A delightful Taste of Morocco  (13 days)

Morocco trekking through trails and ancient caravan routes of the High Atlas Mountains. This is an active adventure that provides a hands-on exploration of the breathtaking landscapes, rich history and the diverse cultures of Arabs, Moors, and Berbers in Morocco. You will explore the almost biblical passageways of the medina (historic city) of Fez, gaining a glimpse of a Medieval life style unchanged for centuries. We encounter local farmers, herders and nomads, each community steeped in its distinctive traditions and each sharing the genuine hospitality so characteristic of Islamic cultures. We hike through quiet villages with ochre walls, richly red at sunset and seemingly organic to their mountain setting; then we stay with a highland Berber family. We camp with Tuareg nomads and ride camels to watch in awe as the dawn vanquishes into the Saharan night. Finally, we reach magnificent Marakech, a city of a joyful glow, vibrant colors and entertaining souks in the bustling main square of Djemna el-Fna. You will weave amidst snake charmers, basket weavers, herbalists and self-claimed doctors and musicians, acrobats, dancers and fortune tellers, vendors and all conceivable square opportunists. This is a special and unique place worth exploring.  Marrakech, the capital of joy, is the best man-made oasis on earth.

DAY 1 :  Arrive to Casablanca Airport and drive to Rabat
On arrival in Casablanca you will be met by our guide and transferred to our Rabat hotel. 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 lash 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 12^th 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.

Day 2: Rabat – Meknès – Fez

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 Fez 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 17^th century earthquake of Lisbon.  It is still one of the largest and most complete Roman sites in the world.  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 8^th century town that has stayed faithful to its existence.  Crossing the hills of Zgotta, you will then continue onward to Fez where you will be provided with dinner and accommodations at your hotel.

Day 3: Fez Guided City tour of the Medina

Undeniably fascinating, Fez 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, Fez 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 Fez 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 Fez starting at the Kings Palace and its Meshwar with ramparts and majestic gates in the Jewish quarter a 15^th 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.  Fez 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 Fez. 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 Fez 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. 

DAY 4 :  Berber Homestay and hiking in the evergreen Atlas Mountains
Today our  journey will take us from lowlands into the Atlas Mountains we pass villages and fields using a system of gravitational irrigation established well before Roman arrival. There are many local footpaths we share with local residents stopping to picnic amidst the lentils, turnips and fava beans, or to shelter from the sun in the sweet shade of an apple or cherry orchard. Here we witness a lifestyle still organic, still in tune with the seasons, still natural and refreshingly far from the myriad demands of urban modernity. We explore the village of Zaouia D'Ifrane and hike to a nearby waterfall before meeting our Berber hosts. As guests of a Berber family, we have a unique opportunity to experience a calmer, more relaxed way of life and to sample home cooked Berber cuisine. Beds are Berber-style mattresses on a floor of colorful carpets, with linens and blankets. There is a shared guest bathroom with a flush toilet. Overnight Berber Home Stay [BLD]

DAY 5 :  Midelt – Erfoud – Merzouga Dunes Trek

We settle back in our seats and watch the dramatic changes in landscape as our vehicle switch-backs over the Atlas Mountains and descend to the mighty Saharan Desert. The terrain on this full day drive (7hr) is varied and includes forests of giant cedar, high arid mountains with breathtaking views over tortuous mountain passes and, as we drop to the flattening foothills of scrub, the vast Saharan desert stretches before us for thousands of miles from the Atlantic Ocean to the Red Sea. Following a centuries-old caravan route, we pass through the Beni Mguild Berber capital of Midelt, an important center for local carpet making. We begin to see ksars (fortified strongholds) along the way to Errachidia, where we pause to stretch our legs and eat a tasty tagine before continuing on to Rissani. On arrival we have arranged a henna ceremony before dinner. Overnight Kasbah Tombuktou or similar [BLD]

