Archive for the ‘Morocco Vacations’ Category

Morocco Sahara Desert Dream Tour, Your Morocco Travel Guide

Saturday, December 19th, 2009

Upon first sight of the Moroccan Sahara Desert, one can wonder if it is a grain of utopia or perhaps a miracle created by god. For those who are not believers then let’s just say that one must, in their lifetime have tea in the Sahara. The Sahara desert is itself a character in The Sheltering Sky a novel written by the prolific writer and composer Paul Bowles. For centuries explorers have been seeking to discover the Moroccan Sahara. Almost a century ago, a young administrator in the British Colonial Service decided to take 1,500-mile adventure trek across an ancient, deadly slave route in Africa’s Sahara desert. Hanns Vischer then published a book about this British Colonial’s journey, across the Sahara desert and went on to become one of the most famed explorers of his era.

Sahara Desert Dream

The Sahara desert is in the Zagora region of Morocco and extends far into Algeria and across North Africa. Its border has been controversial for years with the Saharawi’s screaming for their independence. Recently Aminatou Haidar, a Saharwi woman and human rights activiest of El-Aajun, the capital of Morocco’s Western Sahara Desert held a hunger strike.

Morocco’s Sahara desert has been the curiosity of foreigners and a penchant to be traveled in on camel trek, landrover and 4×4. Whether you have only 5 days in Morocco, one week in Morocco or vacation time of two-weeks in Morocco, a trekking adventure to the Sahara desert is a life changing experience.

Bivouac-Sahara-Desert

Beginning a tour from Ouarzazate, the door to the Sahara desert is truly the best use of time and offers an easy trip with less time spend in a 4×4 to the Sahara. When visiting the Sahara desert from Ouarzazate, it is advised to first take time to see the Kasbahs of Ouarzazate, Ait Benhaddou and Kasbah Taouirt, it’s famous CLA Atlas Film Studios, the Oasis of Fint and then head to discover the Skoura palmary and spend a night at a majestic traditional Moroccan Riad that overlooks the palmary of Skoura with the backdrop of Mount Mgoun. If one continues their journey fully then Zagora would be the next stop and even visiting a Berber family in the High Atlas Mountains that bridge between the Sahara. A Sahara Dream journey should also include a visit to Merzouga’s Erg Chebbi dunes. The Erg Chebbi Dunes rise across the Sahara in heaps and their golden, delicately woven granules that lay their quietly offer peace to those who watch them from sunrise to sunset or trek by camel across them at dawn or dusk.

Mount-Mgoun

MOROCCO SAHARA DESERT DREAM TOUR – TEA IN THE SAHARA

DAY 1: OUARZAZATE

►Reception at the airport and transfer to your hotel. After breakfast and relaxing at your hotel, visit Kasbah Taouirt.

►Kasbah Taouirt was built by the Glaoui. Its location was strategic for trading routes and in the 1930’s when the Glaoui ruled the South it was then one of Morocco’s largest Kasbahs. Explore its nooks and crannies and discover some local female painters who sell their art inside as well as the many quality silver shops just steps outside the Kasbah.

►After visiting Kasbah Taouirt, return to your hotel in Ouarzazate for a relaxing afternoon by the pool or ask your guide about an extending your tour to the souk. At the souk you will have the opportunity to take in the smells of local spices such as Cumin, Saffron and Cinnamon as well as Berber amber and musk while visiting small caftan and Moroccan Baboosh (shoe) shops.

►Dinner at your Moroccan Riad in Ouarzaztae or the option to enjoy couscous or a tajine at a local restaurant in Ouarzazate’s city center.

DAY 2: OUARZAZATE – ATLAS FILM STUDIO – AIT BENHADDOU – OASIS OF FINT

►Fill up on a savory breakfast of baguette, fresh fruit, jams and a café cassis (Moroccan cappuccino) at a local pâtisserie and then begin your one-day excursion to Atlas Film Studios, Aït Benhaddou & the Oasis of Fint.

►Start your morning by touring the Atlas Film Studios. David Lean filmed Lawrence of Arabia at The Atlas Film Studios in the early 1960’s. Since then many famous directors have followed in his footsteps to exploit the magnificent scenery. International blockbusters shot here in recent years include: the French version of Cleopatra, Bertolucci’s Sheltering Sky, Scorsese’s Kundun, Gillies MacKannon’s Hideous Kinky, Ridley Scott’s Gladiator, Black Hawke Down, Oliver Stone’s Alexander The Great, Ridley Scott’s Kingdom of Heaven, and Penelope Cruz’s Sahara.

►After visiting the Atlas Film Studio, we will take the road by pise to the picturesque village of Aït Benhaddou located 32 km from Ouarzazate. Aït Benhaddou is situated in Souss-Massa-Draâ on a hill along the Ouarzazate River. Lawrence of Arabia was filmed here and Orson Welles used it as a location for Sodome and Gomorrah; and for Jesus of Nazareth the whole lower part of the village was rebuilt. In recent years more controlled restoration has been carried out under UNESCO auspices. Aït Benhaddou is one of many locations in this region used for shooting Hollywood films.

►Your guide will lead you on a private tour through this Berber village of towered and crenulated kasbahs that once guarded the lucrative caravan route through the Atlas Mountains. Explore the kasbahs by foot with the option to ride a donkey across a river.

► Your guide will share the fascinating history of Aït Benhaddou which once served as the former caravan route between the Sahara and Marrakesh in present-day Morocco. Most of the town’s inhabitants now live in a more modern village at the other side of the river; ten families however still live within the ksar.

►Aït Benhaddou was once a significant stop for traders carrying gold, salt and slaves along the famous Southern Caravan route moving through the Sahara. Only six miles away, is the village of Tamdaght, dominated by the canyon walls of a Glaoui Kasbah. The Kasbah is famous and you will find its towers inhabited by storks. Walk outside the Kasbah’s lush terraced gardens and witness the same desert scenery that used in Gladiator and Alexander the Great.

►For lunch, relax on a terrace with clear views of Aït Benhaddou and enjoy a traditional Moroccan meal. After lunch, browse the village shops then climb back in the comfortable air-conditioned/heated 4×4 and head to the village of Tamadaght.

►Depart Aït Benhaddou and take the pise (windy road) towards the Oasis of Fint passing the “Plateau de pierres”. On this road you will find a shining Oasis of palms. Visit this Oasis of Fint that hovers under the Atlas Mountains. Journey on a one-hour walk inside the Oasis  where you will have a cup of tea with the headmaster’s family Azziz Ouaziz. Then tour the surrounding area where date palm oases and dramatic desert scenery is king.

►After visiting the Oasis of Fint we will take the road to Kasbah Tifoultoute which stands majestically on the banks of Oued Tifoultoute. From a distance this old Kasbah is impressive with its castle-like architecture. In the 1960’s the Kasbah was converted into a hotel for the cast of Lawrence of Arabia. Tour the Kasbah and have lunch at its restaurant which is known for delicious mint and herb teas. See panoramic views from the rooftop.

DAY 3:  OUARZAZATE – ERFOUND – MERZOUGA

►Rise early, and drive to Merzouga passing the unusual flora and fauna of the Sahara. Cross Erfoud, the capital of fossils.

►You will find the Erg Chebbi Dunes at 22 km long, (North-South) 5 km and 150 meters high. Considered by many to be the largest dunes in the Sahara, the dunes constantly shift due to the considerable desert winds. The locals believe that these dunes were sent as a punishment for turning away a weary traveler from the desert. They say that after they sent away this traveler, the gods made the dunes pile up right outside their town; to teach them a lesson and to never send away weary men and women ever again.

►Have dinner and spend the night in the Sahara in a biouvac tent by the Erg Chebbi dunes.

DAY 4: MERZOUGA – N’KOB

►Rise early. Your camels await you for a trip across the Erg Chebbi Dunes.

►You will be taken on a 2 hour cruise on the back of a dromedary into the dunes to camp overnight at an oasis. Your Tuareg guide will share some of the Sahara Deserts’ secrets. As you glide across humpback on these silent, mystical dunes there will be countless opportunities to photograph the endless rolling sand dunes that appear before you in heaps for thousands of miles. You will witness the sunrise across the east over the dunes.

►You will Upon return from your trek, enjoy a quiet breakfast and then continue your adventure within the Sahara desert.

►Depart Merzouga and ride across the palm groves to visit the ksours along the kasbah studded road to Rissani. The 19th century Abbar Ksar, once a residence to Alounite princes and the Oulad Abdelhamin Ksar, built for the brother of Sultan Moulay Hassan, is popular to visit. Also interesting to see is the Mausoleum of Moulay Ali Cherif where the father of the founder of the Alouite Dynasty is buried.

►We will arrive to Rissani, an ancient capital for the Alaouite Sultans and the most important market town for Sub-Sahara camel caravans was built on the ruins of Sijilmassa. Stop in Rissani for a lunch and visit its souks where stalls are piled high with pyramids of dates, vegetables, spices, rugs, carpets, pottery, jewelry and metalwork.

►The Rissani souk is one of the most famous in the area and surrounded by donkeys, mules, sheep and goats enclosed in corrals. After a tour of Rissani, we are off to Alnif. Alnif is known for its rocks, fossils and minerals found in shops along the roadside Trilobites are the areas main export.

►Pass by Alnif and head towards to N’kob. Dinner will be served to you in Aït Ouzzine by a traditional Berber family. The menu will include a traditional meal of fresh baked bread with spices and a chicken and vegetable tajine and fresh local fruits for desert.

►After dinner, sip mint tea and rest at the local Riad Ksar Jenna. Ksar Jenna is a beautiful Maison de Charme in a riad style, built with the materials of the Moroccan tradition such as taddelakt and zellig. Ksar Jenna has wide open spaces, 7 rooms with every comfort, with large bathrooms and large common spaces, plunged in an oasis of quiet, in the heart of a luxuriant garden, with lots of palm trees, bougainvilleas, rose bushes, jasmines.

DAY 5:  N’KOB  –  ZAGORA – OUARZAZATE

►Have breakfast and then drive to Zagora for your one-day excursion to this quiet Saharian desert town.

► Zagora is a Saharan desert town in the southern Drâa Valley. Zagora is favored by travelers for its desert dunes, palms, 45 varieties of dates and its Hollywood sunset mountain backdrops. Take the road by pise (windy road) to discover the land where caravans once transported sugar, tea, dates and other dry goods to Ouarzazate.

►Walk the palmery and hamlet set amid lemon, almond and olive trees, and gardens of the village of Amazrou. Visit the former Mellah (Jewish quarter), where a mosque now stands. Amazrou is inhabited by Arabs, Haratines and Berbers who continue the Jewish tradition of silver making.

►Later visit the Dunes of Tinfo, which are famous for their healing qualities for rheumatoid arthritis. Ask your guide to bury you in the sand from head to toe for this a 20 minute spa-like experience. We will also visit the old Kasbah Ait Lkaid in the village of Tamegroute. At the end of the main road you will find the famous road sign to Timbuktu that reads “52 jours” – 52 hours by camel.

►Enjoy lunch at a local kasbah hotel restaurant in the town of Zagora then return to Ouarzazate.

