| Jewish Heritage of Morocco In these private tours to Morocco, you’ll explore Morocco’s world-famous Imperial Cities and Ourika (High Atlas Mountains) Berber Jewish Villages, Sahara Desert Morocco Trip, the charming Jewish city of Essaouira, including the Jewish economic Capital of Morocco, Casablanca, as well as all Morocco’s hidden paths. This journey lasts 12 days and can be customized with a private car or luxury van and English speaking driver based on your travel dates with one of the Best Morocco Travel Agencies. Contact Us / call us / WhatsApp us at (212) 925-6151 to Book Morocco Guided Tour. |
Morocco Jewish Heritage Tour – 12 Days / 11 Nights
Morocco Jewish History and Culture This file handout photo provided by the Moroccan Royal Palace on January 15, 2020, shows Morocco’s King Mohammed VI (R) during a visit to the “Bayt Dakira” (House of Memory) museum, in the Atlantic coastal city of Essaouira. (Moroccan Royal Palace photo via AFP) | Morocco has a long Jewish history, dating back thousands of years. The complex, intertwining relationship between the Jewish and Arabic populations is fascinating and unique in the world. With the opening of Israel, many Moroccan Jews moved east, but the country is now experiencing a resurgence of interest in Morocco’s Jewish heritage. Morocco Travel Agency has created an exciting new tour especially for those wishing to explore the country’s Jewish sites and culture. We created this exciting private tour especially for those wishing to explore Morocco’s Jewish sites and culture including a taste of the Berber and the Nomad lifestyle. Price: USD 2750 per person based on double occupancy USD 850 extra for a single occupancy Duration: 12 days Persons: min (2) Accommodation: Mixed Activities: Camel Riding, Craft Tours, Cultural Tours, Desert Tours, Hiking, Historical Tours, Horse Riding. Hotels can be changed for lower or higher budgets, and the number of days can be changed. 2 people with private car and English speaking guide. 3 people or more with a private luxury minivan and English speaking guide. Please read our Our Policy |
| ITINERARY After your arrival to Casablanca, you will be escorted to your luxury hotel in Casablanca. |
Day 1: Casablanca
 | (35 min drive) Upon arriving in Casablanca, Your tour leader will greet you and transfer you to your charming hotel Hyatt in Casablanca city center. Casablanca is home to the largest Jewish community in Morocco and has numerous congregations, active communal institutions, and many highly recommended kosher restaurants. Begin your day with a visit to the newly opened Jewish Museum in Casablanca. Although its collection is still quite formative, this is the first Jewish Museum in an Arab country. Visit the neighborhood that is home to most of Morocco’s Jewish Community. Stop by the cultural center and the Bet El synagogue. You may wish to have lunch at some of the small kosher restaurants or wherever you may wish on your own. Dinner at restaurant Rick’s cafe’ from the movie Casablanca. Meals included: Dinner Sites to Visit: *Ride along the corniche (coastline) * Royal Palace, * Mohammed V square * Jewish Museum + synagogue + Hassan II mosque |
Day 2: Casablanca – Rabat
 | The splendid capital of Morocco and one of the spectacular historic Imperial cities. The history and culture of Moroccan Jews, a 2,500-year history, a peaceable Jewish -Muslim coexistence. Explore Rabat’s Jewish cemeteries and sites, the Royal Palace, and the Mausoleum of Mohamed V, who saved Moroccan Jews from the occupying Vichy regime during World War II. a special visit the Jewish quarter with its narrow lanes and colorful courtyards, the near-by mellah has a beautiful synagogue just inside its gates, while the main synagogue is found a few blocks onward in the New City. Outside the city walls of Rabat, we will visit another walled city, The ancient ruins of Chellah, where Jews are believed to have lived during the time of the Phoenicians. Then we will visit the Kasbah des Oudaias, situated on a bluff overlooking the Atlantic Ocean you’ll find magnificent views. Jewish presence is evidenced by Hebraic epitaphs dating from the Christian era as well as Greek inscriptions that still appear in local Synagogues and a place of pilgrimage where the tomb of Rabbi’ David Benmidan is located. Lunch at Fish restaurant Dinner wherever you may wish on your own at many restaurants in the city center by walking distance. Accommodation and breakfast at your charming riad in Rabat ancient city. Meals Included: Breakfast & Lunch Sites to Visit: * Mohamed V Mausoleum * La Tour Hassan * Royal Palace * Chellah * Jewish Quarter & synagogue * Ancient Medina |
