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CASABLANCA  |  RABAT  |  CHEFCHAOUEN  |  MEKNES  |  FES  |  MARRAKESH

With a $500 Deposit

EXPLORE MOROCCO

november 5 - 16, 2024

Explore the magnificent royal cities and beautiful sites of Morocco, a country that formed part of the medieval Islamic West along with Al-Andalus (modern Spain and Portugal). The North African country has coastlines along the Mediterranean and Atlantic oceans, fertile agricultural zones and mountain ranges, and includes part of the Sahara desert. Its people represent a mix of Berber (Amazigh) and Arab cultures, along with French and European influences from the colonial era. Starting from the nation’s most populated city Casablanca and passing through the capital Rabat, our tour will include a stay in the blue mountain village of Chefchaouen. We will give special attention to Fes, with its incomparable madina, and Marrakesh, an oasis that features numerous souks and street food stalls. Shop for ceramics, leather works, Berber carpets, and other handmade goods. Visit UNESCO World Heritage sites, try unique cuisines, and enjoy the beautiful landscapes that will transport you to another world.

faculty guide

Professor Munir Shaikh

Bayan’s vice president and professor Munir Shaikh will be the faculty escort for the tour. He holds an M.A. in Islamic Studies from the University of California, Los Angeles, with a specialization in the history of Islamic Iberia (Al-Andalus), and certificates from academic programs in Morocco, Egypt and Spain. He has lived for periods of time in Spain (and Morocco), and is conversant in Spanish. He has taught academic courses on Islamic Spain, Middle Eastern history, Islam, and world history, and led world heritage tours in various countries, including seven previous excursions in Southern Spain.

Itinerary in MOROCCO

The tour program officially begins on the evening of Wednesday, November 6. In order to arrive in Casablanca by this date, participants from North America should depart from their origin city on or before Tuesday, November 5 (Participants from other origins may be able to depart on Wednesday, November 6 and arrive in Casablanca on the same day).

                      tuesday, november 5                        depart from us                                                   

day 1           Wednesday, november 6                  arrive in casablanca / welcome dinner

day 2           thursday, november 7                     rabat: muhammad v mausoleum /hassan tower / kasbah of the                                                                                              udayas / proceed to chefchaouen

day 3           friday, november 8                            chefchaouen / proceed to meknes / jumah prayer / meknes sites                                                                                          / proceed to fes

day 4           saturday, november 9                      fes medina tour / free time

day 5           sunday, november 10                       proceed to marrakesh / jardin majorelle

day 6           monday, november 11                      marrakesh medina tour / sites / jemaa el-fnaa

day 7           tuesday, november 12                     excursion to atlas mountains / camel ride (optional)

day 8           wednesday, november 13               proceed to essaouira / city tour

day 9           thursday, november 14                   essaouira / excursion

day 10         friday, november 15                        depart from essaouira / proceed to casablanca / jumah prayer                                                                                           / farewell dinner

day 11         saturday, november 16                  departure from casablanca

 

With a $500 Deposit

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BAYAN TOURS

Bayan has been offering faculty-led tours to world heritage destinations since 2017, with previous tours to Southern Spain, Malaysia, Uzbekistan, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Jerusalem & Jordan, Turkey, Egypt, and Senegal/Gambia, with exciting new destinations being planned in the coming years. 

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WHY JOIN A BAYAN TOUR?

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Tours offered by Bayan cater to the diverse interests and needs of families, while offering an exceptional educational and cultural program. Each tour is led by one or more faculty members who provide daily background lectures and insights about the historical and contemporary contexts. Local guides are utilized as well at various points in time. The itinerary is crafted by experienced personnel to maximize your enjoyment and satisfaction. While the scheduled program is robust, ample time is provided to explore on your own, shop for local handicrafts and souvenirs, and enjoy some leisure activities. Bayan’s tour group size is typically between 20-30 participants.

