MAR 28 - APR 6, 2024
10 DAYS, 9 NIGHTS
MOROCCO
JET SETTING WITH JEK TRAVELS TO MOROCCO:
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TENTATIVE ITINERARY
MAR 27-DAY 0 - DEPART USA
MAR 28 -DAY 1 - ARRIVAL
ARRIVE CASABLANCA AIRPORT - RABAT (L)
Upon arrival in Casablanca, after proceeding through immigration
customs and collecting your baggage, our representative is waiting
for you outside of the terminal with a big welcome before starting a
brief sightseeing to Casablanca, Morocco's largest metropolis and its
industrial hub. Highlights include the old French quarter of Habous,
beaches lapped by green blue water, the Hassan II Grand Mosque
(exterior) considered among the largest in the world, has a capacity of 25,000 worshipers. The mosque's minaret is the tallest religious structure in the world.
After the tour, head to Rick’s Café restaurant for lunch and then
transfer along the coastline to Rabat. Upon arrival, you will be
welcomed with a mix of pastries and soft drinks. Overnight in Rabat.
The tour of Casablanca is for early arrivals only.
MAR 29 -DAY 2 - RABAT-MEKNES-VOLUBILIS-FEZ (B)
After breakfast, you will be met at your hotel for a short tour of Rabat, the capital of Morocco. You
will enjoy a short walk at the Mohammed V Mausoleum. Mosaics rise from the marble floor to a
ceiling of gold leaf and hand-carved cedar wood, while the three ground-floor tombs are carved
from white onyx.
Next to the Mausoleum is the Hassan Tower, which is the towering minaret of the Hassan Mosque
builded in 1195. The morning ends with a visit of the Kasbah of the Udayas in Rabat’s Medina.
This fortification is erected on a mountain, overlooking the ocean, and was constructed during the
realm of the Almohads. Inside the Kasbah one can come across Andalusian gardens full of
fountains, orange trees, flowers, and palms.
Then on our way to Fez, we will explore the Roman Ruins of Volubilis and the sacred town of
Moulay Idriss Meknes, Morocco's first Arab conquerors settlement. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure
in this Imperial city and continue to Fez for overnight.
MAR 30 -DAY 3 - FEZ-CITY TOUR (B)
This morning you will be met at your hotel for an allday city tour of the spiritual
capital of Morocco, Fez. The first stop is the entrance of the biggest royal
palace of Morocco. This palatial complex is located in the center of the Fez
El-Jedid area and is surrounded by high walls with intricate and elaborate
decorated ornamentations. The doors are bronze, and they shine like gold. The
interior of the palace is not available to the public because the king of Morocco
uses the complex when he visits Fez.
We then continue the tour with a panoramic view of the medina, before
venturing to the heart of the largest old souk in the world in the medieval center of Fez. The medina of Fez has not changed for centuries. Its narrow alleys house hundreds of merchants and craftsmen selling a range of products such as
dates, fish, spices, copper urns, carpets, and musical instruments. One of the
most interesting sites in Fez is the leather souk with the oldest leather tannery
in the world. The tannery dates back nine centuries. In Fez, you will visit the Jamaa Al-Karaouine (the world’s first established university) and a Medersa
(a Koranic school). You will also visit the tannery, a clay workshop, the artisan
quarters, and the other souks. Overnight to the hotel.
MAR 31-DAY 4 - FEZ-ERFOUD-MERZOUGA (BD)
Leaving Fez this morning, we drive through the Middle Atlas into the south with abreak in the quiet French built alpine resort town of Ifrane.
We continue our journey while we enjoy the views of verdant cedar forests,
volcanic mountains, wind-swept plains, spectacular gorges, and stony desert.
We travel along the marvelous oasis of the Ziz Valley before arriving in Erfoud,
port of entry to the Saharan dunes, located at the southern end of the Ziz Oasis. Known by the name of “the Gate of Sahara Desert”, Erfoud was built by the
French around 1920 as an outpost and Foreign Legion stronghold. This frontier
town on the Algerian border has a definite Wild West feel to it (in this case, Wild South). Fossilized bathtubs and moist sweet dates are its current claims to
fame. Then time to overland to Merzouga, the heart of the desert, and surf the
sandy sea on a powerful 4WD Land Rover. Dinner and overnight to the desert
Camp.
APR 1-DAY 5 - MERZOUGA-DADES-QUARZAZATE (BD)
Enjoy an early morning sunrise camel ride along the golden sand dunes in
Merzouga. Return for breakfast before driving to Tinghir via Rissani and Tinjdad. Tinghir is a gorgeous, 40km oasis, which boasts one of the largest palm groves
in the country. Enjoy walking at the famous Todra Gorges, a 300m wall, carved
deep into the High Atlas Mountains.
Leave Tinghir heading to Dades and its charming valley. Stop there to take
pictures then continue along to KelaatM’Gouna, a large village famous for
cultivating roses. Expect to find many fine, rose-infused products there.
