Morocco Signature - Premium
10 Days
from
$4,980
to
$5,370
per person*
Highlights:
Morocco
(Rabat, Fes, Merzouga, Ouarzazate, Marrakech)
Trip Start/End:
Casablanca
/
Casablanca
Premium tour with a private car and driver featuring the most famous areas of Morocco that have fascinated travelers for centuries. Morocco takes visitors back to a slower time of mint tea in cool courtyards and sun-drenched bazaars selling everything from hand-knotted carpets to brass platters the size of a cartwheel. A walk down almost any street puts you in the center of a story straight from the Thousand and One Nights…but with 21st-century comforts around every corner. Explore the Imperial cities of Fez and Meknes before heading south for a night in the desert. Crossing through the country you'll see spectacular scenery such as the Todra and Dades Gorges as well as the Kasbahs and ancient cities. Finish off this signature trip exploring the exotic bazaars of Marrakech.
Overview
| Day | Activities | Hotel |
- Day 1
- Casablanca - Rabat
| - Welcome to Morocco
- Transfer - Casablanca - Rabat [4 hours with Casablanca Tour] - Vehicle/Driver/Guide
- At Leisure
- Dinner (not included)
| Riad Kalaa Oriental Suite (B)1 DBL (2 Adults)
Alt: Villa Mandarine (standard)
|
- Day 2
- Rabat - Fes
| - Transfer - Rabat - Fes [8 Hours with Meknes and Volubilis Tour] - Vehicle/Driver/Guide
- Lunch (not included)
- Dinner (not included)
| Riad Maison Bleue Suite (B)1 DBL (2 Adults)
Alt: Riad Laaroussa (Orange Suite)
|
- Day 3
- Fes
| - Vehicle & Driver at Disposal Imperial Cities - Vehicle/Driver/Guide
- Private - City Tour - Entrance
- Lunch (not included)
- Dinner (not included)
| Riad Maison Bleue Suite (B)1 DBL (2 Adults)
Alt: Riad Laaroussa (Orange Suite)
|
- Day 4
- Fes - Erfoud - Merzouga
| - Transfer - Fes - Erfoud [7 hours] - Vehicle/Driver/Guide
- Transfer - Merzouga - Vehicle/Driver
- Lunch at Taddarte Restaurant in Midelt - Lunch
- Dinner (included)
| La Belle Etoile Bedouin Camp (BD) (Deluxe tent 2-4) |
- Day 5
- Erfoud - Ouarzazate
| - Transfer - Erfoud - Ouarzazate [8 hours with Dades/Todra Gorges and Skoura] - Vehicle/Driver/Guide
- Lunch (not included)
- Dinner (included)
| Riad Ksar Ighnda Standard (B,D)1 DBL (2 Adults)
|
- Day 6
- Ouarzazate - Skoura
| - Vehicle & Driver at Disposal in the South - Vehicle/Driver/Guide
- Private - 1/2 Day City Tour - Entrance
- Lunch (not included)
- Private - Oasis and Kasbahs - 4X4/Local Guide
- Dinner (included)
| Riad Ksar Ighnda Standard (B,D)1 DBL (2 Adults)
Alt: Riad Kniza (Junior Suite)
|
- Day 7
- Ouarzazate - Marrakech
| - Transfer - Ouarzazate - Marrakech [4 hours] - Vehicle/Driver/Guide
- Lunch (not included)
- At Leisure
- Dinner (not included)
| Riad Kniza Junior Suite (B)1 DBL (2 Adults)
Alt: La Maison Arabe (Deluxe Patio) Alt: Demeures d’Orient (Deluxe Room)
|
- Day 8
- Marrakech
| - Vehicle & Driver at Disposal Imperial Cities - Vehicle/Driver/Guide
- Private - City Tour - Entrance
- Lunch (not included)
- Dinner (not included)
| Riad Kniza Junior Suite (B)1 DBL (2 Adults)
Alt: La Maison Arabe (Deluxe Patio) Alt: Demeures d’Orient (Junior Suite)
|
- Day 9
- Marrakech
| - Vehicle & Driver at Disposal Imperial Cities - Vehicle/Driver/Guide
- Private - High Atlas Mountains with Lunch at Kasbah du Toubkal - Guide
- Lunch (included)
- Dinner (not included)
| Riad Kniza Junior Suite (B)1 DBL (2 Adults)
Alt: La Maison Arabe (Deluxe Patio) Alt: Demeures d’Orient (Deluxe Suite)
|
- Day 10
- Marrakech - Casablanca
| - Transfer - Marrakech - Casablanca [2.5 hours] - Vehicle/Driver
| Depart
|
| B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner, 1/2d = Half Day, Al = All Inclusive |
Trip Itinerary
Rabat
Riad Kalaa Entrance
Day 1: Casablanca - Rabat
Welcome to Morocco! Upon arrival at the airport, you will be met by our local representative.
