On this singular small group tour, experience a truly foreign land, an age-old culture, and genuinely hospitable people. See this country of dramatic contrasts on a program that takes you from seaside Rabat to the desert towns of Erfoud and Ouarzazate and through the snow-topped High Atlas.
Along a journey featuring the many cultural treasures of Fez, Marrakech, and Casablanca – and five UNESCO sites – encounter Roman ruins, an ancient caravan route, spirited souks, and fascinating medinas bustling with snake charmers and spice merchants. Dine with local people in a private home and in a family-run riad. Admire dramatic Todra Gorge and the village of Ait ben-Haddou, famed as a location for film shoots. Visit the world’s oldest continually operating university, and marvel at one of the world’s largest Islamic houses of worship – magnificent Hassan II Mosque. Riding out on camelback to the Sahara, watch the sun set over the breathtaking dunes.
- International flight to Casablanca
- Arrive in Casablanca
- Transfer by coach to Rabat
- Afternoon at leisure
- Tour Rabat: necropolis of Chellah, Mohammed VI Contemporary Art Museum, Kasbah of the Oudaias, Andalusian Gardens, Rabat’s medina
- Welcome dinner at Dinarjat in Old Town
- Depart Rabat
- Stop in Meknes to visit Dar Jamai Museum
- Tour ancient Roman ruins in Volubilis
- Reach Fez. Afternoon at leisure
- Walk through Fez medina: Blue Gate, medieval school of Bouanania, 12th-century home of Jewish scholar Maimonides, food market
- Visit traditional quarter for artisan pottery and ceramics
- Tour old Mellah, its 17th-century synagogue, and the royal gates
- Visit Al-Attarine Madrasa
- Walking tour of the medina
- Afternoon at leisure
- Private dinner at a family-run riaD
- Depart Fez to move inland through the Middle Atlas mountain range
- Stop in Midelt for lunch
- Cross the Ziz River
- Arrive at kasbah-style hotel in Erfoud
- Visit and tour city of Rissani
- Set out on sunset excursion over sand dunes on the edge of the Sahara Desert at Merzouga
- Camel ride along the erg
- Dinner in the desert before returning to hotel
- Depart Erfoud
- Drive to the High Atlas, visiting the village of Tinehir and the Todra Gorge
- Visit El Kelaa des Mgouna
- Travel the "Route of a Thousand Kasbahs" ancient caravan route
- Arrive in Ouarzazate
- Depart Ouarzazate
- Stop in uninhabited Aitb ben-Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage site
- Descend the High Atlas, passing through the Pass of the Pastures in Tizi N’Tichka
- Arrive in Marrakech
- Horse-drawn carriage ride from Menara Park to Majorelle Gardens
- Tour of the gardens
- Visit to Yves St. Laurent Museum
- Walking tour of medina and Djemaa el Fna Square
- Evening at leisure
- Day-long tour: Koutoubia Mosque, El Bahia Palace, Palais El Badii
- See Bab Agnaou, the oldest historical gate of Marrakech
- Depart Marrakech by coach
- Orientation tour of Casablanca
- Visit Hassan II Mosque
- Farewell dinner
- Transfer to airport for international return flights to U.S.
*Note: Some details subject to change prior to program - travelers will be notified of significant alterations to program details.
Moderate
- Traveling by motorcoach between cities
- Shifting lodging every 1-3 nights
- Daily walking tours through cities and towns
- Desert camel ride
Faculty
Associate Professor of Government
Adjunct Professor, Tuck School of Business
Dirk Vandewalle is an associate professor of government at Dartmouth College and an adjunct professor at Dartmouth's Tuck School of Business. An expert on Middle Eastern politics and political economy, Vandewalle has conducted Fulbright research fellowships in Dubai, Morocco, and Yemen. He is an internationally recognized expert on Libya and the former Gaddafi regime and served as political advisor to the United Nations Special Mission in Libya in 2011. He holds a Ph.D. and M. Phil, M.A., and M.I.A. degrees from Columbia University and received his B.A. from Southwest State University.
