Duration:
11
Days
Group size:
Single supplement:
Destinations:
Departs From:
Ends In:
Travel Styles:
Booking validity:
–
Best Months to Visit
Upon arrival to Casablanca you will be met and transferred directly to Rabat where you will stay at Riad Kalaa or similar for one night.
Rabat is located on the Atlantic coast in the north-west of Morocco. This impressive city is the result of a new town built under the French Protectorate from 1912-1930’s, which meticulously guarded the older parts of the city dating back to the 12th Century. With its cosmopolitan, contemporary vibe reflected in the young people of this city and the diversity of cuisine on offer, it is no surprise that MOMA has recently opened here. However, as always with Morocco, the old nestles with the new and the pretty medina and port areas still hold the old Moroccan charm and of course a chance to sip a fragrant mint tea.
Location:
LocationRabat
Accommodation:
Accommodation Riad Kalaa
Type:
Accommodation Type Hotel
Room Basis:
Room Basis B&B: Bed and Breakfast
Depart for Chefchouen. This beautiful town nestled at the foot of the Rif mountains – Chaouen (as it’s locally known) – is a delightful town with an alternative vibe and stunning scenery. Upon arrival you will check in at Lina Riad & Spa or similar where you will spend two nights.
Surrounded by magnificent cerulean mountains and nestled in the heart of the medina, this luxurious riad enjoys a privileged position in one of Morocco’s most unique destinations. Many of the bright and spacious suites enjoy views of the surrounding peaks and the bustling medina. 300 square meter terraces offer spectacular views, making Lina Riad and Spa a haven of tranquility within one of the most peaceful places in the world. Special attention has been paid to the harmonious shapes and colors of the mountains, with dim lights and aquatic scents captivating your every glance. Guests looking for a zen getaway should look no further. The personalized service promises a unique and unforgettable stay in an area where authentic Medina living is still preserved.
Location:
LocationChefchaouen
Accommodation:
Accommodation Lina Ryad & Spa
Type:
Accommodation Type Hotel
Room Basis:
Room Basis B&B: Bed and Breakfast
During your day at leisure, you are free to wander through the streets of Chefchaouen, which is split into an eastern half (the medina), and a western half (the ciudad nueva, or new city). The heart of the medina is Plaza Uta el-Hammam, with its unmistakable kasbah. The principal route of the new city is Ave Hassan II, which stretches from Plaza Mohammed V, a leafy square designed by artist Juan Miró, past the western gate of Bab el-Ain, around the southern medina wall, and into the medina itself. Here it dead-ends at Place el-Majzen, the main drop-off point. The falls of Ras-el-Maa lie just beyond the medina walls to the northeast.
The medina has become renowned as one of the most charming in Morocco. You’ll wander, entranced within the soft blue labyrinth created by the tinted whitewash of the town’s homes and streets. Local artisans contentedly show their skills in carpet weaving, leather goods, pottery, copperware, and woodworking. At the heart of the medina is a 17th-century mosque that fronts a picturesque square dotted with mulberry trees and inviting restaurants serving delicious cuisine fusing Moroccan and Spanish flavors. The ambiance captures the free spirit of Morocco of 1960s fame. The effect of all this is dreamlike, making Chefchaouen an extremely tranquil and romantic place to visit.
Return to your riad for a zen getaway! The spa with its heated indoor pool, oriental baths and Hammam will offer traditional delicious moments of relaxation. Many massages and personal care with natural and organic products are proposed.
Location:
LocationChefchaouen
Accommodation:
Accommodation Lina Ryad & Spa
Type:
Accommodation Type Hotel
Room Basis:
Room Basis B&B: Bed and Breakfast
At a time to be agreed upon with your driver the day before, you will depart for Fes 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.
