Touring Maroc

JEWISH HERITAGE TOUR 11 Days 10 Nights 

 

DAY 1 : CASABLANCA – RABAT

Arrival at Casablanca Mohamed V Airport,transfer to town center ; Sightseeing tour of Casablanca with Habbous Quarter, the United Nations Square, the exterior of royal palace and the internal visit of Hassan II Mosque. Casablanca harbors the largest Jewish community in Morocco and has numerous congregations, active communal institutions, and many highly recommended Kosher restaurants. Visit the Mellah (Jewish quarter) with its temples and synagogues such as Bet-El, Em Habanim and Neve Shalom. Depart to Rabat ; Diner and overnight.

 

DAY 2  : RABAT – MEKNES – VOLUBILIS – FES

After Breakfast , sightseeing Rabat: visit of the Méchouar (ramparts and walls surrounding the Royal Palace), the Oudayas Kasbah, the splendid Mohamed V Mausoleum and the Hassan Tower we  leave to the administrative capital of morocco, Rabat . Continuation to  to Meknes where the Jewish presence in the imperial city is evidenced by Hebraic epitaph dating from the Christian era as well as Greek inscriptions that still appear in local synagogues, and a place of pilgrimage where the tomb of Rabbi David Benimdan, “the patron of Meknes” is located. The crowded old Mellah, known by historic Jewish streets names is not to be missed. There is also the new Mellah (Jewish ghetto) which harbors eleven synagogues, eight of which are still in use. Visit Bab El Monsour, the Hedim Square and the mosque of Moulay Ismael. Continue to Fes via Volubilis, a very preserved Roman city. Check in at the hotel and overnight

 

DAY 3 : FES

Morning devoted to visit this imperial city, prestigious secular city, which have maintained its role as the islamic city of the country. The Karaouyine Mosque and university, Bou Anania and Attarine merdersas, the Nejjarine fountain, The souks and the medina. Visit Jewish & Muslim Historic Sites in Fes: During this guided historical tour of UNESCO Fes you will visit the Jewish Heritage Sites and Cultural Sites of Fes that combine site seeing at Synagogues, Universities, Mosques, Cemeteries, the Mellah along with gardens and palaces. Your guide will offer a connective link between Muslim and Jewish Morocco. Dinner  and overnight.

 

DAY 4 : FES – MIDELT – ERFOUD – MERZOUGA

After breakfast depart to Erfoud via Azrou and Ifrane city ; Ifrane was the capital of a Jewish kingdom in the far off past. Not to be missed the village’s only synagogues and the cemetery, which has been the center of pilgrimage for Moroccan Jews for centruries. Stop for lunch in Midelt  then an enjoyable drive across the Ziz valley with green oasis and palm groves. Continuation to Erfoud then to  Merzouga sand dunes.Dinner and overnight

 

Day 5: MERZOUGA

There is time today to explore the largest sand sea in Morocco or to relax in the shade of a palm tree by the dunes. The sand sea is famed for its pink dunes that take on a spectacular rose colour at sunset. In the late afternoon we partake in a genuine Saharan experience - a 2-hour camel trek through the dunes to an oasis, where we spend the night in a simple Bedouin camp.

 

Day 6: MERZOUGA – TODRA GORGES - OUARZAZATE

In the morning, after breakfast, departure to Tineghir via Ksar Touroug and its splendid oasis. Tineghir, ancient military camp is overlooking the palm groves. visit its Mellah gateway and the ancient colorful Jewish quarter. Incursion to the Todgha gorges., departure to Ouarzazate via Boumalne  Dades and Kelaa M'Gouna, land of the roses plantations. In Ouarzazate, visit the Kasbah of Taourirt and the Atlas Studios.Dinner and overnight.

 

Day 7: OUARZAZATE – AIT BEN HADDOU - MARRAKECH

After breakfast visit the Taourirt and Tifoultout Kasbahs, ancient residence of Glaoui (the former pacha of Marrakech). Then, depart to Marrakech via Tiz-in-Tichka pass (2260m) and Taddert. Afternoon sightseeing tour of Marrakech where the Jewish community increased in 1603. The Saadian dynasty, made Marrakech their capital, and converted the El Badii Palace as a Mellah which became a home of a thriving community of native Spanish Jews, famed for its rabbinical schools and scholars. Visit the Rabbi Hanania Hacohen Cemetery which is also the burial place of Rabbi Mordekhai Ben Attar and Rabbi Pinhas Hacohen Azough known as the “patron of Marrakech.” Return to the hotel and overnight.

 

Day 8: MARRAKECH – ESSAOUIRA - MARRAKECH

Depart  to the old Mogador " Essaouira " , known for it’s Portuguese and Jewish History along with hand painted charming blue, white and yellow painted houses, fresh seafood and artist community  .Once there, you'll visit the Jewish Kasbah, the small fishermen's restaurants near the port, the fortress with its guns, the souks or you'll take advantage of the fine sand... Lunch ,late in the  afternoon, we drive to Marrakech . dinner and overnight

 

Day 9: MARRAKECH

After breakfast, the whole day is devoted to the sightseeing of Marrakech  ,shooting main mouments (Menara gardens, Koutoubia mosque, Badia palace, Saadiens tombs, Dar Si Said, Jardins Majorelle... depending on time Souqs and artisans Shooting the jamaa El Fna Square (crowded every evenings) See snake charmers, acrobats, Tatoo makers, tale tellers,lights... Superb view from the terrasse of popular café de France.  Overnight  ( in option : Berber evning chez ali in marrakech for dinner with fantasia and show.)

Day 10 : MARRAKECH – CASABLANCA

In the morning:excursion to-Ourika valley , it 's one of the most beautiful valleys in hight atlas.the luxuriant Valley of Ourika rises gently up to the preliminary hills of the High Atlas where small typical villages have nested. It is a pure and magnificent place where silence is only " disturbed " by birds singing, water streams and wagtails. Ourika is famous for its pottery, minerals and crystals, you will have time to visit the Berber Market which takes place on Mondays in sitti fatma village .to do some trekk through the berberian villages and explore its famous waterfalls ,return to Marrakech . Lunch then departure to Casablanca via Settat. A pleasant drive across plain and mountains with beautiful landscape. a panoramic tour of the city, Morocco’s most modern city including Hassan II Mosque , Diner and overnight

Day 11: CASABLANCA- DEPARTURE

Departure from Casablanca or Marrakech’s airport.