Imperial and Pharaonic

Overview

Explore the charm of Morocco, the local colours, inhabitants, food and local experiences. Exploring the ancient history of Fez, Meknes and Marrakech and Rabat continue to Cairo and see what the ancient Pharaos done in Giza, Sakkara, Memphis, Egyptian Museum as well as exploring Alexandria 

Itinerary

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  1

  Arrival - Casablanca / Rabat

  Arrival to Casablanca, the local driver guide will welcome you outside the airport (front of gate 2). Transfer to Rabat (Capital of Morocco) to your hotel for check-in and night in Rabat

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  2

  Rabat / Meknes / Volubilis / Fez

  After breakfast, be prepared for a guided tour of Rabat, it will revolve around uncovering the history of Rabat. A visit to Chellah and Kasbah Ouddaya. Free time afterward to stroll around the souks and bazaars in the old city “medina of Rabat”, continue to “Café Maure”, on the bank of Bouregrag River, to enjoy a Moroccan Tea time with mint tea alongside some Moroccan goodies like: “Kaab Ghazal” and “Ghariba”. Drive to Fez. En route, a stop by Volubilis and Meknes, the archeological site of Volubilis is listed by the UNESCO as a world heritage. A specialized guide will walk you around the remains of the Roman and Berber cultures that once occupied it. Afterward, the trip will continue to the Imperial City of Meknes, one of Morocco’s lesser-visited. It was built by Moulay Ismail and was conceived to be the ‘Versailles of Morocco’. Once you meet your local guide, you’ll be able to visit the famed gate of Bab El Mansour, and Lhri. These sites are the main beating veins of the city. We will then continue our way to Fez. The more you know: Kaab Ghazal means in Arabic the hoof of the dear, and along with Ghariba and Mint Tea are symbols of Moroccan hospitality, night in Fez

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  3

  Fez

  After breakfast, start the citytour of Fez, (once the capital of the kingdom before 1912), explore Fez the Medina which is a World Heritage Site, according to the UNESCO, and it was founded in the 9th century and it is home to the world's oldest university. Visit the major sites like Bou-Inania and Attarin Medersa, the tanners, Ess-Seffarine Square, Moulay Driss tomb, El-Nejjarine square, and the cabinet makers’ souk, the Hebrew district ‘Mellah’. In your schedule, you will have a pottery workshop with a pottery master so that you get to have a full Moroccan experience. Lunch at a local restaurant, and free afternoon. In October every year Fez held one of the largest and well known Islamic Sufi festivals with performers from around the world, night in Fez

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  4

  Fez / Beni-Mellal / Marrakech

  After breakfast, you will be picked up, and then travel to the imperial city of Marrakech. Along the way, you will pass through small villages such as Imouzar and Ifrane. A bit later in the day, when you reach one of the morocco’s best known agricultural centers called Beni Melal. You will continue on your journey to Marrakech. On arrival in Marrakech, you will be taken to check-in at your hotel where you will be spending the night, night in Marrakech

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  5

  Marrakech

  Breakfast and start a guided city tour of the “Ochre City”, visit first in the morning the Majorelle Garden which was named after the French painter “Jacques Majorelle” who dedicated a lot of effort and passion to this art piece. After Majorelle let’s continue after it to Menara and though the name in Arabic translates to “lighthouse”, it is actually a pavilion with a basin and a garden of orchards and olive groves. We will be heading afterward to the Koutobia Mosque and through the Jewish quarter called Mallah. After lunch at a local restaurant, finish your visit with a carriage ride or “Koutchi” to Jamaa El Fnaa. Marrakesh is known for being holy, Moroccans call it “the land of the seven men” who were huge religion and Sufi scholars that gave their lives for knowledge and worship, night in Marrakech

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  6

  Marrakech

  Breakfast at the hotel and a free day to discover Marrakech on your pace. Have your own Marrakech experience, meet the locals, engage in the “Marrakechi” lifestyle, find the storytellers, the snake charmers and let Marrakech charm you as well, night in Marrakech

