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13 Days 12 Nights

Morocco Holy Cities Tour

Sufism came into Morocco when Islam entered Maghreb. The Sufi teachings were indivisible as Moroccans are Muslims and Sufi are part of themselves. The popularity of Sufism emergence begins with representations through education which are taught by Sufi Sheikhs who have experienced realization of the soul and share it with their students. Sufi education mushrooming at the end of 6th century and among the trend setter are Sheikh Mohammed Ibn Abdelkrim who is famous as Sufi Ibn Al Kattani, and the Great Sheikh Muhi Al-Din Ibn Arabi Al-Hatami, who settled in Morocco for a period, as well as Sheikh Abu Al-Hassan al-Harali, who is a great Sufi interpreter of the Quran, and Sheikh Abu Ya’za Yellnour, and Sheikh Ali Ibn Harzam…. and others who have made Morocco a country of Sufi saints. It can be said that Sufism settled an educational system with Sheikh Abdesalam Ibn Mishish and his students such as Sheikh Abu Al-Hassan Al-Shadli.  Then, it became mature with Sheikh Abu Sulayman Al-Jazuli, who is the founder of the first Zawya and the first Sufi Order.

In Morocco Sufism received the blessing of the King Mohammed VI with his royal tradition seeks to support mausoleums and Sufi shrines as the King believed that religious tolerance, moderation and harmony are omnipresent in Sufi life.

This tour is specially crafted for those who wanted to seek a closer relationship with Allah through inner purification and introspection. Guests can meditate and recitation of dhkir to received guidance from their spiritual leaders or “murshid”. As we go on this beautiful journey, seekers, may delved deeply into living in perfection with body and soul through contemplation and prayers.

By the daily remembrance of God in the dhikr and the different forms of meditation during this tour as we journey from one spiritual zaouia to another strengthen the conscious feeling of closeness to God and the charity for the other.

Tour Highlights:

  1. 4 Unesco Heritage site – Imperial cities of Marrakech, Fes & Tetouan
  2. Sijilmasa, the golden Islamic township
  3. Unesco World Heritage site Kasbah Aint Ben Haddou
  4. Blue city of Chefchouen
  5. Moulay Ali Sheriff, founder of the Alaouite Dynasty
  6. Hassan 2 Mosque, Top 10 most beautiful mosque in the world
  7. Camel trek into Sahara Desert
  8. Overnight at Sahara Desert Private Luxury Camp
  9. Spectacular Atlas mountain scenery
  10. Dramatic Todra Gorge
  11. Scenic route of the thousand kasbah.
  12. Delicious meal selection from diversified Moroccan cuisine
  13. Medina living experience as medina is an ancient cities and guest are all house inside the medina
  14. Exotic stay at heritage riad
  15. Experience of the Moroccan life style
  16. The feel of transported back in time
  17. Total zaouia visit:
    1. Sheikh Abdellah Ibn As Siddiq Al-Ghumari
    2. Ibn Batuta
    3. Abd al-Salĝm ibn Mashīsh al Alamī
    4. Mausolee Sidi Muhammad Al-Arabi
    5. Moulay Idriss el Akhbar
    6. Sheikh Sidi Ahmed Tijani Sufi
    7. Moulay Idriss 2
    8. Zaouia Naciria
    9. Sidi Youssef Ben Ali
    10. Qadi Ayyad
    11. Sidi Bel Abbas
    12. Sidi Suleiman Al Jazuli
    13. Sidi Abdel Aziz
    14. Sidi Abdullah Ghazouani
    15. Imam Souhaili

