OVERVIEW
The Moroccan Jewish Community has always been, and still is, one of the largest in the Arab World. Its heritage and history are little known abroad although every part of the Kingdom records an important Jewish legend. We are rediscovering this Jewish heritage, thereby learning more about the many sided history of Morocco. Jews have been here for hundreds of years, they have lost nothing of their ancient traditions, special customs and culture. Moroccan kings protected Jews from harm and helped some of them develop the wealth that sustained the monarchy for many years
PROGRAM ITINERARY
DAY 01: CASABLANCA / RABAT (56 Miles)
Arrival at Casablanca Mohamed V airport. Welcome and assistance. Orientation tour of Casablanca, including the Habbous quarter, the United Nations square, the exterior of the Royal Palace and an interior visit of the Hassan II mosque, one of the Islamic world's stunning monuments. Casablanca is home to the largest Jewish community in Morocco and has numerous congregations, active communal institutions, and many highly recommended kosher restaurants. Visit of the Mellah (Jewish Quarter) with its temples and synagogues such as Beth-El, Em Habanim and Neve Chalom. Departure to Rabat and Sale.
Visit the Chellah and Kasbah of Oudayas located next to the Medina within the ramparts of the old city. The Mellah, with its narrow lanes and colorful courtyards, is now the home of a few Jewish families. Continue on to Sale, the twin city of Rabat and the birthplace of Rabbi Hayyim Ben Moses Attar, the famous 18th century scholar and cabbalist, known throughout the Jewish world for his bible commentary, the "Or Ha-Hayyim". Return to Rabat for dinner and overnight stay.
DAY 02: RABAT / MEKNES / VOLUBILIS / FES (123 Miles)
Departure to Meknes, "the Moroccan Versailles" which was founded at the end of the 17th Century by Moulay Ismail, where the Jewish presence is evidenced by Hebraic epitaphs 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 Benmidan, "The Patron of Meknes" is located. The crowded old Mellah, known for its historic Jewish street names is not to be missed. There is also the new Mellah (Jewish quarter), which harbors eleven Synagogues, eight of which are still in use. Highlights will also include Bab El Mansour, the Hedim square and the mosque of Moulay Ismail. Continue to Fez via Volubilis, a well-preserved remains of a Roman city. Check-in at the hotel and overnight stay.
DAY 03: FES
Fes is among the best known cities in medieval Jewish history. Indeed, it was one the home of one of the most influential Talmudic scholars of all times, Rabbi Isaac Alfasi, as well as of Maimonides in the years 1160 to 1165. Highlights will also include the Mellah with all its Synagogues. Optional visit of Bhalil featuring the cemetery of Safroud where Rabbi Lahou Harroch and Rabbi Raphael Moshe Elbaz are buried. Return to the hotel in Fes for overnight stay.
DAY 04: FES / MIDELT / ERFOUD / MERZOUGA (336 Miles)
After breakfast, departure for Erfoud via Azrou and Ifrane city. It is said that Ifrane was the capital of a Jewish Kingdom in the distant past. Not to be missed: the village's only Synagogue and the cemetery have been for centuries a center of pilgrimage for Moroccan Jews. Stop in Midelt and continuation to Erfoud. From there, you will ride in a land rover with a driver to take you to witness the sunset and enjoy a bivouac at Merzouga dunes. Berber dinner and overnight under tents or return back to Erfoud for accommodation at the hotel.
DAY 05: MERZOUGA / ERFOUD / OUARZAZATE (181 Miles)
After another breathtaking view of the sunrise, return to Erfoud for orientation tour and continue on to the Todra Gorges known for their impressive bare escarpments. Continue to Tineghir and visit its Mellah gateway and the ancient and colorful Jewish quarter. Departure to Ouarzazate via El Kelaa des M'Gouna and visit of Tiliit (5 miles from El Kelaa Des M'Gouna), known as the Ancient City of the Jews of the Dades. The fortress of Tiliit has been the center of a Jewish region ruled by the Spanish-Jewish family of Perez from the end of the fifteenth century until the reign of Moulay Ismail in 1672. Continue to Ouarzazate, check-in and overnight stay.