►Upon return to Ouarzazate we will take the road to visit Zagora’s unique, beautifully glazed forest green pottery at the local cooperative in the desert town of Tamagroute and pass by the Koranic library.

►Arrive in Ouarzazate, have tea or a drink at a local hotel with views of Kasbah Tifiltoute, then dine at a local restaurant and spend the night at a Riad in Ouarzazate.

DAY 6:  OUARZAZATE

►Departure from Ouarzazate. This ends your Morocco Travel experience.

For More information about Sahara Desert Short Breaks & Excursions to Morocco on Travel Exploration

For more information about Travel and Tours to Morocco plus highlights on Moroccan culture visit Morocco’s Imperial Cities, Seaside Resorts, Sahara Desert, Berber villages, A Taste of Morocco, Magical Kasbahs, Ruins & Waterfalls, Absolute Morocco, The Best of Marrakech, Fes, and Ouarzazate.

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Discover The Best of Morocco - Travel Exploration

Travel Exploration specializes in Morocco Travel. We provide Tours and travel opportunities to Morocco for the independent traveler and tailor-made tours for families and groups with a distinctly unique flavor. From Morocco’s Seven Imperial Cities, to the Magical Sahara Travel Exploration offers a captivating experience that will inspire you. At Travel Exploration we guarantee that you will discover the best of Morocco! Call Travel Exploration at 1 (800) 787-8806  or 1 (917)703-2078  and let’s book a tour to Morocco for you today.


Short Breaks & Excursions to Morocco’s Sahara Desert, Your Morocco Travel Guide

Sunday, December 6th, 2009

The Sahara Desert is one of the top Morocco travel destinations for westerners.  If you are traveling to Morocco for the holiday season or for a long needed vacation, a short break or excursion to Morocco’s Sahara Desert should be top on your list! Here is a list of the 5 most important things to consider when traveling to the Sahara plus an overview of various Moroccan tour itineraries to the Sahara Desert.

The Top 5 Things To Consider When Planning Your Sahara Desert Short Break or Excursion:

#1: Morocco’s Sahara Desert is wide and vast. When traveling by 4×4 in Morocco on a Sahara Desert Trek make sure to give yourself at least 4 days from Marrakech or Fes to guarantee a full Sahara experience. If you are willing to begin your Sahara Desert tour from Ouarzazate then a 2 or 3 Days Sahara adventure is plenty of time.

#2: There are three parts of the Sahara Desert that are most traveled by westerners for a Sahara Desert excursion or short break. The Top Sahara destinations and dunes are:

–       Merzouga (Erg Chebbi Dunes)

–       M’hamid (Erg Chegaga Dunes)

–       Zagora (Dunes of Tinfo)

#3: The best time to travel Morocco’s Sahara Desert is in spring or fall. The season of spring when it is best to travel in Morocco’s Sahara begins on or around March 10th – May 15th and the season of fall when it is best to travel Morocco’s Sahara begins on or around September 15th – October 31st. The best months to travel to Morocco’s Sahara in each season depends on the annual weather forecast. Traveling off season in the Sahara such as in the months of winter, summer, spending Christmas in the Sahara Desert or New Years Eve in a bivouac in the Sahara are definite options but require additional travel gear and patience with Morocco’s summer heat and winter’s cooler weather.

#4: Morocco’s Sahara Desert requires minimal travel gear regardless of the season. Listed below is a recommended short list of what to bring when traveling to Morocco’s Sahara region of Merzouga, M’hamid or Zagora. For a fully detailed list of Morocco Travel Gear

–       Brimmed hat, Visor, Hat, or Headscarf

–       Windbreaker or warm sweater for cooler months and evening weather when the Sahara Desert cools off

–       Travel Footwear: broken in sneakers or hiking shoes, sandals, socks

–       Sunscreen (SPF 30 + )

–       Sunglasses

–       Camera & Electronic Gear for Sahara photography

–       Personal Identification (Passport, Drivers license or Visa

–       Moroccan Dirhams (you can request Moroccan currency (the dirham) when you arrive or your Travel Exploration Morocco guide can assist with this.

#5: Morocco boasts three fabulous parts of the Sahara. These Saharan destinations are Merzouga, M’hamid and Zagora. All three destinations offer a unique Sahara Desert experience by camel trek or in 4×4.  For the die hard Sahara Desert fans, a visit to M’hamid’s Erg Chegaga Dunes which are the furthest point in the Sahara and align the border of Algeria are a must see. For a Sahara Desert adventure to the most majestic and golden dunes visit the Erg Chebbi Dunes in Merzouga which are the most popular and will not disappoint. For those who want a Sahara Desert adventure that will enable you to see slightly smaller dunes and a thriving Sahara town, its pottery cooperative, Tamagroute and a spiritual Zaouia site then choose Zagora.

Various Moroccan Sahara Tour Itineraries:

–      Sahara Desert Tours & Sahara Excursions from Marrakech

–       Sahara Desert Tours & Sahara Excursions from Fes

–      Sahara Desert Tours & Sahara Excursions from Ouarzazate

For More information about Sahara Desert Short Breaks & Excursions to Morocco on Travel Exploration

For more information about Travel and Tours to Morocco plus highlights on Moroccan culture visit Morocco’s Imperial CitiesSeaside Resorts,Sahara DesertBerber villagesA Taste of MoroccoMagical Kasbahs, Ruins & WaterfallsAbsolute Morocco, The Best of MarrakechFes, andOuarzazate.

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Discover The Best of Morocco - Travel Exploration

Travel Exploration specializes in Morocco Travel. We provide Tours and travel opportunities to Morocco for the independent traveler and tailor-made tours for families and groups with a distinctly unique flavor. From Morocco’s Seven Imperial Cities, to the Magical Sahara Travel Exploration offers a captivating experience that will inspire you. At Travel Exploration we guarantee that you will discover the best of Morocco! Call Travel Exploration at 1 (800) 787-8806  or 1 (917)703-2078  and let’s book a tour to Morocco for you today.

Sahara Desert Tour Circuit 4×4 & Camel Treks from Fes, Your Morocco Travel Guide

Friday, December 4th, 2009

A Sahara Desert Tour & Camel Trek from Fes to the Sahara Desert is a Morocco Travel opportunity to discover the breathtaking and majestic Erg Chebbi Dunes in the Merzouga Sahara Desert. Traveling Morocco’s Sahara Desert from Fes by 4×4 is the perfect Moroccan Sahara Tour as it offers the opportunity to see en route to Merzouga, the Ziz Valley and barbary apes in Ifrane. When considering a Sahara Tour & Camel Trek from Fes a total of 4 days is needed. The Sahara Desert Circuit in 4×4 is a short break from Marrakech and can extend your holiday through this off the beaten path Sahara journey.

Camel-Trekking-in-Sahara-Desert

On your Sahara tour from Fes to Merzouga you will have the option to visit the Ziz Valley and Ifrane. Ifrane is often referred to as little Switzerland and boasts Middle Atlas mountain views hilly roads surrounded by lush green trees. Ifrane is situated at an elevation of about 5,400 feet (1,650 metres) above sea level and caters to modern tourists and Moroccans who ski there in winter and have second homes. Ifrane is also home of the Al Akhawayn University, Morocco’s first privatized college that was modeled from an American system.

Al-Akhawayn-University

After passing through Ifrane, visiting Merzouga’s Erg Chebbi Dunes and spending a majestic Morocco travel and Sahara bivouac experience, you will then be off to visit the Boulmane Dades Valley, the Todra Gorge and Bouthgrar’s Valley of Nomads and the piste of Mount Mgoun.

Travel Exploration Morocco is an Ouarzazate Travel Agency based in New York City & Ouarzazate that offers a Sahara Tour & Camel Trek option from Fes. 4×4 Travel to Morocco’s Sahara through Travel Exploration Morocco guarantees an authentic Moroccan Sahara journey to Merzouga.

Merzouga-Sahara-Desert-Couple-On- Camel-Tuareg-Man

DAY 1: FES- IFRANE – ZIZ VALLEY- MERZOUGA

►Your Driver will pick you up at your Riad/ Hotel in Fes at 9:00am to travel to Morocco’s Sahara in a 4×4

►Departure to Merzouga Sahara Desert passing the unusual flora and fauna of the Sahara.

►Enroute to Merzouga’s Sahara Desert, we will pass Ifrane, stopping to see the cedar tree forrest and the local barbary monkeys.

▶ We will have lunch during our journey in the Ziz Valley or at another local town en route to the Sahara desert. We will continue the road to Merzouga’s Erg Chebbi Dunes and arrive before sunset.

▶ Arrive in Merzouga’s Sahara Desert, then go by dromedary camel trek for 2 hours at sunset into the Erg Chebbi Dunes to camp overnight in a Berber Biouvac tent at an oasis. Your Tuareg guide will share some of the Sahara Deserts’ secrets. As you glide across humpback on these silent, mystical dunes there will be countless opportunities to photograph the endless rolling dunes.

▶Have dinner and spend the night at a biouvac near the Oasis in the Erg Chebbi Dunes of Merzouga.

DAY 2: MERZOUGA – TODRA GORGE – BOULMANE DADES VALLEY

►Rise, have tea and break. Then take a sunrise camel trek to Merzouga center. Breakfast in Merzouga.

►Discover Merzouga by piste (windy road) and the flora and fauna of the desert. Take the road from Merzouga to Erfoud through Tinerghir and Rissani (old Saharian Desert Town).

►Continue the road by 4×4 land cruiser Morocco travel until you reach the Todra Gorge & Dadles Valley located in Morocco’s South.

►Your journey will take you through the Todra Gorge, one of the most impressive and breathtaking Gorge in Morocco.

►Lunch at the foot of the Todra Gorge.

►Then you will continue your visit in the Dadès Valley which covers 125 km between Ouarzazate and Boulmane du Dadès in the High Atlas Mountains.

►Once you reach Boumalne at first sight you notice the limestone cliffs with uniquely shaped erosions and superb scenery and the valley’s pise (windy roads). Driving along you will pass flower filled fields, fertile fields, riverbanks and several fortified ksours. At the bottom of Gorge of Boulmane Dadès there are ruined hilltop Kasbahs and valley floor gardens.

►Lunch will be served at a nearby guesthouse that offers local Moroccan fare and a panoramic view of the Dades Valley Gorge. Relax and sip mint tea while gazing at the impressive valley view.

►Moving on, your driver will continue the road towards the breathtaking Todra Gorge. The Todra Gorge is a stunning natural spectacle of pink- grey gigantic rock walls that change colors with the different times of the day. Explore the gorge by foot and make sure to photograph the beautiful ribbon of palms between the cliffs, Berber villages and ancient kasbahs and ksours.

►Have Dinner & Spend the night in the Dades Valley at a Riad/Hotel with a view.

DAY 3: BOULMANE DADES – OUARZAZATE

►Rise and have breakfast in the Boulmane Dades Valley at your Riad.

►Take the road by piste to Mount Mgoun and Bouthgrarar to discover Berber Villages in Southern Morocco. Mount Mgoun is an area in Southern Morocco where you can discover the “Road of Nomads” and the traditional families, how they live.

