Morocco jewish heritage tour | 9 Nights, 10 Days

After breakfast, we drive to Rabat, one of Morocco’s four ancient capitals, or imperial cities, Rabat is again the country’s capital, at once historic and contemporary as we discover on this morning tour. We visit the fortified Kasbah of the Oudaias, the peaceful Andalusian Gardens, the museum of Moroccan arts and the late king Mohammed V mausoleum and the outside of the royal palace . Lunch at leisure before we continue to Fes, the spiritual capital of Morocco. Overnight at your hotel

Today we explore Morocco’s oldest imperial city, considered the “Athens of Africa” for its wealth of cultural, educational, and religious institutions. We begin with a walking tour of Fez’s fascinating medina, a UNESCO World Heritage site, focusing on the artisans’ quarters, the 14th-century Koranic schools, and Al Karaouine, the medieval theological university, then to the Potter's district. As you might all know, the best Moroccan meal is always cooked at home. Therefore, a traditional Moroccan family will invite us for lunch today at their traditional Moroccan house in the heart of the Medina. In the afternoon, tour the old mellah (Jewish quarter) and its 17th-century synagogue, the royal gates, and the Museum of Fes. Overnight at your hotel.

Departure from Fez at around 10 am for a 1 hour’s drive west to the Imperial city of Meknes. Driving across the plain you will see vast acreages of vineyards which produce good quality wine, much of which is exported to France. Moulay Ismail made Meknes the capital city of Morocco during his reign around 1700; his mausoleum and the Rouah, his stables for over 12,000 horses, together with Place el-Hedim, the central pedestrian square in the Medina, are well worth a visit. Meet with a caretaker of the Old Jewish Synagogue for an introduction to what was and what remains of Jewish Life. After lunch our journey takes you 30 km north to the hillside settlement of Moulay Idriss. The town is one of the country’s most important spiritual sites and a place of pilgrimage as it is the site of the tomb of Moulay Idriss, a prominent saint in the late 8th century and a great grandson of the prophet Mohammed. Leaving Moulay Idriss for the short 4 km drive to the World Heritage Site of Volubilis, there are a number of vantage points to take photographs of the town. Volubilis is the site of the largest and best preserved Roman ruins in Morocco, particularly noted for its superb mosaic floors; it has fabulous views of the Rif Mountain foothills, particularly at sunset. A guided tour of the Volubilis site. Overnight at your hotel.

Traveling inland today, we cross the fertile plains beyond Fez and continue through the Middle Atlas mountain range. We stop in the small town of Midelt for lunch ( At leisure ). Continuing on we cross the Ziz River, passing rows of sky-scraping palm trees and fortified villages before reaching our kasbah-style hotel in Erfoud late in the day, then you switch into 4×4 jeeps to cross the Erg Chebbi sand dunes to your luxury Sahara desert camp. Arrive just before sunset, then switch into camels for a ride over the hills of Erg Chebbi, and watch a dramatic color changing sunset.
Dinner will be served under the stars next to the fire camp.

Our destination today is in the snow-topped High Atlas. The day features one beautiful scene after another, including the village of Tineghir, a stunning mountain oasis rising on a series of riverside terraces lush with palm trees; and the spectacular 984-foot Todra Gorge, home to a variety of rare bird and plant species. Before lunch walk through the oasis and watch ladies doing some traditional farming work, or washing clothes at the river bank. Following lunch at Chez Michele retaurant, owned by a French lady who fell in love with the region and started her guest house business next to to Todgha river, we continue to Boumalne Dades. Dinner and overnight at your hotel

This morning, we continue to Kelaa Megouna, known for growing Damascus roses, used in perfumery. Visit a perfumery ladies cooperative and learn the process of makind different cosmetic products off rose petals, then set out on the fabled “Route of a Thousand Kasbahs” ancient caravan route, a region of fortresses with elaborately decorated façades. late morning, we reach Ouarzazate known as the gate to the Sahara, where we will visit Kasbah Taourirt before we continue to the world heritage site of Kasbah Ait Ben Hadou, one of southern Morocco’s most scenic villages that is often used as a location for fashion and film shoots. Its old section consists of deep red kasbahs packed together so tightly they appear to be a single unit. After lunch ( At leisure ), we continue to Marrakech.
As we begin our descent from the High Atlas, we pass through typical villages with fortified walls and stone houses with earthen roofs. In Tizi N’Tichka, we traverse the Pass of the Pastures (alt. 7,415 feet), where life is much as it was centuries ago: shepherds bring their flocks to the high pastures every summer, then return with them to their villages in autumn. We arrive in Marrakech late this afternoon. Overnight at your riad or hotel.

Once the capital of southern Morocco, the imperial city of Marrakech is an alluring oasis with a temperate climate, distinct charm, and fascinating sights. Our day-long tour includes the beautifully proportioned Koutoubia Mosque with its distinctive 282-foot minaret visible from miles away; the beautiful Andalusian-style El Bahia Palace (part of which is still used by the royal family); then to the Mellah, the old jewish quarter with its still functioning synagogue and the Palace of Dar Si Said, a museum housing Moroccan art and artifacts. Lunch to be served at a Medina restaurant. Mid- afternoon we embark on a walking tour of the medina, ending at Djemaa el Fna Square, a UNESCO site and the heart of Marrakech, crowded with snake charmers, entertainers, storytellers, musicians, barbers, and sellers of fruit, water, and spices.
Farewell dinner tonight will be served at a Moroccan Palace in the Medina with entertainment. Overnight at your hotel.

This morning, you’ll learn how to cook a Tangia in a riad in the heart of the Medina, Tangia is a very famous dish in Marrakech: Start with a tour in the Souks where you’ll do your ingredients shopping yourselves with your guide: vegetables, meat and spices, at the end of the course, accompany your guide to a «Fernatchi», a traditional baker, and leave your Tangia pot to be cooked in a traditional oven. Come back to your riad and learn how to make some traditional Moroccan salads while waiting for the Tangia.
In the afternoon, you complete the discovery of Marrakech city on a horse and cart by visiting the private collection of Mr. Bert Flint, a Dutch anthropologist who studied the Berber cultural heritage, representing the Berber and subsaharian artistic culture, the private museum of Mr. Yves Saint Laurent offering one of the most interesting collections of Eves Saint Laurent, as well as the Majorelle gardens, designed in the 20’s by the famous french artist Jacques Majorelle.
Optional oriental spa experience this afternoon at Les Bains de Marrakech, one of the best Spas in Morocco. Farewell dinner tonight will be served at a Moroccan Palace in the Medina with entertainment. Overnight at your hotel.

After breakfast, spend the day in Marrakech ta leisure depending on your flight time. Depart to Marrakech for your return flight. End of services. Aurevoir !!