Epic Morocco – Jewish Tour

Welcome to Morocco! "Ahlan Wa Sahlan"

Upon arrival at Casablanca Airport, your English-speaking guide will be waiting for you outside with an airport sign, as well as our private vehicle that will take you to your hotel where you will start your journey in Morocco. 

If you arrive early, a great option would be to Stroll along the beautiful Bay of Ain Diab or go for a walk around the Habous district.

Casablanca - Visit most impressive sites

Today you will have a great guided visit of Casablanca's main monuments & sights and most importantly places with high significance in the Casaoui Jewish community as the economical capital is home to over 30 synagogues  outside of the historic Jewish district, also a city that 3% of its population was Jewish before 1939.

Your Amazing tour starts with a visit to one of the most impressive sites in Casablanca – the Iconic edifice of the Mosque of Hassan II. Opened in 1993 after 7 Years of construction work of dozens of Moroccan architects and thousands of workers from all over the kingdom, this mosque has the tallest Minaret on the entire planet and is the 3rd largest Mosque in the world,  the huge building is part of land and part on sea, and in one area water can be seen through a glass floor. It is one of the only religious sites open to non-Muslims.

From there you will visit the old medina starting from The old Jewish quarter (Mellah), with its temples and synagogues such as the Temple of Beth-El often considered the core of a once lively Jewish society. Its tainted glass windows and other artistic elements are what attract tourists to this synagogue, you will also get to visit the synagogue of Rabbi Ettedegui.

Afterward, you will head to the Jewish museum which covers an area of 700 square meters and is considered to be the first of its kind in the Arab world. Located south of “El Maarif” and housed in a beautiful villa surrounded by lush gardens it’s the only Jewish museum in the Islamic world. It relates the history of the once-prosperous Jewish community and its influence on modern Moroccan society. This museum is the richest taking into consideration the fact that it contains more than 1500 historical artifacts including documents, traditional clothing, ceremonial items, and a vast collection of photographs.  After lunch bid farewell to Casablanca and travel to beautiful Tangier, the city with the Mediterranean sea meets the Atlantic ocean.

Kasbah & Chefchaouen - Visit the ramparts overlooking the Atlantic Ocean

This morning, you will get the chance to visit its beautiful Kasbah and ramparts overlooking the Atlantic ocean,  your guide will take you on a stroll around the city starting from cape started, the North-West tip of Africa, and Hercules’s Caves, according to the popular beliefs were made after  Hercules separated Africa from Europe. Move on to visit the Kasbah district next to the port and the old medina with its crafts shops and a magnificent minaret overlooking the sea. Pass by the Mendoubia Gardens, the Grand Socco and visit the American legation museum the first American public property outside the United States, it commemorates the historic cultural and diplomatic relations between the United States and Morocco.

After lunch, leave Tangier behind and head to Chefchaouen the beautiful blue pearl of Morocco .

Chefchaouen - Explore the city

This morning, enjoy the sights in the main square with the Kasbah (built back in the 18th century), central mosque, and cafes with authentic Moroccan-style menus. Chefchaouen was established in the 15th century after Jews and Moors fled there following the Spanish Reconquista. The market is a mix of traditional Moroccan and tourist souvenirs, very busy but worth a visit. The town is easy to explore and the old Kasbah is worth a visit. Built by Moulay Ismail, it is now practically a ruin, and next to it is the Great Mosque. Although the medina is small, walk on to the main square and the souks, where women sell an array of local goods, you will get to taste some locally made goat cheese.

The afternoon and evening are at leisure.

Volubilis - Discover the Mauritanian capital

Leave Chefchaouen and visit The Mauritanian capital of Volubilis which was founded in the 3rd century B.C and became an important outpost of the Roman Empire and was graced with many fine buildings. Extensive remains of these survive in the archaeological site, located in a fertile agricultural area. although today all that remains are some ruins, the remaining structures and intricate mosaics have been preserved as a reminder of a city that once thrived.

