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Grand Tour of Morocco
14- Days / 13 -Nights
TOUR Overview
Adventurers and explorers traveled the oceans and the deserts to witness the majesty of Morocco. The sand dunes of the Sahara rise like mountains and the High Atlas Mountains sit in the clouds. Ancient fortress walls stand watch over the hills and the coastline. Minarets create an absorbing skyline and spices provide a rainbow of color in the historic, vibrant marketplace. In this 2 week Morocco tour, you will follow in the footsteps of Romans and sultans, discovering the wealth of culture and depths of history that have made Morocco a unique and enchanting destination.
highlights
- Explore the cosmopolitan culture of Casablanca, including the Hassan II Mosque
- Wander through the incredible Roman Ruins of Volubilis
- Experience Berber culture on an exploratory tour of the High Atlas Mountains
- Venture between the high rolling cliffs of the Todra and Dades Gorge
- Visit the Gates of the Desert at Ouarzazate
- Journey through the Sahara Desert to witness exceptional sand dunes
- Discover the historic charm of Fes’s Old City, known as the Medina
- Stroll through the narrow maze-like streets of Marrakech and find the picturesque image of Morocco
- Relax in a charming seaside village with deep historical roots
itinerary
Day 1 : Casablanca
Welcome to Casablanca, a city connected to its heritage along the contemporary streets and life. The wide boulevards are lined with palm trees that sway in the ocean breeze. The Atlantic laps at the bordering shores and the Atlas Mountain foothills create the eastern boundary. Arrive at the airport and be met by your private transfer. Your hotel, is situated near the heart of the vibrant city. Art galleries present images of the people’s modern life that has also been informed by a rich cultural past. The minaret of Hassan II Mosque creates a solitary skyline against the shore. You can settle in to the wonders of Casablanca and see the majesty of Morocco.
Suggested Accommodation: KENZI TOWER ( 5***** )
DAY 2 : Meknes
The morning sunlight rises over the distant mountains and spreads across the city. The Hassan II Mosque catches the light and shimmers against the sapphire ocean water. Breakfast is an array of distinct flavors and aromas. Creamy yogurt is enhanced with a touch of orange blossom water, which offers a sweet and citrusy addition. Rghaif, a flaky pastry, is sweetened with fig or date jam. Sip freshly brewed mint tea and enjoy the morning breeze before you venture out onto a guided private tour of Casablanca.
Hassan II Mosque was constructed in 1993 but contains the traditional embellishments and elegance of historic palaces and places of worship throughout the country. The minaret stands over 260 feet tall. The soothing sound and perfume of ocean spray adds to the beautiful rhythm of the Call to Prayer. The courtyard has a retractable roof and can hold up to 80,000 worshipers. Detailed decoration covers every inch of the mosque’s surface. The interior marble tile is pristine and polished. Latticework rises up the structural columns and is enhanced with lapis hues.
Moorish arches decorate the doorways and fountains. Glass chandeliers dangle from a network of domes that make up the main prayer hall. Geometric and floral mosaics adorn the walls. You can breathe in the beauty of the mosque and find traces of the sea in the air. The lavish and opulent design takes you away from the city and into a unique moment of reverie. A private transfer meets you at your hotel in the afternoon. Continue on to the old imperial city of Meknes by way of Rabat.
Suggested Accommodation: Hôtel Tafilalet & Spa ( 4****)
Meals : Breakfast
DAY 3 : Meknes
Meknes is filled with a serene charm that eludes the rapidly moving streets of larger cities. Rich plains sweep across the Middle Atlas Mountains. Cereals, olives, grapes, and oranges thrive in the climate and create a stunning landscape. Bab al-Mansour has stood as the city’s main gate since the 1730s. Zellij tiles border the keyhole entryways and add texture to the golden stones. The image of the gates provides a view into the rich regal history of the city and Morocco. The Old Town moves in a pace faster than the rest of the city.
The narrow lanes wind and twist around sharp corners. The sounds of the marketplace are lively. The aroma of incense blends with conically displayed spices. Slippers are handmade and lined up in rows for customers to inspect. The 12th century Grand Mosque has a distinctive green-tiled roof. The minaret is visible above the rising homes of the Medina. In the afternoon your private guide will escort you to the Roman ruins of Volubilis that sit atop a citadel along the mountainside.