Arrive at Riad Fez or similar where you will be staying for three nights. Restored to its original glory, Riad Fès is located in the heart of the ancient city of Fez, with spectacular views of the Medina and the Atlas Mountains. The inherently different styles of the four patios of Riad Fès, provide guests four experiences in one. Islamic carvings, antique doors, myriad mosaics and a grand piano beneath a truly impressive Fassi lamp create a dazzling atmosphere. A distinctive setting unveils as you step into the second Patio. Gleaming vistas of Alhambra-like patios, colonnades, subtle marbles and bright arches march round a stunning emerald-green pool. Ideal for daytime sunbathing or romantic evenings the roof terrace of Riad Fès, tells the story of Fez: the minarets calling for the prayer, the spectacular views on the Medina and the Middle Atlas foothills.
You will be collected from your hotel for a half day Jewish heritage tour. During your walking tour, you will visit the Jewish Mellah. A Mellah is a Jewish quarter located in the old cities of Morocco with a walled boundary. The Fes Mellah is also walled and it has a fortified gateway. These Jewish quarters are located near the royal residencies which enabled its inhabitants to be protected from the wrath of the Muslim populace. The Fes Mellah was once solely inhabited by Jews. This picturesque neighborhood adjoins the royal palace, noted for its recently constructed bright brass doors. Jews took shelter in this palace during the 1912 pogrom. Fes was once home to a flourishing Jewish community during the 17th century, and was also the location of two well-known temples.
Ibn Danan Jewish Synagogue is one of the oldest and most important synagogues in North Africa. Originally built and owned by a prominent Moroccan Jewish family in the mid-seventeenth century and renovated in its present form at the end of the nineteenth century. The structure, located in the hearth of the mellah is a rare survivor of a pivotal time in Moroccan Jewish history.
The Jewish Cemetery contains the tombs of more Jewish saints than any other cemetery in Morocco. One of the more important saints is Lalla Solica, who was killed for refusing to convert to Islam. Walk through one of the oldest and most beautiful preserved Jewish streets in Morocco from the time of the inquisition. Then, enter the Bab Boujloud Gate (The Blue Gate of Fes) and walk to Palais M’nebhi.
Throughout the old city of Fes, there are traces of ancient Jewish life, including the home of Maimonides, who lived in the city from 1159-1165. In the face of a declining population, the Jewish community of Fes is working hard to maintain its community spirit and preserve its heritage and traditions.
Drum Workshop: 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.
Pottery from Scratch: Fez is well-known for the variety and quality of its traditional arts and crafts such, leather, copper embroidery and ceramics. The pottery village of Fez is not to miss. Take a tour in the Village and discover the art of Moroccan pottery through workshops. See the entire process of the craft of Moroccan pottery. It starts with first soaking the clay in water for a week, then kneading it by foot then by hand to create a soft, pliable material. Once the desired shape has been formed, it is set out in the sun to dry. Take a souvenir with you at the end to remember this unique experience.
Later, find your way through the streets and souks with a local Fez food expert on an Evening Tasting Trail. 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.
You will be collected from your hotel for a Go Local Cooking Class: 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.
Transfer to the airport for the scheduled flight to Marrakesh. Upon arrival you will be met to depart immediately for the Agafay desert, surrounded by the High Atlas and the highest peak of Morocco, Mt Toubkal. Enjoy a camel ride for approx.1 hour prior to arriving at Scarabeo Camp where you will stay for one night.
Imagine a charming bivouac of a dozen oriental-inspired tents in the most beautiful corners of Morocco. Dotted amongst the landscape, the spacious and comfortable tents decorated with unique sourced pieces and locally crafted artwork form a harmonious whole with their surroundings. Set against an elegant and simple backdrop, the natural materials, African woven matting and Berber rugs, interesting pieces brought back from travels abroad and atmospheric Moroccan lanterns, give the impression of being on an expedition from another time.
Upon arrival you will be greeted by a smiling team delighted to welcome you to their own small corner of paradise. The ingredients combine to form a unique alchemy, a place to completely unwind and disconnect from everyday life.
Each private sleeping area consists of a nomad tent of thick white cotton with regular and comfortable beds (twin or double beds). Guests can recline in a traditional Moroccan lounge strewn with ethnic cushions or put pen to paper as Papa Hemingway did at a wooden writing desk. A stretched cotton panel screens the entrance to each tent, for you to silently savor this mystical desert landscape still untouched by tourism.
