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Destinations:  Casablanca, Fez, Marrakesh
Travel Style: Classic Expedition
Activity Level:  3 - Medium
Group Size: Max 24
Age Range: 18 to 65+

Dates: Oct. 20 - Oct. 25, 2019

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Itinerary Overview

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Few countries hold as much dreamy fascination as Morocco. Desert fortresses rise out of the sands of the Sahara. Sapphire oceans caress white sandy beaches. The purple peaks of the Atlas Mountains glisten with snow. Morocco is a land of endless wonder. Behind every city wall is an adventure in art, architecture and cuisine.

Day 1: Arrive to Casablanca, Morocco International Airport (CMN)
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Arrival Airport: Casablanca International Airport (CMN) Arrive at the Casablanca International Airport, where you’ll meet your guide.

Afternoon: Dive into our experience in Morocco with a short Casablanca city tour, experiencing this incredible city at its finest (and seeing a few of the sights from the famous Oscar-Award Winning Movie Casablanca). Once you’ve finished seeing Casablanca, depart on a 1-1.5 hour private van ride, enjoy the stunning view as rolling hills meet the beautiful city of Rabat. Rabat is the stunning capital of Morocco and is full of incredible adventures! Upon arrival, we will check into our beautiful riad.

Dinner: Following check-in, we will dive into our experience in Morocco with a delicious welcome dinner. Our accommodations are located in the lovely medina of Rabat, so after dinner feel free to explore the markets.

Evening: After dinner feel free to explore the city or to rest and relax in your lovely riad.

Accommodation: Riad Rabat or similar

Day 2: Rabat City Tour to the Imperial City of Fez, Morocco
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Breakfast Enjoy breakfast at your Riad

Morning After a delicious breakfast at your hotel accommodation, prepare to depart to your next destination, Fez. En route to Fez, we will traverse the RIF Mountain pass and stop in both Volubilis and Meknes to discover ancient Roman ruins in these cities that were established in the 3rd century BC. While in the imperial city of Volubilis, we will tour the Ouloud Shaker reservoir and the Tomb of Moulay Driss. On the Meknes city tour, we will visit the stunning gate of Bab Lakhmiss, admire the gigantic granaries of Hri Souani, visit the lavish mausoleum of the great Moroccan ruler Moulay Ismail, and finish at the medina with options to see El Hedim (square of Ruins) and the grand El-Mansour gate.

Lunch Local restaurants surround the medina, offering smells that we won’t be able to resist at lunchtime. After a delectable meal, we will finish our journey to Fez.

Afternoon: By the late afternoon we will arrive in Fez, after which we will check into our Riad and set out to explore the local markets & souks..

Dinner: Enjoy Dinner at your beautiful Riad

Evening: There is plenty to see and do in Fez as it is the ancient home to scholars, artisans, and more! The cultural lineage of Fez, coupled with its unique charm make it a great destination. At night we will spend the evening at our beautiful Riad trying the delicious foods that make Morocco a culinary delight.

Accommodation: Riad Salam, Fez or similar

Day 3: Visit the Imperical City of Fez, Morocco
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Breakfast: Enjoy Breakfast at your Riad

Morning: After a morning breakfast at your accommodation, we’ll head out to visit the colorful and complex tanneries of Fez, learning about the century-old techniques that are still used today. We’ll visit the honey souks, carpet weavers, bustling markets, and maze-like passageways of this imperial city.

We’ll also have the opportunity to stop by the Ech Cherabliyine Mosque (Mosque of the Slipper makers), and visit many souks to learn about how a variety of local products are made, such as: henna, slippers, caftans, silks, spices, and jewelry.

Fez is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and also the largest city in the world that doesn’t permit cars. Because of this, Fez’s streets are famously narrow and warped, creating dusky markets that feel untouched by the passing centuries, which produce brilliant opportunities to take beautiful photos. You will be given a tour of the city and experience a local lunch from one of the many delicious restaurants.

Lunch: Enjoy lunch in a delicious traditional local restaurant

Afternoon: The first stops on your afternoon tour will be the Royal Palace, Moulay Abedallah Quarter, and the Mellah (Jewish Quarter). Continue on to visit Fez el –jadid, to visit the monumental Kasabah in the city center and the southern Tower to visit the “Musée des Armes”, a fortress that is used to shelter Fez city. Visit the Rue Talaa Kebira, the main street leading to the old legendary medina. Due to the narrow streets, cars cannot pass through and so you’ll see many merchants and porters using donkeys and mules for transport. As you reach the old medina, you will visit the Karaouiyne mosque. This is one of the oldest mosques in the world, that historically operated as one of the largest universities in the Moroccan Empire. You will also stop by Fondouk El Najjarine - identified as a UNISCO locality. Dinner Tonight dinner will be held at a local restaurant featuring delicious Moroccan food. To many travelers, Fez has become the ‘new’ culinary capital of Morocco and you’ll experience this in the many dishes you’ll get to try.