After visiting Volubilis continue your journey towards the city of Fes you will arrive later in the afternoon and have plenty of time to relax in your beautiful mansion.

Fes - A memorable guided walking tour of the old city, known locally as Fes el Bali

After breakfast, you will be picked up to go start  a memorable guided walking tour of the old city, known locally as Fes el Bali. You will live a 1001 night’s tale and Step back into the Middle Ages in the labyrinth of the Medina, which is alive with local craftsmen, souks, traditional schools, tanneries, and mosques. After walking around this mystical site you visit  the old Mellah as well as the Jewish cemetery, Continue to Ibn Danan (a recently renovated synagogue), Attarine and Bou Inania Medersas, and the scenic Nejjarine Fountain. You will also see Fez’s impressive Karaouine and Andalous Mosques. the rest of the day is free

Sefrou & Merzouga Desert - Enjoy the cherry capital or the small town

You will leave Fez early this morning and head into the Middle Atlas Mountains. Our first stop will be the cherry capital or the small town of Sefrou. Also known as “Little Jerusalem”. This town stands off the beaten path in the Middle Atlas Mountains at an altitude of 1000 meters and has had a rich heritage as a major stop for merchants from all over the globe. For this reason, the town was once a melting pot of cultures and had an important Jewish population since the 13th century. After the stop in this fascinating village, you will go to Midelt a small town  Sitting on a plateau between the High  and Middle Atlas Mountains in central Morocco, where you can have a stop for lunch and some sightseeing.

You will also get to stop at the capital of the fossils of Erfoud, In 1931, the Jewish population of this small city was about 1,172. Many were artisans and owners of various spice shops and the town was the home to many great Rabbis and Kabbalists, including Rav Yitzchak Al-Fasi, the Rambam, R Joseph Gikatila, and the Ohr HaChaim HaKadosh, whose burial sites are visited every year by Jewish pilgrims. 

Later on, you will continue your journey to the Merzouga desert, upon arrival in you will leave your luggage at the auberge before changing transportation and riding a camel you will have dinner by the campfire and enjoy some gnaoua music, your Room for tonight will be a Bedouin-style super comfy tent.

Erg Chebbi Dunes - Appreciate the unique beauty of the spectacular

This morning hop on the back of your favorite ride of this journey and watch what well may be the best sunrise of your life on the way to the village of Merzouga. En route, you will appreciate the unique beauty of the spectacular Erg Chebbi dunes - changing with the light as the day progresses.

After breakfast in the Riad, you’ll leave for Khamlia which is a small village in southern Merzouga, The Khamlia’s Gnawa originated in black Africa having a close and long-standing relationship with the desert. You will have tea and enjoy some live Gnawa music with very hospitable and kind people, Afterwards, you will depart to the gorges of Todra the highest, narrowest gorges in Morocco.

Continue to Tineghir and visit its Mellah gateway and the ancient and colorful Jewish quarter, later on, visit Tilsit, known as the ancient city of the Jews of the Dades. You will spend the night at Dades Valley, where you’ll see the majestic sandcastles and the amazing rock formations.

Ait Benhaddou - Visit one of Morocco's most iconic sites

After breakfast, continue our journey towards Aitbenhadou via Skoura, commonly known as the Road of One Thousand Kasbahs Skoura. Here, in this quiet little village garnished with palm tree groves, you will find one kasbah that stands out from the rest. The Kasbah Amridil, 400 years old beautiful buildings, and one of Morocco’s most iconic living museums, our final stop of the day will be the amazing Kasbah of Aitbenhadou where you will spend the night Perched on a hilltop and almost unchanged since the 11th century, Ait Benhaddou is one of Morocco's most iconic sites. Its grant kasbah is one of the most beautiful in Morocco and the fortified village is a fine example of clay architecture. If you think you recognize the place, you probably do, as the town has a long list of film and TV credits, including Lawrence of Arabia, Game of Thrones, and Gladiator. 

