The
Discovery Journey
to Morocco
Experience a classic expedition to the magnificent Imperial Cities and Atlas Mountains of Morocco. The exotic blend of ancient and modern, African, Arabian and European influences will almost seem a mirage as you journey between the imperial cities. Experience the incredible vistas and rewarding birding of the Atlas Mountains, sleep in tents in the desert and discover why Morocco has always been a crossroads for many cultures.
Days 1/2 - New York/Casablanca/Rabat
Board your overnight flight to Morocco. Arrive in Casablanca where you will be greeted by your Classic Escapes professional guide and taken to the magnificent Hassan II Mosque, for a first look into the culture and religious beliefs of Morocco. Afterwards, a short drive through the countryside takes you to the imperial city of Rabat, the capital of Morocco and residence of the King. Tonight, enjoy a welcome dinner at your hotel. LA TOUR HASSAN MERIDIEN. (B Aloft, D)
Day 3 - Rabat
A full day to discover Rabat’s enchanting, glittering mosaic of ancient and modern characteristics. Stroll through the maze of streets making up the Oudaias Kasbah, where Islamic art rubs shoulders with the modern city. In the heart of the city stands the Tour Hassan, the last vestige of an unfinished mosque. Behind its marble columns, the Mohammed V Mausoleum engenders solemn respect and serene contemplation. Cross the river to the old city of Sale. Visit the private museum of Mr. Ben Ghazzi and join his family in their private home on the top floor of this museum. Later, continue to the AMESIP Foundation to see how creative solutions are being implemented to care for neglected children and donate supplies to further their education. LA TOUR HASSAN MERIDIEN. (B,D)
Day 4 - Meknes/Volubilis/Fez
Drive to the Royal City of Meknes, the megalomaniacal creation of Moulay Ismail, the most cruel and tyrannical of all Morocco’s sultans who reigned for 55 years around 1700. The city had over 50 palaces, with almost 18 miles of walls and 20 gates. Visit the Moulay Ismail Mausoleum and the horse breeding center at Haras with its superb Berber and Arabian horses. Continue to the extensive Roman ruins of Volubilis, where nearly 2,000 years ago Berber tribes stopped the Roman legions to end Rome’s conquest of what is now Morocco. Arrive at Fez in the late afternoon, the capital of Morocco for more than 400 years, home to the country’s oldest university and leading cultural and religious center. Perched high on the hills of Fez, your hotel overlooks the old medina of this medieval town. HOTEL LES MERINIDES. (B,D)
Day 5 - Fez
Entering one of Fez-el-Bali’s 14 gates is like stepping back thousands of years into a maze of winding streets lined with tiny workshops of 30,000 craftsmen. Visit the Kairaouine Mosque, one of the oldest universities in the world and the 14th-century Medersa Bou Inania. At Dar Batha Museum see the finest examples of local arts and crafts. Then explore Merinides Tombs for an overview of the old city. Tonight, enjoy dinner at a private home. HOTEL LES MERINIDES. (B,D)
Day 6 - Erfoud
Verdant cedar forests give way to volcanic mountains and wind-swept plains as you drive across the Middle Atlas range to Midelt. Pass fortified mud and straw villages and descent into the spectacular Ziz Gorge. The landscape becomes more arid, broken only by the lush oasis of Ziz Valley. For a true taste of Berber life, sleep in a private tent at the Dunes of Erg Chebbi, the largest sand dunes in Morocco. The typical Bedouin camp draped with beautiful carpets has one single bed in each small area of the tent with portable shared toilet and shower facilities. Enjoy a traditional lamb dinner in the main tent with entertainment by the Bedouins. PRIVATE TENT AT DUNES OF ERG CHEBBI. (B,D)
Day 7 - Erfoud/Tineghir
