Morocco Jewish Tour

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Day 1: Casablanca.

You will be received at the Mohamed V airport by your driver / guide who will accompany you throughout your Jewish tour in Morocco. You will be transferred to your hotel in Casablanca. Eating breakfast and taking a little rest before starting the visit of Casablanca. The visit includes the Mohamed V square, United Nations square, Hassan II Mosque, one of the largest mosques in the world and an architectural masterpiece featuring the best crafts work in Morocco. Then you will visit the Jewish Museum, the unique museum dedicated to the Jewish community in the Arab world, the Beth El synagogue and cemetery Ouled Zian.

 

Day 2: Casablanca – Rabat.

After breakfast departure to Rabat. Rabat is the capital of Morocco and one of the imperial cities where Jews have settled in the past. Visit to the monuments of the city: Oudaias Kasbah, Hassan Tower, Chellah nécorpole which dates from the 14th century, Méchouar of the Royal Palace and Mausoleum Mohamed V. It is the king Mohamed V who saved Jews from Vichy regime during the Second World War. After that you will visit the Mellah which is the Jewish quarter.

 

Day 3:Rabat – Tangier.

After breakfast departure to Tangier through Asilah and Larach. Upon arrival in Tangier, you will visit the Jewish quarter and Synagogues in particularly the Temple Benattar synagogue. Stop at Cap Spartel where the Atlantic converges with Mideterranean sea, Hercules cavern and then visit to the Kasbah.

 

Day 4: Tangier – Tetouan – Chefchaouen.

From Tangier to Chefchaouen via Tetouan. This city has received an important Jewish community coming from Andalusia. You will see the Mellah ( Jewish quarter ), synagogues and cemetery of Castille then visit to the Kasbah before continuing to Chefchaouen. Chefchaouen is a beautiful Berber city situated between the Rif Mountains. You will visit the Medina, the Kasbah, the largest mosque dating from the 15th century and Utta El Hamam square.

 

Day 5: Chefchaouen – Ouazzane – Volubilis – Meknes – Fez.

From Chefchaouen you will go to Ouazzane to visit Rabbi Amram Ben Diwan. Many pilgrims come each year to its Hilloula. Then continuation towards Meknes via Volubilis, where you will see the Roman ruins that are still well preserved. Meknes is an imperial city founded by Moulay Ismail, you will visit the old and the new Mellah, synagogues and the tomb of Rabbi David Benmidan. Hebrew epitaphs showing Jewish presence since the Christian era as well as greek inscriptions were found in the city of Meknes. You will have a tour of great walls and great gates before the departure to Fez.

 

Day 6: Fez.

You will spend the entire day exploring the charming city of Fez in the company of a local guide. Fez is the spiritual capital of Morocco and one of the oldest imperial cities where thousands of Jews lived. You will explore the Mellah which was founded in 1438, synagogues including that one of Ibn Danan and the cemetery that contains the graves of Rabbis such as Yehuda Ben Attar, Monsengo and Rabbi Isaac Alfasi. The tour will also include Mederssa Bouinania and Attarine, Nejjarine fountain and Karaouine mosque which is the first university founded in the world. After lunch in a traditional restaurant in the Medina you’ll walk in the labyrinth of medieval Medina of Fez which forms a unique world surrounded by ramparts and containing the famous colorful souks of Fez. Each Souk has its own specialty of goods: carpets, pottery, ceramic, wrought iron, tanneries … etc.

 

Day 7: Sefrou – Lbhalil.

The program of this day includes an excursion to Sefrou and Lbhalil. Sefrou is a small town located 30 km from Fez and it was an important pole of Jewish culture. One of the most famous rabbis of the city is Rabbi Shaul Yehoshouah Abitbol (1740-1809). You will see the old Mellah, Em Habanim school, the synagogue and cemetery where is the tomb of Rabbi Moshe Elbaz Raphael.

 

Day 8: Fez – Ifran – Midelt – Erfoud – Merzouga.

Departure from Fez to Erfoud through the mountains of the Middle Atlas and the Berber villages of Imouzzer, Azrou and Ifrane. Ifrane is a ski resort and also known as the little Switzerland of Morocco as ​​it looks much like Swiss cities. You will also go through Khenifra Midelt and the Ziz valley before reaching Erfoud. Change of the car to go on 4×4 to Merzouga then you will admire the huge sand dunes and breathtaking sunset on camels before arriving to the bivouac where you will spend a night in a nomad tent in the desert of Erg Chebbi. The dinner will be accompanied by Berber music and dances around fire lit in the middle of the camp. The desert experience is magical and it will put you in the heart of the life of Bedoins.

