Join FAMTrips.travel and Cherg Expeditions® for a 9-night diverse and exotic itinerary through the Kingdom of Morocco! This tour includes the most sought-after sites and experiences, as well as 4- and 5-star properties throughout the program, including a luxury desert camp experience in the Sahara Desert. Morocco is deeply rooted in history and is an inspiring destination thanks to its diverse geography, intricate history, and diverse and welcoming population. Morocco is situated on the northwest tip of Africa and bordered by the Mediterranean Sea and Europe to the north, the Atlantic Ocean to the west, and the Western Sahara, Mauritania, and Algeria to the south. Well known for its Atlas Mountains, coastal areas, vast Sahara Desert and Draa Valley Oasis (the longest and largest oasis in the world), Morocco is a country in which to discover a multitude of amazing landscapes all in one trip. Join FAMTrips.travel on this newly revised cultural adventure to Morocco!
DAY 1 – Casablanca Arrival – Casablanca
On arrival at the Casablanca Airport, meet your escort for 1 of the 2 group transfers offered through FamTrips from the Casablanca Airport to your hotel in Casablanca. Private transfers can be arranged depending on your arrival time. Relax at your hotel or optional walking tour on your own. Overnight in Casablanca (le Casablanca Hotel or similar). (Welcome Reception & Tapas)
DAY 2 – Casablanca – Fes
After breakfast, depart via the Atlantic coast through Rabat, the administrative capital of Morocco and another important imperial city of Morocco. Rabat is known for sites that illustrate the Islamic and French colonial heritage. Visit the old town of Rabat, called Oudayas and Kasbah Oudaya, located adjacent to the Rabat medina at the mouth of the Bou Regreg River opposite Sale, a royal fort of the Berber era surrounded by formal Andalusian gardens overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Stop for lunch along the way and continue through Khemisset, and on to visit the Roman ruins of Voulibilis, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site and filming location for Scorsese’s The Last Temptation of Christ. Spread out across several acres, the ruins reveal the transformation of the Roman Empire Carthaginian settlement into a typical Roman city devoted to the Roman gods. Continue to your guesthouse in Fes for dinner and the night (Le Grande Alcazar or similar). (B, D)
DAY 3 – Fes Cultural Tour
After breakfast, spend the day in the cultural capital and first imperial city of Morocco. Fes, founded in the 8th century by Moulay Idriss II, is known for the fortified medina of Fez El Bali (Old Fes) and is one of the largest preserved medieval sites in the world, with medieval architecture, lively souks, and an old-fashioned atmosphere. Explore the medina and the religious schools Bou Inania the Medersa Nejjarine, one of the most beautiful Koranic schools in Fes, dating back to the 14th century, decorated with carved cedar panels and delicate mosaics. Stop for lunch in the medina and explore historic mosques, picturesque gates, and cultural presentations in traditional Moroccan ceramic/tile (jelliz), textile items, and the city’s distinctive and colorful leather tanneries. Return to your riad and enjoy dinner in one of the many unique restaurants in Fes on your own, or you may arrange dinner at the Riad for yourself. (Le Grande Alcazar or similar). (B)
DAY 4 – The Middle Atlas Mountains
After breakfast, depart for Midelt situated in the high plains surrounding the Mlouya River, between the Middle and High Atlas Mountain ranges. Enjoy a trip through the Middle Atlas Mountains, the Berber villages of Ifran (the “Switzerland of Morocco”), Immouzar Kandar, and the Berber market town of Azrou. Stop for lunch and cross the cedar forests near Ifran and Imouzar with century-old trees and delight in feeding the Barbary macaques of Gibraltar that thrive in the nearby groves of cedar trees. Stop for lunch along the way and continue to your guesthouse in Midelt and relax before a traditional Moroccan dinner and the night (Ksar Timnay or similar). (B, D)
DAY 5 – Sahara Desert Adventure
Depart after breakfast for Merzouga via the villages of Erfoud, the date capital of Morocco, and Er Rachidia, and through Tizi Ntalghomt and the beautiful Ziz Valley, wedged between prehistoric cliffs dating back to the Jurassic period and scattered with ancient kasbahs and ksars lining the palmeraies, which are plentiful with dates, pomegranates, figs, and quince farmed there. Stop near Er Rachidia, one of Morocco’s most ancient and famous cities, known as the date capital of Morocco, for a couscous presentation through our local lifestyle program, which has been a part of Moroccan tradition for centuries, followed by local music and lunch. Arrive in Merzouga in late afternoon and meet your cameleers who will guide you to your desert camp for a sundowner over the dunes of Erg Chebbi. Enjoy a desert dinner followed by traditional Saharan music around the campfire and night at your luxury desert camp (Orient Desert Camp or similar). (B, L, D)