Sufism came into Morocco when Islam entered Maghreb. The Sufi teachings were indivisible as Moroccans are Muslims and Sufi are part of themselves. The popularity of Sufism emergence begins with representations through education which are taught by Sufi Sheikhs who have experienced realization of the soul and share it with their students. Sufi education mushrooming at the end of 6th century and among the trend setter are Sheikh Mohammed Ibn Abdelkrim who is famous as Sufi Ibn Al Kattani, and the Great Sheikh Muhi Al-Din Ibn Arabi Al-Hatami, who settled in Morocco for a period, as well as Sheikh Abu Al-Hassan al-Harali, who is a great Sufi interpreter of the Quran, and Sheikh Abu Ya’za Yellnour, and Sheikh Ali Ibn Harzam…. and others who have made Morocco a country of Sufi saints. It can be said that Sufism settled an educational system with Sheikh Abdesalam Ibn Mishish and his students such as Sheikh Abu Al-Hassan Al-Shadli.  Then, it became mature with Sheikh Abu Sulayman Al-Jazuli, who is the founder of the first Zawya and the first Sufi Order.In Morocco Sufism received the blessing of the King Mohammed VI with his royal tradition seeks to support mausoleums and Sufi shrines as the King believed that religious tolerance, moderation and harmony are omnipresent in Sufi life.

DAY
1
Casablanca
(D)
Meet & greet at Mohammed V Aeroport, Casablanca. Transfer to hotel for freshen up and a local lunch. We will visit Place des Nations Unies, walk about at Boulevard Mohammed V and the medina. Magrib prayer and have a dinner.

Overnight in Casablanca.
DAY
2
Casablanca – Tangier ( 338 Km, 4 hrs) – Tetouan (63 Km, 1 Hrs 30 Min)
(B/L/D)
After a good breakfast, we will depart for Tangier, the Southern most city and the gateway to Europe. The city is currently undergoing rapid development and modernisation, including the new and vibrant Tangier-Med port. We will be visiting the old Tangier medina in which houses the famous Ben Siddiq mosque as well as his zaouia, Sheikh Abdellah Ibn As Siddiq Al-Ghumari (1910-1993). The Al-Ghumari family are all famous scholar of their time. Sheikh Abdellah left more then 60 works in several discipline from Fiqh, Hadith, dogma and Sufism, with his interesting work om Fiqh Al-Muqaran. We then proceed to visit Ibn Batuta (1304-1368), was a Berber Moroccan scholar and explorer who travel to the Islamic medivel world. This tiny zaouia may not be open on a regular basis and it very much depending on our luck. We have lunch in this ancient medina and we spend some time exploring the lively souk before we continue our journey to our hotel.

Overnight in Tetouan.
DAY
3
Tetouan – Moulay Abdelsalam (72 Km, 3 hrs 40 min) – Chefchaouen (40 Km, 1 hrs 30 Min)
(B/L/D)
After a good rest and delicious breakfast, we continue our journey to the mountain of this famous Sufi saint, Abd al-Salĝm ibn Mashīsh al Alamī with 4 of his important teaching, the oneness of existence (al-wahdat al-wujud), fear of Allah and His Judgements ( al-hawf bi ilah), Allah is everywhere and it is important to see Him among all his creation and lastly, through the Ocean of Unity (awnu fi bahri al-wahadati) with the seeker discard his own existence, can they be absorbed and merged into Allah and His Attributes. Our lunch will be at a local restaurant.

Overnight in Chefchaoune.
DAY
4
Chefchaoune – Mausolee Sidi Muhammad Al-Arabi – Chefchaouen
(B/L/D)
After a good breakfast we will proceed to board a small van for our journey to visit Sidi Muhammad Al-Arabi, (1760-1823). He was Moroccan Sufi leader of the Shadhili tariqa and the author of letters concerning the method based on the central techniques of invocation or dhikr and he preached and instructions for daily life. He stressed noninvolvement in worldly affairs (Dunya). Today lunch will be picnic style lunch box and we travel back to Chefchaouen for overnight.

Overnight in Chefchaouen.
DAY
5
Chefchaouen – Moulay Idriss (179 Km, 3 hrs 20 min) – Fes (87Km, 1 Hrs 30 Min)
(B/L/D)
The morning we will visit the Grand mosque. Constructed in the 15th century, Chefchaouen’s Grande Mosque was built on the orders of Moulay Mohamed Ben Ali Ben Rachid, the son of the city’s founder. A visit around the Blue City and we depart for Moulay Idriss. Moulay Idriss el Akhbar was a great-grandson of the Prophet Muhammad: his grandparents were Muhammad's daughter Fatima and Muhammad's cousin Ali. Moulay Idriss was heir to the caliphate in Damacus, but after the civil war and Umayyad victory that led to the Shia-Sunni divide, he fled to Morocco. Arriving in 787, Moulay Idriss founded Morocco's first Arab dynasty. The tomb of Moulay Idriss, which was rebuilt by Moulay Ismail (1672-1727), has been a place for pilgrimage for many. We will have a local lunch before we continue our journey to Fes.