Suggested Accommodation: Hôtel Tafilalet & Spa ( 4****)
Meals : Breakfast
DAY 4 : Fes
Fes is known for as a unique spiritual capital that shines in the cultural eye of Morocco like a time capsule. The authenticity of the Medina and the noble remains of the Imperial history enchanted you the moment you arrived in the city. After breakfast you are guided through the city. The old streets spiral around houses and businesses, hiding restaurants, shops, and delightful squares around blind corners. Outside of the Museum of Wooden Arts and Crafts is Carpenters’ Square. The Nejjarine Fountain is a vibrant decoration, shimmering with mosaic that rises above the trickling water.
The keyhole arch frames blossoming geometric shapes. You can hear the sounds of carpenters tinkering away in their workshops at the nearby Nejjarine Souk. Mederssa Bou Inania was constructed in the 14th century and remains a scholastic and architectural gem. The zellij and cedar lattice screens create a delicate contrast to the hard brass doors. The theology school contains a full mosque and a green-tiled minaret. Onyx marble columns create the mihrab. Fes is a city brimming with grace and beauty around every corner. Each moment takes you into something new and astonishing yet expected and captivating.
Suggested Accommodation: palais faraj ( 5*****)
Meals : Breakfast
DAY 5 : Sahara Desert
Morocco is home to diverse regions, from the Atlantic to the Atlas Mountains, lush fields and vibrant orchards, and of course, the Sahara Desert. The flavors of figs and dates take you back in history when people would traverse the simmering sands of the desert holding pouches filled with the sumptuous fruits. After your meal you will begin your journey to Merzouga, the highest sand dunes in North Africa. The small town sits 31 miles from the border of Algeria.
The desert is ethereal, empty of modern distraction and modest in its peaceful power. Step aboard your camel transport and continue your exploration of both landscape and time. Camels sway from side to side and can carry an average of 487 pounds, which gave them the name “ship of the desert.” When night casts a shade over the desert you can see the unadulterated stars shining down over the ocean of sand. In the silent desert night you share the experience of the travelers before you.
Suggested Accommodation: Luxury Camp
Meals : Breakfast , Dinner
DAY 6 : Merzouga
The morning rises over the desert and creates a unique golden glow. The sky is layered with orange, pink, and purple hues. After breakfast you step aboard your ship of the desert and continue to explore the sand dunes of Erg Chebbi. The dunes stretch almost 18 miles and at points can reach a height of almost 525 feet above sea level. The dunes shift in color from rose to gold and back again. Their dramatic rise above the flat surface is inspiring. The air is crisp and hot. You marvel at the serene landscape. You return to Merzouga in the afternoon and relax in the town that borders an ocean of desert. You have never felt more in touch with the overpowering beauty of nature in its naturally commanding form.
Suggested Accommodation: Palais Masandoia ( 3***)
Meals : Breakfast , Dinner
DAY 7 : Tinghir
The scenery takes many forms throughout Morocco, from manicured gardens grown for sultans to undulating sand dunes created by an almighty being. The beauty of the landscape continues to unfold before you in Tinghir. Away from the encompassing desert is the High Atlas region. You exchange the sand dunes for mountaintops pressing against the horizon. At the town’s eastern edge you will find a palm oasis unfolding like a gift and spreading across the foothills. The trees cover around 30 miles of land in 505 to 1,640 yard stretches of tract.
The greenery stands out amongst the arid and rugged landscape beyond. The High Atlas Mountains rise to a peak of 12,671 feet. Nearby is the Todra Gorge. The remarkable rock walls edge the trench and change color with the shifting daylight. The gorge is over 600 feet deep and divides the orange limestone with a ravine. A crystal-clear river meanders through the splits in the desert. Look back at the Tinghir and find the remains of an ancient and dilapidated Kasbah watching over the inviting oasis canopy.
Suggested Accommodation: Dades Xaluca Hotel (4****)
Meals : Breakfast
DAY 8 : Ouarzazate
The road to Ait Benhaddou is filled with towering rock walls and expansive desert. Old villages hide behind ancient Kasbahs and the oasis of Tinghir fades behind you. Journey Dades Gorge and arrive at Ouarzazate, a city known for its distinctive image. The town looks like it sprang from the desert, molded from the same sand and accentuated with palms and arid plant life. The Berber city sits at the edge of dramatic mountains and is known as the Gateway to the Desert. It has been used in movies throughout cinematic history, from Gladiator to the 1962 award-winning Lawrence of Arabia.
The Kasbah has a maze of stairwells that wind around its towering frame eventually leading you to the top floor. Venture through the keyhole archways to find a prayer room. The ceiling maintains portions of its original decoration. The fortress walls protected the village from raiders and the elements. Now it protects the marketplace and hides backstreet craft shops. There are few places in the world that can take you back to an inspiring time just by wandering through the narrow streets and classic buildings.
