PRIVATE JOURNEY
Splendors of Morocco
The Kingdom of Morocco has long held a romantic allure for the westerner. Since the 18th century some of Europe's greatest writers and painters have sought inspiration here. Known to the Arabs as "al-Maghreb al-Aqsa" meaning the "farthest land of the setting sun," Morocco boasts stunning natural beauty and an extraordinarily rich and varied cultural heritage.
In this magical land of legend and color, the souqs and thousand-year-old labyrinthine medinas of fabled Marrakesh and Fez await your discovery. Cross the high passes of the Atlas Mountains, discover the magnificent scenery and crumbling Kasbahs of the pre-Sahara. Throughout your journey experience the warm hospitality of Moroccans at the small luxury character hotels featured in this program.
Itinerary
Day 1
Arrive Marrakesh
Arrival today in Marrakesh. Part Berber, part Arab, part African, Marrakesh is the heartbeat of Morocco. You will stay at the famed Relais & Chateaux luxury property, Villa des Orangers [Deluxe room], a former private residence once belonging to a noble family of Morocco. This boutique riad reflects the Moroccan artisan richness and style of architecture enjoyed by aristocrats and royalty of old.
Arrival today in Marrakesh. Part Berber, part Arab, part African, Marrakesh is the heartbeat of Morocco. You will stay at the famed Relais & Chateaux luxury property, Villa des Orangers [Deluxe room], a former private residence once belonging to a noble family of Morocco. This boutique riad reflects the Moroccan artisan richness and style of architecture enjoyed by aristocrats and royalty of old.
Day 2
Marrakesh
Today tour the Saadian Tombs, El Badi Palace and the 12th century Koutoubia mosque. Meander your way through the medina, exploring an endless procession of souqs, mosques and medersas. Just before sunset visit the Djemaa el-Fna, the enormous square and atmospheric wonderland of torch-lit food stalls, snake charmers, storytellers and acrobats. (B)
Today tour the Saadian Tombs, El Badi Palace and the 12th century Koutoubia mosque. Meander your way through the medina, exploring an endless procession of souqs, mosques and medersas. Just before sunset visit the Djemaa el-Fna, the enormous square and atmospheric wonderland of torch-lit food stalls, snake charmers, storytellers and acrobats. (B)
Day 3
Marrakesh
This morning board your private horse-drawn caleche for a tour of Marrakesh’s beautiful gardens, including the Majorelle Garden, one of the city’s most delightful gardens, owned by the late Yves Saint Laurent and wherein is a small villa now housing a museum of Islamic art. Continue on to Menara Garden with its peaceful lagoon and villa-style pavilion, all ensconced in an immense olive grove. From here one can glimpse the Atlas mountains in the distance. This evening enjoy dinner at Marrakesh’s famed Yacout Restaurant housed in a stunningly decorated old villa and serving traditional Moroccan cuisine. (B, D)
Optional: Cox & Kings Culinary Signature Event – see details listed separately.
This morning board your private horse-drawn caleche for a tour of Marrakesh’s beautiful gardens, including the Majorelle Garden, one of the city’s most delightful gardens, owned by the late Yves Saint Laurent and wherein is a small villa now housing a museum of Islamic art. Continue on to Menara Garden with its peaceful lagoon and villa-style pavilion, all ensconced in an immense olive grove. From here one can glimpse the Atlas mountains in the distance. This evening enjoy dinner at Marrakesh’s famed Yacout Restaurant housed in a stunningly decorated old villa and serving traditional Moroccan cuisine. (B, D)
Optional: Cox & Kings Culinary Signature Event – see details listed separately.
