Escorted Tour of Morocco from Montreal $2195*

Morocco, a North African country bordering the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea, is distinguished by its Berber, Arabian and European cultural influences. Marrakesh’s medina, a mazelike medieval quarter, offers entertainment in its Djemaa el-Fna square and souks (marketplaces) selling ceramics, jewelry and metal lanterns. The capital Rabat’s Kasbah of the Udayas is a 12th-century royal fort overlooking the water.

• View Hassan II Mosque, build to commemorate the former king’s 60th birthday
• Admire the 12th century Koutoubia Minaret, used as the prototype for Seville’s La Giralda Tower
• Visit the ancient Roman ruins of Volubilis, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
• Join a Fez family in their home and enjoy a home hosted dinner
• Explore Ait Benhaddou, an ancient desert village on an old caravan route
• Take a short bus tour of the imperial city of Fez
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Escorted Package Includes

• Round trip flights Montreal-Casablanca, Casablanca-Montreal
  Other departure cities available at various prices
• Airline taxes & fuel surcharges
• 11 nights First Class accommodations
  • 2 nights Rabat
  • 2 nights Fez
  • 2 nights Erfoud
  • 1 night Ouarzazate
  • 3 nights Marrakesh
  • 1 night Casablanca
• Hotel taxes, fees & service charges
• Hotel porterage
• All transfers included only with airfare purchase on package arrival & departure dates†
• 16 meals: 11 breakfasts, 5 dinners
• Sightseeing per itinerary in modern air-conditioned motor coach
• Services of English-speaking tour manager throughout
• Entrance fees per itinerary
• Farewell dinner with wine
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• Explore Rabat, the capital city of Morocco, and view the Royal Palace and the ancient ruins of Chellah, visit the Oudaya Kasbah and the Hassan Tower, plus the Roman city of Volubilis. Spend a full day at leisure in Fez to wander the old medina yourself or choose to join an optional tour where you will visit the many hidden treasures that only a Moroccan guide can know.Depart for Erfoud via the montane cedar woods of the middle Atlas Mountains, passing by Ifrane, a charming ski resort. Explore the small city of Rissani and pass by the ruins of Sijilmasa, once a bustling Berber city and medieval trade depot. Visit the magnificent Todgha canyons, rising to a towering 800 feet, then head to Ouarzazate via the road of the thousand Kasbahs. Here, enjoy a tour of the desert city at the gates of the Sahara including the Kasbah Taourirt and Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.Travel to Marrakesh via the highest road point in Morocco, the Tichka Pass, offering an impressive landscape in the heart of the Atlas Mountain chain. On a tour of the “Red City”, visit the Saadian Tombs, the Koutoubia Minaret and the beautiful Bahia Palace. With an additional day at leisure, experience the vibrant street life of Marrakesh firsthand and perhaps sample some of the city’s famous cuisine. Finally, journey to Casablanca, the commercial heart of Morocco, and visit the Mohamed V Square, the Habous Quarter and the Notre Dame de Lourdes Cathedral.Book today and discover the country’s fascinating Roman, Berber, Arab and French influences, and see for yourself why Morocco has become one of our most popular travel destinations!
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• This program is moderately active. Walking is done over various surfaces. The pacing is moderate as numerous sites are included. The longest day spent on the bus is between Fez and Erfoud, which is approximately 9 hours. While most of the sightseeing is between 1 to 3 hours, the full day Fez optional tour requires approximately 4 hours of walking. Please note that both a 4×4 vehicle and camels are used for transportation if participating in the Full Day Sahara with Lunch tour.
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• A little pre-planning can make your trip go a lot smoother. Several weeks before your trip, make a list of what you will need to take with you. Make sure your personal documents (passports, visas, driver’s license) are in order. Make sure also that you have enough prescription medications to last through the trip and carry them with you in case your luggage is delayed. Bring a change of clothes in your carry on bag in the event that your luggage is delayed or lost. We suggest that you make photocopies of passports, visas, personal ID and any other important travel documents and pack them separately from the originals. You may also make a digital copy of your passport to keep a clear picture with the important details in your cell phone or digital camera photos. If you lose the originals while traveling, you’ll have copies for easier reporting and replacement. Pack a list of medications including dosage and generic names. You may consider bringing a small supply of over the counter medications for headaches and/or anti-diarrhea pills (especially when traveling outside of the USA and Western Europe). Due to security reasons, many museums have restrictions on the size of bags that can be taken inside and backpacks, carry-on bags or large purses may not be permitted. It is recommended to bring a small shoulder bag or purse to use in these situations instead. Avoid placing valuables such as cameras in your checked luggage. Airplane pressure can cause similar pressure in your body, most notably in ears, as well as liquid tubes and bottles. Your physician can suggest medication for decongestion. We suggest that you place liquid containers into Ziploc bags to catch any leaks.
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DAY 1, Monday – Depart for Morocco