Suggested Accommodation: Berber Palace ( 5*****)
Meals : Breakfast
DAY 9 : Atlas Mountains
The High Atlas Mountains is North Africa’s greatest mountain range that stretches from the Atlantic Ocean to the Moroccan-Algerian border. It separates the glaring temperatures of the Sahara from the Mediterranean climate of the West Coast. In the morning you will delight in the sweet and savory flavors of breakfast before following your guide into the higher reaches of the mountain range. The scenery is raw and stunning, oscillating between rugged mountaintops with snow-capped peaks, and endless lush green fields.
Muleteers and their mules climb along the rocky outcrops and subtle pathways. In the evening you will come to a charming traditional village. Structures are built climbing up a small ridge and shaded by high altitude brush. The nearby peaks are packed with snow. The aroma of tajine with lamb meat and caramelized plumbs emanates from the village. Your earthen pot is placed over coals and the food simmers in spices and stews until dripping with flavor in every bite. The Berber village is rich with tradition and awash with North African history.
Suggested Accommodation: Kasbah du Toubkal ( 4*****)
Meals : Breakfast , Dinner
DAY 10 : Essaouira
When the mountains slope downward and reach the Atlantic Ocean you see powerful golden walls rising against the cobalt blue water. The outer ramparts of Essaouira resemble walled cities of Europe. When you enter the 18th century Portuguese fortress you will find a city that is definitively Moroccan. The streets around the Medina are narrow. The buildings are whitewashed. Seagulls glide on the breeze and settle atop the walls. The relaxed pace of the mountainside carries over to the seaside. The Atlantic laps at the base of the walls. Brass canons from the 18th and 19th centuries continue to line the upper walls. Small fishing boats venture out to deeper water in search of a catch. Wood carvers and artists are housed and sell their goods along the hidden niches of the labyrinthine streets.
Suggested Accommodation: Sofitel Essaouira Mogador Golf & Spa ( 5*****)
Meals : Breakfast ,
DAY 11 : Essaouira
Indulge in the relaxed pace of the seaside village. The breeze sweeps the ocean aroma through the streets. The walls look out over the shimmering colors of the water. Rich, creamy yogurt is spiced with orange blossom. In the marketplace turmeric and saffron brighten the streets. Palm trees rise over the fortress and shade the golden walls. The Hammam Lalla Mira is similar to a Turkish bath and is one of the oldest restored hammam in the area. The interior is decorated in traditional style and the tranquil ambiance is soothing and rejuvenating. Green tiles accentuate the baths and the rooftop lounge watches over the city streets and ramparts. Indulge in the beachside or listen to the gentle sway of the breeze against the palms.
Suggested Accommodation: Sofitel Essaouira Mogador Golf & Spa (5*****)
Meals : Breakfast ,
DAY 12 :Marrakech
The seaside fades into the distance and you spot the green-tiled trim of the Koutoubia Minaret in the foreground. Arrive in Marrakech and settle into a traditional riad that gives you insight into the noble tastes of historic royalty. Djemmaa el-Fna is the city’s famous square where the narrow streets of the Medina connect. Stalls and shops fill the square and are enhanced by the local spirit of continued heritage. Snake charmers move with the rhythm of their music. The snakes wind and twist in the air trying to follow the enchanting image. Storytellers recite remarkable legends for the captivated passersby. The aroma of mint tea spills over the rooftop cafes. Indulge in the atmosphere and listen to the charming music of the square, a blend of stories, heritage, and endless spirit.
Suggested Accommodation: Hotel La Maison Arabe (5*****)
Meals : Breakfast ,
DAY 13 : Marrakech
The walls of the Medina are painted a mix of white and blue, changing around every corner. Handmade slippers are displayed next to shop doors, each intricately designed and dyed with splendid hues. After breakfast, you will meet your guide and venture out onto a tour of Marrakech’s splendid sights. Koutoubia Mosque minaret stands over 250 feet in height. The mosque was constructed in the 12th century to create a mixture of brickwork, columns, and arcades. Windows are formed inside of horseshoe-shaped and keyhole arches.
The courtyard is 148 feet wide. Kufic script decorates the walls. The main prayer hall is T shaped and contains more than 100 columns. The imagery and décor are both vibrant and soft-spoken. You continue onward to the 16th century Saadian Tombs, home to 66 members of the dynastic family. The interior is decorated with blossoming mosaics. The pillars and tombs are carved from marble and the atmospheric grounds feel more like a palace. The city is filled with exceptional architecture, stunning artistry, and effervescent culture that stems from the city’s 11th-century founding.