Day 4
Marrakesh to Asni
Journey to the picturesquely located town of Asni, located in the High Atlas Mountains, and dominated by Jebel Toubkal, the tallest mountain in North Africa. Here you will stay at one of Sir Richard Branson’s famed resorts, Kasbah Tamadot [Deluxe room]. Originally a Berber chieftain’s private palace built in the kasbah style, its 18 rooms and suites are a mix of Moroccan furnishings with Asian antiques. The resort facilities include a luxurious Spa, pool, fully equipped fitness center and nearby tennis courts. (B)
Journey to the picturesquely located town of Asni, located in the High Atlas Mountains, and dominated by Jebel Toubkal, the tallest mountain in North Africa. Here you will stay at one of Sir Richard Branson’s famed resorts, Kasbah Tamadot [Deluxe room]. Originally a Berber chieftain’s private palace built in the kasbah style, its 18 rooms and suites are a mix of Moroccan furnishings with Asian antiques. The resort facilities include a luxurious Spa, pool, fully equipped fitness center and nearby tennis courts. (B)
Day 5
Asni
This morning meet your mountain guide, the cook and muleteer for a scenic four hour walk followed by a picnic lunch. Climb gently through juniper forests, admire the views from the Tinzert pass and have tea in a traditional berber house. The afternoon will be at leisure. (B, L)
Note: If visiting Asni on a Saturday there is a charming and quaint Market held in the village square which can be visited during your stay in Asni.
This morning meet your mountain guide, the cook and muleteer for a scenic four hour walk followed by a picnic lunch. Climb gently through juniper forests, admire the views from the Tinzert pass and have tea in a traditional berber house. The afternoon will be at leisure. (B, L)
Note: If visiting Asni on a Saturday there is a charming and quaint Market held in the village square which can be visited during your stay in Asni.
Day 6
Asni to Skoura
This morning you will be driven to Skoura, ‘the gateway to the Sahara’, via the Kasbah of Ait Benhaddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. On arrival at the fertile oasis town of Skoura, check-in at the Dar Ahlam hotel, an extravagantly renovated 19th century Kasbah whose name means ‘House of Dreams’. Each of the sumptuous suites has been decorated differently, making creative use of unusual antiques, silk drapes and a palette of soft mauve, deep purple, raspberry-pink and pistachio-green. The Parisian landscape architect Louis Benech was in charge of the gardens where you'll find a heated, T-shaped stone pool surrounded by date palms and olive trees, outdoor massage tents and a mosaic Jacuzzi and hammam. Dar Ahlam - suite (B, L, D)
This morning you will be driven to Skoura, ‘the gateway to the Sahara’, via the Kasbah of Ait Benhaddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. On arrival at the fertile oasis town of Skoura, check-in at the Dar Ahlam hotel, an extravagantly renovated 19th century Kasbah whose name means ‘House of Dreams’. Each of the sumptuous suites has been decorated differently, making creative use of unusual antiques, silk drapes and a palette of soft mauve, deep purple, raspberry-pink and pistachio-green. The Parisian landscape architect Louis Benech was in charge of the gardens where you'll find a heated, T-shaped stone pool surrounded by date palms and olive trees, outdoor massage tents and a mosaic Jacuzzi and hammam. Dar Ahlam - suite (B, L, D)
Day 7
Skoura
Today explore the beautiful Dades Valley, also known as the ‘Valley of the Thousand Kasbahs’. The drive is a very scenic one, with the rich ocher of the desert contrasted with the winding clear blue waters of the Dades River, and the pastel hues of the palm trees and orchards. A sense of history is also given by the many, elaborately decorated and slowly crumbling kasbahs. (B, L, D)
Today explore the beautiful Dades Valley, also known as the ‘Valley of the Thousand Kasbahs’. The drive is a very scenic one, with the rich ocher of the desert contrasted with the winding clear blue waters of the Dades River, and the pastel hues of the palm trees and orchards. A sense of history is also given by the many, elaborately decorated and slowly crumbling kasbahs. (B, L, D)
Day 8
Skoura to Erfoud
Your drive today takes you to the oasis region of the Tafilalt, one of the last areas to succumb to French control, its tribes putting up sporadic resistance until 1932. This drive takes approximately 6 hours. You will visit the nearby town of Rissani and prior to sunset drive by 4x4 out to the Merzouga dunes, which typify much of the Algerian Sahara. Enjoy views over this magical landscape, the dunes themselves changing color from pink to gold to red. Kasbah Xaluca [Junior suite] (B)
