We
start this tour from the gateway of Europe to Africa, Tangier named for the
goddess Tinge, and the lover of Hercules, who mythically pulled Europe apart
from Africa to form the Strait Gibraltar. A dramatic drive takes you through La
Montagne over a pine-covered headland to the Cap Spartel Lighthouse that lies
just 14km west of Tangier. 5km further you’ll get to Grottes d’Hercule where
you’ll have much-photographed view from within the mythical dwelling cave of
Hercules that resembles a map of Africa. Back to the Medina where you’ll spend
a few hours Meandering down the alleyways, within its 15th century Portuguese
fortress walls to visit the Kasbah Museum of Mediterranean Culture. Wander up
St Andrew’s Church for a spot of gravestone reading, then take in the latest
art exhibition at center culturel Ibn Khaldoun.
Do not
panic the guide will show you the must-see sites! With your private Fes born
and bred guide you will have the opportunity to discover the ancient breeding
ground for scholars and artisanas and the largest medina of the world. Your
will see the America Fondouk, Nejjarines, the Tanneries, the Medersa
(Theological college) and Karaouine the first established university in the
world. Your guide will shed light on many tales and 1200 years of history of
this UNESCO-protected Medina. When you finish your visit of the medina we will
drive you out of Fes to have a delicious house-made food in Lalla Fatiha’s
place in Sefrou.
An
early-morning start is recommended for this day. We leave the mazing Medina of
Fes with its mysteries and secrets of the 9000 alleyways head to southeast
towards Merzouga and the gateway into the golden dunes of the Sahara desert. En
route we will pass by the cedar forests of Ifran, the Switzerland of Morocco,
where you might think that you are in the Alps. If we’re lucky we’ll come
across the Barbary Macaques in our way to Midelt where we’ll stopover for
lunch. After eating we drive through the Middle Atlas Mountains to reach the Ziz
Valley, which considered to be among the largest producer oasis dates in
Morocco, then it’s off to Merzouga with its highest dunes in Morocco, you can
store any baggage while packing an overnight bag to bring along. You’ll have
the chance to be accompanied by a camel and blue-turban-robed guide into the
sandy seas. After hour-long camel ride you will be among the luckiest to watch
the sun set over the Sahara dunes and spend a night in a Bedouin style tent.
This
morning you’ll wake up with the sun shining on you face to witness what we hope
is a glorious sunrise among the dunes, meanwhile to watch the light creep
slowly down the dunes and pull all the world around you outside their warmth
heavy mound of blankets for an early-breakfast. After an hour-ride camel back
out of the desert you will depart and head for Erfoud where you can marvel at
the million-year-old fossils that the area is famous for. Then heading north
for a sublime experience in the Todgha gorges where we’ll be stuck between the
gigantic rock walls. Arriving to Dades gorges a rust-red and mauve mountains. A
series of crumbling Kasbahs and Ksours line the valley in the Berber villages
to the monkey Fingers Mountains.
If we
get there earlier and you still have some energy to hike a couple of hours we
will drop-off our luggage at the hotel and get dressed for the hike.
You
leave Dades at 8:00am traversing the valley of roses and daggers straight to
the 11th century UNESCO-protected red mud-brick ksar, which has formed the
backdrop for many Hollywood movies production such as Lawrence of Arabia,
Kingdom of Heaven, Jesus of Nazareth, Gladiator, Game of Thrones and many
others. You might also like to explore Ouarzazate, home to Taourirt Kasbah and
the «Ouallywood» studio. Wind up the memorable Tizi
n’Tichka pass via the north Africa’s highest peak, the high Atlas Mountains
with the Berber villages lined beside the road to
arrive to Marrakech where you will have a day-long to explore the crazed cacophony of musicians, snake charmers and vendors in the
open-air famed Jamaa El Fnaa square, and the highly recommended
sites with your guide.
Today, with your private Marrakech born and bred guide, you embark exploring the Red City from its old part with
its Medina’s skinny lanes that leads to lavish sites, tombs and religious
monuments decked out in marble. Bahia and El-Badii Palace and Saadien’s Tombs
will be your targets. Afterward, you driver/Tour Guide will pick you up for the
outside medina visit to explore the Majorelle garden, Museum Saint Laurent,
Berber Museum. While in Marrakech you will surely encounter thousands of
motorcyclists and horse-carts roaming in the city and some of them pull over
next the vast square of Jemaa El-Fnaa where it’s carnival night every
night and musicians, acrobats, storytellers and slapstick acting troupes tap
into the Medina frenetic pulse.
