Booking Deadline - 13 December 2008
Reserve a Space on this Tour

2 Spaces Left

$3682
(non-member: $3782)
Single Room–add $897

Activity Level:
  75% Easy;
   15% Moderate
   10% Strenuous
 

TOUR INCLUDES:

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Air Information
Travelers will make their own air reservations and are requested to arrive and depart as follows:

Arrival Airport:
Casablanca, Morocco (CMN)

Arrive:
Friday, 13 March no later than 11:00am.

Departure Airport:
Marrakech, Morocco (RAK)

Depart:
Depart at your convenience.

Early Arrival:
To avoid jet lag and possible flight delays, consider arriving a day early. The room cost will be:
  $165pp dbl / $330 sgl
   (price subject to change)

- A valid passport is required for this trip.  Passports must be valid for at least 6 months after the last date of travel.

- A Visa is not required for North Americans or Europeans

- This is an active journey that includes walking in ancient cities with uneven pavements or stones.

. Air from your home to Casablanca and return home from Marrakech.

Friday, 13 March 2009:  Arrive Casablanca; City Tour; Welcome Dinner

Arrival at Mohamed V airport in Casablanca no later than 11:00am. We will take an afternoon tour of Casablanca that introduces us to this sprawling cosmopolitan city, Morocco’s commercial and financial center. Highlights will include the medina (old quarters), the residential suburbs, the Hassan II mosque, Place Mohamed V and the Gates of Royal Palace of King Mohamed VI. Relax afterwards or go exploring. We will have dinner together at the hotel. Overnight Idou Anfa or similar (D)

Saturday, 14 March:  Rabat

After breakfast, we will depart for Rabat , capital of Morocco. Here we will  explore the ancient ruins of Chellah, the picturesque Kasbah des Oudaias overlooking the Atlantic ocean, the Hassan Tower and the Mausoleum of Mohamed V. It was Mohamed V who achieved independence for Morocco in 1956. Overnight Mecure Rabat or similar (B,D)

Sunday, 15 March:  Fez Via Meknes & Volubilis

Today we will set out for Meknes via the cork-forest road to visit the massive ramparts and King Moulay Ismael mosque and stables built to accommodate 12,000 horses.   Continue east towards Volubilis and visit the splendid Roman ruins and the nearby town of Moulay Idriss: the holiest Muslim site in Morocco.  We will end our day in Fes. Overnight Hotel Royal Mirage or similar (B,D)

Monday, 16 March: Fez

Our day beings with sightseeing of the oldest city of Fez which goes six centuries back into history to visit the medina of Fez El Bali, Dar Batha Museum - Explore Fes J'did and the mellah (Jewish district).

In the afternoon we will visit Fez Jdid, the newest part of the city and its chic cafe–lined avenues that provide a jarring contrast to the modern side to the ancient city. (B)        

Tuesday, 17 March: Erfoud 

We will depart for Erfoud via the Mountains of the middle Atlas passing by Ifrane and Azrou, an important handicraft center.  We will continue to Midelt then on to the high Atlas Mountains via the Ziz Gorges and via Errachidia.  Erfoud is  one of the largest oases in all of Morocco and is famous for its almost one million date palm trees. Overnight Xaluca Maadid or similar  (B,D)

Wednesday, 18 March: Tineghir, Dades Valley &Todra Gorges, Ouarzazate

Today is an early wake-up. We will board a 4x4 to be driven to the dunes to watch the sunrise over the Sahara Desert.  Return to our hotel for breakfast. We will then go through the scenic Todra Gorges and the Dades Valley, wonderfully sculpted by Mother Nature. Hugging the lush riverbed are many of Morocco’s most scenic kasbahs and ksours.  We continue down the route of kasbahs past acres of roses, and stop for a walk at a date oasis, one of the largest, most decorated kasbahs in Morocco. The day concludes at Ouarzazate at the foot of the Atlas Mountains, film capital of Morocco, with everything from Lawrence of Arabia to Star Wars being filmed here. Overnight Mercure Ouarzazate or similar (B,D)

Thursday, 19 March: Ouarzazate, Marrakech 

After breakfast, we will leave for Marrakech. Visit on route the Kasbah Taourirt, a UNESCO-restored kasbah at Ait Ben Haddou, a berber village which conserves the most impressive ksar of Morocco, where no change has occurred since the middle ages.

In the afternoon, we will explore exotic Marrakech museums: Dar Si Said Museum, Maison Tiskiwin and Souks and Djemaa El fna square. Overnight Atlas Asni or similar (B,D)

Friday, 20 March: Marrakech

Enjoy a day at leisure for shopping, sightseeing or relaxing by the pool. We will gather tonight for dinner and share our favorite memories from our trip. (B,D)

Saturday, 21 March: Return Home from Marrakech

Make your return flight home from Marrakech at your convenience. Airport transfers provided. (B)

Reserve a Space on this Tour