Your drive today takes you to the oasis region of the Tafilalt, one of the last areas to succumb to French control, its tribes putting up sporadic resistance until 1932. This drive takes approximately 6 hours. You will visit the nearby town of Rissani and prior to sunset drive by 4x4 out to the Merzouga dunes, which typify much of the Algerian Sahara. Enjoy views over this magical landscape, the dunes themselves changing color from pink to gold to red. Kasbah Xaluca [Junior suite] (B)
Day 9
Erfoud to Fez
Your journey today takes you through the small towns of Midelt and Errachidia enroute to Fez. Stop at the Ayachi Hotel in Midelt for lunch [payable locally]. This area is classic Berber country, the people being semi-nomadic, owning homes but spending a great deal of time following their flocks. This drive takes approximately 6 hours. On arrival at Fez, check in to your boutique riad. Riad Fes - Junior suite (B)
Your journey today takes you through the small towns of Midelt and Errachidia enroute to Fez. Stop at the Ayachi Hotel in Midelt for lunch [payable locally]. This area is classic Berber country, the people being semi-nomadic, owning homes but spending a great deal of time following their flocks. This drive takes approximately 6 hours. On arrival at Fez, check in to your boutique riad. Riad Fes - Junior suite (B)
Day 10
Fez
Cultural and symbolic heart of Morocco, Fez el-Bali is the world’s largest and most beautiful living medieval city. A thousand year-old labyrinth of 300 mosques and 9,400 winding streets and alleyways that is home to countless ateliers, and markets. Tour the 14th century Medersa Bou Inania (theological college) famous for its Koranic scriptures in stucco, zellij tiles and carved wood. Explore the 13th century tanneries and henna and spice souqs (markets) as you wind your way through hidden squares, such as the Place an-Nejjarine. (B)
Cultural and symbolic heart of Morocco, Fez el-Bali is the world’s largest and most beautiful living medieval city. A thousand year-old labyrinth of 300 mosques and 9,400 winding streets and alleyways that is home to countless ateliers, and markets. Tour the 14th century Medersa Bou Inania (theological college) famous for its Koranic scriptures in stucco, zellij tiles and carved wood. Explore the 13th century tanneries and henna and spice souqs (markets) as you wind your way through hidden squares, such as the Place an-Nejjarine. (B)
Day 11
Meknes, Volubulis
Today drive through Moroccan countryside past fields of wheat, mint, mimosa and cork trees towards Meknes. A cultural center of Morocco for more than ten centuries, Meknes boasts a fascinating medina (old city) and maze of streets filled with colorful stalls and architectural delights such as the Bab el-Mansour. Continue to Moulay Idriss, Morocco’s holiest city, and then onto the Roman ruins at Volubilis, famous for the Triumphal Arch and exceptionally fine mosaics depicting colorful scenes from classical mythology. Following, return to Fes and the remainder of the afternoon at leisure. (B, L)
Today drive through Moroccan countryside past fields of wheat, mint, mimosa and cork trees towards Meknes. A cultural center of Morocco for more than ten centuries, Meknes boasts a fascinating medina (old city) and maze of streets filled with colorful stalls and architectural delights such as the Bab el-Mansour. Continue to Moulay Idriss, Morocco’s holiest city, and then onto the Roman ruins at Volubilis, famous for the Triumphal Arch and exceptionally fine mosaics depicting colorful scenes from classical mythology. Following, return to Fes and the remainder of the afternoon at leisure. (B, L)
Day 12
Depart Fez
Transfer to Fez Airport for your homeward bound flight. (B)
Transfer to Fez Airport for your homeward bound flight. (B)
Extend Your Journey
Journeys:
Highlights:
- Visit the 12th century Koutoubia mosque
- Climb through juniper forests admiring views from the TInzert pass and have tea in a traditional berber house
- Explore the enormous Djemaa el-Fna market place famous for its torch-lit food stalls, snake charmers, storytellers and acrobats
- Enjoy a luxurious stay at Dar Ahlam, an extravagantly renovated 19th century Kasbah
- View Jebel Toubkal, the highest mountain peak in the Atlas mountains and North Africa
- See the beautiful Menara Garden and its peaceful lagoon
Travel Details & Dates:
12 DAYS & 11 NIGHTS
Marrakesh, Asni, Skoura, Erfoud & Fez
2012 Dates:
Jan - Oct
Prices From:
$8,695
Note:
A holiday supplement may apply for select travel dates. Upon request, your travel consultant can provide an exact price based on your specific dates of travel.
Includes:
Accommodation, breakfast daily as noted, entrance fees, and all transfers and touring as noted in itinerary with local English-speaking guides. Private Journeys depart daily subject to availability.