MOROCCO
Discover
Morocco is a place like no other - from sweeping desert expanses to rugged mountain peaks, breathtaking beaches to urban intrigue. A magical and exotic kingdom, Morocco will enchant every one of your senses. It will leave you wishing you had more time to explore. Come, let Truly Morocco satisfy your curiosity.
Desert Destinations
Seaside Tranquility (Sojourn)
Majestic Mountains
City Culture
Cities:
Morocco is a kingdom governed by Parliament. Steep yourself in history and heritage in any of Morocco’s major cities.The capitol is Rabat where most governmental affairs are administrated. Casablanca, considered the economic epicenter, is the country’s most populace city and home to the prosperous and paupers alike. Imperial city, Fes, functioned as the capitol several times over throughout various dynastic rule and boasts the oldest known university in the world. Attracting scholars and artisans alike this dynamic city is a must during your visit to Morocco. Located at the feet of the majestic Atlas Mountains, Marrakech to the south is known to be the most diverse and dazzling city in Morocco. Fragrant spice bazaars and ornate palaces collide to make this city a cultural mecca for all senses. One of the prettiest places to visit among the lush agriculture and Rif mountains to the north is the blue town of Chefchaouen. It offers a more laid back alternative to any of it’s more popular counterparts. Port town and gateway to Europe, Tangier, is a destination with a culture all it’s own.
Desert:
Unmolested expanse of beauty dotted only with camels and stars under the moon as you enjoy an enchanting twilight camel ride with options of overnight in bedoin tent camps under the sky or retreat to an air-conditioned riad or guest house/hotel. Amp it up a bit and play in the Saharan desert on an ATV or chill out meandering through dense date palm oases. Best enjoyed as a 3 day trip from Marrakech or as part of your Truly Morocco experience.
Mountain:
Meander lakes and waterfalls in the High Atlas mountains in summer or ski from one of Africa’s highest peaks in winter. Trekking, climbing, skiing, sledding, swimming, mountain biking; communing with nature and local villagers are all possible in these stunning mountains. Immerse yourself in ancient Berber culture, traditions, art and music in this remote and generally unexplored place. Rugged beauty, exhilarating slopes, lush valleys and cool canyons are easily accessible as a day trip from Marrakech or included in the overall discovery of Truly Morocco.
Seaside:
Escape the heat of the interior or the frenetic cityscapes for the coast. Morocco boasts over1800 km of stunning shorelines stretching from the Atlantic ocean to the Mediterranean sea.With over 300 days of sunshine each year Morocco’s beaches can be enjoyed year round. Convene with locals in Agadir where the waters are clean and refreshing; take a surf lesson in Essaouira; have a promenade in Tangier.; or escape to any of the northern beaches along the Mediterranean seaside.
Tour
Let us make your visit here an experience unlike any other. Our expert, English-speaking guides will work with you to design a customized trip for any length of time and any number of adventures. You’ll travel effortlessly in a private car, keeping each day as structured or flexible as you wish.
All trips include:
Private vehicle with driver/guide including fuel, insurance
Airport transfers
Local guides
Entrance fees where necessary
Meals where indicated
NOT included is customary gratuity
Essaouira
Escape the heat and bustle of Marrakech for this quaint seaside port where fishing and boat making are still the mainstay. Enjoy surfing, windsurfing or a harbor cruise. Take it easy and stroll along the beach or ramparts and browse galleries, shop for local handicrafts in the medina or catch the weekly fish auction. Can be enjoyed as a day trip from Marrakech or as part of your Truly Morocco experience.
Chefchaouen
Arguably the most charming and beautiful Moroccan village awash with varying shades of sky blue nestled among the lush and wild poppy fields of the Rif Mountains. Artsy, even hippyish, this old Andalusian town, where Spanish is still spoken, is popular with hikers and backpackers and those wishing a more laid back vibe. Find inner peace and your free spirit as an easy day trip from either Fes or Tangier. Not to be missed as part of your Truly Morocco visit.
Fes
Possibilities abound in this tantalizing city of dizzying diversity where past and present co-exist among scholars, artisans, vagabonds and everything in between. Visit UNESCO’s Fez-el-Bali souk in the old medina, a labyrinthine maze where you will be transported back in time to medieval days where centuries of Moroccan heritage is on display, including the confounding working tannery. The famous blue gate of Bab Boujeloud ushers in a sense of history and architecture leading to the mosque with it’s green tiled minaret and the oldest known university in the world. A must-see on your Truly Morocco tour.
Marrakech
Lose yourself in this enchanting city of flavor and fragrance. Explore narrow passages of the souk in the medina where you’ll have to share lanes with donkeys and motor bikes as you haggle for the best of Moroccan souvenirs if it’s spices, carpets, ceramics, Argan oil, or a comfy pair of babouches (slippers). Spend the day enjoying a cultural tour of ancient palaces and tombs or museums and gardens. Resting at the foot of the glorious Atlas mountains, Marrakech is a diverse melting pot of indigenous Berber civilization blended with expats from all over the world. It is as delicious and flavorful as the signature Moroccan tagine. Tantalize all of your senses with a Truly Morocco visit to Marrakech, where many tours begin and end.
Casablanca
The commercial and financial hub of Morocco and often the entry point, this city is best visited without a car as traffic congestion is a real concern. The Hassan II mosque is the only one in country where non-muslims are welcome and your time here would be incomplete without a visit. An art-deco architecture tour is another highlight of this French colonial urban center as are cocktails and dinner at Rick’s American Cafe as depicted in the famous film, Casablanca.
