MOROCCO: MAGIC OF THE ORIENT
Itinerary
Day 1, Mon Casablanca – Marrakesh
Arrival to Casablanca, meeting and orientation. We'll take the scenic route from Casablanca to Marrakesh, Pearl of the South. If there‘s time after dinner we‘ll visit one of the first jewels of our tour, the lively, bustling Jemaa el-Fna Square. Here food stalls are jammed together, water sellers, snake charmers, story tellers and “healers” of every type and kind. Alternately, we recommend taking a carriage ride through the city.
Day 2, Tue Marrakesh
“The Red City” or the “Pearl of the South” are but two of the names given to Marrakesh –
the most beautiful city in Morocco that lies at the foot of the Atlas Mountains. The city is
divided in two: the new and the ancient. We’ll visit the Almanara Gardens and the city
center with its lively markets. We’ll pass through the Melah, and stop by the Koutoubia
Mosque, visit a Berber pharmacy and the Bahia Palace. We’ll visit a Melah where Jews no
longer live, but where there is an ancient synagogue that is more than 500 years old. We’ll
tour the “medina” – the market quarter of the city. The market is a mass of colors, voices
and smells, a polyglot of all the treasures that exist in this country. The “medina” is divided
according to type of product: an area for silver houses silversmiths and silver dealers, while
gold is dealt in a different area, and rows upon rows of stalls sell leather, copper and jewelry.
We‘ll end the day with a visit to the Ourika valley also known as ‘Valley of the Jews’ and
enjoy the view of the red wild scenery and the picturesque villages among the mountains.
Then we‘ll return to the Marrakech. In the evening, we recommend seeing “Fantasia” – a
Berber folklore show.
Day 3, Wed Marrakesh – Aït Benhaddou –Ouarzazate
After breakfast we head to the French built regional city Ouarzazate. We start with a panoramic tour of the city. We'll then continue through beautiful scenery, traditional villages and picturesque Kasbahs which are often filmed for the production of Hollywood movies.
Day 4, Thurs Ouarzazate – Tenerir – Todra Gorge - Erfoud
After breakfast we’ll start making our way toward the desert. We‘ll pass the city of Tenerir as we travel to the Todra Gorge at the southern edge of the High Atlas Mountains. We’ll see some magnificent scenery, dotted with orchards and Berber villages. We‘ll examine how the locals store water for the long dry season. Toward evening we‘ll arrive at Erfoud, the place from where the famous Abu Hatzeira rabbinic dynasty originates.
Day 5, Fri Erfoud – Midelt - Ifran - Fes
We recommend getting up very early this morning and heading out by Jeep to the Merzouga dunes, the largest dunes 
in the world, part of the western Sahara, from where we‘ll view a fantastic
desert sunrise (weather permitting), and then return to Erfoud for breakfast. After breakfast
we’ll cross two important rivers, the Ziz and the Riche which lie along the Middle and High
Atlas Mountains, an area of magnificent scenic vistas. We’ll stop at a cedar nature reserve
where we’ll see towering cedar trees. From the mountain tops we’ll see the oasis of Tafilalt
palm groves in the Sahara Desert; this amazing oasis runs for 50 kilometers, all along dotted
with millions of date palm. We‘ll stop for lunch at the town of Midelt. We’ll travel along the
oasis until we reach Ifran, a Swiss-type Moroccan town, located at 1600 meters above sea
level. The entire area is surrounded by magnificent monkey-inhabited cedar forests. The
town also hosts the Peace University, where members of the three monotheistic religions
were supposed to have studied together. After the tour continue to Fes, transfer to hotel to
prepare for Shabbat. Shabbat prayers and meals in Fes.
Day 6, Shabbat Fes
After Shabbat services and lunch we‘ll taking a walking tour to the new city areas of Fes. After Shabbat we‘ll enjoy a typical Moroccan folklore evening and possibly a Moroccan wedding.
