with Peter Woodbury
May 2 thru 11, 2027
ITINERARY
Day 1 – 02 May:
Arrival in Casablanca
(D)
Arrival at Casablanca Mohammed V International Airport.
Meet and greet our driver and transfer to your hotel.
Depending on arrival time, you may enjoy a guided visit of Casablanca including:
Hassan II Mosque (inside visit if timing allows)
La Corniche coastal area
Mohammed V Square
United Nations Square
Welcome dinner at a local restaurant
Overnight in Casablanca
Day 2 – 03 May:
Casablanca – Rabat – Chefchaouen
(B)
After breakfast, departure to Rabat, the capital of Morocco.
Visit Rabat highlights:
Hassan Tower
Mausoleum of Mohammed V
Kasbah of the Udayas
Royal Palace (outside visit)
Continue north through the scenic Rif Mountains towards Chefchaouen.
Arrival in the famous “Blue City” in the late afternoon.
Overnight in Chefchaouen
Day 3 – 04 May:
Chefchaouen – Volubilis – Meknes – Fez
(B)
Morning walking tour of Chefchaouen:
Medina and blue-painted streets
Ras El Ma spring
Uta el-Hammam square
Departure towards Volubilis (Roman ruins UNESCO site).Guided visit of the archaeological site.
Continue to Meknes:
Bab Mansour Gate
Royal stables and granaries (optional stop)
Arrive in Fez in the evening.
Overnight in Fez
Day 4 – 05 May: GuidedTour of Fez
(B)
Full-day guided city tour with a local licensed guide:
Highlights include:
The ancient Medina of Fez (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
Al Quaraouiyine University (oldest university in the world)
Bou Inania Madrasa
Chouara Tanneries
Artisan quarters (carpets, leather, metalwork)
Royal Palace gates (outside visit)
Experience the cultural and spiritual heart of Morocco.
Overnight in Fez
Day 5 – 06 May:
Fez -Ifrane – Cedar Forest – Ziz Valley – Merzouga
(B, D)
Journey south through the Middle Atlas Mountains:
Stops include:
Ifrane (known as “Little Switzerland”)
Azrou cedar forest (wild monkeys)
Midelt (lunch stop)
Scenic drive through Ziz Valley with panoramic views
Arrival in Merzouga desert area in the late afternoon.
Enjoy sunset over the dunes.
Camel ride experience to desert camp.
Overnight in Merzouga desert camp.
Tour highlight – New moon stargazing in Sahara desert!
Day 6 – 07 May:
Merzouga- Todra Gorge – Ait Ben Haddou – Marrakech
(B)
(This will be long travel day, but several stops along the way will break it up and make it enjoyable – departure about 6 AM & arrival in Marrakech about 7 PM)
Early morning departure after sunrise in the desert.
Travel via:
Rissani traditional market (optional stop)
Todra Gorge (high canyon walls)
Dades Valley (scenic drive)
Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah (UNESCO site)
Cross the High Atlas Mountains via Tizi n’Tichka Pass.
Arrival in Marrakech in the evening.
Overnight in Marrakech
Day 7 – 08 May:
Guided Tour of Marrakech
(B)
Full-day guided tour of Marrakech:
Main attractions:
Koutoubia Mosque (outside visit)
Bahia Palace
Saadian Tombs
Majorelle Garden (optional)
Medina and souks
Jemaa el-Fnaa square (evening atmosphere)
Cultural and historical exploration of the Red City.
Overnight in Marrakech
Day 8 – 09 May:
Marrakech – Essaouira
(B)
Morocco was a big hang out in the 60’s for rock musicians.Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young had the song Marrakech Express and Jimmy Hendrix wrote the song Castles in the Sand in Essaouira, as the ramparts look like a castle that is sinking into the sand.
After breakfast, transfer to Essaouira on the Atlantic coast.
En route views of argan tree forests and goat trees.
Arrival and free time to explore:
Essaouira Medina (UNESCO site)
Fishing port
Skala de la Kasbah
Beach and old ramparts
Relaxed coastal atmosphere.
Overnight in Essaouira
Day 9 – 10 May:
Essaouira – Free Time – Return to Marrakech
Morning at leisure in Essaouira.
Optional activities:
Beach walk or horse riding
Local shopping
Relax in cafés by the ocean
In the afternoon, transfer back to Marrakech & rejoin those who stayed in Marrakech
Overnight in Marrakech
Day 10 – 11 May:
Transfer to Marrakech Airport
Breakfast at the hotel.
Transfer to Marrakech Airport for your departure flight.
End of services.
PRICING
Double occupancy:
$3,443 credit card price
$3,388 “cash” price (Venmo, Zelle, Wise, check)
Single room supplement
$605 credit card price
$588 “cash” price
PAYMENT SCHEDULE
$500 deposit due at registration – $250 is refundable until August 1
½ of balance due: January 15, 2027
Remaining balance due: March 15, 2027
INCLUSIONS
– Zoom meetings to get to know each other and learn about the culture and religion of Morocco.
– Regressions, prayers & meditations before & during the tour.
– Dream study while on the bus
– Group discussions while on the bus
– Medical & Medical Evacuation insurance coverage for US residents ($100 credit for non US nationals)
-Private transportation with A/C
-Pick up/drop off at your hotels
– water available on the bus
-Airport pick-up in Casablanca and drop off in Marrakech
-English speaking Guide
– 9 nights in hotels/Riads with breakfast included and 2 dinners
-1 night in the luxury camp in Merzouga dunes with dinner and breakfast
– Optional camel rides in Merzouga dunes
– Optional sandboarding in the dunes
– Free time to explore the sites, breaks for photos, etc
– Customized & Flexible stops
– Entrance fees to monuments and Kasbahs
– Turban each for the trip in the Desert
– Fuel
EXCLUSIONS
– Personal expenses (gifts, souvenirs…)
– Beverages e.g. alcoholic, sodas, water. (Water is complimentary on the bus).
-Not included meals
Hotels / Riads:
We will be staying in 3 hotels, 2 riads and a desert camp.
A riad is a traditional Moroccan home built around a central, open-air courtyard, hidden behind modest walls in the old cities (medinas), they feature intricatetilework, fountains, plunge pools, and rooftop terraces.
Today, most are beautifully converted into intimate, boutique guesthouses.
Why Stay in a Riad
- Authentic Architecture: Escape the hustle of the medina into quiet sanctuaries adorned with colorful zellij tiles and carved wood.
- Personalized Service: Because they typically house only 5 to 15 rooms, staffcan offer highly tailored recommendations, arrange drivers, and cook homemade meals.
- Rooftop Perks: Most riads feature stunning terraces offering panoramic cityviews, where daily breakfast and mint tea are served.-
Casablanca : New Hotel or similar
https://www.newhotel.ma/
Chefchaouen : Vancii Hotel or similar
https://vanciihotel.com/gallery/
Fès : Riad Zitouna or similar
https://www.riad-zitouna.com/
Merzouga : Royal Luxury Camp with private bathroom
https://royalluxurycamp.com/
Marrakech : MonRiad or similar
https://monriad.net/
Essaouira :Hôtel Côté Océan Mogador or similar
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g298349-d13566023-Reviews-Cote_Ocean_Mogador_Hotel-Essaouira_Marrakech_Safi.html
