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Marrakesh Express
Musicians in Djemma el-Fna Square, Marrakesh
Sophisticated travelers and novices alike will delight in a visit to Marrakesh, whose stunning setting against the snow-capped High Atlas Mountains is a fitting location for Morocco's most popular imperial city. From the Djemma el-Fna Square, where storytellers and snake charmers jostle for position with jugglers, magicians and acrobats, the striking pink stucco buildings of the medina and the pampering pleasure the city's many hammams, there is plenty for a visitor to see and do.
Our Marrakesh Express program includes your airfare, arrival, and departure transfers, 4 nights at the 5-star deluxe Medina & Spa Hotel and buffet breakfast daily. Enjoy exploring Marrakesh independently, or take advantage of interesting and inexpensive optional tours. Either way, Marrakesh is one destination you'll hate to leave and won't soon forget.
Detailed Itinerary
Koutoubia Minaret, Marrakesh
Day 1: Depart USA. Your exciting journey to Marrakesh, Morocco, begins today as you check in for your Royal Air Maroc overnight jet flight.
Day 2: Arrive Marrakesh. Morning arrival in Marrakesh. Meeting by our representatives, assistance through customs formalities, and transfer to your centrally located 5-star deluxe hotel. After check-in, the rest of the day is yours to begin your exploration of this fascinating city.
Menara Gargens
Your hotel is ideally located on one of the most beautiful avenues of Marrakesh. Set in a large garden, your hotel is conveniently located just 500 meters from Marrakesh's modern city center and one kilometer from Menara Gardens and Monument. Explore on your own or take advantage of optional tours.
Atlas Medina & Spa Hotel.
Ramparts of Marrakech and the Atlas mountains
Day 3: Marrakesh. Enjoy the day at leisure or choose our optional half day sightseeing tour of Marrakesh. This tour will introduce you to Moroccan history and you'll see the most important monuments that represent that history. You will visit the Koutoubia Minaret, the Bahia Palace, the Saadians tombs and the Dar Si Said Museum ($34).
Fantasia dinner at Chez Ali
This evening, we suggest an optional Fantasia dinner and show. Fantasia was originally a war ceremony where each tribe's best horseman could demonstrate their skill. Witness this lavish display while enjoying traditional dancing and music performed by various folklore troups all while feasting on typical Moroccan dishes such as tajine and couscous ($75, drinks not incl). (B)
Berber mother and child, Morocco
Day 4: Marrakesh & Ouarzazte excursion. Today, why not join an optional full day tour to the city of Ouarzazte, including lunch. You'll travel by motor coach across the High Atlas chain, the Tizi N'Tichka pass and past quaint Berber villages.
Atlas Mountain, Morocco
When you descend on the eastern side of the mountains, the landscape dramatically changes to an arid desert panorama. This magnificent contrast has helped make Ouarzazate the movie capital of Morocco, and it hosts one of the largest movie studios in the world. This amazing landscape has served as a backdrop to such well-known films as Lawrence of Arabia, Cleopatra, Gladiator, Kundun, Kingdom of Heaven, Alexander and Babel.
Kasbah of Aït Benhaddou
You'll also visit the fascinating Kasbah of Aït Benhaddou, a majestic fortified city on the Ouarzazate River along the former caravan route between the Sahara and Marrakech. Designated a World Heritage Site in 1987, Aït Benhaddou is probably the most famous (and the most visited) village in Morocco. You'll also visit Taourirt Kasbah, which used to be the residence of the Pasha of Marrakech and is considered as one of the most beautiful stately homes in Morocco. ($95). (B)
Setti Fatma village, Ourika Valley
Day 5: Ourika Valley excursion & Marrakesh. Full day at leisure or choose our optional morning tour to Ourika Valley. Located in the High Atlas mountains, surrounded by spectacular peaks, the valley is fed by the Ourika River and stays lavishly green all year, and is one of the most beautiful and best preserved valleys in Morocco.
Berber musicians
Here you'll visit some of the picturesque villages inhabited by the Berbers, an ancient people who have inhabited the mountains and oases of this region of North Africa since the dawn of history. Here you may see some of the famous skilled carpet makers creating beautiful Berber rugs ($40).
Marrakesh carpet shop
Return to Marrakesh and spend the balance of the day at leisure to search the Souks for the perfect souvenirs. (B)
Day 6: Marrakesh/USA. Today you'll bid a truly reluctant farewell to Marrakesh as you transfer to the airport to board your return flight to the USA. Your exciting journey comes to an end as you arrive in the USA later today. (B)
The best tour I had so far. Friendly Planet made it so easy for all of us 53 tourists. The way they put it together with all the connections between countries, the hotels, buses and different tour guides was so impressive, and we felt pampered the whole time. We really had a grand time. Thank you very much for making it an experience of a lifetime.
— Emmanuel Lacson
Good value, great adventure, superb guide and driver, sign me up for the next trip.
— Amanda Mccullough
Our outstanding guide, Dina, combined every trait beloved by travelers: she spoke perfect English, provided just the right amount of fascinating Egyptology, swept us away from pressing crowds and into quiet corners of the sites for explanations, offered optional talks on life in contemporary Egypt, helped us to understand and embrace the culture of this amazing destination, and warmed us with her enthusiasm and smiles.
— Suzanne Ahlberg, Orrtanna, PA