Day 7, Sunday Fes
Today will be mostly devoted to this, the religious and cultural capital of Morocco, which combines old and new. There will be a guided tour with a local English-speaking guide. The area of Fes is today a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its narrow lanes with their workshops remain as they have been for hundreds of years. We'll visit the square of the Royal Palace, which is alongside the Jewish quarter – the 
oldest Melah in Morocco, as well as the Jewish cemetery and the Abu Danan Synagogue in the Melah. We'll view the Dynastic Tombs and city as a whole from the green roofs and walls of Fez. From the rooftops we'll see the tannery quarter where hides are treated, and we'll visit a ceramics factory where we'll learn about this unique local craft. The city's ramparts surround a maze of winding alleys and a bustling market divided according the guilds of its artisans.
Day 8, Mon Fes – Meknes – Ouezzane - Chefchaouen
After breakfast we‘ll head to the city Meknes, built by Sultan Mulai Ismail in the 17th century. Meknes was a lively Jewish center until its Jewish inhabitants made aliyah with the founding of the State of Israel. We’ll tour the many sites that adorned the city in the times of Sultan Ismail, including the famous Mansur Gate. We’ll visit the Melah, the former Jewish quarter, and see the old Talmud Torah (if it’s open we’ll be able to enter the building as well). We’ll continue to the town of Ouezzane in the Rif Mountains where we‘ll visit the tomb of the sacred Tzaddik of Morocco, Rabbi Amram ben Diwan. From here it‘s on to the town of Chefchaouen, where we‘ll spend the night.
Day 9, Tue Chefchaouen – Rabat – Casablanca
Today, we’ll start with a tour of the town which was considered so special that until the 18th century, non-Muslims were not permitted entry to its precincts. We‘ll visit the unique springs here that by power of gravity supply power to the local mills and laundries. We‘ll stroll through the medina and through the colorful local market. Then we‘ll head west to the capital city of Rabat, where we‘ll visit the royal palace, built in the 18th century; the mausoleum of Muhammad V, and the tombs of the kings of Morocco. From there we head to Casablanca, the financial capital of Morocco. The city is modern and developed, but maintains its historical features, including an old city with its various quarters. We’ll tour the “Habous” district, see the Royal Palace with its beautiful reception forecourt and magnificent gates, and continue to the upscale “Anafa” neighborhood and the boardwalk along the Atlantic Ocean. The “Habous” district was built long after the original old city near the Royal Palace of Muhammad V. The area is home to numerous striking sites in Neo Moorish style, such as Law Courts, the post office etc. It has a bazaar filled with small colorful businesses alongside picturesque white houses. Our tour next takes us to the United Nations Square, renowned for the Neo Moorish buildings that surround it, and for the fountain, which sprays water all around. From there we’ll head to the Jewish Historical Museum of Morocco.
Day 10, Wed Casablanca – Home Gateway
Today we‘ll visit the Great Mosque. The mosque is built half on land and half above the sea. Many of Morocco’s finest artists and artisans worked for many years to create this magnificent edifice. In fact, every Moroccan citizen donated funds for the project in one way or another to ensure that the project’s costs, which soared to over $800 million, would be covered. The mosque’s minaret rises to a height of 200 meters, and its central prayer hall can contain thousands of worshippers. This is a true architectural wonder. We‘ll then bid a sad farewell to Morocco. Our tour is now over and we take our memories with us as we head to the airport from where we take our flights home.
Price Includes
- First Class Tourist Hotels
- Entrance fees as per the itinerary
- Comfortable air conditioned touring coach
- Half board kosher food daily & supplies for making sandwiches for lunch
- Professional experienced English-speaking Israeli guide
- Local English-speaking Guide as required
Price Excludes
- Travel & Health Insurance
- Personal expenses and evening entertainment not included in the itinerary
- Tips for local service providers $100 to be collected in cash abroad)
- Shows and evening entertainment not included in the itinerary
- Tip for our Tour Guide (Recommended: $3 per person per day)
- Miscellaneous expenses such as departure fees, visas, security surcharges etc. where applicable.
Important To Know
There may be changes to the order of places visited. We will make every effort to
visit every place mentioned in the itinerary.
