MOROCCO - IMPERIAL CITIES & THE SAHARA
A cultural tour of Morocco

Morocco, an exquisite land known for its potent mystique and exotic aura. Europe’s closest link to Africa, Morocco is neither European, African nor Middle Eastern – yet it is very much all of that. A mosaic of Arabic and French speaking Bedouins, desert tents with mansions with typical Moorish architecture, the veil and then not the veil, nomadic and settled lifestyles all blending one into the other, from and within. This journey explores both the famous Imperials Cities – the land of 1001 Nights and the Saharan way of life – Moroccan style.

Day 01: Arrive Casablanca
Asalaam & Bonjour to Casablanca, the largest port on the Maghreb. We are warmly received a typical North African hospitality etiquette and transferred to our hotel Our exploration starts with the Habous quarter, the Spanish Moorish ambiance in old Casablanca, the art deco colonial downtown with the real flavor of the Mystic French connection. The day concludes with visits of La Corniche and Ain Diab shoreline, Anfa quarter and the great mosque of Hassan II.
Overnight: Hotel Suisse (1 night) (D)

Day 02: Casablanca / Rabat (Drive 86Kms/53 miles)
We drive to Morocco’s capital city, Rabat. Our tour starts with the historical Jewish quarter, Place Sidi Makhlouf, Bab Chellah, medina by Sidi Fateh St. At Laghzel (Yarn market) we get an interesting introduction to the importance the guilds have on textiles in the Moroccan society. We enter the historical 12th C gate of the citadel of Oudaya Kasbah where we visit the traditional gardens, traditional coffee houses and the museum of tribal arts & crafts.  A docent will introduce to us to the traditional Berber Textiles.  Tour continues till late afternoon.
Overnight: Hotel Chellah, Rabat (1 night)

Day 03: Rabat / Meknes / Fez (Drive 172 Kms/107 miles)
We visit Meknes, which embodies a large part of Morocco’s early history. We travel through Zaer with fertile farms and vineyards belonging to the Zemmour Berber tribes. At Tifelt, a settlement from the Phoenicians and Romans, we see the production of colorful Moroccan hats - a sign of wealth among farming communities. We proceed to Meknes a city that had been created to rival Fes, but not quite but has become popularly known as the Versailles of Morocco.  Visit Volubilis, a Roman city that survived in its authentic style until the 17th C earthquake of Lisbon but is still one of the largest and most complete Roman sites followed by Moulay Idris the gem of Morocco. We arrive at the Imperial capital city of Fez undeniably North Africa’s most fascinating city that stimulates the senses with its haunting yet beautiful sounds, visual splendor and evocative smells.
Overnight: Riad Dar El Masmoudi, Fez (2 nights) (B, D)

Day 04: Fez
The most ancient of imperial capitals and the most complete medieval city of the Islamic world, Fez is reminiscent of a city suspended in time, unfazed by the constantly evolving world outsides its walls, owing nothing to the Western world, save electricity. We start with the Medina at the Kings Palace and its Meshwar with ramparts and majestic gates in the Jewish quarters, the 15th C citadel with its Moorish maze architecture and medieval glory. Visit the Sephardic synagogue; mausoleums of holy rabbis before driving to Merinids Hill enjoy a panoramic view of the Old walled Medina, brimful with its countless minarets to call for prayers in a city that has responded to these calls for over 12 centuries.  Fez has conserved its integrity to its existence and the Medina is still as it was centuries ago. Only donkeys, mules and horses are able to help move all what the city produces and needs as supplies. We do this tour all on foot. Our guild tour takes us to the cobblers, saddlers, black smiths and carpenters interlaced by some caravansaries for tribesmen who come from surrounding areas to trade. Visit Mausoleum of Moulay Idris the founder of Fez; the Nejjarine square with its famous fountain, museum of folk arts at the Fondouk, the unique tannery and a lot, lot more. (B, D)

Day 05: Fez / Azrou / Midelt / Erfoud (Drive 300Kms/186 miles)
You will spend your day discovering the rural environs of the Atlas Mountains’ Berbers.  Covered with evergreen pines, tall cedar trees, and poplars, and laced with flowing streams, your first view of the Middle Atlas will appear oddly un-Moroccan.  Passing by Imouzzer, with a break stop at the Suisse-like town of Ifrane, you will soon come across the first real town of the Middle Atlas, Azrou, and an important market center for the region’s Berber tribes, located at a major junction of mountain routes.  Your driver will take a little detour in the forest of cedar to introduce you one of the oldest inhabitant of this region the Berber apes.  This may also coincide with the encounter of a nomadic family in its temporary encampment.  As nomads are very hospitable people, whenever we encounter them we are all invited at least for a mint tea under their tents.  At Midelt, the Middle Atlases give way to the High Atlas Mountains, whose peaks are visible through the haze, soaring to over 12,000 feet.  You will stop in Midelt for lunch, enjoying the dramatic sight before you.  You will then continue to Erfoud, one of the most delightful southern regions consisting of a dry, red belt of desert with a sudden drop into the lush valley of Ziz, with copious date palm groves and flowing streams.  Visit the gorges of Ziz and some of the oases and natural sites before you reach the magnificent oasis of Erfoud.  You will conclude your day in your hotel.
Overnight: Hotel Belere (2 nights)  (B, D)

