Activities

Day 1 Arrival –Casablanca-Casablanca

Welcome to Morocco! Upon arrival your private guide / driver will welcome you and transfer you from the airport to your hotel in Casablanca to relax. When you are ready, start your day by visiting Hassan II Mosque, one of the largest in the Islamic world, displaying stunning Moorish architecture and explore the Anfa sea side area. If you have time and energy and visit the French-built new Medina Habous and admire the gates of the Royal Palace

Day 2 Casablanca –Rabat:

After having breakfast at your hotel ,start your day by visiting the new Mellah (Jewish quarter), home to most of Morocco’s Jewish community, The majority of Morocco’s modern Jewish population resides in Casablanca, where kosher restaurants and old cemeteries, communal spaces and rabbinic shrines highlight the Jewish neighborhoods, both old and new. Visit Temple Beth El, which can hold up to 500 people. Bet El Temple is the largest of Casablanca over 30 synagogues. The temple was renovated in 1997 but has maintained its graceful antiquity. Then visit the Jewish Museum in Casablanca which is the only of its kind in the Muslim world and a good introduction to fascinating history of this community.

After lunch, travel to Rabat, the capital of Morocco. Upon arrival, start your sightseeing of this imperial city and the current capital of Morocco. We walk in the Andalusian Gardens, within the walls of the 12 century Kasbah of the Oudaya Kasbah. We stop at the Hassan Tower, a huge unfinished mosque, built mostly at the end of the 12th century.

You will end your tour of Rabat with a visit of the majestic Mausoleum of his Majesty the late King Mohamed 5 who saved Moroccan Jews from the occupying Vichy regime during World War II. Finish your day by visiting the peaceful Chellah site. It’s a garden place and a stork’s colony. Transfer to your hotel to relax.

Dinner and overnight in Rabat

Day 3 Rabat- Meknes-Moulay Driss-Volubilis- Fes

After breakfast in your hotel, travel to the Imperial city of Meknes. In the 17 century, it was chosen by the Sultan Moulay Ismail to be the capital of his empire. Explore some of its 40 kilometers of ramparts and monumental gates such as its impressive 17th century Bab Mansour gate .Visit the Talmud Torah synagogue and the Jewish cemetery (Meknes has two, the old one and the 20th century one).Walk in Lahdim square which is the focal point of the Medina and, admire the colorful display of local products. From here you continue to the Heri Souani, the granary of huge vaulted structures and royal stables; it’s reported that once it housed some 12000 horses! Then admire the Agdal Basin: house of water, once used to water the royal gardens and amuse the favorite concubines of the sultan. Continue to Moulay Driss (the holiest Muslim site in Morocco) .Enjoy a panoramic view of this beautiful town known as Mecca of the poor. Then explore the ruins of Volubilis, the UNIESCO heritage site is a good ancient Roman settlement to learn about the Roman traces in Morocco.  Then on to your hotel in Fes for dinner and overnight

Day 4 Fes:

Today will be devoted to discover the imperial city of Fes and its highlights. First visit to the 14th century Fes El Jedid (New Fes).Here you will admire the stunning gates of the King Palace. Then explore Mellah (Jewish district of Fes). This old Jewish quarter was built in 1438 and once home to tens of thousands Jews close to the king palace. The Mellah provides an interesting insight into the Jewish architecture. The community included communal ovens, schools, ritual baths and some 40 synagogues. Visit the Ibn Danan Synagogue-the oldest synagogue in Fes. Then explore the vast Jewish cemetery facing the gates of the Royal palace. This cemetery was restored by UNISCO as part of project to save the treasures of Medieval Fes.

Afterwards, take a step back in time to the middle Ages when you visit Fes El Bali, the largest living medieval medina-city, the spiritual and cultural heart of Morocco. Fes was founded in the 8th century by Moulay Driss 1 and subscribed as a UNESCO patrimonial in 1981.Visit the Bou Inania mederssa (Koranic College), a jewel of the Hispano-Moorish architecture, built in the14th century.

Your tour of the medina includes also the Nejjarine complex that houses a beautiful

fountain and the nearby Foundouk; now converted into a museum. Fes is also the capital of Arab handmade crafts; visit the medieval tanneries and then see artisans at work; see the brass workers at Essafarine Souk. Also among the highlights of Fes there is the Karaouine Mosque and university and the shrine of Moulay Driss2.

Dinner and overnight in your hotel

Day 5 Fes-Ifrane-Midelt:

Today drive passing by the fertile plain of Saiss that surrounds the city of Fes to the mountain ski resort of Ifrane. It is a popular destination for people keen on winter sports. Ifrane is also known as Morocco’s Switzerland. Then cross some parts of the Middle Atlas and the cedar forest that is the habitat for the Barbary apes (monkey). Enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Middle Atlas Mountains. Observe lifestyle unchanged for century where nomad shepherds live in black tents and move seasonally with their herds of goats and sheep between the mountains and the Sahara. Pass by the town of Azrou and Zaida which is a popular stop for grilled food before reaching Midelt which is the capital of apples. This Berber town is home to a small synagogue and Jewish cemetery. In the 1930s, over 1,450 Jews had moved into the city coexisting with their Muslim neighbors without dividing into a Mellah. Then head to you hotel in Midelt to relax.

Day 6 Midelt-Erfoud-Rissani-Merzouga

In this leg of the trip, you will leave the urban Morocco behind and you will slowly venture to the wilderness of the Sahara Desert. First, we drive across High Atlas Mountains winding through beautiful pine groves and apples. The contrast of the rich purple soil and evergreens are magnificent. We cross a 6,000-foot pass in the mountains and head further toward the Sahara. In this fascinating route, you’ll witness the varied geologic and ecological zones we travel through. Along the way, you will drive along the beautiful Ziz gorges and valley. In the afternoon, we descend into Erfoud, a small trading village that is the gateway to the vast Sahara Desert.