Suggested Accommodation: Hotel La Maison Arabe (5*****)
Meals : Breakfast
DAY 14 : Marrakech
Wake up and enjoy the reflective pool at the center courtyard of the cultural mansion. Savor the flavors of breakfast and the aroma of freshly brewed mint tea. The tiny details of your vacation are just as important as the larger highlights. When you look back on your in-depth time discovering Morocco you will always remember the succulent tajine and the fig jam. You will think of the flourishing landscapes and the storytellers that sit in Djemaa el-Fna. The details of your exploration collect in the larger experience, like culture, history, and all the wonders of Morocco.
Meals : Breakfast
included / excluded
- Accommodations
- In-country transportation
- Some or all activities and tours
- Expert trip planning
- 24x7 support during your trip
- Shopping Cost
- Travel Tax
- Personal Exprenses
- Speed Money
- Insurance
Other ACtivities that can be include
ACTIVITIES IN MARRAKECH
Start your day with a Private Guided Tour at Les Jardin Majorelle, the French painter Jacques Majorelle (1886 – 1962) dedicated forty years of his life to the creation of the luxurious gardens and Berber museum. An amateur botanist, Majorelle included plants from all five continents in the gardens. Marjorelle’s studio, a Cubist style villa constructed by architect Paul Sinoir, has since been transformed into the museum, and is painted a vibrant blue. The garden covers two and a half acres, and was opened to the public in 1947. The garden has been open to the public since 1947. Since 1980 the garden has been owned by Yves Saint-Laurent and Pierre Bergé. After Yves Saint Laurent died in 2008 his ashes were scattered in the gardens. The garden also houses the Islamic Art Museum of Marrakech, whose collection includes North African textiles from Saint-Laurent’s personal collection as well as ceramics, jewelry, and paintings by Majorelle.
A private visit to the home of the late Yves St Laurent, the Villa Oasis. Yves saint Laurent travelled here each year to gain inspiration for and design his future collections. These inspirations saw him pay tribute to artists in his haute couture collections with the famous Mondrian dresses, then in 1966 with the pop art dresses and in 1967 with his major homage to Africa. In the 1970s he presented his Picasso and Diaghilev collections and tributes to Matisse, Cocteau, Braque, Van Gogh, Apollinaire in the 1980s.
After his retirement Yves Saint Laurent devoted his energy to the activities of the Foundation Pierre Bergé-Yves Saint Laurent, with the mission is to conserve 5,000 haute couture garments and 150,000 accessories, sketches and other objects making up the collection, to organize thematic exhibitions on fashion, painting, photography, the decorative arts, etc., and to support cultural and educational activities.
The Villa oasis still houses many of these collections and this a rare opportunity to gain insight into the extraordinary talent of the designer. The fee for the visit is a direct donation to the foundation to ensure future talents both in Morocco and abroad.
Enjoy a hosted visit by the gallery representatives & curators of the Maison de la Photographie of Marrakech is a courtyard mansion and is a private foundation created by Hamid Mergani and Patrick Manac’h in 2009.
Designed to create an archive of and showcase the diversity of Morocco as it was seen by those who visited it, anonymous travelers or famous photographers, over the last 150 years or so. Of visit is the documentary on Berber life by Daniel Chicault, shot 1956, runs on a loop on the second floor.
Rocco Orlacchio of Voice Gallery offers a private showing as well as a visit to the Atelier of a well renowned Artist in Residence Eric Van Hoven. Rocco sits on the board of the Marrakech Biennale and is the prefect ambassador to shed light on the Moroccan art scene. Voice Gallery showcases local and international, mainly young artists, who come together create and collaborate with each other, extending boundaries and exchanging ideas annuitizing the culture and landscape of Morocco to inspire their artistic endeavors.
An artist’s retreat with a difference, Al Maqam is in the village of Tahanaout in the lower reaches of the snow-capped Atlas Mountains. Al Maqam means ‘The Place’ in Arabicand it serves not only as an artist’s colony but also as gallery, library and a place to stay. There is nothing else quite like it in Morocco.
The painter Mohamed Mourabiti has been setting up Al Maqam for over a decade and now, carefully installing traditional home-wares and local paintings and now photographers, writers and artists flock to the centre to share ideas and inspiration.
On average 100 international artists are hosted a year, and there are regular guests like the painter Abderrahim Yamouand the French writer Michel Butor.
Calligraphy means “beautiful writing” and Arabic calligraphy (or more properly, Islamic calligraphy) is considered a high art form in the Arab world and is increasingly gaining recognition and appreciation worldwide.
Abdeljalil conducts calligraphy workshops to share his passion with others. Whether you ask him about history or more practical information such as the ink or the pens, he will not skimp on precious information that may just leave you speechless. Patient and devoted, he will also teach you how to write the alphabet, your name and help you become familiar with calligraphy. After all, his life motto is “Make a living from a passion”.
