Winter Break in Morocco, Dec 20-29/ 2019
is now- a private tour- “Music and dance Morocco Tour”- Sold out!
with Aubre Hill- www.aubrehill.com
Artistic Director at Qabila Folkdance Company
10 days of Cultural, Musical and magical explorations.
We will travel Morocco to many cities, villages and ever changing geographic nature, explorations of Cultures, “museum of Life” and variety of tribal local music and Magic…
This is a cultural journey for music lovers and for the ones who’re interested in personal growth and gaining life enhancing tools while having a joyful experiences of a lifetime…
Itinerary
Day 01, Casablanca
We will be greet you at Casablanca airport and transfer to the hotel.
The ones who arrive early that day (or the day before) we’ll have a full day of explorations including Orientation tour of Casablanca while we visit the only Jewish museum in a Muslim country, architectural tour of the city, it may feature the downtown colonial area, walls of the medina (old city), a look at the impressive Hassan ll mosque, Visit services at a Jewish synagogue.
Short orientation, Dinner and Accommodations
Day 02, : Casablanca-Marrakech (150 miles,240km)
Following delicious breakfast, we’ll journey southward to Marrakech. This unique city is located where the desert and mountains meet. Known is the “Pearl of the South” or the Red City it was established in the 11th century by the Almoravide Dynasty. Later in the afternoon we’ll go on an introductory tour of monumental Marrakech featuring ramparts and gates, gardens and Jamaa el Fna square where we’ll enjoy a mint tea at the roofs of Café Argana overlooking the never ending entertainment of this square.
Usually the day will end with dinner and a musical evening at a local Family home and a group of Dekka Marrakchia or Tkitikat, Dakka Marrakchia is considered as a musical genre for male groups and is produced by polyrhythmic percussion and choral chants.
Lots of rhythms, trance, spiritual, funny and joyful…
Day 03 : Marrakech
We will devote our morning to the exploration of Marrakech’s many historical sites, including the Saadian Tombs, the Dar Si Said Museum, the Bahia Palace, and the city’s focal point: the 12th century Koutoubia Minaret. After lunch, we will have an opportunity to visit the souks, a plethora of alleyways with multicolored shops, and the Jamaa El Fna Square, where snake charmers, acrobats, and fortune-tellers put on a never-ending show. We will conclude the day with dinner and another evening of music with local Chaabi Band, Andalousi music at an amazing looking restaurant. (Unless we’ll visit a family home )
Day 04 : Marrakech – Ourika Valley (31miles, 50km)
The Ourika Valley spreads between the first foothills of the Atlas Mountains, extending along the Wadi River.We may visit a local Berber weekly market if it’s on that day. Despite it being so close to Marrakech, this beautiful green valley is one of the most pristine valleys in Morocco. The most beautiful and special place we’ll stay at has an herb garden where we’ll be served traditional mint tea by the local people. After lunch you will begin your afternoon with exploring the Ourika Valley-we’ll hike to visit a Berber Village and we’ll be hosted for tea at a local family home.
We’ll meet some of the kids of the village, please bring gifts to share.
We’ll have dinner at our home base, After dinner , An Ahouach of Ourika, local band will be visiting us to share the best of its local Berber music.
Oh, what a trance, we can dance, play, sing, scream….
Day 05, : Ourika Valley – Ouarzazat (155miles, 250km)
Departure to Ouarzazate Through the Tizi-N-Tichka pass , the beautiful Atlas mountains(2260m).We will discover a remarkable region characterized by the magnificence, beauty of its landscapes dominated by Berber villages and their farms.Before arrive Ouarzazate we may (I said may since manytimes we prefer to just swim in the pool…) view the kasbah Ait Benhadou (the world heritage site) and continue to Ouarzazate” The Hollywood of Africa” , conclude the day with dinner and other accommodations in the hotel.
Day 06: Ouarzazat – Erfoud – Merzouga dunes (217miles, 350km)
After breakfast we will continue the road through Dades Valley, set off towards Todra Gorges, lunch with local “Touareg” then Carry on the road to Merzouga in the Sahara desert across palm Trees and the town of Erfoud (where we may visit the workshop production of marble fossils) and then depart by 4×4 to ride the camels to spend the night in the heart of the Sahara. Dinner and overnight under a nomad tent under millions of stars…
** Note: You may have an option to stay in the beautiful hotel on the edge of the desert if you’d rather not ride camels to the Sahara.(Must request when registering)
The Sahara dunes are magnificent, the loudest silence I’ve ever heard… usually so many stars… last year it was a beautiful full moon…
Day 07 : Sahara, Merzouga dunes
After tea and early camel trek out of the dunes, We will have a breakfast and the free day to relax and enjoy the beautiful desert space, pool, massage….
After Dinner we’ll have one of the best Gnaoua music band, play , sing, dance, enjoy…
Day 08 : Sahara – Fez (190miles, 300km)
The journey today takes us through the small towns of Errachidia en route to Fez. Stop at Midelt for lunch. This area is classic Berber country, the people being semi-nomadic, owning homes but, spending a great deal of time following their flocks. This drive takes most of the day.(We’ll enjoy tea/coffee,bathrooms and lunch stops) we’ll arrive for dinner at our Royal Riad.
Day 09 : Fez
Undeniably fascinating, Fez stimulates the senses with its haunting yet beautiful sounds, visual splendor, and evocative smells. The most ancient of imperial capitals and the most complete medieval city of the Islamic world, Fez is reminiscent of a city suspended in time, unfazed by the constantly evolving world outsides its walls, owing nothing to the Western world save electricity. Time spent in Fez will reveal much about the sophistication of the Moroccan artisan, providing an unparalleled learning experience to those who cross its path. The morning will be spent visiting a local clay factory, beautiful products made the same way for hundreds of years, from earth to magnificent finished pieces… visit the worldly known Tanneries of Fes…break for lunch at a Moroccan restaurant and will continue to explore the Medina and shop…
Day 10 : Fez – Casablanca (229miles,370km)
End for an amazing, exhilarating,cultural, spiritual and joyful experience…
In the morning , We will travel to the Mohamed V Airport, Casablanca for your flight back home.
(In order to avoid driving as early as 4am, please book your flight for the afternoon)
*****
NOTE: You may want to book your return flight back from Fes.
• • • •
*9 nights’/10 days accommodation Half Board in Hotels (mostly 4*) and Riads,as indicated in the itinerary two meals daily.
*Land Transportation in a deluxe bus throughout the journey.
*4X4 and Camels in the Sahara Bivouac over the dunes
*Services of guides and escort.
*Music bands as indicated in Itinerary.
*Tickets to monuments and museums are not included.
*Tips are not included
*Itinerary may change without early notice.
*The pace, culture, values and timing in Morocco are very different than ours, please expect delays and changes already! We still can have great and deep exploration and much fun.
*I put together the itinerary according to my passion, what I liked & enjoyed the most. When joining my adventures you agree to release me (Dror Sinai) from any liability that may occur.
*Please make sure to purchase a travel insurance when you purchase your air ticket. (Must)
Itinerary may change.
Can’t wait for another mugical journey.
email to REGISTER & more info