Casablanca · Rabat
Meknès · Atlas Mountains
Essaouira
Itinerary
Day 0 | Friday, 13 September
CASABLANCA
Arrive Mohammed V Airport in Casablanca where you will be met by an English-speaking guide and transferred to your hotel. Day and evening at leisure.
FLIGHTS are not included; independent travel should be arranged to join the tour which begins in Casablanca and ends in Marrakech.
This exclusive itinerary is limited to a maximum of 16 participants, excluding staff and guide/s. A minimum of 6 participants is required. Tour is not suitable for anyone under the age of 18 years.
It may be necessary to slightly amend the program according to local conditions.
Day 1 | Saturday, 14 September
CASABLANCA
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Morning at leisure.
Mid-day walk through the medina and lunch at La Sqala. Afternoon visit to a riad and L'Atelier 21 art gallery frequented by Moroccan artists.
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Dinner with noted visual artists.
Image: Art Deco architecture
Day 2 | Sunday, 15 September
CASABLANCA | RABAT
Panoramic city center tour of Casablanca followed by a visit to the Hassan II Great Mosque and then travel on to Rabat, capital of Morocco.
A walk through Qudaya Kasbah, featuring the oldest of Rabat’s Andalusian-style buildings before visiting the Hassan Tower; Mausoleum of Mohammed V and Hassan II, and the medieval fortified Chellah necropolis.
Image: Hassan Tower
Highlights
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Overland journeys include visits to Meknès and also Ifrane, the little Berber town of Azrou, and Khenifra on the banks of the Oumer-Rbia River while traveling into the Atlas Mountains on the road from Fès to Marrakech .
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Discover celebrated interiors - the Palais Amani in Fès and in Marrakech enjoy Afternoon Tea at the famous La Mamounia Hotel, which reopened in 2009 after a major renovation under the direction of the renowned French designer Jacques Garcia.
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UNESCO World Heritage Sites including Volubilis Meknès, Medina of Fès, Medina of Marrakech and Rabat.
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Gardens include Jardin Majorelle, home of the Yves Saint Laurent Museum; Le Jardin Secret.
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Leisure time is allotted for independent exploration.
Day 3 | Monday, 16 September
RABAT | MEKNÈS | FÈS
Early morning breakfast and depart for the former Imperial city of Meknès built at the end of the 17th century by Moulay Ismael.
Following a guided visit of Meknès, drive to Fès continues via Volubilis, a Roman archaeological site, and Moulay Idriss, a picturesque village hanging on the hills and sheltering the tomb of Moulay Idriss I, the founder of Fès.
Image: Moroccan man
Day 4 | Tuesday, 17 September
FÈS
An introduction to the thousand year-old city of Fès founded by King Moulay Idriss I.
Lunch at a lovely riad followed by a private tour; meet the chef and owner/s.
Image: Minaret
Day 5 | Wednesday, 18 September
FÈS | MEDINA
Tour Fès el Bali or old city, taking in the historic along with the contemporary. Enter the Medina by Bab Boujloud to enjoy the charm and atmosphere of the Medina from Talaa Sghira to Souiqt Ben Safi and visit the Bouanana Madrasa on the way.
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Afternoon at leisure.
Image: Chouara Tannery, built in the 11th century.
Fes & Marrakech
14 - 24 September 2019
11 Days |12 Nights
TOUR HOSTS |GUIDES
Led by a destination specialist and local English-speaking guide/s as required by the itinerary; plus an art collector-consultant in Marrakech.
COMBINING CULTURE and heritage, this tour offers medieval Islamic architecture, the Art Deco buildings of Casablanca, rugged mountainous landscapes, and the evolution of Moroccan arts and design.
The journey features gardens, antiques and carpet shops, art galleries, and the Mohammed VI Museum for Modern and contemporary Art in Rabat. In Marrakech there is the Yves St. Laurent Museum and the National Carpet Museum featuring 400 rugs from every region of Morocco (formerly, Dar Si Said Museum).
In Casablanca, dinner with noted visual artists and a visit to L’Atelier 21, which is frequented by artists. Reflecting the cultural interests of Morocco's king, the works of well-known and emerging Moroccan artists are showcased.
The more relaxed atmosphere of Essaouira combined with the stay at the Dar Boutazert estate provide a particularly delightful climax to this Moroccan journey.
