Marrakech Grand Tour: Imperial Cities & Northern Morocco 8-days

Marrakech Grand Tour: Imperial Cities & Northern Morocco 8-days

Morocco is a land of contrasts – where Africa meets Europe and the Middle East adds its own flavor. Considered a moderate Islamic state, Morocco opens its doors to everyone regardless of ethnicity, religion or political status. From ancient philosophers and scholars to Bob Marley and Jimmy Hendrix, Morocco has hosted many! If you´re looking for a colorful and diverse experience, this is the place. From the wild markets of Marrakech to the snowy peaks of the Atlas, the silence of the Sahara and pristine beaches of the Atlantic, Morocco is simply amazing. Our journey combines the best of everything – cities, villages, mountain, desert, music, food, shops and the coast, plus opportunities to do community services and some fun adventure activities along the way! Expect plenty of interaction with the friendly Berber tribes’ people of North Africa. Learn their unique drumming, practice the language and taste the delicious food. We´ll fill your week with a lifetime of memories and educational experiences that are second to none.

 MOROCCO ITINERARY

DAY 1 – WELCOME TO MOROCCO – TRANSFER TO MARRAKECH

Welcome to Morocco! On arrival at  the Airport, you will be met by a Premium Morocco Tours representative and transferred to your hotel. While this is an arrival day and you may arrive at any time, please note that hotel rooms are generally only available after midday, and that there will a Welcome Meeting with your leader tonight. Transfer to a Hotel to spend the night.

Notes: Please be aware that some travellers in Marrakech are being approached by locals offering excursions before their Premium Tours trip commences. This has been particularly prevalent in and around the hotels used by Premium Tours. These guides are in no way connected to Premium Morocco Tours and we cannot guarantee the safety or quality standards of their tours. We strongly advise customers not to join any tour offered by unauthorised guides. Premium Tours assesses the safety of all optional excursions offered by our tour leaders. If you would like more information on the excursions available, please contact us before you travel or see the Premium Tours.

Activities : Meet At Airport and Transfer to Marrakech

Accommodation :  HOTEL KSAR ANIKA  ( 2 NIGHTS )

Meals Included : Welcome Dinner

DAY 2: MARRAKECH EXPLORATION

Breakfast at your hotel.

Begin your Marrakech Historical Tour.

Visit the Majorelle Gardens & Berber Museum. The Majorelle Gardens, previously the Jardin Bou Saf, bears its name from its original creator, Jacques Majorelle, the French expatriate artist who was born in Nancy, France in 1886. Jacques Majorelle was the son of the celebrated Art Nouveau furniture designer Louis Majorelle. In 1947 he opened his gardens to the public and during this time also painted a magnificent ceiling space at La Mamounia, a five-star hotel with gardens. Jacques Majorelle studied at the École des Beaux-Arts in Nancy in 1901 and later, in 1919, he went to Marrakesh to recover from heart problems. He built the garden during those years using a special color of blue extensively in the garden that is now named after him, Majorelle Blue. Jacques Majorelle returned to France in 1962 after a car accident and died later thatv year of complications from his injuries. As a collector of unique plants from five continents Jacque Majorelle left Yves Saint Laurent one of the more unique collections of flora and fauna of this era, as well as a place of inspiration and contemplation. Even though Morocco is no longer under the French protectorate, this originally French creation is one of the most beloved areas in Morocco.

Visit the Old Spice Market, Rahba Kedima. A colorful market filled with a wide array of fresh spices such as cumin, cinnamon, saffron, dried pepper, and more.

Visit the El Bahia Palace. The El Bahia Palace in Marrakech is a beautiful building and an excellent example of Eastern Architecture from the 19th century that represents the trends and standards of the wealthy at that time. The palace is surrounded by an eight hectare garden.

Visit the Saadian tombs. The Saadian tombs in Marrakech date from the time of the sultan Ahmad al-Mansur. The tombs, which date from the time of the sultan Ahmad al-Mansur (1578-1603), were only recently discovered in 1917 and restored by the Beaux-Arts service. The mausoleum comprises the tombs of about sixty members of the Saadi Dynasty that originated in the the Draa Valley. The stele is made in finely worked cedar wood and stucco work. The monuments are made of Italian Carrara marble. Outside the building is a garden containing the graves of soldiers and servants.

Activities : Guided walking tour Marrakech

Majorel Gardens, Bahia Palace, Souks

Jamaa lfna & Koutoubia

Jewish Monuments and Heritage Tour

Meals Included : Breakfast /

DAY 3: MARRAKECH – MIDDLE ATLAS – IFRAN – FES

Breakfast at the Hotel.

