Magical Morocco
Starting in Tangier, the gateway to Morocco from Spain, this tour takes you on a round trip along routes taken by Romans, Moors, colonials and hippies alike. En route you will visit Rabat the seat of government, and romantic Casablanca, the centre of commerce, industry and Morocco's landing port. Stop off at Berber Marrakesh, the highlight of any trip to Morocco. Cross the Atlas, visit ancient forts, gorges, oases and camp under the stars in the Sahara. Onto Volubilis and Fez with its legendary souk then relax in charming Chefchaouen. All of these sites combine to make this a memorable, active and colourful experience.
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Details |
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Price Includes |
(OE-3279-P) |
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Fully Escorted Tour - Kumuka Tour Leader and Driver |
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All Activities, Sightseeing + Entrance Fees as Per Itinerary |
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All Meals Whilst Camping |
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All Tolls and Taxes |
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Accomodation |
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Price Excludes |
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Local Payment 230 USD, Flights, Optional excursions. |
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Suitability / Level |
Easy |
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Theme |
Small Group Travel
(Click to Search All) |
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Max Group Size |
17 |
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Itinerary
& Highlights |
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Day 1: Tangier via Asilah to Rabat. The city of Tangier is located at the gateway to the Mediterranean where Africa meets Europe and we make a morning stop at Cape Spartal, Africa's most north-westerly point, to ponder over the numerous nations who have sailed past here. Heading south to the seaside village of Asilah, one of the old Portuguese Atlantic ports, we take a walk through the funky medina, resplendent with its brightly coloured doors and mural-covered walls. This afternoon we travel down to the country's capital, Rabat. (B,L,D)
Day 2: Rabat To Casablanca. A great day of history and sightseeing that includes the imposing Hassan Tower and exquisite Mohammed V Mausoleum, tomb of the present king?s father and grandfather. We also take a relaxing stroll through the local markets and kasbah and rub shoulders with the locals before continuing onto Casablanca, arriving in time for a visit to the architectural wonder of the Hassan II mosque. An optional walking tour of the mosque's interior is offered. (B,L,D)
Day 3: Casablanca To Essaouira. An early departure to give us the maximum time in the very picturesque seaside village of Essaouira. The medina is off-limits to motor vehicles and is dotted with art galleries and handicraft shops. Outside the medina is the town's small fishing harbour and endless beach. A cruisey afternoon is followed by a laid-back dinner in one of the medina's traditional restaurants. (B,L,D)
Day 4: Essaouira To Marrakech. A free morning to continue exploring the medina or to catch some more sun on the beach. We then head inland for Marrakech, arriving mid-afternoon to enjoy a siesta by the pool. Tonight we scrub ourselves up and go out for a dinner and show at a beautiful former palace-cum-restaurant inside the medina. (B,D)
Day 5: Marrakesh. Marrakesh is one of the four imperial cities of Morocco and after Casablanca, is Morocco?s second largest city. A morning walking tour with our local guide will give you the chance to get your bearings before heading in to one of the most exhilarating and liveliest souks (market) in the world. The markets are located around the Djemma el Fna square, resplendent with snake charmers, storytellers, acrobats and musicians. Marrakesh will not fail to capture you, enjoy the day and night at your own pace.
Day 6: Marrakesh. Another day spent at leisure exploring the sights, sounds and smells of Marrakesh. Options include the Friends of Marrakesh Museum, the Majorelle Gardens and its 12 acres of exquisite gardens, or more shopping! Don't forget to head up to one of the rooftop bars for a sundowner drink and watch the square come alive with music, dancers, acrobats, storytellers, potion salesmen and boxing contests surrounded by a plethora or mobile food and juice stalls.