►Lunch in Mount Mgoun at a Moroccan auberge or within the Valley of Nomads. Take a short hike in the area, then continue the road to Ouarzazate.

►Arrive in Ouarzazate. Dinner at your Riad. Spend the night in Ouarzazate.

DAY 4: OUARZAZATE – MARRAKECH

► Rise, have breakfast at your Riad in Ouarzazate.

►Start your morning by touring the Atlas Film Studios. David Lean filmed Lawrence of Arabia at The Atlas Film Studios in the early 1960’s. Since then many famous directors have followed in his footsteps to exploit the magnificent scenery. International blockbusters shot here in recent years include: the French version of Cleopatra, Bertolucci’s Sheltering Sky, Scorsese’s Kundun, Gillies MacKannon’s Hideous Kinky, Ridley Scott’s Gladiator, Black Hawke Down, Oliver Stone’s Alexander The Great, Ridley Scott’s Kingdom of Heaven, and Penelope Cruz’s Sahara.

►After visiting the Atlas Film Studio, we will take the road by pise to the picturesque village of Aït Benhaddou located 32 km from Ouarzazate. Aït Benhaddou is situated in Souss-Massa-Draâ on a hill along the Ouarzazate River. Lawrence of Arabia was filmed here and Orson Welles used it as a location for Sodome and Gomorrah; and for Jesus of Nazareth the whole lower part of the village was rebuilt. In recent years more controlled restoration has been carried out under UNESCO auspices. Aït Benhaddou is one of many locations in this region used for shooting Hollywood films.

►Your guide will lead you on a private tour through this Berber village of towered and crenulated kasbahs that once guarded the lucrative caravan route through the Atlas Mountains. Explore the kasbahs by foot with the option to ride a donkey across a river.

► Your guide will share the fascinating history of Aït Benhaddou which once served as the former caravan route between the Sahara and Marrakesh in present-day Morocco. Most of the town’s inhabitants now live in a more modern village at the other side of the river; ten families however still live within the ksar.

Aït Benhaddou was once a significant stop for traders carrying gold, salt and slaves along the famous Southern Caravan route moving through the Sahara. Only six miles away, is the village of Tamdaght, dominated by the canyon walls of a Glaoui Kasbah. The Kasbah is famous and you will find its towers inhabited by storks. Walk outside the Kasbah’s lush terraced gardens and witness the same desert scenery that used in Gladiator and Alexander the Great.

►For lunch, relax on a terrace with clear views of Aït Benhaddou and enjoy a traditional Moroccan meal of mfouar (steamed wheat), Takila (a Berber tajine), couscous and fruit. After lunch, browse the village shops then climb back in the comfortable air-conditioned/heated 4×4 and head to the village of Tamadaght.

►After lunch, we will depart Aït Benhaddou and take the road to Marrakech.

►En route to Marrakech, stop to visit the Argan Cooperative where women make Argan Oil, Argan butter and cosmetics. Have a complimentary tasting and sample the products.

►Arrive in Marrakech in the early evening. This completes your Sahara Tour & Camel Trek journey from Fes to Merzouga

►Arrive in Marrakech in the early evening. This ends your Sahara Tour & Camel

Zagora-Dunes-Of-Tinfo-Bivouac

For More information about Sahara Tours on Morocco Travel Exploration

For more information about Travel and Tours to Morocco plus highlights on Moroccan culture visit Morocco’s Imperial Cities, Seaside Resorts, Sahara Desert, Berber villages, A Taste of Morocco, Magical Kasbahs, Ruins & Waterfalls, Absolute Morocco, The Best of Marrakech, Fes, and Ouarzazate.

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Discover The Best of Morocco - Travel Exploration

Travel Exploration specializes in Morocco Travel. We provide Tours and travel opportunities to Morocco for the independent traveler and tailor-made tours for families and groups with a distinctly unique flavor. From Morocco’s Seven Imperial Cities, to the Magical Sahara Travel Exploration offers a captivating experience that will inspire you. At Travel Exploration we guarantee that you will discover the best of Morocco! Call Travel Exploration at 1 (800) 787-8806  or 1 (917)703-2078  and let’s book a tour to Morocco for you today.

Sahara Desert Tours & Camel Treks from Marrakech, Your Morocco Travel Guide

Thursday, December 3rd, 2009

Traveling Morocco’s Sahara Desert for a Morocco vacation is a once in a lifetime magical experience. When considering a Sahara Tour & Camel Trek from Marrakech there are several Sahara Tour options. Travel Exploration Morocco is an Ouarzazate Travel Agency based in New York City & Ouarzazate that offers three different Sahara Tour & Camel Trek itineraries from Marrakech. 4×4 Travel to Morocco’s Sahara through Travel Exploration Morocco guarantees an authentic Moroccan Sahara journey.

Morocco’s Sahara Desert accounts for over 9,000,000 square kilometers (3,500,000 square miles) and stretches across a vast and luminous piece of land. The rolling Dunes in Morocco’s Sahara Desert give way to a unique Sahara experience through their golden waves of sand. Morocco’s Sahara also has a  variety of flora and fauna that is indigenous to desert terrain. Each part of the Moroccan Sahara guarantees a completely unique desert experience.

Erg-Chebbi-Merzouga-Sahara-Golden- Dunes

When traveling to Morocco’s Sahara the three options are:

The Erg Chebbi Dunes of Merzouga

The Erg Chegaga Dunes in M’hamid

The Dunes of Tinfo in Zagora

The Erg Chebbi Dunes of Merzouga can be reached by beginning your Sahara Tour in Marrakech and then driving through Ouarzazate, to Rissani with a final destination of Merzouga. Merzouga is a small village 35 kilometers southeast of Rissani, 45 kilometers from Erfoud and 25 kilometers from the border of Algeria. Merzouga is famous for the Erg Chebbi dunes and boasts the largest body of water in Morocco.

The Erg Chegaga Dunes in M’hamid are another option when planning a Sahara trek from Marrakech. M’hamid is the furthest point of the Moroccan Sahara and is often referred to as the more “authentic Sahara desert.” European and British foreigners have shown more interest in the last century in Sahara treks to M’hamid while American foreigners tend to prefer Merzouga.

Visiting the Dunes of Tinfo in Zagora just an hour before M’hamid offers a Sahara trek option within the Saharan Desert town. When planning a camel trek to Zagora this also leaves an opportunity to discover the region’s Draa Valley, the Tamagroute Pottery Cooperative and ancient Zaouia Spiritual Site.

Whichever Sahara Desert Tour & Camel Trek from Marrakech you choose, the Moroccan Sahara guarantees a majestic and intimate experience.

Family-Sahara-Desert-Trek-Tour

4×4 SAHARA TOUR FROM MARRAKECH TO MERZOUGA’S ERG CHEBBI DUNES

DAY 1: MARRAKECH – MERZOUGA

►Your Driver will pick you up at your Riad/ Hotel in Marrakech at 9:00am to travel to Morocco’s Sahara in a 4×4.

►Departure from Marrakech to Merzouga Sahara Desert. 

►En route from Marrakech to Merzouga, stop to visit the Argan Cooperative where women make Argan Oil, Argan butter and cosmetics. Have a complimentary tasting and sample the products.

►Stop for Lunch in the Tizzin Tichka Pass, which boasts breathtaking views of

the Tichka region as you continue your journey to the Sahara Desert.

▶ Arrive in Merzouga, then go by dromedary camel trek for 2 hours at sunset into the Erg Chebbi Dunes to camp overnight in a Berber Biouvac tent at an oasis. Your Tuareg guide will share some of the Sahara Deserts’ secrets. As you glide across humpback on these silent, mystical dunes there will be countless opportunities to photograph the endless rolling dunes.

▶Have dinner by an Oasis in the Erg Chebbi Dunes of Merzouga. Spend the night at a bivouac near the Oasis in the Erg Chebbi Dunes in a bivouac tent under the stars.

DAY 2: MERZOUGA – OUARZAZATE

►Rise, have tea and bread. Then take a sunrise camel trek from the Erg Chebbi Dunes in the Sahara Desert to Merzouga center. Breakfast in Merzouga Sahara Desert.

►Discover Merzouga by piste (windy road) and the flora and fauna of the

Sahara Desert. Take the road from Merzouga to Erfoud through Tinerghir and Rissani (old Saharian Desert Town).

►Visit the Rissani souk, which is one of the most famous in the area and surrounded by donkeys, mules, sheep and goats enclosed in corrals. After a tour of Rissani, we are off to Alnif. Alnif is known for its rocks, fossils and minerals found in shops along the roadside Trilobites are the areas main export.

►Continue the road from Merzouga’s Sahara Desert through Rissani, until you reach the Berber Village of Ait Ouzzine nestled in the High Atlas Mountains just 5 kilometers from N’kob.

►Lunch will be served to you in Aït Ouzzine, Morocco by a traditional Berber family. The menu will include a traditional meal of fresh baked bread with spices and a chicken and vegetable tajine and fresh local fruits for desert. Explore the Berber Village. Watch them make bread. Have your feet and hands with henna and see how the traditional and original people of Morocco live.

►Have your hands and feet painted with henna in Ait Ouzzine, Morocco by a Moroccan woman who specializes in the tradition of henna and experience the Berbers making of Berber perfume.

►Tea and Almonds for an afternoon snack. Then continue the road to Ouarzazate. Arrive in Ouarzazate, have dinner at your Riad.

►Spend the night at a beautiful Riad in Ouarzazate that has a terrace and views.

DAY 3: OUARZAZATE – MARRAKECH

►Rise and have breakfast at your Riad in Ouarzazate. Visit Spices Maria a spice souk nearby and option for a rose or almond oil massage prior to your departure to Marrakech.

►Take the road by piste to visit the picturesque village of Aït Benhaddou located 32 km from Ouarzazate. Aït Benhaddou is situated in Souss-Massa-Draâ on a hill along the Ouarzazate River. Lawrence of Arabia was filmed here and Orson Welles used it as a location for Sodome and Gomorrah; and for Jesus of Nazareth the whole lower part of the village was rebuilt. In recent years more controlled restoration has been carried out under UNESCO auspices. Aït Benhaddou is one of many locations in this region used for shooting Hollywood films.

►Your guide will lead you on a private tour through this Berber village of towered and crenulated kasbahs that once guarded the lucrative caravan route through the Atlas Mountains. Explore the kasbahs by foot with the option to ride a donkey across a river.

► Your guide will share the fascinating history of Aït Benhaddou which once served as the former caravan route between the Sahara and Marrakesh in present-day Morocco. Most of the town’s inhabitants now live in a more modern village at the other side of the river; ten families however still live within the ksar.

Aït Benhaddou was once a significant stop for traders carrying gold, salt and slaves along the famous Southern Caravan route moving through the Sahara. Only six miles away, is the village of Tamdaght, dominated by the canyon walls of a Glaoui Kasbah. The Kasbah is famous and you will find its towers inhabited by storks. Walk outside the Kasbah’s lush terraced gardens and witness the same desert scenery that used in Gladiator and Alexander the Great.

