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EXOTIC MOROCCO – 15 DAYS April 20 – May 4, 2020

Day 1, April 20, 2020: Arrive Tangier

Welcome to Morocco! Arrival at the airport or port in Tangier where you will meet your driver and transfer to hotel.

• Hotel Kenzi Solazur - https://www.kenzi-hotels.com/kenzisolazur/default-en.html

Day 2, April 21, 2020: Tangier - Chefchaouen

After breakfast, take a brief city tour. Visit the famous Moroccan Kasbah and the medina. Wander through the narrow streets lined with colorful doors, ancient and modern. Pass the Grand Socco and the Petit Socco with its multitude of boutique hotels and riads. Visit the Mendoubia Gardens, the Jewish Quarter and the Berber market and souks. Next, visit the cave of Hercules and Cape Spartel. Then, we

depart from Tangier to the white town of Tetouan. Stop for lunch before heading towards the enchanting blue town of Chefchaouen, passing through the green valleys of the Rif Mountains. Chefchaouen is famous for its vivid blue houses and winding streets. Check in at the hotel. (B, L)

• Dar Echchaouen - http://www.darechchaouen.com/eng/

Day 3, April 22, 2020: Explore the Blue Chefchaouen

After breakfast, discover the blue washed narrow alleys of the friendly medina. Visit the walled fortress of the Kasbah with beautiful gardens, near the small museum and art gallery which houses the rich culture of the Rif Mountains. From the rooftop of the Kasbah view a spectacular panorama of the blue and white washed houses, tiled roofs and tiny balconies. After exploring the medina, walk in the nearby hillside to the wonderful little Ras El Maa waterfall before heading to the Spanish mosque, overlooking the blue medina. Visit a local Berber family to enjoy a glass of Moroccan tea with mint.

The town offers many native handicrafts that are not available elsewhere in Morocco, such as wool garments and woven blankets. The goat cheese native to the area is also popular. Overnight with breakfast at the Riad. (B)

• Dar Echchaouen - http://www.darechchaouen.com/eng/

Day 4, April 23, 2020: Chefchaouen - Volubilis - Meknes - Fez

Breakfast at the hotel. Today, drive from Chefchaouen to the impressive Roman ruins of Volubilis, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the best preserved Roman ruins in this part of Northern Africa. Your local guide will unveil the history of the town as you peer into old bathhouses, marveling at the still-present mosaic floors and gaze up at the towering marble pillars. Then visit the shrine of Moulay Driss. Drive towards the Imperial city of Meknes to see the impressive 18th century Bab Mansour, the ornamental gate to the imperial city built by Sultan Moulay Ismail. Continue to the small but impressive Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail. Visit the charming Bab Mansour and the massive Sultanic Granary. This was the personal stable & granary for Moulay Ismail’s 12,000 horses. After lunch, drive to Fez. (B)

• Riad Bensouda - https://marrakech-riads.com/hostel_room/dar-bensouda/

Day 5, April 24, 2020: Fez Sightseeing Tour

After breakfast, meet your private tour guide for a guided city tour to explore the first Imperial city of Morocco, Fes. This UNESCO World Heritage Site was founded in the 9th century, and is home to the world's oldest university. Stop is at Fundok Ennajjarine, the oldest hostel in the city. Explore a Medrassa (Koranic school), the Nejjarine fountain and the Karaouine Mosque University. Visit the Jewish quarter and its main Synagogue. Stop at the entrance of the largest royal palace in Morocco. Afterwards, we will drive for a wonderful panoramic view of the whole medina from the southern tower of Fes. Visit a pottery co-operative where tiles and Moroccan mosaic are made. Enjoy a Moroccan lunch at a traditional restaurant in the Medina (on your own). Continue to explore the medina and its narrow alleys housing hundreds of merchants and craftsmen selling a range of products such as dates, fish, spices, copper urns and musical instruments. (B) • Riad Bensouda - https://marrakech-riads.com/hostel_room/dar-bensouda/

Day 6, April 25, 2020: Fez - Ifrane – Cedar Forest - Midelt

After a leisurely breakfast, drive towards Midelt. First stop in the green town of Ifrane to visit the stone lion that sits on a patch of grass. It was carved by a German soldier during WWII. Continue towards the middle Atlas Mountains for a stop in the Cedar Forest – the largest in Morocco. Here you may have a chance to see the Barbary Macaque Monkeys. Continue the drive towards the city of Midelt with a stop to visit an apple farm. After lunch (on your own), transfer to the hotel to relax for the evening. Dinner at the hotel included. (B, D)

• Kasbah Asmaa

Day 7, April 26, 2020: Midelt - Ziz Valley - Erfoud - Merzouga Desert

After breakfast, drive towards Merzouga via the Anti-Atlas and through the dramatic Ziz valley which is well-known for its palm trees and volcanic rocks. All along the road there are innumerable ksars, small villages of individual houses. Stop in the city of Errachidia for lunch and a quick city tour. Then stop at Erfoud, famous for its date festival and fossils. Continue to the village of Merzouga where you will spend the night with dinner in Kasbah Hotel overlooking the dunes of Erg Chebbi. (B,D)

• Hotel Kasbah Tomboucto -https://www.xaluca.com/en/hotel/kasbah-hotel-tombouctou

Day 8, April 27, 2020: Explore the Sahara Desert

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast. At 10 am start an adventurous 4WD drive to enjoy the golden dunes of the Sahara desert. Drive through the stony and sandy desert with an interesting stop to explore the nomad life in a Berber family tent. Pass a black stone mine enroute to the village of Khamliya. Witness the delightful sounds of the African music of Gnawa, played by the members of the community. Later meet your local expert birdwatching guide and visit the lake of Merzouga where lots of migrant birds come depending on the season. Back to the camp where you can choose from several activities including: Quad bike – ATV - Sand board - Sand dunes smooth walk and trek with an extra fee. Evening, Camel trek for an hour to watch the sunset over the Golden dunes of Erg Chebbi. Arrive at the camp for overnight and dinner at the luxury camp. Enjoy the bonfire and the Tuareg music show. (B,D)

