OVERVIEW

 

Looking to spend New Year's eve under the beautiful stars of the Merzouga Dunes? Imagine gazing upon the first sparkling sunrise of the New Year as it dazzles over the world renowned Merzouga Dunes. Our unique journey will capture the dramatic contrasts of the kingdom. Morocco has long been home to people with a fine sense of beauty and hospitality. Blending the bold, tribal influences of the indigenous Berber people with the pan-Mediterranean influences of the Andalusian period, the country boasts richly exotic traditions in architecture, design, crafts, cuisine and music. Breathtaking scenery and abundant imprints left by ancient civilizations offer a fascinating outlook at the uniqueness of Morocco. This special New Year's program will highlight the extreme contrasts and splendor of the region. Your experience will be one you will treasure for a lifetime!

 

PROGRAM ITINERARY

 

DAY 01 : CASABLANCA / RABAT (60 Miles)

Arrival and greetings at Casablanca Mohamed V airport. After a warm welcome by your tour guide, we will start an orientation drive of the economic capital of Morocco. We will stop at the world famous Hassan II Mosque and visit the interior of this Great Mosque. On our way to lunch, we will drive through the Place Mohammed V, the United Nations Square, and the surroundings of the Royal Palace before strolling along the Ain Diab corniche. Lunch will take place at La Fibule restaurant, a charming seafood restaurant overlooking the Atlantic ocean. After our lunch, we will depart to Rabat, the administrative capital of Morocco. Upon arrival, we will enjoy a brief sightseeing of Rabat featuring the splendid Mohamed V Mausoleum, the Hassan Tower and Place des Oudayas. Dinner and overnight stay at the Riad. (L,D)

 

DAY 02 : RABAT / MEKNES / FES (150 Miles)

Following breakfast, depart for the Imperial City of Meknes, also known as "the Moroccan Versailles." Meknes, with its monumental gates and city walls, was founded at the end of the 17th century by the Sultan Moulay Ismail. Highlights will include Bab el Mansour (perhaps the finest gateway in Africa), "Dar Jamai" Museum, the old Medina, Moulay Ismail mausoleum, old granaries and stables. Lunch at a local restaurant in Meknes. In the afternoon, stop at the impressive Roman ruins of Volubilis and the sacred town of Moulay Idriss I, before heading to the imperial city of Fes for dinner and overnight stay. (B,L,D) 

 

DAY 03 : FES

The whole day will be devoted to the sightseeing of Fes, the oldest cultural and spiritual imperial city of Morocco, which was founded in 790 B.C by Moulay Idriss II. Highlights will include the Arabian House where you will observe various craftsmen performing their work using ancient techniques. Our expert guide will lead a shopping and tasting tour of the Fes medina, including stops at his favorite crafts studios, antique shops, and the outdoor food market where freshly prepared goat cheese, olives, and dates are among the delicious offerings. In the afternoon, we will visit the beautiful Dar Batha Museum, a traditional Hispano-Moorish palace dating from the end of the 19th century which houses a magnificent collection of Moroccan ceramic, wrought iron, sculpted plaster and wood, embroidery, carpets, jewelry and much more. Overnight at your selected accommodation. (B) 

 

DAY 04 : FES / MIDELT / ERFOUD / MERZOUGA (275 Miles)

After an early breakfast, departure to Erfoud and Merzouga through the Middle Atlas region. Stop in Azrou to visit a Berber village known for its handicraft cooperative. Stop for lunch and continuation to Midelt (an important mining center) and to the Ziz River through a series of fortified villages characterized by fascinating southern architecture. Arrival in Erfoud and departure by the track to the sumptuous Merzouga Dunes where we will have a warm welcome for our special New Year's eve in Bivouac. Tonight, we will dance and sing before we sleep under our tents (or inside the Kasbah) smelling the fresh air of the dunes and listening to the wind whispering in our ears. (B,D)

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DAY 05 : MERZOUGA / TINEGHIR / OUARZAZATE (227 Miles)

Happy New Year! Celebrate the first few hours of the New Year watching one of the world's most spectacular sun rises set over the magnificent sand dunes of Merzouga. The Erg Chebbi, the name of these sand dunes, is said to have some of the highest dunes of the Kingdom. Enjoy a Camel ride on the Dunes before we return for lunch. Departure to Tineghir via the holy city of Rissani, a site where the ancestors of the Alaouite Dynasty are buried in the Mausoleum of Moulay Ali Sherif. Visit of the ruins of Ksar Abbar, a Kasbah that dates from the 17th century. Continuation through the Tinjdad road full of sumptuous Kasbahs and palm groves. After lunch, we will visit of the Todra Gorges with their impressive bare escarpments. Continuation to Ouarzazate via El Kella M'Gouna and the Dades Valley. Dinner and accommodation in Ouarzazate. (B,D) 

