Luxury Morocco

Welcome to Rabat! After customs and immigration procedures, proceed to the arrival hall. Here, your driver greets you and together you drive to your hotel.

We then depart on a city tour of Rabat.

During the UNESCO meeting held in Saint Petersburg, the World Heritage Committee honored the Moroccan capital by deciding to add it to the cultural treasures of the World Heritage List.  The archaeological site of Chellah, the Kasbah of the Udayas, the Almohad gates and wall, the Hassan Mosque, the Medina, the modern town, and the Mausoleum of Mohammed V were all identified as precious features of the city to be protected and preserved. Dinner is at your hotel. (d)

After breakfast, we depart Rabat for our transfer to Fes. En route visit the ancient Roman ruins of Volubilis, sprawled over a wildflower dotted hillside. Excavated by the French in 1915, these Roman ruins date back to the 3rd century AD.

Then to the Imperial city of Meknes, known as the 'Moroccan Versailles', Meknes was founded in the 17th Century by King Moulay Ismail. The city is famous for its 25-milelong walls. There are numerous historic sites to see, such as the massive gate of Bab Mansour and The Bassin de L'Agdal, a massive 400m x 100m pool dating back some 300 years. The Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail, the Bou Inania Medersa, an Islamic educational institution, was built between 1330 and 1350.

The city shows evidences of a Jewish presence by Hebraic epitaphs dating from the Christian era; as well as Greek inscriptions in local Synagogues and the pilgrimage site of Rabbi David Benmidan's tomb, also known as 'The Patron of Meknes'. (b,l)

Today we embark on a full day tour of Fes.

'Fes el Bali ‘ (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) , was founded in the 9th century and is the home to the oldest university in the world!

Fes (or Fez) reached its golden era in the 13th-14th centuries under the Merinids, when it replaced Marrakech as the capital of the kingdom. The urban fabric and the principal monuments in the medina such as the madrasas, fondouks, palaces, residences, mosques and fountains - are all dated to this period. Although the political capital of Morocco was transferred to Rabat in 1912, Fes has retained its status as the country's cultural and spiritual center.

Artisan workshops in the medina are as active today as 100 years ago and strongly contribute to the city's industrial economy. Trades such as metal and leather working, ceramics, silk, tapestries, and sculpting are still practiced in these workshops. Original ramparts still protect the ancient city and its' 9,000 passageways and narrow streets.

Our tour includes the New Medina (the 'nouvelle Ville' of Fes), the Madersa (the theological college built in 1350), the Bab Boujiloud (entry gate to the old city) and the Splendid fountain at the Nejjarine Palace. We enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.

After lunch, we continue with our tour and visit The Mellah (the Jewish Quarter). The Jews lived here under the full protection of the sultan. We visit of the Ibn Danan Synagogue, a recently restored 17th century synagogue, as well as the Slat Alfassiyine Synagogue, located in the famous El Mellah, the Mecca of Jewish culture in the Medina of Fes. This synagogue was inaugurated recently under the patronage of Morocco's King Mohammed VI .

Slat Alfassiyine ('Prayer of those from Fes') is the oldest synagogue, established in the 17th century, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The synagogue had fallen into disrepair and had been closed since the 1960s. With funding from Morocco's Jewish community and the Federal Republic of Germany, Slat al Fassiyine has now been restored to its former glory.

The visit continues to the Souks (the markets) including the famous fabric dyers area.The evening is free to dine on your own. (b,l)

Today is at leisure to enjoy the Markets and sites on your own. The vehicle and your guide will remain at your disposal. Tonight, enjoy a special home-cooked dinner at the Dar Hatim restaurant, located at a local home in the Medina. (b,d)

