OVERVIEW
Every region of Morocco possesses its own unique set of characteristics and cultural differences which contribute to Morocco wonderfully dramatic contrasts. The annual festivities of the various regions are highly anticipated by the local population as well as visitors from distant lands. Music, dancing, bustling market places, religious ceremonies and delicious food ensure the popularity of these festivals will never wane.

Every year, in the late summer, the high Atlas Mountain Berber village of Imilchil comes to life with the Imilchil Wedding Engagement Festival. More than 25,000 people come to participate or observe in the lively festivities. The Ait Hdiddou tribe plays host as young women choose their future husband from the men presenting themselves as potential mates.

The Imilchil Engagement festival is actually an homage to two young lovers from enemy Berber tribes whose families prevented them from marrying. They each cried a lake of tears before committing suicide by drowning. Following this tragedy, the families granted freedom of choice to their children to marry whom they choose. The marriage ceremonies are followed by great feasting and the new couples are blessed with eternal happiness. This journey offers you an excellent opportunity to learn about Morocco's rich cultural heritage made up of a unique blend of cultures.

PROGRAM ITINERARY (Dates are subject to change)

DAY 01 (08/20/08): CASABLANCA / RABAT (56 Miles)
Greetings and assistance upon arrival at Casablanca Mohammed V International airport. While in Casablanca, you will stop at the Great Hassan II Mosque, the third largest Mosque in the world. You will visit the interior of the Mosque, before having lunch at La Fibule restaurant, a nice seafood restaurant overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. You will then continue on to Rabat, the capital city of Morocco. In the afternoon, you will enjoy a sightseeing tour of Rabat featuring the Mohammed V Mausoleum, the Hassan Tower, the outside of the Royal Palace and the Ouddaya Necropolis. Overnight in Rabat. (L,D)

DAY 02 (08/21/08): RABAT / MEKNES / VOLUBILIS / FES (123 Miles)
After breakfast, you will depart for the Imperial City of Meknes, also known as "the Moroccan Versailles." Meknes, with its monumental gates and city walls, was founded at the end of the 17th century by the Sultan Moulay Ismail. Highlights will include Bab el Mansour (perhaps the finest gateway in Africa), "Dar Jamai" Museum, the old Medina, Moulay Ismail Mausoleum, old granaries and stables. Lunch will be at Palais M'nebhi in Meknes. After lunch, you will depart for the ancient Roman city of Volubilis. Sightseeing of the Ruins of Volubilis. Departure and drive to Fes. Dinner and overnight at your selected accommodation. (B,L,D)

DAY 03 (08/22/08): FES
After breakfast, the entire day will be devoted to sightseeing the city of Fes, the spiritual capital of Morocco. Step back six centuries into the medieval Medina with its narrow and cobbled streets filled with ancient mosques, towering green glazed minarets and crumbling fondouks. Narrow openings into private worlds reveal architecture of peaceful courtyards filled with carved cedar, brilliantly colored mosaic tiles and delicately carved stucco ornaments. Suggested lunch will be at Palais Terrab, a beautiful Arab palace. After lunch, we will visit the Attarine and Abou Anania Medersas, the Nejjarine fountain, the Moulay Idriss Mausoleum, and the Karaouine mosque. In the afternoon, we will visit the countless souks, the famous tanneries and Fes Jdid. Overnight at the Riad La Maison Blue. (B)

DAY 04 (08/23/08): FES / MIDELT / IMILCHIL
After an early breakfast, we will depart for Imilchil through the Mid- Atlas Mountain region. We will make a stop in Midelt to visit a Berber village known for its handicraft cooperative. After lunch, we will continue our drive to reach Tisi'n'Isly in the mid-afternoon where a caravan of mules will take us up to Mount Tarrirecht (1.8mi) located in the High Atlas Mountains to Imilchil where the Festival will take place.

We will be greeted by the tribal Chief under a Caidal tent and enjoy the festival activities and festival events. Tonight we will enjoy a Berber dinner with the local Berber tribe around the campfire. (B,D)

DAY 05 (08/24/08): IMILCHIL
This morning, we will enjoy a light hike to the plateau des lacs before we return to our camp site for lunch. The rest of your afternoon will be devoted to the closing ceremony of the festival events with the Berbers. (B,L,D)

DAY 06 (08/25/08): IMILCHIL
This morning we will take a walk in the mountains learning about the lifestyle of the nomadic Berbers. We will return for lunch to Imilchil. In the afternoon, we will have an opportunity to meet some of the newlywed couples and enjoy a Berber celebration animated with joyful chants and dances. (B,L,D)