Take the road to Fes.

En route stop to see the view of Ifrane University and go for a short walk around the garden. Ifrane is nick named “Little Switzerland” of Morocco for it’s architecture, cedar forrest and winter ski resort options. Developed by the French during the protectorate era for their administration due to its Alpine climate, this Morrocan town has a remarkable European style, as if it were an Alpine village. Because of its elevation, the town experiences snow during the winter months and a cool climate during the summer. Ifrane is also the place where the lowest temperature was ever recorded in Africa. Animals to be found in the vicinity include the threatened Barbary Macaque. Among the local tree species are the native Atlas cedar, Scrub oak and the introduced London plane.

Enjoy coffee, tea and pastries in Ifrane at an outdoor cafe.

Make a short stop in Zaouia Cheikh near the dam. This is one of the 30 damns that is scheduled to be built in Morocco by 2030. The idea originating with Hassan II to build one dam a year to irrigate the country is being carried on by the current King Mohammed VI.

Lunch at Hotel Paris in Beni Mellal.

Arrive in Fes in the early evening.

Dinner Recommendations: Riad Fes – Elegant and Modern Moroccan Cuisine. La Maison Blanche – An melange of French and Moroccan haute cuisine. Le Maison Bleue – Traditional Moroccan cuisine at its best accompanied by Moroccan Music. Palais Dar Tazi- Moroccan cuisine, courses with a twist, Andalusian music, all set within a Riad with views of the sky and the old medina.

Spend the night at Riad or Hotel in Fes.

Accommodation : www.riadmarjana.com    / FES MARIOTT HOTEL

Activities
Visit Ziz valley, Macauqe Monkeys midle Atlas  Forest

Ifran

Meals Included: Breakfast

DAY 4: EXPLORE FES

Breakfast at your riad in Fes.

Visit Jewish & Muslim Historic Sites in Fes.

Fes is among the best known cities from medieval Jewish history and home to one of the most influential Talmudic scholars of all times, Rabbi Isaac Alfasi. Fes was founded by Idriss I in the 8th century. His goal was to convert all his subjects to Islam, but his son and successor was more tolerant. Under Idriss II, the fledgling city expanded. After his death, further development was delayed until the 11th century when Prince Youseff Ibn Tachfine united both halves of the city and built a wall around Fes. This security of the wall began a prolonged period of prosperity that would peak in the 14th century under the reign of the Merinides Dynasty.

Start the day by a visit to the Royal Place gates, witness the skillful Moroccan handicraft, noted for its recently constructed bright brass doors. walk along The Jewish Mellah of Fes is over 650 years old. This picturesque neighborhood adjoins the royal palace, Jews took shelter in this palace during the 1912 pogrom. The nearby Jewish Cemetery contains the tombs of more Jewish saints than any other cemetery in Morocco.

Drive to the southern Tower for the panoramic view of Fez, photograph the old Medina from the highest hill.

Drive to the potter and ceramic village, discover the Art of Moroccan Zellij Tiles.

start walking for no less than 3 hours in the Old Medina Muslim Sites & Shopping in Fes:

See the University of al-Karaouine. Founded in 859, this university is one of the leading spiritual and educational centers of the Muslim world, and is considered the oldest continuously operating institution of higher learning in the world.

Lunch in Fes at a Restored Palace.

Visit the Weavers Cooperative located in a residential neighborhood. The workshop specializes in weaving the finest jellaba fabric made of silk and wool threads imported from Italy. The shop also makes a quality jellaba fabric from a locally spun, textured wool thread called hubba. Hubba is sometimes referred to as couscous because its nubby texture resembles Morocco’s national semolina dish of the same name.

Continue to the Tanneries, the oldest of the city, The workshop specializes in making leather in traditional way, browse the shop beautiful leather Bags, and Jackets… end of your tour. free afternoon at leisure.

Activities : Guided walking Tour Fes

Fondouk Nejjarine, Mederassa Attarine, Al karawyin university

Tanneries & Ceramic Workshop

Meals included : Breakfast

DAY 05: CHEFCHAOUEN EXPLORATION

After Breakfast, Transfer to Meknes, the “Moroccan Versailles” and one of the oldest cities in the kingdom. Meknes was the capital of Morocco under the reign of Moulay Ismail (1672–1727), a contemporary of Louis XIV, before it was relocated to Marrakesh. Stop at the massive Bab El Mansour gate, which is the grandest of all imperial Moroccan gateways.