Today enjoy a tour of Casablanca, before being transferred to Rabat in a private vehicle with English speaking driver. Casablanca is located on the coast the Atlantic ocean, and is the center of business in Morocco. Originally established by the French as a commercial center, this dynamic city boasts a combination of modern, art deco, and traditional architecture. Visit some of the city's most renowned monuments including La Corniche on the ocean front and the outstanding Hassan II Mosque. Upon completion of the tour, proceed to Rabat.
Enjoy time at leisure to explore at your own pace, or relax at your hotel.
Accommodation: Riad Kalaa The Riad Kalaa is a Kasbah which dates back to the Almoravide dynasty was built in 1815, in the heart of the ramparts of the medina and only a few steps away from the ocean. The hotel has undergone a thorough and lengthy restoration, using artisan workmanship traditional to Morocco. The architecture of the riad is quite unique, with nooks and crannies, terraces, alcoves and salons, ensuring intimacy and a cozy, harmonious and restful ambiance for all the guests.
Fez Mosque
La Maison Bleue - Patio
Day 2: Rabat - Fes
A private vehicle with English speaking driver will provide a transfer between Rabat and Fes. During the transfer, explore the Imperial City of Meknes along with the Roman city of Volubilis. In antiquity, Volubilis was an important Roman town situated near the westernmost border of Roman Empire. It was built on the site of a previous Carthaginian settlement from the third century BC. Volubilis was the administrative center of the province in Roman Africa called Mauretania Tingitana. The fertile lands of the province produced many commodities such as grain and olive oil, which were exported to Rome, contributing to the province's wealth and prosperity. Discover the Imperial city of Meknes known as the “Moroccan Versailles”. Meknes was founded in the 17th century by King Moulay Ismail. It is famous for its 25-mile-long walls. Upon arrival into Fes, a hotel drop-off is provided.
Accommodation: Riad Maison Bleue Riad La Maison Bleue is located in one of the most historic quarters of the Fès Medina. A mysterious door off a laneway opens to reveal a wonder of Arabo-Andalusian architecture. La Maison Bleue was built as a family palace in 1915 by Sidi Mohammed El Abbadi, a famous judge and astrologer of the times. Enter the mysterious inner courtyards and lifestyle of the city of Fès, jewel of the Arab world, where blue zellij mosaics, finely carved cedar-wood doors, stained glass windows with wrought iron grilles and stucco cornices come together in refined harmony. You will find the house a haven of peace in the heart of the bustling Medina.
Fez
Day 3: Fes
A private vehicle with English speaking driver will be at your disposal for the day.
Explore the cultural and spiritual center of Morocco during this full day tour of Fes. Also known as Fes el Bali, this UNESCO World Heritage Site was founded in the 9th century, and is home to the world's oldest university. The city of Fes reached its true economic and cultural height in the 13th–14th centuries under the Merinids, when it replaced Marrakech as the capital of the kingdom. Although the political capital of Morocco was transferred to Rabat in 1912, Fes has retained its status as the country's Artisan centre. Artisan workshops in the medina are as active today as they were 100 years ago, and strongly contribute to the city’s industrial economy. Trades such as blacksmithing, leather working, ceramics, silk, tapestries, and sculpting are still practiced in these workshops today. The original ramparts still protect this ancient city and its estimated 9000 narrow passageways and bustling streets.
Dinner not included in tour price.
Accommodation: Riad Maison Bleue
Merzouga
La Belle Etoile tented camp
Day 4: Fes - Erfoud - Merzouga
A private vehicle with English speaking driver will provide a transfer between Fes and Erfoud. Travel through the scenic cedar forest and across the Middle Atlas Mountain range to Midelt, where a lunch break is scheduled. Continue onwards towards Erfoud through the Ziz Gorge passing en-route the ancient, holy city of Rissani and the ruins of Sijilmassa, a once capital stopping locale for the old caravan routings of the 8th century. The approximate travel time is 7 hours.
A 4x4 vehicle will be waiting for you to continue your adventure by heading towards the dunes of Erg Chebbi, possibly the largest dunes in the Sahara desert. The dunes of Erg Chebbi are a strikingly strange natural formation. On the top of the flattest area you could imagine, suddenly a long mountain of sand rises. This mountain is surrounded by flat and desolate nature on all sides, and you could end up wondering if it really is real. But so it is, even if its existence is so weird that it has given rise to legends and myths among the locals. Upon arrival at the camp you will witness the sunset from over the desert dunes and be astounded by the peace and calm as well as the changing colours of the landscape. If you're up to it you can also ride a camel!