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  7

  Marrakech / Casablanca

  Breakfast and drive to Casablanca. Once in Casablanca, you will be joined with your local guide for a visit to the Hassan II mosque, an Architectural master peace overlooking the Atlantic coast of Casablanca. Continue afterward for a tour of the city and its corniche, the Habous quarters, Royal Palace (exterior visit), night in Casablanca

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  8

  Casablanca / Cairo

  Transfer to the airport of Casablanca for the flight to Cairo, arrivaland transfer to the hotel, night at the hotel in Cairo

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  9

  Cairo / Alexandria / Cairo

  Pickup at the hotel, and route to Alexandria with an A/C vehicle (2 hrs approx.), the guide will focus on you and your interests, provide you an insight into Egyptian history and point out the popular landmarks in Alexandria. At the first stop, you can admire the famous library of Alexandria, one of the largest and most impressive examples of ancient times. A Halte for Lunch in Local Restaurant (1 hrs approx.), Then, you will visit Catacomb and Pompey's Pillar. At the next stop, you visit the site of Pharaos lighthouse of Alexandria, once an Ancient Wonder of the world. Now in its place, the grand citadel of Qaitbay. Lastly, a visit to the oldest church in Africa; the church of St Mark. Then following on to a trip to Alexandria’s old harbor with views of the entire city and multiple stops at unique photo opportunities. Once the tour is complete, Route back to Cairo , Drop-off at your hotel, Dinner and night in the hotel

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  10

  Egyptian Museum / Citadel / Bazar

  Full day tour visiting the Egyptian Museum of antiquities. It displays the largest and most precious items of the Egyptian art in the world.It exhibits a rare collection of over 250,000 genuine artifacts that date as far back as 5000 years, Then Continue your day tour to The Citadel where you visit The Alabaster Mosque Of Mohamed Ali Pasha .(1:30 hrs approx..) Lunch at Local Restaurant (Full Meal but Beverages are not included , 1 Hr approx..) Then continue your day tour to Khan El Khalili Bazaar. The numerous shops in this district are known for trading fine brassware, copper, perfumes, leather, silver, gold, antiques and much more .(1 Hr approx..) At the end of the Tour, transfer back, Dinner and night at the Hotel

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  11

  Sakkara / Memphis / Giza

  Start the Full Day Tour Visiting Giza Pyramids where you visit the Great Pyramids Of Giza - Kheops, Khephren & Mykerinos then Visit the Valley Temple The Place where the Priests Mummified the dead body of king Khephren owner of the second pyramid at Giza Platue Also it`s the same place where you Can have a close-up look at the Sphinx - The legendary guardian that stands by the huge funeral complex with its lion body and the head of king Khephren.(2.30 Hrs time Spent ) Lunch at Local Restaurant (Beverages are not included , 1 Hr approx..) Then Continue your day tour to Sakkara, located only 27 km southwest away from Cairo. Visit the Step Pyramid (Built by king Zoser), it is considered an important part of the process of the pyramid evolution, which were made from the simple mastaba to its widely known form (2 hrs). Then continue your day tour to Memphis City that was the ancient capital of Egypt, where the colossal statue of Ramses II and the great Alabaster Sphinx are. this City Dates back to 3100 B.C .(1hr) At the end of the Tour, transfer back to the hotel, Night in the Hotel

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  12

  The Coptic Cairo

  Discover the historical Christian part of the town “Coptic Cairo" where you will visit the "Hanging Church” which is dating back to the 3rd Century AD and was dedicated to Virgin Mary ,It's called "Hanging" because of its location above the gatehouse of the ancient Roman fortress "Babylon" . It contains 110 Holy icons depicting beautiful religious scenes. Then visiting "Saint Sergius and Bacchus Church" which is believed to have been built on the spot where the holy family rested at the end of their journey into Egypt. Ben Ezra Synagogue In Coptic Cairo visit to the "Jewish Synagogue of Ben Ezra" which gained its importance from its Geniza (Store room) was found during the 19th century containing a treasure of abandoned Hebrew secular and sacred manuscripts, back to the hotel, afternoon free at leisure, night in the Hotel

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  13

  Cairo – End of the Trip

  Breakfast and transfer to the airport for the return flight – End of the Trip