Today we depart on our longest driving day in this trip (about 7 hours). Crossing the Middle Atlas range, the road from Fes to Erfoud, we drive through a rural region, of predominantly Berber population.  We start at Azrou (a Berber word for rock) which stands amidst massive cedar woods. Going south, the landscape changes gradually and becomes more arid. Here we find Midelt, mainly devoted to agriculture and mining, Midelt was founded in the early 20th century as a French military garrison that expanded into a big town as Berbers from neighboring tribes settled in. We have lunch here before continuing on our trip. We pass by the town of Errachidia and the Ziz Valley, a verdant oasis thanks to the waters of the Ziz River. We finally enter the region of Tafilalet, one of the largest oases in the world, where the towns of Erfoud and Rissani, cradle of the reigning dynasty in Morocco, are located. From 8th to 10th century, Tafilalet was an independent, wealthy Berber kingdom, profiting from its status as crossing point of the trading caravans travelling between sub-Saharan Africa and the North-East of the continent. Due to its proximity to Merzouga, a small village close to the Erg Chebbi dunes; Erfoud has developed infrastructures that are uncommon in other parts of the South. Dinner at the hotel (b,d)

We depart the hotel aboard 4x4 vehicles into the dunes of Erg Chebbi, possibly the largest dunes in the Sahara desert.

En route, together with your guide, we will explore the desert's ecosystem. The area of Erfoud & Merzouga offers some great Geological, Paleontological, and Mineralogical interesting sites: Pre-historic engravings can also be found there, as well as the typical Flora and Fauna of the Moroccan south.

Once at the dunes, we join a local nomad family for mint tea, and just enjoy the peaceful surroundings.

Later we mount the camels for a 40 minutes ride deeper into the endless sand, to witness the ever-changing colors of the sunset.

Tonight we enjoy dinner at our luxury tented camp.(b,d)

We depart the camp after a glorious sunrise and a delicious breakfast over the dunes. We drive towards Skoura, En route you pass by the most spectacular natural environments, like the Gorges of Todra; Craggy and colorful rock walls up to 1,000 feet high, and loom over a lush narrow valley dotted with oasis-like date palmeries and irrigated fields of grain. In contrast to the much-anticipated Sahara, these gorges may be the most unexpected pleasure of the trip.

Continue to Tinghir for a very special lunch and a visit to its Mellah and the ancient Jewish quarter where Jews used to live in co-existence with the local Berbers.

We arrive at our charming hotel where we enjoy a couple of hours at leisure before dinner. (b,l,d)

Today you may choose to spend some leisure at your stunning hotel, take advantage of the Hamman and Spa. Or you could spend the morning exploring the palmeraie of Skoura or enjoy cycling with a local guide with a packed lunch.

In the afternoon, there will be an excellent optional shopping experience in a local bazar-shop that offers some of the best rugs, local artwork and jewelries for the area. (b.d)

This morning, we head to the village of Aït Benhaddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where you will visit the exotic Kasbah named after it. This Kasbah is situated on a hill along the fertile Ounila River; it became famous due to its role in hosting numerous films such as: The Man Who Would Be King, Jewel of the Nile, Jesus of Nazareth, The Message, Lawrence of Arabia, The Mummy, The Gladiator and the Game of Thrones. Later we continue across the Tizi-n-Tichka Pass (2260m); stopping along the way for photos and enjoying the panoramic views of High Atlas Mountains, along with Berber villages located alongside the road. Arrive to Marrakech.(b)

Tip: Today we will be crossing the Atlas Mountain again. The road is considered one of the most spectacular roads in the Middle East, and involves hundreds of curves. We strongly suggest taking medicine before arriving at that area to avoid any possibility for motion sickness.

Widely referred to as the 'Red City'; Marrakech lies in Morocco's south western region, within sight of the High Atlas. Our day is dedicated to a comprehensive tour of the city.

Marrakech was founded in 1062 by one of the chieftains of the Almoravid, King Youssuf Ibn Tashfin. The Almoravids were desert warriors, very much attached to their Islamic religion; the original garrison developed very quickly into a city where numerous mosques and madrasas (Koranic schools) were built. Andalousian craftsmen built and decorated several palaces, merging their style with the Saharan and African traditions, which gave the city a distinctive architectural flavor. The Almoravids also erected the city walls, and created a complex system of underground irrigation canals to bring water from the High Atlas, the khettara - a system still in use to water the several gardens of the city.

At its height, Marrakech was the capital of the Almoravid Empire, which stretched as far as Senegal, most part of Spain, and Algiers. In 1147, the Almohads, tribesmen from the High Atlas Mountains who practiced orthodox Islam, sacked the city, replacing the Almoravids as rulers of the empire, and destroying many of the palaces and mosques of their predecessors. New ones were built soon, though, including the famous Koutoubia mosque, which dates from this period. Ever since, alternate ages of splendor and decline sculpted Marrakech's unique and charming character, at once decadent and full of life.

