Best of Morocco
10 Days
 

Hotels
All hotels are modern and well equipped, ranging from the Casablanca Royal Mansour Meridien to the recently opened Crown Palace in Fez and the Belere in Erfoud with bungalow accommodation set among beautiful gardens on the edge of the Sahara.

Fellow Passengers
Your traveling companions on this tour will share your sense of adventure, love of different cultures and desire for new experiences. History buffs are in for a treat as are photographers and lovers of natural beauty, with such scenic contrasts to admire.

Highlights
The labyrinths of the imperial cities of Meknes, Fez and Marrakesh contrast with the dramatic gorges and oases of the snow-capped High Atlas Mountains and the solitude of the Saharan Desert that lies beyond and has always fascinated travelers.

Enjoy our Premium Highlights plus these extra tour features
Excursions & Sights

• View the Royal Palace, Mohammed V Mausoleum and Hassan Tower in Rabat
• Visit the Bab el-Mansour Gate in Meknes
• Visit the Medina and shop for Moroccan carpets in Fez
• Visit the pottery workshops of FezSee the Ziz Gorges and the Oasis Region of Tinehir
• View the spectacular scenery of the High and Middle Atlas Mountains
• Visit the Kasbah of Ait Benhaddou
• Visit the Saadi Tombs and see the Koutobia Minaret in Marrakesh

Guided City Tours

• In-depth sightseeing tour in Rabat, Meknes, Fez, Marrakesh & Casablanca

Insight's First Class Services

• Professional Tour Director to escort you
• Luxury air-conditioned 40 seat coach
• Insight Hotels include all service charges, taxes and porterage
• Insight Traveler document wallet, map book journal and information pack
• Complimentary arrival transfer Day 2 and departure transfer Day 10

Quality Dining

• Highlight Dinner and Folklore Show with belly dancing in Fez (HD)
• 8 Buffet Breakfasts (BB), 2 Lunches (L), 6 three-course table d’hôte Dinners, or Buffets, plus tea or coffee (D)

Tour Pace
This tour has a comfortable, balanced pace with two-night stays in Fez, Marrakesh & Casablanca. The southern Saharan towns of Erfoud and Ouarzazate are overnight stops. Travelling days are comfortable with frequent stops en route for rest and photos.

DAY 1 – THU – DEPART USA
Overnight flight to Casablanca.

DAY 2 – FRI – ARRIVE CASABLANCA
Welcome to Morocco, considered the ‘Jewel of North Africa’! Known to the Arabs as “the farthest land of the setting sun!”, it is land so intrinsically beautiful and rich with heritage, it has attracted seekers of the exotic over the centuries. Even for the most seasoned travelers, there is much to see and do. Take your Complimentary transfers from Casablanca Airport to the tour hotel, then relax and settle in. Tonight join your Tour Director and fellow travelers for a Welcome Drink.
Hotel: Royal Mansour Meridien. (D)

DAY 3 – SAT – CASABLANCA – FEZ
After a sightseeing tour of Casablanca, depart for the capital Rabat to see the mausoleum of King Mohammed V and the Royal Palace. Now on to one of the kingdom’s imperial cities, Meknes, dating back to the 11th century, its surroundings remaining unchanged for centuries. Make a rare highlight visit inside the Mosque and see Bab el-Mansour gateway before continuing to Fez. Hotel: Crown Palace. (BB,D)

DAY 4 – SUN – FEZ
A day packed with fantastic sights and smells as you tour this carefully preserved university city, which had its golden age in the fourteenth century, during the reign of the Merinides dynasty. Visit the medina of Fez and walk through its old streets. See one of the oldest universities in the world, taking time to haggle in the Bazaar and see Moroccan pottery. Oriental rugs are an attraction for bargain hunters – witness this most important handicraft of Fez. Enjoy a superb Moroccan Dinner and a Folklore Show with drums and belly dancing. (BB,HD)

DAY 5 – MON – FEZ – ERFOUD
Leave the bustle of the city behind and head for the spectacular snow-capped High Atlas Mountains. Pass through Ifrane before reaching the great cedar forests of Azrou. Travel up through the magnificent Ziz Gorges, past palm fringed towns to Er Rachidia, built by the French at an important crossroads. Your destination is Erfoud, on the edge of the Sahara Desert.  Hotel: Belere. (BB,L,D)

DAY 6 – TUE – ERFOUD – OUARZAZATE
This morning there is the option of mounting camels, ‘the ships of the desert’, to witness the glorious daybreak in the Sahara. Later, venture towards the oasis of Tinehir, noted for its silver and jewellery workshops. Take a detour to explore the Todra Gorge – the Grand Canyon of the Sahara. At Boumalne-du-Dades, encounter the dry rugged Dades Valley, dotted with oases of figs, olives, date palms and with castellated mud houses hugging the slopes. The route concludes at Ouarzazate, film capital of Morocco, with everything from Lawrence of Arabia to Star Wars being filmed here. Hotel: Le Berbere Palace. (BB,L,D)

DAY 7 – WED – OUARZAZATE – MARRAKESH
Get your cameras ready as you stop at the village of Aït Benhaddou, boasting one of Morocco’s finest kasbahs. Continue via the spectacular Tizi n’Tichka Pass before descending past charming mountain villages, dense woods and green fields to the ochre colored city of Marrakesh. Hotel: Atlas Medina & Spa. (BB,D)

DAY 8 – THU – MARRAKESH
Sightseeing includes an exploration of the fascinating Medina (old town), the Koutoubia Mosque, whose minaret dominates the Marrakesh skyline, and a visit to the secluded tombs of the Saadi dynasty, hidden behind high walls. After some time to watch the dancers, storytellers and acrobats at the bustling Djemaa El Fna Square, take a scenic drive south of Marrakesh to the beautiful Ourika Valley. Visit a Moroccan family home to witness a traditional mint tea preparation ceremony before returning to your hotel. Tonight, maybe consider an optional horse and buggy ride to the magical Jemaa el Fna Square to enjoy the sights and sounds by night, followed by dinner in a typical Moroccan restaurant? (BB)

DAY 9 – FRI – MARRAKESH – CASABLANCA
Heading towards the Atlantic coast, say goodbye to the snake charmers of Marrakesh and drive back to Casablanca and spend your last afternoon of the tour at leisure enjoying this vibrant modern city at your own pace. Hotel: Royal Mansour Meridien. (BB,D)

DAY 10 – SAT – RETURN TO USA
Sadly, your Moroccan adventure comes to an end today. There are complimentary transfers to the airport. (BB)

Available Tour Dates
* Taxes not included
** This list indicates brochure rates and dates
Contact Atlas Cruises & Tours at 1-800-942-3301 for further details.
 

- Single Room Supplement $400
- Share a triple room and SAVE $140 pp

Notes
The coach used on this tour does not have an on-board washroom.
A similar tour also operates during low season. See Insight’s European Fall, Winter & Spring brochure for details.

Complimentary airport transfers
Arrival transfers Day 2 depart from Casablanca Airport at 09.00, 11.00, 13.00, 15.00 hours. Passengers arriving later should make their own way to the Casablanca hotel. Return transfers from the tour hotel on Day 10 will arrive Casablanca Airport at 07.00, 10.00 & 12.00 hrs.

Back to Itinerary Page