DAY 2, Tuesday – Arrive in Casablanca & Travel to Rabat
Arrive in Casablanca and transfer to your hotel in Rabat where you have the rest of the day at leisure to explore the capital city of Morocco. This evening, enjoy an orientation meeting with your Tour Manager and fellow travelers at approximately 6 pm. We recommend that you select flights which arrive in your destination no later than 4 pm on day 2 of the itinerary or earlier, if possible
Overnight: Rabat

DAY 3, Wednesday – Rabat Morning City Tour
This morning, take a city tour of Rabat, Morocco’s capital and second largest city. Rabat, which means “Fortified Place” displays all of the fine architecture one might expect to see. View the Royal Palace and the ancient ruins of Chellah, a city that traces its origins to the Carthaginians and Phoenicians. Also visit the Oudaya Kasbah, and the Hassan Tower. Spend the afternoon at leisure
Overnight: Rabat
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 4, Thursday – Travel to Fez
Today, depart for Fez. En route, stop and visit the ancient ruins of the Roman city of Volubilis where you will get a chance to see the wonderfully preserved original mosaics, Roman Road, and city layout. As you travel through the Moroccan countryside, pass by the Holy City of Moulay Idriss for a photo opportunity. Upon your arrival in Fez, enjoy a breathtaking view of the ancient city of Fez from a hill overlooking the medina. Take a short bus tour of the imperial city conducted by your Tour Manager on the way to the hotel. This evening, enjoy a special dinner hosted by a local family and learn about Moroccan culture and traditions*
*Home hosted dinner in Fez may be moved to another day, according to your host’s availability. 
Overnight: Fez
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 5, Friday – Full Day in Fez
Enjoy a full day at leisure to bravely wander the old medina yourself or, choose to take to guided optional tour where you will visit the many hidden treasures of the medina that only a Moroccan guide will know. Fez served as the capital of Morocco for more than 400 years and is home to the University of Al Karaouine, the oldest operating university in the world. It is particularly famous for its tanneries and the Fes el Bali Medina. A short visit to the surrounding leather shops gives you the best view of the tanneries. See the Attarine Medersa, Moulay Idriss mausoleum, and visit the Nejjarine Fountains and Museum. Opportunities for shopping for authentic Moroccan carpets will be provided. Finally, view the exterior of the Royal Palace and walk through the famed Jewish quarter of the medina. Though the city has endured periods of hardship, it has emerged more vibrant than ever, boasting its own distinctive culture, art, and even cuisine
Optional: Full Day Fez (AM)
Overnight: Fez
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 6, Saturday – Sightseeing en route to Erfoud
This will be a long and rewarding touring day. After breakfast, depart for Erfoud via the montane cedar woods of the middle Atlas Mountains, passing by Ifrane, a charming ski resort. Continue to Erfoud via Errachidia and the lush Ziz Valley. Arrive to your Erfoud hotel in the early evening
Overnight: Erfoud
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 7, Sunday – Rissani City Tour
This morning, depart to explore the small city of Rissani, on the edge of the Sahara. En route, stop at a fossil factory to learn more about this unique activity which is famous in the region. Time permitting, we will visit a local community center and learn about the community first hand. Upon arrival to Rissani, tour the lively souk and visit an 18th-century ksar. Next, pass by the ancient ruins of Sijilmasa on the River Ziz, once a bustling Berber city and medieval trade depot. Return to Erfoud for an afternoon at leisure or, join the optional tour of the Sahara, including a camel ride into the desert. After sunset, return to your hotel for dinner and overnight
Optional: Sahara Excursion with Lunch
Overnight: Erfoud
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 8, Monday – Sightseeing en route to Ouarzazate
This morning, continue your journey to Tinghir via the Tinjdad Road. Stop to visit the magnificent Todgha canyons, which rise to a towering 800 feet. After a brief stop in the Dades Canyons, continue to Ouarzazate via the road of the thousand Kasbahs, and the Dades Valley, famous for its roses and the yearly Rose Festival. Arrive at the hotel in Ouarzazate later this evening