The philosophy is to connect you authentically to the culture, through a tasting trail that is able to deliver through insider culinary access, allowing you to experience the heart of Moroccan culture at its source.
Join local Moroccan foodie experts who are passionate about sharing their culture and culinary expertise with you. The three-hour tour will guide you through the meandering streets of the Medina and Kasbah. Here you will discover mouth-watering delicacies that most travelers would not have access to. En route, you’ll experience a wide range of tastes, a variety of active ancient communal cooking facilities, and the how’s and why’s of food sourcing and preparation.
Private Cooking Lesson is at Le Maison Arabe. The workshops are conducted by a dada (traditional Moroccan cook) or a chef from our Moroccan restaurant, using easy-to-use modern equipment found in everyday kitchens. At the end of each workshop, participants dine on the meal they have prepared. At a typical half-day workshop, one learns to prepare an appetizer and a main dish, or a main dish and dessert.
The cooking class takes place in the Amizmiz Valley, populated by Berbers who still stick to their traditional way of life. Just a short ride from Marrakech this valley has been little affected by tourism. His elegant eco-farm is set amongst 15hectares of olive groves, vegetable gardens and orchards in a traditional Berber hamlet with the imposing silhouette of the High Atlas Mountains dominating the landscape. He will teach you how to utilize herbs and spices as well as prepare a typical Moroccan meal including bread making Moroccan style
Tasting Marrakech is a tailor-made food and cultural experience that takes place in the famous Jemaa el Fna square in the company of a state-approved guide and a foodie expert. The tour is private and customized to your appetite and palate. Dine with the locals while sampling regional specialities at the most popular food stalls in the market while soaking up the night-time ambiance in the famous square.
Once you have had the opportunity to try the various street foods, we then take over a local restaurant close to the Jma El Fna and re-create what we’ve tried en route!
Spend some time in a small village and experience the countryside first hand. Learn some of the daily tasks from baking your own bread, learning to make your own tagine, cooking on coals, milking the goats, going for water at the well and making mint tea.
Start your day trip with a wine degustation at Val Du Argan, one of the leading wineries in the south of Morocco.
Moroccan-French born Charles Mélia, owner/winemaker, moved to France to manage his family’s property in Cotes Du Rhone at young age before turning back in his late 40’s to make wine in his motherland. His vineyard began with five tentative hectares planted in 1994 and now extended to 40, and still remains the only winery situated on the southern coastal part of Morocco. His boutique wines are now a reference point for the Moroccan wine industry.
Following the wine tasting stop en route for a cheese tasting and lunch at La Fromagerie where Jaouad Hbib and Abderrazzak Khoubbane run a seriously good dairy. The cheeses are made from old Berber techniques and each cheese reflects the unique vision of the farm in offering bio-made produce at high quality levels.
Ride a vintage side car through the lively alleys of the medina, venture across the mythic palm grove and encounter small villages or rally the ville nouveau, whichever your choice this is a fun and exciting way to explore a secret Marrakech not normally accessible on foot. Our rides start from 1.5 hours through to half or day tours and we’ll tailor make the experience to you! Your motorbike will be either a Ural, an authentic Russian knock off of the 1938 BMW R71 or a Mash and seat 1 driver and up to 2 passengers per bike, one on the back, one in the sidecar – but whichever seat you’re in you’ll discover Marrakech from an unusual point of view”
Drift gently over the fantastic desert landscape and capture the sunrise while floating over secluded Berber villages and the snow-capped Atlas Mountains on this magical balloon flight. Rides are available with groups or can be arranged privately with champagne breakfasts following the flight for that extra special occasion.
Adventure and fun at its best – half day of dune bugging in the oasis palmary of Marrakech. Enjoy a relaxed introduction to quadding alternating the soft, dried silt plains of the palmgrove with simple river crossing (in case of rain) and winding trails through lunar landscapes on the outskirts of Marrakech. Catered for beginner to experienced riders we can adapt the level that’s right for you. Choose from shorter rides through to half or full day excursions on the latest Quads and buggies.
Enjoy a fantastic experience with gentle and well-trained horses riding through the local Berber Villages. All levels are catered for as the guide will adapt to your riding experience.
Only an hour south of Marrakech, the Mizik Pass is a wild and totally undeveloped crossing between two populated valleys situated within the Toubkal National Park at nearly 2000m above sea level. A steady hike up through juniper forests offers spectacular views over the Berber dwellings of Imlil, the Tamatert Pass and up to the Tacheddirt Pass and the top of the ski slopes at Oukaimeden, the highest ski resort in North Africa. On your descent you’ll start to experience the villages in the picturesque valley of olive groves where the rapid change in vegetation creates vibrant strips of cultivation close to the water source.
