Jewish Travel Division of EMCO Travel, LLC Since 1993 Toll-free 877-466-2934.  Phone 727-254-4373 Fax: 203-653-5586 email:  info@JewishTravelAgency.com

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JEWISH HERITAGE MOROCCO

Together with our partner in Morocco Hassan Majdi we offer you unique journeys in Morocco

Traces Berbères Voyage

Together, we can keep this story alive…

Saharan New Years Rave

Overview from Dr. Hassan Majdi

We grew up within the edge of the sands. It takes immense pleasure in leading our guests to discover the invaluable silence of the desert, the freshness of the palm plantations, the secrets kept by the stars and the tenderness of the dunes.

Close to the inn is the Ocean of sand (with the highest dunes in Morocco) that visitors can cross by dromedary (’the desert boats”). A perfect occasion to admire the thousand nuances of the desert sunrise in the waves of sand, to feel the dark force of the desert nights and sleep in Berber tents or under the stars. We give you the opportunity to spend some time with our wandering nomad friends. An exceptional experience where shared travels, tea and tents give you a rare insight into the timeless customs and way of life of the Berbers.

This is perhaps a trip that can give some insight into the meaning of the old Touareg saying: “The house is the coffin of living people”.
Another experience that we offer is the visit of a gnawa village. The gnawa are descendants of the slaves brought to Morocco from West Africa and are said to be “touched by the grace of God”. Here you will attend a concert of the entrancing traditional gnawa music (also used during the famous gnawa healing rituals).
Vast and unpredictable as the tales of Scheherazade, and the 1001 nights to be lived before the sun rises of the New Year…

ITINERARY

Day 1:Marrakech: Transfer arrival
Upon your arrival to Marrakech airport, your expert English speaking driver will greet you and escort you to your hotel. Balance of the day at leisure.
Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 2: Marrakech: sightseeing city
Breakfast. This morning, enjoy a peck into the world of Jewish Marrakech. We will visit the Mellah with its synagogues, The Negidim synagogue built at the end of the 19th century, the other synagogue of the mellah is the Salat el Alzama, built at the turn of the century, there is a local legend that the synagogue was built during the Second Temple period by Jews who had never lived in Eretz-Israel and had not witnessed the destruction of the Temple... Then the cemetery where Rabbi Hanania Ha-Cohen, the Lion of Marrakesh and Rabbi Pinhas Cohen are buried.
We then proceed to the Palais el Bahia where our guided tour takes us to several grand halls, gardens and the harem quarter… After lunch at a local Casher Restaurant in the mellah, our tour takes us to visit the eleventh century Almoravide Koubba el Baroudiyn. It is one of the few architectural reminders of the dynasty that presided over the "Golden Age" of the Jews in Spanish Andalucia and Morocco.

The Medersa Ben Yusuf, El Badi Palace and Saadian tombs are beautiful demonstrations of the art and architecture of the 16th century Saadians, a dynasty that relied heavily on Jewish traders with Sub-Saharan Africa, including Moroccan-controlled Timbuktu, to finance its wars against Portugal and the Turkish Empire.
After ample time exploring the Djemâa’s sights and sounds, we depart to the the remarkable Chez Ali Fantasia: As an excellent finale to any stay in Marrakech, dinner/show Chez Ali is truly a 1001 Nights’ experience.
Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 3: Marrakech – Ouarzazate
After breakfast, early departure to Ouarzazate via the mountains of the High Atlas, passing through the spectacular Tizi'N'Tichka pass reaching 2 260 m/7 415 ft.
On the way, we will visit the tomb of the Saint Rabbi Habibi Mizrahis located in a village at the foothills of the High Atlas Mountains south of Marrakech. At the highest point on the road to Ouarzazate, Optional visit to a Jewish saint, David Lachkar (or Moulay Ighi), the saint is buried in the stronghold of the most powerful Berber family of the twentieth century, the Glaoui.
Continuation to Ait Ben Haddou,
Arrival, a special visit to the Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou, registered to the world heritage of the UNESCO this walled village, spangled of notched towers and decorated of motives in the shape of lozenge, is considered understandably like one of most beautiful of the country. Hundreds of movies are shot in this décor: the diamond of the Nile, Lawrence of Arabia, the mommy, Gladiator, 7 days in Tebet, Babel…
Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 4: Ouarzazate - Zagora
After breakfast, our tour of the city first takes us to the Taourirt and Tifoultout Kasbahs, ancient residences of Glaoui (The former Pacha of Marrakesh). Then, departure to Zagora via the mountains of the Anti Atlas, the Draa valley with its numerous palm groves and Kasbahs. Jews were once a major presence in the oases of the Draa Valley, especially in the town of Agdz. There are legends that the Jews controlled a kingdom in this valley before the arrival of the Arabs.
The highlights will include the Kasbah of El Hara which is the Jewish quarter of Tamnougalt, it is the first Kasbah in the dirt road, and then we will explore the Kasbah of Timasla where several dozen Jewish families lived among the black Haratin population…
We’ll spend the rest of the day experiencing the unhurried pace of rural life in Zagora’s oasis.
Dinner and overnight stay at your luxury hotel.

Day 5: Zagora - M’Hamid – Erg Lihoudi (Jewish dunes)
After breakfast, departure to the south of Zagora to visit the important Jewish village of Amazraou, one of the oldest Jewish Kasbahs in the valley…Nearby are the jewellers and the blacksmiths, which you can visit. Blacksmiths, who were trained by the Jews, are still using the models left by them to make fibula (pins to hold garments together) and medallions.

Then we will continue to El M’Hamid, the last oasis in the Draa Valley, to spend the The New Year's Eve.
It was one of the staging points for the caravan trade across the Sahara. It also is the district with the ruins of what is believed to be the first Jewish city of Morocco, Tidri.
Lunch at a local restaurant in El M’Hamid, then we leave the Van and ride the Land Rover taking the road of Erg Lihoudi (Or Erg Chegaga: the highest and most spectacular sand dunes in Morocco) to see the Sahara in all its majesty…
Optional: experience a true camel trek in the Sahara desert, enjoying the grand solitude, immensity, and silence of the Sahara, and nights spent under a starry sky.
Berber dinner and overnight under Nomadic tents.

Day 6: Erg Lihoudi (Jewish dunes) – M’Hamid - Zagora - Ouarzazate
After breakfast, return leisurely back to Ouarzazate.
The rest of the day is for relaxation by the swimming pool or for further exploration of the region.
Dinner and overnight stay at your luxury hotel.

Day 7: Ouarzazate - Marrakech
After breakfast, return to Marrakesh via Tizi N’Tichka…
Optional visit to a Jewish saint David Oumouchy.
Arrival to Marrakesh, enjoy the balance of the day at leisure...
After ample time exploring the Djemâa’s sights and sounds, we depart to the the remarkable Chez Ali Fantasia: As an excellent finale to any stay in Marrakech, dinner/show Chez Ali is truly a 1001 Nights’ experience.
Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 8: Departure to Marrakech Menara airport.
Assistance for check-in and boarding formalities. End of our services.
 

These are sample itineraries, customizable for each client,
prices are on request and depend on dates, accommodations level and activities
Optional kosher meals can be arranged in Casablanca and Marrakech.
Possibility to attend a religious service at a Synagogue if coinciding with Fridays

Call 877-466-2934 , local 727-254-4373 or email info@jewishtravelagency.com to book your trip

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