Marrakech - Colorful melting pot where European modernity meets ancient vibes

Today head towards the city of Marrakech a colorful melting pot where European modernity meets ancient vibes.  the balance of the day is at leisure

Marrakesh is situated to the north of the foothills of the snow-capped Atlas Mountains and fringing the famed Sahara, the bustling UNESCO-listed city of Marrakesh is an enchanting travel destination in Morocco. It’s easy to lose all sense of time in Marrakech, with its maze of narrow alleyways scattered with donkey carts, snake charmers, castanetists, acrobats, storytellers, dancers, water-sellers, and potion vendors to entertain. If you don’t find all of these as you journey through the winding streets of the ‘Red City’, you will be sure to find them and much, much more at its famous markets. Marrakesh is home to the largest traditional Berber market in Morocco and one of the busiest squares in the world, known as Djemaa el Fna. Don’t miss the opportunity to visit this square in the evening as it transforms into an enormous, open-air restaurant.

Marrakesh - Head to discover Medina

After breakfast, you will head to Medina starting from the Koutoubia Mosque and its notorious Minaret to the Bahia palace via the royal palace and Jewish quarter of Marrakech, the Bahia palace  built in the late 19th century, intended to be one of the greatest palaces of its time and to capture the essence of the Islamic and Moroccan style, afterward walk through the narrow streets of the Medina through souks and spice Markets where women sell many organic goodies from Organic make up products to handmade jewelry and hats, after a stroll in this Medieval labyrinth you will arrive at Le Jardin Secret that dates back to the Saadian dynasty more than 400 years ago and has been the home of some of Morocco and Marrakech’s most important political figures, discovers its gardens and buildings, which are outstanding examples of Islamic art and architecture.

The afternoon and evening are free for you to explore Marrakech further or why not have a Hammam session then hit the new part of town which is home to many fancy restaurants and pubs

Essaouira - Enjoy a mesmerizing fishing town

Today, leave Marrakech and head to the Atlantic ocean and specifically e Essaouira, which is a mesmerizing fishing town surrounded by hand-painted blue, white and yellow houses that look nothing but ethereal! This glorious town is known for its Portuguese and Jewish History, fresh and delectable seafood, and enthusiastic artist community.

Most of the hand-painted houses in this remarkable town belonging to Jews still have the Star of David on top of the doorways. Practicing Jews from around the world gather in this town for an annual pilgrimage, where they visit Rabbi Haim Pinto’s grave who departed in 1845. The Hiloula, as it is known, is celebrated each September to honor Rabbi Haim Pinto.

 See the Jewish cemetery in the Mellah, a place of the annual pilgrimage to the grave of the venerated Rabbi Haim Pinto, whose home and synagogue are preserved as a historic and religious site. you will also visit the city’s fortifications and Scala, a mixture of Berber and Portuguese architecture, and the 18th century Medina with its carpentry cedar and thuya wood ateliers. The evening is at leisure.

Essaouira - Explore the gems of city

This day is free for you to explore Essaouira further, maybe shop for some thuya wood gifts and beautiful handicrafts, or indulge in a relaxing Moroccan Hammam!

Town of Safi - Discover the pottery capital of Morocco

This morning, You depart Essaouira and travel north to the seaside town of Safi the pottery capital of Morocco, famous for being the world’s largest Tajine. You will have time to explore here visit The potters' hill linked historically with the art of ceramics it is one of the oldest districts of the city. Over 700 artisans work in 42 workshops equipped with 72 traditional ovens, you will Visit the pottery district and pass by Bab Chaaba, from there to Bab Labhar where you will hop on your bus again on a scenic seaside drive towards the Hill of Sidi Bouzid, known for its great fish, waves and gorgeous views over the ocean, you will have a local fish lunch here before departing to Casablanca, arriving in the afternoon. the evening is at leisure.

Casablanca - Departure

After breakfast, your Morocco tour ends after transfer to the Casablanca International Airport.