 

Day 9: Erfoud – Rissani.

You will wake up early to watch the sunrise behind the dunes, a magical moment not to be missed. After breakfast return by camel to Erfoud. The program of the day will be visiting the small town of Rissani to see Ksars and Kasbahs of 17th century and the Jewish cemetery as well as the tomb of Rabbi shmuel Abuhatzeira. Back to Erfoud.

 

Day 10: Erfoud – Tinghir – Ouarzazate.

You will continue your tour to Ouarzazate via the Valley of 1000 Kasbahs. Some Ksours and Kasbahs are still inhabited by Berber families while others fell into ruins. You will admire beautiful natural scenes throughout this trip especially the large oases and palm groves. Arriving at Tinghir you will visit one of the oldest Jewish cemeteries in Morocco and then the Mellah. Stop at the magnificent Todra Gorges with cliffs reaching 250m. After lunch in the gorges you will continue the road to go to Kelaa Magouna known for its roses. some well known brands of perfumes are extracted from roses in this region. Arrival at Ouarzazate.

 

Day 11: Ouarzazate – Taroudant.

A short visit after breakfast to Ouarzazate. Visit of Taourit Kasbah which was the residence of Pasha Glaoui near the Mellah then you will head off to Ait Benhaddou, a huge Kasbah listed on the World Heritage List of UNESCO and many famous movies were shot there such as Lawrence of Arabia, Gladiator, The diamond of the Nile … Then continuation towards Taroudant.

 

Day 12: Taroudant – Agadir – Essaouira.

A short tour of Taroudant, its Souk and its ramparts. Taroudant was the capital of the Saadians and known as the little Marrakech. Your next destination is the city of Agadir. On arrival in Agadir you will explore the new city and its corniche then you will enjoy a panoramic view on the Kasbah of Agadir Oufella dating back to the 16th century then you will continue to Essaouira.

 

Day 13: Essaouira – Marrakech.

Essaouira was a Portuguese fortress which holds much of the history of Moroccan Jews. You will visit the tomb of Rabbi Haim Pinto and two Mellahs, Jewish cemeteries and synagogues. Departure after breakfast to Marrakech. Arrival in Marrakech.

 

Day 14: Marrakech.

The morning will be spent visiting the city of Marrakech, a charming imperial city rich in history and monuments. With a local guide you will see the magnificent Koutoubia, the souks, the Medina with its narrow streets, ramparts, the Saadian Tombs, Bahia Palace, Ben Youssef Mederssa and the Mellah (Jewish Quarter) that was famous for its Rabbinical Schools and Schoolars. You will also visit the Jewish cemetery and the grave of Rabbi Hanania Hacohen and Rabbi Mordekhai Ben Attar. In the afternoon you will discover the Djemaa Elfna which knows a great animation in each evening. The animation is created by musicians, snake charmers, acrobats, storytellers, henna tattooists, sellers of orange juice and food stalls. Optional: Dinner accompanied by Fantasia, folklore and belly dancing in Ali restaurant.

 

Day 15: Marrakech.

Free day to relax, to shop, to go to a traditional Moroccan Hammam or to make a trip to the Ourika valley at the foot of the mountains of the High Atlas. A wonderful place to see the Berber villages where many Jews lived. In Aghbalou a stop to visit the ancient sanctuary of the holy Berber Rabbi Shlomo Bel hans.

 

Day 16: Marrakech – Casablanca.

Transfer to Mohamed V airport in Casablanca or Marrakech airport and assistance in procedures before departure. End of service.

 

 

N.B

This tour may undergo changes depending on the airport of arrival and departure (Casablanca, Marrakech and Agadir).

 

The price includes:

• Transfer from and to the airport.

• Riads and hotel.

• All breakfasts.

• Car and 4x4 transportation with driver/guide.

• Camels ride in the desert and a night in the bivouac.

• Local guides.

• Monuments entrance fees in Marrakech, Fez and Volubilis.

 

The price does not include:

• Air tickets

• Travel insurance 

• Drinks 

• Lunches and dinners

• Tips