After
having your breakfast at the Riad, you’ll be picked up by your driver/tour
guide around 08:00am, you will head to Essaouira. Beside the road we’ll have
the chance to see the tree goats’ phenomenon, before having enough time to
explore Jimi Hendrix’s town. You’re free to roam in the city that was once and
still a haven for hippie backpackers and Gnawa musicians. You can book a local
guide, if not you can start your visit by the ramparts a series of forts that
were built in the 15th century around the Medina of Mogador. Inside the Medina
you’ll have the chance visit The Mellah (former Jewish quarter), the Morocco’s
3rd fishing port where you can have a delicious fish meal. For the
sports-oriented travelers, Essaouira is a place to some fine wind and
kitesurfing schools.
Around
8am you’ll head north to the 15 century Portuguese fortified city of Mazagan
known now as El-Jadida, nicknamed «the Deauville of Morocco» its Portuguese
structures, fortified ramparts and a system of defense surrounding the Medina
which advances out into the sea, all evoke the city’s past history. (Listed as
World Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO), an ancient coastal town impressive
testimony of Portuguese architecture. Driving north to Casablanca where you
spend your last night in morocco before leaving.
If time didn’t allow you to visit Casablanca’s sights yesterday you must do it this morning. After we done with Casa the Morocco’s political and administrative capital will be waiting, Rabat may be short on top-drawer tourist attractions, but it compensates with plenty of charm. You will have the opportunity to explore the city in a short sojourn, first through the monumental Hassan tower with the pillared stumps of its mosque being all that remains from the earthquake of 1755. There is also the near-by Mausoleum of the royal family. And do not miss to have a cup of mint tea in red Oudayas, a walled village within a city. Head further to north to the famously decadent Tangier which has always carried a slightly seedy allure, in part due to its time as a semi-independent international zone that attracted eccentric foreigners, artists and spies. The corniche bustles.
Morocco Social Impact Travel exists
to authentically connect you, not only to Morocco’s incredible destinations. We
want you to touch and feel the good quality of our local families home-cooked
meals and to taste the ras el hanout
and the saffron and more other
commonly used spices in our Delicious local & seasonal cuisine, such
as seven vegetable Couscous,
flavorful Tagines & creative
soups & vegetables, plus Tanjia
and Rfisa, mint tea and pistachios.
Plus, enjoy a hands-on cooking class so you can impress friends & family
back home.
Note: Jain, Vegetarian, Vegan, Halal
and Kosher food options on request. Simply let our Customer Support team know
the food option that you prefer.
While in Morocco we are
pleased to support the wonderful work of Ennajah Association and Chabab Time,
two nonprofit organizations. the first one based in Zagora and aims to create
sustainable development in community through The Fight Against School Dropouts
of girls by providing transportation and providing water for the population ...
The second one is based
in Rabat but works all over Morocco and aims to motivate young people to
actively participate in Public life. We may also pick a local Berber
school to donate supplies & small toys, spreading joy in simple ways, and
giving a bit back to the local people of the area.
Last but not least, we
want you to have the opportunity to give back, to support vulnerable families
in meaningful ways. To build authentic connections and know that your visit
matters. That when you leave, you’ll take carpets and Argan oil and lanterns
and photographs and memories, but you’ll also leave a mark that made a
difference.
We, in Morocco Social Impact Travel
« MSITravels », care about our customers and their comfort. Thus, we
offer different kind of transportation depending on the number of travelers and
the chosen tour. E.g. if the tour is off-road we will offer a 4 wheels drive
car for each 4 customers maximum. Otherwise we have 7 seats Minivan, Minibus for 17 travelers and Coach for more than 17 travelers.
Included:
⋎
Eng, Fr or Spanish-speaking
professional driver/tour guide
⋎
Shuttle from and to the Airport
⋎
Accommodation: 14 nights
⋎
City Guide: Marrakech and Fes
medina guided tours
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Meals: 15 Breakfast, 3 Lunch with local families, 2 Dinner
⋎
Private Transportation: minivan or 4WD, camel,
⋎
Air-conditioned vehicle
⋎
Visit to women's cooperatives
⋎
Toll road fees, fuel charges and all taxes
⋎ Transport Insurance
Excluded:
×
Flights
×
Travel Insurance
×
Gratuities
×
Entrance fees to historical
monuments
×
Additional services
×
Drinks
×
Anything not mentioned
in ‘included’
Price varies by group size
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