Highlights Of Morocco
Visiting: MoroccoCode: EAMH
Tour price from USD 1225.00 for 15 days - Land Only
The Tour Price displayed here is for the tour only and does not include international flights. Our flight prices are very competitive, please ask for a quote when making your booking
Visiting: Morocco
For sheer diversity, Morocco is the perfect destination, so close to Europe, yet so completely different. We explore the Imperial cities of Marrakech, Meknes and Fez, with crowded bazaars conjuring up flavours of Arabian Nights. Our journey takes us through contrasting mountain ranges to the south, where sand dunes and kasbahs are scattered among palm oases inhabited by friendly Berbers. Camel trekking in Morocco is a real highlight, taking us to the edge of the Sahara for a night at a Bedouin camp (or under the stars - your choice!).
Highlights Of Morocco
We fit in a visit to Todra Gorge, to the beautiful 16th century kasbah of Ait Benhaddou, and we enjoy a village walk in a picturesque valley of the High Atlas. Complete the trip with a walk along the sandy beach of Essaouira and visit the souks for some last minute shopping.
Day
1
Arrival at our hotel in the evening.
Day
2
A modern, commercial seaport and a complete contrast to the Morocco we are about to explore. In the morning we visit the third largest mosque in the world, the Hassan II mosque, before lunching in the capital, Rabat. Rabat is the diplomatic and government capital, but second to Casablanca in importance and although mostly modern, has an excellent old quarter. We take time to explore this before striking out over the northern plain on our way to Meknes. We begin to see the scenery changing as the land becomes more cultivated, Meknes being one of the most fertile areas of Morocco
Day
3
Sultan Moulay Ismail's old capital of Meknes is our first example of one of the Imperial Cities. The morning is free to wander the narrow streets and explore the souk (market) and perhaps have our first taste of bartering for souvenirs. In the afternoon we take a short drive to Volubilis, the largest and best-preserved Roman ruins in Morocco. After exploring this site we continue our journey to Fez, where we will spend two nights.
Day
4
This fascinating city is the intellectual and religious centre of Morocco. Founded over a thousand years ago, Fez has many mosques and medersas (theological colleges) including the 9th century Karouine University, whose architecture is very similar to that seen in Moorish Spain. The medina in Fez is one of the largest in the world. In its immense and confusing warren of souks are thousands of craftsmen with their tiny shops opening onto the narrow alleyways. Noisy and pungent, hot and claustrophobic, the medina of Fez is a totally absorbing and unique experience. Our city guide shall walk us through different sections of the souk - from the dyers souk to the brass and copper souks. And of course, no visit to Fez is complete without a visit to the tanneries. Outside the medina we shall visit the Jewish District (mellah), the exterior of the Royal Palace and drive to a panoramic viewpoint over the medina. We shall also visit the potteries where the famous mosaic tables are made from the grey clay of the Rif Mountains.
Day
5
Today we have a long journey over the Middle Atlas, down through the picturesque Ziz Valley to the Hamada (flat stony desert) gradually approaching the spectacular site of the golden sand dunes of Erg Chebbi. We stay in a small and welcoming auberge on the edge of the dunes where it is easy to climb their summits to watch the sunrise.
Day
6
There is time today to explore the largest sand sea in Morocco or to relax in the shade of a palm tree by the dunes. The sand sea is famed for its pink dunes that take on a spectacular rose colour at sunset. In the late afternoon we partake in a genuine Saharan experience - a two-hour camel trek through the dunes to an oasis, where we spend the night in a simple Bedouin camp.
Day
7
After sunrise, we leave our desert camp and travel, by camel, back to the auberge where we can have a shower before heading west towards the little town of Tinerhir and onwards to Todra Gorge for the night. Our hotel is set against the backdrop of the impressive walls of the gorge itself and we can spend the evening watching the rocks change colour with the setting sun.