DAY 6 :  Desert Camp in Merzouga: Sunset over the dunes Camel ride
We start our desert explorations with an excursion to the Holy City of Rissani to visit the Mausoleum of Moulay Ali Sherife, the ancestor of the ruling dynasty.  The Ksour of Abdel Hamid, and the Abdel Malik wards. After lunch and a refreshing dip in the pool we depart in the afternoon for El Khamliya in our 4x4 vehicle, stopping at a quarry to view rock excavations and fossils. At last we reach the edge of the vast Sahara where the paved road ends (1hr). As the day cools, desert colors intensify. We mount camels and, accompanied by indigenous Touareg nomads in their famous blue-dyed turbans, we ride the Erg Chebbi, a vast expanse of huge, drifting sand dunes. The Touaregs originated from the Moroccan Ait Atta Berber Tribes are truly masters of their domain. Centuries ago, Touaregs turned the deadly Saharan sands into an ocean on which their ships of the desert (camels) traded goods as varied as dates and gold bullion from the Atlantic coast to Lake Chad. The sunset changes and deepens the hues of this mystical landscape as our surefooted dromedaries bring us to our desert camp. After a cold drink and a delicious dinner we retire under a vast star-lit desert sky to ponder the imponderable, and to marvel at the comfort of our private tents, mattresses, linens, pillows and Berber rugs. There is a shared bathroom facility. (Those not wishing to camp in the desert may return to overnight in the Kasbah Tombouktou guest house) Overnight Desert Encampment or return to the Kasbah [BLD]

DAY 7 :  Drive to Ouarzazate through the Todra Gorges and the valleys of Dades
We awaken before dawn to see the moon reflected off millions of microscopic silicon chips in the sand. In pre-dawn light we mount our saddled camels for a short ride to watch the sun creep over the desert horizon. The true solitude and beauty of the Sahara shows itself only in such moments. Back at camp for breakfast we re-board our vehicle and drive to Todra Gorge (3hrs) first heading towards the mountains then turning south, hugging the Atlas through a stark landscape dotted with fertile oases and dramatic volcanic and limestone peaks. Turning off the main road to the impressive Todra Gorge we embark on an optional (1-2hr) walk through the gorge, exquisitely river-carved over millennium. After lunch in Tineghir, we continue (2h) to Ouarzazate.Overnight Club Hanane Hotel or similar [BLD]

DAY 8 :  Ouarzazate: Salt River Hike to Ait Ben Haddou
After breakfast we drive for half an hour to the Salt River, a dry river bed region of dramatic beauty, where we stop at a Berber village and begin our hike. The village elevation is about 600m (1000 f), and our hike traverses a gradual ascent to 1300 feet where we reach a natural plateau in the high Atlas Mountains from which there are wonderful views of the Anti Atlas Mountains which lie across the Sous Valley to the south. The scenery through which we pass is beautiful, arid, treeless and volcanic. Reaching an oasis of palm, almond and alfalfa trees, we may stop for tea in a Berber house. We continue for another two hours to the Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou, where we will have our lunch in a beautiful restaurant next to the Kasbah. (4 hours walking plus stop for tea). We then visit Ait Ben Haddou before returning to the hotel. Overnight is at Berber Palace Hotel or similar. [BLD]

DAY 9 :  Imlil: Tizi-N-Tichka Pass, Ourika Valley
Leaving the stark desert landscape of southern Morocco, we drive north from Ouarzazate into the High Atlas Mountains (4hrs), and grind up a looping road over the Tiz-n-Tickka Pass (7,417 ft) the highest pass in Morocco. This route offers spectacular views. We turn from the main road at Ait Ourir and pause for "ateh" (mint tea) in the Ouirka Valley and take a short hike in the cooler mountain air. Isolated villages and stepped cultivation cling to hillsides along the river. Continuing to Imlil, we leave our vehicle, transfer our bags to pack-donkeys, and walk to our douar, a typical traditional stone and rammed-earth Berber dwelling, our home for the next two nights. Committed to sustainable tourism, our douar owner helps provide work for the men of the village and gives an opportunity for the Berber women to hone their artisan skills and sell traditional crafts to tourist. Our douar is the perfect base from which to explore the Toubkal Massif. Overnight at Kasbah Samra (or similar) [BLD]

Imlil is set in a baurtiful valley that leads right to Jebel Toubkal, Morocco's highest mountain