Transfer to Ouarzazate, also known as the “Hollywood” of Morocco for dinner
and overnight.
APR 2 - DAY 6 - QUARZAZATE-AIT BEN HADDOU - MARRAKECH (B)
Enjoy the city tour of Ouarzazate, beginning with the Taourirt Kasbah that is
considered one of the most beautiful Kasbahs in the country, and the film
studios (optional visit) where some of the most famous desert landscapes are
being shot.
Continue to the spectacular fortress of Ait Ben Haddou, the iconic landscape
immortalized in films such as Lawrence of Arabia, Gladiator and Games of
Thrones among others. Leave Ait Ben Haddou crossing the High Atlas Mountains via the magnificent TizInTichka pass (2,262m) to Marrakech for overnight.
APR 3-DAY 7 - MARRAKECH-CITY TOUR (BD)
After breakfast, enjoy the city tour of Marrakesh, the “Red City”, a majestic place filled with palaces, gardens, markets, and mosques. Upon arrival, you will first
stand by the Koutoubia Mosque with its 282 ft minaret, an architectural
landmark dating back to the late 12th century.
You will continue to the 19th century stunning Bahia palace and discover the
intricate work done by the local artisans to decorate this splendid home built by a powerful Vizir for his Harem. The building includes one hundred and fifty rooms, countless courtyards and interior gardens, a veritable labyrinth of corridors, a Koranic school, hammams, a harem, stables. From there we will start exploring
artisan quarters and the colorful Souks to interact with the real life of Marrakech people.
Continue to Dar El Bacha Museum, built in 1910 and was the residence of Thami El Glaoui, named Pasha of Marrakech by Sultan Moulay Youssef in 1912. It is one of the medina's finest examples of Riad architecture, dripping with Moroccan
Zellige (colorful geometric tilework), intricate white plasterwork and heavy
carved cedar-wood lintels.
Before sunset we will be strolling in the square of which the city is so famed,
Jemaa El Fna, where hundreds of locals and tourists come to spend the end of
the day watching jugglers, dancers, fortune tellers, story tellers and traditional
musicians. After the tour, head to your hotel to freshen up. When you are ready,
transfer to a local restaurant to enjoy a typical Moroccan dinner with
entertainment. After the dinner, back to your hotel for overnight.
APR 4 - DAY 8 - MARRAKECH (B)
After breakfast, morning at leisure or wander on your own.
At 4PM, you’ll be picked up for a unique gastronomic experience, 20-min.
drive from Marrakech. The cooking class is taking place on the terrasse of the
villa in a spectacular décor with the Atlas Mountains in the background. The NewYork Times 3-stars Executive Chef will unlock the secrets of the Moroccan
recipes he has mastered over the years. You’ll leave with an inside perspective
on one of the world’s most highly cherished cuisines. Dinner with the Chef
(cooked class food will be served). This activity includes a welcome drink and a brief introduction to the property with picking fresh produces from the garden if season permits; a traditional welcome tea session, Berber bread making and
Spices demonstrations; and the preparation of a 3-course meal
(appetizer, traditional Moroccan dish, and dessert). After dinner, drive back to
Marrakech for overnight.
APR 5-DAY 9 - MARRAKECH (B)
Breakfast at the hotel. The hammam is a must-do activity in Morocco.
Historically, the hammam was a public bathhouse for the locals to clean off the
dirt and grime invariably accumulated after traveling through the desert. Today,
the hammam still serves this purpose for the locals, but is brought to a higher
level for the tourists. In the hammam, you’ll be submerged by a complete
relaxation experience within an authentic oriental décor where you’ll be listening to your own body in an atmosphere filled with water, oils, essences, and
perfumes. Enjoy a 30-min. scrub with black soap or soothing spices
eliminating toxins from your body.
After Hammam, sway to the massage room where you will experience a
30-min. traditional Moroccan massage to eliminate tensions and
gain energy and vitality. The rest of the day is at leisure or wander on your own. Overnight at the hotel.
APR 6 - DAY 10 - CASABLANCA AIRPORT (B)
After breakfast, transportation to the airport for your return flight.
WHAT'S INCLUDED:
4* Accommodation as per itinerary
Transfers are included
Arrival Meet & Greet
Services of a qualified English speaking local guide
Entrance fees as per the itinerary
Meals as indicated on itinerary (B-full breakfast, L-Lunch, D-Dinner)
Government/local taxes at existing rates
WHAT'S NOT INLUDED:
∙Changes in Government/local taxes
∙International air, any taxes and Air Seat Selection
∙Personal items such as laundry, email, fax, telephone, souvenirs, fees for personal photos and videos
∙Meals unless listed in itinerary and all drinks
∙Tips & Gratuities
∙Early check-in & late check out of rooms (standard check-in time is 2pm and check out 10am)
∙Travel Insurance, Visa/passport handling fees
∙Porterage
∙All COVID19 tests and its related expense