Optional Cooking Class: Morocco’s rich culture and geographic location have given birth to a diverse cuisine that is known as one of the top cuisines in the world – a fusion of Andalusian, Mediterranean and Arabic gastronomy. Head straight towards the Medina, visiting the traditional markets (also known as souks) to learn about the local ingredients and spices that make up traditional Moroccan cuisine. In the afternoon visit one of the top local restaurants in the city for a hands-on cooking class. With the help of an expert chef, learn how to prepare authentic dishes such as couscous, tagine, and delicious Moroccan breads.

Evening: To watch a large assortment of pottery leather-products, wood arts we recommend visiting Dar el-Batha Musée. Accommodation: Riad Salam, Fez or similar

Day 4: Visit to the Blue City of Chefchaouen, Morocco
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Breakfast: Enjoy a delicious breakfast at your Riad before setting off for Chefchaouen for the day (3-4 hour drive)

Morning: By the time we arrive to Chefchaouen the markets are vibrant with activity, thus we will venture out into the markets to see the variety of native fruits and vegetables, handmade breads, hand-woven carpets, medicinal herbs, and other artisan goods. Chefchaouen is known for its turquoise buildings, topaz walls, and rich navy cobblestone streets. As we walk the streets, we will become acquainted with one of the most visually stunning and unique cities in all of North Africa.

Lunch: Enjoy a guided tasting tour through the markets as you have the opportunity to discover a variety of new foods, restaurants, and having the opportunity to meet the local culinary artisans.

Afternoon: The markets of Morocco have been used by locals for hundreds of years and the afternoon will give us time to wander the winding streets, and shop for world-famous textiles (rugs, carpets, scarves, etc.) as well as Moroccan lanterns, leather, woodwork, and pottery. Many local Artisans do not operate professional shops, choosing instead to use their homes as storefronts. The guide knows many of the artisans and your travel experience will be enriched by interactions with the artisans in their homes.

Dinner: We’ll have dinner watching the sunset from a view point overlooking the rolling blue city, then begin the journey back to Fez to retire in our Riad for the evening (3-4 hour drive)

Accommodation: Fiad Salam, Fez or Similar

Day 5: Journey from Fez to Marrakesh, Morocco
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Breakfast: Fez to Marrakesh (3-4 hour drive)

Morning: Take a tour of the gorgeous city of Marrakech, once an imperial city, and delight in the intricate architecture, incredible food and colorful markets! Take a guided tour of Marrakech, visiting a number of local shops and historical city sights. Marrakesh is a mecca for smoky night markets, winding cobblestone streets, rooftop cafes, and vibrant storefronts selling anything from Berber carpets to exotic animals. There are endless sights to see and areas to explore in the city.

Visit the Lower Medina including sites such as the Al Mansour mosque, the sixteenth century Saadian Tombs, the Mellah (the Jewish quarter), and the 19th century Bahia palace (originally built for Si Moussa, a slave who became King Moulay Hassan’s chamberlain).

Lunch: Take in the aromatic smell of Moroccan food as you move further into the souks and make sure to sample some of it for lunch!

Afternoon: Continuing on, find a huge number of Berber carpets, silver jewelry, artisan workshops, handmade shoes, and tanneries. Be sure to purchase any souvenirs you want to take home as this will be a wonderful opportunity to bring the treasures of Morocco back with you. If your airline carrier’s baggage limit allows, we recommend bringing back an authentic Moroccan tagine.

Dinner: Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant and savor some local favorites! After dinner, enjoy the stunning sunset over the city and prepare for the amazing day ahead of you tomorrow.

Accommodation: Riad Adore, Marrakech or Similar

Day 6: Marrakesh City Tour and Visit to Essaouira, Morocco
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Breakfast: Fuel up on a delicious breakfast at your riad before heading out for the day’s adventures!