Bab El Mansour gate was completed by Moulay Ismail’s son, Moulay Abdallah, in 1732. Stop next at Hri Souani, which is a complex of three different buildings built for granaries and stables. This amazing site has been used as a scene for many films, the most famous of which is probably “The Last Temptation of Christ” in 1988 by Martin Scorsese

Transfer to the UNESCO-sponsored Roman ruins in Volubilis, a Berber and Roman city partly excavated by the UNESCO. Volubilis was considered as the ancient capital of the Kingdom of Mauretania. The city was developed from the 3rd century BC onward as an Amazigh, then proto-Carthaginian, and from from the 1st century AD onward, the city grew rapidly under the Roman rule, we will visit the holiest islamic city in Morocco, Moulay idriss, who brought islam to Morocco, Lunch in one of local restaurants.

Take the road to Chefchaouen, Enjoy a panoramic view of Chefchaouen. join your leader for an orientation walk to explore and tour Chefchaouen, the blue-washed town (old medina) by foot along with your leader who will share stories of Chefchaouen’s history.

are time to explore on your own, Start your tour with the kasbah museum in the medina. The kasbah of Chefchaouen belongs to the early 18th century, and was built by the legendary ruler Moulay Ismail. It is fairly simple without architectural surprises however it is surrounded by gardens on the interior and exterior. Inside the Kasbah, you can visit the ethnographic museum containing antique weapons, musical instruments, and photographs of the old town.

Step onto the museum’s roof and take pictures of a panoramic view of the Hispanic flavored town lined with blue and white washed houses, tiny balconies, tiled roofs and patios embellished with citrus trees. Next, visit the cobbled main square, Plaza Uta el- Hammam and where the striking 15th century Grand Mosque sits. The Mosque and its nearby buildings were built by Jewish refugees, who alongside Muslims escaped the Spanish persecution to Chefchaouen. Until the Spanish arrived in the 1920’s the town remained isolated and with the exception of three western men who snuck in.

Try fresh goat cheese salad, a local Rif specialty, chicken pastilla or a lamb tajine with prunes. For dessert sit outside by the mulberry trees of Plaza Uta el- Hmam and enjoy local sweets from one of the cafes or browse the small shops famous for selling woven rugs, blankets and woolen goods.

After go for a hike in the close-by green hillsides. In the evening it is possible to relax in hammam, a Moroccan spa experience.

Activities:

Meknes Tour, Volubilis Tour, Explore chefchaouen on your own

Meals Included: Breakfast

DAY 6: CHEFCHAOUEN – TANGIER – RABAT

Drive to Tangier after Lunch and Start your Tangier Tour with a city overview at the vantage point of the Colline de Bella-Vista. Then, drive to see the Grand Socco, a popular nighttime square close to the Mosque of Sidi Bou Abib and the link between Ville Nouvelle and the medina.

Next visit the Caves of Hercules (Grottos) and Cap Spartel, a majestic part of Tangier and one not often seen by those passing through.

Cape Spartel is northernmost point of mainland Africa. The cape rises to a height of 326 meters. At the top of Jebel Quebir there is a near to the end of the cape which serves as a lighthouse. Below the cape are the Caves of Hercules. The caves have shown evidence of neolithic occupation and before they were a tourist attraction they were brothels. Historically the rock was mined and this was the result of the caves creation. Near Cape Spartel is Spartel Bank, a sunken island hypothesized by some as the location of the legendary island of Atlantic.

Option to visit the Sh’ar Raphael Synagogue, one of the surviving remnants of Jewish Heritage in Tangier.

Next, visit the old medina, enter the medina at Rue Es-Siaghinie, the busiest part of this Roman medina lined with cafes and bazaars, a Spanish church, jewelers’ shops and an arts center displaying works depicting Tangier’s social history. Walk Petit Socco which was once the heart of the medina where businessmen and bankers frequented cafes, hotels, casinos and cabarets that have relocated to Ville Nouvelle. Move on to visit the Grand Mosque, built on the site of a Portuguese cathedral. Walking north, you will then visit the Kasbah decorated with mosaics, ornamental stucco and woodcarving.

Take the road to Rabat

Accommodation : Riad Kalaa / or Similar

Included Activities : Visit Tangier

Visit Herculis Cave

Meals included : Breakfast

DAY 7: RABAT – CASABLANCA

Morning city tour of Rabat, the capital of Morocco, enjoy the charming garden of Challa, surrounded by walls and beautiful defensive gates, built between 1310 and 1330.  Later we will stop at Mohamed V Museum built in 1972, and we will visit the tombs of Moroccan kings Mohammed V, who died in 1962, Hassan II who died in 1999, the tomb of Moulay Abdullah the uncle of Mohammed VI and Hassan Tower which was built in 12th  century.

