CASABLANCA · CHEFCHAOUEN · FEZ · SAHARA DESERT · OUARZAZATE · MARRAKECH
May 17-28, 2023 (Sold out)
April 16-27, 2024
Itinerary
12 days from $9999
Day One ~ Casablanca
MARHABA!
This is the traditional greeting used in Morocco, which conveys the meaning of a warm hello and welcome.
Today your flight arrives into Casablanca. After clearing customs and immigration procedures, you will be transferred to your hotel.
The name, Casablanca evokes thoughts of good living, romance, and adventure in a tropical setting, an image that the 1943 Humphrey Bogart film conveyed to cinema during World War II. Originally settled by Berbers in the 7th century, Casablanca's fairly recent growth has made it the bustling, French-influenced business center of Morocco it is today.
Tonight meet up with your fellow travelers at Zoom Vacations' special welcome dinner and cocktail party.
Accommodations: Le Casablanca Hotel
Day Two ~ Casablanca to Chefchaouen, the Blue City
Breakfast included at the hotel
After a big breakfast, we visit the magnificent Hassan II Grand Mosque, one of the few mosques that can be visited in Morocco. While grounded only partially on land, almost half of the surface of the mosque lies over the waters of the Atlantic. Designed by French architect Michel Pinseau, it was commissioned by King Hassan II to be the most ambitious structure ever built in Morocco. Its large square minaret thrusting skyward makes it the tallest religious structure in the world.
Late morning, we will be transferred approximately four and a half hours to Chefchaouen, the Blue City.
Chefchaouen has a history of Spanish influence and is located in the heart of the Rif Mountains where surrounding trees, hills, springs, and wildflowers attract tourists looking for a calm getaway. Upon arrival, we will proceed to our Riad, nestled in the heart of the Chefchaouen's blue medina.
The mountains, which one can see at the end of every cobbled street, are rugged and majestic. The clear mountain light just adds a magical touch to the place. The main square in the medina is lined with cafes and filled to the brim with locals and tourists mingling easily. Distance 110km / 2hrs
Chaouen as it is known to local Moroccans is a great place to explore one of the country’s most interesting, yet small medinas. You can take a walk along the main avenue, Hassan II, and enter the Medina through Bab l Ain. In the springtime, in the Nouvelle Ville, you can sit in Mohammed V Park and enjoy the view of the mountains in the background. Chefchaouen is truly a photographer’s paradise. With its charming, winding lanes, arched passageways, and rustic restaurants, Chefchaouen is the perfect place to simply get lost in the magic of the city.
Upon arrival, we will enjoy a delicious lunch at one of the best restaurants in Chefchaouen
Evening at leisure to enjoy the city.
Accommodations: Riad Lina, Chefchaouen
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
Day Three ~ Chefchaouen, the Blue City to Fès
Breakfast at the hotel
Morning at Leisure to enjoy a tour of the Blue City, before heading to Fès.
After about two hours on our way to Fez, we will stop at Volubilis (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), home to the largest and most well-preserved Roman ruins in Morocco. With its triumphal arches, basilicas, and capitols, the Volubilis skyline is peppered with examples of Roman architecture.
However, the greatest treasures of Volubilis are the superb mosaic floors, which have been excellently preserved and left in situ. Three outstanding examples include Orpheus charming animals with his lyre, nine dolphins signifying good luck, and a portrait of Amphitrite in a chariot drawn by a seahorse.
We will then stop off for a late lunch in a magical setting.
After our lunch, we will travel about two hours to the cultural heart of Morocco, magical Fès. Founded in the 8th century, it is home to several famed historical monuments, among them Karaouine, the world's first university. The sprawling medina of this UNESCO Cultural Heritage site will take us a step back in time to the Middle Ages.
Accommodations: Hotel Sahrai, upgraded Superior room
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
Day Four ~ Fez
Breakfast at the hotel
We depart via our private bus to view a panoramic view of Fes.
Visit Fes El Jedid (New Fès), built by the Marinid Dynasty in the 13th century. Here you will see the Royal Palace, mosques, madrasas, souks, and the city wall. Most notably, Fes El Jedid is home to the Mellah, the old Jewish quarter, dating back to the time of the migration of the Jews from Spain in the late 15th century. We will take a walk inside this interesting quarter to see the jewelry market and visit one of the 17th-century synagogues. Our visit will provide an interesting insight into Jewish architecture. The wrought iron-decorated windows and splendidly carved wooden balconies of the old mansions are particularly outstanding.
We will then make a quick visit to a pottery vocational school.
Lunch at Maison Bleue Fes
Afternoon at leisure for additional shopping, a spa treatment, or to enjoy the beautiful pool at our hotel.
Accommodations: Hotel Sahrai Fès, upgraded Superior room
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
Day Five ~ Fès
Breakfast at the hotel
Today you will take a step back in time to the Middle Ages when you will visit Fes El Bali, the largest living medieval medina-city and the cultural heart of Morocco. You will explore some of the 9000 narrow lanes, alleys, and souks that make up the labyrinth of the city's old quarter, originally founded in the 8th century AD by Moulay Idriss I. The Medieval Medina is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Today’s tour will also include a visit to the Nejjarine Square, with its beautiful fountain, made up of mosaics and elaborate tile-work. The nearby Fondouq (Caravanserai) is now converted into a museum of carpentry artifacts.