DY 6 – Dades Gorge
After watching sunrise over the dunes, and a desert breakfast, depart for Dades Gorge via the village of Rissani, crossing the vast palm oasis of Tafilalet with many ksours. Experience landscapes alternating between huge desert plateaus and oases, such as those of Goulmima. Have a cultural geologic presentation on pre-Cambrian life through the fossils of Morocco. Visit the ancient and now-dry khettara (aqueducts) near Er Rachidia, part of the nearly 300 km of subsurface irrigation channels excavated beginning in the 14th century and operational until the 1970’s. Stop for lunch in Tinghir and visit the magnificent Tinejdad palm grove, which stretches 30 miles. Continue to walk in the impressive valley of Todra Gorge and then to your guesthouse arriving in the late afternoon and relax before dinner and the night (Xaluca Dades or similar). (B, D)
DAY 7 – Crossing the High Atlas Mountains
After breakfast, depart early morning for Marrakech and pass through the home of Morocco’s Rose Festival, El Kelâa M’Gouna (commonly referred to as the Valley of Roses). Continue along the road of many kasbahs and on to visit the stunning Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Stop for lunch and continue to Marrakech crossing the High Atlas Mountain pass of Tizi-n-Tichka. Arrive in Marrakech at your guesthouse in the late afternoon before dinner and the night (2Ciels Boutique Hotel or similar). (B, D)
DAY 8 – Behind the Doors Culture tour
After breakfast, visit Jardins Marjorelle, built by the painter Jacques Marjorelle, and the former home of Yves Saint Laurent and its spectacular Berber Museum. Visit Bahia Palace to learn about Moorish architecture. Stop for lunch along the way and set off to explore the local culture via a tour of the daily life of Moroccan people through a “behind the doors” culture tour: a visit to a communal bakery, a walk through a local food market, and a visit to a traditional hammam and fondouk, an historic trading place for merchants from across North Africa. Take in the sites at Jemma el Fna, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which for centuries has been an incredible world of native theater: snakes, musicians, dancers, storytellers, and fortune-tellers. Spend free time in the medina, stop for dinner on your own, and return to your guesthouse and relax with a traditional hammam and spa (2Ciels Boutique Hotel or similar). (B)
DAY 9 – Casablanca
After a traditional breakfast, depart for Casablanca. Explore the most emblematic points of Casablanca: the Hassan II Mosque, the second largest mosque in the world including a minaret 690 feet high and one the few mosques open to non-Muslims. Visit the Boulevard de la Corniche, stop for lunch and take a walking tour of Mohamed V and United Nations Squares and continue to your guesthouse for the night. Optional Farewell Dinner at Rick’s Café on your own (Art Palace Suites & Spa or similar). (B, L)
DAY 10 – Casablanca Departure
After a traditional breakfast, transfer on 1 of the 2 group transfers offered by FamTrips to the Casablanca Airport for your return flight to the U.S. Private transfers can be arranged depending on your departure time. (B)
Tour pricing includes:
- Private transport by climate-controlled tour bus, driver, tolls, and gasoline
- One of 2 airport transfers on arrival and departure days through Fam Trips as noted in the itinerary
- 4-star lodging in riads, guesthouses or desert camps (where available); twin or double occupancy; single occupancy with supplement
- Welcome reception on Day 1
- Couscous presentation and lunch on Day 5
- Meals as noted
- Entry fees to tour attractions
- Camel trek
- Private, experienced, English-speaking tour guide for the duration of the tour
- Baggage portage (1 bag limit)
- Taxes
- 24-hour contact number
Tour pricing does not include:
- Airfare, visa, and other air related fees
- Private airport transfers not provided through Fam Trips
- Beverages (alcoholic and nonalcoholic), except nonalcoholic beverages at Welcome Reception Day 1
- Optional dinner at Rick’s Café on Day 9
- Gratuities for lodging staff, cameleers, drivers, and guides
- Spa and hammam services
- Personal expenses
- Items you choose to purchase along the way
- Travel, medical, and personal insurance
SPECIAL AGENT RATES
Agent price for fam: $2,295
Single Supplement: $800 USD
Non-Industry Guest: Add $300
To BOOK this “In the Kingdom of Morocco” Itinerary,
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