Overnight in Fes
DAY
6
Fes Visit
(B/L/D)
After breakfast, we will visit the and continue to visit the Madrasa, mosque and the souk.

  1. Founded by Sheikh Sidi Ahmed Tijani Sufi in 1737-1738 in area of the medina of Fez, twenty years after the founding of the Tariqa Tijaniya (Sufi), it is the most famous and most ecentric zaouïa history Africa and the Maghreb.
  2. Zaouia Moulay Idriss 2, who rule Morocco from 807-828. It is one of the most holiest shrine in Morocco.
Then we proceed to visit the Qaraouiyine University, the oldest Islamic university in the world which open for visit during prayers time, the tannery which is the ancient craft of dyeing of leather and Bab Beljoud, the medina blue gate.

Overnight in Fes.
DAY
7
Fes - Infrane (64 Km, 1 hrs 20 min) – Midelt (135 Km, 2 Hrs 30 min) - Merzouga (Sahara Desert) (263 Km, 4 Hrs 15 Min)
(B/L/D)
Early morning after breakfast we depart for the mysterious desert. A relaxing time in cool highland of Infrane. Photostop for beautiful Ziz Valley, oasis and Berber's house in raw rocky plain. We will stop at Midelt for lunch and continue our journey to Merzouga for a sunset camel ride. Experience the trek while riding slowly crossing dunes and accompany only by silent and calmness as you watch the day goes by and replace by the darkness of the night. Feel your path illuminated by the clear sky of tiny sparking star as the compass to your camp of the night. Upon reaching the camp, you may refresh yourself and a traditional Berber's dinner will be served. Enjoy the warmth of the camp fire together with the drumming performace from the Berber’s tribe.

Overnight in Sahara Desert Luxury Private Camp.
DAY
8
Merzouga  - Rissani ( 40 Km, 45 Min) - Zagora (268Km, 4 hrs)
(B/L/D)
The journey continue to the visit of Moulay Ali Sheriff and the Sijilmassa ruin. We continue and stop for lunch before heading to Tamegroute to visit Zaouia Naciria the most respected in the Sahara region with it extensive display of Islamic documents in it library. We overnight in Zagora.

Moulay Ali Sheriff (1631 to 1636) - He is consider the founder of the Alaouite Dynasty after the collapse of the Saadian. The The place contains the tombs of Moulay Ali al-Sharif and his sons Moulay Mohamed, Moulay Youssef, Sidi Lahib ben Zine El Abidine Ben Moulay Ismail, and Moulay Rachid Ben Sidi Mohamed Ben Abderrahmane. The mausoleum features an ornate gate with an entrance to the large hall that houses the tomb of Moulay Ali al-Sharif. It has a spacious courtyard, a balcony and a mosque with a dome measuring 11 meters, 7 meters wide and 15 meters high.

Sijilmasa was founded in 757 by a group of Kharijites from the Banū Midrar fleeing religious persecution in Qayrawĝn (Abbasid caliphate). The Karijites believe that anyone who is just and devout person could become the leader of the community. The earlier group of Kharijites, the Haruriyya, believe that even woman can served as imam. They bought with them a view on Islam which is acceptable to the inhabitant of this area, which is the Berber at that time. It was a Haruriyya that assassinated Ali, the 4th Caliphate in the 5th years of his rules. By 956, Sijilmasa has become the epic center of the Trans-Sahata route. Overnight in Zagora.
DAY
9
Zagora - Ouarzazate (162 Km, 2 hrs 50 min)
(B/L/D)
After a good breakfast, we proceed to visit Zaouia Naciria - it displayed impressive examples of the Koran, ancient books on various topics including an illustrated dictionary of animals, as well as illuminated transcripts with beautiful calligraphy. Sidi Mohammed bin Nasir a 17th century religious teacher theologian, scholar and physician who composed a collection of writings on fikh, pieces of poetry and treatises on Islamic law. Sidi Mohammed bin Nasir’s mausoleum housed the graves of eight marabouts (important Muslim leaders or teachers) and a medersa (madrasa). We have lunch at a local restaurant and we will visit the famous pottery village of Tamegroute. After this we continue with our journey to the Unesco World Heritage Site Kasbah Ait Haddou.