Tangier
Located on the Straight of Gibraltar and the Mediterranean coast, Tangier is the gateway to Europe with many swift ferry crossings per day making it an easy day trip from Spain. While here shop the souks, sip mint tea on the square in any of the myriad cafes and take a promenade - it is the beach after all. While a great deal of effort is being made to make this historic port town a world-renowned modern destination it boasts historical influences of the Spaniards, Greeks, Romans, Arabs and others. Spend a little time exploring caves and a lighthouse.
Stay
Cities:
Marrakech
Riad- Anya Riad
Hotel -
Camp -
Casablanca
Riad-
Hotel -
Camp -
Fes
Riad-
Hotel -
Camp -
Tangier
Riad-
Hotel -
Camp -
Essaouira
Riad-
Hotel -
Camp -
Chefchaouen
Riad- Casa Las Palmas
Hotel -
Camp -
Desert:
Auberge Chez Talout
Les Jardins de Skoura
Mountain:
Kasbah du Toubkal
Seaside:
Itinerary
Spring
Day tripping from Marrakech to Essaouira or Ourika Valley, Ouzoud cascades.
Day tripping from Fes to Meknes, Volubius ruins, Chefchaouen, pot valley
3-5 days Marrakech to Fes with desert excursion, including a drive through the Atlas mountains, visit to Todgha gorge
7-10 days Additional stops in Meknes, Volubius ruins
14 days + Imperial Cities with desert, beach, mountain
Summer
3-5 days
7-10 days
14 days +
Autumn
3-5 days
7-10 days
14 days +
Winter
5 days
10 days
15 days
Including
Suggested trips/packages
Desert:
The most requested trip is one out to the edge of the Sahara desert at Erg Chebbi or Erg Chigaga.
Camel trek with overnight in bedoin tents
ATV excursions
Sand-boarding
Kasbahs
Oases
Rock climbing and/or canyon hiking in the Todgha gorge
Ancient wells
Ouarzazate - home to Morocco's Hollywood, Atlas film studios
Ait Bennhadou, a Unesco world heritage site
*Both of these can be done as day trips from Marrakech or as part of a longer trip to Fes by way of the desert
Beach (south):
North is the Mediterranean and most tourist do not visit these beaches
Essaouira
Quaint fishing port with galleries, boat makers and fishing net reparations
Surfing
Wind-surfing
Sunset Cruise
Fishing
*Essaouira can be done as a day trip from Marrakech
Agadir
Sandy beaches, warm sunshine year-round, clean water
Local vacation spot
Cities:
Marrakech
Djemma el fna - night bazaar with grilled meats and street performers
Medina
Souk
Bahia Palace
Jardin Majorelle
Great restaurants
Hookah
Hamam- a Moroccan bathing ritual
Fes:
Medina
Souk - Ban el !
Mosques
Chaouwara Tanneries
Art Naji - ceramics studio and shop
Palaces and museums
*Visit Meknes (splendid and grand Moorish architecture) and Volubilis (Roman ruins and the most important archaeological site in Morocco) as day trips from Fes
Tangier:
The port to Europe on the Straight of Gibraltar - many ferry crossings/day
Beaches
Town Squares
Souks
Chefchaouen:
This is an exciting, artsy, hippy-ish sort of town in the Rif Mountains, a day trip from either Tangier or Fes. It is known for its blue-washed buildings as hommage to its Jewish heritage. Spanish is spoken here as influenced by Andalusian architecture. One of the prettiest places to visit among the lush agriculture and mountains. People are super friendly and laid back. Of course there is a medina and mosque but probably best known for hiking/backpacking."Pot valley" adjacent.
Casablanca:
Hassan II Mosque - the only one where non-Muslims are allowed
Coastal
Financial epicenter
Rick's Cafe - from the movie
Youthful
City of contrasts - modern/ancient, prosperous/paupers
Accommodations can be arranged or not, depending on the client and can be tailored for any budget
Popular Moroccan Delights:
Argan Oil - cosmetic and cooking grades
Rose water and other cosmetic rose products from the Rose Valley
Spices - particularly saffron. Other spices are used for both cooking and medicinal purposes.
Dates
Olives
Carpets
Ceramics (Fez)
Leather goods (tannery in Fez)
Metal works
Mint tea, also known as Moroccan whiskey, is prepared and served everywhere to show hospitality, friendship, respect.
Day trips from Marrakech (which is where Omar lives and many tours originate). Of course he will pick up and start the tour from anywhere.
Essaouira
Ouzoud Cascades (waterfalls)
Ourika valley and Atlas mountains
Ait Bennhadou - world heritage site
Atlas film studios
About Omar:
Multilingual - He is very proudly Berber (the indigenous people of Morocco) and speaks Berber, Arabic, English, French, German and some Hebrew
He is 38 years old, married with 2 children
University educated
In my experience we conversed on topics of politics, religion, culture, history, current events, art, music. He is very familiar with American culture.
He enhanced our trip by taking us to local places for food and entertainment. Dressed us up in traditional Berber bride and groom costumes (jalaba for men and kaftan for women), treated me a henna tattoo, took us to smoke hookah, and for Hamam, as well as dancing in a Moroccan dinner theater with belly dancers. He took us to the most authentic and economical places to look for carpets, ceramics, spices, fossils, and argan/rose products.
We will want to create a PayPal account and request 30% of trip cost upfront. Balance due within a reasonable time of departure.
Omar says he has a gmail address for truly morocco so we can just make sure I can access it. He is still working on resolving the Magic Morocco whatever though facebook. I'm quite unclear why this cannot be properly done. Anyway.
I can get his local recommendations on great restaurants, places to shop, etc to include to enrich the user experience.