Upon arrival to Erfoud visit its old Jewish cemetery. Then visit the fossils factory to have geology lesson of the Sahara. In Rissani, visit the Mausoleum of Moulay Ali Sheriff; the founder current ruling dynasty. Then, set off to the highest Merzouga sand dunes in Morocco. When you reach your camp, you will be welcomed with a cup of Berber high tea. When you are ready, you change your vehicle from four tires to four feet as you mount your dromedary camel –“Ships of the Desert” on a ride that takes you up to Erg Chebbi, the highest dunes in Morocco’s Sahara to witness a spectacular sunset coloring the sands from gold to purple as the sky darkens to show a canopy of a myriad of stars, where we shall dine and stay overnight. You will also be entertained by the Gnawa musicians. This kind of music has its route from Tombouctou. Enjoy a Moroccan dinner and overnight under the starry African sky in your Sahara Desert camp.

Dinner and overnight in the Berber Desert Camp

Day 7 Merzouga-Todghra Gorges-Dades

If you are early birds, you may still enjoy another sunrise on the dunes then have your breakfast in your desert camp. This morning you will leave the desert behind and you head to lavish Dades valley. After loading your land rovers you’ll take the road to Erfoud to join your vehicle. Have a brief stop to learn about the Khattarat: a system of irrigation that had been introduced to the desert for centuries. After passing by many Ksours (Berber fortified Villages) you will drive along the spectacular Todghra valley which is one of the most beautiful valleys of the country. On your way, you will visit the Todghra Gorges to experience this amazing natural wonder. Then drive along the fascinating Dades valley and admire its natural scenery. Visit the Jewish cemetery in Kelaa Magouna. Pass by this Berber town is known as the capital of rose before you reach Dades. Enjoy the spectacular views from your hotel.

Day 8 Dades-Skoura- Ouarzazate

After having your breakfast you will head to Ouarzazate .Visit the Kasbah of Tiffoutoute, an old fortress whose rooftops offer a magnificent panoramic view of the valley, the Kasbah was built on the upper reaches of an adobe village. Here you can climb the terrace for breathtaking panoramic views. This Kasbah was actually transformed into a hotel during the filming of Lawrence of Arabia in 1962.As Ouarzazate is the capital of cinema, the visit of the biggest film studios is worth your time.

Day 9 Ouarzazate-Ait Ben Haddou-Marrakesh

Today you will visit the Ksar of Ait Ben Haddou one of the jewels of Morocco, Ksar Ait Ben Haddou. In typical Moroccan fashion; the true treasures must be reached out and discovered, usually off the beaten path. In actuality, this setting has been used for more films than any other location in Morocco; films including, Lawrence of Arabia, Jesus of Nazareth, and recently The Gladiator. It is the most photographed Ksar in all Morocco.

Then cross the majestic High Atlas Mountains. In Tichka, we traverse the Pass of the Pastures (alt 7,415 feet).Enjoy the natural sceneries and the Berber villages.

Day 10 Marrakesh

Today’s exciting program reveals the highlights and back streets of Marrakech.  Tour the ramparts, the Majorelle Gardens of the now-deceased Yves Saint Laurent and the Kotoubia Mosque. Later, visit the Kasbah, the 16th century Mellah (Jewish Quarter) which was home of a thriving community of native and Spanish Jews, famous for their rabbinical schools and scholars. Visit the Rabbi Hanania Hacohen cemetery which is also the burial place of Rabbi Mordekhai Ben Attar and Rabbi Pinhas Hacohen Azoug known as the "Patron of Marrakech. Then visit the Lazama Synagogue that was built in 1492. Enjoy touring the Bahia palace. After lunch  explore the colorful souks which are great place for shopping.The14th-century Ben Youssef Mederssa is one of the most beautiful buildings in Marrakech, and once housed the Islamic equivalent of a monastery.  The 11th-century Almoravides Dynasty Koubba and the Marrakech Museum of Contemporary Art are also here.  As you move through the labyrinth of narrow alleyways, take in the renowned colorful and aromatic Souks of Marrakech.  End your tour with a visit of the famous Jemma el Fana Square.

Riad Marhbabikoum (B L)

Day 11 Marrakesh-Essaouira

Today, you’ll leave Marrakesh to Essaouira; the most laid-back beach town in Morocco. On the way you will pass by the Argan forest. You may spot goats on the tress. Take a stroll along the ramparts. Then explore the peaceful medina and visit the Jewish quarter. Above the doorways of some Jewish houses, you can still see the Star of David. Essaouira has many synagogues and two Jewish cemeteries, the old and the new. The cemeteries house tombs of famous Rabbis and also tell the stories of many great families of Mogador such as the Corcos, the most famous ‘Sultan’s merchants’ of Mogador and the Yuly and Levy families – some of whom are certainly ancestors of the first Jewish US senator, David Levy Yulee.

Day 12 Essaouira

Explore this Portuguese stronghold famous for woodcarving and handicrafts. Start your tour with a walk in the Medina. Explore the Jewish quarter and the Scalla where Orson Wells shot scenes from his film Othello. Walk in the port where you may see fishermen bringing their catches of the day. Take sometime this afternoon to relax. You may like to have lunch in one of the fish restaurants or walk in the beach or just have a relaxing massage in your hotel. The beach is a nice place for a stroll. It’s also a great spot to enjoy a horseback ride at sunset.

Day 13 Essaouira/Casablanca Airport

Transfer to the airport for your departure back home.

End of the service with nice memories.