Highlights of Southern Morocco 8 Day First Class Program

Price Per person double occupancy

Dates
Request a quote or call 800-322-0788 for more information.

Price Includes: Roundtrip airfare, 6 nights lodging in superior first class and deluxe Moroccan hotels, breakfast and dinner daily (including welcome and farewell dinners), all airport transfers, full day tour of Marrakech, full time tour escort, all guide entrances and transportation as appear in itinerary, baggage handling at hotels (one piece).

Not Included: Air taxes for international flight, optional excursions, tips to drivers guides and hotel staff, lunches and 4 dinners, optional travel insurance.

Deposit Required: $300 per person will reserve your place. A $100 service fee will be charged for cancellation at any time in addition to our normal payment and cancellation policy.

Group Leader: Customize this tour for your group. Additional nights, stopover in Europe, other sights; the choice is yours.

Day 1: Depart USA

We depart for an overnight flight to Marrakech. We will enjoy various meals and service while in flight.

Day 2: Arrive in Marrakech

Upon our arrival in Marrakech we will be met by our Pilgrim Tours escort who will guide us to our awaiting motor coach. We will enjoy an orientation tour of Marrakech en route to our hotel. Upon our arrival at our hotel we will have time to rest and freshen up before our welcome dinner as a group.

Day 3: Marrakech Tour

Marrakech is more a city of colors, sounds and smells than of any great monuments. The labyrinth streets of the souk are an assault to the senses and they can also be very frustrating - it's not a city to get anywhere in hurry. However, the area is surprisingly compact and part of the fun is to wander, never knowing what surprises you might stumble upon. We will enjoy a full day tour of Marrakech to include a visit to the souk and centre on the medina and square of Jemaa-el-Fna, the heart of the city. Many of the attractions are within walking distance of the square, with the rest being just a short drive away. The Koutoubia Mosque is the main place of worship in the city and entry is forbidden to non-Muslims. However, the architecture can be appreciated from the grounds, which are open to everyone. We will also take time to visit the Saadian Tombs before we return to our hotel for the remainder of the evening free for our leisure.

Day 4: Free Day or Optional Berber Trail Tour

An excursion of some 7 hours into the jaggedly-peaked magnificent High Atlas Eastern Oukaïmeden Range of mountains in a 4 wheel drive vehicle, taking us up through the Oued Zat Valley, dominated by the Taska n’Zat to pass by ancient Berber villages, built of pisé clawed from the mountain slopes, tucked away in arguably the most beautiful valley in the Kingdom of Morocco – the Ourika. This is a rare and wonderful opportunity to capture the totally different lifestyle of the hardy Berber people, as well as to enjoy a refreshing vista of dramatic and luxuriant countryside. Far from the heat of Marrakech, we shall take our lunch (included) in this charming Ourika Valley before returning to our hotel in the late afternoon. Little walking is actually involved.

Day 5: Free Day or Optional Fortress of Telouet

An early (8 o'clock) departure to one of the grandest of all the Atlas fortresses and perhaps the most famous - the Telouet Kasbah. At an altitude of over 7000 feet, this is the one-time strategic home of the "Lords of the Atlas", the warrior brothers Glaoui, who ruled and rampaged over southern Morocco during the French Protectorate. Sir Winston Churchill and personalities such as he were once on the exclusive guest lists. The splendour of the kasbah is gently fading, yet there is more than enough left of this fascinating and ancient residence to give you a fine example of another epoch in Morocco's colourful history. This easy tour of the kasbah is of one full day from Marrakech, made usually by minibus or 4 wheel drive. (Lunch is not included.)

Day 6: Free Day or Optional Enchanting Essaouira Tour

At around half past eight in the morning we set out towards the west, to the Atlantic coast and the ancient Phoenician town of Mogador – a corruption of the Berber word Amegdul, meaning ‘well-protected’ – and now, since Independence, called Essaouira - ‘Little Picture.’ Abandoned by the Portuguese in 1541, it was not until 1765 when the Alaouite Sultan Sidi Mohammad Ibn Abdullah transformed Mogador into a fortified city. The ramparts were never that effective in keeping out the marauding tribesmen but now, a charming artists’ town with its old port and cannons overlooking the fishing fleet, Essaouira invites you to wander through the narrow alleyways which make up the Medina to witness artisans at work making their wooden tables, boxes and sundry items in lemon or briar wood inlaid with mother of pearl –the purple dye produced by the crushed shellfish were exported by the conquering Romans to colour the togas of the rich back home. Perhaps a dip in the waters of the ocean before returning to the bustle of Marrakech? A camel ride along the beach? Lunch is not included, but you’ll enjoy Essouaira’s famed seafood, either on the quayside or in one of the several quaint cafés that decorate this charming historical town before returning back to Marrakech by late evening.

Day 7: Free Day or Optional Setti Fatma Tour

Setti Fatma is set within grassy terraces, the riverside hamlet of Setti Fatma is situated 40 miles (60km) southeast of Marrakech. The village lies at the very end of the winding Ourika valley beyond the reach of most tourist coaches. Setti Fatma itself is merely a mud-brick village, if rather pretty, but the seven waterfalls that tumble and tear through the craggy rocks above it make it a popular location. The first of the falls is quite an easy climb and it is possible to swim here in the icy cold waters of the rock pool or to sunbathe on the rocks. The higher falls are harder work and sturdy shoes and a good head for heights will be required, although there are plenty of guides willing to offer help. The banks of several of the falls are lined with pleasant little cafés and restaurants. The best way to get to Setti Fatma is by grand taxi from the main bus station in Marrakech.

Optional Evening Chez Ali Farewell Dinner Party

As an excellent finale to any stay in Marrakech, Chez Ali is truly a 1001 Nights' experience. Our journey this evening takes us out of the heat of the city on a road to palm groves, where twinkling lights beckon us out of the darkness to a magnificent spectacle. As the evening progresses, various folklore groups pass through the nomad tents singing and dancing to their throbbing music. The highlight comes at the end of our meal when we are invited to witness charging robed horsemen in a display of their old tribal power as they shout and fire off their muskets and muzzle-loaders, bringing their horses to a sudden halt before us. Above us, in the night sky, Sheherezade and her Prince fly to the heavens on their magic carpet ride whilst fireworks light the sky as our evening of magical splendour comes to an end.

Day 8: Return to USA

We depart Marrakech this morning and travel back to the USA.