for its spiritual and educational contributions to Moroccan culture. Visit the Medieval Medina, the religious Islamic universities known as Merdersas, the Karouine Mosque and the Nejjerine Fountain. We will also see the traditional tanneries, and walk through the narrow passageways of the medina and shops, then visit a local pottery shop to see the traditional method used to create all the beautiful tile and pottery you will see everywhere in Morocco. Overnight in Fes. (B/D)

May 5: Fes / Ifrane / Midelt / Erfoud / Merzouga
After an early breakfast depart for Erfoud. Along the way, as we pass through the mountainous terrain, stop at the mountain resort and university town of Ifrane, then continue on to Midelt and the Ziz River valley through fortified villages and on to Erfoud. From Erfoud we will transfer into 4x4 vehicles and head into the dunes of Merzouga for overnight at a desert camp at the edge of the Sahara. (B/D)

May 6: Erfoud / Tinghir / Boumalne
After breakfast at the camp we will return to Erfoud then continue on to the oasis city of Tinghir, known for it’s lushness and roses that it produces. It is also a the place to begin our exploration of the Todra Gorge, with it’s ice cold river cutting through the towering sheer rock walls of the mountains. We will explore the gorge then continue to the Dades Valley (Red Valley) and Boumalne for overnight. (B/D)

May 7: Boumalne / Kalaâ M'Gouna / Ouarzazate
This morning we depart for Ouarzazate, stopping to visit the city of Kalaâ M'Gouna, famous for it’s roses. This is the center of rose water production in the country and in May there is a rose festival. The city has over 4000 km of rose hedges! After our visit here we continue on to Ourazazate for overnight. (B/D)

May 8: Ouarzazate / Aït Ben Haddou / Marrakech
After breakfast spend some time exploring Ouarzazate before departing for Marrakesh. Visit the kasbahs of Tifoutout and Taorirt, then on to Ain Ben Haddou, another majestic kasbah, nestled in the midst of a forest of almond trees. Continue on through the Tiz-In-Tichka Pass at 2260 meters, enjoying spectacular mountain scenery and views of the valleys below. Arrive in Marrakesh for overnight. (B/D)

May 9: Marrakech (city tour)
Today we will have a full day exploring Marrakesh, sightseeing throughout this historic city including Koutoubia, the Menara and garden, the Saadien Tombs, and the Bahia Palace. Lunch at the hotel. This afternoon, walk through the colorful souks with their wealth of treasures, the famous Djemaa El Gna Place filled with fascinating characters, fire eaters, teeth pullers, fortune tellers, spice - nuts - incense merchants, story tellers, snake charmers, and tame monkeys, to name a few! (B/D)

May 10: Marrakech
We will have another day in Marrakesh with free time for shopping or exploring on your own. Overnight in Marrakesh. (B)

May 11: Marrakech / Essaouira
After breakfast depart for Essaouira on the Atlantic coast. Stop along the way at Magador and Chichaoua. Essaouira is an excellent example of a Portuguese port and is an exotic blending of Moorish and Portuguese art and architecture. Traders and artists have gathered here since the 18th century. We will have a city tour on arrival. Possibly we may see some goats in the trees here! Overnight in Essaouira. (B)

May 12: Essaouira / Oualidia / El Jadida / Casablanca
After breakfast depart for Casablanca. Our first stop will be at Oualidia then we continue on to El Jadida, another former Portuguese stronghold with a spectacular 1100 square meter underground reservoir, for a tour before continuing on to Casablanca. Dinner and overnight in Casablanca. (B/D)

May 13: Departure
Transfer to the airport for our flights home.

End of services.

*Group will be escorted by a Seattle staff member with minimum 10 passengers.

Included:
Our rate includes:
Accommodation on half board for 5 nights at hotels and on bed and breakfast for 6 nights at Riads
A deluxe air-conditioned minibus at disposal according to t he above-mentioned itinerary
A qualified English speaking guide for the whole tour
(4x4) with drivers for the round trip transfers to the Dunes
Entrance fees to monuments (external visit of Hassan II Mosque)
Portrage of luggage, taxes and services
Our full assistance.

Not Included:
Airfare
Drinks during meals
Lunches, snacks, water while touring
Personal expenses and extras
Tips for guide and driver – we recommend about $8 for the guide and $4 for the driver, per person, per day
Trip insurance

Single Supplement: $455

Hotels & Riads (depending on availability):
Rabat: Chellah Hotel
Fes: Palais Shehrazade
Merzouga Dunes: Bivouac
Boumalne: Xaluca Dades
Ouarzazate: Berbere Palace
Marrakesh: Riad Amina
Essaouira: Riad Mimouna
Casablanca: Idou Anfa

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