►For lunch, relax on a terrace with clear views of Aït Benhaddou and enjoy a traditional Moroccan meal of mfouar (steamed wheat), Takila (a Berber tajine), couscous and fruit. After lunch, browse the village shops then climb back in the comfortable air-conditioned/heated 4×4 and head to the village of Tamadaght.

►After lunch, we will depart Aït Benhaddou and take the road to Marrakech.

►Arrive in Marrakech in the early evening. This ends your Sahara Tour & Camel Trek to Merzouga in Morocco’s Sahara Desert

Mhamid-Sahara-Desert

4×4 SAHARA TOUR FROM MARRAKECH TO M’HAMID’S ERG CHEGAGA DUNES

DAY 1: MARRAKECH – SKOURA – ZAGORA

►Your Driver will pick you up at your Riad/ Hotel in Marrakech at 9:00am to travel to Morocco’s Sahara in a 4×4.

►Departure from Marrakech to M’hamid Sahara Desert. 

►En route from Marrakech to Merzouga, stop to visit the Argan Cooperative where women make Argan Oil, Argan butter and cosmetics. Have a complimentary tasting and sample the products.

►Stop for Lunch in the Tizzin Tichka Pass which boasts breathtaking views of

the Tichka region as you continue your journey to the Sahara Desert.

▶Stop in the Skoura Palmary to visit the Amirdhil Kasbah.

▶Take the road by piste through the Draa Valley to discover the old road of Moroccan caravans.

►Then continue the road through the Draa Valley to the town of Zagora, the door of the Sahara. Arrive in Zagora and you have the option to spend the night in either a bivouac tent in the Sahara or in a Riad Hotel within a beautiful palmery.

DAY 2: ZAGORA – M’HAMID

►Rise, have breakfast in your Riad in Zagora, then take the road to visit Tamagroute.

►Visit the village of Tamergroute in the Sahara Desert known for it’s a potter’s cooperative (making forest green, glazed pottery) ksars and kasbahs as well as the prestigious Zaouia Nacri. The Zaouia Nacri is a 17th century Islamic academic center was built by Mohammed Bou Nasri and made Tamergroute the most important settlement in the Draâ Valley.

►Visit the Zaouia’s library where you can see illuminated Korans, animal hides, 12th century works on mathematics, medicine and history. Then take the road to Visit the Sahara Desert’s Dunes of Tinfo and see the old sign where the caravans took the road to Timbuktu.

►Explore the town of Zagora and the Amazrou village. Walk through the desert gardens that lead to the old Jewish kasbah, La Kasbah des Juifs. Visit workshops of the local Muslim Berbers who have continued the Jewish tradition of silver jewelry making, after the exodus of the Jews.

►Take the road by piste to visit the Sahara Desert’s Dunes of Tinfo.

►Enjoy lunch in Zagora.

►Arrive in M’hamid and take a sunset camel trek from the city to the M’hamid Erg Chegaga Dunes.

►Dinner in M’hamid. Spend the night in Erg Chegaga Dunes.

DAY 3: December 30th – M’HAMID – AIT OUZZINE- OUARZAZATE

►Rise, have tea and bread. Then take a sunrise camel trek across the Erg Chegaga Dunes to M’hamid center.

► Spend the day exploring M’hamid and enjoying the Sahara’s flora and fauna.

►Lunch will be served to you in Aït Ouzzine, Morocco by a traditional Berber family. The menu will include a traditional meal of fresh baked bread with spices and a chicken and vegetable tajine and fresh local fruits for desert. Explore the Berber Village. Watch them make bread. Have your feet and hands with henna and see how the traditional and original people of Morocco live.

►Have your hands and feet painted with henna in Ait Ouzzine, Morocco by a Moroccan woman who specializes in the tradition of henna and experience the Berbers making of Berber perfume.

►Tea and Almonds for an afternoon snack. Then continue the road to Ouarzazate. Arrive in Ouarzazate, have dinner at your Riad.

DAY 4: OUARZAZATE – MARRAKECH

►Rise and have breakfast at your Riad in Ouarzazate. Visit Spices Maria a spice souk nearby and option for a rose or almond oil massage prior to your departure to Marrakech.

►Take the road by piste to visit the picturesque village of Aït Benhaddou located 32 km from Ouarzazate. Aït Benhaddou is situated in Souss- Massa-Draâ on a hill along the Ouarzazate River. Lawrence of Arabia was filmed here and Orson Welles used it as a location for Sodome and Gomorrah; and for Jesus of Nazareth the whole lower part of the village was rebuilt. In recent years more controlled restoration has been carried out under UNESCO auspices. Aït Benhaddou is one of many locations in this region used for shooting Hollywood films.

►Your guide will lead you on a private tour through this Berber village of towered and crenulated kasbahs that once guarded the lucrative caravan route through the Atlas Mountains. Explore the kasbahs by foot with the option to ride a donkey across a river.

► Your guide will share the fascinating history of Aït Benhaddou which once served as the former caravan route between the Sahara and Marrakesh in present-day Morocco. Most of the town’s inhabitants now live in a more modern village at the other side of the river; ten families however still live within the ksar.

Aït Benhaddou was once a significant stop for traders carrying gold, salt and slaves along the famous Southern Caravan route moving through the Sahara. Only six miles away, is the village of Tamdaght, dominated by the canyon walls of a Glaoui Kasbah. The Kasbah is famous and you will find its towers inhabited by storks. Walk outside the Kasbah’s lush terraced gardens and witness the same desert scenery that used in Gladiator and Alexander the Great.

►For lunch, relax on a terrace with clear views of Aït Benhaddou and enjoy a traditional Moroccan meal of mfouar (steamed wheat), Takila (a Berber tajine), couscous and fruit. After lunch, browse the village shops then climb back in the comfortable air-conditioned/heated 4×4 and head to the village of Tamadaght.

►After lunch, we will depart Aït Benhaddou and take the road to Marrakech.

►Arrive in Marrakech in the early evening. This ends your Sahara Tour & Camel Trek to M’hamid in Morocco’s Sahara Desert.

Dunes-of-Tinfo-Camel-Sahara-Experience

4×4 SAHARA TOUR FROM MARRAKECH TO ZAGORA’S DUNES OF TINFO

DAY 1: MARRAKECH – SKOURA – ZAGORA

►Your Driver will pick you up at your Riad/ Hotel in Marrakech at 9:00am to travel to Morocco’s Sahara in a 4×4.

►Departure from Marrakech to M’hamid Sahara Desert. 

►En route from Marrakech to Merzouga, stop to visit the Argan Cooperative where women make Argan Oil, Argan butter and cosmetics. Have a complimentary tasting and sample the products.

►Stop for Lunch in the Tizzin Tichka Pass which boasts breathtaking views of

the Tichka region as you continue your journey to the Sahara Desert.

▶Stop in the Skoura Palmary to visit the Amirdhil Kasbah.

▶Take the road by piste through the Draa Valley to discover the old road of Moroccan caravans.

►Then continue the road through the Draa Valley to the town of Zagora, the door of the Sahara. Arrive in Zagora and you have the option to spend the night in either a bivouac tent in the Sahara or in a Riad Hotel within a beautiful palmary.

DAY 2: ZAGORA

►Rise, have breakfast in your Riad in Zagora, then take the road to visit Tamagroute.

►Visit the village of Tamergroute in the Sahara Desert known for it’s a potter’s cooperative (making forest green, glazed pottery) ksars and kasbahs as well as the prestigious Zaouia Nacri. The Zaouia Nacri is a 17th century Islamic academic center was built by Mohammed Bou Nasri and made Tamergroute the most important settlement in the Draâ Valley.

►Visit the Zaouia’s library where you can see illuminated Korans, animal hides, 12th century works on mathematics, medicine and history. Then take the road to Visit the Sahara Desert’s Dunes of Tinfo and see the old sign where the caravans took the road to Timbuktu.

►Enjoy lunch in Zagora.

►Explore the town of Zagora and the Amazrou village. Walk through the desert gardens that lead to the old Jewish kasbah, La Kasbah des Juifs. Visit workshops of the local Muslim Berbers who have continued the Jewish tradition of silver jewelry making, after the exodus of the Jews.

►Take the road by piste to visit the Sahara Desert’s Dunes of Tinfo. Sunset camel trek across the Dunes of Tinfo.

►Dinner at the foot of the Dunes of Tinfo in Zagora, near your bivouac.

DAY 3: ZAGORA – OUARZAZATE

►Rise, have breakfast, then take the road to the village of Ait Ouzzine located in the High Atlas Mountains and in Morocco’s heart of the Draa Valley.

►Explore the village of Ait Ouzzine, N’kob Morocco and see how a traditional Berber, Moroccan family lives. Visit their gardens, wheat and henna fields, farming community and meet other members of the Moroccan village. Have an up close Morocco Sahara travel experience.

►Lunch will be served to you in Aït Ouzzine, Morocco by a traditional Berber family. The menu will include a traditional meal of fresh baked bread with spices and a chicken and vegetable tajine and fresh local fruits for desert. Explore the Berber Village. Watch them make bread. Have your feet and hands with henna and see how the traditional and original people of Morocco live.

►Have your hands and feet painted with henna in Ait Ouzzine, Morocco by a Moroccan woman who specializes in the tradition of henna and experience the Berbers making of Berber perfume.

►Tea and Almonds for an afternoon snack. Then continue the road to Ouarzazate. Arrive in Ouarzazate, have dinner at your Riad.

DAY 4: OUARZAZATE – MARRAKECH

►Rise and have breakfast at your Riad in Ouarzazate. Visit Spices Maria a spice souk nearby and option for a rose or almond oil massage prior to your departure to Marrakech.

►Take the road by piste to visit the picturesque village of Aït Benhaddou located 32 km from Ouarzazate. Aït Benhaddou is situated in Souss- Massa-Draâ on a hill along the Ouarzazate River. Lawrence of Arabia was filmed here and Orson Welles used it as a location for Sodome and Gomorrah; and for Jesus of Nazareth the whole lower part of the village was rebuilt. In recent years more controlled restoration has been carried out under UNESCO auspices. Aït Benhaddou is one of many locations in this region used for shooting Hollywood films.

►Your guide will lead you on a private tour through this Berber village of towered and crenulated kasbahs that once guarded the lucrative caravan route through the Atlas Mountains. Explore the kasbahs by foot with the option to ride a donkey across a river.

► Your guide will share the fascinating history of Aït Benhaddou which once served as the former caravan route between the Sahara and Marrakesh in present-day Morocco. Most of the town’s inhabitants now live in a more modern village at the other side of the river; ten families however still live within the ksar.

Aït Benhaddou was once a significant stop for traders carrying gold, salt and slaves along the famous Southern Caravan route moving through the Sahara. Only six miles away, is the village of Tamdaght, dominated by the canyon walls of a Glaoui Kasbah. The Kasbah is famous and you will find its towers inhabited by storks. Walk outside the Kasbah’s lush terraced gardens and witness the same desert scenery that used in Gladiator and Alexander the Great.

►For lunch, relax on a terrace with clear views of Aït Benhaddou and enjoy a traditional Moroccan meal of mfouar (steamed wheat), Takila (a Berber tajine), couscous and fruit. After lunch, browse the village shops then climb back in the comfortable air-conditioned/heated 4×4 and head to the village of Tamadaght.

