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| Meknes City Walls |
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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