Here’s an amazing opportunity to visit Morocco, not like a tourist, but by learning about the local culture, cuisine and people. Your guides from Morocco based, The Bridges of Cultures organization will take you on an insightful journey across Casablanca, Fez, Azrou, Arfoud, Marrakech, Essaouria and more. This is a comprehensive tour of Morocco and we will be on the go most of the time.
14 days approx. cost: $3,000-3,500 (based on double occupancy.
Contact Go Eat Give info@goeatgive.com, 678-744-8306 for more information.
Meet your tour leader: Lotfi Lamrani is a cross-cultural facilitator. From heading up marketing initiatives, to working as a carpenter in his little shop, to founding non-profit organizations in Morocco and serving as Line Production Manager and Assistant Producer of award-winning cross-cultural and social documentaries and films, his energies are devoted to catalyzing a positive revolution of leadership in Morocco and promoting goodwill between cultures. He works to promote peace, tolerance and coexistence through international networking and cultural exchange initiatives, panel discussions, cultural tours and workshops, parents and teachers associations involvement, community service projects and advocacy for children and women issues in Morocco.
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Inclusions:
- Ground in-country transportation
- 13 nights accommodation at 3/4 star hotels
- Daily breakfast
- Meals as mentioned
- English speaking guides
- Cultural activities
- Volunteer coordination
- Tips at hotels & restaurants
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Exclusions:
- Airfare to Morocco
- Tips for bus driver, guide and translator
- Alcoholic and additional drinks
- Some meals
- Shopping
Payment and Cancellation Policy: Non refundable deposit of $250 due upon registration. Full payment must be received 60 days prior to departure. Cancellation is NOT allowed within 60 days of departure, unless Go Eat Give cancels the trip, in which case you will get the option to receive 100% refund or apply your funds towards a future trip. We encourage you to purchase travel insurance in case if you need to cancel due to unforeseen events.
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Complete Itinerary (subject to change):
DAY 1 – (dinner) Arrive in Casablanca
Airport pick up and transfer to Hotel Avanti Mohammedia (or similar). Free time to rest. Tour of Hassan II mosque and Mohammedia, the city of flowers depending on arrival time.
Welcome Dinner at Restaurant du Parc. Taste the local seafood paella made with local spices.
DAY 2 – (breakfast, lunch, dinner) Rabat
Breakfast at hotel and checkout. Road trip to Rabat where you will visit the King’s palace, Mohammed 5th mausoleum and other historic sites. Lunch at Rabat’s acclaimed Dar Naji restaurant.
Continue drive to Fes and check in to Hotel Manzah Zalagh Fes (or similar) which has hosted many of Morocco’s royal guests. Dinner at Al Fassia restaurant accompanied by belly dancing, local folk music and magic shows. You will also get a chance to taste the famous Al Fassia Pastilla prepared for weddings and special occasions.
DAY 3 – (breakfast, lunch, dinner) Fes
Breakfast at the hotel, followed by a guided tour of Fes medinas, souks, monuments and tanneries. For lunch, taste the local street food and pastries. Free afternoon to stroll around the UNESCO Heritage city or enjoy a hammer. Head to the dinner buffet at your hotel at your leisure.
DAY 4 – (breakfast, dinner) Azrou
Breakfast at the hotel and check out. Road trip to Azrou in the Middle Atlas Mountains. On the way, stop in Ifrane, considered to be the cleanest city in the world and known as “the little Switzerland.” Free time to explore and have lunch on your own in Ifrane. Recommendation: local sweet eater trout at Restaurant La Paix.
Check in to homestay for the night. Free time to interact and culture exchange. Learn to make Moroccan crepes (Msemen) with the family. Dinner and overnight in Azrou with local hosts.
DAY 5 – (breakfast, lunch, dinner) Azrou
Breakfast at homestay. Volunteer at disabled children center by playing games, doing art projects and cooking for the kids with down syndrome. You will eat couscous at the center with the kids. Feel free to bring donations.
In the afternoon, take the kids out on field trip to see monkeys and play outdoors in the cedar forest. Dinner and overnight with local host family.
DAY 6 – (breakfast, dinner) Arfoud
After breakfast, drive to Arfoud and enjoy beautiful scenery of the Atlas Mountains and oasis. There will be some rest stops for photos and snacks. Check in to Kasbah Hotel Xaluca, rest and enjoy dinner at your hotel.
DAY 7 – (breakfast, dinner) Merzouga
Breakfast at the hotel, checkout and guided tour of Arfoud city. Discover the thousands of years old fossils found in the area. You will have free afternoon for lunch and shopping. Drive to Merzouga sand dunes for a camel trek at sunset and overnight in nomad tented camp in the desert. Your home for the night will be Auberge Kasabah Leila where you will enjoy dinner of Berber pizza (Medfouna) and music with the nomads. Note: Leave your luggage at the hotel and pack for 1 night only.
DAY 8 – (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner) Arfoud
Sunrise camel trek back to vehicles. After breakfast, drive to Rissani to visit Mausolium of Moulay Ali Chrif, the founder of the Moroccan current dynasty and the old Rissani Kasabah. Taste local specialities such as stuffed tomatoes with meatballs or stuffed roast chicken for lunch at Restaurant Oasis Tafilalet. After lunch, transfer back to your hotel in Arfoud. Relax and have dinner at the hotel.
DAY 9 – (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner) Ourzazate
After breakfast, drive through gorges and river valleys to the city of Ourzazate. Stop for lunch at Sahraouri family farmhouse. Learn to cook with the family, dress traditionally, play music and enjoy the afternoon in the countryside.
Continue driving, brief stop at Taourirt old Kassabah and check in to Karam Palace Hotel. Free time to explore Ourzazate’s colorful streets and markets. Dinner at hotel.
DAY 10 – (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner) Marrakech
Breakfast at hotel, check out and guided tour of the city. Visit Cinema Studios with a guide, where many Hollywood movies have been filmed. Drive to Marrakech through the High Atlas Mountains. On the way, taste street food – barbecue lunch of lamp chops and beef meatballs with Moroccan salad. Continue drive and check in to a traditional riad (hotel) for free time and dinner.
DAY 11 – (Breakfast, Lunch) Marrakech
After breakfast, visit some of the historic and cultural sites of Marrakech such as Bahia Palace, Koutoubia Minaret and medina souks. Taste the Marrakech clay pot stew, “Tanjia” at Lamine’s restaurant. Lamine l’Haj Mustafa is one of the famous chefs in Marrakech. In the evening, visit the famous Djamaa L’Fna square to see snake charmers, live musicians and have free time to shop for crafts, bags, souvenirs, jewelry and more. Dinner on your own.
DAY 12 – (Breakfast, Lunch) Essaouria
After breakfast, check out and drive to Imintanoute to experience a day in the life of a Berber. Here you will have a cooking class where you will learn to make the traditional bread and tea, and compete to fetch water from the wall on a donkey back!
Lunch on the way to seaside town of Essaouria. On the way, you will visit a women’s cooperative that makes Argan Oil and other traditional products. Check in to Riad Al Madina (hotel) located 5 minutes walk from the beach and dinner on your own.
DAY 13 – (Breakfast, Dinner)
After breakfast, tour the fishing port and media with a guide. Rest of the day is free to go to the beach, shop, relax, pack and explore on your own. Essaouria is a great place to purchase carpets, pottery and silver. Join back for farewell dinner with live music.
DAY 14 – (Breakfast)
Transfer to airport or train station either in Essaouria or Marrakech for onward journey. Drive time is approximately 3 hours. If you would like to stay the night in Marrakech, we can book a hotel for you for extra charge of $100/ person.
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