HIGHLIGHTS OF MOROCCO

HIGHLIGHTS OF MOROCCO
HIGHLIGHTS OF MOROCCO
HIGHLIGHTS OF MOROCCO
HIGHLIGHTS OF MOROCCO
HIGHLIGHTS OF MOROCCO
HIGHLIGHTS OF MOROCCO
HIGHLIGHTS OF MOROCCO
HIGHLIGHTS OF MOROCCO
HIGHLIGHTS OF MOROCCO
HIGHLIGHTS OF MOROCCO

HIGHLIGHTS OF MOROCCO

OVERVIEW OF THE TREK
  • Destination : highlights of morocco
  • Grade :
  • Trip Days : 15
  • Trip Type : Tours visits of Monements
  • Tour Hours : 5 to 7 Hours
  • Altitude : 1000m
PRICES
  • 1 Person : On request
  • 2 – 4 People : 1980 euros each person
  • 5 – 10 People : 1865 euros each person

Visit the 4 majestic Imperial Cities in 2 weeks, including an amazing night in a Berber camp in the Desert. Highlights range from the dye pits and tanneries of Fes, the UNESCO listed Roman ruins of Volubilis with it’s beautiful mosaics to the stunning Todra Gorge and the UNESCO World Heritage Kasbah of Ait Ben haddou. This trip provides a great overview of Morocco. This trip is run in conjunction with a local operator. This is a slightly a longer of our 16 -day Morocco Highlights trip, which starts and finishes in Marrakech. Our Majestic Trip start from casa Blanca one of the biggest town in Morocco (Rabat, Meknes, Volubilis , Fes , Middle Atlas , Sahara , ait ben haddou , Essaouira and Marrakech )

DETAILS ITINERARY

DAY1 : fly to casablanca
Once you will arrive at the airport meet with your local team , Local English speaking Guide and Driver .Transfer to your Hotel located on the cost of Casablanca .in the evening meeting for briefing and diner at the hotel .Riad Salam .HB

DAY2 : Casablanca Rabat / Meknes
After breakfast in the hotel we pick up the group to start our visit

Visit Hassan II Mosque; to Rabat; to Meknes.

A modern and commercial seaport, Casablanca is a complete contrast to the Morocco we are soon to explore. This morning we visit the Hassan II Mosque, one of the largest mosques in the world and synagogues in Casablanca we continue to Rabat. We then lunch in Rabat, the political capital of Morocco, but second to Casablanca in importance. Although mostly modern, Rabat has an excellent old quarter that we take time to explore before striking out over the northern plain to Meknes. We begin to see the scenery change as the landscape becomes more cultivated, Meknes being one of the most fertile areas of Morocco.

We can visit in Casablanca (Hassan second mosque , synagogues )

We can visit in Rabat (Hassan tour, mousoly of Mohamed fifth and Hassan second, Kasbah l oudaya , and chella it’s the roman ruins )

Night in Mekens in hotel “ zaki “ or other hotel halifa ‘’HB

DAY3 : Mekens / volibulis / moulay idriss / Fes
Explore the Roman site of Volubilis and Meknes; to Fez.

Sultan Moulay Ismail’s old capital of Meknes is our first example of one of the Imperial Cities. The morning We start to wander the narrow streets and explore the souk (market) and perhaps have our first taste of bartering for souvenirs what is possible we can visit on meknes its Mousoly of moulay ismail , herri souni , synagogues , baba mansour , sqaur of elhadim , after we go to mouly idriss the holy town in morocco for lunch in the restaurant . In the afternoon we take a short drive to the largest and greatest kept Roman ruins in Morocco’s Volubilis. After exploring this site we continue our journey to Fez, where we spend two nights Hotel Palais Fes Medina or Pickalbatros Royal Mirage Fes Hotel.Hb

DAY4 : FES
visit one of the oldest town in morocco Fes Guided tour of Fez.we be start after breakfast

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

DAY5 : Fes / ifrane /azrou / Midelet
After breakfast we go to our destination in Midelet

The first permanent settlement of the area dates to the 16th century, when a sharîf by the name of Sîdî ‘Abd al-Salâm established his community in the tizguie Valley, seven km downstream from the present town. In Tamazight, the regional Berber language, yfran means “caves”. Sîdî ‘Abd al-Salâm’s village, called Zaouiat Sidi Abdeslam (or simply the zâwiyah), consisted at first of cave dwellings hollowed out of the limestone valley wall. Only in the last fifty years or so have its inhabitants build houses above ground. The caves which now lie under these houses are still used as mangers for animals and for storage.