Day 7: Marrakech via High Atlas and Ait Benhaddou to Ouarzazate. An amazing day's drive up and over the High Atlas Mountains, concluding with a walk around the Kasbah of Ait Benhaddou village, setting for movies such as Lawrence of Arabia, Jesus of Nazareth and Gladiator. Arriving in Ouarzazate late in the afternoon, you can enjoy a swim in the pool before dinner in one of this movie town's best restaurants. (B,L,D)
Day 8: Ouarzazate via Keela des M'Gounia to Todra Gorge. Another stunningly scenic day, travelling past kasbahs and palmeries along the Dades Valley, or "Valley of the Kasbahs". We stop for an extended lunch off the main highway in a small village with a local Berber dagger-maker and his super-friendly family. This is an eating and cultural experience of note! A late afternoon drive takes us into the Todra Valley where our hotel is located in the steepest part of the gorge alongside the small river. Tonight we eat under the hotel?s huge Berber tent and can sleep on the roof top terrace. (B,L,D)
Day 9: Todra Gorge via Erfoud to Merzouga Sand Dunes. This morning you have the option of an insightful guided walk along the Todra Valley's palmerie. Smell, touch and see all the trees, plants and crops on the palmerie's riverbed and appreciate the life-giver that it truly is for the locals. We then head for the Sahara via Erfoud where we pick up our guide who will direct us through the edge of the desert to our hotel. From here you venture into the desert on your very own camel, arriving at our Berber desert campsite in time for sunset atop the dunes. Tonight is spent chatting and eating with your fellow travellers and sleeping out under the stars. An unforgettable travel experience. (B,L,D)
Day 10: Merzouga Sand Dunes via High Atlas to Midelt. Arise pre-dawn and find your spot for one of nature's spectacles, sunrise over the Sahara. Then it's again atop your camel and back to our hotel for a shower and breakfast. Leaving the sand dunes we have short stops in the desert Berber towns of Rissani and Er Rachidia and then enjoy the pleasant afternoon drive alongside the Ziz gorge to Midelt, a "frontier" town located between the High and Middle Atlas mountain ranges. (B,L,D)
Day 11: Midelt via Middle Atlas and Meknes to Fes. A pleasant drive through the Middle Atlas mountains today and hopefully an encounter with Morocco's native Barbary Ape. It is then a short drive to the leafy and picturesque village of Ifrane. The French created Ifrane in 1929 and it has a distinctly French Alps feel to it. The coffee houses aren't too bad either. After lunch we head down the mountains to Meknes where we visit the Mausoloeum of Moulay Ismail. This simple but spiritual shrine is a monument to Morocco's longest serving ruler. From here we drive to Fes, arriving late afternoon. (B,L,D)
Day 12: Fes. Old Fes is one of the most complete medieval cities left in the world today and is the spiritual heartbeat of Morocco. Up to 300,000 people still live in the medinas of Fes el Bali and Fes el Jdid. No motor vehicles are allowed inside the old city so watch out for the donkeys and mules! Enjoy a brilliant morning tour with our local guide that includes a visit to a ceramic pottery factory, the famed leather dye-pits, historical Kairouan Mosque medersa and all the best shopping spots. The rest of the day and night is at your own leisure to allow you to find your own little piece of Fes magic in amongst the medina's unbelievable labyrinth of 9500 lanes and alleys. (B)
Day 13: Fes via Volubilis Roman ruins to Chefchaouen. We arrive at Volubilis mid-morning and take our time to wander through the ruined city that was the southern-most settlement of the great Roman empire. We then head for the Rif mountains and arrive in the beautiful and chilled-out village of Chefchaouen by late afternoon. We stay very close to the medina and its Spanish-style square surrounded by many funky arts and craft stores, roof-top restaurants and café³® (B,L,D)
Day 14: Chefchaouen to Tangier. Chefchaouen is a magical little village with a strong Spanish influence dating from the mid 1500's right up to Moroccan independence in 1956. Up to 1920, only three westerners had been recorded as entering the walled old city, only two of them made it out! Thankfully the villagers are much more receptive to outsiders nowadays. Enjoy this free morning of exploring the maze of alleyways in the old walled village or perhaps head up one of the two mountain peaks from which the town gets its name. We meet up after lunch for the afternoon drive down the Rif to Tangier. (B,D)
Day 15: Tangier. Your tour finishes, friendships and lasting memories have just begun! (B) |
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Accommodation
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Camping/Hotels (14 Nights) |
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Holidays
Extras |
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