Be amazed with straight sandy flat road with valley and dried terracotta grayish hill and mountain spread wide and away.

Overnight in Ouarzazate.
DAY
10
Ouarzazate – Marrakech (194 KM, 4 Hrs)
(B/L/D)
After breakfast we continue our will visit Kasbah Ait Haddou and have lunch at the local restaurant before continuing our journey to the Unesco World Heritage Imperial City and also the city of the 7 Saints via the route of “The Thousand Kasbah”. On the way we will stop by Ka’alat M’gouna (Rose Valley) for a toilet stop and at the same time, visit the distilling of Rose Oil which can be made into various quality products.

We will stop at the Women's Co-Operative to understand how the premium Argan Oil is being produce, simple by hand. We check into hotel in Marrakech.

Overnight in Marrakech.
DAY
11
Marrakech Tour
(B/L/D)
Things to remember when visiting the sidi mausoleum:

If one wishes to visit the Seven Saints, or any awliya for that matter, it is important to know the correct etiquettes and manners required when when doing so; here are some recommendations:
1. When you enter a mosque where a saint is buried, perform two rak’at (cylces of prayer) with the intention of greeting the mosque.
2. Visit the grave of the khalifah (successor) first and then the wali. [If his grave is also there].
3. Stand outside the grave in humility.
4. Read surat al-Fatiha (once), astighfirullah (11 times), la ilaha illallah (11 times), surat al-Ikhlas (11 times), the last two surahs of the Qur’an (once each), surat al-Sharh (7 times), surat Ya-Seen (once), surat al-Mulk (once).
5. Gift the reward of what you have read to the Prophet ﷺ, his family, the wali you are visiting and all other awliya.
6. Make d’ua (supplication) and ask Allah for all your needs.
7. Give charity to people around the grave because they are under the protection of the wali.
  1. Sidi Youssef Ben Ali -

    2. His full name was Abou Yaacoub Ben Ali Assenhaji. He was born in Marrakesh and never left it all his life. He was nicknamed “Moul L Ghar”, or the “Cave Man”. When he was still young, he was afflicted with leprosy and would lose parts of his body, causing people flee from him in fear of contracting the disease. His family, on the other hand, expelled him out of fear of the virus. Afterwards, he went to live in a cave in a deserted place near Marrakesh.

    Locals expected him to die any moment, but Sidi Youssef Ben Ali surprised them all and survived for a long time. People started talking about his power to resist hunger and disease, and they began visiting him in the cave to receive guidance and help them solve their problems. Sidi Youssef Ben Ali died in 1196 and is buried in Bab Aghmat, near the cave.

  2. Sidi Bel Abbas

    3. Born in Ceuta in 1129, Belabbas Ahmed Sebti is the most important of the Seven Saints, and is sometimes referred to as the Patron Saint of Marrakech. It’s been said that his father died when he was still a teenager, and then his mother sent him to work. However, his obsession with his studies prompted him to occasionally escape his work in order to attend the classes of Sheikh Abi Abdellah Mohamed Lfakhar in the mosque. His mother, on the other hand, kept punishing him and sending him back to work, until the Sheikh intervened and suggested giving his mother money in order to let her child study. Sidi Bel Abbas was a great patron of the poor and particularly the blind in the twelfth century. Even today, food for the poor is distributed regularly at his tomb. He died in 1204 and is buried in Marrakesh. The biggest and most busy of all.

  3. Sidi Suleiman Al Jazuli

    4. Abu Abdullah Muhammad al Jazuli was born in a village called Jazoula in Sous Massa Daraa in the 15th century. Nobody knows the exact year of his birth. Historians say he descended from Ali Ibno Abi Talib.