We continue to visit the colorful leather tannery complex where we will find colorful slippers, a leather bag, or a jacket: all popular items to have in one's wardrobe. But how are they made? For centuries the leather produced in Fes has been highly esteemed and the methods remain the same today as in medieval times. Only natural ingredients are used for the coloration such as indigo, saffron, and poppy. During your visit to the tanneries, you will have the opportunity to learn about the different methods that are used to process the skins of goats and cows to make them look so beautiful.
The Imperial capital was a renowned center of medieval learning and at its heart lays the Karaouine, one of the oldest, still-functioning universities in the world. In the neighboring building is the Attarine Medersa (Koranic college), a jewel of Hispano-Moorish architecture, built in the 14th century.
Rest of the day at leisure
Fez is a spectacular city to explore, offering cultural, culinary, and shopping delights. Bryan will be available to help you make the most of your time.
Accommodations: Hotel Sahrai Fès, upgraded Superior room
Meals Included: Breakfast
Day Six ~ Fès to Erfoud
Breakfast at the hotel
After breakfast, we will drive to the desert, traveling through the impressive Atlas Mountains and discovering the Tafilalet region, famous for its savory dates and gorgeous scenery. Your sightseeing will include a visit to Rissani, which from the 8th to the 14th century was the site of the first independent kingdom of the south.
Our home for the evening is beautiful Erfoud, a small town on the edge of the desert.
Evening at leisure to enjoy our beautiful hotel.
Accommodations: Palais Masandoïa
Meals Included: Breakfast
Day Seven ~ Erfoud to Merzouga and the Sahara Desert
Breakfast at the hotel
After a leisurely morning, enjoying the pool and hotel grounds, we will discover the local quarry, where ancient fossils have been discovered. More than 400 million years ago, the desert area of Morocco was a sea. When the sea receded, the marine life died and later became fossilized. Today the mining of these fossilized rocks is a growing and popular industry in this part of Morocco. You will have the opportunity to admire how these Goniatitida and Trilobites are used to produce beautiful decorative objects ranging from plates to tables.
After a lovely lunch, poolside we will then head into the south, traveling by four-wheel drive vehicle amongst the desert dunes of Erg Chebbi en route to our exclusive 'glamping' site. The desert is rocky to begin with, like a drum roll preparing you for the upcoming Sahara dunes that you can distinguish in the distance. Then comes the sand, warm and mysterious, never knowing what is hidden behind a dune. One of the hills will reveal your magical tented camp, settled in the middle of nowhere.
In the evening savor a mouth-watering dinner served around a campfire or in a tent - complete with traditional Moroccan entertainment.
Individual tents with a warm, romantic ambiance will welcome you for the night, while the sounds of the Sahara lull you to sleep.
Accommodations: Exclusive Campsite
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day Eight ~ Ouarzazate (Skoura)
A delectable breakfast is served, enjoyed at our remote campsite with sweeping desert views for an utterly tranquil morning.
Today you will travel overland towards Ouarzazate. The city was once a stopping point for African traders en route to the cities of Morocco and Europe, and is now better known as the movie center of Morocco. You will pay a visit to the Todra Gorges and the impressive and picturesque oases that they hide. You will travel through the southern slopes of the High Atlas range, following the Dades Valley as you pass by flourishing crops, irrigation canals, and palm trees. Following the Thousand Kasbahs route, you will marvel at the breathtaking vistas of impressive hundred-year-old Kasbahs nestled in lush palm groves.
Lunch will be enjoyed on the way to Skoura.
We will stay the night at a beautiful Kasbah in Skoura, nestled in a gorgeous palm grove.
Accommodations: Ksar El Kabbaba
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day Nine ~ Skoura to Marrakech
Breakfast at the hotel
Today, you will travel through the stunning Atlas Mountains to reach the thrilling and colorful city of Marrakech.
En route, you will stop in the fortified village of Ait Benhaddou - the most exotic and best-preserved Kasbah in the whole of the Atlas region. The village has starred in many masterpieces of the cinema such as "Lawrence of Arabia", "Jesus of Nazareth", "Gladiator" and "The Mummy".
As you drive over the Tizi n'Tichka Pass, the highest in the region at 2,260 meters (7,415 ft.), you will stop to marvel at the views and take some pictures.
En route, travel through picturesque villages, passing travelers going from one village to the next on foot or by mule. Admire the lush green of eucalyptus trees contrasting the red hue of rocky hills. You'll notice the exotic smell of "chwaya", grilled meat or Berber tagine beautifully displayed with a tomato on the top.
You will continue towards Marrakech. Pearl of the South, Jewel of the South, The Red City - just a few of the nicknames Marrakech has acquired over the years. Part Berber, part Arab, part African, Marrakech is the heartbeat of Morocco where palaces and monuments of unrivaled refinement sit calmly alongside the snake charmers and Gnaouan drums pulsing constantly from Djemâa el Fna Square - the most exuberant marketplace in the world. The city is also home to luxury hotels, sophisticated bars, and exotic restaurants.