Day 06: Erfoud
At dawn your 4x4 vehicle will be ready to take you to the dune to experience the sunrise in the Sahara desert over the dunes of Merzouga.  Camels will be at your disposal if you wish to explore the dunes and climb to the top.  With its indescribable beauty, watching the sun as it rises over the spectacular Merzouga dunes is an experience that should not be missed.  Afterward, you will eat breakfast with the Toaregs and continue onward, transported in Land Rovers, to explore the ancient, holy oasis of Rissani.  There, you will visit the ruins of Sijilmassa, remnants of the first Arab and Islamic city of Morocco, and the prehistoric fossils present throughout the desert.  You will then return to your hotel for the evening. (B, D)

Day 07: Erfoud / Tinghir (Drive 15Kms/9miles)
We travel through the Dadès valley, where in the spring, thousands of Persian roses bloom in hedgerows, filling the air with their heavenly perfume. We see thousands of Kasbahs scattered along the Dadès River, majestic sandcastles with a visually appealing, timeless beauty. The Todras is the highest and narrowest gorges in the region.
Overnight: Hotel Bougafer (1 night) (B, D)

Day 08: Tinghir / Ouarzazate (Drive 170Kms/107 miles)
Today we explore the Dades Valley, traveling through El Kelaâ De Mgouna and Boumalne to view the inimitable natural vistas and unusual rock formations. At Ouarzazate one large oasis intercepts the flow of water between the Dadès, the Drâa valleys and the majestic High Atlas Mountains.  A scenic day. Balance of the day free to meet the local folks and enjoy tea and chatting.
Overnight: Belere Kenzi Hotel (1 night) (B, D)

Day 09: Ouarzazate / Marrakesh (Drive 200Kms/125 miles)
Interesting vistas as we drive from Ouarzazate to Marrakesh. En route we explore the legendary Kasbah of Aït-Benhaddou, a renowned architectural marvel. We marvel at Taddart and Tizi Tishka passes (altitude 11000 feet).  The pass divides the mountains into two distinct facets: the harsh, stark side acting as a shield that protects the hinterland from the dry expansion of the Sahara and a lush, soft and evergreen side, which collects the moisture from the Gherbi winds of the Atlantic Ocean.  As we arrive in Marrakech we notice that this city of pleasure is where southern tribesmen and Berber villagers bring their goods to market and find a variety of entertainment.  
Overnight: El Andalous Hotel (3 nights) (B, D)

Day 10: Marrakesh
We devote our morning to the exploration of Marrakesh’s many historical sites, including the Menara, a magnificent pool surrounded by flowerbeds, reflecting the image of an exquisite Moorish edifice, constructed in 1866 for the dignitaries, who enjoyed glorious sunsets with the ethereal Atlas Mountains as a backdrop.  The pool also functions as an innovative irrigation system that is adapted to life in the desert.  The tour will cover many impressive sites, including the Koutoubia Minaret (which is identical to la Giralda, a tower found in Sevilla, Spain), and the Saadien tombs, which demonstrate Moorish architecture at its best. (B, D)

Day 11: Marrakesh
A leisurely day as go on an excursion to the Ourika Valley, where we visit the traditional Berber Souks, as well as the Jewish shrines. We discover the workshops of the local artisans, enjoying their sophisticated, hand-made products. (B, D)

Day 12: Marrakesh / Essaouira (Drive 176 Kms/120 miles)
We travel to Essaouira (Mogador), a picturesque city with a very rich history.  With fascinating antiquity, Essaouira was occupied by the Phoenicians and Carthaginians, supplied essential purple dyes to the Romans, absorbed the sophisticated Jewish arts of silversmith, and spent centuries as a Portuguese enclave.  Despite the obvious influence of these civilizations, Essaouira has managed to remain a small, authentic Berber town.  Alive with the breath of fresh air provided by the Atlantic, Essaouira is a jewel nestled in the ragged coast, with a vast expanse of empty sands trailing back along the promontory towards the South.
Overnight: Hotel Mogador (1 night) (B, D)

Day 13: Essaouira/Casablanca (Drive 306Kms/190 miles)
We travel to Casablanca stopping at the scenic El Oualidia on the way. At El Jadida we visit the citadel, evidence of the 11th C Portuguese occupation.  As all good things come to and end, this one too. We arrive at Casablanca with the afternoon being free to allow us time to walk or shop at the Medina. We conclude our Moroccan journey with a farewell dinner. 
Overnight: Hotel Suisse (1 night) (B, D)

Day 14: Depart Casablanca
After breakfast we are transferred to the airport for our departure flight out. (B)

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Departure Dates
2011 English Speaking Departures Jan 05 – May 25: departure every Wednesday & Sunday No group departures between Jun – Sep 13 Sep 14 – Dec 28: departure every Wednesday & Sunday
Inclusions
Tour Price Includes Tour Price Does Not Include Accommodation as mentioned or similar, including hotel taxex International airfares and airport taxes Meals as mentioned (B=Breakfast, D=Dinner) Lunches Transfer with services of a dinner Insurance / Visas English speaking local guides at major sites Tips / Gratuities Entrance fees to museums and sites included in the itinerary
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 2011 US $ 2295 US $ 395
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 02 and a maximum of 12 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.