Itinerary ^{_______________________}

Day 1 Casablanca

Upon arrival in Casablanca , the economic capital of Morocco , you will be met and begin your tour of Casablanca . Dinner will be served at the Hotel.

Suggested Sites:

• A local market (souk)
• Ride along the corniche (coastline)
• Royal Palace ,
• Mohammed V square
• Hassan II mosque

Day 2              Rabat

After breakfast, you will leave by van to Rabat . Once in the capital city and residence of the King, you will visit the medina, Mohamed V’s Mausoleum, the Hassan Tower , the Mosque, and the ramparts and walls of the Mechouar surrounding the Royal Palace .  Dinner will be served at the Hotel.

Suggested Sites:

• Mohamed V Mausoleum
• La Tour Hassan
• Royal Palace
• Chellah
• Ancient Medina

Day 3  Rabat / Volubilis / Meknes

After an early breakfast, you will set out in the morning to the ancient Roman ruins of Volubilis. On route you will stop in the cork forest.  From there you will move on to Volubilis and spend the morning exploring the 2000-year-old ruins and getting a picture of life during the Roman Empire .  Lunch will be taken in Moulay Idris, one of the holiest cities in Morocco .  After lunch, your will begin the tour of Meknes .  Dinner will be served at the Hotel.

Suggested Sites:

• Volubilis – Ancient Roman Ruins / Mosaics
• Bab El Mansour
• Dar El Makhzen palace
• Sidi Sand mosque,
• Moulay Ismail Mausoleum
• Kouba El Khayatine

Day 4 Fes

You will continue touring Meknes and then head off to Fes, the cultural capital of Morocco .  In the afternoon, you will begin exploring the amazingly, historical city of Fes starting the ramparts, King’s Palace and Jewish Quarter. Dinner will be served in the hotel.

Suggested Sites:

• Royal Palace
• Mellah (Jewish Quarter)
• Jewish Synagogue (not always open to the public)
• Ramparts of Fes
• Potter’s Cooperative
• Al-Qayrawan mosque
• Medersa Bou Inania
• Weavers Cooperative
• Berber Carpet Demonstration
• Tanneries
• Dyers Market
• Najjarine Wood Museum
• Museum Batha

Day 5 Fes

After breakfast you will begin your guided tour of the medina, one of the world’s largest walled in cities.  You will explore the narrow streets lined with fresh fruit, mounds of spices, intricately woven Berber carpets and many other art objects of Morocco .  A visit to the Kings Palace , the tanneries, and potters are just a few places you will experience.  For lunch you will eat in traditional restaurant in the heart of the medina. After lunch you will complete the tour and in the evening you will meet up with your host families.  Dinner will be served at your host home.

Day 6 Fes

CHOICE:

You can either stay with your host family for the day…shopping, cooking, hmmam etc…

***Some of the host families will be very entertaining while others will be more sitting around.

OR Mid morning you can continue a tour of the medina and return in the afternoon to your host families.

***This would break up the time…which could be good or bad!

Day 7  Erfoud

After an early breakfast you will begin your ascent across the Middle Atlas Mountains.  Most of the day will be spent winding your way through the beautiful forests, jagged rock faces, and Berber villages as you cross the Atlas Mountains and begin to descend towards the Sahara Desert . Half way, you will stop for lunch in the town of Midelt , famous for its fossils and rocks.  On arrival at the Kasbah Tizimi in Erfoud, a hot shower or dip in the swimming pool (depending on the weather) will be a treat after the drive. Dinner will be served at the Hotel.

Day 8 Sahara Desert

After breakfast you will set off to explore Rissani, the ruins of Sijilmassa and visit a ksar (fortified village).  In the afternoon, you will head off in some 4-wheel drive vehicles across the barren land to the majestic Sahara sand dunes.  You will set off by camel for a 2-hour trek out to the oasis where you will spend the night in Berber tents (Dinner is included).

Suggested Sites:

• Fossil Factory in Erfoud
• Rissani Town and Souk
• Ruins of Sijilmassa
• Ksar (Fortified Village)
• Giant Dunes of Erg Chebbi

Day 9 Todra Gorges / Dades / Ouarzazate / Ait Benhaddou

After breakfast, you will return by camel to the 4x4s and head back to Erfoud.  From Erfoud you set out behind the High Atlas Mountains on route to the Oaurazazate.  Upon arrival at the Dades Gorges, you will explore the beautiful area and the nomadic Berbers. 

From Dades you will continue along the route to Ouarzazate, known as the “Land of 1000 Kasbahs” Perhaps a visit to one of the Kasbahs would be of interest. You will spend the night overlooking the famous Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou   In typical Moroccan fashion, the true treasures must be searched out and discovered...usually off the beaten path.  In actuality, this setting has been used for more films than any other location in Morocco ; films including, Lawrence of Arabia, Jesus of Nazareth , and recently The Gladiator.  Dinner will be served at hotel.

Suggested Sites:

• Todra Gorges
• Dades Gorges
• Valley of Roses
• Ait Benhaddou
• Kasbahs

Day 10  Ait Ben Haddou / Taffraout

From Ait Ben Haddou, you will set off below the High Atlas down to Taffraout and the south.  Experience the diverseness of Morocco as you see where the Souss Berbers make their homes.

Day 11  Taffraout and surrounding Areas

Continue exploring the regions of the Anti-Atlas by visiting a local souk or village.

Day 12   Day in the Life of a Berber

After breakfast, the group will set off to a Berber village to enjoy a truly cultural experience…The Day in the Life of a Berber.  The students will learn first hand by collecting water from the well, cooking lunch, brewing Berber mint tea, and sleeping in a Berber house.

Day 13              Marrakech

After breakfast, the group will return to Marrakech and will have a guided tour of Marrakech, the southern pearl of Morocco . You will discover the Palace of the Bahia , the Saadian Tombs, and many other hidden treasures.    After lunch, you will continue with the tour on to the magnificent Koutoubia Mosque and the famous Djemaa el-Fna, one of the center attractions of Marrakech.  The tour will conclude with an exploration of  the souk (market) lined with fresh fruit, mounds of spices, intricately woven Berber carpets and many other art objects of Morocco.  Dinner will be served in the hotel.

Suggested Sites:

• Djemaa El-Fna (large square)
• Saadian Tombs
• Bahia Palace
• Koutoubia Mosque
• Majorelle Gardens
• Menara Gardens
• Souk
• Spice / Perfumes / Natural Medicine Pharmacy (fun for a family)

Day 14  Marrakech / Essaouira

In the morning, you will continue your visit of Marrakech.

In the afternoon, you will set off to the coastal city of Essaouira , a picturesque fishing town, lying on the southwest coast of Morocco .  With an exquisite beach to the south, Essaouira has become one of Morocco 's most popular coastal towns.  Many of the countries wood carvers and artists make Essaouira their home.  Dinner will be served at the Hotel.

Day 15              Casablanca

Your last day of travel will take you back to Casablanca .  You will leave Essaouira for Casablanca with a stop at El Oualidia on the way. We drive along the coastline to El Jadida where we visit the citadel and see the underground cistern. We then continue on to Casablanca , where we spend our last night in the country.  Dinner will be served at the Hotel.

Day 16  Casablanca / Depart