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morocco's great north
TOURS
Morocco's Great North
Ultimate Northern Morocco Private Tour: Imperial Ciites, Blue Chefchaouen & Rif Mountains
Discover The Great North of Morocco on a Private Tour – Explore the Imperial Cities, Historic Ruins, the Crown Jewel, Blue Washed Chefchaouen, a Coastal Artist Colony and the Rif Mountain Region.
Great North of Morocco Tour Description: This 10-day adventure offers a comprehensive exploration of Morocco's northern region, combining historical sites, natural wonders, and cultural experiences. From the coastal charm of Tangier to the blue-washed streets of Chefchaouen and the ancient medina of Fes, this tour provides an unforgettable journey through the diverse landscapes and rich heritage of northern Morocco.
Tour Name: Morocco's Great Northern Adventure Tour
Places Visited/ Duration: This 10-Day Morocco Private Tour includes visiting Morocco's Great North, offering an immersive experience through:
- The Region of Tangier
- The Blue Washed City of Chefchaouen
- UNESCO World Heritage Site of Fes
- The Coastal City of Asilah
Tour highlights include:
- Exploring Tangier's Jewish Synagogue and Mellah
- Visiting Cap Spartel and the Caves of Hercules
- Sipping mint tea at Café Hafa with views of Gibraltar
- Discovering the blue-washed Rif Mountain town of Chefchaouen
- Hiking in the Rif Region's Akchour Waterfalls and God's Bridge
- Historical tour of Fes El Bali's mosques, Jewish sites, palaces, gardens, and souks
Northern Morocco Tour Details and Inclusions
- Luxury 4x4 or Viano transportation
- Multilingual speaking driver
- Airport transfers
- Expert historical guides for Imperial City visits
- Guided day tours
- Admission fees to monuments and attractions
- Accommodation in boutique riads and luxury hotels
- 9 meals
We recommend starting this Morocco itinerary in Tangier and ending in Marrakech, though it can be offered in reverse.
Book Your Morocco Northern Adventure Tour
To embark on this unparalleled journey through Morocco's most captivating sites contact our dedicated team:
- Book Here or Call (800) 787-8806
- Email: alecia@travel-exploration.com
Detailed Itineary:
Day 1: Tangier - Gateway to Africa
- Your Moroccan odyssey begins in Tangier, a city steeped in myth and history. Founded by Carthaginian colonists in the 5th century BC, Tangier has been a strategic crossroads of civilizations for millennia. As you arrive, you're walking in the footsteps of Romans, Vandals, Byzantines, Arabs, and European colonists who have all left their mark on this fascinating city.
- Start your day with a panoramic view from Colline de Bella-Vista. From here, gaze across the Strait of Gibraltar, a mere 14 kilometers wide, where Hercules is said to have separated Europe from Africa. Your guide will point out the confluence of the Mediterranean and Atlantic, a meeting of waters that has drawn traders and adventurers for centuries.
Next, delve into the labyrinthine medina, a living testament to Tangier's multicultural past:
- Visit the Grand Socco, once a slave market, now a vibrant square where modern Tangier meets its historical core.
- Explore the Kasbah, home to the former Sultan's palace. Here, in the 17th century, Moulay Ismail consolidated Moroccan power against European incursions.
- Wander through the Petit Socco, where international spies gathered during World War II, and writers like William S. Burroughs found inspiration.
After lunch at the legendary Populaire Le Saveur De Poisson, visit the Caves of Hercules. These caves, with their sea-opening shaped like Africa, have been used since Neolithic times and were mentioned by Pliny the Elder in 45 AD.
End your day at Café Hafa, opened in 1921 and a favorite haunt of artists and writers like Paul Bowles and the Rolling Stones. As you sip mint tea overlooking the Strait, reflect on Tangier's role as an international zone from 1923 to 1956, a period that cemented its reputation as a haven for artists, spies, and eccentric expatriates.
Overnight in a boutique riad, immersing yourself in traditional Moroccan architecture and hospitality.
Day 2: Larache and Asilah - Phoenician Roots and Artistic Renaissance
Today's journey takes you to two coastal gems, each with a unique story. Begin in Larache, founded by the Beni-Arous tribe in the 7th century and later developed by the Phoenicians as the ancient city of Lixus.
- Explore the ruins of Lixus, one of the oldest urban sites in Morocco. Here, archaeologists have uncovered:
- A Phoenician temple dedicated to Melqart, later converted to worship Hercules
- Roman baths adorned with intricate mosaics depicting marine life
- An amphitheater that could seat 15,000 spectators
Lixus was also famed in antiquity as the site of the mythical Gardens of the Hesperides, where Hercules completed one of his twelve labors.
Continue to Asilah, a town with a turbulent history transformed into an artistic haven. Founded as a Phoenician trading post in 1500 BC, Asilah was subsequently conquered by the Portuguese in 1471. The town's impressive ramparts, which you'll walk along, date from this period.
