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What is the Best Time to Go to Morocco?What is the best time to go to Morocco? It depends on what you want to do. Morocco is a land of contrasts, resulting in dramatically different climates in different parts of the …
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No time like the present! Arrive in Casablanca and get ready for a city tour. You'll be greeted by your driver and taken into the largest city in Morocco—as well as in the Maghreb (Northwest Africa) and all of Africa. During your tour, you'll visit Hassan II Mosque, the largest mosque in Morocco and the third largest in the world (entry fees to the mosque are not included). It also has one of the tallest minarets in the world.
When your tour is over, travel 60 miles to Rabat (approx. 1.5 hr drive). Along the way, enjoy views of the Corniche coast.
Upon arrival, check in to your lovely four-star riad (manor home) in Rabat. The city of Rabat is located on the Atlantic Ocean at the mouth of the Bou Regreg River, with a population of about 1.2 million. Your charming Riad, built in 1815 and restored in 2004, is located in in the heart of the medina. The riad is equipped with all the modern comforts including a pool, spa, and traditional Moroccan restaurant.
After breakfast, visit the Mausoleum and Hassan Tower of Rabat. The Mausoleum is a historical building containing the tombs of the Moroccan king and his two sons, King Hassan II and Prince Abdallah. Admire its white silhouette, topped by a typical green tiled roof.
The Hassan Tower is the minaret for an incomplete mosque. It was intended to be the largest minaret in the world along with the largest mosque, but construction stopped when Sultan Yacub al-Mansour died in 1199. You'll also explore the Kasbah of the Oudayas, a 12th century medieval fortress citadel with exceptional ocean views from the acropolis.
Afterwards, transfer to Chefchaouen (3.5-4 hr drive) via the city of Ouazzane, a spiritual capital and holy city for many Muslims and Jews of Morocco. The drive to Chefchaouen will be along the coast, providing enjoyable views. Arrive in Chefchaouen in the afternoon, then check-in to your riad and have the rest of the day free to explore or relax.
After breakfast, take a tour of this “cool” blue town, home to about 40,000 people. Set at an altitude of almost 2200 feet on the outskirts of the Tisouka and Megou Mountains, this charming small town has little car traffic, which allows for clean and fresh air in which to discover its beauty. Take a walk through the Medina and the Uta el-Hammam main square for an authentic look at Moroccan life, and be sure to visit the Kasbah Museum, which contains a modest collection of old arms, instruments, textiles, and city lodges.
Afterwards, head south to see the Roman ruins at Volubilis, considered the best-preserved archeological site in Morocco. You'll spend time exploring these 2,000 year old UNESCO ruins and perhaps imagining what life must have been like during the Roman Empire.
Lunch will be at Meknes (3.5 hrs), one of Morocco's Imperial cities, where you'll have time to explore. This town was the Ismailian capital during the 17th century, but now famous for its 25-mile-long walls and monumental landmark gate of Bab el-Mansour. Wander the lanes of the old medina, visit the Mellah Jewish quarter, and stop by the Royal stables. The Dar Jamai palace houses one of the country's best museums, exhibiting glorious ceramics, jewelry, rugs, and textiles with distinct ornate Meknesi needlework. Enjoy the setting of this town in a region of olives, wine, and citrus.
Afterwards, continue the drive to Fes (1 hr drive), often referred to as "the cultural capital of Morocco" and settle into your charming riad for the night.
Today will be devoted to Fez, the world's only walled medieval Arab city that remains completely intact. It may be cliché, but visitors often compare their first visit to the UNESCO World Heritage medina (the maze of shop-lined alleyways that comprise the old city) to an encounter with the tales of One Thousand and One Nights (a.k.a. the Arabian Nights).
Things to see and do in Fez include:
After breakfast at the riad, you’ll leave Fes and begin the drive into the Atlas Mountains towards Ifran, referred to as "the Switzerland of Morocco," and then to Merzouga via Azrou and the Ziz Valley. During this estimated 6 hour journey, you’ll experience glimpses of the Middle Atlas and Higher Atlas mountains.
Stop at Azrou, a Berber village in the middle of a famous cedar forest—the largest in Morocco—where you may spot Barbary apes (macaques). You’ll notice how the scenery changes to reveal hints of the desert as you approach the city of Errachidia. Continue on to Merzouga via the Tizi Ntalghamt Pass and along the luxurious Ziz Valley, stopping for panoramic views along the way.
On arrival in Merzouga sometime in the late afternoon, you'll be welcomed at your riad with a glass of mint tea.
After breakfast at the hotel, visit the Gnaoua people, originally slaves brought over from Sudan, to experience their music and lifestyle. Nearby is Merzouga Lake, home to many species of birds. You may also visit the nomad wire house, where many Berber handicrafts are sold at a much better bargain than in the big cities.
In the afternoon, mount your camels to explore the sand seas of Merzouga. You'll be guided by an experienced camel man. Enjoy a wonderful sunset over the golden dunes, then overnight in comfortable Berber tents with a private bathroom, a shower, and running water.
If you like, early this morning, your guide will wake you to watch what may well be the best sunrise of your life. Afterwards, you’ll peacefully camel-trek back to the village of Merzouga. Enroute, take some time to appreciate the unique beauty of the spectacular Erg Chebbi Sand Dunes that change with the light as the day progresses.