Enjoy a traditional Moroccan lunch at the hotel Taddarte in Midelt.
Accommodation: La Belle Etoile Bedouin Camp Enjoy your special night under the stars at this beautiful Oasis in a premium tented camp. Experience a camel ride at sunset and sunrise from the top of the dunes. Your desert experience includes an authentic Moroccan dinner under the stars and breakfast in the morning.
Ouarzazate
Ksar Ighnda
Day 5: Erfoud - Ouarzazate
Travel today between Erfoud and Ouarzazate with private vehicle and english speaking driver. En-route, stop in the Dades Gorge, Todra Gorge's more beautiful, and older sister. These gorges are located just southwest of Tinerhir and some 110 km (65 miles) from Ouarzazate. In the latter winter, the Dades River flows and in mid-spring through early summer gives the valley an unprecedented amount of greenery. In the valleys along the Dades Gorge, you’ll notice more argan (nut) trees more than the palmeries that surround the Todra Gorge. When you arrive at the top of the gorges, you will notice the temperatures will be cooler, the views amazing, and the people delightful. Northwest of Rissani and Northeast of Ouarzazate, just up the road from Tinerhir are the Todra Gorges. Experience the unbelievable glory of the massive canyon walls reaching some 300 meters (900 feet) high and continuing for some 100 meters (300 feet). A little north-east of the southern city of Quarzazate, lies the Dadès Valley-stretching out between the peaks of the High Atlas and the Jbel Sarhro mountain range. Known as 'The Valley of One Thousand Kasbahs', it is the most prominent of the oasis valleys that dominate southern Morocco. Originating from melt water high up in the snowfields of the Haute Atlas, the river Dadès cuts a steep gorge, known as the Dadès Gorge, at Aït Oudinar and Aït Ali. From here, it flows across the broad Dadès Valley in a south-westerly direction towards Quarzazate. Before reaching Ouarzazate, you will make a stop in Skoura - one of Morocco’s beautiful oases. Skoura offers weary travellers a chance to rest their weary feet and enjoy the abundance of nature. At first glance from the road, it resembles a sort of thin, long, oasis. However once you get off the road you discover that Skoura in Morocco is very large and that what appeared to be a line of trees is actually a flourishing oasis. Continue to your lodging in the Ouarzazate area.
Accommodation: Riad Ksar Ighnda On the edge of the desert at Ouarzazate where the stunning light shines on a setting of natural beauty, Hotel Riad Ksar Ighnda opens its doors for you onto the Atlas Mountains: a rendez-vous for discerning lovers of luxurious sensations and relaxation.
Ait Benhaddou
Skoura Palm grove
Day 6: Ouarzazate - Skoura
A private vehicle with an English speaking driver will be at your disposal for the day.
After breakfast, head out for a half day of touring around Ouarzazate including a visit the Taourirt Kasbah at the gateway of city. Visit the UNESCO World Heritage site Ait Ben Haddou, for an hour of exploration through this famed ancient, fortified Kasbah. This location has been made even more famous worldwide as a result of numerous films shot around the Kasbah including The Gladiator and Jesus of Nazareth. During the return leg of the tour, visit the Ouarzazate's Cinema Studios for some further information about this dynamic filming location.
Enjoy an off road excursion through the Palm grove Oasis around Skoura. Marvel at the mud architecture of the Kasbahs providing amazing views of the Atlas Mountain range. The palm groves of the area were laid out in the 12th century by the Almohad sultan Yacoub el-Mansour and named after its original inhabitants, the Berbers of the Haskourene tribe. Skoura is often referred to as the “Valley of One Thousand Kasbahs” and boast some of the most famed kasbahs in Morocco. The Ben Morro Kasbah stands on the left of the road above Skoura. It was built in the 17th Century, completely restored, and converted into a guest house. The most imposing of the kasbahs in this area that you will tour is 17th Century Amerhidil Kasbah. This fortified residence once belonged to the most powerful family responsible for protecting the village and its lands called the Glaoui. Today it is owned by the Sheikh of Amerhidil. Finally, the Kasbah of Aït Abou, built in the 1800’s and the oldest Kasbah in the palm grove, is six stories with walls 25 m high. Its surrounding buildings have been turned into a garden filled with pomegranate, apple, pear, fig, quince and olive trees that provide the necessary shading for growing crops.
