Colorful Morocco

Colorful Morocco

Dates: 12^th -23^rd September

Visiting:

Madrid, Rabat, Fez, Volubilis, Meknes, Ifrane, Azrou, Midelt, Erfoud, Merzouga, Sahara Desert, Ouarzazate, Tinghir, Marrakech, Essaouira & Ozoud Water Falls

TUESDAY, 12TH SEPTEMBER

We meet at Malta International Airport at 3.30 am for our Ryanair flight to Madrid departing at 5.50 am. On arrival in Madrid at 8.40 am one can join the leader in Madrid city center. Some free time and later make our way to the airport for our Ryanair flight to Fez departing at 9.05 pm and arriving at 9.40 pm. On arrival, our coach will take us to our hotel in Fez for check-in and dinner (d).

WEDNESDAY, 13TH SEPTEMBER

After breakfast, it’s an absolute must to enjoy a guided tour of Fez. The tour will take us to the Bab Boujeloud (The Blue Gate), best characterized as a sea of rooftops embellished with minarets and domes. We continue by visiting the Kairaouiyne Mosque. This Mosque is the oldest in the world and functioned as the first University in Morocco. The medina in Fez is a particular place. An altogether more earthy and secular surprise awaits us when we suddenly duck off the street and enter a shop selling leather goods. As much as we may fear we are about to be subject to a hard sell. This isn’t the reason for entering: you pass through the shop and out onto a terrace at the back, overlooking the tannery. The hides are first treated in vats of urine and pigeon excreta (an overwhelming smell, be warned) and then put into vats of differing colours of dye. Workers trample slowly back and forth in the vats, up to their thighs in goodness knows what. It is one of the best photo opportunities in Fez, with the multitude of vats and dyes contrasting with whitewashed walls all around, draped in drying hides. In the afternoon, we visit a pottery factory, and explore the Royal Palace and many interesting quarters including the Mullay Abdallah Quarter, the Mellah (Jewish Quarter), and the Ville Nouvelle (The New Quarter). We return to our hotel in Fez for dinner. (b,d).

THURSDAY, 14TH SEPTEMBER

Breakfast and today join the leader to visit Rabat the capital city of Morocco, a vibrant city with festivals and overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Here we will visit the Royal Palace (Mechouar), the Oudaya Kasbah, a fortress that today houses the national museum and the peaceful Andalusian gardens that surrounds it, and the Mausoleum of Mohammed V where there are the tombs of the former Moroccan king and his two sons. The building is a masterpiece of modern Alaouite dynasty architecture with its white silhouette and green tiled roof. We will also see the Hassan Tower (extra), a minaret of an incomplete mosque. The tower and the mosque were intended to be the biggest in the world. It is now a famous emblem of Rabat and is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Some free time before we make our way to Fez. After dinner, the rest of the evening is free to enjoy Fez. (b,d).

FRIDAY, 15TH SEPTEMBER

Breakfast and today we go on an excursion that will take us to visit Volubilis and Meknes. Our first stop will be in Volubilis where we will visit the ruins of the Roman city. We then continue to Meknes where we will visit this Ismalian capital famous for its 40km long walls and then the Bab Mansour, the grandest of all imperial Moroccan gateways. This iconic gateway is known for its geometric ornamentation, and devotional.

inscriptions, and marble columns. On our return to Fez passing by the holy city of Moulay Idriss spread over 2 hills at the base of Mount Zerhoun is a special place in the hearts of Moroccan people as it was here that Moulay Idriss I brought with him the religion of Islam. We will return to Fez in time for dinner. (b,d)

SATURDAY, 16TH SEPTEMBER

After breakfast, we check out of our Hotel in Fez and we start our trip to Midelt a town in central Morocco, in the high plains between the Middle Atlas and High Atlas Mountain ranges. Midelt serves as the commercial center of a large agricultural hinterland. It is also one of Morocco’s principal cities for the mining of several minerals. On the way via the mountains and cedar woods, we will stop in Ifrane a charming ski resort, and then Azrou, an important handicrafts center. Dinner and overnight in our hotel in Midelt. (b,d).

