Rabar, Morocco,

May 23--June 6, 2009

Upon arrival at Agadir airport where you will be met by CTT staff. After Customs formalities and assistance, you will be transferred to the hotel. Morning at leisure to relax and acclimate. Your city tour will start in the afternoon, highlighting the historic Agadir (12th century) and the Valley of the birds; a little Zoo of birds from around the world kept in aviaries that authentically imitate their natural habitat. The next sight is the Kasbah. a citadel atop the hill overlooking the city and the Atlantic Ocean. Afterwards, explore the Museum of Agadir devoted to the Souss valley culture and Saharan Nomadic life. Dinner and over night.

Tiznit town, southern Morocco. The town lies near the Atlantic coast and the Tachilla and Ouarzemimene mountains of the Anti-Atlas range. It was founded in 1882 during the reign of Moulay Hassan as a military base from which he launched expeditions to subdue the peoples of the Sous River (Oued Sous) region and the neighboring mountainous areas. Tiznit was eventually occupied by French troops (1917–56).

Enclosed by 4 miles (6 km) of walls, it is now a market centre where irrigated orchards, dates, vegetables, and barley are cultivated. Cereals, sheep, goats, and cattle are raised in the area surrounding the town, and there are iron deposits in the mountains. Artisan industries include jewelry, engraved silver, and inlaid weapons

This day excursion to Tafraout & Tiznit will be by the Amlou road' 200 km/124 mi far. Amlou is a mixture of honey, argan oil and ground almonds. In the Anti Atlas Mountain with 1000 m/3281 ft altitude.

Tafraout stands in the centre of a cirque of pink granite rocks. It's the capital of the Ameln Berber tribe who harvest almonds, olives and palm trees. Almond trees are in bloom from end of January to mid-February when almond blossom Festival takes place with folkloric events. On the way back, stop at Tiznit. Landscape of huge granite boulders interspersed with palm groves. Visit the medina, the ochre ramparts, the Mellah Jewish quarter and its famous silver Berber jeweler. Souk on Thursday.

Not far from Tafraoute is the Zaouia of Sifi Ahmed ou Moussa, which used to be the centre of the Sufi state of Iligh

While in Tafraoute, you can visit the Ameln Valley and explore its 26 Berber villages with their painted houses. The painted rocks, a plain of boulders painted red, blue and black by a Belgian artist is also worth a look. You can also visit the villages in the vicinity like Slatte and Igli, or consider a walk to Tagoudiche or Timmertmat

Day 4: AGADIR/ ENZAGAN / AGADIR) 25 KM
After breakfast depart to Inezgane : : the ruins of the kasbah overlooking the Agadir bay, the fishing port, the bird's valley, the museum and the Polizzi medina. Souk in Inezgane on Tuesdays.

After breakfast depart to Taroudant &. Visit the beautiful Tiout oasis and palm grove and its Kasbah overlooking Berber villages. Souk on Thursday. Possibility of donkey's ride in the oasis. Then on to Taroudant and its red ramparts and gates, the medina, the Assarag square, the souks. Optional tour of the town on horse drawn carriage. 37 km/23 mi far is Possibility to continue up to Taliouine, famous for its saffron

With its majestic gold, pink and orange tinted circuit of high walls, Taroudant is half citadel and half oasis. It is a town of great charm. The ruddy, clay houses, minarets and groves of oranges and pomegranates seem to drowse beneath the gaze of the frosted High Atlas. The walls, the Souks, and the stark backdrop of the High Atlas are the town's main attractions. The Souks are not large but they are varied; there is a strong radiation of local craft and much of the works here is of upstanding quality.

A visit the magnificent Glaoui kasbah* at Taliouine (50 miles); through the Anti Atlas Mountains to the oasis town of Tata; exhilarating surf beaches at Sidi Moussa; the nearby walled town of Tiznit; the natural wonders of Tafraout and of course there are the spectacular passes in the High Atlas within reach of Taroudant.

*El Haj T'hami el Mezouari el Glaoui (1879–1956) is better known in English-speaking countries as T'hami El Glaoui or Lord of the Atlas. Caïd (appointed head) of the Glaoua

(Arabic) or Aglawou (Chleuh) tribe of Southern Morocco based at the Kasbah of Telouet in the High Atlas and at Marrakech. His family name is El Mezouari, from a title given their ancestor by Sultan Moulay Ismail in 1700, while El Glaoui refers to his belonging to the Glaoui tribe,

residing in the mountain pass of Telouet (many natives of Telouet have El Glaoui as a surname but are not members of the El Mezouari family). Pasha of Marrakech from 1912 to 1956. Ally of the French in Morocco, and conspired with them in the overthrow of the king Sultan Mohammed V

The Town of Ouarzazate stands in the middle of an arid plateau contrasting sharply with the slopes and vegetation of the nearby High Atlas. It occupies a geographic location at the crossroads of the main route leading to the Draa, Dades, and Souss Valleys.

Travel to Dades Gorge - Scenic Southern Gorge Carved over the centuries by the Dades River, the Dades Gorge is now a very popular destination for travelers attracted by the sheer beauty of the scenery. With red and mauve rock towering above the road, fig and almond trees, lush gardens, Ksour and Kasbahs – the appeal of this natural panorama is obvious.

El Kelaa is well known for the making of "eau of roses", a perfume obtained from the distillation of petals of roses which grow abundantly in the area, hence giving its name to the local valley "The Valley of Roses

This is also the origin of one of the most famous festivals in Morocco, "The Festival of Roses". In spring the entire valley is literally covered in pink roses - providing a scenic backdrop to some pleasant walking. Dinner and over night in Erfoud.