After breakfast in the riad, you’ll leave for Rissani, Tinghir, and Todra Gorges—the highest, narrowest gorges in Morocco (4 hr drive). After lunch in the heart of the gorge, the drive continues on through the Dades Valley, where you’ll see the majestic sand castles and the amazing rock formations known as "monkey toes." Overnight accommodation will be in a lovely hotel overlooking the Dades valley.
Today's drive takes you through the Dades Valley towards Kalaa M'gouna and Marrakech (5.5 hr drive). The route through Dades Valley is the way of "the thousand kasbahs" – providing numerous opportunities to take some of your best photos of the trip.
Stop at Kalaa Mgouna, "the rose city," to purchase freshly made rosewater if you like, then on to the famous Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah, the largest kasbah in Morocco. The kasbah was built by Et Hami El Glaoui, one of the last Berber chieftains during the 18th century. It now houses many Glaoui people. Continuing on, you'll journey through the majestic Tizi n'tichka Pass (2260m) over the High Atlas Mountains, before arriving at your riad in Marrakech for your overnight.
Your riad, a 19th century mansion that once belonged to a sultan, is fully restored with modern amenities. It is located in the heart of the Old City, the Medina. If you like, spend some time this evening exploring the medina.
After breakfast in the riad, it's time to start exploring Marrakech, "the red city of Morocco.” Your guide will ensure that you see the most important places of historical and cultural significance, including:
After lunch at a local restaurant near the square, visit the Majorelle Gardens, a 12 acre botanical and artist landscape garden that is home to more than 15 endemic bird species. The garden houses the Islamic Art Museum and includes collections of ceramics, jewelry, and paintings by Majorelle as well as North African textiles from St. Laurent's personal collection. Other highlights include the Menara Gardens, which contain orchards and olive groves surrounding a pavilion built during the 16th century, and the 250-foot high Koutoubia Tower, designed in Almohad style and built of sandstone, that can be seen from as far away as 18 miles.
This evening, you will have the opportunity to walk around the "Jemaa El Fna Square" full of magicians, story tellers, snake charmers and food sellers.
After breakfast, transfer to the airport in Marrakech or Casablanca (2.5 hrs) for your flight home. Not ready to leave? Consider lengthening your trip with more time to explore more of Marrakech or relax in the beautiful coastal town of Essaouira.
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Normally, our stated land costs include the cost of all guides, leaders, permits obtained after arrival, lodging accommodations, food and entry fees as specified, and all surface transportation associated with the planned itinerary. We do our best to avoid increasing prices after receipt of your deposit, but, rarely, factors beyond our control might require us to change our prices without prior notice, even after you have signed up.
Costs not included in the price may include: meals not indicated as included in itineraries; meals prior to arrival in starting cities; transfers, if not arriving or departing on the scheduled group flights; soft drinks, bottled water, and alcoholic beverages; medical expenses, costs of hospitalization, or evacuation from remote areas; laundry; airport departure taxes not included on your airline ticket; accommodations en route to starting cities; visas; airfares; gratuities; and insurance.
For most group departures, the booking deposit is $500 per person per trip, though for some trips it may be more, as noted in the trip description. The minimum booking deposit requirement for custom trips is $800 per person, and this deposit is non-refundable. A trip-planning fee of $250 per itinerary is also charged to cover costs of preparing itinerary proposals for custom trips. This fee is credited to the cost of the trip, but is nonrefundable if you do not take the trip. Custom travel during holiday seasons may require a deposit prior to trip confirmation.
For both group departures and custom trips, a second deposit of $1,000 per person is due 120 days prior to departure or at the time of booking for reservations made fewer than 120 days before departure. The balance as shown on your invoice is due 60 days prior to departure regardless of whether extensions or other arrangements are pending. Late payments may jeopardize confirmation of your itinerary and in some cases may result in additional fees. If we have not received final payment 30 days prior to departure your reservation may be canceled and subject to our Cancellation & Refund Policy stated in the complete Terms & Conditions.
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There will be a $40 fee for changes once an itinerary has been confirmed and approved. Additional cancellation penalties or change fees may apply as per our terms and conditions. The passenger is responsible for such fees.
What is the best time to go to Morocco? It depends on what you want to do. Morocco is a land of contrasts, resulting in dramatically different climates in different parts of the …
Morocco's history and scenery beckon, from the Atlantic coast of North Africa, through imperial cities and Roman ruins, over the Atlas Mountains, through the Sahara Desert and on to Marrakech.
Visit the cities and landscapes that have inspired artists, writers, and poets for centuries, and interact with the Berber culture. Begin in Casablanca and Rabat before spending time in the "Blue Pearl" of Chefchaouen, a very charming city in the Rif Mountains. Explore the Roman city of Volubilis and the historical town of Meknes. Wander deep into the ancient medina in Fes, the most captivating of all the imperial cities. Cross the Middle Atlas Mountains, watch the sunrise over the sand dunes, and explore the Todra Gorge and Dades Valleys. End your trip in vibrant Marrakech, where ancient history and non-stop street entertainment equally entrance those who are fortunate enough to spend time here.