Private Adventure From Marrakech to Casablanca

A 9 - Day Adventure - Including camping in the Sahara

The Dunes & Kasbahs of Morocco. Start in Marrakech and end in Casablanca
Or start Marrakech and end in Marrakech

Click here for the 11 Days with a seaside stay in Essaouira

Explore the historic kasbahs (fortresses) and natural alpine beauty of southern Morocco's mighty High Atlas Mountains on this tour to Marrakech, Ouarzazate, Zagora, Merzouga , Fez Erfoud, and Berber villages at the edge of the Sahara Desert. Compare with the daily arrival Version , or with a one night camping in the Sahara. This tour starts weekly , year round

Day 1 - MARRAKECH - Arrive Any Day - Year Round
Welcome to Marrakech! We escort you to your hotel. Remainder of the day at leisure.

DAY 2 - MARRAKECH , The Flavors of Morocco (BLD)
Breakfast is always included at the hotel .

In the morning , we'll see some of the sites of this city, which Winston Churchill called "the most beautiful place in the world at sunset"! Our stops will include the Koutoubia, the landmark mosque of the city, with a tower that duplicates the Giralda of Seville, in Spain; the hidden tombs of the Saadian dynasty; the Menara pavilion and gardens; the ruins of sprawling Badi Palace; the Bahia Palace, with room after stately oriental room of intricate plasterwork and sedate hidden gardens; the Ben Yousef medersa; and the Koubba (chapel) of el-Ba'adiyn. Then on to a unique location :

One of the special ways of understanding a culture is through its cuisines--not only sampling exotic tastes, but experiencing the preparation of dishes, how they figure in ritual and ceremony, and how they have grown out of the earth and traditions, we'll proceed to the Ecole Hotelière, Marrakech's own hospitality & Culinary Academy and training school, for a demonstration of the preparation of pastry-style doughs. We'll stay for a lunch of salads, tagine of Maghdour kebab, and refreshing fruits.

We'll return to our hotel for a brief rest , then another unique adventure :

A complimentary Dinner is included at a local home:
Meet the locals, you may wish to bring token gifts to exchange with the host family ( T shirt , small souvenirs of your home town):

This evening we'll venture where few ordinary visitors ever tread . . . right into the homes of some of the people of Marrakech l! You'll be invited to a family dinner, and while you enjoy wholesome home-cooked specialties, you'll learn about and appreciate the outlook, aspirations, and way of life of your hosts. Be assured, as curious as you may be about your new friends, they're sure to have questions about your own background. Once the ice is broken, you'll enjoy a lively evening, and find that you have more in common than you ever suspected. Of course, you may enjoy a quiet evening with your travel companions, by letting us know your preferences.

DAY 3 - MARRAKECH TREKKING (BLD)
After breakfast in you hotel, leave to Amizmiz, 54 Kilometers from Marrakech. On the way you will see the Oumnast Kasbah then the Lalla Takerkoust Dam built between 1929 and 1935 with it man made lake. It will take you about an hour to reach Amizmiz , a typical Berber village , we tour the Kasbah and the "Mellah" (Jewish quarter). Every Tuesday an important country market is held, where all the villagers from the area come for their weekly shopping and gossiping. You can buy there interesting Regragra potteries. Your guide will welcome you in his home for a traditional Berber breakfast then you will start your hiking first through Sidi Hossein valley to reach Tizi Oughourane. On the way you will see picturesque landscapes of the Atlas mountains , Berber villages with their houses built in stone and earth. After a typical lunch accompanied by mint tea, you will come back to Amizimiz by a different itinerary and be transferred back to busy Marrakech by late afternoon. Remainder of the day at leisure. In the evening enjoy a delicious Dinner & music at a Moroccan restaurant.

DAY 4 - OUARZAZATE (BLD)
This morning we take a closer look at Marrakech's most important historic and architectural wonders: the Koutoubia Mosque, the Saadian Tombs and the Bahia Palace. In the afternoon we hit the road, climbing through striking alpine scenery into the High Atlas Mountains, crossing to the southeastern side of the range via the Tizi N'Tichka Pass (7415 feet). We descend to the Draa Valley, dotted with ancient kasbahs (fortified palaces), to the caravan-town of Ouarzazate at the edge of the mighty Sahara Desert.

DAY 5 - ZAGORA & TAMEGROUTE- Wednesday (BLD)
Starting bright and early, we traverse the Draa Valley with its six palm forests forming grand ribbons of greenery across the flat valley floor. Thanks to the proximity of the river, cereals, henna, vegetables, fruit and date palms are cultivated, either on the floor of the valley or on stepped terraces. We arrive in Zagora around noontime. After lunch, we embark on an excursion to Tamegroute to view the illuminated Korans, with holy verses inscribed on gazelle-skin parchment, the oldest dating from the 13th century. We'll also visit the Potters' Yard and huge Tinfou Dune before returning to Zagora, change our mode of transportation to 4 wheel drive jeeps : on our camp site for tonight, we enjoy a one hour camel trek before sunset.
Dinner and overnight under the stars ( Camping - Bedouin Tent)

DAY 6 - ERFOUD, RISSANI & MERZOUGA/ Camp- Thursday (BLD)
Today it's off to Erfoud through a dramatic landscape of "regs" (rocky tables), small mountains and oases, each with its small Berber village. In the early afternoon we arrive in Rissani, the cradle of Morocco's royal Alaouite dynasty, to admire the exterior architecture of the Mausoleum of Moulay Ali Cherif, and to take a tour of the Abou Aam Ksar (fortified village). In the late afternoon we head out by camels to our camp sites and the golden dunes of Merzouga. Watch the sunset over the pastel-colored Saharan dunes, Dinner and overnight under the stars ( Camping - Bedouin Tent)

