DAY 1: Depart from USA
- Board your international flight from the USA to reach Morocco in the next day. 2 Meals will be served on board of the flight.
- Keep in mind there are non-stop direct flight from JFK and IAD airports
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DAY 2: Casablanca Airport – Rabat
- Upon arrival in Casablanca, after proceeding through immigration customs and collecting your baggage, our representative is waiting for you outside of the terminal with a big welcome before starting a brief sightseeing to Casablanca, Moroccos largest metropolis and its industrial hub. Highlights include the old French quarter of Habous, beaches lapped by green-blue water, the Hassan II Grand Mosque (exterior) considered among the largest in the world, has a capacity of 25,000 worshipers. The mosques minaret is the tallest religious structure in the world.
- After the tour, transfer along the coastline to Rabat for overnight.
- The tour of Casablanca is for early arrivals only.
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DAY 3: Rabat - Meknes – Volubillis – Fez
- After breakfast, you will be met at your hotel for a short tour of Rabat, the capital of Morocco. You will enjoy a short walk at the Mohammed V Mausoleum. Mosaics rise from the marble floor to a ceiling of gold leaf and hand-carved cedar wood, while the three ground-floor tombs are carved from white onyx. Next to the Mausoleum is the Hassan Tower, which is the towering minaret of the Hassan Mosque builded in 1195.
- The morning ends with a visit of the Kasbah of the Udayas in Rabats Medina. This fortification is erected on a mountain, overlooking the ocean, and was constructed during the realm of the Almohads. Inside the Kasbah one can come across Andalusian gardens full of fountains, orange trees, flowers, and palms.
- Then on our way to Fez, we will explore the Roman ruins of Volubilis and the sacred town of Moulay Idriss, Meknes, Moroccos first Arab conquerors settlement.
- Enjoy an afternoon at leisure in this Imperial city and continue to Fez for overnight.
- Meal: Breakfast
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DAY 4: Fez - City tour
- This morning you will be met at your hotel for a guided city tour of Fez, the spiritual capital of Morocco. The first stop is the entrance of the biggest royal palace of Morocco. This palatial complex is located in the center of the Fez El-Jedid area, and is surrounded by high walls with intricate and elaborate ornamentations. The doors are bronze, and they shine like gold. The interior of the palace is not available to the public because the king of Morocco uses the complex when he visits Fez.
- We then continue the tour with a panoramic view of the medina, before venturing to the heart of the largest old souk in the world in the medieval center of Fez. The medina of Fez has not changed for centuries. Its narrow alleys house hundreds of merchants and craftsmen selling a range of products such as dates, fish, spices, copper urns, carpets, and musical instruments.
- One of the most interesting sites in Fez is the leather souk with the oldest leather tannery in the world. The tannery dates back nine centuries.
- In Fez, you will visit the Jamaa Al-Karaouine (the world first established university) and a Medersa (a Koranic school). You will also visit the tannery, a clay workshop, the artisan quarters, and the other souks.
- Overnight at the hotel.
- Meal: Breakfast
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DAY 5: Fez – Erfoud – Merzouga
- Leaving Fez this morning, we drive through the Middle Atlas into the South with a break in the quiet French built alpine resort town of Ifrane.
- We continue our journey while we enjoy the views of verdant cedar forests, volcanic mountains, wind-swept plains, spectacular gorges, and stony desert. We travel along the marvelous oasis of the Ziz Valley before arriving in Erfoud, port of entry to the Saharan dunes, located at the southern end of the Ziz Oasis. Known as the Gate of Sahara Desert, Erfoud was built by the French around 1920 as an outpost and Foreign Legion stronghold. This frontier town on the Algerian border has a definite Wild West feel to it (in this case, Wild South). Fossilized bathtubs and moist-sweet dates are its current claims to fame. Then time to overland to Merzouga, the heart of the desert, and surf the sandy sea on a powerful 4 WD Land Rover.
- Dinner and overnight at the desert Camp.
- Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
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DAY 6: Merzouga – Dades – Ouarzazate
- Enjoy an early morning sunrise camel ride along the golden sand dunes in Merzouga.
