Morocco Tour - 4 Star Riad

9 days / 8 nights - Price US$1486 per person

Upon arrival in Casablanca, the economic capital of Morocco, the Smiths will be met and transferred to the Casablanca hotel, where you check in and relax for the afternoon. There may be time to see some of the city, perhaps including an optional visit to the Hassan II, one of the world's biggest mosques. Dinner is not included.

After breakfast, the group will leave by van towards Fes. On route, we will stop at Rabat, the capital city and residence of the King, for lunch and a time to enjoy the beautiful coastal city.  After lunch we will continue on to Fes, the spiritual capital of Morocco.   Dinner will be served in the hotel. 

After breakfast you will begin our guided tour of the medina, one of the world’s largest walled in cities.  You will explore the narrow streets lined with fresh fruit, mounds of spices, intricately woven Berber carpets and many other art objects of Morocco.  A visit to the King’s Palace, the tanneries, and potters are just a few places we will experience.  For lunch you will eat in a traditional restaurant in the heart of the medina.  After lunch you will complete the tour and return to your hotel for the evening. Dinner will be served in a local restaurant.  Lodgings:  Riad Dar Dmana

After an early breakfast, you will set out in the morning to the ancient Roman ruins of Volubolis.  The group will spend the morning exploring the 2000-year-old ruins and getting a picture of life during the Roman Empire.  Lunch will be taken in Mulay Idris, one of the holiest cities in Morocco.  After lunch, your guide will take you on a tour of the imperial city, Meknes. Dinner will be served in the hotel.

After an early breakfast, the group will depart for Marrakech.  The beautiful drive will take you up into the Middle Atlas Mountains and along the base of the High Atlas Mountains.   

Once in Marrakech, you will check into your hotel and then head off to the Djemaa el-Fna, the center square of the medina.  The famous Djemaa el-Fna, is one of the center attractions of Marrakech.  Coming alive at night with the local storytellers, entertainers, and mouth-watering barbeque pits, the square is well worth a visit.  A quiet cup of tea on the terrace of an adjacent café provides a spectacular aerial view of the bustling square.  Dinner can be taken in the hotel, Imperial Holiday

After breakfast, the group will have a guided tour of Marrakech, the southern pearl of Morocco. You will discover the Palace of the Bahia, the Saadian Tombs, and many other hidden treasures.    After lunch, you will continue with the tour on to the magnificent Koutoubia Mosque and the famous Djemaa el-Fna, one of the center attractions of Marrakech.  The tour will conclude with an exploration of  the souk (market) lined with fresh fruit, mounds of spices, intricately woven Berber carpets and many other art objects of Morocco.  Dinner will be served in at the famous square in a local restaurant.  Lodgings at the hotel, Imperial Holiday

From Marrakech make an early departure to La Bergerie, Ouirgane (90 minutes from Marrakech).  Walk is arranged from La Bergerie (Provide maps, walking instructions and picnic lunch) After a short transfer, walk along mule tracks to the village of Imareghan Noufla, where ancient presses are still used to extract oil from the olives harvested from the surrounding groves.  From here, the path winds through fields of maize and seasonal wild flowers, passing other traditional villages.  Salt is mined in the area and you may encounter salt sellers, usually the village women, transporting their goods.  You then ascend to the summit of  Tizi n'Tarabaza, pausing to admire the splendid views over the Tarabaza Plateau and the Oussertek Desert before descending to the pick-up point for the transfer back to La Bergerie. (10km, 5.5hrs)  B&B at La Bergerie

After breakfast, you will set off to the coastal city of Essaouira, a picturesque fishing town, lying on the southwest coast of Morocco.  With an exquisite beach to the south, Essaouira has become one of Morocco's most popular coastal towns.  Many of the countries wood carvers and artists make Essaouira their home.  Dinner will be served in the hotel, Riad Mimouna

Your last day of travel will take you back to Casablanca.  You will leave Essaouira for Casablanca with a stop at El Oualidia on the way. We drive along the coastline to El Jadida where we visit the citadel and see the underground cistern. You will then be transferred to the airport of Casablanca for the late night departure