The macaque silvanus (Barbary Ape, though it’s a monkey not an ape) inhabits the cedar forests of Morocco. Cedar trees typically only grow at over 1600-1700m, so you find the Cedars and their monkeys in the Middle Atlas, Rif and High Atlas. Azrou is a good place to view the macaques, with three spots that are normally more or less guaranteed to provide a sighting lunch at the hotel tadaret where we can have night too afternoon its relax day

DAY6 : Midelt / errachidia / ziz valley / arfoud / Rissani
After breakfast we take our road down through the picturesque Ziz Valley to Rissani – it looks like a forgotten city at the edge of the unforgiving desert, almost as if it is stuck in an era of powerful dynasties, conquering rulers and warlords. This picturesque city has gained popularity, not only as the Tafilalet capital, but as a destination where visitors can still experience the true mystique of Morocco in rissani had one of tomb of one of the important jiwesh tomb of abou houzyra .After discover this tomb we go by 4×4 to make tour for all the dunes of merzouga . (flat stony desert) gradually approaching the spectacular site of the golden sand dunes of Erg Chebbi. 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 2-hour camel trek through the dunes to an oasis, where we spend the night in a simple Bedouin camp night in tentes HB

DAY7 : merzouga
Back in the morning by camel raiding to hostel for relaxing time and visit in the afternoon the village of khamilia famous by music after discover life of peoples living in Sahara we back to our hostel for our over night

DAY8 : Merzouga / Rissani / arfoud /Tinejedad / tinghir
To Todra Gorge.

After sunrise, we leave our desert and travel before heading west towards the little town of Tinerhir for the night. Our hotel is in thinghir “ SAghro for 2 nights HB)

DAY9 : Walk in Todra gorges
Optional morning walk; palmery tour around gorge

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. And we visit one of the ruins of Jewish peoples where they were living before and afternoon back to our hotel after one of the nice day walking in the gorges

DAY10 : Tinghir / dades / kelaa M gouna / ourzazat / Ait ben haddou
Journey to the famous Kasbah of Ait Benhaddou.

Leaving Tinghir , 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 we visit the one of the best Kasbah in morocco

Our Night in “ Riad Maktoub “HB

DAY11 : Ait ben Haddou / Taznaghet / Taliouine / Taroudant
After Breakfast we take our transport to go to l anti atlas first town its taznaghet after 2 hours drive from ait ben haddou then other 1h30 to taliouine

Taliouine is famous with a spice called Saffron and it is one of the main exporters of this flower worldwide. The town celebrates Saffron international festival every year in Winter (usually November. After we countinue to taroudant it’s the preal of souss valley The ancient Souss capital resembles its bigger sister because of its beautiful ramparts and its lively and superbly stocked souks Just like Marrakech, Taroudant has imposing adobe ramparts, adorned with square towers. A 7km horse-drawn carriage tour around it reveals its five gates, Bab El-Kasba being the main one and the most majestic. The excellent condition of the crenellated fortifications demands respect. Large fruit orchards surround the city. Its medina and its souks are very lively. The profusion of decorative items, jewelry and other antiques is astonishing. We vsit the town and also mullah and its possible the tourch

Night in hotel “ zitoun or riad taflagt “ HB

DAY12 : Taroudant / agadir /Essaouira
After Breakast we take North to agadir its in 1h30 minutes drive from taroudant to capitals of berbers and also agadir its modern city of morocco we stop for café drinks at the beach of agadir and we continue to essaouira via the cost and we cross the haha tribue

2 Nights in Essaouira one of the relax town in Morocco and Call the windy town of Africa

Hotel in essaouira “ Miramar “ HB

DAY13 : City tour
The land where Essaouira now stands has been a valuable trade center for nearly three thousand years. The Phoenicians first established a settlement here in the seventh century BC, naming it Migdol. The settlement quickly grew as many flocked to the city to take part in the production of a purple dye made from a local mollusk, the murex. This dye was extremely valuable, as it would be used to color the robes of high-ranking government officials and the wealthy of Phoenician and Roman society for centuries.

