Colorful Morocco 9 Days - USA/Canada Departure

Day 1: Depart for Morocco

On board international flight to Casablanca.

Day 2: Casablanca Arrival

Upon arrival at Casablanca, meet and greet then transfer to hotel (transfer is not included if you booked the land only package).

Rest up and get ready for your busy sightseeing tomorrow.

Remarks before tour starts:

1. Conservative dress is recommended especially visiting the religious venues. No shorts or short skirts for ladies and bare shoulders/heads are better to be covered. Men are encouraged to choose the long pants. Remove shoes when entering into the mosques.
2. Ramadan is the holy month for the Islamic world and all Muslims have to fast from dawn to dusk without eating, drinking or smoking. Non-Muslims are not supposed to eat in public at this time.

Day 3: Casablanca - Rabat - Volubilis - Meknes - Fes

Acclaimed as the “Atlantic Bride”, Casablanca is also called a “White City” as the entire city is dominated by white color. Today you will start your journey from Casablanca to Fes and on the way, visit the political capital Rabat, some 56mi/90km away to the north along the ocean coast. Rabat is one of the four ancient imperial cities with a history of about 900 years. Follow our local expert to explore the UNESCO listed Kasbah of the Udyas, once a military fortress on the ocean and first built by the Berber Dynasty in 12 century AD, now is a mesmerizing blue and white artist village, nicked named “Miniature Chefchaouen”. The white marble Mausoleum of Mohammed V commemorating the founding father of modern Morocco sits just opposite of Hassan Tower, a remarkable and elegant structure from 1195 AD. In between the two constructions are 312 stone pillars still standing as the Ruins of Grand Hassan Mosque which was destroyed during 1775 earthquake. Continue on to Meknes, 94mi/150km from Rabat. En route, stop at Volubilis to visit a UNESCO listed ancient Roman city archeological site and also the Mausoleum of Mouley Ismail. Arrive at Meknes, one of the four ancient imperial cities and used to be the capital city in 1672 AD. Walk around the historical city under the protection of UNESCO including Royal Stables, City Wall and Bab Mansour.

Overnight in Fes.

Day 4: Fes

Being the first of the four ancient imperial cities, Fes is always regarded as the religious and cultural capital even today with 2800 years of history. Start off your full sightseeing day by observing the Bronze Doors of the Royal Palace, symbol of the country followed by entering the magnificent Bab Bou Jeloud erecting between the old town and the new town with shining blue façade on the outside and green mosaic design facing interior, a typical Moorish architecture. Stroll along the UNESCO Medina old winding alleyways lined with hundreds of mosques and tens of thousands of shops with medieval atmosphere. As the first Muslim city in North Africa and proud to be one of the Islamic Mecca places globally, Fes had the world first university, Mosque and University Karaouiyn which was built close to 400 years earlier than Oxford University. Once known as the “African Athens”, “Paradise for Handicrafts” and “Pottery Capital”, Fes was a much more prosperous and sophisticated city than most of the European metropolitan areas back then. Step into the bucket-list workshop of Dye-pits, Tanneries, Ceramics, Carpet weaving and learn how the local artisans have preserved their traditional techniques for producing such high standard handicrafts for hundreds of years.

Enjoy your free evening or you may join us for a unique optional evening excursion to enrich your experience.

Optional Tour: Fes by Night with dinner and live performance in Riad U$99/person

Sit down in a traditional-style house with a courtyard in the middle decorated with colorful ceramic mosaic paterns. Dinner is the special Moroccan delicacy accompanied by a live music band. Some of the instruments that the musicians use date back to ancient dynasties. A marvelous proformance presented by belly dancers and local artists will for sure leave you an unforgettable memory for the evening.

Day 5: Fes - Ifrane - Midelt - Erfoud - Merzouga

Morning bus ride to Merzouga(350mi/460km) via Ifrane with a lunch break at Midelt. En route, sit back relax and enjoy idyllic sceneries of the middle Atlas Mountain, tree-fringed Ziz Valley and Berber villages.

Erfoud, the gateway to Sahara, has earned its fame from its golden desert, towering dunes and surreal terrain like on the planet of Mars which have attracted many international filmmakers. Welcome to attend the optional Saharan Excursion with dinner.

Overnight in Merzouga

Optional Tour: Sahara by Night with dinner U$99/person

Enjoy the magical sunset against the golden dunes at Merzouga Desert. You may try 4X4 jeep and attend the heart-beating dune bashing ride. Hop on a camel and ride into a Berber Camp and try the traditional dinner with the villagers beneath the starry sky.

Day 6: Merzouga - Todgha - Tinghir - Quarzazate

After breakfast in the hotel, begin your journey westward(150mi/200km) to Tinghir, a small but thriving oasis town surrounded by lush palm trees in the middle of a huge arid landscape. Not far from Tinghir stand the imposing natural wonders, Todgha Gorge and Dades Valley famous for the spectacular sheer cliff-sided canyons featured in many movies and advertisements. Keep driving to Quarzazate(105mi/170km), a city called” African Hollywood” where over 100 well known films have been made.

Overnight in Quarzazate.