►After lunch, we will depart Aït Benhaddou and take the road to Marrakech.

►Arrive in Marrakech in the early evening. This ends your Sahara Tour & Camel Trek to Zagora’s Dunes of Tinfo Morocco’s Sahara Desert

Camel-Trekking-in- Merzouga

More information about Sahara Tours on Morocco Travel Exploration

For more information about Travel and Tours to Morocco plus highlights on Moroccan culture visit Morocco’s Imperial CitiesSeaside ResortsSahara DesertBerber villagesA Taste of MoroccoMagical Kasbahs, Ruins & WaterfallsAbsolute Morocco, The Best of MarrakechFes, and Ouarzazate.

Sahara Desert Tours, 4×4 Sahara Tours, Sahara Tours from Marrakech to Merzouga, Sahara Tours from Marrakech to M’hamid, Sahara Tours from Marrakech to Zagora, Ouarzazate Travel Agency, Sahara Tour to Erg Chebbi Dunes, Sahara Tours to Erg Chegaga Dunes, Sahara Tours to the Dunes of Tinfo, 4×4 Sahara Tours from Marrakech, Camel Treks from Marrakech, Morocco Travel, Tours to Morocco, Morocco Vacations, Morocco Holidays

Discover The Best of Morocco - Travel Exploration
Travel Exploration specializes in Morocco Travel. We provide Tours and travel opportunities to Morocco for the independent traveler and tailor-made tours for families and groups with a distinctly unique flavor. From Morocco’s Seven Imperial Cities, to the Magical Sahara Travel Exploration offers a captivating experience that will inspire you. At Travel Exploration we guarantee that you will discover the best of Morocco! Call Travel Exploration at 1 (800) 787-8806  or 1 (917)703-2078  and let’s book a tour to Morocco for you today.

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Sunday, November 15th, 2009

Join Morocco Travel on Facebook

Become a Fan of Morocco Travel on Facebook. Morocco Travel is Travel Exploration Morocco’s Facebook page where Moroccan fans can discover and share the “Best of Morocco” through stories and photographs. The Morocco Travel Facebook page enables you to engage with other Moroccan Travelers and share your stories and experiences of Morocco. You can even book a tour with Travel Exploration Morocco or email us a question at alecia@travel-exploration.com
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Travel Exploration Morocco’s tourism division is dedicated to tailor-made tours for single women traveling alone to Morocco, students, couples, as well as group and private travel to Morocco. Travel Exploration Morocco donates 5% of its proceeds to SAVE A VILLAGE, an organization that supports water irrigation and provides food to families in Berber villages of Southern Morocco.
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For more information about Travel and Tours to Morocco plus highlights on Moroccan culture visit Morocco’s Imperial CitiesSeaside ResortsSahara DesertBerber villagesA Taste of MoroccoMagical Kasbahs, Ruins & Waterfalls, Absolute Morocco, The Best of MarrakechFes, and Ouarzazate.
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Discover The Best of Morocco - Travel Exploration
Travel Exploration specializes in Morocco Travel. We provide Tours and travel opportunities to Morocco for the independent traveler and tailor-made tours for families and groups with a distinctly unique flavor. From Morocco’s Seven Imperial Cities, to the Magical Sahara Travel Exploration offers a captivating experience that will inspire you. At Travel Exploration we guarantee that you will discover the best of Morocco! Call Travel Exploration at 1 (800) 787-8806  or 1 (917)703-2078  and let’s book a tour to Morocco for you today.

Morocco Travel Update: King Mohammed VI Travels to Ouarzazate & US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton Travels to Marrakech, Your Morocco Travel Guide

Tuesday, November 3rd, 2009

Morocco Travel Update: King Mohammed VI Travels to Ouarzazate & US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton Travels to Marrakech, Your Morocco Travel Guide

Morocco Travel News, King Mohammed VI of Morocco visited the Ouarzazate region today, passing through the main street, Rue Mohammed VI. The King was in the Saharian town of Errachidia prior to his arrival in Ouarzazate. King Mohammed VI of Morocco’s final destination for the day was his villa in The Royal Golf, juxtaposed near Lake El Mansour.

King-Mohammed-VI-Morocco

The Royal Golf borders Lake El Mansour, a lush, beautiful area just 20 kilometers outside Ouarzazate. Lake El Mansour is worth a visit on any Moroccan travelers vacation to the Ouarzazate region. There is a luxurious Moroccan modern Kasbah Hotel called the Royal Golf Sultana, owned by a lovely French couple (Veronique and her husband) who built this magnificent, palatial modern Kasbah overlooking Lake El Mansour. The Royal Golf Sultana is worth a one or two night stay during an Ouarzazate tour and an ideal place to relax.

Riad-Golf-Sultana

When traveling to the Ouarzazate region of Lake El Mansour one can feel like he/she is in Lugano on the Swiss, Italian border. Home to Ait Benhaddou Kasbah – a UNESCO World Heritage site, the Dades Valley, the Todra Gorge (Gorge of Todra), the Valley of Roses, the Skoura Palmary, and the Draa Valley by far any Moroccan traveler can discern that the Ouarzazate region offers many unlimited Morocco travel opportunities.

Kasbah-Ruins-Ait-Benhaddou-Morocco

This day in also marked another set of Moroccan travel news. America and Morocco continue their celebration in good historical relations with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s arrival in Marrakech, Morocco. Hillary Clinton’s visit to Marrakech, Morocco makes this visit to the Maghreb the final leg of her twelve-day North African peace effort tour. Hillary Clinton’s visit to Morocco is part of a diplomatic mission to relaunch the stalled Middle East peace process. Clinton’s visit to Marrakech includes a visit on both Monday and Tuesday with her Arab counterparts attending the sixth Forum for the Future, jointly organized by Morocco and Italy. Clinton travelled to Morocco on Sunday after talks in the Middle East with Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The United States is pushing hard for both sides to resume peace negotiations, which were suspended after the Israeli offensive against Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip in December 2008. The Middle East situation and furthering dialogue between the West and the Islamic world will be the two main themes at a dinner Forum on Monday evening. The Forum for the Future is a joint initiative between the Group of Eight industrial powers and some 20 countries in the Middle East and North Africa, along with the European Commission and the Arab League.

Ouarzazate-Day-Of King-Mohammed-VI-Arrival

Hillary Clinton and her daughter, Chelsea visited the Sahara region in March 2009 for weekend camel-riding trip in the Sahara desert.The legend of Hillary Clinton in Morocco is a long one and according to African Travel Magazine, Hillary Clinton’s family heritage is from Morocco.African Travel Magazine states, Hillary’s grandfather, a Moroccan Jew living in Rissani, married an American woman, and then immigrated to the U.S.A.”  According to the correspondent “Hillary Clinton visited her grandfather’s home in Rissani and along with Morocco’s King’s sister Lalla Myriem visited the Mausoleum of Moulay Ali Chérif – forbidden to non-Muslims.” “At the same time during this trip Hillary Clinton, she also visited her sister’s daughter who is married to a Berber tourist guide and lives in the Atlas Mountains.”

Camel-Trekking-in-Merzouga

Morocco and the United States have a long history of friendly relations. As a North African nation Morocco was one of the first states to seek diplomatic relations with America. In 1777, Sultan Sidi Muhammad Ben Abdullah, considered one of the most progressive of the Barbary leaders who ruled Morocco from 1757 to 1790, announced his desire for friendship with the United States. The Sultan’s overture was part of a new policy he was implementing as a result of his recognition of the need to establish peaceful relations with the Christian powers and his desire to establish trade as a basic source of revenue. Faced with serious economic and political difficulties, he was searching for a new method of governing which required changes in his economy. Instead of relying on a professional army to collect taxes and enforce his authority, he wanted to establish state-controlled maritime trade as a more reliable, and regular source of income, which would free him from dependency on the services of the standing army. The opening of his ports to the United States of America and other states was part of that new policy. The Sultan issued a declaration on December 20, 1777, announcing that all vessels sailing under the American flag could freely enter Moroccan ports. By issuing this declaration, Morocco became one of the first states to acknowledge publicly the independence of the American Republic.

King-Mohammed-V- Morocco

King Hassan II of Morocco, the father of King Mohammed VI has been considered by thousands of Israelis as “their” king. Many Moroccan Jews fled whom consider the king to be a direct descendent of the Muslim prophet Mohammad. 

 Hassan took power in 1961 after the death of his father, Mohammed V. When Hassan ascended to the throne, he was an unknown quantity with a reputation as a playboy. But ruling with a deft mixture of pro-Western democracy and traditional autocracy, he earned the respect of his people. He also survived several coup attempts.

Mohammed V was widely credited with having saved Morocco’s Jews from deportation during World War II, and Hassan continued the philo-Semitic policies of his father. Although there was an outbreak of anti-Jewish incidents following the establishment of the state of Israel in 1948, the Jewish community was generally safe under the protection of both Mohammed V and Hassan II.

For more information about Morocco Travel to Ouarzazate

For more information about Travel and Tours to Morocco plus highlights on Moroccan culture visit Morocco’s Imperial CitiesSeaside ResortsSahara DesertBerber villagesA Taste of MoroccoMagical Kasbahs, Ruins & Waterfalls, Absolute Morocco, The Best of MarrakechFes, and Ouarzazate.

Morocco Travel Update, King Mohammed VI, Mohammed VI Travels to Ouarzazate, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton Travels to Marrakech, Morocco, Ouarzazate Travel Opportunities, Lake El Mansour, Royal Golf Sultana, Ait Benhaddou Kasbah, Dades Valley, Draa Valley, Valley of Roses, Skoura Palmary, Todra Gorge, Morocco Travel, Tours to Morocco, Morocco Vacations, Morocco Holidays

Discover The Best of Morocco - Travel Exploration

Travel Exploration specializes in Morocco Travel. We provide Tours and travel opportunities to Morocco for the independent traveler and tailor-made tours for families and groups with a distinctly unique flavor. From Morocco’s Seven Imperial Cities, to the Magical Sahara Travel Exploration offers a captivating experience that will inspire you. At Travel Exploration we guarantee that you will discover the best of Morocco! Call Travel Exploration at 1 (800) 787-8806  or 1 (917)703-2078  and let’s book a tour to Morocco for you today

Essaouria Morocco Travel Excursion, The Ideal Tour of Essaouira A Seaside Resort, Private Tours from Marrakech, Your Morocco Travel Guide

Sunday, November 1st, 2009

Essaouria Morocco Travel Excursion- The Ideal Tour of Essaouria’s Seaside Resort, Private Tours From Marrakech – Your Morocco Travel Guide

Essaouria Morocco is the ideal tour for a one-day excursion from Marrakech or one of the best short breaks for a two-day Marrakech excursion. For Moroccan Travelers who want to take a rest from busy Marrakech, Essaouria is the perfect place to rendezvous and enjoy an Essaouria historical tour, dine on fish by the sea and visit the old Portuguese Ramparts.

Gates-Bab-Entrance-Essaouria

Essaouria, formerly known as Mogador is located on the Western Atlantic coast of Morocco. The Director and actor Orson Welles stayed at the Hotel des Iles just south of Essaouria in the 1950’s during the time he filmed the classic version of “Othello.”