Morning: Begin the day with a drive to Essaouira to see the amazing tree climbing goats (2.5-3 hour drive). The goats are attracted to just one type of tree- the Argania spinosa- generally referred to as the argan tree. Argan trees are prickly and thorny and they produce small yellow flowers that develop into a small fruit with a nut inside. The fruit is what attracts the cloven-hoofed goats to the trees and entices them to climb up into the branches for a meal that no other animal will compete with them for. While humans do not eat the fruit, the nut, which the goats leave behind, is used to produce prized argan oil.

Lunch: Stop by a local restaurant for a burst of local flavors!

Afternoon: Morocco’s white sand beaches are famous the word over! Spend some time relaxing and enjoying the sparkling sapphire waves and warm sun before driving back to Marrakech for the evening.

Dinner: Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant and savor some of the best dishes that Morocco has to offer.

Evening: Overnight in your riad

Accommodation: Riad Adore, Marrakech or Similar

Day 7: Depart Marrakesh, Morocco for Casablanca International Airport (CMN)
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Breakfast: Fuel up on a delicious breakfast at your riad before heading out for the day’s adventures!

Morning: Pack up your bags and meet up with your driver for a transfer to Marrakech (or Casablanca) airport where you will catch your international flight back home.

Departure Airport: Marrakesh International Airport (RAK) Morocco OR Casablanca International Airport (CMN) Morocco

Optional Extension to the Sahara & Marrakesh
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Day 7 We'll start our journey early today, as we travel to the stunning, dusty orange mountainous landscape of Merzouga, a town in the famed Sahara Desert. The drive will take several hours, so be sure to stock up on snacks, water, and other necessities! Enjoy the breathtaking scenery of Morocco as you head south through the country. Once we arrive, we’ll dine on a traditional Moroccan meal in preparation for the next day’s explorations. Accommodation: Jaimas Madu (Bedouin Tent) Day 8 Rise with the sun to take in the magnificent, never-ending views of the sand dunes, followed by an energizing breakfast before setting out on the Sahara. The group will head into the arid land that continues to capture the fascination of people around the globe. In a small town at the desert’s edge, we’ll climb aboard camels and embark on a journey deep into the epic dunes of the Sahara; it’ll take approximately an hour until we arrive at a Bedouin campsite for the night. We’ll join in on a traditional dance and welcome dinner, play the drums, sip calming mint tea, and lounge under the starry night. Accommodation: Jaimas Madu (Bedouin Tent) Day 9 We’ll rise before dawn to climb a dune just beyond the camp so we can watch the sunrise from a high vantage point. Marvel as the desert is flooded with glorious golden light, painting the sand pastel pinks and purples before transforming into a fiery orange. After we’ve had our fun lazing in the warm sand and filling our cameras’ memory cards, we’ll board the camels once again and head back to town. In the afternoon, we’ll travel through Tizi n’Tichka, a winding mountain pass, on our way to Aït Benhaddou, an ancient village that showcases Morocco’s earthen clay architecture. The village is often featured in Hollywood films, such as Lawrence of Arabia, Gladiator, and Son of God. We’ll delve deeper into the rich history of this captivating settlement before continuing onwards to Marrakesh. Accommodation: Aït Benhaddou Ksar Ighnda Day 10 After breakfast we’ll set off for Marrakesh. It’ll be another long ride (~5 hours), so plan accordingly. When we arrive, we’ll check into our hotel and then spend the afternoon getting to know the city. In the evening we’ll visit Marrakesh’s iconic thousand-year-old market, Jemaa el Fna. The market is open all day, but as the sun sets it comes alive, glowing with its illuminated food stalls, snake charmers, street performers, musicians, and overwhelming eccentricity—a photographer’s dream! Accommodation: Riad Adore Day 11 We’ll spend our last morning wandering through Marrakesh on a guided tour, visiting a number of local shops, restaurants, and a host of other historical sights. This city is a mecca of smoky night markets, winding cobblestone streets, rooftop cafes, and vibrant storefronts selling anything from Berber carpets to exotic animals; there are endless sights to see and areas to explore! Enjoy your final day before heading to Marrakesh International Airport for your flight back home. Departure Airport: Marrakesh International Airport (RAK)

Expedition Route

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This Acanela Expedition © is the perfect fusion between comfort & adventure. Embark on this small group exploration and have hands-on encounters with local people and cultures, while experiencing all the historical & culinary highlights along the way.

From $2,600 / person | All inclusive package including accommodation for all nights, in-country transport by private bus, train, or flight, all activities, daily workshops, and 3 meals per day. International Airfare and Passport & Visa Fees are not included in quote.
+ Optional Extension to the Sahara Desert $1,600 / person

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