 

DAY 06 : OUARZAZATE / AIT BEN HADDOU / MARRAKESH

After breakfast, we will enjoy a sightseeing tour of Ouarzazate featuring the Taourirt Kasbah of the famous Pasha Glaoui. Painted ceilings, arches, beautiful small windows in ironworks and woodwork have helped make it a world classified monument by UNESCO. The local guide will explain the lifestyle of the pasha, stressing the status of his women, the favorite and common law wives as well as the slaves. We will then depart for the Alit Ben Haddou village. Here we will visit the ruins of the ancient Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah. Lunch at the Kasbah and continuation to Marrakesh via the Tiz-In-Tichka pass (2,260m / 7,415 ft) and Tadder. Arrival and accommodation in Marrakesh. (B,L)

 

DAY 07: MARRAKESH

The day will be devoted to the sightseeing of Marrakesh, the second oldest imperial city known as the "Pearl of the South" and home to the Saadian tombs, the Koutoubia Mosque, the Bahia Palace and the Majorelle Gardens. Return to the hotel for lunch. In the afternoon, exploration of the souks and the world's famous Djemaa El Fna place which offers various entertainments (story tellers, acrobats, snake-charmers, magicians, etc.). Later on, we will enjoy an entertainment dinner at Le Comptoir restaurant. Enjoy a great show with belly dancers. Overnight stay. (B,D)

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DAY 08 : MARRAKESH

Today, enjoy a free day for shopping and for more exploration of Marrakesh. Overnight stay in Marrakesh. (B)

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DAY 09 : EXCURSION TO ESSAOUIRA

Today, enjoy a free day or take an excursion to the romantic seaside town of Essaouira. Our visit will feature Essaouira's typical Portuguese harbor portraying influences of both Moorish and Portuguese design. Highlights will include the fishing harbor and the Skala (the Battery) left by the pirates. Suggested Seafood lunch; Free afternoon. Return to Marrakesh for a farewell dinner at Bo & Zin restaurant. Overnight in Marrakesh. (B,D)

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DAY 10 : MARRAKESH AIRPORT

After breakfast, departure to Marrakesh airport. Assistance with the boarding formalities. End of our services. (B)

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PROGRAM INCLUSIONS

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•  Greeting, assistance and transfer from/to airports by Bouaouina Tours staff.
•  Accommodation for 09 nights at your selected accommodation.
•  Special New Year's Bivouac and Night at the Kasbah on December 31st, 2015.
•  Meals as indicated in the program itinerary.
•  An entertainment Moroccan dinner in Marrakesh.
•  Farewell dinner night in Marrakesh at Bo & Zin restaurant.
•  Excursion to the beautiful seaside town of Essaouira.
•  Ground transportation in deluxe vehicles throughout your journey.
• Entrance fees to all monuments as indicated in the program itinerary with the assistance of government certified tour guides

 

NOT INCLUDED

 

•  Meals not included in the program itinerary, laundry and phone charges and other items of personal nature.
•    Deviation expenses from the program itinerary.
•   Travel Insurance: we strongly recommend the purchase of a comprehensive and affordable travel insurance to protect you against cancellation fees, illness, flight delays, etc.

Please ask us for more details.

 

 

NOTE: We will exercise our best efforts to secure the accommodations listed above, however, during busy seasons (Christmas, New Year's and Easter) we may only be able to offer similar category accommodations.   In some instances, a request for a higher grade accommodation will result in an extra fee to compensate for the difference in price.

PROGRAM PRICE PER PERSON ($):

With 5-star hotels* (prices are per person):
With 2 people: $4,390.00.
With 3-4 people: $4,225.00.
With 5-9 people: $4,090.00.
With 10 and up: $3,875.00.
$850.00 for the single supplement.

With Luxury Riads (prices are per person):
With 2 people: $5,890.00.
With 3-4 people: $5,640.00.
With 5-9 people: $5,390.00.
With 10 and up: $4,,990.00.
$1,150.00 for the single supplement.

Note: includes all 5-star hotels except in Erfoud where it is on 4-star as there is no available 5-star hotel. In Ouarzazate, accommodation will be at the Berbere Palace .

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