The tour organizers have no control over airline services such as seating, special
meal requests, changes in departure times or delays. These remain the sole
responsibility of the airline company.
Kashrut on Tours
Kosher food is provided to our travelers on all our tours. We work with the local Rabbinate
to provide Hashgacha for all local ingredients and fresh meat and poultry. In some cases, we
fly in kosher food from Israel and other sources, depending on the destination of the tour.
We do not guarantee Pat Israel and Chalav Israel for all destinations.
In many destinations we have our own crockery and cutlery. Where we don't, we provide
disposables at the meals. When we cook in Hotel kitchens, we ensure proper Kashering and
we use our own kitchenware on kashered and covered surfaces. All this is done under the
strict supervision of our trained staff/guides who function as our Mashgichim.
Our travelers enjoy gourmet meals prepared by our team including fresh local fish, fruit, and
vegetables. This is an integral part of Jewish travel. We make great efforts to assure that our
travelers will experience local foods first-hand, while maintaining stringent observance of
Kashrut laws on all occasions.
Rabbi Menahem Fogel
A native of Tel Aviv-Jaffa, Menahem Fogel served as a pulpit rabbi in South Africa and
Canada before returning to Israel in 1984 to take up the position of spokesman of Yad
Vashem, in Jerusalem, a position he held for six years.
Since that time he has held senior positions in both the public and private sectors developing
interactive computer systems for museums around the world. He also lived and worked in
the USA, Netherlands, Austria, UK and India. A lifelong yearning for travel led to his
becoming a Tour Manager in 2000 and developed expertise tourism to Japan & China,
Alaska, Canadian Rockies and Africa. Recently he took on the added role of Rav Hamachshir
for The Kosher Travel Club to ensure the highest standards of Kashrut are implemented on
all our Kosher Tours.
For any questions about Kashrut please feel free to email menahemf@netvision.net.il
Deposit, Cancellation Fees & Policy:
A $500 USD Deposit per person must be received at the time of booking in order to confirm
your reservation. Payment in full is due 90 days before departure. A minimum number of
participants are required to operate tour dates. If a minimum number has not been reached
prior to tour departure and the tour is cancelled you will receive a FULL refund.
- 90 days before departure bookings are refundable less a $100 administration fee
- 60-90 days prior to departure: $500 + $100 per passenger
- 30-60 days prior to departure: $1,000 + $100 per passenger
- Less than 30 working days prior to departure: 100% of total - no refund
- We strongly recommend purchasing Travel Insurance.
Flights
If you are joining us for the Land Tour package only (from outside Israel) you can get an obligation free quote for your flights from Shelley@eddiestravel.com
Insurance
Travel insurance encompassing both cancellation and medical insurance is very important and we cannot stress that enough. We strongly recommend that our clients are adequately insured when travelling. It is crucial to purchase the travel insurance within 14 days from the 1st payment that you make for this trip (flights/cruise/tour etc). Your payment is made directly to the insurance company. We highly recommend the 'cancel for any reason' upgrade option. Our preferred policies are Travel Safe (USA & Canadian residents), Travel Select (USA residents) and Global Trip Protection Elite (All other Nationalities). For an obligation free quote and further details email Yonah insurance@eddiestravel.com
Date And Prices
| Tour Code | Start date |
End Date |
Price Land Only |
Price with flights Ex Tel |
Single supplement |
Pre/Post Hotel Night |
| EMAR0410 | Oct. 4, 2010 | Oct. 13, 2010 | $1840 | $2190 | $430 | $65 per person $110 per single |
| EMAR0612 | Dec. 6, 2010 | Dec. 15, 2011 | $1840 | $2190 | $430 | $65 per person $110 per single |
| EMAR1306 | Jun. 13, 2011 | Jun. 22, 2011 | $1840 | $2190 | $430 | $65 per person $110 per single |
| EMAR1209 | Sep. 12, 2011 | Sep. 21, 2011 | $1840 | $2190 | $430 | $65 per person $110 per single |
| EMAR1411 | Nov.14, 2011 |
Nov.23, 2011 |
$1840 |
$2190 |
$430 |
$65 per person |