SUNDAY, 17TH SEPTEMBER

Breakfast and we leave Midelt to Merzouga passing by Errachidia and the Ziz valley dotted by palm trees which are the source for the yearly date Festival in Erfoud. In Erfoud, we visit a marble fossil factory after which we take a ride on a 4×4 taking with us just overnight clothes. Today is an unforgettable experience for our Britannia Camel Caravan. After refreshing ourselves in the camp we mount the camels through the sand dunes and make a stop to admire the sunset in the desert. We later have a typical dinner followed by folk singing around a campfire under an array of stars. (b,d).

MONDAY, 18TH SEPTEMBER

We wake up early not to miss sunrise and then have a buffet breakfast. Time to take the 4x4s again to join the coach in Erfoud from where we start our drive to Ouarzazate with a stop in Tinghir visiting the magnificent Todgha canyons with rocks that reach an altitude of 250 meters. We then proceed to the Dades canyons for a visit and then proceed to Ouarzazate via the road of the thousand Kasbahs and the Dades valley, famous for its roses and the yearly Moussem (rose festival). We will also visit the Kasbah of Taourirt. On arrival in Ouarzazate check-in at our hotel and have dinner. (b,d).

TUESDAY, 19TH SEPTEMBER

Breakfast and check-out from our hotel in Ouarzazate. Then we proceed with our tour leader by going to Marrakech via Tiffeltout and Ait Benhaddou, the most spectacular fortress in south Morocco, which has served as décor for many years for films like “Laurence of Arabia”. On arrival in Marrakech, we will check in and have dinner. (b,d).

WEDNESDAY, 20TH SEPTEMBER

Today we go on a full-day excursion to admire the Ouzoud Falls, (Cascades d’Ouzoud), one of the most surprising attractions in Morocco. These falls are located approximately 90 miles (150 kilometers) northeast of the city, close to the Atlas Mountains village of Tanaghmeilt, and take their name from the ‘grinding grain’. Upon arrival, you will see the river plunge 300 feet (100 meters) into a complex network of waterfalls that cascade one into another through 3 major and several minor drops. The impressive roar soothes the soul like an old lullaby. We return to Marrakesh and after dinner, we enjoy the evening in this impressive city. (b,d).

THURSDAY, 21ST SEPTEMBER

Breakfast and today we start the day by visiting this favorite and fabulous city of Marrakesh. Our guide will take us to the Koutouba mosque, the largest mosque in Marrakech. We walk through the souks in the medina displaying lanterns, silver, brass, spices, and soft material. We later visit Bahia palace and the Saadian tombs. These tombs are covered in flawless zellij patterns and lavish artwork. We will also visit the Majorelle Gardens (ent. extra) We then return to the hotel, have dinner, and overnight. (b,d).

FRIDAY, 22ND SEPTEMBER

After breakfast today we join the leader and visit Essaouira, we will first reach the old port of Mogador, built by the Portuguese on a narrow peninsula near an immense crescent of fine sand. Perfectly protected by its impressive walls of French construction of the eighteenth century the town is pedestrianized and is easily divided into different quarters by its design shaped squared. Essaouira is also known for its fine craftsmanship especially objects interposed so delicious with lemon wood, ebony, mother of pearl or silver or copper wires. Afternoon returns to Marrakech. Dinner. Accommodation at the hotel. (b,d).

SATURDAY, 23RD SEPTEMBER

After early check out and breakfast then we are transferred to Marrakech airport for our Ryanair flight to Madrid departing at 7.25 am and arriving at 10.25 am, then departing to Malta at 6.25 pm and arriving in Malta at 9.05 pm. (b).

PRICE PER PERSON

Adult in Triple €1687

Adult in Twin €1717

Adult in Single €1939

Child sharing with 2 adults €1079

PRICE INCLUDES:

Ryanair flights to Fez & return from Marrakesh airport via Madrid including 10Kg & 20Kg luggage

4 nights in Fez 4* hotel

1 night in Midelt 4* hotel

1 night in Merzouga – desert camp in a tent

1 night in Ouarzazate 4* hotel

4 nights in Marrakech 4* hotel

11 breakfasts & 11 dinners

Airport transfers and all excursions as per itinerary

Services of tour leader and English-speaking guide

All taxes & service charge

Insolvency fund

NOT INCLUDED IN THE PRICE

Mosque Hassan II – Marrackech €13 per person

Majorelle Garden – Mjarrackech €15 per perso