TOUR INFORMATION

MOROCCO TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

Casablanca

  • Hassan II Mosque

  • City tour

 

Rabat

  • Tour Hassan

  • Mausoleum of Muhammad V

  • Kasbah des Oudayas

 

Chefchaouen

  • Kasbah

  • Town Square

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Meknes

  • Bab al-Mansour

  • Imperial granaries and horse stables

 

Fes

  • Panoramic city view

  • Al-Qarawiyyin masjid

  • Madrasa Al-Attarine

  • Souks of the old madina

  • Handicraft workshops

 

Marrakesh

  • Koutoubia Mosque

  • Souks of the old medina

  • Saadian Tombs

  • Jemaa El Fnaa public square

  • Jardin Majorelle

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Essaouira

  • Fortress and ramparts

  • Medina

  • Fishing village

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Along with visiting these sites, we will encounter the people and make friendships, sample various cuisines, appreciate cultural programs, and enjoy the natural landscapes that we pass through.

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Tour Pricing (land package only) 

All pricing is double occupancy and per person.  International airfare is not included.

 

Adult                                  $3,195

 

Minors (8-17)                    $2,795

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Single supplement          $800

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Land Package Inclusions

  • Airport transfers in Casablanca on Nov. 6 and Nov. 16

  • 10 nights hotel (4* in most cases)

  • Ground transportation  by private A/C coach

  • Entrance fees for sites

  • Daily Breakfast, 2 lunches and 2 dinners

  • Daily commentary/discussions with faculty guide(s)

  • English-speaking local guides

 

exclusions

  • International airfare to Morocco (budget about $1,200 round-trip per person from US gateways) and applicable baggage fees

  • Tourist visa if required (US and EU citizens do not need a visa)

  • Local bus, taxi, metro fares during optional excursions

  • Gratuities for driver(s) and local guide(s)

  • Additional meals/beverages, personal items

  • Personal items

  • Hotel incidental charges, hotel porters and other individualized services

  • Urgent care, medical treatment and testing, related expenses

  • Covid-19 testing costs (if required for entry or return to country of origin)

  • Travel insurance

International Travel Arrangements

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Arriving and Departing from Morocco (Casablanca)

Participants should book roundtrip flights arriving in Casablanca (CMN) from mid-day onwards on Wednesday, November 6 (for travelers from the US, this means departing from your city of origin on Tuesday, November 5).  The tour officially begins at 5;00pm on November 6 with a group orientation meeting in the hotel, followed by brief walk in nearby areas, a visit to a mosque for prayer, and dinner.  You may plan your travel to add extra days in transit elsewhere before or after the tour, or in Morocco before or after the tour, if you wish. 

 

Initial hotel check-in for the tour is at 3:00pm on November 6.  If you arrive a day earlier, you should book a hotel room for the extra night.  At the end of the tour, final check-out is on November 16 by noon.  (If need be, you can depart late on the night of Nov. 15 or in the early morning of Nov. 16).

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If you plan to spend more time in Morocco after the conclusion of the tour, then arrange your flights, local transportation, and additional hotel accommodations accordingly.  Bayan does not handle additional bookings for before or after the specified tour dates.

 

Booking Your Flights

Once you've paid your deposit to Bayan Tours, you should book your flights as soon as possible to try and obtain well-priced airfare with suitable flight timings and layovers (if you don't have a direct flight to Casablanca, we recommend that you choose a route with a layover of not less than 90 minutes).  You can use your own travel agent, check airline websites, or use other booking sites to select the flight legs that are best for you.  

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HOTELS

Our tour group will stay at the following hotels, or ones of comparable quality:

 

  • Casablanca: Hotel Sofitel (1 night)

  • Chefchaouen: Dar Echchaouen (1 night)

  • Fes: Barcelo Fes Medina (2 nights)

  • Marrakesh: Hotel Opera Plaza (3 nights)

  • Essaouira: Atlas Essaouira Riad Resort (2 nights)

  • Casablanca: Hotel Sofitel (1 night)

With a $500 Deposit

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

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