Oudaya Kasbah which was built in 12th century and served as a military base for the Almorabits army in their defense against the Spanish army.  The roof of the Kasbah allows a stunning view of the surrounding area. You will also get to see the 240 km long Abi-Regrag river, located in western Morocco between Rabat and Sala.

On arrival to Casablanca airport, you will be transferred to your accommodation.

After, have a guided tour of Hassan II Mosque, the second largest in Africa, with a two hundred meters minaret, the tallest in the world. Sitting on a rocky edge of the Atlantic. The Mosque is looming from a far distance in the city and accommodate 25,000 worshipers. It took 1400 master local craftsmen to make this extraordinary proud structure.

Tonight, join your group for Farewell dinner in a beautiful restaurant in the heart of Casablanca, in a traditional Moroccan setting and get served a local and modern cuisines.

Accommodation : Hotel

Included Activities : Visit Rabat

Visit Hassan 2 mosque.

Meals included : Breakfast

DAY 8: AIRPORT TRANSFER – END OF TOUR

Your trip ends today after breakfast. Check-out time is usually around midday and you are free to leave at any time. We will arrange a private airport transfer you will be advised of the pick-up time.

Activities : Airport Transfer Assistance

Meals Included : Breakfast

Marrakech Grand Tour: Imperial Cities & Northern Morocco 8-days

Marrakech Grand Tour: Imperial Cities & Northern Morocco 8-days offer fabulous experiences in Morocco´s most attractive zones: from The most vibrant cities and Medinas, Architectural tours, Food and Wine Tours, Roman Ruins archeological sites, Culture of the Berbers, Moroccan History, Luxury hotels and Riads, the High Atlas Mountains; The rural villages of the countryside.

We invite you to join a life enhancing journeys visiting Morocco landscapes in comfort on our Marrakech Grand Tour: Imperial Cities & Northern Morocco 8-days – leading to the most charming, historical Medinas and Monuments in Morocco, from Hassan 2 Mosque in Casablanca, through the City of Tangier and the archaeological Roman town of Volubilis, breaking the journey at Fez, Morocco’s most inspiring Medina, travel to the famous blue town. Consider this a personal reward for your efforts!

Highlights

• – View the stunning contrast of Morocco
• – Deep Introduction to Culture, Nature, Life Philosophy
• – Enjoy authentic Berber’s hospitality
• – Taste delicious traditional Berber food
• – Explore one of Morocco Beautiful deserts
• – Ride in a 4×4 in Sahara & Atlas Mountains
• – Spend three full days seeing the best of what Sahara has to offer

Essential Information:

Why Us?:

– Your hotel Pick-up, so you spend the maximum time exploring real & Authentic, Sahara Desert & Atlas Mountains, Private tour at your own pace

– Top Rated tour, with 5 star customer feedback and a Excellence reviews from Trip Advisor

– One guide that is with you from the moment you arrive in Morocco until you leave, taking care of your entire trip.

Visited Places

• Rabat & Casablanca
• Chefchaouen
• Fes Medina
• Meknes
• Volubilis
• High Atlas Mountains
• Berber villages
• Atlantic ocean

Travel Experience

• Moroccan Culture & People, Food & History
• Berber Culture
• Camel trekking
• Berber music and animation
• Sleeping in desert camp

Travel Preparation:

The list below is a suggestion of what you might find useful to take on this trip. It is not an exhaustive packing list. If you need further advice, please contact us or consult your nearest outdoor store.

Clothing & Footwear:

• Comfortable walking clothes that are suitable for layering
• Fleece jacket/warm jumper
• Lightweight raincoat/windbreaker
• Comfortable shoes for walking
• Sandals/flip-flops
• Synthetic/woollen socks
• Hat
• Swimsuit
• Sarong/scarf/loose cotton trousers that can easily be pulled on over shorts to cover shoulders/legs when walking through villages

Equipment:

• Day pack
• Beach towel
• Water bottle/hydration bladder
• Water purification pen/tablets
• Sunglasses
• Head torch
• Camera, memory card and charger
• Spare batteries
• Personal items (including hand sanitiser, lip balm, microfibre towel, sunscreen, toilet paper, toiletries, wet wipes etc)
• Medicine and copy of doctor’s prescription which states medication and quantity carried
• Personal first aid kit (including blister tape, insect repellant, oral rehydration salts, plasters, tweezers, diarrhoea tablets etc)
• Rubbish bag