Day
8
We spend the day in the magnificent gorge of the Todra River. There is the opportunity to take a five hour guided walk, or to relax in the gorge, walking beneath vertical cliffs rising up to 400m. In the afternoon there is the option of a guided palmery tour.
Day
9
Leaving Todra Gorge, we rejoin the main road and drive west along the 'Route of the Thousand Kasbahs' via Ouarzazate and on to the well-preserved Kasbah Ait Benhaddou. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is one of the most spectacular sights of the Atlas, made famous as the location of several Hollywood films including 'Gladiator'. After admiring the view, we may see something of the simple village houses. Continuing into the mountains we branch east through a wide flat mountain valley, finally arriving at Anmiter. Here we leave our bus and take an hour's picturesque walk on a gentle uphill gradient to our well-equipped gite, where we spend the next two nights. (Our bags will be transported to the gite for us).
Day
10
We start our day with a four hour walk through the villages of the Tijhza Valley, passing fields cultivated by the Berber women. Heading up into the hills on mule tracks, the peaks of the High Atlas act as a fitting backdrop to our walk. The afternoon is free to relax with a book, enjoy the mountain views, take a stroll through this beautiful landscape or challenge the local children to a game of football! Tijhza is just one of four villages in this remote valley that has been supported by Exodus for over ten years on various projects requested by the Village Association, such as building a water tower or a Hammam (Moroccan steam bath) that will help with hygiene standards in the village. Please see our website or the Responsible Tourism section for more information.
Day
11
Leaving the gite, we walk back to our bus for a short drive to the palace of Telouet. This palace stands abandoned and crumbling but we can visit a small part of this labyrinthine, fairy-tale like structure. We continue our scenic drive over the High Atlas Mountains to Marrakech, driving over the Tizi'n'Tichka, which at 2,260m, is the highest road pass in Morocco. The scenery is spectacular and there are some wonderful views of the mountains. The second half of the trip brings us to the flat arid plains of Marrakech and then onwards to Essaouira.
Day
12
A free day in Essaouira which is a charming old Portuguese fishing port by the Atlantic Coast. The settlement dates back to the 15th century but the present town was constructed around 1760 by Sidi Mohammed ben Abdullah, who needed a base from which to suppress a revolt from Agadir. Today, the town is extremely relaxed and its whitewashed houses with painted shutters, artisan's workshops, boatyards and fishermen provide a marked contrast to the desert, kasbahs and cities we have so far visited on this trip. Our hotel is in the heart of the old walled city and there is time for some shopping or for a walk along the picturesque beach. There are many pleasant cafes and some outstanding seafood restaurants for our evening meal. The town is at its best in the late afternoon and early morning when the day visitors have yet to arrive or have left.
Day
13
After breakfast we head for the 'Pink City' of Marrakech and in the afternoon we enjoy a guided tour to help us find our feet and soak up the atmosphere of this amazing city. Our city guide will take us to the Bahia Palace, the Saadian tombs - which incredibly date to the 16th century - and the Dar Si Said Museum. We end in the Djemma el Fna, where the town becomes a maze of bustling bazaars, palaces and mosques. It is worth seeing this renowned landmark in the evening, as Marrakech revolves around the open-air central square. With the food stalls, snake charmers, water-sellers and acrobats, it is a place of night-time entertainment for both local people and tourists.
Day
14
Today is a free day in Marrakech and there is no shortage of things to do. You might like to visit the largest Mosque in Marrakech, Koutoubia, or venture through the souks and old streets of the medina. After bartering for souvenirs in the labyrinthine souks, there will be time for a short visit to the Koranic School and Museum of Marrakech. After this unwind by taking a ½ hour Calèche ride (a bright green horse-drawn carriage) to the Jardin Majorelle. These tranquil gardens are decorated throughout in indigo blue and owned by Yves St. Laurent. A final treat would be to have a hammam, a traditional Moroccan steam bath.
Day
15
Trip ends after breakfast.
@variation
Key: (B) = Breakfast, (L) = Lunch, (D) = Dinner
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