Morning at leisure, then depart to Merzouga using 4X4, one of the most pleasing of all southern routes, a dry, red band of desert, and then suddenly, a drop into the valley filled with date palm trees. Check in with the Touarge host, lunch and dinner and over night under nomad tents

An early wake up calls for sunrise excursion to Dunes. An experience not to be missed is to watch the sun as it rises from the top of the golden dunes, a spectacular view of the Sahara, which no words can describe. Back to the tent for special Breakfast with the Touargees people, then continue on to explore the holy ancient city of Rissani by your 4X4 Land Rover. Early afternoon depart to Tinghir; The highest and the narrowest gorges in the region are Todra's, only 15 km from Tinghir. Traveling through the Dades valley in spring you will find the bloom of thousands of Persian roses - cultivated as hedgerows dividing the plots. Thousands of Kasbahs scattered along the Dades river through El Kalaa Del Mgouna and Boumaine. Lunch at a local restaurant located at the feet of cayons. Continuation to Ouarzazate. Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Ouarzazate

After breakfast, tour of Ouarzazate. Continue on to Marrakech with a visit to AIT BENHADDOU

The Wonder Setting on a caravan route between the Sahara and Marrakech is the ksar (fortified city) of Ait Benhaddou. Considered to be an example of a traditional Moroccan village, it is made of many kasbahs. Built in the 11th century, it remains situated at the foot of the High Atlas Mountains along the Ouarzazate River. From its hilltop position, it gave the ancient village a commanding view of the surrounding area. Appearing out from the harsh desert landscape, it was a major stop for camel caravans carrying salt and other commodities across the Sahara.

Ait Benhaddou has some of the earliest examples of geometric arrangements of bricks in a zig-zag pattern positioned at oblique angles used in building the walls. Fortified towers of mud bricks placed in the corners reinforced the walls even more. Guards would keep watch against invaders by peering through small windows placed near the top of their watchtowers. With interior buildings placed around a mosque at the center, it brimmed with family homes, small palaces and communal areas. Winding mazes of connecting streets and alleys mirrored other early Moroccan towns in its construction. Once a busy teeming city, it now stands as a ghost town. Earlier in its history, thousands of people made Ait Benhaddou home. Approximately 700 residents still live in the area.

Interestingly, Ait Benhaddou has been used as the backdrop of many films such as the Gladiator, Jesus of Nazareth and Alexander. Interest of the film industry in this area has led to protection of the unique buildings and historical monuments.

Ait Benhaddou was placed on UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites list in 1986. . Dinner and overnight in Marrakech.

After breakfast, full-day tour of Marrakech. Historic visit of Marrakech will include the Menara, a magnificent pool surrounded by flowers, reflecting the image of a beautiful Moorish construction built in 1866 for the dignitaries. See glorious sunsets with the Atlas mountains as a backdrop. Also, the pool is a functional irrigation system to the surrounding areas. The tour will see several impressive sights: The Koutoubia Minaret (the twin tower of la Giralda in Sevilla, Spain), the Saadian tombs demonstrating Moorish architecture in its perfection. The tombs, consisting of splendid mausoleums built in the sixteenth century, were walled for some time, not to be discovered until 1917.

Other sites include: the museum of Dar Si Said with the best display of Berber arts and crafts to be found; the remains of the Badii Palace, a historical monument chosen to host the annual National Festival of Popular Art, beginning the second Friday in June. The Bahia Palace still hosts dignitaries in the heart of the Mellah (Jewish quarter) today. Lunch at the hotel then a walk through the colorful souks of Marrakech in the afternoon. Conclude the day with a sunset drink overlooking the exciting Jamaa El Fna Square. Optional dinner at "Chez Ali" under Berber tents with fantasia show. Over night at the hotel.

Departure to Essaouira (Mogador), a part from the immediate impact of sea air and the friendly animation of the town, the predominant images of Essaouira are of the Atlantic - of the rugged coast and offshore islands, the vast expense of empty sands trailing back along the promontory to the south, and the almost gothic scenery of the eighteen century fortifications. Optional Lunch at Chalet de la Mer.

Gnawa are the descendents of slaves originating from Black Africa who established brotherhoods throughout Morocco. They are made up of master musicians (maâlem), metal castanet players, clairvoyants, mediums and their followers.

They are at the same time musicians, initiators and healers, blending African and Arabo-Berber customs. Despite being Muslims, the Gnawa base their ritual on djinn (spirits) straight from the the African cult of possession.

The most spectacular and important ceremony is the Lila, whose function is essentially therapeutic.

During the celebration the maâlem and his group call on the saints and supernaturel entities to take possession of their followers who fall into trance.

Their instruments :

3 stringed percussive lute (guembri)

Large metal castanets (qraqeb)

Drums (ganga)

The music of the brotherhood - of which only the profane part is played on stage to the public during the festival - has sparked a wave of emulators on the international scene.

DAY 14: ESSAOUIRA / EL JADIDA / CASABLANCA: CASABLANCA 1 NIGHT
After breakfast departure to Casablanca via El Jadida / stop at El Oualidia. Relay and seafood lunch. Departure along the coastline to El Jadida - visit of the citadel. Vestige of the Portuguese occupation during the 11th century. Continuation to Casablanca. Dinner and overnight at the Hotel.

DAY 15: CASABLANCA / AIRPORT MOHAMMED V:
Morning departure to Mohammed V Airport. End of tour!

COST: $3395.00
(double occupancy from New York)

A $300.00 non-refundable deposit reserves your space
ALL MAJOR CREDIT CARDS ACCEPTED

Casablanca Travel and Tours
3029 M Street NW, Suite# 202
Washington DC 20007