Day 3: Volubilis / Meknes / Fez
 | Then as we travel past centuries-old olive groves and vineyards we near Meknes, the Ismalian capital, famous for its 25-mile-long walls – not to mention excellent wine – where we’ll stop for a sumptuous lunch in a grand palace. Heading to port Bab El Mansour and Bab El Khamis, journey back thousands of years and explore the ancient Roman ruins of Volubilis sprawled over a wildflower-dotted hillside, where a magnificent triumphal arch presides over the awesome remains of palaces and mansions, Roman baths and basilicas, and stunning mosaics. The short drive to Meknes, Unesco’s world heritage list. After a pleasant lunch at the holy city of Moulay Idriss with the locals on your own. Afternoon to explore Meknes, an imperial city known as the Moroccan Versailles is where the Jewish heritage is visible through Hebraic epitaphs dating from the Christian era in addition to Greek inscriptions that still appear in local synagogues. Meknes’ old Mellah (the Jewish quarter) is known for its historic Jewish street names, and the new Mellah is home to eleven synagogues. A late afternoon short drive to Fez. Dinner & overnight at your charming hotel Les Merinides in Fez. Meals Included: Breakfast and Dinner Sites to Visit: * Volubilis – Ancient Roman Ruins / Mosaics * Bab El Mansour * Dar El Makhzen palace * Sidi Sand mosque, * All Jewish heritage * Kouba El Khayatine |
Day 4: Fez
 | A best surviving example of an ancient city, the spiritual and intellectual capital of Islam resting alongside ancient Jewish quarters. The Vibrant Jewish heritage in the Mellah, where artisan craft, antique Jewish goods, and handcrafted jewelry is sold. Visit the recently restored Ibn Danan synagogue, one of the oldest and most important synagogues in North Africa. Until very recently abandoned and decaying, its restoration was part of a comprehensive UNESCO project to preserve the monuments and fabric of medieval Fez. Lunch at the restaurant in the ancient city of Fez Dinner on your own. Overnight and breakfast at your charming hotel in Fez B&B at your charming riad in Fez. Meals Included: Breakfast & Lunch Sites to Visit: * Royal Palace * Mellah (Jewish Quarter) * Jewish Synagogue(not always open to the public) * Ramparts of Fes * Potter’s Cooperative * Al-Qayrawan mosque * Medersa Bou Inania * Weavers Cooperative * Berber Carpet Demonstration * Tanneries * Dyers Market * Najjarine Wood Museum * Museum Batha |
Day 5: Ifrane – Midelt – Errachidia – Erfoud – Merzouga / Desert / Camel ride for sunset on the dunes
 | A day of fun and soft adventure with plenty of stops for breaks! After breakfast depart to Erfoud via Azrou and Ifrane city. It is said that Ifrane was the capital of a Jewish kingdom in the far off past. Not to be missed the village’s only synagogues and the cemetery, which has been the center of pilgrimage for Moroccan Jews for centuries. Stop in Midelt and continue Erfoud. You’ll stop at Ifrane National Park to feed some monkeys before lunch in the town of Midelt, famous for its fossils and rocks. Follow by a drive to the last city of Erfoud where civilization end at that part of Morocco. Lunch at Hotel Tadart in Medilt to follow by another ride to the last city where civilization ends at that part of Morocco / Erfoud. Lastly, a 30 min Jeep transfer to the sugar-fine sands of the Sahara dunes for some downtime at your charming Kasbah. A late afternoon, you will explore the mystical Saharan landscape as you ride by camel over the stunning sugar-fine sands of Merzouga as the red sun sinks. As night falls, listen to the heady intoxicating beat of Berber drum music and song during the traditional pouring of mint tea. Delight in a Moroccan feast of harira soup, a savory tagine (stew with meat and vegetables) or Vegetarian meal, etc. Overnight and breakfast at your charming Kasbah near the Sahara dunes. Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner Sites to Visit: * Fossil / Museum Factory in Erfoud (either today or tomorrow morning) * Magical Dunes & Nomad camp at Erg Chebbi |