Lunch will be enjoyed in the New Town in Marrakech. Afterward, you will check in at your riad.
Accommodations: La Sultana Marrakech
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Day Ten ~ Marrakech
Breakfast at the hotel
Today, you will discover the Mysteries of Marrakech, the most famous city in Morocco. Most of the city's architectural attractions are inside the Medina, the old walled section of the town.
Your visit will include the Ben Youssef Medersa, one of the jewels of Marrakech. The current structure of this Koranic school was built around 1570. It is the biggest Medersa (school) in the whole of the Maghreb (west) and is renowned for its magnificent architecture with zellij tile work, carved wood, and stucco work. The central courtyard, student cells, and prayer hall are also very interesting to discover.
Opposite the entrance to the Ben Youssef mosque, the Qoubba Almoravides was the ablution center for believers going to the mosque. The complex was also one of the first fountains of the town and was used to ensure a constant water supply for the inhabitants of Marrakech and their animals. You can admire it from the outside as it is closed for renovation.
As you explore the labyrinthine souks, indulge in some shopping! Souk Smarine is an important thoroughfare, traditionally dominated by the sale of textiles, clothing, and all Moroccan handicrafts. This is a maze of colorful alleys and small squares, which are home to a bewildering array of stalls and ateliers devoted to specific crafts.
You will also explore the Djemaa El Fna, the city's main square, home to a multitude of street artists, stalls of dried fruit, and freshly-pressed orange juice. The numerous small restaurants that take over its center from the early evening contribute to the scent of its surroundings. No one can really be certain how it came into being but over the years the square has become the beating heart of Marrakech, where fire-eaters, acrobats, snake-charmers, and street musicians perform at every turn.
Lunch will be enjoyed at a great restaurant in the Medina.
You will visit the gardens and admire the Koutoubia mosque, an emblem of Marrakech. Koutoubia's minaret went on to inspire the architects of the Giralda of Seville and the Hassan Tower of Rabat. The mosque cannot be visited but its beauty can be admired from the gardens and the square. This square tower in finely-worked dressed stone is 77 meters (252 feet) tall including its lantern. Built in the 12th century, the Koutoubia minaret is considered to be the most perfect Islamic religious structure in North Africa. This famous landmark dominates the local skyline and can easily be spotted from all over Marrakech.
The Bahia Palace which was ordered in 1880 by the grand vizier Sidi Moussa took 15 years to complete. The beauty of the Bahia Palace makes it a remarkable example of the Arabo-Andalousian and is a masterpiece of domestic architecture which gives a good idea of how the privileged lived during the 19th century. The use of marble, stucco, and mosaics is prevalent in the apartments, opening onto courtyards filled with fountains and plant life.
Accommodations: La Sultana Marrakech
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
Day Eleven ~ Marrakech
Breakfast at the hotel
Today you take a seat in a horse-drawn carriage for a ride through Marrakech's famous, beautiful gardens which are dotted around the city. The area is fed by a basin that was created to irrigate the surrounding gardens and orchards using a sophisticated system called Qanat. The basin is supplied with water via an old hydraulic system that conveys water from the mountains located nearly 20 miles away.
You begin with a visit to the Menara gardens, which date back to the 12th century and are set among extensive orchards and olive groves. At the center is a rectangular pool with a fabulous view of the Atlas Mountains.
From here it's on to visit the Jardin Majorelle (Majorelle Gardens), originally designed in 1924 by French artist Jacques Majorelle. After taking up residence in Marrakech, Majorelle transformed the property's existing garden into a tropical paradise, surrounded by vivid cobalt blue buildings with verdant exotic groves, lily-covered pools, and enormous sculptural cactuses.
These peaceful garden settings offer a variety of exotic plants such as bamboo, cacti, bougainvillea, and palms. Streams and fish-filled pools also flow through the tranquil gardens.
The remainder of the day is at leisure, a perfect opportunity for some last-minute shopping or sightseeing at your own pace.
Zoom Vacations’ very special "Until Next Time" Dinner Party with cocktails, wine, and incredible Moroccan food.
Accommodations: La Sultana Marrakech
Meals Included: Breakfast and Farewell Dinner
Day Twelve ~ Departure
Breakfast at the hotel
Today you will bid farewell to Morocco as you depart for the airport where your international departure flight awaits.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Air: International and domestic airfare not included.
Passports: Your valid passport should have at least two blank visa pages and should be valid for at least six months after your planned departure from the country you are visiting.
Note: Passport pages titled "Endorsement Pages" are not visa pages.
Visas: Please note that travelers to Morocco need to have a visa which you will get upon arrival. Passport and visa requirements can change at any time, and travelers should always check their country-specific requirements for traveling abroad.
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*Land only Introductory rate, based on double occupancy. Prices are subject to change. Need a roommate? Zoom Vacations® is happy to match you with someone, at no additional charge. Or, you may pay a single supplement and go as a single.
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