- Return for breakfast before driving to Tinghir via Rissani and Tinjdad. Tinghir is a gorgeous, 40km oasis, which boasts one of the largest palm groves in the country. Enjoy walking at the famous Todra Gorges, a 300m wall, carved deep into the High Atlas Mountains. Leave Tinghir heading to Dades and its charming valley. Stop there to take pictures then continue along to KelaatM Gouna, a large village famous for cultivating roses. Expect to find many fine, rose-infused products there.
- Transfer to Ouarzazate, also known as the Hollywood of Morocco for dinner and overnight.
- Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
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DAY 7: Ouarzazate – Ait Ben Haddou – Marrakech
- This morning we visit the city tour of Ouarzazate, beginning with the Taourirt Kasbah that is considered one of the most beautiful Kasbahs in the country and the film studios (optional visit) where some of the most famous desert landscapes are being shot. Continue to the spectacular fortress of Ait Ben Haddou, the iconic landscape immortalized in films such as Lawrence of Arabia, Gladiator and Games of Thrones among others.
- Leave Ait Ben Haddou crossing the High Atlas Mountains via the magnificent TizIn Tichka pass (2,262m) to Marrakech for overnight.
- Meal: Breakfast
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DAY 8: Marrakech - City tour
- After breakfast, enjoy the city tour of Marrakesh, the Red City, a majestic place filled with palaces, gardens, markets, and mosques. Upon arrival, you will first stand by the Koutoubia Mosque with its 282 ft minaret, an architectural landmark dating back to the late 12th century.
- You will continue to the 19th century stunning Bahia palace and discover the intricate work done by the local artisans to decorate this splendid home built by a powerful Vizir for his Harem. The building includes one hundred and fifty rooms, countless courtyards and interior gardens, a veritable labyrinth of corridors, a Koranic school, hammams, a harem, stables. From there we will start exploring artisan quarters and the colorful Souks to interact with the real life of Marrakech people.
- Continue to Dar El Bacha Museum, built in 1910 and was the residence of Thami El Glaoui, named Pasha of Marrakech by Sultan Moulay Youssef in 1912. It is one of the medinas finest examples of Riad architecture, dripping with Moroccan Zellige (colorful geometric tilework), intricate white plasterwork and heavy carved cedar-wood lintels.
- Before sunset we will be strolling in the square of which the city is so famed, Jemaa El Fna, where hundreds of locals and tourists come to spend the end of the day watching jugglers, dancers, fortune tellers, story tellers and traditional musicians. After the tour, head to your hotel to freshen up.
- When you are ready, transfer to a local restaurant in the medina to enjoy a typical Moroccan dinner with entertainment.
- After the dinner, back to your hotel for overnight.
- Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
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DAY 9: Marrakech , Day Retreat at The Bennounas Farm
- Today is a day at leisure to wander on your own. You may want to sign in for Day Retreat at The Bennounas Farm
- We start with a pickup from your hotel/riad at 10AM by our English-speaking driver aboard a deluxe car for a 20-min. drive to the Valley of Ourika.
- Upon arrival at the entrance to the trail you will switch to a camel/donkey/mule -depending on availability- for transfer to the Bennouna farm. A welcome drink is served by the Farm host, followed with a tour of the property that is surrounded by a spectacular dثcor with the Atlas Mountains in the background. Enjoy a 20-min. meditation on the roof of the farmhouse (yoga class is available as an option &ndashat your own expenses). Light lunch will be served. Swimming pool is available for use (if season permits) and fresh drinks are at your disposal (extra charge for alcohol drinks and wine) or enjoy a breathtaking walk in the surroundings.
- We will start to prepare for the cooking class at 4PM. First, we pick up vegetables from the garden if season permits, then bring them to the kitchen to begin an immersed experience with the New York Times 3-stars Executive Chef. You will dine on the food you cooked.
- After dinner, witness the sunset on the terrace of the villa. Moroccan tea or coffee will be served.
- Return to your riad for overnight.
- Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
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DAY 10: Marrakech or Casablanca Airport - Departure
- After breakfast, transportation to the airport for your return flight.
- Meal: Breakfast
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