Day 6: Merzouga – Tinghir – Boumalne du Dades – Kelaa M’Gouna – Ourzazate
 | After a special Berber breakfast, You’ll depart for Ouarzazate, traveling the rugged Road of a Thousand Kasbahs that rise up like turreted sand castles along this ancient caravan trading route. This area has long been a popular location for Hollywood films such as The Last Temptation of Christ, Jewel of the Nile, and most recently Hideous Kinky. The central region is one of the most exciting and romantic destinations of Morocco nestled along rich river valleys, palmeries, and burnished mud-brick homes ablaze in vibrant color under the shelter of the blue desert sky. We’ll travel through the Dadès Valley past dramatic escarpments and plunging gorges via Tinghir. We’ll stop for a barbecue lunch at a local village and after a refreshing swim at the four-star Hotel where you’ll be lodging, there will be a free afternoon to bike, explore the village, or simply relax by the pool under the cool palms and the warm North African sun. Dinner and overnight stay at your charming Kasbah in Ouarzazate. area. Meals Included: Breakfast and Dinner |
Day 7: Ouarzazate – The high Atlas Mountains / Jewish Berber Villages
 | A day of fun and soft adventure with plenty of stops for breaks! The central region is one of the most exciting and romantic destinations of Morocco nestled along rich river valleys, palmeries, and burnished mud-brick homes ablaze in vibrant color under the shelter of the blue desert sky. We’ll travel through the Dadès Valley past dramatic escarpments and plunging gorges via rose valley through Kalat Megouna and Skoura and to Ouarzazate to explore the famous and the world heritage site of Kasbah ait Ben Haddou. After you may want to have lunch in the area. Lunch in the area. You’ll continue on through the High Atlas Mountains, past the rich rolling hills and valleys and mountains of Tizi n’Tichka’s. You’ll stop at a Berber village. Along the way, you’ll pass fragrant pine and cedar forests filled with chatty Barbary apes as you head toward The Ourika Valley. Dinner and overnight stay at your charming Kasbah in the middle of an old Jewish Berber village. Meals Included: Breakfast and Dinner |
Day 8: Explore the valley and Berber Villages
 | You will explore one of the most beautiful and unspoiled valleys of the High Atlas Valley of Ourika rises gently up to the preliminary hills of the High Atlas where small typical villages have nested. It is a pure and magnificent place where silence is only “disturbed ” by birds singing, water streams, and wagtails. Ourika is famous for its pottery, minerals, and crystal. If it is Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, or Friday, you will visit the bustling weekly souk of at the Valley. A visit to the aromatic garden of the valley at souk Lathnine. A visit to the Jewish shrine at souk Lakhmis or the one near souk Lathnine. A couple of hours trekking to explore some of the hidden Berber villages or to visit one of the hidden waterfalls of the valley. (optional) Dinner and overnight at your luxury Kasbah Omar at the village of Anrar. Meals Included: Breakfast and Dinner |
Day 9 & 10 – Marrakech