Day 7: Quarzazate - Ait Ben Haddou - Marrakesh

Kick off the day to explore Ait-Ben-Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a celebrated “The most charming village in Morocco”. This one thousand years old village was made of red clay by the Berbers and served as a fortress along the caravan route between the Sahara and Marrakesh in ancient time. Afterwards you are going to reach Marrakesh(140mi/180km) and venture into the last of the four imperial cities. Often declared to be the “Pearl of the South”, Marrakesh is also named “Red City” due to its age old red city wall together with other red sandstone buildings from the history. In sharp contrast to this major city color, Majorelle Garden adopts vibrant colors especially the bright yellow and bright blue for decorating the courtyard dotted with leafy trees, dense shrubs, towering cacti and colorful flowers. The so-called Majorelle Blue villa located in the garden has been converted to be the Berber Museum, home to a collection of Berber cultural relics and artifacts. Next is Saadian Tombs, a richly and luxuriously decorated complex depicting the high point of Moroccan and Moorish architecture in the Saadian Dynasty. Following the necropolis is the Bahia Palace, former residence of the royal family known for its ornate glazed tiles and intricate wood carving decorations. Your final stop is at the center of old quarter, Koutoubia Mosque, “The most beautiful mosque in North Africa”, big enough to host 20,000 people at the same time. The 253ft/77m tall minaret tower, also called “Fragrant Tower”, is the landmark and symbol of the city, not only due to its height but also its aroma as herbs and spices were added in the plaster when constructed.

Enjoy the rest of the day or you may take part in our optional Marrakesh evening excursion with dinner

Optional Tour: Marrakesh by Night with dinner U$99/person

Hop on a horse carriage for a ride to soak up the unique ambiance of thousand-year-old North African culture. Explore Medina, a UNESCO World Cultural Site and linger around the dynamic and lively Djema el-Fna Square, a never-sleeping bazaar for almost one thousand years where you will find dancers, fortune tellers, snake charmers and acrobats all over the market place. The smell of the food stands, the lights of the souvenir stalls, the rhythm of the musicians all make this souk a hustle and bustle hub of Marrakesh attracting visitors from home and abroad every single day. Dinner will be a roast lamb feast in a unique Moroccan tent facing a horse race track for an outstanding production.

Day 8: Marrakesh - Casablanca

Breakfast in the hotel followed by a bus ride back to Casablanca(190mi/250km), Morocco’s commercial capital and the largest city of the country. Upon arrival, go directly to Mohammed V Square located at the city center in honor of the former king of Morocco Muhammad V. Head to Hassan II Mosque, the third largest mosque worldwide. Designed by French architects, partially built in the Atlantic and equipped with innovative facilities, the mosque is often hailed as the “Mosque on the ocean” and the “Most luxurious and modern mosque in the world”. Stroll along the Miami Beach Boardwalk, a trendy and cozy coastal promenade where you may enjoy the ocean breeze, view the stunning sunset or take a selfie with the Atlantic Ocean.

Overnight in Casablanca.

Day 9: Depart from Morocco

After breakfast, transfer to the airport and board the flight back to your home (transfer is not included if you booked the land only package).

*Please note: Depending on the air scheduling and availability, your flight back to USA/Canada may depart in very early morning the next day (00:00 am-03: 00 am).

For your final day, you may explore the city on your own and transfer to the airport in the evening. Hotel check-out is before noontime. (Late check-out may be available for a fee subject to the hotel policy).

Included:

1. Round-trip international flight from New York (All Airports) to Casablanca for NO additional charge

The following departure cities are available for an additional charge:

Additional U$500/person	Montreal / Miami / Fort Lauderdale / Boston / Washington, D.C. / Orlando
Additional U$600/person	Austin / Oklahoma / Toronto / Chicago / Detroit / Memphis / Milwaukee
Additional U$700/person	Dallas / Philadelphia / Charlotte / Houston / Denver / Phoenix / Sacramento / San Antonio / Vancouver / Seattle / Portland / Los Angeles / San Diego / San Francisco/ Las Vegas

Land only package without round-trip international flight ticket: minus U$500/person

2. Hand-picked 4 & 5 star hotel accommodations

3. Transfer from airport to hotel and hotel to airport (except for land only package)

4. Sightseeing admission fees as listed on the agenda

5. Food as specified on the itinerary

6. Special cultural programs as specified in the schedule

7. Professional English speaking local tour expert

8. All tax and fuel surcharge

Excluded:

1. Travel insurance

2. Any personal expenses

3. Tour extensions and optional programs

4. Gratuity* for tour guides and drivers

5. Single supplement fee: U$700 (*Our tour price is based on double occupancy and if a single passenger is traveling solo and not sharing room with any roommate for the entire trip, a single supplement fee is charged. If a passenger shares a room with travel partner(s) on the tour, such fee is waived.)

Optional Features

FLIGHT CHOICE:

☆ Regular Flight: We are trying to put you on a direct flight. If this is not possible, you will take flights with moderate layover time: + U$0

☆ Express Flight: We are trying to put you on a direct flight. If this is not possible, you will take flights with limited layover time of less than 6 hours each way

Price: U$299/person

☆ Swift Flight: You will take a direct flight with no layover guaranteed (if there is (a) direct flight(s) service already existing between your departure gateway and the arrival gateway of your destination country)

Price: U$599/person

☆ Business Class Upgrade (exclusively available for US departures): Elevate your journey with a luxurious international long-haul flight that defines sophistication and comfort.

Price: U$6,000/person

OPTIONAL PROGRAMS (CHOOSE BEFORE THE TRIP STARTS):

☆ Day 4: Fes by Night with dinner U$99/person

☆ Day 5: Sahara by Night with dinner U$99/person

☆ Day 7: Marrakesh by Night with dinner U$99/person

FLIGHT DEVIATION SERVICE:

Please contact us for details and pricing whenever you need

PRE & POST TRIP ACCOMMODATION SERVICE:

Please contact us for details and pricing whenever you need

Visa

Morocco does not require a visa for USA & Canada passport holders. You must have a valid passport with at least one blank page.

Visit the "IATA Travel Centre" for detailed information on country-specific passport, visa and health requirements:

https://www.iatatravelcentre.com/passport-visa-health-travel-document-requirements.htm

Call 1-855-526-1286 or email [email protected] for any inquiries about travel visas.