    Imam al-Jazouli is better remembered as a character of legend rather than a real human being. “Imam al-Jazuli”, was a Moroccan Sufi leader of the Berber tribe of the Jazulah. He is best known for compiling the Dala’il al-Khayrat, an extremely popular Muslim prayer book. The book is divided into 7 sections for each day of the week.

    In June 1465, he collapsed and died while performing his Subh prayer. Because of the suddenness of his death, it was rumored that he was poisoned. His body was buried near Essaouira. Seventy-seven years after his death, his body was exhumed to be transferred to Marrakech.

  4. Sidi Abdel Aziz

    5. Sidi Abd El Aziz was a fifteenth century theologian. His mausoleum is very near to Rue Baroudiyine. He was born in Marrakesh, and was illiterate during his youth. However, he later made a name for himself in Fez at the Medersat el Attarine, where he was the spiritual successor of Imam el Jazouli. He died in 1508 and was buried in Marrakesh. It is a local tradition for women to visit his grave, drawn to the idea that he can heal their fertility and facilitate childbirth.

  5. Sidi Abdullah Ghazouani

    6. Sidi Abdullah Ghazouani was born and grew up in Fez. He was a follower of Sidi Abdel Aziz. He died in 1528 in Marrakesh and was buried there.

Lunch will be served in the Medina local restaurant.

Overnight in Marrakech.
DAY
12
Marrakech Day Tour
(B/L/D)
After a good breakfast, we will set out to visit Marrakech, the center of Islamic architecture and culture with a visit the Koutoubia Mosque, Bahia Palace, and the amazing Jemaa El Fna that is fill with food stand, furtine teller, musician, artist and etc.

Overnight in Marrakech.
DAY
13
Marrakech – Casablanca (241 Km, 3 Hrs 30 Min)
(B)
After breakfast, guests will be transfer to airport.

Number of pax 2 3-4 5-6 7-8 Single Supplement
Tour Price Per Pax 4 Stars € 3360 € 3080 € 3520 € 2980 € 720
Tour Price Per Pax 5 Stars € 4280 € 3846 € 3520 € 2098 € 960


Inclusion

    ✅ Private Tourisme Registered vehicles with English speaking driver

    ✅ 11 nights of accommodation with double sharing & 1 night Luxury Private Sahara Desert Camp

    ✅ 12 hotel breakfasts, 11 local lunches and 12 local or hotel dinners as per itinerary
    Hotel breakfast and dinner are usually buffet. Hotel dinner do not include water or any other drinks. Traditional accommodation will be ala carte traditional Moroccan food. Local lunch is normally set meal with soup/salad + main dish + water/mint tea.

    ✅ 1 small bottle of mineral water/person/day

    ✅ Entrance Tickets :-

    • Najjarine Museum of Wooden Art & Craft
    • Al Attarine Madrassa
    • Majorelle Garden
    • Saadian Tombs
    • Bahia Palace

    ✅ Local city guide for Fes, Marrakech & Tangier

    ✅ Tipping for driver

    ✅ Porter service at hotel or riad

Exclusion

    ❌ Flight ticket

    ❌ Visa (if applicable)

    ❌ Other tipping

    ❌ Personal expenses

    ❌ Drinks beside what is provided during meals

    ❌ Travel insurance

    ❌ Sight-seeing, programs and activities outside this itinerary

    ❌ Medical expenses

Payment Policy

  • 30% Deposit per person must be paid as reservation fee.
  • Deposit made are non-refundable or transferable.
  • The balance or full payment must be made 30 days before travelling.

Cancellation Policy

  • Cancellation of booking must be made in writing to avoid any misunderstanding.
  • If the company receives notice cancel 31 days or more before the date of departure, tour deposit will be forfeited. Otherwise, the following charges will apply:
  • 30-16 days before arrival 60% loss of the total price.
  • 15-8 days before arrival 70% of the total price.
  • 7-3 days before arrival 80% of the total prices.
  • Less than 3 days before arrival date is 100% of the total price.