TOUR # | 19MOR-E
MOROCCO
Day 6 | Thursday, 19 September
FÈS | ATLAS MOUNTAINS
MARRAKECH
The full day journey to Marrakech proceeds up into the mountains of the Middle Atlas through villages and other sites along the way.
Lunch in Beni Mellal, the capital of the region between the High and Middle Atlas and arrive in Marrakech later in the day.
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Dinner with expert host and guide in Marrakech.
Image: Ouzoud Falls
Day 7 | Friday, 20 September
MARRAKECH
Excursions include sites of antiquity such as the Koutoubia Mosque, and Le Jardin Secret, which is part of the great tradition of stately Arab-Andalusian and Moroccan palaces.
In the afternoon, our Marrakech host leads a tour of contemporary art galleries and the National Carpet Museum.
Image: Koutoubia Mosque interior
Day 8 | Saturday, 21 September
MARRAKECH
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Morning at leisure.
Afternoon visit to Jardin Majorelle, home of artist Jacques Majorelle which was transformed into a public garden with a museum of Berber antiquities by designer Yves Saint Laurent. Visit includes the Yves Saint Laurent Museum that opened in 2017.
Indulge the senses while exploring Djemaa el Fna Square into the evening.
Image: Skyline of Marrakech with Atlas Mountain range.
Day 9 | Sunday, 22 September
ESSAOUIRA
Hotel check-out after breakfast and depart for an overland drive to Essaouira, the port city and resort located on Morocco's Atlantic coast.
Wander through the bright blue and white medina, visit art galleries and boutiques before continuing on to Dar Boutazert.
Image: Essaouira Medina
Day 10 | Monday, 23 September
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DAR BOUTAZERT
A day at leisure among
orange and olive trees and a panoramic view of the Atlantic Ocean and Atlas mountain range. Relax in the large living room or one of the gardens. Enjoy a swim in the pool and view the extensive, private art collection.
Image: Dar Boutazert; gardens
Day 11 | Tuesday, 24 September
MARRAKECH
Depart Dar Boutazert after lunch; returning to Marrakech for overnight stay.
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Remaining hours in Marrakech at leisure.
Image: Moroccan lanterns
Day 00 | Wednesday, 25 September
MARRAKECH | Departure
Check-out of hotel and transfer to Menara
Internatioinal Airport
ACCOMMODATION
Hotels
The word 'riad' means garden but it is applied to town houses built round a central courtyard. Technically it should have some plants in four planting beds and a central fountain. Otherwise it is called a Dar, or house.
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Rooms are subject to availability on the date of confirmation. Should a specific accommodation not be available, a comparable room and/or property will be offered.
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Riads and Dars tend to have fewer rooms in number and therefore category and personal selections may not be available.
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As each guest room in a riad is normally decorated and exclusively furnished, choice of twin, full or queen bed may not be available.
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While one may request a room preference as to smoking or non-smoking, there may be no such categories on a property as there is an extraordinarily high number of local and visiting smokers.
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Dar Boutazert is a no smoking property.
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Casablanca
HÔTEL VAL D’ANFA
4-Star
Days 0-1| 2 Nights
13-14 September
HOTEL DELLAROSA
4-Star
Days 6-8 | 3 Nights
19-21 September
Rabat
HOTEL BÉLÈRE
4-Star
Day 2 |1 Night
15 September
Essaouira
DAR BOUTAZERT
5-Star
Days 9-10| 2 Nights
22-23 September
Fès
RIAD EL AMINE
4-Star
Days 3-5| 3 Nights
16-18 September
Marrakech
RADISSON BLU HOTEL
5-Star
Day 11|1 Night
24 September
Marrakech
TOUR DETAILS
INCLUDED
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Land travel by private, air-conditioned vehicle/s
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Private arrival and departure transfers based on your flight arrival and departure times
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Hotel accommodation | 12 Nights
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Services of experienced host/s and local guide/s as required by itinerary; excluding times allotted for independent activities.
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All admissions
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All state taxes
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MOBILE PHONE Morocco provides arriving passengers with a complementary sim card. If your mobile is not unlocked, you will be provided with a mobile for personal use for duration of tour; excluding usage charges. Traveler is responsible for loss or damage to phone, accessories; sim card.
