Splendors of MoroccoFrom Imperial Cities to the Sahara

Your Travel Itinerary

Special Value
This tour is specially designed for a small group of 16 to 24 Smithsonian travelers and offers outstanding travel value. Prices include airfare, airline taxes, fuel surcharges, and departure fees.

Overview
Morocco is a land of dramatic contrasts—vast deserts and snowcapped mountains, ancient ruins and sacred mosques, and imposing kasbahs and spirited souks. Here, one can see the influence of Phoenicians, Romans, Berbers, Jews, Arabs, and the Portuguese and French.

Our exotic adventure takes you to ancient imperial capitals and World Heritage sites in Fez, Marrakech, and Meknes, as well as Ait ben-Haddou and Volubilis. Watch the sun set on endless Sahara sand dunes from atop a camel, follow the “Route of a Thousand Kasbahs,” a fabled caravan route in the High Atlas Mountains, and walk through a medina crowded with snake charmers, musicians, and storytellers. You’ll also see spectacular Todra Gorge and explore Casablanca and Rabat, a historic and contemporary capital. During your journey you’ll meet a Berber family, enjoy a dinner at a family-run riad and meet with a local imam as he discusses the Muslim faith. You’ll also enjoy a two-night stay at a kasbah-style hotel.

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Itinerary
Days 1-2 — Depart the U.S. for Casablanca on individual flights
Upon arrival the next day, proceed directly to Rabat and check into your hotel near the Embassy district in the heart of the city. This evening, enjoy a welcome dinner at a local restaurant. Visit Rabat’s Archaeological Museum followed by a short walk through the medina. (L,D)

Day 3 — Rabat
One of Morocco’s four ancient imperial cities, Rabat is the present-day capital. Today, encounter an intriguing blend of the historic and modern at Rabat’s Royal Palace, Hassan Tower, the magnificent Mausoleum of Mohammed V, the fortified Kasbah of Oudaias, and the peaceful Andalucian gardens. (B,L,D)

Day 4 — Meknes, Volubilis, and Fez
Today explore three important World Heritage sites. Stop first at Meknes, Morocco’s youngest imperial city, to see the Bab el Mansour gateway and ruins of the imperial stables. Continue to Volubilis, known for its Roman ruins, and then upon arrival in Fez check into your elegant hotel, located adjacent to the medina. (B,L,D)

Days 5-6 — Fez
Morocco’s oldest imperial city, Fez is known for its wealth of cultural, educational, and religious institutions. Highlights of your stay include El Kairouyine, the medieval theological university, and the 14th-century Koranic schools. Stroll through the Old City, a medieval maze of souks (shops), mosques, craft guilds, and residences, and tour the old mellah or Jewish Quarter. Enjoy an afternoon concert of Arabic music in addition to dinner at an intimate family-run riad, La Maison Bleue. (2B,1L,2D)

Day 7 — Midelt and Erfoud
Cross the fertile plains beyond Fez to the Middle Atlas mountain range. Densely forested slopes of cedar, cork, and pine give way to arid steppes on these historic routes, where Berbers once fled Arab invaders. Stop for lunch in the small town of Midelt and continue across the Ziz River. Pass by rows of towering date palms and fortified villages before reaching Erfoud in the evening. (B,L,D)

Day 8 — Erfoud, Rissani, and Merzouga
Visit the city of Rissani and explore its 18th-century ksar, a virtually imepenetrable warren of alleys, then continue to the ruins of 17th-century Ksar Abbar fortress. Conclude the day with a sunset excursion to the breathtaking sand dunes at Merzouga. In the enormous silence of the Sahara Desert, watch the sun set over the endless dunes from atop a camel. (B,D)

Day 9 — Tinehir, Todra Gorge, and Ouarzazate
One impressive scene unfolds after another on today’s journey to the snowcapped High Atlas. See the terraced riverside village of Tinehir and spectacular 984-foot Todra Gorge, home to rare bird and plant species. Visit El Kelaa des Mgouna, known for its roses, then set out on an ancient caravan route known as the “Route of a Thousand Kasbahs.” This evening, stay in the town of Ouarzazate. (B,L,D)

Day 10 — Ait ben-Haddou and Marrakech
En route to Marrakech, tour Ait ben-Haddou, a World Heritage site. In its old section, deep red kasbahs are packed together so tightly they appear to be a single unit. Descend from the High Atlas, passing through typical fortified villages with stone houses and earthen roofs. In Tizi N’Tichka, traverse a mountain pass where shepherds continue the lifestyle of their ancestors. Arriving in Marrakech in the late afternoon, enjoy some leisure time before dinner. (B,L,D)

Day 11 — Marrakech
The imperial city of Marrakech, once the capital of southern Morocco, becomes the focus for today. Begin with the beautifully proportioned Koutoubia Mosque with its distinctive 282-foot minaret, then continue to the Andalusian-style El Bahia Palace and lush Majorelle Garden. In the city’s main square, Djemaa el Fna, snake charmers, entertainers, and vendors vie for attention. Weave your way through stall after stall of Marrakech’s souk, to view the carpets, leather, and other goods created by local artisans. (B,L)

Day 12 — Marrakech
Enjoy a morning Gardens tour by horse and carriage. Return to Marrakech for an afternoon at leisure. Following a tour of the gardens, we’ll visit the newly renovated Berber Museum. Early this evening enjoy a unique meeting with a local Imam to discuss the Muslim faith. This evening savor a traditional Moroccan dinner in a local restaurant in the heart of the medina. (B,D)

Day 13 — Casablanca
Return to Casablanca and take a city tour in the afternoon, featuring the harbor area, city hall and tribunal, and the magnificent Hassan II Mosque. Tonight celebrate your Moroccan adventure at a farewell dinner. (B,D)

Day 14 — Casablanca and the U.S.
Depart Casablanca for the U.S. on individual flights. (B)