Overnight: Ouarzazate
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 9, Tuesday – Ouarzazate City Tour, Travel to Marrakesh
Enjoy a city tour of Ouarzazate, a desert city at the gates of the Sahara. Its strange name means “without noise” in the Berber language. Walk in the Taourirt village, which was constructed in the 12th century and still inhabited today. It was an important village located at the crossroads between the Sahara Desert and the north of Morocco. Your tour also includes the Kasbah Taourirt, an impressive structure that was built to house hundreds of people. Finally, visit Ait Benhaddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This afternoon travel to Marrakesh via the highest road point in Morocco, the Tichka Pass, offering an impressive landscape in the heart of the Atlas Mountain range
Overnight: Marrakesh
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 10, Wednesday – Marrakesh City Tour
After breakfast, enjoy a morning tour of the city. Visit the Saadian Tombs, dating back to the 16th century, where Saadian royalty found their final resting place. Your tour also includes the Koutoubia Minaret, as well as the beautiful Bahia Palace. Finally, end the tour by walking through the medina, getting a chance to admire all of the different artisans performing their craft before arriving at the Djemaa el Fna Square. Spend the afternoon at leisure or, choose to take the optional tour where you will have a chance to watch couscous being made, while enjoying a traditional lunch, as well as visiting the Majorelle Gardens. Tonight, attend the optional dinner with horse-drawn carriage ride. Take a ride through the lively streets of Marrakesh and delight in the tastes of typical Moroccan fare while live music and an elegant belly dancing performance cap off the night
Optional: Marrakesh Culinary Demonstration & Majorelle Gardens with Lunch (PM)
Optional: Dinner with Horse-Drawn Carriage Ride (PM)
Overnight: Marrakesh
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 11, Thursday – Full Day in Marrakesh
Enjoy a full day at leisure in Marrakesh. See the bustling Medina, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and experience the vibrant street life of the city firsthand, or, perhaps join the optional tour to Essaouira, whose medina is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and an excellent example of a fortified North African town. Walk along the city’s ramparts just north of Moulay Hassan Square where local artists sell their paintings. Continue on to the Skala de la Ville, which is a fortification built along the cliffs that defended the city from sea attacks, but now provides visitors with an unparalleled view of the port and its bright colored fishing boats. Explore the many souks in the medina, including the spice and jewelry souks
Optional: Full Day Essaouira (AM)
Overnight: Marrakesh
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 12, Friday – Depart Marrakesh, Travel to Casablanca
This morning, travel to Casablanca, the commercial heart of Morocco. Upon arrival, enjoy a half day sightseeing tour of Casablanca, which includes the exterior of the Hassan II Mosque▲ and the Corniche seaside. Continue on a short drive through the residential areas of Casablanca to the city center to visit the Mohamed V Square, the Habous quarter and the Notre Dame de Lourdes Cathedral. Tonight, enjoy a Farewell Dinner at a local restaurant*
*Please note: The Farewell Dinner ends around 10:30 pm. Departure flights scheduled shortly after midnight may require missing part of the dinner
Overnight: Casablanca
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 13, Saturday – Depart Morocco
Transfer to the airport for your departure flight
Meals: Breakfast

*This is a limited time offer, price displayed in Canadian dollars, per person, double occupancy, Applicable to April 1, 2019 departure, other dates available at various prices. Includes return airfare from Montreal, airport taxes, transfers, accommodations, certain meals plus sightseeing & entrance fees as per itinerary. OPC Indemnity Fund fee of $1 per $1,000 of travel products sold is additional. Limited space, other conditions and restrictions may apply. Not all travel dates available. Subject to change or cancellation at any time. Book before January 15, 2019 – Very Limited Space for the April 1 departure.