DAY 7 - MERZOUGA / ERFOUD / MIDELT / FEZ (BLD)
After breakfast we drive back (private 4 X 4 Turbo Land Rover ) to Erfoud , where we pick up a private Mercedes sedan or air-conditioned motor coach ( depending on the number of guests) .
We drive through Tafilalet region and the Errachidia and the famous "Legionnaires Pass" ( Talghimat Pass" Lunch is included at the foot of Djebel Ayachi in Midelt at Kasbah Asmaa. Continue through the Middle Atlas Mountains in the direction of Fez. Late afternoon arrival in Fez for dinner and overnight accommodation at hotel. The city is yours to explore, guidebook in hand. The Lonely Planet guide includes all the important things to see, and recommendations for restaurants in all price ranges, so you'll never be at a loss for advice.

DAY 8 - Fez - Casablanca (BL)
After breakfast drive to Casablanca to enjoy a panoramic tour of the city , water front and Hassan II grand mosque, lunch is included at a local restaurant , then retire to your hotel : Royal Mansour or similar for deluxe and Anfa Palace for First Class .

DAY 9 - Casablanca (B)
After breakfast, we escort you to Casablanca Airport . Bon Voyage

Rates per person, In US $

Rates per person, In US $	Deluxe	First Class
In Triple Occupancy :	US$ 3190.00	US$ 2770.00
In Double Occupancy :	US$ 3289.00	US$ 2900.00
In Single Occupancy :	US$ 4280.00	US$ 3670.00

Your tour includes:

• Accommodation in , Moroccan five stars or first class hotels, as shown in the table "Our Hotels;" all rooms with private bath. As well as Deluxe Tented camp .
  
  
• Domestic air ticket within Morocco in economy class .

• Pre-set Meals as indicated in the itinerary: Continental (cB) or full breakfast (B) daily; set-menu lunch (L); set-menu dinner (D)

• Transportation throughout by deluxe air-conditioned motorcoach

• Locally guided sightseeing tours by air conditioned private car/van or motor coach as indicated in the itinerary, including all entry fees.
  
• English speaking private driver escorting you all the way.

Your Moroccan 5 stars Deluxe Rate
( or similar Hotels ) - In Casablanca we use Royal Mansour or similar

• For upgrade to Jardin de La Medina boutique hotel in Marrakech or the new Sofitel with the Atlas Mountain's view , please add : $150 per person for the full stay in Marrakech.

• Tips.
• Travel Insurance ( Please ask for the flyer)
• Flights between JFK & Casablanca , please ask us about air fare on Royal Air Maroc or Air France

 

 

Henna party ( For ladies only ) :
One of the "insiders" excursions into Moroccan culture, a chance to attend a henna party, the painting of hands and body r with this natural red dye is a symbol of joy at weddings and regarded as a way to enhance one's beauty , if interested in attending a Henna party , please let's know in advance.

 

Luxury stay & Spa Experience at the new & luxurious Sofitel Essaouira

 

For the camp :
ACCOMMODATIONS: Two-person tents equipped with 4-inch (10 cm)-thick foam mattresses. (Participants at the single rate occupy the tent alone.)
For the one night in the Sahara we suggest list of things to bring:

• Thermal clothing, to use as sleeping wear, for tenting in the desert, where evenings and early morning can be quite chilly (particularly in October, April and May) . Polar fleece jacket or woolen sweater for early morning and late evening. Windbreaker. Long-sleeved shirts to cover your arms and shoulders from the intense sun.
  

• Sturdy jogging or walking shoes, well broken in (NOT brand new); lighter tennis or regular shoes; sandals for wear in camp and in your tent

• Linen or straw sunhat, visored cap and/or head scarf

• Good sun block cream or lotion

• Miscellaneous personal items:
  - good sunglasses with UV protection, in a sturdy case

  - spare pair of prescription glasses, if you wear glasses

  - pocket flashlight, with spare batteries and bulbs

  - insect repellent .

 

TRAVEL/MEDICAL INSURANCE:
Travel and medical insurance is not included in the rates. We will send you the necessary forms and information, upon request.
We highly recommend travel insurance for any trip that includes sailing , active sport, adventure ad Sahara.

For the camp : SANITARY FACILITIES:
To ensure your utmost comfort, showers /toilets are available

 

The “Villa Nomade” - Marrakech - Morocco
an exceptional riad , charming Moroccan boutique hotel , safe from prying eyes…

A heavy nailed door opens discreetly onto the walls of the old city. Only the frenzy of the souks penetrate the crystal murmur of the fountain… One of the most beautiful riads in Marrakech opens its doors to you in Bab Taghzout, a typical merchant neighbourhood. A patio bathed in light, multicoloured zelliges (wall tiles) and hidden stairways. We have done our utmost to restore every detail of this refined palace with charm and dignity.

 

 

 

Nomad Camps at the heart of the Moroccan South

Our aim is to offer you an alternative experience off the beaten tracks of Southern Morocco
by creating accommodation with charm : three Nomad Camps in keeping with the spirit of bivouacs. Refined decor, hotel-style comfort, highquality service, Moroccan gastronomy... We have thought of everything so let yourself be swept away by the magic of these magnificent surroundings.