Nowadays, Marrakech is a vibrant city which exhibits a curious blend of the ancient and the modern, allowing travelers the chance to experience the genuine medieval atmosphere of the old medina, and visit the trendiest bars, art galleries and restaurants in the French Quarter, Guéliz, built at the beginning of the 20th Century, all in one day.

Our half day tour includes:

The famous Djemma El Fna, the ancient square at the heart of the city, is the focal point of Marrakech and has been for centuries. By day and, especially, by night it attracts locals and tourists alike to be entertained by dancers, musicians and snake charmers, among others, and by purveyors of a huge variety of inexpensive street food.

Saadian Tombs: Built in the 16th Century as mausoleums for some Saadian rulers and their families, the Saadian Tombs were unknown until they were discovered by the French in 1917, thanks to aerial photographs.

The Koutoubia Mosque: Built by the Almohads in the late years of 12th Century, the Koutoubia Mosque, and specially its minaret, is the most important landmark of Marrakech, and a symbol of the city itself

El Bahia Palace: Built in the late 19th Century, and decorated by the best artisans of Morocco at the time, this palace - intended to be the most magnificent of its age - features an exquisite blend of Andalusian and Moorish styles.

The Madrasa Ben Youssef: Ancestors of modern universities, the ancient madrasas were theological colleges which concentrated also all scientific and philosophic knowledge of their age, providing both lodging and education to students. This masterpiece of Islamic art was in use for centuries, until it closed in 1960.

The Souks: Filling the alleys north of Djmaa el Fna is the souk, or traditional market - the largest one in Morocco. It is, in turn, subdivided in some 18 souks, each one of them devoted to a specific trade or craftsmanship - from spices or ironwork, to the ingredients necessary for casting magic spells. Dinner on your own. Evening at leisure. (b)

Our cooking adventure takes place amongst hectares of olive groves and vegetable gardens in the Berber countryside in the verdant Amezmize Valley. You will have the chance to spend the morning exploring the gardens andorchard of the beautiful properties, learning about traditional cultivation techniques and choosing the ingredients with which you will later prepare an authentic two course Moroccan meal, helped by well reputed local chefs that will share with you some of their secrets. After our own made lunch, we return to Marrakech for an evening at leisure. (b,l)

Today we visit the Mellah: the Jewish quarter, which became the home of a thriving community of native and Spanish Jews, famed for their rabbinical schools and scholars. Visit the Rabbi Hanania Hacohen cemetery, which is also the burial place of Rabbi Mordekhai Ben Attar and Rabbi Pinhas Hacohen Azough also known as the 'Patron of Marrakech'.

Negidim synagogue was built at the end of the 19th century and the other synagogue of the mellah is the Salat el Alzama, built at the turn of the century. There is a local legend that the synagogue was built during the Second Temple period by Jews who had never lived in Eretz-Israel and had not witnessed the destruction of the Temple. Then we visit the cemetery where Rabbi Hanania Ha-Cohen, the Lion of Marrakesh, and Rabbi Pinhas Cohen are buried.

Today we enjoy a full day tour to the stunning High Atlas Mountains; we enjoy unforgettable vistas, visit local Berber families and more. The drive from Marrakech takes you past the buzzing market town of Asni and to Richard Branson's exclusive tented hotel Kasbah Tamadot, owned by Sir Richard Branson, where you enjoy the day at perfect serenity. Dinner at the hotel. (b)

At checkout time, we drive to Essaouira. The rest of the day at leisure (b)

Today, together with your guide, visit the city.

Visit Morocco’s charming Atlantic port of Essaouira on this day trip from Marrakech. Travel from Marrakech to Essaouira by air-conditioned vehicle, stop to visit an Argan Co-operative and on arrival, immerse yourself in the historical port town — a melting pot of Berber, African and Portuguese influences. Take a guided tour of the harbor and 18th-century sea fort, and explore the old medina with its colorful markets and jewelry quarter. Finally, enjoy free time to have lunch and browse the souks for souvenirs before journeying back from Essaouira to Marrakech.(b)

In time due, transfer to the airport in Marrakech and board your home-bound flight. (b)