A picnic lunch will be freshly prepared for you at AzibTamsoult – a cluster of shepherd huts used by villagers and their flocks during the summer period. From here you’ll walk on a network of picturesque paths through the village of TiziOussem and down towards the village of Aid Aissa.
Today’s hike takes around six hours of walking to arrive at your final destination of Imlil at the base of the National Park and foothills of the High Atlas Mountains.
The Moroccan tradition of Hikayat, or storytelling dates back almost 1, 000 years. Some stories were recorded and other stories are passed orally. This form of entertainment was found in cities throughout Morocco but today Marrakech’s Jemaa El Fna square is the only city that’s keeping this tradition alive. This evening enjoy a private session of this dying artin the comfort and peace of your hotel with the master Storyteller Ahmed Ezzarghani in both Arabic and English before dinner.
Whether it’s a romantic ride or fun for the family Caleche horse drawn carts are a great way to see the city, particularly at sunset when the colors against the red ochre change dramatically. Tours can include the medina remparts, Agdal or Marjorelle gardens and even the palmeries where a delicious evening dinner picnic can be arranged.
Unlike the dunes of the Sahara Desert which take hours to reach, the Agafay with its stony hamada style desert offers a stunning landscape to relax, unwind and watch the setting sun – you’ll feel a world away from Marrakech even though it’s only a 45-minute drive. A gorgeous dinner in a camp setting with traditional musicians and campfires, overnight stays and daytime activities can all be arranged for those seeking a desert like experience without the long travel.
A perfect way to unwind after a day of sightseeing, Les Bain des Marrakech is one of the first private Hammam’s in Marrakech and remains one of the best. Located in the medina from the moment you arrive when special scents fill the air, you’ll be pampered and made to feel like new with their sumptuous spa and massage packages that range from basic through to the ultimate luxurious spa experience.
Head this morning to visit the village of Imlil at the base of Jebel Toubkal. Choose to explore on foot or by mule to visit some of the surrounding Berber villages to look at some of the working co-operatives. These co-operatives, set up through independent and government funding allow the women of the region to support themselves and be sustainably independent, as well as providing the opportunity for literacy education. Experience traditional rural life with local women and roll your own Couscous then enjoy the meal that you will all share together in a true Moroccan style.
Earlydeparture from Marrakech heading to the direction of Damnate and its beautiful fields of olive trees. After driving towards the natural bridge of ImiNifrid you will stop for a mint tea and enjoy the view. All this road is unique by its greenish valleys and amazing scenarios. You will have plenty of chances of taking photos. Visit of a traditional water mill in the region. Berber lunch near the waterfalls. Return to Marrakesh in the evening after a wonderful day out of Marrakech.
Situated on the Atlantic coast 2.5hrs from Marrakech is the laid-back fishing village of Essouira, famous for its Gnaoua music and artistic scene. Many local and foreign artists have settled here continuing the vibe that attracted visitors such as Jimmy Hendrix and Cat Stevens (Yousuf Islam) in the 1960’s.
Once an old Portuguese fishing village, Essouira is a perfect place for those who wish to wander the souks for wooden carvings that it is famous for, to stop and enjoy fresh seafood and local wine whilst watching the fisher men come in with their daily catch. For a more active alternative the kite and board surfing is excellent here and there is horse riding, camel riding and golf available. 
ACTIVITIES IN Fez
Experience the energy and essence of Fez as it comes to life after dark. Fez by Night tour reveals the captivating appeal of the medina and Ville nouvelle, and the vibrant life that exists within this traditional city. Start from Bab Boujloud, to the Jewish Mellah and through the gold souks to the Kings Palace. Promenade along the boulevards discovering the famous fountains of Fez and soak up the festive atmosphere of Fassis enjoying their own city after sunset.
Lose yourself in the gardens of ancient palaces and local Riads perfumed with orange blossoms, citrus, blood red roses and the sweetest jasmine. The tour combines an overview of the fascinating and beautiful world of Moroccan Architecture which showcases all the main ornamentation and decorative techniques from floral motifs, geometry, ceramics to calligraphy, symbolic of the rich cultural heritage of the vast Islamic empire and uncovers the mysteries of the Islamic concept of Chahar-bagh, the four-fold garden and leads us to discover earthly paradise revisited.
