DISCOVERY OF MOROCCO
A cultural tour of Morocco

This 11 days Discovery of Morocco journey covers the most important sites of this majestic North African country. The itinerary has been tailored to give you space, leisure travel and at the same time have enough time to enjoy the Moroccan history and culture. The journey takes us more than the Imperial capitals as we also visit the deserts of the Sahara in Morocco with stays in Road etc.

Day 01 Saturday: Arrive Casablanca     
Merhaba!  We arrive in Casablanca at the Mohamed V Airport and are warmly welcomed and transferred to the hotel.   Check in time is by 1400 hrs.  
Overnight: Kenzi Basma or similar, Casablanca (1 night) (D)

Day 02 Sunday: Casablanca/Rabat (Drive 95 kms/59 miles)
Visit of the economic capital of Morocco including the central market, the Habbous district, the Royal Palace, the Mohamed V Square, the residential area of Anfa and the exterior of Mosque Hassan II.   Short drive to Rabat.  City tour of Rabat including the Royal Palace (Mechouar ), the Oudaya kasbah, the Mohamed V mausoleum , the Hassan tower.
Overnight: Golden Tulip Farah Hotel or similar, Rabat (1 night) (B, D)

Day 03 Monday: Rabat/Meknes/Fez (Drive 220 kms/136 miles)
Departure to Meknes and visit of the Ismalian Capital famous for its 40 km long walls.  Visit of Bab Mansour , the royal stables and the Jewish quarter .  Continue on to Fez via the Roman city of Volubilis and the holy village of Moulay Idriss
Overnight: Zalagh I or similar, Fez (2 nights) (B, D)

Day 04 Tuesday: Fez
The whole day is devoted to tour this UNESCO World Heritage City.  Sightseeing of Fez includes the medieval medina  with its Attarine and Bou Anania Medersas, the Nejjarine fountain, the Moulay Idriss mausoleum, and the Karaouine mosque.  Afternoon visit of Fez al Jdid – new Fez. (B, D)

Day 05 Wednesday: Fez/Midelt/Erfoud/Merzouga (Drive 450 kms/278 miles)
Departure to Erfoud via the mountains and the cedar woods of the middle Atlas passing by Ifrane, a charming ski resort and Azrou, an important handicraft centre. Continue to Erfoud via Errachidia and the Ziz valley and its palm groves, which are the evident reason to organize the yearly date Festival in Erfoud.  Then transfer by 4x4 to Merzouga.  Dinner and accommodation.  Here you have an option to overnight in a tent camp (Bivouac) if you wish, providing that you request this option at the time of booking.
Overnight: Auberge Tombouctou or similar, Merzouga (1 night) (B, D)

Day 06 Thursday: Erfoud/Rissani/Tinghir/Ouarzazate (Drive 390 kms/241 miles)
Early morning, small walking excursion to see the sunrise over the sands-dunes of Merzouga.  After breakfast at the hotel, return back to Erfoud by 4x4 and then meet again with the bus and continue to Rissani.  The holy city where Moulay Ali Cherif, ancestor of the Alaouite dynasty is buried.  Visit of the Kasbah of the 17th century and the Ksar Abbar ruins, and continue to Tinghir via the Tinjdad road.  Visit of the magnificent Todgha canyons, which rocks reach an altitude of 250 meters.   Next stop is the Dades canyons, which is famous for its roses and the yearly Moussem (Rose Festival) before heading for Ouarzazate.
Overnight: Riad Salam or similar, Ouarzazate (1 night) (B, D)

Day 07 Friday: Ouarzazate/Ait Benhaddou/Marrakech (Drive 230 kms/142 miles)
Visit of the kasbahs of Taouirt Tiffeltout and Ait Benhaddou - the most spectacular fortresses in the south of Morocco, which has been the set of many films like “Laurence of Arabia” as an example.  Continue onto Marrakech via the Tichka pass offering an impressive landscape in the heart of the Atlas mountain chain.
Overnight: Atlas Asni or similar, Marrakech (2 nights) (B, D)

Day 08 Saturday: Marrakech
The entire day will be devoted to the visit of Marrakech, the second largest imperial city, known as the pearl of the south.  The city was founded by the Almoravides at the end of the 11th century.  The historical sightseeing includes the Menara garden, the Saadian tombs, the Bahia Palace and the Koutoubia.  Afternoon visit the souks and handicraft quarters displaying a variety of items and the famous place Djemaa Al Fna, with its non stop entertainment.  Tonight there is an optional dinner with Fantasia show  (B, L)

Day 09 Sunday: Marrakech/Essaouira (Drive 160 kms/99 miles)
Late morning departure to Essaouira, an idyllic fishing town known as the former Mogador and Portuguese stronghold.  The area is famous for its woodcarving handicraft.
Overnight: Riad Mogador or similar (1 night) (B, D)

Day 10 Monday: Essaouira/Safi/El Jadida/Casablanca (Drive 270 kms/167 miles)
Departure to Safi, a former Portuguese fortress and famous for its pottery.   Visit the town before heading for El Jadila to visit its famous citadel, a reminder of the Portuguese occupation in the 16th century.  Continue onto Casablanca.
Overnight: Kenzi Basma or similar, Casablanca (1 night) (B, D)

Day 11 Tuesday: Depart Casablanca
Morning transfer to the airport for our departure flight.  Check out time is by 1100 hrs. (B)

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Departure Dates
2012 English Speaking Departures Jan 21, Feb 18, Mar 10, Apr 14, May 12, Jun 16, Jul 07, Aug 25, Sep 15 & Oct 13
Inclusions
Tour Price Includes Tour Price Does Not Include Accommodation as mentioned or similar, including hotel taxes International airfares Meals as mentioned (B=Breakfast, L= Lunch, D=Dinner) Departure / airport taxes All sightseeing and transfers with services of a local Multilingual speaking guide when there is a minimum of 8 persons in the group; otherwise, local guides at sites. Insurance / Visa Fees Entrance fees to museums and sites included in the itinerary Tips / Gratuities
Tour Price
We accept payment in US $ (US Dollars), CA $ (Canadian Dollars) or equivalent EURO (for clients outside North America). Bestway Tours & Safaris offers conversion rate protection. Once full payment has been received, and no modification has been made to the tour itinerary, we will honour that rate. For complete payment procedures, please download Bestway_Payment_Info.pdf Note: to read this file you must have Adobe Acrobat.
Departure Double Occupancy Single Room Supplement 2012 US $ 1495 US $ 395 Note : High season surcharge for Mar 10, Apr 14, May 12 & Oct 13 departures will be US $ 195.00 per person.
Estimated International Airfare - International airfare is NOT included in this tour
Canada - West Coast US $ 1800 USA - West Coast US $ 1600 Canada - East Coast US $ 1700 USA - East Coast US $ 1500
Participants
This tour operates on a minimum of 04 participants.
Notes
Customised Itinerary If you would like to have a tour on dates other than the above ones or with a customised itinerary, please contact us and we will be happy to work out an exclusive program for you. Foreign Language Departures Please contact us for information on French, German, Italian and Spanish speaking departures. You may e-mail us at bestway@bestway.com or call us at 604.264.7378. Residents of U.S.A./Canada may call us toll free at 1.800.663.0844.