Royal Touch of Morocco

DAY 1 - CASABLANCA Upon arrival in Casablanca, you will be met by a Ya'lla Tours USA Morocco representative and transferred to your hotel for overnight. Overnight at Barcelo Anfa (deluxe room)

DAY 2 - FES After breakfast, start your guided sightseeing tour of Casablanca. Visit the old medina; Place Mohamed V, a busy shopping street lined by residential blocks dating from the 1930s. Next, visit United Nations Square, designed by French architect Joseph Marrast and the League of Arab States Park, which was built in 1925 and offers a large area of greenery with palm trees, arcades, pergolas and cafés with shady terraces. Then visit the impressive and newly built Hassan II Mosque, the second largest mosque in the world. (Closed Fridays). Drive 1 ½ hours to Rabat. Sightseeing tour of this capital city of Morocco includes the old Medina, the picturesque Kasbah of the Oudayas, and the Oudaya Gate, built during the Almohad dynasty. Visit the well-preserved Hassan Tower and the Chellah which were built by the Merinids in the 12th and 13th centuries. Drive to Meknes, a city founded in the 9th century by Zenata Berbers. A tour of this former Imperial city of Morocco includes the old ramparts and the Agoudal Basin which was used to water the royal gardens and amuse the favorite concubines. Also visit the Moulay Ismail royal Stables, granaries, and House of Water (Dar El Ma), which were built in the 17th and 18th centuries to house, feed and water the sultan’s twelve-thousand horses. See Bab el Mansour, one of the most beautiful gates in Morocco. Drive to Fes for overnight. Overnight at Riad Fez (deluxe room)

DAY 3 - FES The whole day will be devoted to an in depth visit of Fes, founded by King Moulay Idriss in the 9th century. Flat and comfortable shoes are a must for the visit of the Medina and its small winding and paved alleys. We start our tour of the labyrinth of the medina of Fes (UNESCO World Heritage) with its colorful street of dyers, brass and brass workers at es-Seffarine. Walk through the winding streets of the Great Mosque el-Quarawiyyin and the University. Journey into the past to the magnificent Mosque and Souk el-Atterine, beautiful Medersa el-Atterine, the Kissaria Draz and tanneries on the bank of the Oued Fes. Continue to The Nejjarine Museum in a wonderfully restored funduq, an ancient inn used by travelling merchants who stored and sold their goods below and took lodgings on the floors above. Centered on a courtyard, the rooms are given over to displays of traditional craftsmen’s tools, chunky prayer beads and Berber locks, chests and musical instruments. Everything is beautifully presented, although the stunning building gives the exhibits a run for their money. The rooftop cafe has great views over the medina. Photography is forbidden near the exhibits but is allowed in the courtyard and from the rooftop. In the afternoon, visit the famous pottery kilns and tour around the walls with numerous Babs. Return to your hotel for overnight. Overnight at Riad Fez (deluxe room)

DAY 4 - MERZOUGA (Berber tent) Start early morning with a full day drive across the cedar forests and picturesque scenery of the Middle Atlas Mountains to Erfoud, with a stop at Midelt for lunch at Taddart. Situated amongst the impressive sand dunes of the Sahara Desert, Erfoud is one of the largest oases in Morocco. From Erfoud, travel approximately 1 ½ hours by Land Rover to Merzouga and from Merzouga, a short drive will take you to your Berber camp on the edge of the Sahara Dunes. After settling into your bivouac tent, you will have the opportunity to explore the area further. Dinner and overnight at your camp. Deluxe permanent camp: The site is surrounded by torches and the ground is covered with antique Moroccan rugs. Sleeping Tent: The 8x4 meter sleeping private tent is furnished with a comfortable mattress (double or twin), sheets, Berber blankets, a small low table, 2 chairs, candles and matches. Facilities: Within each sleeping tent, the shower and toilet are separated from the sleeping area by a thick curtain. The shower is separated from the toilet by a plastic wall. The washbasin is located in a corridor facing the sleeping area. Food facilities: 1 kitchen tent, 1 restaurant tent, a small area for the bar Restaurant: The restaurant tent is furnished with tables with tablecloth (high like in restaurants), traditional plates, a silver set for the Tea Ceremony, Tas Ouidou for the traditional hand washing, mejmar (kettle on high stand), incense burner, mrach traditional rosewater sprinkler and poufs. Dinner menu: Moroccan soup or salads, Tagine of beef with prunes & almonds, couscous with chicken and vegetables, seasonal fruit. Breakfast menu: freshly squeezed orange juice, coffee, tea, eggs, cereals, cheese, yogurt, honey, 2 different kinds of jam, fruits, croissant, Moroccan bread & pancakes Staff: 1 waiter, 1 cook, 1night watchman Entertainment: a party of 4 local singers Overnight at Deluxe Camp

DAY 5 – OUARZAZATE End your desert adventure with a camel trek to see a fantastic sunrise over the dunes. Return to the camp for breakfast. Then, depart for Rissani, cradle of the Alaouite dynasty now reigning in Morocco. View the Mausoleum of Moulay Ali Cherif from the outside, and then enter the Kasbah Ouled El Hadim for a visit. Return to Erfoud and visit the date market and the fossil factory. Then drive through Tinejdad, Tineghir and the Todra Pass in the beautiful 1,000 Kasbah Valley to El Kelaa des Mgouna and Skoura. After Skoura, the palm trees are replaced by orchards and irrigated gardens. Roses for making perfume are the specialty of El Kelaa des Mgouna. Paris, the famous perfume by Yves Saint Laurent is made from the extract of these roses. You will find some nice shopping here for rose products such as rose water, body milk, dried petals etc. Continue to the film industry center at Ouarzazate for dinner and overnight. Overnight at Berber Palace (Deluxe Room)

DAY 6 - MARRAKECH After a morning tour of Ouarzazate, including the 17th century Kasbah Taourirt, Drive to the ancient Kasbah complex of Ait Ben Haddou, an impressive 11th century structure that has been declared an historical treasure by UNESCO. A photographer’s wonderland, Ait Ben Haddou remains home to five families. Next, set out through a mountainous and semi-desert landscape and continue over the High Atlas Mountains at Tizi N’Tichka Pass (7,400 feet). Proceed across the fertile countryside of the Haouz Plain to the pink city of Marrakech for overnight. Overnight at Palais Khum, (junior suite)

DAY 7 - MARRAKECH After breakfast, enjoy a full day sightseeing of Marrakech. First, tour the Menara Garden with its lovely Saadian Pavilion and olive groves. Next, step into the wondrous old world of the medina. Wander through the labyrinth and stop at the foot of the Koutoubia Minaret, a famous landmark of Marrakech. Continue to the Bahia Palace with its lush Moorish-style gardens. After lunch, visit the Majorelle Botanical Gardens, host of a variety of flora from around the world. Next, discover some of the most colorful souks of the medina. Finally, stroll through the exotic Jemaa El Fna Square, ancient meeting place of tradesmen, musicians, snake charmers, and storytellers. Return to your hotel for overnight. Overnight at Palais Khum, (junior suite)

DAY 8 - MARRAKECH Today is at your leisure to spend as you please. Perhaps just enjoy the hotel amenities, hire a horse-drawn carriage, or play 18 holes of golf at one of Marrakech’s fabulous three golf courses. In the evening, enjoy dinner at a fine local restaurant. Overnight at Palais Khum, (junior suite)

DAY 9 - You will be transferred to Marrakech Menara Airport for your flight.