LAND ONLY

***Air from JFK available on Royal Moroccan***

DAY 1: CASABLANCA - RABAT (LD)

You will be picked up from your hotel (booked on your own) and start the sightseeing of Casablanca. It is a cosmopolitan city and the economical capital of Morocco. During the visit you will have the chance to explore the highlight of this white city. The visit will begin with the Hassan II Mosque. The Hassan II Mosque is the largest mosque in the country and the 7th largest in the world. Its minaret is the world's tallest at 210 meters (689 ft.). Completed in 1993, it was designed by Michel Pinseau and built by Bouygues. The minaret is 60 stories high topped by a laser, the light from which is directed towards Mecca. The mosque stands on a promontory looking out to the Atlantic Ocean, the sea bed being visible through the glass floor of the building's hall. The walls are of hand-crafted marble and the roof is retractable. A maximum of 105,000 worshipers can gather for prayer: 25,000 inside the mosque hall and another 80,000 on the mosques outside grounds. The sightseeing continue with the Habous District and the Royal Palace square before going to the Medina where the French district reveals some aspects of the colonial architecture in different buildings (Mohamed V BLD).
Drive to Rabat (1 hour). Lunch in a local restaurant and then visit the Capital of Morocco; Rabat is one of the 4th Imperial cities. The sightseeing will include: Mohamed Vth boulevard (colonial architecture and the parliament (From outside), Kasbah and necropolis of Chellah, Hassan II Mausoleum with Hassan Tour.
Overnight and dinner: Rabat hotel

DAY 2 : RABAT-MEKNES-FEZ (BLD)

Breakfast at hotel. You will start by visiting one of the four imperial cities of Morocco, Meknes! The visit will include the medina, granaries, Meknes Jewish cemetery, the synagogue and the Souani bassin of The Moroccan Versailles. Continue to Mly Driss. Lunch in local restaurant in that little village known to be Mecca of the poor and the cradle of the Idrissid dynasty. Later on visit of Volubilis necropolis, the biggest roman city in the former Romana Tangitana and continue to Fez.
Overnight: Fez hotel.

DAY 3 : FEZ (BLD)

Full day sightseeing of Fez. After 12 centuries Fez is still the spiritual and cultural capital of Morocco. Classified UNESCO World Heritage it remains the riches city in term of historical sites. Entering to the medina, you will explore the narrow streets lined with local shops and stalls of fresh fruit, mounds of spices, intricately woven Berber carpets and many other Moroccan handicrafts and home goods. Your visit will include: the Mderssa Bouaanania, the Jewish synagogue, the Moorish district with the Qaraouyine Mosque and university built by a woman in the 9th century. Lunch in Medina.
Our sightseeing continuation by the visit of the souks of Fez. All types of spices await you in the El Attarine souk. Their palette of bright colors and appetizing fragrances recall the town's fine culinary reputation dating back to the Arabo-Andalusian tradition in the 13th century. You will, also, be able to find natural cosmetics. An alley separates the El Attarine from the Joutia souk, the salt and fish market. The hustle and bustle, punctuated by shouts from the auction, will convince you of the ideal geographical position of Fez, midway between the Mediterranean and Atlantic coasts. Vast amounts of fish of an impressive diversity fill the Joutia stalls. Salt, another a marine product, is also very much in evidence. The Ech Chabine souk is parallel to the El Attarine souk but further north. You will find it by the scents coming from it before seeing it. You will find a profusion of medicinal plants. They demonstrate a deeply rooted aspect of the town's tradition, or indeed, of the whole country.
Overnight: Fez hotel.

DAY 4 : FEZ-IFRANE-MIDELT-ZIZ CANYON (BLD)

Departure for a long drive to Erfoud (410 KM). Our drive continues in the Middle Atlas and the cedar forest to see Ifrane. A little town in the feet of the Middle Atlas which was chosen by the French resident to be a ski station city in that part of Morocco. A typical ecosystem gives Ifrane the aspect of a city in the French Alps. Continue to Midelt for lunch before heading to Erfoud. You will cross the Oriental High Atlas and drive along the beautiful Valley of Ziz river (Beautiful ksours and the biggest palm grove in Morocco). Arrival in the evening. Check-in and time to rest before dinner.
Overnight: under Berber tents

DAY 5 : ERFOUD-RISSANI-MERZOUGA (BLD)

Morning at leisure. After lunch at hotel departure to Rissani, to visit the former Sijilmassa, an important hub of the tran-saharan trade during the Middle Age. We begin by the visit of My Ali Cheri Mausoleum and a Ksar Nearby before heading to Ksar Fida. Rissani is also considered the cradle of the Alaouite dynasty which governs nowadays Morocco. We drive later to the dunes, to meet some nomads (if they come to this area), and visit the fossils quarries. We will continue by camel to join our desert camp. Dinner with special entertainment of the Black confederation of Gnawa.
Overnight: Berber Style Camp.