DAY 07 (08/26/08): IMILCHIL / TINEGHIR
Today, we will travel across the High Atlas Mountains to reach the amazing Gorges of Todra. After lunch, we will explore the beautiful Kasbahs. Overnight in Tineghir. (B)

DAY 08 (08/27/08): TINEGHIR / OUARZAZATE / MARRAKESH
On our way to Ouarzazate, we will make a short stop at the Dades canyons via the famous road of the thousand Kasbahs and the Dades valley famous for its roses and the Rose Festival (Annual Moussem). After lunch, we will drive to Marrakesh via the Tichka pass which offers an impressive landscape in the heart of the Atlas Mountains chain. Arrival, dinner and overnight in Marrakesh. (B,L,D)

DAY 09 (08/27/08): MARRAKESH
After breakfast, the entire day will be devoted to the sightseeing Marrakesh, the second imperial city of Morocco known as the "Pearl of the South". Marrakesh sits in a lush oasis nestled at the foot of the snow capped Atlas Mountain. Highlights of your sightseeing will include the Saadien Tombs, the Koutoubia Tower and the Bahia Palace. In the afternoon, we will continue our sightseeing of the Souks and the medina, a real labyrinth where small shops are lined one next to the other. We will then discover the magic of Djemaa El Fna Square, a unique square in the world where life never stops, but is continuously animated by jugglers, story-tellers, snake-charmers and more. (B,D)

DAY 10 (08/28/08): MARRAKESH
Free morning to relax or venture on your own through the colorful souks of Marrakesh. Later on, we suggest an entertainment dinner at Le Comptoir restaurant. Overnight in Marrakesh. (B)

DAY 11 (08/29/08): MARRAKESH / ESSAOUIRA
After breakfast, excursion to the beautiful seaside town of Essaouira. Upon arrival, you will enjoy a sightseeing tour of Essaouira featuring its Portuguese harbor that portrays both Moorish and Portuguese art. Highlights will include the fishing harbor and the Skala (the Battery) left by the pirates. Check-in, dinner and overnight at your selected accommodation. (B)

DAY 12 (08/30/08): ESSAOUIRA / MARRAKESH
After breakfast, eparture to Marrakesh international airport. Assistance with the boarding formalities. End of our services. (B)

PROGRAM INCLUSIONS
•  Accommodations for 11 Nights at your selected accommodation
•  Accommodation under tents at the Festival Camp site on full board basis
•  Meals as indicated in the program itinerary
•  Transportation in a deluxe air-conditioned vehicle with a private experienced English speaking driver/guide available throughout your journey (Gas included).
•  Entrance fees to all monuments as indicated on the program itinerary.

NOT INCLUDED
•  Meals, alcohol drinks, mineral water, and other items of personal nature
•  Deviations expenses from the itinerary and any special handling.
•  International and domestic airfare. We offer competitive airfare from New York to Morocco

ACCOMMODATION INFORMATION:

# Night	City	Accommodation Class	Hotel & Riad Name
01 Night	Rabat	04-star 05-star	Helnan Chellah La Tour Hassan
02 Nights	Fes	04-star 05-star	Wassim Sofitel Palais Jamai
03 Nights	Marrakesh	04-star 05-star	Atlas Mansour Eddahbi
01 Night	Tineghir*	04-star	Kenzi Bougafer & Saghro
01 Night	Essaouira	04-star 05-star	Ryad Mogador Sofitel Mogador
03 Nights	Imilchil	Imilchil Camp	Night under tents

* Note: No available 05-star hotel in Tineghir.  We will exercise our best efforts to secure the accommodations listed above, however, during busy seasons we may only be able to offer similar category accommodations.  In this case, clients will have the option to agree or cancel their booking.  In some instances, a request for a higher grade accommodation will result in an extra fee to compensate for the difference in price.

PROGRAM PRICE PER PERSON ($):

With 04-star Hotels (prices are per person, $US):
With 02 people: $2,995.00.
With 03 people: $2,805.00.
With 04 or more: $2,795.00.
Single supplement: $725.00.

With 05-star Hotels (prices are per person, $US):
With 02 people: $3,890.00.
With 03 people: $3,650.00.
With 04 people: $3,525.00.
Single supplement: $950.00.

Corporate Groups: please call us toll free 1.800.997.6612 to inquire about corporate rates.

Note: Note: Rates are valid until December 31 2008. Prices are subject to change without notice due to currency fluctuations beyond our control.