Morocco
Bliss Tour
7 or 8 day quickie includes two days exploring Marrakech, Tizi nTichka pass
to Ait Benhaddou, Todra Gorge, a walk through desert palmeries, overnight
camel trek in the Erg Chebbi dunes, and a day trip to Essaouira.
View
Itinerary
Throughout
our tours you will be immersed in Berber and desert cultures mingling
with modern ways of life, closely tied to ancient traditions. You will visit
souks (markets), Imperial cities, stay in medina hotels, country auberge and
riads. All transport
by a very comfortable large 4x4 cars with driver, gasoil, and air conditioning.
Tours leave and return to Marrakech and Fes or Casablanca.
Tours run with a minimum of two persons. Group tours available.
We use small, family run hotels, auberge and riads (ensuite + air con)
that are of interest because of location, excellent food, and unique traditional
architecture; similar to quiet village centered exotic B and B’s. Generally
speaking the food in Morocco is excellent
and reflects traditional cooking. Vegetarians welcome.
For
more information about Morocco explore on the icons
at the top of this page. Need a flight?
back to the top
7
day ITINERARY - Book
this tour
8 days adds one more night in the desert.
Day
1
Arrive Marrakech. Evening drums will draw you to the Djemaa El Fna (main city
square) where a festival atmosphere awaits. Plunge past the snake charmers
and have your fortune told, listen to Berber and Gnoua musicians, or storytellers,
or watch the "exotic" dancers illuminated by lamplight and wreathed
in smoke. Food stall meals range from a bevy of fresh salads, harrira (lentil
and bean soups) fried fish and chips (Moroccan style) to kebabs and even sheep's
head (a speciality that has its own dedicated stalls). Stay Marrakech ancient
medina in the heart of the old city. Your riad (old house) has a central,
tiled, courtyard, with breakfast served on a rooftop terrace.
Day 2
Depart early morning (3 hours) and head for the High Atlas passes, where
Ait Benhaddou, World Heritage Site of Kasbahs (used as a backdrop for more
than 20 films) sits perched on the Old Salt caravan trail. After lunch transport
(2 hours) to Dades, a small valley with stunning rock formations. You will
pass through many Berber villages, and once in the desert, see riverside
oasis and barren hillsides clustered with ksours (fortified dwellings that
house many families and their livestock). Stay in old kasbah, with dinner
beside the pool.
Day 3
Morning departure after breakfast (1 hour) to visit Todra gorge, a massive
fault dividing the Atlas mountains, rising to 300 m. Walk among Tinehir
palmeries, gardens, Berber villages and old kasbahs. After lunch transport
(2 hours) further into a desert auberge near the tiny village of Merzouga,
and take your camels at sunset into the glowing Erg Chebbi dunes for a traditional
nomad tajine dinner under the stars. You will sleep in traditional nomad
tents, with modern comforts, mattress and sheets. Auberge overnight is optional
with sunset camel trek into the dunes.
Day 4
Return by camel at sunrise the next morning to desert auberge for breakfast
and shower, then transport (7 hours) back to Marrakech. Stay Marrakech medina
riad.
Day 5
Explore Marrakech. Visit Majorelle gardens, Ben Youssef Medersa and the
Marrakech Museum. Afternoon explore the Jemma El Fna and the vast Souk.
The Souk is comprised of many specialist areas e.g. metalwork, where crafters
ply their trade; dyers workshops are strung with colourful skeins of wool;
carpets, and carpet sellers entice you into their shops with a cup of mint
tea; search tiny shops selling Berber jewellery, old silver, and African
beads; or spices, olives, fresh herbs; or traditional apothecaries where
you can buy all manner of potions to heal or cast spells of love or revenge.
Stay Marrakech medina riad.
Day 6
Day trip to Essaouira (3 hours one way), a relaxing town set on the Atlantic
coast with an expansive golden beach popular with surfers; famous for
its seafood, thuja wood crafts and artists colony. Old Portuguese ramparts
guard
the walled city where you can watch silver craftsmen and wood carvers
at
work in one of the most charming medinas in all of Morocco. Visit a traditional
pharmacy and learn about natural medicines and cures, and a Women’s
cooperative where Argan nuts are processed by hand into one of the rarest
oils in the world. Stay Marrakech medina riad.
Day 07 Depart
or add on one or more days.
For more information contact
Telephone
Morocco:
GSM: +212 66 770 5212
Telephone
inside Morocco:
GSM: 0 66 770 5212
Telephone
Canada and voice mail:
+1 604 393 3715
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