This morning enter into the depths of the tanneries, observe weavers at their loom, engage with the copper workers employing traditional design techniques and discover hidden workshops where generations of artisans ply their individual trades and adapt century old techniques to a modern market. This artisanal tour is designed to give you an overview of production methods and step by step explanations as you go beyond the traditional medina tour to delve deeper into the world of the artisans of Fez. Meet the artisans themselves as you gain firsthand knowledge of the materials and the processes involved in their daily work. The tour finishes with a visit to Fez’ new artisanal school and exhibition gallery
Morocco is home to one of the oldest Jewish communities in the diaspora. It dates back to 2000 years. Its singular Jewish culture is the result of a fusion of varied traditions including Berber, Herbatic, Andalusian, and Arab influences. Fez, the spiritual and cultural capital of Morocco par excellence, leaves its visitors with a unique experience. Fez is the home of Al-Qarawiyeen University the oldest one in the world, where the famous Jewish philosopher Maimonides (Rambam) studied. It is also where the first Mellah, Jewish quartier in Morocco, was established in 1438. This journey to Jewish Fez takes us into a history that shaped Sephardic Judaism, visiting its synagogues, cemetery museum, and taking a walk in its street that once witnessed the presence of the Jewish families and grand rabies, will remind us not only of how Moroccan life was/is like, but also of how was Jewish life in Spain before the expulsion of 1492, as Fez was destination of many of those Jews. Today there is still a small, but vibrant, Jewish community in Fez with a functioning synagogue, kosher restaurant and a community center.
Morocco is a place where music plays a large part in celebrating religious festivals, marriage and birth. Drums are seen and heard everywhere in Morocco and Fez is the place to make them.
We invite you both to spend a morning in a typical Fondouk(traders workspace) under the watchful eye of a drumming artisan teaching you how to make your own drums. You choose the sound of drum you prefer, pick out the skin, stretch and string your own instrument before painting it in your very own individual design. Finally a professional drummer will teach you how to play the drum Moroccan style so you can impress family and friends on your return. 
One cannot but help notice the different fashions that adorn the streets of the medina, from the western style dress to the more traditional kaftan style jelabas worn by anyone. This afternoon you will be accompanied by a seamstress through the dress makers’ souk to choose a celebratory kaftan design. You will need to select your materials, threads and beads from the vast array available in the souk and with your design prepared, have the perfect his and hers kaftans made for you – ready for collection the following day!
Dance is integral to the culture in Morocco, far more so than it is in the West. It is mainly something done by women. It’s a way of women sharing and being together, and displaying themselves in public in a way they don’t usually do in ordinary life. It is joyous, sensual, and energetic, and is performed mainly at weddings, parties and rituals such as circumcisions and baby naming ceremonies. At these gatherings the women wear beautiful dresses when they dance; long, flowing and colourful, with belts around their waists. Moroccan dance includes aspects of Middle Eastern belly dancing – rotating the stomach is a common element and other styles such as Gnawa (an African ethnic group who became part of the Sufi order in Morocco), where the movements involve jumping and hair tossing and tribal dances from the Amazigh (Berber) regions which vary widely.
In this modern age of new world cosmetics we invite you into the world of ancient beauty secrets and where it all began. Participate in a 5 hour workshop that unearths traditional methods and natural beauty products that can easily be made in your own home by yourself or with friends. Start your day by shopping at the souk el henna to purchase ingredients and gain an overall explanation of the products that can be made from each one. We move on to our workshop, in a Moroccan Dar on the rooftop terrace, a space traditionally reserved for ‘women’s businesses. Sip Moroccan tea as you learn how to make and blend your own rhassoul and we take you through the traditional products including Argan oil, sabun bildi and eau de fleur with step by step instructions so that you understand the properties of the ingredients, how and why they are used and the benefits they each provide. We finish off the workshop with a visit to a medina hammam so that you can employ the techniques that you have learned and absorb yourself into the rituals and culture of the local Moroccan women
Experience a unique opportunity to connect with locals and be absorbed into Moroccan culture through a visit to one of the traditional hammams in the Fez Medina. We provide a local escort who explains the history, traditions and products and guide you through the steps of this ancient practice. Perhaps finish the day with a “Henna tattoo” for her and “close shaving” for him.
More than traditional Moroccan cooking, this class is a complete immersion into the Moroccan culture and family life. Spending time with our lovely local family in their beautiful riad, you will be encouraged to fully take part in the daily activity of shopping and preparing for a delicious traditional meal. This unique experience will take you to the local medina souk, the bread you make will be baked at the local faran, and your delicious feast will be shared with the family Moroccan style.