“Othello” is a film worth watching before your Essaouria tour as there is several scenes in “Othello” that were shot in Essaouira’s old labyrinthine medina. During Orson Welles stay in Essaouria he met Winston Churchill who was apparently another guest at Hotel des Iles. Winston Churchill was also a guest at the La Mamounia Hotel & Palace in Marrakech. In fact today, there is still a Winston Churchill dedicated room at La Mamounia that Moroccan travelers can visit on a one-day tour to Marrakech.

Orson-Welles

Essaouira is a city of culture and boasts many small art galleries in addition to Moroccan woodworking shops and metalsmiths. Since 1998, the Gnaoua Festival of World Music has been held annually in Essaouira. The Gnaoua Festival of World music typically takes place the last week of each June. While the Gnaoua Festival of World music has a main focus of World music it also includes rock, jazz, regga and world music.  Referred to as the the “Moroccan Woodstock” Essaouria’s Gnaoua Festival lasts four days and attracts an audience of over 500,000 people to its seaside resort each year.

Gnaoua-Musician-Festival-Essaouria

Travel Exploration’s Essaouria Morocco Travel Itinerary

The Essaouria Ideal Tour Itinerary for a one-day excursion from Marrakech:

►Depart from your hotel in Marrakech. Travel to Morocco’s seaside resort, Essaorira for the day.

► Visit this eighteenth-century seaside medieval town that boasts lovely whitewashed and blue-shuttered houses, colonnades, thuya wood workshops, art galleries and mouthwatering seafood.

►Once called Mogador by European sailors and traders; Essaouria is known for its annual Gnaoua Music Festival that attracts 300,000+ people in June and its expansive beach for surfing called Plage de Safi.

►A stroll along the town’s sunlit pedestrian main square, Place Prince Moulay el Hassan and the Skala du Port, the fishing harbor offers breathtaking views of the Portuguese ramparts. Explore the ramparts and the spice and jewelry souks.

Portuguese-Ramparts-on-Water-Essaouira

►Have lunch at the fish-grill cafes, with wooden tables and benches laid out overlooking the sea that was once- in the nineteenth century- the only Moroccan port traveled to south of Tangier.

►After lunch visit Orson Welles’ Square and memorial, designed by Samir Mustapha, one of the towns artists, which pays homage to Orson Welles filming of Othello in Essouaria.

►Essaouira, is a city that reminds us of the times when Spain, Portugal and England fought to maintain control over its coasts. It is a typically Portuguese harbor with beautiful architecture as an example of Moorish and Portuguese arts. Essaouira is known for its artists who work on thuja, its silver market, the art gallery and the harbor.

Essaouira-Fishing-Boats

►End your day with a short walk on the beach and then return to Marrakech.

For those Moroccan Travelers who wish to stay extend their Essaouria Tour for another day or two, spend the night at one of Essaouria’s beautiful Riads with views of the sea or at Ryad Mogador, a famous hotel just outside the ramparts. For more information about an extended stay, ask your Morocco Travel Guide.

Morocco Travel Recommendations From Travel Exploration – Ideal Tour One-day Excursions From Marrakech:

  1. Ourika Valley Tour
  2. Ouzoud Waterfalls Tour
  3. Agadir Tour
  4. Safi Tour
  5. High Atlas Tichka Tour
  6. High Atlas Toukbal Tour

For more information about an Essaouria Tour or Essaouira Excursion

For more information about Travel and Tours to Morocco plus highlights on Moroccan culture visit Morocco’s Imperial Cities, Resorts, Sahara, Berber villagesA Taste of MoroccoMagical Kasbahs, Ruins & Waterfalls, Absolute Morocco, The Best of MarrakechFes, and Ouarzazate.

Essaouria Morocco Travel, Essaouria Travel Excursion, Ideal Tour Essaouria, Essaouira One Day Tour, Essaouira Excursion, Essaouria Tour, Essaouria 4×4 Tours, Essaouria Morocco, Morocco Travel, Tours to Morocco, Morocco Vacations, Morocco Holidays

Discover The Best of Morocco - Travel Exploration

Travel Exploration specializes in Morocco Travel. We provide Tours and travel opportunities to Morocco for the independent traveler and tailor-made tours for families and groups with a distinctly unique flavor. From Morocco’s Seven Imperial Cities, to the Magical Sahara Travel Exploration offers a captivating experience that will inspire you. At Travel Exploration we guarantee that you will discover the best of Morocco! Call Travel Exploration at 1 (800) 787-8806  or 1 (917)703-2078  and let’s book a tour to Morocco for you today


Fes Morocco Travel Package, Haute Cuisine of Fes & Old City Discovery, Your Morocco Travel Guide

Friday, October 30th, 2009

Fes Morocco Travel Package, Haute Cuisine of Fes & Old City Discovery – Your Morocco Travel Guide

Fes is the perfect place for a Morocco Travel Vacation or a short break. Fes is a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of Morocco’s most traveled Imperial cities. Moroccan travelers visit Fes to discover Fassis heritage historical treasures and haute cuisine. The Guinness Book of World Records considers the University of Al-Karaouine Fes, Morocco the oldest continuously operating degree-granting university in the world.

Fes -Traditional-Food-Spread

The city of Fes‘ cuisine offers rich and distinct flavors of traditional dishes such as Moroccan tagines, couscous, Pastilla (Moroccan Pigeon Pie), an mélange of carrot, eggplant and olive salads and the famous Moroccan soup called harira. Moroccan travelers who are looking discovering the culture of Fes should consider a Culinary Tour or ask Travel Exploration Morocco to arrange for a cooking lesson with a Riad and private chefs. Moroccan cuisine in Fes is prepared with a variety of herbs and spices that are grown locally within the region.

Fes-Women-Preparing-Pastilla

There are some dishes that are distinct to Fes. Traditionally combining a sweet flavor with a rich bitter bite. Dishes like mint and melon salad, choukchouka salad, zaalouk salad, feta, tagine, lemons, vegetable tagine, or a chilled radish, orange and fennel salad are often prepared into large courses. And of course, topped of with some Moroccan mint tea.

Fès is the fourth largest city in Morocco and also known as one of its most ancient Imperial Cities. Fes is separated into three parts, Fès el Bali (the old, walled city), Fès -Jdid (new Fes, home of the Mellah), and the Ville Nouvelle (the French-created, newest section of Fes. The Medina of Fès el Bali is believed to be the largest contiguous car-free urban area in the world.

Fes-Monument

For an up close Morocco Travel experience consider a Fes Tour or going to Morocco for a Fes UNESCO World Heritage Site Tour.

This award winning “Discover Fes” Morocco historical tour guarantees a (Book a Tour or call  (800) 787-8806 spectacular Moroccan holiday.

DISCOVER FES MOROCCO – TRAVEL FOR 8 DAYS: MOROCCO HOLIDAY ITINERARY

DAY 1: CASABLANCA

►Arrive, settle in at your Casablanca hotel and rest for a few hours.

►Start your morning off with coffee and baguettes at one of the cafes at Parc de La Ligue Arabe, a huge garden with avenues lined with tall palm trees, ficus, arcades, pergolas and flowerbeds. Moving north, work your way up to the old medina as you move through Place Mohammed V and the Place des Nations Uniones, the main focal points of Ville Nouvelle, Casa’s new town. See French architecture complemented with Moorish design in Place Mohammed V, the protectorate square.

►Next enter Place des Nationes Unies. Now lined with impressive 1930’s apartments, shops and restaurants, the square was no more than an entertaining market place at the beginning of the 20th century.

►Make sure you have a camera in hand to take pictures of the famous clock tower, art deco hotels, the eleven stories Moretti apartment block and the high rise art deco buildings covered with loggias, columns, zellij tiles and geometric carvings on Boulevard Mohammed V.

►Visit the famous residential blocks: the Glaoui, the Bessonneau and the Asayag. The Boulevard links Place des Nationes with the railway station and is the gateway to the central market. Continue a short way to the Avenue des Forces Royal, a commercial area that leads into the old medina. With the help of your guide, move easily through the labyrinth of narrow streets lined with jewelers, barbers and artisans. See the squala, a fortified 18th century bastion. Visit the nearby shrine containing the tomb of Sidi Allal el-Kairouant, Casa’s first patron saint.

►Enjoy lunch at one of the international restaurants by Casa’s port, the Corniche.

►After lunch visit the Mosque of Hassan II. Casablanca is home to the Hassan II Mosque, designed by the French architect  Michael Pinseau . It is situated on a promontory looking out to the Atlantic, which can be seen through a gigantic glass floor with room for 25,000 worshippers.

►A further 80,000 can be accommodated in the mosque’s courtyard. Its minaret  is the world’s tallest at 210 meters. Casablanca’s Hassan II mosque building process began in 1980 and, was intended to be completed for the 60th birthday of the former  Moroccan King , Hassan II, in 1989. However, the building was not inaugurated until 1993. Authorities spent an estimated $800 million in the construction of the building. It is an enormous architectural masterpiece and the second largest religious building in the world. Tour its famous minaret, dome, royal doors made of marble. On Fridays, the Mosque of Hassan II is open to non-Muslims.

The Mosque of Hassan II’s promontory offers lovely views overlooking Casa in the residential Afna quarter. After touring the Mosque, head over to the New Town of Casablanca also designed by the French architect  Henri Prost for an hour of shopping.

► End the day with a visit to The Parc de la Ligue Arabe (formally called Lyautey) which is the city’s largest public park. On its edge is situated the Cathedrale du Sacre Coeur, which is disused, but is a splendid example of  Mauresque architecture.

►Dinner at Rick’s Café, infamously known from the film, “Casablanca”

DAY 2: CASSABLANCA – FES

►Rise early, have breakfast in the Novelle of Casablanca and the take the road to Fès and arrive in the evening. Arrive in Fès in and settle in at your hotel.

►Enjoy dinner at your hotel or Le Maison Bleu, one of the most elegant Fassis restaurants with traditional music, and then prepare for next days tour.

►Spend the night in Fes at a traditional Moroccan Riad such as Palais Jamai or a Riad that is more intimate such as Ryad Myra.

Hotel-Palais-Jamai-Fes

DAY 3: FES – MOROCCO’S HISTORIC LANDMARKS – MUSEUMS – MOSQUES

►After breakfast of Semolina bread, fruit, coffee and fresh squeezed orange juice; your day will begin at the Merenid Tombs of Fès.

►Standing among olive trees and blue agaves, the sixteenth century elegant ruins of marble and epitaphs face a breathtaking view of the Fès. Take a picture then continue along the old curtain wall of the medina and make a stop at the Musée des Armes, a fortress that once protected Fès.

►Next, enter the Fès el- Bali through the symmetrical horse shoe arches at Bab Boujeloud (The Blue Gate). Fès -el Bali, best characterized as a sea of rooftops embellished with minarets and domes, is too narrow for cars. Aside from walking, donkeys and mules are still the best way to travel within the cities old walls.

Fes-Bab-Boujloud-Gate

►Upon entering Rue Talaa Kebira, the main street in the medina, you will see lines of shops covered by canopies. Make your way to the Karaouiyine Mosque. Located in the Karaouiyine quarter, the Mosque is one of the oldest in the world and functioned as the first university in Morocco.