• Merzouga Desert Deluxe Camp

Day 9, April 28, 2020: Merzouga - Todra Gorges - Rose valley – Skoura

Watch a picturesque sunrise before breakfast. Ride the camel back to Merzouga.. Leave Merzouga and drive through various small villages to the famous road of the thousand Kasbahs visiting the old city of Rissani, historically known as Sijilmassa and some other authentic towns. Discover the local Berber traditions along the way. Stop at the marvelous canyon of Todra Gorges known for its impressive bare escarpments. Free time to walk around the Gorge and have lunch. Continue the journey to Skoura via Kellat M’gouna and Dades valley arriving at the palm grove of Skoura where you will spend the night in a Hotel Kasbah. (B,D)

• Hotel L’ma Lodge - https://www.lmalodge.com/en/

Day 10, April 29, 2020: Explore Skoura

Today, explore the date palm groves of Skoura and its villages. Visit the Kasbah of Ameridil to learn about the history of the migrant Yemeni family who founded the Kasbah in the 17th century. Then visit the picturesque Dades Canyon. Back to the hotel for dinner and overnight. (B, D)

• Hotel L’ma Lodge - https://www.lmalodge.com/en/

Day 11, April 30, 2020 Skoura – Ait ben hadou - Atlas Mountains - Marrakech

After breakfast, depart for Ouarzazate. Drive towards the Oasis of Fint that hovers under the Atlas mountains, passing the Plateau de Peirres. Take a walk inside the Oasis and tour the surrounding area. Continue to Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah, a UNESCO heritage site and, the most spectacular fortress village in the south of Morocco. This iconic landscape was immortalized in such films as, Lawrence of Arabia, The Man Who Would Be King, Jesus of Nazareth, The Jewel of the Nile, The Living Daylights, The Sheltering Sky, The Mummy, Gladiator, and Alexander the Great. After that, we will begin to cross the high Atlas Mountains with many panoramic views and attractive Berber villages to reach Marrakech. (B)

• Riad Dar Sara - https://marrakech-riads.com/hostel_room/dar-sara/

Day 12, May 01, 2020: Marrakech Sightseeing Tour

Explore magnificent Marrakech with an English speaking tour guide. The tour starts at the Majorelle Garden to discover the Berber museum. Next, visit the El Bahia Palace, a 19th century palace, elaborate in its decoration, built over a period of seven years for Ba Ahmed, the son of the Grand Vizier Si Moussa. Visit the 12th century Koutoubia Mosque. This mosque's beautiful minaret dominates the skyline of Marrakech and can be seen from almost every approach to the city thanks to a long-standing planning ordinance that forbids any other building in the old city to rise above the height of a palm tree. (Internal visit is not possible as non-Muslims are not allowed to enter the mosque). Walk through the alleys of the old walled medina and exotic bazaars. Later, visit the bustling Jemaa el-Fnaa to observe the people of Marrakech and explore the magical circus that fortune tellers, henna artists, fire eaters, snake charmers, dancing monkeys, story tellers, medicine men, Gnawas, and acrobats call home. (B)

Riad Dar Sara - https://marrakech-riads.com/hostel_room/dar-sara/

Day 13, May 02, 2020: Marrakech – Essaouira

After breakfast head for Essaouira. En route, you will see many Argan trees, important to the region both economically and ecologically. You may also see local goats perched on the trees feeding on the fruit and leaves. Stop at the Women's Co-operative of Argan Oil, where you can learn about the wide ranging applications of the oil from cosmetics to medicines. Continue to the coastal city Essaouira. Check in at the Riad. Evening free to walk around and explore. (B)

Riad Dar L’Oussia - https://hotel-darloussia.com/en/

Day 14, May 03, 2020: Essaouira - Marrakech

After breakfast, enjoy the morning in this charming whitewashed town on the Atlantic coast, a popular beach destination. Visit the Skala Fortress, the port, the souks and see Thuya wood carved by artisans, walking through the alleys of the medina and past the hundreds of handicrafts. Enjoy lunch in a Moroccan way, fish bought and ‘cooked to order’. Late afternoon, drive back to Marrakech. Enjoy a traditional dinner and show at Jadmahel. After dinner, transfer to your riad for overnight. (B,D)

• Riad Dar Sara - https://marrakech-riads.com/hostel_room/dar-sara/

Day 15, May 04, 2020: Marrakech Departure

After breakfast, transfer to Marrakech airport for your return flight with plenty of tales of Arabian and Berber days and nights. (B)

Price per person - $3490

* Price based on double room & luxury tents with a minimum of 10 travelers

Single supplement - $4585

Tour Inclusions: * Private air conditioned coach and driver from day 1-15, 4X4 Khamliya excursions on day 8. * Moroccan experienced English speaking tour leader throughout the tour. * English speaking local guides for sightseeing in Tangier, Chefchaouen, Meknes, Volubilis, Fes and Marrakesh. * 14 nights' accommodation in the category of hotels listed above * Daily breakfast. * Dinner as mentioned in the itinerary. * Lunch as mentioned in the itinerary. * Camel treks in Merzouga with the services of a local camel guide. * Entrance fees to monuments & museums. * Hotel Taxes. * Transfers from/to airport Tour Exclusions: * Air fare and travel Insurance. * Meals, other than those listed on the itinerary. * Beverages. * Tips and gratuities. * Optional excursions.