In the late 15th century, the Portuguese, envious of the city’s trade and strategic position, captured the city and renamed it Mogador. In 1506, Manuel I, the king of Portugal, ordered that a fortress be built in Mogador. This fortress was named “Castelo Real de Mogador.” By 1541, the Portuguese had lost control of the area to the native Saadians. Throughout most of the 16th century, Mogador remained an important trade centre through its exportation of sugar and molasses.

By the mid 1700s, Mogador’s significance as a trade port had diminished significantly. In an effort to revive this rich trade heritage, Sultan Sidi Mohammed ben Abdallah employed the services of French architect Théodore Cornut in 1765 to construct a city that would once again return the area to a place of prominence in international trade. The Sultan found the merging of the local Moroccan architecture with the Frenchman’s work to be very pleasing. As a result, the Sultan renamed the city Essaouira, which means “well designed.” Essaouira soon became an important part of the trade route that connected Timbuktu to Europe. Fine goods such as ivory, spices, salt, ostrich feathers, and gold were all shipped through this North African port.

In 1912, the French changed the city’s name back to Mogador, which remained the city’s name until Morocco declared its independence in 1956. It was only then that the city was once again named Essaouira.

The early 1950’s saw Orson Welles use Essaouira for his film rendition of Shakespeare’s classic work, Othello. Many movie critics consider the film to be Welles’ finest cinematic work. At the time of Welles death, it was the only movie that he had worked on that he owned.

The 1960’s and 70’s saw Essaouira become a source of musical inspiration for famous musicians, such as Jimi Hendrix and Cat Stevens, as well as a haven for hippies. More recently, Essaouira has gained the reputation as being one of the best places to surf in northern Africa as surfers, wind surfers, and kite surfers have all found Essaouira’s long, sandy beach to be a perfect place to catch great waves.

DAY14 : Essaouira /Marrakech
To Marrakech, the ‘Pink City; guided tour.

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 Koutoubia Mosque. 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. 2 Nights in hotel Golden tulipe Rawabi or others hotel

DAY15 : Marrakech excursion to high atlas
Departure by Transport from Marrakech around 9 in the morning for 2hour drive south up the Moulay Brahim Gorges, Asni weekly market every saturday then to Imlil (1740m), set in the upper level foothills of the Western High Atlas mountains, a main trailhead with streams and paths branching out in all directions. Here we shall leave our vehicle to take a welcome glass of mint tea in the village and meet your local guide prior to setting out for some 4km excursion. towards the south to the Berber village of Aroumd (Aremd) (1843m), passing the hamlets of ait souka, Targa, and Imoula, up and down the stark slopes, the jagged Western High Atlas peaks of the Toubkal Massif before us – Jbels Aguelzim (3547m), Aksouâl (3847m) and the Adrar Adj (3122m) watching us all the way. We shall stop at Aroumd to visit this rather singular village in the Assif Aït Mizane Valley, built seemingly house upon house on a large moraine spur, overlooking ancient irrigated terraced fields of barley, corn and vegetables and always surrounded by almond and walnut trees. We thence carry on for another Half an Hour to get to our lunch wish will be served among a berber familly in the village of Tamatert prior to setting off back down the other side of the valley back to Imlil and our return trip to Marrakech

DAY16 : Transfert
Transfer from your hôtel or your riad to aireport in Marrakech its end of my service

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    WHAT’S INCLUDED

    • All food on trek, including plates, cups, utensils.
    • All ground transport required to and from the trek.
    • Services of an English speaking, qualified Local Guide.
    • All Accommodation during the Trek (Campsites & Guest House and hotels)
    • Portages (Cook and Camels and Porters
    • Hôtels or riads with breakfast

    NOT INCLUDED

    • Soft Drinks (Fanta,Coca,water,…)
    • Personal travel insurance .
    • Personal equipments (Sleeping bags,walking shoes ,…)
    • Tip for the guide and cook and driver and Muleteers

    EXTRA NOTES

    Prices quoted are per person, based on sharing a twin room/2 person tent (unless otherwise stated). Additional hotel or riad nights after trek from 25 EUR p.p. twin/35 EUR single

    Trek prices may vary depending of the season (High altitude Treks).

    Note about payment : Payment : can be done in € / $ / £ or MAD

    ZAGOURA AND DRAA VALLEY 2 DAYSOUZOUD WATERFALLS DAY TRIP FROM MARRAKECH