► After your visit, continue along the streets which will lead you to some of Fes’ most important buildings including Dar el- Magana, a fourteenth century water clock and Zaouia el Tijaniya, containing the tomb of Ahmed el Tijani, who spread his infamous doctrine Tariqq el- Tijaniya (The Way) throughout Morocco.

►We will visit the Ech Cherabliyine Mosque (Mosque of the Slipper makers) then browse the surrounding lines of souks selling henna, slippers, caftans, silks, jewelry and spices crowded around the kissaria. Next visit the UNESCO recognized site, Fondouk el- Najjarine. Within the foundouk’s three floors is the Musée de Bois, which displays carved doors from the Bou Inania Medersa.

►For lunch we will eat within the medina at one of the fine Moroccan palace-restaurants that serves an extravaganza of mezas (small plates of food) common among Fassis tradition. The mezas that are often brought to your table prior to the large mid-day meal will be several of these: Choukchouka salad, Zaalouk salad, Carrots with Cumin Seed, raisin and orange salad, Cold radish, orange, and Fennel Salad. The mezas are traditionally followed by the main meal, which will include the option of, a: Lamb, Prune, and Date Tagine, a Chicken Tagine with Olives and Preserved Lemons or a Vegetable Tagine. For desert you will be served with fruit/ or local Moroccan pastries along with Mint Tea.

Fasis-Traditional-Family-Painting

►After lunch we will visit the Musée Dar el- Batha to view the great collection of pottery, leather-work, wood, books and manuscripts from the nineteenth century.

► Next, enter Bab el Ftouh, the “Gateway of the Aperture” to explore the Andalusian quarter, a residential part of the medina laced with monuments. Experience the El- Sahrij Medersa and the Mausoleum of Sidi Bou Ghaleb. Our last part of the tour will take you into the Fès el Jedid, a Kasbah that functioned as Morocco’s administrative center until 1912. Explore the royal palace and many interesting quarters including the Moulay Abdalllah Quarter, the Mellah (Jewish Quarter) and a little farther down south lays Ville Nouvelle (The New Quarter).

Within the medina, we will the following historical sites:

Medersa Bou Inania: An (Islamic school) founded by Abu Inan Faris that is highly decorated from floor to ceiling. The medersa is one of the few religious places in Morocco that is accessible to non-Islamic tourists.

Kairaouine Mosque: Morocco’s second largest mosque was built by Fatima in 857. The Kairaouine Mosque became the home of the West’s first university and the world’s foremost center of learning at the beginning of the second millennium.

University of Al-Karaouine: Founded in 859, this university is one of the leading spiritual and educational centers of the Muslim world and is considered the oldest continuously operating institution of higher learning in the world.

Medersa el Attarin: A (Koranic school) that was named for local spice merchants known as attar. Founded by Sultan Abou Saïd in the 14th century as a students’ dormitory, it is attached to the Kairaouine Mosque.

Zaouia Moulay Idriss II: A zaouia (shrine) dedicated to and the tomb of Moulay Idriss II, who ruled Morocco from 807 to 828 and founded the city of Fès for the second time in 810.

Dar Batha: A Hispano-Moorish palace dating from the end of the 19th century that houses admirable collections of traditional art from Fès.

►Spend the night in Fes at a traditional Moroccan Riad.

Fes-Man-In-Old-Medina-Brass-Working

DAY 4:   FES – MOROCCO’S  TOUR OF SOUKS – MARKETS

►After breakfast you will begin your guided tour of the souks and handicraft traditions in the medina, El Fès Bali, one of the world’s largest walled in cities.

►Every souk is reflected in the value of the items sold. The makers and sellers are grouped together according to the products that they offer and every type of craft has its own street or part of the street which is centered around the kissaria, near the Zaouia of Moulay Idriss. The layout of the souk is a complex network of streets selling luxury goods like fine silks and brocades, high quality kaftans and jewelry. There are also souks like the El-Attarine Souk selling spices, a slipper souk and a henna souk, which is set in a shaded area planted with arbuses.

We will visit the following places:

Weavers Cooperative: We will also visit the Weavers Cooperative located in a residential neighborhood off a main shopping street. The workshop specializes in weaving the finest jellaba fabric, made of silk and wool threads imported from Italy. The shop also makes a quality jellaba fabric from locally spun, textured wool thread called hubba -sometimes referred to as couscous, because it’s nubby texture resembles Morocco’s national semolina dish of the same name.

Berber Carpet Demonstration: The Famous Exhibition of Antique and Modern Carpets is one of the places in Fès el Bali where you can see a Berber carpet demonstration. You will be offered mint tea and follow your guide up a coil of stairs to a small area to watch carpets being made by young girls who come from the mountains to show tourists how Berber carpets are made.

Tanneries: The Chourara or the Tanner’s Quarters is the most lively and picturesque souks in Fès. The Tanneries are often located near watercourses like the Wadi Fès and at a distance from residential areas due to the strongly unpleasant smells they produce.

Dyers Market: The dyers market, located along Rue de Teinturies, is the best place to see the dying vats which have been used for centuries to soak the skins of sheep, goat, cows and camels after they have their hair and flesh removed is best seen from the neighboring terraces. You will see many tanned hides colored with natural pigments ranging from shades of brown, black, turquoise fuchsia, yellow and orange.

Potter’s Cooperative: You will also visit the Potter’s Cooperative. Also known as Place el-Seffarine, this kisseria is the most important center for the production Fasiss style ceramics, brass-ware and silverware in Morocco.

►Spend the night in Fes at a traditional Moroccan Riad.

DAY 5: FES –  VILLE NOUVELLE – NEW CITY

►After a breakfast of Moroccan sweet breads, fresh fruits and hot coffee drive to Ville Nouvelle, the new town dating from the French Protectorate that lies south of Fès el Bali.

►Originally the shopping center was designed to accommodate westerners living in Morocco; however, today it is considered to be a modern Moroccan city. There are five mosques within Ville Nouvelle that were built after Morocco became independent in 1956. Take a tour of the mosques and admire the attractive architecture and the buildings.

►Have lunch in one of the out door cafes in Ville Nouvelle then explore the shops in the new town. Ville Nouvelle has well stocked shops filled with Moroccan crafts and foods from all over Morocco plus European clothing styles. The square is especially known for having some of the best tailors in Morocco. On Lalla Miriem you can find handmade caftans, jallabas and gandouras of which you can have custom made for you or visit the local cooperative where all items have a fixed price.

►Dinner in the old Fes medina. Spend the night in Fes.

(Book a Tour or call  (800) 787-8806)

DAY 6:  FES –  VOLUBULIS/ WALILI –  MOULAY IDRISS

►After a traditional Moroccan breakfast travel on a two-hour excursion outside of Fès to explore the breathtaking archaeological site of Volubilis (Walili).

►Once occupied by the Romans, Volubilis has been recognized by UNESCO as a world heritage site and gained international acclaim when Martin Scorsese made it a feature location for his film, The Last Temptation of Christ.

►Begin your visit by discovering the fascinating Roman ruins adorned with beautiful mosaics and colorful tiles depicting Roman mythology. The ruins are spread out across several acres and what remain visible are several fragments of wall, parts of massive columns, the capitol, the basilica and a triumphal arch.

►You can view how the Roman Empire transformed the original Carthaginian settlement into a typical Roman city complete with mansions, a town center, a triumphal arc and temples devoted to the Roman gods. Volubilis once functioned as a final stop of the Roman imperial roads that went across France, Spain, down Morocco’s northern city of Tangier and eventually into Volubilis.

►Enjoy light fare for lunch at the small café that sits just below the Volubilis ruins.

►On the way back to Fes your driver will take you through the city of Moulay Idriss. You can stand on one of the twin hills of Moulay Idriss. From there you see a panoramic view and appreciate the green plateau upon which Volubilis is situated. The horizon is dominated by the triumphant aqueduct and from there you can see how the FertessaRiver, runs on one side of Volubilis, adding charm to the Roman ruins. Lunch on tajines and couscous and complement your meal with a glass of rose or red wine produced within the region.

►Every Muslim is supposed to make a journey to Haj at least once in their lifetime but five visits to Moulay Idriss equal one trip to Mecca. Explore the sacred town filled with defensive walls, a monumental gate, koranic schools, fountains and a new dome for the mausoleum. While the Tomb of Moulay Idriss is closed to non-Muslims, from the terrace near the Mosque of Sidi Abdallah el Hajjam, you can see breathtaking views of the town and the mausoleum. Before heading back to Fès sip coffee or mint tea on a terrace overlooking the rocky Middle Atlas Mountains.

►Spend the night in Fes at a traditional Moroccan Riad.

DAY 7:  FES – MEKNES

►After a breakfast of fresh fruits, jams, bread and mint tea, begin your tour of Meknes at Bab Mansour. We will take the road from Fès to Meknès.

►Often referred to as the Versailles of Morocco, Meknès is located between the fertile plain of Rharb and the Middle Atlas. The historical importance of Meknes is reflected in its grand Moorish buildings and in Meknes’ close relationship with Volubilis, a nearby city known as the most important archeological site in Morocco.

►Meknes rose to imperial status when Moulay Ismail began a building program to bring prestige to Meknes. Today, Meknès is the fifth largest city in Morocco and has a dynamic economic center that thrives on olives, wine and mint tea. The city’s unity of style lends it undeniable charm, enhanced still further by the beauty of the surrounding countryside. Come to Meknès and appreciate its beautiful gates, ramparts, mosques and palaces.

►Browse Rue de Souks, a street filled with hardware merchants (akarir), corn chandlers (bezzazine) and metalsmiths (haddadin). Also of interest may be a trip to the En-Nejjarine Mosque, a 12th century Almohad built structure. Before moving on to see the square towers and zellij tilework of the Bab el-Berdaïne gateway, catch the action of Ed-Dlala Kissaria. Every day in the Berber souk an auction takes place to sell carpets, blankets and other works made by the mountain dwellers.

►Lunch in the heart of the medina at Zitouna, a charming restaurant serving traditional Moroccan cuisine.  After lunch continue the tour of Meknès in a Travel Exploration air-conditioned/heated 4×4.  Explore Dar el-Kebira, a fortified quarter that is known as the imperial city. Dar el-Keibra is four times as large as the medina and has wide avenues and squares that are protected by a double line of walls and angled gates.

►Visit the palaces and mosques located within the heart of Ksar Dar el-Kebira, the heart of the Imperial city. Dar el-Keibra is also visited for the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail. Featuring a suite of three rooms, twelve columns and a sanctuary hosting the tyrannical sultan, the tombs are reminiscent of the Saadian Tombs in Marrakesh.

►Return to Fes. Dinner at Le Palais D’Medina. Spend the night in Fes at a traditional Moroccan Riad.

DAY 8:  FES – CASABLANCA

►Rise, have breakfast and departure from Fes. This ends your Morocco Travel experience.

