MOROCCO
- IMPERIAL CITIES & THE SAHARA
A cultural tour of Morocco
Morocco
is an exquisite land known for its potent mystique and
exotic aura. Europe’s closest link to Africa,
Morocco is neither European nor African. It is a rich
mix of both with a flavour distinctly its own. In this
tour we offer an excellent introduction to this magnificent
culture and country.
Day
01: Arrive Casablanca
Upon your arrival at the Mohamed V Airport in Casablanca,
you will meet your guide, who will provide transfer
to your hotel. Check in starts from 1400 hrs. Afternoon,
you will explore Casablanca, the largest port of the
Maghreb, and “capital in all but administration.”
Your guide will take you to the Habous quarter to be
introduced to your first Spanish Moorish ambiance of
a lively market in old Casablanca, then of course the
art deco colonial downtown with the real flavor of the
Mystic French connection. Your guide will introduce
you to La Corniche and Ain Diab shoreline that will
give you an idea on creative architecture of neighborhoods
of the well off Moroccans of Anfa quarter, and also
the inclusive resort of La Corniche, not to miss the
great mosque of Hassan II. You will conclude your day
with dinner at your hotel.
Overnight: Hotel Suisse (1 night) (D)
Day 02: Casablanca / Rabat (Drive)
In the morning, after your breakfast, you will depart
for Rabat, the capital of Morocco. This is a wonderful
short drive of about 45 miles through the lush farms
and nurseries of all kind of flowers and exotic plants
you will reach Rabat. Styled in a spaciously elegant
European grid, yet slightly self-conscious of its modernity,
Rabat and its twin city Sala Colonia separated by only
a river but historically worlds apart have an ancient
legacy that spans hundreds of generations. Each civilization
that has inhabited each of the cities has left its mark,
resulting in a wide variety in architectural styles
including those from the Phoenician and Roman eras.
You will spend your day discovering the delights that
Rabat has to offer. Your guide will take on a historical
and lively tour starting at the Jewish quarter the Mellah
in the Heart of the city at Place Sidi Makhlouf, the
12 century ramparts are best seen from this and up to
Bab Chellah visit the medina across by Sidi Fateh St.
This will lead you to the traditional Souk Laghzel (Yarn
market). Your guide will introduce you to the importance
of this guild on textile role in the Moroccan society.
Later you will cross to the citadel of the Oudaya Kasbah
entering from its 12th century main gate to explore
an extraordinary Medieval Moorish marvel overlooking
the delta of Bourgreg River. You will have the opportunity
to visit the Moorish old fashioned gardens, traditional
coffee house, and in between the Oudaya museum of tribal
arts and crafts. A docent will introduce to you the
traditional Berber Textiles. You will continue your
quest exiting the Oudaya Kasbah and up the hill to visit
the Hassan Tower and sample of the real Moroccan architecture
in its best at Mohamed the V Mausoleum. From here we
will drive through the boulevards and Gardens of Rabat
visiting the Saint Pierre Cathedral, the Parliament,
the Sounna Mosque and the Royal Palace through the magnificent
Ramparts and tower standing proud and glorious to reach
the Necropolis of Chellah at the end. We will return
to the hotel for dinner and other accommodations.
Overnight: Hotel Chellah (1 night) (B, D)
Day
03: Rabat / Meknes / Fes (Drive)
You will travel to Meknes on an excursion that embodies
a large part of Morocco’s early history. First
you will travel through Zaer confederation where fertile
and large scale farms and vineyards are in abundance
then of course the Zemmour Berber tribes starting at
Tifelt of colorful Moroccan hats a sign of wealth among
farming communities. East in the niter land we will
reach the hills of Zemmour starting at Khemisset a city
known for its exquisite Kilims. You will precede on
to Meknes a city that has been created in first place
to rival Fes but not quite. It is what Moroccans call
the Versailles of Morocco. Just ten miles outside of
the city you will encounter Volubilis, Morocco’s
Roman provincial capital, a roman city that has survived
in its authentic style until the 17th century earthquake
of Lisbon. It is still one of the largest and most complete
Roman sites. Less than a mile east on the other side
of the hill you will discover the gem of Morocco Moulay
Idris, a creation of the country’s premier Arab
dynasty, an 8th century town that has stayed faithful
to its existence. Crossing the hills of Zgotta, you
will then continue onward to Fes where you will be provided
with dinner and accommodations at your hotel.