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MEALS
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All breakfasts in hotels
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5 lunches
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4 dinners
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1 tea
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Bottled water throughout
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Plus, all meals during stay at Dar Boutazert
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Meals include soft drinks or juice, coffee, tea
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PLEASE NOTE
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Rooms are subject to availability on the date of confirmation. Should a specific accommodation not be available, a comparable room and/or property shall be offered.
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This exclusive itinerary is limited to a maximum of 16 participants, excluding staff and guide/s. A minimum of six (6) participants is required. Tour is not suitable for anyone under the age of 18 years.
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Activities require that you be in good health and have the ability to walk reasonable distances and be able to stand for extended periods as in museums and while visiting outdoor sites. Pack comfortable walking shoes that have been broken-in.
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Out of respect for the culture, women should be modestly attired.
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It may be necessary to slightly amend the program according to local conditions.
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Refer to Traveling in a Muslim Country and also, Visiting Morocco.
NOT INCLUDED
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FLIGHTS, Passport & Visas
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Meals other than hotel breakfast except where specifically mentioned as being included.
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Wine and other alcoholic drinks, room service à la carte orders, snacks and beverages; personal items, telephone calls, Internet and valet/laundry service and those items/services not specifically mentioned as being included.
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Expenses incurred in making additional/alternative, individual travel arrangements in conjunction with the Tour.
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Fees and other items and services not specifically mentioned as being included.
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Gratuities and porterage.
PRICING
Hotel & Land Tour Package
TOUR # | 19MOR-E
A US$500.00 deposit is payable at time of booking confirmation.
Tour rates are subject to change. All prices are based on exchange rates, hotel and land costs at the time of pricing and are therefore subject to increase prior to the time of full payment. TWH cannot be held responsible for fluctuations in calculating refunds due to tour cancellations.
FLIGHTS are not included; independent travel should be arranged to join the tour which begins in Casablanca and ends in Marrakech, Morocco.
PASSPORTS & VISAS
Travelers must have a valid passport with at least one blank page.
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Visas are not required for Americans visiting for less than 90 days. Visit the Embassy of the Kingdom of Morocco website for the most current visa information.
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Travelers are responsible for their own passport and visa requirements and obtaining individual travel and medical insurance.
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Tours With Hart Inc. reserves the right to decline final tour confirmation without proof of insurance.
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The U.S. State Department strongly recommends supplemental insurance covering medical evacuation.
Per Person
Double Occupancy
US$4990
Single
Supplement
US$860
Embassy of the Kingdom of Morocco
1601 21st Street NW
Washington DC 20009
T 202 462 7979 | F 202 462 7643
Consular T 202 499 1046
US State Department
Quick Facts
MOROCCO
travel.state.gov
Passport Validity
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Must be valid at time of entry
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Securely, carry a copy of your U.S. passport with you at all times to have proof of identity and U.S. citizenship readily available, if needed.
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Blank Passport Pages At least one blank page required for entry stamp.
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Tourist VISA Not required for stays under 90 days. Visit the website of the Embassy of the Kingdom of Morocco for the most current visa information.
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Vaccinations None
Safety & Security | Local Laws Refer to U.S. State Department website.
Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) so we can keep you up to date with important safety and security announcements.
Customs Travelers must declare large quantities of U.S. dollars brought into the country at the port of entry. The export (and import) of Moroccan currency (dirhams) is prohibited; however, Moroccan currency may be converted back into U.S. dollars prior to departure only if the traveler has a bank or money transfer receipt indicating dollars were exchanged for dirhams while in Morocco.
Moroccan customs authorities may enforce strict regulations concerning temporary importation into or export from Morocco of items such as firearms, religious materials, antiquities, business equipment, and large quantities of currency. It is advisable to contact the Embassy of Morocco in Washington, DC, or the Consulate General in New York for specific information concerning customs requirements.
US-MOROCCO RELATIONS Morocco formally recognized the United States in 1786 by signing a treaty of peace and friendship. Full diplomatic relations began in 1905. Morocco entered into the status of a French protectorate from 1912 to 1956, and normal diplomatic relations were resumed after U.S. recognition of Moroccan independence in 1956. The two countries share common concerns and consult closely on regional security and sustainable development. Morocco is a strong partner in counterterrorism efforts, and it works closely with U.S. law enforcement to safeguard both countries’ national security interests.