DAY 10 :  Imlil full day Hiking to Imoughiald in Mount Toubkal
The fresh mountain air is exhilarating. Surrounded by snow-capped mountains and marvelous views, there is a myriad of hiking opportunities from which to choose in this truly dramatic setting. Our local hiking guides lead a variety of excursions based on interests and abilities; everything from half-day hikes along sandstone ridges to pastel and ochre colored villages that appear organic to the lush-green terraced valleys to full-day treks in the nearby mountain peaks. There are more than forty spectacular mountain peaks surrounding our kasbah with altitudes of at least 11,500 ft. including Mount Toubkal, the highest peak in North Africa. Overnight at Kasbah Samra (or similar) [BLD]

DAY 11: From Imlil to Marrakech
Enjoy a free morning over a relaxed breakfast to savior the kasbah and its surroundings, or head out on a brisk morning hike. After lunch it's off to vibrant Marrakech (1hr) where we have time to explore the narrow streets. As dusk begins to fall, the focus is the Djemna el-Fna, the huge square in the Marrakech medina and backdrop for an eclectic array of jugglers, storytellers, snake charmers, musicians and soothsayers. Mouth-watering aromas waft through the medina from the many rows of open-air food stalls. Perhaps we will retreat to a neighboring rooftop restaurant for a drink and the view. Overnight at Riad Daria or Riad Samsara (or similar) [BLD]

DAY 12:  Marrakech full Day City Tour
Prepare for a full day delving into this distinctly Magrebi city's history. Marrakech has for centuries been Morocco's southern capital, competing with Fez not just metaphorically but militarily and religiously too, during the cyclical evangelical revivals. Moroccan history is a repeating pattern; periods of liberalism followed by corruption and immorality, followed by religious revival and war and destruction. When religion and war exhaust the inhabitants, tolerance and liberalism at last return, and the pattern starts all over again. Marrakech and Fez have been the most common combatants in this repeating cycle of history. Posterity has lost many architectural masterpieces through such conflicts. Of those that remain, we tour the Palais de la Bahaia which housed Bou Ahmed's four wives, 24 concubines and numerous children, and visit the Saadian Tombs, the royal burial ground of the Saadian dynasty. If time and interest allow, we view the extensive Berber collection of clothing, jewelry, textiles, doors, baskets and carpets at the Maison Tiskiwin and take a break to walk through Jardin Majorelle with its extensive international collection of plants. Return to the medina for any last minute shopping before reflecting on your Moroccan adventure at a farewell dinner. Overnight at Riad Daria or Riad Samsara (or similar) [BLD]

DAY 13:  Departure or begin a Trip Extension from Marrakech
Today we transfer to the airport for our international departure out of Marrakesh with connecting flight through Casablanca. Or extend your Morocco vacation with a few days along the west coast where options are open for you to choose between Essaouira, Agadir, Taghazout, Sidi Kouki, or the resrto of Mazagan El Jadida. 

Tour in Morocco Includes:

• 10 Nights accommodation in 4 or 5 star hotels
• Breakfast and dinner daily
• Land transportation in an air-conditioned, chauffeured vehicle
• Services of English-speaking guides and tour leader
• Entrance fees to monuments and museums
• Hotel tax and service charges

Hotels used, Luxury Tour (5 Stars):

• Rabat: Tour Hassan Hotel, 1 night
• Fez: Palais Jamaii Hotel, 2 nights
• Atlas Mountains: Berber Homestay, 1 night
• Erfoud: Kasbah Tombouktou, 2 nights
• Ouarzazate: Berber Palace Hotel, 1 night
• Imlil:  Kasbah Samra, 1 night
• Marrakesh: Pikalbotros, 3 nights

Cost per person, based on double occupancy: $2,885.00

Hotels used, Budget Tour (4 stars):

• Rabat: Cellah Hotel, 1 night
• Fez: Hotel Tghat, 2 nights
• Atlas Mountains: Berber Homestay, 1 night
• Erfoud: Kasbah Tombouktou, 2 nights
• Ouarzazate: Tichka Salam Hotel, 1 night
• Imlil:  Kasbah Samra, 1 night
• Marrakesh: El Andalous Hotel, 3 nights

Cost per person, based on double occupancy: $2,285.00

Maximum 12 participants