Overnight: Riad Dar El Masmoudi (2 nights) (B,
D)
Day 04: Fes
Undeniably fascinating, Fes stimulates the senses with
its haunting yet beautiful sounds, visual splendor,
and evocative smells. The most ancient of imperial capitals
and the most complete medieval city of the Islamic world,
Fes 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.
Time spent in Fes will reveal much about the sophistication
of the Moroccan artisan, providing an unparalleled learning
experience to those who cross its path. Your morning
will be spent visiting the Medina. Our specialized guide
will take you on a historic discovery of the city of
Fes starting at the Kings Palace and its Meshwar with
ramparts and majestic gates in the Jewish quarter a
15th century citadel with all its Moorish maze architecture
and medieval glory. Visits to Sephardic synagogues and
mausoleums of holy Rabbis will be the highlights of
the part of town. Then we will drive to the Merinids
hill to visit their necropolis where you will enjoy
the best panoramic view on the Old walled Medina, brimful
with all its countless minarets to call for the prayers
in a city that has responded to these calls for 12 centuries.
Drive down the hills to the gate of Bab Guissa to leave
your vehicle and enter a world that belongs to an ancient
time. Fes has conserved its integrity to its existence
and the Medina is still as it was centuries ago. Not
even a bicycle is able to be used as tool of transportation.
Only donkeys, mules and horses are able to help moving
all what the city produces and needs as supplies. The
first guilds you will immediately encounter are the
cobblers, the saddlers and black smiths interlaced by
some caravansaries for tribesmen who come from the surrounding
areas to trade and supply their needs. Down the hill
to Juteya you will encounter all sorts of crafts but
noticeably carpenters and leather workers as one of
the traditional tanneries is not far. This walk will
lead you to El ashabine square with its different activities.
From there we will wind our way to the Sgha square which
will lead us to Attarine then souk el henna and the
Mausoleum of Moulay Idris the founder of Fes. Next to
it, you will visit the Nejjarine square with its famous
fountain, its guild of carpentry, the museum of folk
arts at the Fondouk, the tannery and on to visit the
great Mosque university of Al Quarrawiyyine, passing
by the market of dried fruits, the Medersa Attarine
to Sbetryyine book binders
the Seffarine Square where the tapping of metalworkers
is still deafening passerby as it was the case for centuries.
You will break for lunch then continue exploring the
marvels of Fes Medina. These will highlight the Dyers
souk, Foundouk Tetouani, the shrine of Sidi Ahmed Tijani
and up by foundouk Lihoudi where a family will host
you for a traditional mint tea in their home. (B,
D)
Day 05: Fes / Azrou / Midelt / Erfoud (Drive)
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 camp over the dunes
of Merzouga where tents are pitched and camels are saddled
on your behalf to enjoy a night under the African Skies.
The Rokba drummers will illuminate your night with their
sensual dances and moving chants. Enjoy this encounter
of Man and nature at best.
Overnight: Hotel Belere (2 nights) (B, D)
Day 06: Erfoud
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)
Only 15 kilometers from Tinghir, you will find the Todras,
the highest, narrowest gorges in the region. You will
travel through the Dadès valley, where in the
spring, thousands of Persian roses bloom in hedgerows,
filling the air with their heavenly perfume. You will
also see the thousands of Kasbahs scattered along the
Dadès River, majestic sandcastles with a visually
appealing, timeless beauty. Your day will end with dinner
and accommodation.