Accommodation: Riad Ksar Ighnda
Koutoubia mosque
Riad Kniza
Day 7: Ouarzazate - Marrakech
Travel today between Ouarzazate and Marrakech in a private vehicle with an English speaking driver. The route through Ouarzazate to Marrakech offers wonderful photo opportunities including views of the UNESCO World Heritage Centre of Aït Ben Haddou, where movies such as Gladiator and Jesus Of Nazareth were filmed, and the dramatic Tizi n'Tichka mountain pass.
Enjoy time at leisure to explore at your own pace, or relax at your hotel.
Dinner not included in tour price.
Accommodation: Riad Kniza Dating from the 18th century, Riad Kniza is a small, luxury "Hotel de Charme" in the heart of the old Médina of Marrakech, completely restored using traditional materials and artisans to recreate an authentic Moroccan experience as in days gone by. Riad Kniza, with its eleven tastefully decorated rooms and suites, is an excellent point of departure from which to explore the city. It is conveniently located within only few minutes' walk from the famous Jema l'Fna square, the wonderful souks and the most important monuments and cultural treasures of this imperial city, and a short distance from the Gueliz, the modern quarter of Marrakech.
Day 8: Marrakech
A private vehicle with English speaking driver will be at your disposal for the day.
After breakfast you will be met at your hotel and taken on a full day guided tour of Marrakech. Your tour usually starts at the 12th century Koutoubia Mosque but you can discuss all of the options with your guide. The mosques beautiful minaret dominates the skyline of Marrakech and can be seen from almost every approach to the city thanks to a long-standing planning ordinance that forbids any other building in the old city to rise above the height of a palm tree. You will also visit the El-Bahia Palace, this 19th century palace is elaborate in its decoration and was built over a period seven years for Ba Ahmed, the son of the Grand Vizier Si Moussa, there are row after row of apartments—that once housed Ahmed's harem—a trapezoidal garden, a huge tiled courtyard, and many hidden treasures, both in the form of antique objects d'art and the palace's convergence of Andalusian and Moorish architecture. One of most visited sites in Morocco is the Saadian Tombs which were only accessible via the mosque next door. However, in 1917 they were opened to the public and can now be accessed via a narrow passage that leads to an enclosed garden watched over by two mausoleums that include more than one hundred mosaic decorated tombs. The Koranic School Medersa Ben Youssef which is a Theological college founded by the Merenid Sultan Abu Hassan in the 14th century, and restored in 1564 by the Saadians who made it the largest theological college in the Maghreb and a rival to the important Medersa Bou Inania in Fés.
Accommodation: Riad Kniza
Kasbah du Toubkal
Day 9: Marrakech
A private vehicle with English speaking driver will be at your disposal for the day.
Morning excursion to the High Atlas Mountains and Kasbah du Toubkal. Head south from Marrakech along the hairpin bends which eventually leads to one of only two passes through the High Atlas Mountains. Perhaps make a brief stop at the Berber villages of Tahanoute or Asni and continue to the village of Imlil, where you will take a ten minute walk up to Kasbah du Toubkal. Mules will be available if you prefer to ride! Situated on a hilltop with commanding views of the surrounding valley, the Kasbah du Toubkal was built as a summer palace for the Pasha El Glaoui. It is now a wonderful place to experience Berber hospitality and a great base from which to explore the High Atlas. Enjoy a traditional Berber lunch on the terrace overlooking the snow-capped peaks or a picnic lunch on the trail. You may wish to take a stroll to a nearby Berber village, where an invitation to share mint tea with the locals can be arranged. Kasbah du Toubkal has been heavily involved in sharing its prosperity with the local mountain villages, sponsoring much-needed health and educational projects. Back to Marrakech at your leisure and the remainder of the day is free for more exploration of Marrakech.
Accommodation: Riad Kniza
Casablanca
Day 10: Marrakech - Casablanca
A private vehicle with English speaking driver will provide a transfer between Marrakech and Casablanca. The approximate travel time is 2 hours and 30 minutes.
Accommodation: Depart Depart from Casablanca International airport - end of itinerary.
Accommodations
Riad Kalaa Entrance
Riad Kalaa - Rabat
The Riad Kalaa is a Kasbah which dates back to the Almoravide dynasty was built in 1815, in the heart of the ramparts of the medina and only a few steps away from the ocean. The hotel has undergone a thorough and lengthy restoration, using artisan workmanship traditional to Morocco. The architecture of the riad is quite unique, with nooks and crannies, terraces, alcoves and salons, ensuring intimacy and a cozy, harmonious and restful ambiance for all the guests.