Scarabeo Camp respects that water is a precious commodity in the desert. For your comfort, smaller “ensuite” tents house western toilets and berber shower facilities with one hot and one cold bucket of water to rinse you off. Amenities of traditional black soap will be available in your tent. Two shower/tents with a “real shower” will be available on the camp for everyone.
Feasting on traditional Moroccan cuisine around a candlelit communal table is one of the pleasures of the desert camp. As evening envelops the camp in inky blackness, the dining tent is aglow on the hillside, inviting guests with the sounds of conversation and clinking glasses. Fresh bread is baked daily in a small traditional earthen oven and seasonal vegetables are cooked simply to bring out the natural flavor of the fresh produce.
Location:
LocationAgafay Desert
Accommodation:
Accommodation Scarabeo Camp
Type:
Accommodation Type Campsite
Room Basis:
Room Basis Dinner, Bed and Breakfast
Enjoy a buggy ride for approx. 2 hours prior departing Scarabeo Camp.
This afternoon enjoy Farm To Table Cooking class, which 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 15 hectares 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 utilise herbs and spices as well as prepare a typical Moroccan meal including break making Moroccan style.
Return to Marrakesh and overnight Villa Des Orangers for three nights.
Location:
LocationMarrakesh
Accommodation:
Accommodation Villa Des Orangers
Type:
Accommodation Type Villa
Room Basis:
Room Basis B&B: Bed and Breakfast
After breakfast you will depart on a half day walking historical tour to explore this enchanting palm oasis with your private local guide. Set where buildings are blushed in hues of rosy earth, the signature color of Marrakech, Morocco’s second oldest imperial city retains the splendor of its ancient past. The Koutoubia Mosque and Gardens is the largest mosque in Marrakech, Morocco. The minaret was completed under the reign of the Almohad Caliph Yaqub al- Mansur (1184-1199) and was used as the model for the Giarlda of Seville and for the Hassan Tower of Rabat. El Bahia Palace is a beautiful building and an excellent example of Eastern Architecture from the 19th century that represents trends and standards of the wealthy who lived at that time. It was built for Ahmed Ibn Moussa (or Ba Ahmed) between 1894 and 1900 in the Alawi style that was popular at the time. Next visit the sixteenth century Saadian Tombs with its stark towers, which date back from the time of the sultan Ahmad al-Mansur (1578-1603). The tombs were only recently discovered (in 1917) and were restored by the Beaux-arts service.
In the early evening, head towards the frenetic Djemaa el Fnaa, the greatest square in all of Africa – and perhaps the world. It was once the ultimate destination for traders from Venice, sub-Saharan Africa and Asia. Today, it provides ever-changing entertainment for Moroccans and foreigners alike, reaching its climax at sunset when the square is alive with storytellers, healers, snake charmers, acrobats and countless food stalls. Walk through the square to experience its intensity and then perhaps enjoy the view from the terrace of a rooftop café.
Location:
LocationMarrakesh
Accommodation:
Accommodation Villa Des Orangers
Type:
Accommodation Type Villa
Room Basis:
Room Basis B&B: Bed and Breakfast
Depart on a full day in the Toubkal National Park, where you will find Jebel Toubkal, the highest peak in Morocco and at the base the traditional Berber Village of Imlil. Be introduced to your mountain guide who will be with you for the day to explore the region. Start your trek with the Mizik Pass a wild and totally undeveloped crossing between two populated valleys situated within the Toubkal National Park.
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. 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 Azib Tamsoult – a cluster of shepherd huts used by villagers and their flocks during the summer period. From here walk on a network of picturesque paths through the village of Tizi Oussem and down towards the village of Aid Aissa before arriving back at Imlil.
Location:
LocationMarrakesh
Accommodation:
Accommodation Villa Des Orangers
Type:
Accommodation Type Villa
Room Basis:
Room Basis B&B: Bed and Breakfast
Transfer to Marrakesh Airport for your departure flight.
Location:
LocationMarrakesh
Accommodation:
Accommodation Villa Des Orangers
Type:
Accommodation Type Villa
Room Basis:
Room Basis B&B: Bed and Breakfast
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