DAY 6 : MERZOUGA-TINGHIR-BOUMALNE: (BLD)

Early wake-up to admire the beauty of the sun rise in the Erg Chebbi. After breakfast drive from Merzouga to Tinghir. The drive will take you from the dunes to the Atlas Mountains. We path through a dry Hamada. Arrival to Tinghir and continue of the drive inside the Todgha Gorges. Lunch in a local restaurant and continue to Boumlne Dades by the road of 1000 Kasbahs. Arrival in the Afternoon. Check-in and time to rest. Dinner and overnight at your hotel. If you want to enjoy a special experience, possibility spend the night in one of the cave-rooms.
Overnight: Kasbah Style camp

DAY 7 : BOUMALNE- SKOURA-OUARZAZATE-AIT BEN HADDOU-MARRAKECH (BLD)

Departure through the Dades Valley to Ouarzazate (330 KM). The scenery is just fantastic and will take you along the Dades River to discover the roses Valley in Kelaa Mgouna (Rosa Damascena) the road of 1000 Kasbahs and Skoura before joining Ouarzazate. An important location for budget films (Gladiator, Tea in the desert, the French film Asterix with Cleopatra where filmed near Ouarzazate. We can see also some locations of this district in Game of Thrones). Visit of Kasbah Taourirt before heading to Ait Ben Haddou Village (we can see it also in Game of Thrones). This Kasbah is classified Human Heritage by the UNESCO. The Kasbah is a conglomeration of different Kasbah’s which were very important during the tran-saharan trade in the Middle Age. Visit after lunch and drive to Marrakech. We will cross the Atlas Mountains by the famous Tichka pass to reach Marrakech, the ochre city. The scenery is spectacular and the changes of vegetation and geologies show, in the high mountains, that we are going north and far from the desert area. Arrival in the evening.
Overnight: Riad hotel.

DAY 8 : MARRAKECH (BLD)

Guided tour of Marrakech which is a living melting pot of the Berber, Arab and African cultures. Its 12th Century Koutoubia Mosque is representative of the Hispano-Moresque art. The 19th Century Bahia Palace preserves centuries-old techniques and craftsmanship of Islamic architecture. The Menebhi Palace, converted in 1996 to a museum, holds regular exhibits of contemporary arts. The visit will include The Majorelle Garden, the Koutoubia Mosque (from outside), the Mellalh (Jewish district), the Bahia and Saadian Palaces and Dar Si Said Museum. Lunch at a local restaurant.
Afternoon: You will get a chance to visit the Souks of Marrakesh and explore the souks different districts and parts: The souk "SMATA" souk "HAJJARINE" souk "CHKAIRIA, Souk JEWELRY, Souk" EL Haddadine, Souk "Semmarine" "RAHBA KDIMA souk" Najjarine "souk" Zrabi "and Souk" Serrajine. Late afternoon walk in Jemaa el fna square, The Open Outdoor Theatre which offers various entertainments (story tellers, water seller’s acrobats, snake-charmers, magicians, musicians, open-air barbecue food-stalls Evening: Dinner in an outside restaurant with oriental entertainment (folklore, fantasia, belly dancer)
Overnight: Marrakceh hotel.

DAY 9 : MARRAKCEH– CASABLANCA (BLD)

Morning: Breakfast at hotel. Time at leisure in Marrakech with your guide. Afternoon: lunch in an outside restaurant frequented by locals, to have an idea about the Moroccan daily life in Marrakech. After lunch drive to Casablanca (340 KM) about 3 hours on the highway.
Overnight & farewell dinner: Casablanca hotel.

Day 10: Departure (B)

After breakfast at you hotel, transfer to the Mohamed V Airport for your onward flight.

INCLUSIONS:

• Arrival & departure transfers by deluxe A/C minivan
• Sightseeing as per itinerary including entrance fees
• English speaking guide
• Nine nights hotel accommodations at 4* hotels and Campsites on half board basis, including taxes and service charge
• Nine lunches

NOT INCLUDED:

• Airfare
• Visa
• Tipping to the driver and guide
• Personal items
• All drinks with meals (even water)
• Any item not included in the 'inclusions' sections

HOTELS TO BE USED (or similar):

• Rabat Soundouss Hotel 4*
• Fez Ommeyad Palace Boutique hotel 5*
• Erfoud Kasbah Chergui 4* hotel Kasbah Style
• Merzouga Deluxe Berber Camp
• Boumlane Authentic Kasbah (Upgrade to CAVE ROOMS available for additional cost)
• Marrakech Riad Les Deux Palmiers Boutique hotel 4*
• Casablanca Imperial Casablanca Boutique hotel Trendy 4*

Agent Rate $1,499.00/person in double occupancy

Companion Rate $1,599.00/person in double occupancy

Single Supplement $470.00

Consumer Rate $1,899.00/person in double occupancy

* FAM rate is based on 8 paying pax, otherwise there will be a supplement of $275/person*