Travel Exploration specializes in Morocco Travel. We provide Tours and travel opportunities to Morocco for the independent traveler and tailor-made tours for families and groups with a distinctly unique flavor. From Morocco’s Seven Imperial Cities, to the Magical Sahara Travel Exploration offers a captivating experience that will inspire you. At Travel Exploration we guarantee that you will discover the best of Morocco! Call Travel Exploration at 1 (800) 787-8806  or 1 (917)703-2078 and let’s book a tour to Morocco for you today

For more information about Morocco Travel to Fes

For more information about Travel and Tours to Morocco plus highlights on Moroccan culture visit Morocco’s Imperial CitiesSeaside Resorts,Sahara DesertBerber villagesA Taste of MoroccoMagical Kasbahs, Ruins & Waterfalls, Absolute Morocco, The Best of MarrakechFes, and Ouarzazate.

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Discover The Best of Morocco - Travel Exploration

Travel Exploration specializes in Morocco Travel. We provide Tours and travel opportunities to Morocco for the independent traveler and tailor-made tours for families and groups with a distinctly unique flavor. From Morocco’s Seven Imperial Cities, to the Magical Sahara Travel Exploration offers a captivating experience that will inspire you. At Travel Exploration we guarantee that you will discover the best of Morocco! Google on call Travel Exploration

Marrakech Travel Excursion: One Day Ourika Valley Tour, Your Morocco Travel Guide

Wednesday, October 28th, 2009

Marrakech Travel Excursion: One Day Ourika Valley Tour – Your Morocco Travel Guide

A Marrakech Travel Excursion to the Ourika Valley for a one day Ourika Tour is a seemingly relaxing way to spend time outside the hustle and bustle of Marrakech. Marrakech is Morocco’s capital of tourism and one of the most exciting Imperial cities to explore within Morocco. Even so, everyone who visits Marrakech for more then a few days may want to consider a Marrakech Travel Excursion to a slower placed seaside port or Moroccan nature tour where you can hire a driver whisk you a way for the day and return you that evening to the red hamra city of Marrakech.

Ourika-Valley- Landscape

Take a day off from the city heat to travel southeast of Marrakech, Morocco and visit the Ourika Valley. The Ourika Valley has a small souk located near a picturesque spiritual Zaouia every Monday. Ourika also boasts local crafts and Berber carpet shopping options with prices that are much less then expensive Marrakech. Let your Travel Exploration Morocco driver lead the way to local shopping options or stay true to the trip and focus on Ourika’s natural surroundings.

Ourika-Valley-Berber-Carpet

The road to Ourika is filled with gardens, palm tree plantations and fruit trees and you will find tiny hamlets, summer homes plus cafes and restaurants. During your one day Ourika Valley Tour you can have a quiet picnic lunch near the Ourika River or in a local Moroccan traditional restaurant with a local Ourika cooking. Options are a Moroccan tajine, couscous, salads and much more.

Ourika-Ouirgane-Valley

After having lunch during a visit to the Ourika Valley one of the best places to continue your journey is to visit Setti Fatma, just a few kilometers from the heart of Ourika which has beautiful streams and waterfalls. Your hiking guide will take you to explore Setti Fatma’s valley’s green terraces, surrounded by Atlas peaks, rocky village foothills and seven waterfalls.

Travel Exploration Morocco offers several Marrakech travel excursions and one-day tours for Moroccan travelers. Here are the Best Marrakech Travel Excursions and one-day tours that we offer:

Safi-By-The-Sea-Ramparts

1. Ourika Valley Tour – A Morocco Travel Excursion to Ourika Berber Villages, have lunch and see the Setti Fatima Waterfalls and return to Marrakech.

2. Ouzoud Waterfalls Tour – A Morocco Travel Excursion to the Cascades D’Ouzoud Falls, lunch above the falls or within a Berber tent aside the falls, fresh squeezed orange juice made by locals, a hike around the falls, a swim in the freezing cold and refresh Ouzoud Waterfalls and visit the Berber Village that resides just above the majestic Ouzoud. Then return to Marrakech.

3. Essaouira Tour – A Morocco Travel Excursion to this sea side medieval town that boasts lovely white-washed and blue-shuttered houses, colonnades, thuya wood workshops, art galleries and mouthwatering seafood. Enjoy the day walking by the port and visiting Orson Wells Square. Relax by the Atlantic. Then return to Marrakech.

4. Agadir Tour – A Morocco Travel Excursion to the Agadir Port, a short visit to the Valley of Birds if time allows and a nice long lunch of freshly caught Moroccan seafood. Make sure to keep a lookout for the Argan goats that climb the trees during the spring, summer and fall season to suckle off the Argan nuts which are then turned into Argan Oil, Argan Butter and used to make Argan cosmetics by Berber women. Then, return to Marrakech.

5. Safi Tour – A Morocco Travel Excursion to Safi, the pottery capital or Morocco, where guests can enjoy a variety of pottery traditions, shop, have lunch by the sea and visit some of the unique Moroccan artist galleries who showcase their pottery and paintings. This is a laid back one-day excursion with roadside views to the quiet and less traveled town of Safi, pronounced “Asfi” by Moroccans. Then, return to Marrakech.

Safi-Pottery-Man

6. High Atlas Tichka Tour – A Morocco Travel Excursion to the Sahara city of Ouarzazate, also referred to as the “Door to the Sahara Desert.” Travel Ouarzazate’s Ancient Kasbahs, Ait Benhaddou, a UNESCO World Heritage site and tour Ouarzazate’s Kasbah Taourirt. Your next stop on this Ouarzazate Travel Excursion is to the Atlas film studios where Cleopatra, Bertolucci’s Sheltering Sky, Scorsese’s Kundun, Gillies MacKannon’s Hideous Kinky, Ridley Scott’s Gladiator, Black Hawke Down, Oliver Stone’s Alexander The Great, Ridley Scott’s Kingdom of Heaven, and Penelope Cruz’s Sahara were all filmed. Then return to Marrakech.

Ait-Benhaddou-Kasbah-Ouarzazate

7. High Atlas Toukbal Tour – A Morocco Travel Excursion to the Berber Village of Imlil, stopping at the Argan Cooperative where you get a personal tasting and be able to watch Argan oil and Argan nut butter made by Berber woman while you are served fresh bread for dipping and Moroccan Mint tea. Have lunch in Imllil and then take a 2-hour hike up Mount Toukbal with a guide. Then return to Marrakech.

High-Atlas-Imlil-Village-Mount-Toukbal

For more information about Ourika Valley Travel Tours

For more information about Travel and Tours to Morocco plus highlights on Moroccan culture visit Morocco’s Imperial CitiesSeaside Resorts,Sahara DesertBerber villagesA Taste of MoroccoMagical Kasbahs, Ruins & Waterfalls, Absolute Morocco, The Best of MarrakechFes, and Ouarzazate.

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Discover The Best of Morocco - Travel Exploration

Travel Exploration specializes in Morocco Travel. We provide Tours and travel opportunities to Morocco for the independent traveler and tailor-made tours for families and groups with a distinctly unique flavor. From Morocco’s Seven Imperial Cities, to the Magical Sahara Travel Exploration offers a captivating experience that will inspire you. At Travel Exploration we guarantee that you will discover the best of Morocco! Call Travel Exploration at 1 (800) 787-8806  or 1 (917)703-2078  and let’s book a tour to Morocco for you today

Marrakech Travel Agency, An Evening At The Chez Ali Fantasia Show In The Marrakech Palmary, Your Morocco Travel Guide

Sunday, October 25th, 2009

Marrakech Travel Agency – An Evening At  The Chez Ali Fantasia Show in the Marrakech Palmary, Your Morocco Travel Guide.

One of the most exciting ways to spend an evening in Marrakech when touring with a Marrakech Travel Agency such as Travel Exploration is to attend the Chez Ali Fantasia Dinner Show at Al Kasbah in Marrakech’s Palmary.

Chez-Allez-Dinner-Show-Marrakech-Palmary-Man-With-Hat-On-Arabian-Horse

The Chez Ali Fantasia show at Al Kasbah is a Moroccan Travel equestrian spectacle and a must see for those who enjoy Moroccan Moroccan music and Moroccan food. In fact the Chez Ali Fantasia show is also attended by local Marrakeshi’s and Moroccans who come to Marrakech for vacation. Attending Chez Allez guarantees an Absolute Morocco experience.

Chez-Allez-Fantasia-Dinner-Show-Marrakech

The Chez Ali Fantasia show at Al Kasbah takes place on two sprawling acres in the heart of the Marrakech Palmary. The Marrakech Palmary is an enchanting spot where Moroccan palms are set alongside old and new villas and traditional Moroccan Riads. The vast gate of Al Kasbah’s Chez Ali Fantasia Show, The “Borj”, overlooks the Agora, a courtyard where the shows are performed. From Al Kasbah’s Berber setting, you can admire the palm grove, alongside the Atlas snow-capped mountains that embrace Al-Kasbah to provide a magical view.

Fantasia-Meknes

The Chez Ali Fantasia dinner show boasts a restaurant and dining experience that has been designed in a modular fashion and is equipped with individual fireplaces that let guests enjoy dinner in a warm and intimate atmosphere in the cooler seasons.

The Chez Ali Fantasia Show begins with Arab stallions that rush in a simulated charge at the end of which their expert riders shoot up in the air (“Baroud”) with their “Moukahla” rifles while they bring their horses to a spectacular quick stop. See and hear the bee dance from El Kelaa M’gouna, a village located in the Valley of Roses and Ahmed E Moussa warlike acrobats to the wistful chants of Haouz, Ahouaches, and Gnaouas and also the incredible high pitched singing style of the women from Imintanout.

Chez-Allez-Dinner-Show-Marrakech-Palmary-Moroccan-Singers

The Chez Ali fantasia is a warrior ceremony opposing various groups of horse riders, Each group quivers under light, and the riders point their long rifles to the sky, shout out simultaneously and leave behind them a cloud of dust, before spouting their “black baroud of honor.”

During dinner, made up chiefly of Moroccan harira, méchoui and couscous, you will have the opportunity to appreciate the Berber folkshow, the performanceof jugglers, the flying carpet, the belly dance and, last but not least, the fantasia show. This is a spectacular evening and event worth every moment for Moroccan Travelers.

Chez-Allez-Dinner-Show-Marrakech-Palmary-Man-on-Horse

For more information about the Marrakech Travel Agency, Chez Ali Dinner Show & Fantasia

For more information about Travel and Tours to Morocco plus highlights on Moroccan culture visit Morocco’s Imperial CitiesSeaside Resorts,Sahara DesertBerber villagesA Taste of MoroccoMagical Kasbahs, Ruins & Waterfalls, Absolute Morocco, The Best of MarrakechFes, and Ouarzazate.

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Discover The Best of Morocco - Travel Exploration

Travel Exploration specializes in Morocco Travel. We provide Tours and travel opportunities to Morocco for the independent traveler and tailor-made tours for families and groups with a distinctly unique flavor. From Morocco’s Seven Imperial Cities, to the Magical Sahara Travel Exploration offers a captivating experience that will inspire you. At Travel Exploration we guarantee that you will discover the best of Morocco! Google on call Travel Exploration at 1 (800) 787-8806  or 1 (917)703-2078  and let’s book a tour to Morocco for you today.