DAY 06: OUARZAZATE
After breakfast, visit of the Taourirt and Tifoultout Kasbahs, ancient residences of Glaoui (The former Pacha of Marrakesh). The rest of the day is for relaxation by the swimming pool or for further exploration of the city. Overnight at hotel. Optional: Excursion to the Rabbi David Ou Mouchi tomb at Telouat by Land Rover.
DAY 07: OUARZAZATE / MARRAKESH (126 Miles)
After breakfast, departure for Marrakesh via the Tiz-in-Tichka pass (2260m) and Taddert. In the afternoon, sightseeing tour of Marrakesh. The Saadian dynasty, made Marrakesh their capital, and converted the El Badii Palace to a Mellah, which became home of a thriving community of native and Spanish Jews, famed for their 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 Marrakesh". Return to the hotel and overnight stay.
DAY 08: MARRAKESH
The day will be devoted to sightseeing of Marrakesh, the second oldest imperial city known as the "Pearl of the South " and home to the Saadian tombs, the Koutoubia Mosque, the Bahia Palace and the Menara Garden. Return to the hotel for lunch. In the afternoon, exploration of the souks and the world's famous Djemaa El Fna place which offers various entertainments (story tellers, acrobats, snake-charmers, magicians, etc.). Optional: In the afternoon, excursion to the Ourika valley, the site of the famous tomb of Rabbi Salomon Bel Hens.
DAY 09: MARRAKESH
This is your free day at leisure.
DAY 10: MARRAKESH DEPARTURE
Departure to Marrakesh Menara airport. Assistance for check-in and boarding formalities. End of our services.
PROGRAM INCLUSIONS
• Greeting, assistance and transfer from Marrakesh Airport.
• Transportation in private air conditioned vehicles with a personal driver including gas and driver's fees.
• Accommodation for 9 nights on bed & breakfast at your selected hotel category.
• Add extra for additional meals at the time of booking as detailed below.
• Bivouac at the Sand Dunes in Merzouga. Night under Tent in Merzouga.
• Excursion to the Merzouga Dunes in Land Rover in the very early morning of DAY 05 including a 1-hr Camel Ride.
• Ground transportation in Land Rovers from Day 03 to Day 07
• Entrance fees to all monuments as indicated on the itinerary with the assistance of government certified tour guides.
• Baggage handling and tips at airports and hotels.
NOT INCLUDED
• International Airfare: we offer competitive international airfare. Call us toll free 1.866.410.1300 to inquire about rates.
• Meals, laundry and phone charges and other items of personal nature.
• Supplements: there are supplements for Christmas and New Year.
• Travel Insurance: we strongly recommend the purchase of a comprehensive and affordable travel insurance to protect you against cancellation fees, etc.
ACCOMMODATION INFORMATION:
|
# Night
|
City
|
Class
|
Hotel & Riads
|
|
1 Night
|
Rabat
|
4-Star
|
Belere
|
|
|
|
Riad
|
Dar el Batoul
|
|
2 Nights
|
Fes
|
4-Star
|
Menzeh Zalagh
|
|
|
|
Riad
|
Riad Shehrazade
|
|
3 Nights
|
Marrakesh
|
4-Star
|
L' Atlas
|
|
|
|
Riad
|
Riad Amina
|
|
1 Night
|
Ouarzazate
|
4-star
|
Kenzi Azghor
|
|
|
|
5-star Deluxe
|
Berber Palace
|
|
1 Night
|
Erfoud
|
4-star
|
Palm's Hotel Club or
Night Under Tent
|
|
|
|
4-star Deluxe
|
Kasbah Xaluca Maadid or
Night Under Tent (VIP Camp)
|
NOTE: We will exercise our best efforts to secure the accommodations listed above, however, during busy seasons we may only be able to offer similar category accommodations. In this case, clients will have the option to agree or cancel their booking. In some instances, a request for a higher grade accommodation will result in an extra fee to compensate for the difference in price.
PROGRAM PRICE PER PERSON ($):
With 4-star Hotels (prices are per person):
With 2 people: $3,390.00
With 3 people: $3,225.00
With 4 people: $3,085.00
Single supplement: $825.00
With Riads & Hotels (prices are per person):
With 2 people: $3,990.00
With 3 people: $3,795.00
With 4 people: $3,375.00
Single supplement: $1,075.00
Note: Rates are valid until December 31 2008. Prices are subject to change without notice due to currency fluctuations beyond our control.