La Maison Bleue - Patio
Riad Maison Bleue - Fes
Riad La Maison Bleue is located in one of the most historic quarters of the Fès Medina. A mysterious door off a laneway opens to reveal a wonder of Arabo-Andalusian architecture. La Maison Bleue was built as a family palace in 1915 by Sidi Mohammed El Abbadi, a famous judge and astrologer of the times. Enter the mysterious inner courtyards and lifestyle of the city of Fès, jewel of the Arab world, where blue zellij mosaics, finely carved cedar-wood doors, stained glass windows with wrought iron grilles and stucco cornices come together in refined harmony. You will find the house a haven of peace in the heart of the bustling Medina.
La Belle Etoile Bedouin Camp
Enjoy your special night under the stars at this beautiful Oasis in a premium tented camp. Experience a camel ride at sunset and sunrise from the top of the dunes. Your desert experience includes an authentic Moroccan dinner under the stars and breakfast in the morning.
Ksar Ighnda
Riad Ksar Ighnda - Ouarzazate
On the edge of the desert at Ouarzazate where the stunning light shines on a setting of natural beauty, Hotel Riad Ksar Ighnda opens its doors for you onto the Atlas Mountains: a rendez-vous for discerning lovers of luxurious sensations and relaxation.
Riad Kniza
Riad Kniza - Marrakech
Dating from the 18th century, Riad Kniza is a small, luxury "Hotel de Charme" in the heart of the old Médina of Marrakech, completely restored using traditional materials and artisans to recreate an authentic Moroccan experience as in days gone by. Riad Kniza, with its eleven tastefully decorated rooms and suites, is an excellent point of departure from which to explore the city. It is conveniently located within only few minutes' walk from the famous Jema l'Fna square, the wonderful souks and the most important monuments and cultural treasures of this imperial city, and a short distance from the Gueliz, the modern quarter of Marrakech.
Travel Info
Travel tips of Morocco
VISA/PASSPORT
Travelers to Morocco must have a valid passport. Visas are not required for American or Canadian tourists traveling to Morocco for fewer than 90 days. No vaccinations are required to enter Morocco.
Please note obtaining a visa is your responsibility. These requirements change often and therefore it is best that you check with the Embassy of Morocco for the most up to date visa information.
HEALTH
Health insurance is essential. Medical facilities are poor quality. We recommend that you see a health-care provider who specializes in Travel Medicine. The doctor or health-care provider will determine what vaccinations and medication you will need, depending on factors such as your health and immunization history, areas of the country you will be visiting, and planned activities. For more information on travel requirements, visit the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) website: http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/morocco.aspx
COUNTRY INFO
Capital: Rabat.
Government: Constitutional monarchy since 1956, when Morocco gained independence from France.
Language: The official language is Moroccan Arabic, and Berber languages are spoken by a large minority. French, Spanish and English is also understood, particularly in the major tourist destinations.
Religion: Predominantly Muslim with Jewish, Christian and Hindu minorities.
Time: GMT.
Electricity: 110/220 volts AC, 50Hz, depending on age and location of building.
Telephone: Country code +212.
Mobile Telephone: Roaming agreements exist with international mobile phone companies. Coverage is mainly available in the cities in the west of Morocco.
Internet: Access is widely available in business centers, hotels and in Internet cafes.
What's Included:
- Guaranteed departure - Accommodation, Activities, Transfers, Meals, Fees where indicated as per the itinerary - Local and international traveler assistance during your tour - Specialised and personalised services
What's not Included:
- Tips - Laundry - Soft drinks and alcoholic beverages unless explicitly noted - Optional activities/extras – Visas (unless noted) - Vacation insurance
Trip Terms & Conditions
- Your deposit is due immediately on booking (30% of program price, minimum $350). The balance is due 90 days prior to departure.
- Cancellations of confirmed bookings 90 days or more prior to departure will receive full refund minus a $350 (per person) administrative fee and any non-refundable paid fees (e.g. non-refundable airfare, cruise or hotel deposits). 60-89 days will be subject to loss of 30% of program price. 30-59 days will be subject to loss of 50% of program price. 29 days or less will be subject to loss of 100% of program price.
- Tour quotes do not include airfare to/from the trip start point unless noted on the itinerary
- Cost increases in currency exchange, government fees, taxes, surcharges or hotel/lodge tariff increases between quote date and start date are payable by the client.
- Availability cannot be guaranteed until booked. We will exercise best efforts to book hotels per the itinerary, however, in busy seasons and with client bookings made within 90 days of tour date we may be forced to offer substitutes.
- Payment of the program price constitutes your acceptance of the terms and conditions set out at www.kensingtontours.com/terms-and-conditions
- Living Standards and practices at destination may differ from those in North America with respect to provisions of utilities, services and accommodation.
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