In the 1970s, Asilah underwent a remarkable transformation:
- Local artists, led by Mohamed Benaïssa, launched the International Cultural Moussem of Asilah in 1978.
- This annual arts festival has turned the town into a living canvas, with murals adorning the white-washed walls of the medina.
- Explore galleries showcasing works influenced by the town's unique blend of Moroccan and Andalusian cultures.
As you wander the blue and white streets, you're witnessing a town that has reinvented itself, using art to bridge its ancient past with a vibrant future.
Return to Tangier for an evening exploring Rue Mexique, where the multicultural spirit of old Tangier lives on in its eclectic mix of cafes, bars, and international cuisines.
Day 3: Tetouan - The White Dove of Morocco
Today, journey to Tetouan, known as "The White Dove" for its gleaming buildings nestled against the Rif Mountains. Tetouan's history is inextricably linked with the fall of Granada in 1492:
- Founded in the 3rd century BC, Tetouan was rebuilt in the 15th century by Andalusian refugees fleeing the Spanish Reconquista.
- It became a vital link between Morocco and Andalusia, preserving Andalusian art, architecture, and crafts.
Begin at Place Hassan II, where the ornate Bab Er-Rouah gate marks the entrance to the Royal Palace, built in the 17th century on the site of the former Kasbah.
Next, explore the UNESCO World Heritage medina:
- Walk through the Ensanche, the Spanish Quarter built during the Protectorate era (1912-1956), noting its unique blend of Art Deco and Neo-Moorish styles.
- Visit the Ethnographic Museum, housed in a 19th-century fortress, to understand the region's Amazigh, Arab, and Jewish heritage.
- Discover the mellah, established in 1807, once home to a thriving Jewish community that played a crucial role in Tetouan's commerce and diplomacy.
Tour the School of Traditional Arts, founded in 1919, which continues to preserve centuries-old Moroccan crafts:
- Observe students practicing intricate zellij tilework, a hallmark of Moroccan architecture.
- See the creation of complex geometric patterns in wood and plaster, techniques brought from Al-Andalus.
End your day with a visit to the Grand Mosque, built in 1808 on the site of a smaller 15th-century mosque. Its minaret, visible throughout the medina, stands as a symbol of Tetouan's enduring Islamic heritage.
As you return to Tangier, reflect on how Tetouan's history embodies Morocco's complex cultural tapestry, where Amazigh, Arab, Jewish, and European influences have intertwined over centuries.
Day 4-5: Blue City of Chefchaouen
- Day 4: Depart for Chefchaouen, the famous "Blue Pearl" of Morocco nestled in the Rif Mountains. After checking into your riad, take a guided tour of the old town. Visit the kasbah museum, explore Plaza Uta El-Hammam and the 15th-century Grand Mosque, and learn about the Jewish history of the town. End your day with a dinner of local Rif mountain cuisine.
- Day 5: Start early with a hike to the Spanish Mosque for panoramic views of Chefchaouen. Then, choose between: A day trip to Akchour Waterfalls, hiking through lush vegetation and seeing the natural rock formation known as "God's Bridge" or Free time in Chefchaouen to shop for handmade wool garments, relax in a traditional hammam, or watch the sunset from a rooftop cafe
Day 6-8: Fes and Surrounding Areas
- Day 6: Journey through the picturesque Rif Mountains to Fes. Settle into your riad in the ancient medina and enjoy an evening orientation walk and dinner in a traditional Fassi home.Day 7: Embark on a full-day guided tour of Fes el Bali, the world's largest car-free urban area. Visit the Royal Palace gates, Jewish Quarter, and 14th-century Ibn Danan Synagogue. Explore the vibrant souks, tour madrasas like the intricately decorated Bou Inania, and see the oldest university in the world, Al-Qarawiyyin. End the day with a sunset view over the medina from the Merenid Tombs.
- Day 8: Choose between two options: Fes Gardens and Palaces: Visit Jnane Sbil Gardens, tour the Dar Batha Museum and its Andalusian Gardens, and explore the grand Palais Mokri or Day Trip: Start at the holy town of Moulay Idriss, explore the Roman ruins of Volubilis, and spend the afternoon in Meknes, the "Versailles of Morocco".
Day 9-10: Return to Tangier and Departure
- Day 9: Take a scenic drive back to Tangier, passing through the Rif Mountains and stopping at small Berber villages. Arrive in Tangier for a farewell dinner overlooking the Strait of Gibraltar.
- Day 10: Depending on your departure time, enjoy a last stroll through Tangier before transferring to the airport or ferry terminal, bidding farewell to magical Morocco.This detailed itinerary provides a rich, immersive experience of Northern Morocco, blending historical sites, natural wonders, and authentic cultural encounters.