Drive through lunar-like landscape to Tineghir, one of the largest and most beautiful oases in Morocco. At the nearby Todra Gorge, enjoy a lunch of tagine at a restaurant looking out at canyon walls. With its origins in the High Atlas, the Todra Gorge is one of Morocco’s most spectacular landscapes. Birding is prolific and you may see Blue Rock Thrush, Eurasian Crag-martin and Bonelli’s Eagle. KASBAH LAMRANI. (B,L,D)
Days 8/9 - Dades Gorge/Skoura
Your odyssey continues to Dades Gorge with a stop en route at Tamtattouchte and Msemri along the two rivers of the central High Atlas Mountains. They pass through impressive gorges and irrigate lush, green valleys full of avian life. Next stop is the heart of the Dades Valley at the oasis Kelaa Mgouna, famous for its Persian roses and the manufacture of rose water perfume essences. Drive past hundreds of Kasbahs, erected by Berbers to protect themselves from invaders, to Skoura. Your 17th-century Kasbah offers breathtaking views of the High Atlas Mountains. The next day enjoy a half-day trek under the shade of palm trees crossing large plantations of olive, apple, fig and almond trees, to the beautiful Kasbah Amerhidil. KASBAH BEN MORO. (B,L,D Daily)
Day 10 - Ouarzazate/Marrakech
Continue towards Ouarzazate, a town rising from the desert along the southern flank of the High Atlas Mountains. Burning sands, snowy peaks and walled villages are all found here. Visit Kasbahs Tifoultoute and Taourirt and the medieval fortress of Ait Benhaddou which guarded the trading route to Timbuktu and was immortalized in numerous movies including Lawrence of Arabia. Onward to Marrakech along the River Imini towards the 7,500 foot high Tizi-n-Tichka Pass in the heart of the High Atlas Mountains, with a stop at the now deserted Kasbah of Telouat. Following lunch at the Hotel La Roseraie, descend back onto the edge of the desert arriving in the red-colored imperial city of Marrakech, situated in an oasis of more than half a million palm trees and surrounded by deep walls. THE HOTEL TICHKA SALAM. (B,L,D)
Days 11/12 - Marrakech
Visit the 12th-century Koutoubia Mosque, one of the largest in Africa and the fascinating Bahya Palace, plus the Palace of Dar Sis Aid, one of the finest museums in Morocco. Wander through the timeless labyrinth of streets to the world-renowned Jemaa Lena Square. Sip mint tea on a terrace overlooking the storytellers, fire-eaters, snake charmers, acrobats and jugglers below, before returning to the hotel for dinner. The next day experience Marrakech from the romantic pace of a horse-drawn carriage. Travel to the Still Basin of the Menara Park and to the Majorelle Garden, a splendid villa now owned by the French couturier Yves Saint-Laurent, housing a museum. In the afternoon, explore the souks of Marrakech on your own. Enjoy cocktails at a private home before a farewell dinner at one of the best restaurants in the old medina. THE HOTEL TICHKA SALAM. (B,D)
Day 13 - Marrakech/New York
Time to say farewell to Morocco as you fly back to the USA. (B, Meals Aloft)
Your Journey Includes:
- Roundtrip air transportation from New York.
- Superior accommodations throughout as indicated or similar.
- All meals as specified.
- Complimentary bottled water throughout.
- Land Rovers for sightseeing from Erfoud.
- Deluxe air-conditioned motorcoach throughout.
- Services of a highly-trained English speaking guide.
- Private visits to homes and museums as stated in itinerary.
- All applicable hotel taxes and gratuities for baggage handling.
- All entry fees to visited monuments.
- Complimentary backpack, baggage tags and passport wallet.
2008 Dates |
Price |
Single Supplement Price |
Apr 19 - May 2 |
$4,595 |
$995 |
May 17 - May 30 |
$4,595 |
$995 |
Aug 30 - Sep 12 |
$4,595 |
$995 |
Oct 18 - Oct 31 |
$4,595 |
$995 |
*Prices do not reflect applicable taxes.