 | A full day sightseeing and enjoy a peck into the world of Jewish Marrakesh. We will visit the Mellah with its synagogues, The Negidim synagogue built at the end of the 19th century, the other synagogue of the mellah is the Salat el Alzama, built at the turn of the century, there is a local legend that the synagogue was built during the Second Temple period by Jews who had never lived in Eretz-Israel and had not witnessed the destruction of the Temple… Then the cemetery where Rabbi Hanania Ha-Cohen, the Lion of Marrakesh, and Rabbi Pinhas Cohen are buried. We then proceed to the Palais el Bahia where our guided tour takes us to several grand halls, gardens, and the harem quarter. Lunch at many restaurants with the locals on your own. The night beats in the heart of the old city’s famed square, Djemaa el-Fna, where delectable fare is grilled over coals in the bustling torch-lit open-air markets. Mystical snake charmers, hustlers, and mischievous monkeys are part of the nightly drama unfolding as Berber acrobats, fortune tellers, musicians, and engaging storytellers seduce rapt crowds. Wind your way through the serpentine labyrinth of the spice-filled air of the bustling souk, unchanged for over 1000 years, where you’ll discover the best of traditional Moroccan craftsmanship. 1st-night, dinner at a Jewish restaurant (Kosher food is available) 2nd night, You’ll cap off our journey at the dinner event of Fantasia as we bear witness to a splendid dramatic display of Arabian Nights filled with belly dancing, folkloric troupes, and stately Arabian steeds charging in dynastic battles as of yore. Accommodation at your luxury hotel or riad in Marrakech. Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner Suggested Sites: * Djemaa El-Fna (large square) * Saadian Tombs * Bahia Palace * Koutoubia Mosque *Jewish quarter & Heritage * Majorelle Gardens * Menara Gardens * Souk * Spice / Perfumes / Natural Medicine Pharmacy (fun for a family) |
Day 11 – Essaouira – Marrakech
  | A day trip to explore Essaouira Jewish Heritage The 60’s music legends Jimmy Hendrix and the Rolling Stones were drawn to Essaouira’s idyllic charm, which continues today to lure musicians and artists alike to the sparkling whitewashed fishing village trimmed with the brilliant azure of its skies. A former Portuguese settlement in the 18th century, its stone ramparts overlook an emerald sea where dolphins sometimes frolic near the fringe of the silvery beach, and camels ferry passengers across fine sand. Dream on the beach, stroll through serene squares, browse artisan shops or the fish market, bursting with a plethora of fruit of the sea to be grilled to a succulent finish before your eyes. Top it your repast with the national drink of Moroccan mint tea and savor delectable French pastries at one of Essaouira’s many charming cafes. A full day will be spent at Essaouira… and do not forget to take your horse riding at the beach before return to Marrakech. Essaouira’s historic sea-side medieval town boasts a Jewish History that is captivating for Jewish and non-Jewish travelers. Visit Jewish Essaouira: Synagogue & Mellah: Jacky Kadoch is the president of Essaouira’s Jewish community. Rabbi Chaim Pinto, the synagogue of the revered Pinto is located in Essaouira’s medina within the Jewish Mellah. Former inhabitants of Essaouira, most of them Jewish, formed a committee to rehabilitate the town. An important member of the committee is King Mohammed VI’s Economic Advisor. Visit the Essaouira Jewish Cemetery: The monolithic tombstones are carved out of marine sandstone. This kind of tombstone can be found in other Moroccan towns located mainly on the Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts. Lunch at a rooftop restaurant with an ocean view of the charming Riad Mimouna. A late afternoon drive back to Marrakech for some downtime at your charming hotel Dinner on your own. B&B at your charming hotel in Marrakech Meals Included: Breakfast & Lunch |
Day 12: Casablanca or Marrakech
| Morning, 20 min transfer to Marrakech airport or 2h & ½ transfer to Casablanca airport Meals Included: Breakfast |
| Cost: USD 2970 per person based on double occupancy USD 950 extra for a single occupancy What’s Included: * Charming 4* hotel lodging * Charming Kasbah at the edge of the dunes / Sahara Desert * Breakfast daily * 5 Dinners & 6 Lunches * 4×4 in & out of Merzouga * Camel Ride for sunset in Sahara * Private Luxury Motor Coach, Gas, Tolls & Driver for the entire trip * Transfers to and from the airport * Knowledgeable certified guide for the entire trip * Museum fees * All taxes Not included in package price: * Airfare * Meals not included in the program * Drinks * Travel Insurance |