Your lesson will entail, shopping for seasonal vegetables and fruit, preserving lemons, making traditional Moroccan salads, bread-baking and the art of making the perfect mint tea – what you make will depend on the seasonal produce and can be decided on prior to your souk visit.
Find your way through the streets and souks with a local Fez food expert. Start by exploring the fresh food souks, then on to the honey souk to taste an array of delicious honeys, their flavours and properties and find out why honey is so important in Moroccan cooking and Islamic culture. From the honey souk, visit traditional farnatchis, the spice El attarryia and the henna souk. Try traditional Moroccan foods including dried meats, milawi, harsha, briwats, spicy sardines, and fresh goat cheese, finishing off with a visit to a traditional Moroccan tea house.
Indulge your sweet tooth and learn how to prepare Moroccan patisseries as well as discovering this important cultural practice. A Moroccan feast is not complete without sweets; in particular, patisseries play an integral role in everyday life in Fez. The ancient city is famous for its diverse and traditional sweets with a multitude available every day at the local souks. Spend the day with a Moroccan family to prepare 4 to 5 different traditional Fassi Moroccan sweets.
Here we begin to head away from Fez and out East to Ribat El Kheir. Enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Atlas foothills en route to get to the town surrounded by mountains and lush agriculture.Start learning the secrets of a good Moroccan couscous while at the same time experiencing traditional rural life. Visitors roll their own couscous from scratch with the women from the association and then cook and eat it for lunch. After lunch take a walk along the ridge to see the donkey-powered olive press and have mint-tea and an olive oil tasting with the owner. In the afternoon head back to Fez.
Depart Fez for the Middle Atlas Mountains to visit one of Morocco’s leading boutique fromagerie’s, La Pommerai. The private property is one of the first to be officially certified organic in the region and is set against a backdrop of apple and orange orchids. Taste exquisite, hand-crafted and artisanal cheeses and olive oils which are cold pressed as well honey raised and processed into a variety of pure honey. Here we’ll have a Dada on hand (female cook), who’ll be teaching us how to make khobz(Moroccan bread) in a traditional clay faran. A delicious meal of farm produce will be served, along with our own homemade breads and the local cheeses.
Mount Zalaghs’ peaks and slopes can be easily seen from Fez Medina and yet whilst only half an hour travels by car, the tranquillity and natural beauty of Mt Zalagh is a world away from the bustle of Fez. Short treks will take you through surrounding forests of pine, cedar, fig, almond and olive orchards to visit local homes and farmsteads. Here you will experience not only the warmth and friendliness of this mountain people, but also see the beauty and simplicity of the traditional Berber adobe/pise architecture. A picnic lunch will be provided, Berber style, and we have no doubt that this will prove to be a most memorable excursion to a world so near and yet so far from the Medina of Fez.
This morning depart for Fez via Moulay Idriss and the ancient Roman ruins of Volubilis, a day spent in the past, seeing ancient architecture and eating age old recipes, a feast fit for Anthony and Cleopatra themselves! Find beautiful mosaic floors, uncovered and brought to light by the archaeologists that work this partly excavated site. It was developed from 3rd century BCE onwards as a Phoenician and later a Carthaginian settlement. The town fell to local tribesmen in 285 and was never recovered by the Roman Empire. Constantly uncovering this city beneath the sands of time, now exclusively a Moroccan project runs by Moroccan archaeologists. Following a tour of this stunning historic site from the 3rd century BC and its many intact and colourful mosaics, enjoy the tranquillity of a local farm in the shadow of the ancient ruins while sampling traditional Roman recipes as recorded in the Latin texts of Apicius and Cato.
This morning cycle towards Bhalil, a tranquil town is located at the foot of the Jebel Kandar which offers visitors spectacular views of the town and the landscapes surrounding it and is most notably known for its modern day cave dwellers. (Option exists here of organizing morning tea with locals). From Bahlil we move on to Immouzer, particularly beautiful in spring with apple blossom and a lively place to be in July with the Pommes de Fete. Becoming increasingly known as a region for cheese production we’ll stop off at La Pommeraie. The private property is one of the first to be officially certified organic in the region and is set against a backdrop of apple and orange orchids. The cheeses here are exclusive to Morocco’s leading luxury hotels & restaurants. Here we’ll sample the cheeses and enjoy a BBQ lunch before setting back to Fez.
The Middle Atlas region offers many hidden delights including spectacular views of cedar and cork forests and delightful & hilarious Barbary apes. A short hike into the cedar forests with a mountain guide to participate in the Monkey Watch programme. Enjoy the crystal air of the mountains while you discover the rustic Berber towns of Immouzer, Ifrane and Azrou.
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07 rue Tarablous, QI 80000
AGADIR, MOROCCO
