Morocco & Sahara Desert
Date: Thursday, April 5 to Sunday, April 15
Where: Morocco (Casablanca, Fes, Erfoud, Sahara Desert, Todra Gorges, and Marrakech)
10 Nights/10 Days

Included
International Airfare
All ground transportation
8 Nights in 3 & 4 star Hotel
1 Night in Berber Tent in Sahara Desert
All Breakfasts and 7 Dinners
All Tours on the itinerary
Tour Guides and Drivers
Camel Trek

Event Details
Stir a little spice into your life and join us for a Moroccan Adventure this Easter!  From the Atlas mountains, to the Sahara Desert, Zirkel The World will show you the best that Morocco has to offer.  We will take you through the cities of Fez and Marrakech, driving through the Atlas Mountains, camel riding and sand surfing in the Sahara Desert, and the famous Djemaa el-Fna, one of the center attractions of Marrakech.  Let someone else do all the work on your vacation!  Come "Z" this North African jewel with us.....

Thursday, April 5-
Depart our NYC evening flight arriving Casablanca at 6:25am.

Friday, April 6-Casablanca
Once we arrive in Casablanca, the economic capital of Morocco, we will be met and transferred by van to our Casablanca hotel, where we will check in and relax for the afternoon.  Depending on time, we will choose to have an optional tour of the Hassan II mosque. 
Overnight Casablanca

Saturday, April 7-Meknes/Volubilis/Fes (4hr drive)
After breakfast, the group will leave by van toward Fes.  On route, we will stop at Rabat, the capital city and residence of the King, for lunch and a time to enjoy the beautiful coastal city.  In the afternoon, you may choose to explore the 2000-year-old ruins of Volubilis and get a picture of life during the Roman Empire.  From there you will head on to Fes, the spiritual capital of Morocco. 
Overnight Fes

Sunday, April 8-Fes
After breakfast we will begin our guided tour of the Medina, one of the world's largest walled in cities.  We will explore the narrow streets lined with fresh fruit, mounds of spices, intricately woven Berber carpets and many other art objects of Morocco.  A visit to the Kings Palace, the tanneries, and potters are just a few places we will experience.  For lunch, we will eat in a traditional restaurant in the heart of the Medina.  After lunch, we will complete the tour and return to our hotel for the evening. 
Overnight Fes

Monday, April 9-Erfoud (8hr drive)
After an early breakfast we will begin our ascent across the Middle Atlas Mountains.  Most of the day will be spent winding our way through the beautiful forests, jagged rock faces, and Berber villages as we cross the Atlas Mountains and begin to descend towards the Sahara Desert.  Half way, we will stop for lunch in the town of Midelt, famous for its fossils and rocks.  On arrival at the Kasbah Tizimi in Erfoud, a hot shower or dip in the swimming pool will be a treat after the drive.
Overnight Erfoud

Tuesday, April 10-Sahara Desert
Most of the day will be spent relaxing at the hotel or exploring the small but interesting desert town.  In the afternoon, we will head off in some 4-wheel drive vehicles across the barren land to the majestic Sahara sand dunes where we'll have the opportunity to try sand boarding (cost not included) from Auberge Dunes D'or.  Just before sunset, we'll set off by camel for a 2-hour trek out to the oasis where we will spend the night in Berber tents.
Overnight in the Oasis

Wednesday, April 11-Erfoud
After breakfast, we will return by camel to the 4x4s and head back to Erfoud where you will have a chance to shower and relax in from at the hotel pool.  You can also enjoy walking around the small town.  Dinner will be served at the hotel.
Overnight Erfoud

Thursday, April 12-Todra Gorges (4hr drive)
From Erfoud we will set out behind the High Atlas Mountains on route to the Todra Gorges.  In the afternoon, you will take a walk up in the towering Todra Gorges (600 feet high).  The picturesque river valleys make for a beautiful journey towards the southeast of Morocco. We will be able to walk around through these amazing structures.  We will spend the night in Tingher before we cross the High Atlas Mountains.
Overnight Todra Gorge

Friday, April 13-Marrakech (4.5hr drive)
After an early breakfast we will set off to Marrakech via Ouarzazate. Tucked away in the High Atlas Mountains, it is one of  the jewels of Morocco.  In typical Moroccan fashion, the true treasures must be searched out and discovered...usually off the beaten path.  In actuality, this setting has been used for more films than any other location in Morocco; films including Lawrence of Arabia, Jesus of Nazareth, and recently The Gladiator.  We will have lunch at Ait Ben Haddou.

After lunch, we will head over the mountains to Marrakech.  Once in Marrakech, we will check into our hotel and then head off to the Djemaa el-Fna, the center square of the Medina.  the famous Djemaa el-Fna, is one of the center attractions of Marrakech.  Coming alive at night with the local storytellers, entertainers, and mouth-watering barbecue pits, the square is well worth a visit.  A quiet cop of tea on the terrace of an adjacent cafe provides a spectacular aerial view of the bustling square.
Overnight Marrakech

Saturday, April 14-Marrakech
After breakfast, the group will have a guided tour of Marrakech, the southern pearl of Morocco.  We will discover the Palace of the Bahia, the Saadian Tombs, and many other hidden treasures.  After lunch, we will continue with the tour on to the magnificent Koutoubia Mosque and the famous Djemaa el-Fna, one of the center attractions of Marrakech. The tour will conclude with and exploration of the souk (market) lined with fresh fruit, mounds of spices, intricately woven Berber carpets and many other art objects of Morocco.
Overnight Marrakech

Sunday, April 15-Departure
After breakfast we will be driven to the airport for our early afternoon flight back to NYC, arriving at 3:45pm.