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ITINERARY
Tour Pace
This tour has a comfortable balanced pace with two night stays in Fez, Marrakesh, Erfoud and just the one night stop in the most Southern Saharan town of Ouarzazate. Travelling days are comfortable with frequent stops en route for rest and photos.
DAY 1 – FRI – ARRIVE CASABLANCA
Welcome to Morocco! A complimentary transfer shuttle service from Casablanca Airport to the tour hotel operates every two hours from 6.00am. Tonight, join your Tour Director for a Welcome Drink. Hotel: Sheraton. (Three or four course table d'hote or buffet style dinner)
DAY 2 – SAT – CASABLANCA – FEZ
This morning we depart for the capital of Rabat where we see the mausoleum of King Mohammed V and Royal Palace. Now on to one of the kingdom's imperial cities, Meknes, dating back to the 11th century, its surroundings have remained unchanged for centuries. We make a rare visit inside the Mosque and see Bab el-Mansour gateway before continuing to Fez. Hotel: Crown Palace. (Buffet breakfast, Three or four course table d'hote or buffet style dinner)
DAY 3 – SUN – FEZ
An intriguing day! We visit the medina of Fez and walk down its old streets, filled with exotic scents. We see one of the oldest universities in the world and there is also time to haggle in the Bazaar. Moroccan oriental rugs are an attraction for bargain hunters, and so we also witness this most important handicraft of Fez. Tonight we enjoy a superb Moroccan Dinner and a Folklore Show with drums and belly dancing! (Buffet breakfast, Speciality Highlight Dinner)
DAY 4 – MON – FEZ – ERFOUD
We leave the bustle of the city behind, and head for the spectacular snow capped High Atlas Mountains. We pass through Ifrane before reaching the great cedar forests of Azrou. Now it's up through the magnificent Ziz Gorges, past palm fringed towns to Er Rachidia, built by the French at an important crossroads. Our destination tonight is Erfoud, on the edge of the Sahara Desert. Hotel: Belere. (Buffet breakfast, Lunch, Three or four course table d'hote or buffet style dinner)
DAY 5 TUE – RISANI EXCURSION
This morning we take an included excursion to the ancient desert city of Risani, founded earlier than the city of Erfoud. Risani was where the desert caravans used to stop to take on supplies, and we visit the colourful Kasbah Abdul Halim. Later we make a photo stop at the Mausoleum of Alaowi, founder of the present dynasty, before returning to the hotel for time at leisure. (Buffet breakfast, Three or four course table d'hote or buffet style dinner)
DAY 6 – WED – ERFOUD – OUARZAZATE
We venture towards the oasis of Tinehir today, noted for its silver and jewellery workshops. From here we take a slight detour to explore part of the Todra Gorge - the Grand Canyon of the Sahara! At Boumalne-du-Dades we encounter the dry rugged Dades Valley dotted with oases of figs, olives, date palms and castellated mud houses hugging the mountain slopes. Our route concludes at Ouarzazate, film capital of Morocco, with everything from "Lawrence of Arabia" to "Star Wars" being filmed there. Hotel: Le Berbere Palace. (Buffet breakfast, Lunch, Three or four course table d'hote or buffet style dinner)
DAY 7 – THU – OUARZAZATE – MARRAKESH
Heading north we stop at the village of Aït Benhaddou, boasting one of Morocco's finest kasbahs. We continue via the spectacular Tizi n'Tichka Pass, before descending past charming mountain villages such as Taddert.We continue on through green rural countryside to the ochre coloured city of Marrakesh. Hotel: Kempinsky Mansour. (Buffet breakfast, Three or four course table d'hote or buffet style dinner)
DAY 8 – FRI – MARRAKESH
Sightseeing today includes an exploration of the fascinating Medina (old town), the Koutoubia Mosque, and a visit to the secluded tombs of the Saadi dynasty hidden behind high walls. After some time to watch the dancers, storytellers and acrobats at the bustling Djemaa El Fna Square, we visit a Moroccan family home in the Ourika valley to witness a mint tea preparation ceremony. (Buffet breakfast)
DAY 9 – SAT – MARRAKESH – CASABLANCA
Heading towards the Atlantic coast we say goodbye to the snake charmers of Marrakesh and drive to Safi, well known for it's decorative Moroccan pottery. We follow the coastline to El-Jadida, founded by the Portuguese in 1513 and their architecture still remains. Back in Casablanca we are at leisure to enjoy this vibrant modern city at our own pace. Hotel: Sheraton. (Buffet breakfast, Three or four course table d'hote or buffet style dinner)
DAY 10 – SUN – CASABLANCA
Our tour ends today with complimentary transfers to the airport at 07.00, 10.00 and 12.00 hours. (Buffet breakfast)
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