Overnight: Hotel Kasbah Lamrani (1 night) (B,
D)
Day 08: Tinghir / Ouarzazate (Drive)
You will explore the Dades Valley, traveling through
El Kelaâ De Mgouna and Boumalne to view the inimitable
natural vistas and unusual rock formations. You will
then continue onward to Ouarzazate, where one large
oasis intercepts the flow of water between the Dadès,
the Drâa valleys, and the majestic High Atlas
Mountains. You will conclude your day with dinner and
other accommodations in your hotel.
Overnight: Tichka Salam Hotel (1 night) (B,
D)
Day 09: Ouarzazate / Marrakesh (Drive)
You will spend most of your day en route to Marrakesh,
exploring the legendary Kasbah of Aït-Benhaddou,
a renowned architectural marvel, and stopping in Taddart
and Tizi Tishka pass, at an altitude of 11,000 feet.
The pass divides the mountains into two distinct facets:
the harsh, stark side acting as a shield that protects
the hinterland from the harsh, dry expansion of the
Sahara, and a lush side, soft and evergreen, which collects
the moisture from the Gherbi winds of the Atlantic Ocean.
You will arrive in Marrakech, a city of pleasure for
both visitors and locals, where southern tribesmen and
Berber villagers bring their goods to market and find
a variety of entertainment. To tourists, the city is
a feast for the imagination, full of incomparable beauty,
situated before the towering mountains that provide
a thrilling backdrop. After a visit to the bustling
Jemaa El Fna square, you will conclude your day with
dinner and accommodation.
Overnight: Grand Imilchil Hotel (3 nights) (B,
D)
Day 10: Marrakesh
You will devote your 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. Your 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. The tombs consist
of sixteenth-century mausoleums, which lay walled-in
and undiscovered until 1917. You will then return to
your hotel for the night. (B, D)
Day
11: Marrakesh
You will begin your day with an excursion to the Ourika
Valley, where you will visit the traditional Berber
Souks, as well as the Jewish shrines. After a lunch
break, you will discover the workshops of the local
artisans, enjoying their sophisticated, hand-made products.
You will return to Marrakech for dinner and accommodation.
(B, D)
Day 12: Marrakesh / Essaouira (Drive)
You will begin your day by traveling to Essaouira (Mogador),
a picturesque city with a rich history. With a 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. After an introductory
tour, you will conclude your day with dinner in your
hotel.
Overnight: Hotel Riad El Madina (1 night) (B,
D)
Day 13: Essaouira / Casablanca (Drive)
You will travel to Casablanca, stopping at El Oualidia
for a seafood lunch break. You will continue onward
to El Jadida, where you will visit the citadel, evidence
of the 11th century Portuguese occupation. Finally,
you will arrive in Casablanca, having completed a journey
that has led you through immeasurable antiquity. You
will conclude your day with a farewell dinner and spend
the night at the hotel.
Overnight: Hotel Suisse (1 night) (B, D)
Day 14: Depart Casablanca
After breakfast you will be transferred to the airport
for your flight out. (B)
Departure
Dates |
| 2010
English Speaking Departures
Jan 06 – May 26: departure every Wednesday
& Sunday
No group departures between Jun – Sep
14
Sep 15 – Dec 29: departure every Wednesday
& Sunday
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
taxes
- Meals
as mentioned (B=Breakfast,
D=Dinner)
- All
sightseeing and transfers with services
of a local English speaking guide.
- Entrance
fees to museums and sites included in
the itinerary
|
- International
airfares
- Departure/airport
taxes
- Insurance
& Visas
- 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 |
|
2010 |
US
$ 1495 |
US
$ 395 |
|
2011 |
US
$ 1665 |
US
$ 395 |
|
Estimated
International Airfare - International
airfare is NOT included in this tour |
| Canada
- West Coast |
N/A |
USA
- West Coast |
US
$ 1400 |
| Canada
- East Coast |
CA
$ 1200 |
USA
- East Coast |
US
$ 1200 |
|
Participants |
| This
tour operates on a minimum of 02 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. |
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