How to prepare for
the adventure of a lifetime
· As Morocco has a tipping culture, travellers are expected to tip small amounts for most services, so please be prepared. Your leader will suggest methods and amounts to tip during the trip.
· A camel trek through the Sahara Desert is a highlight of the trip for many. If you're uncomfortable with this, it's possible to walk alongside the camels for about an hour to the camp. You would need to walk back the same distance the next morning, but don’t worry - it’s a gentle, relaxing walk.
The opposite can be said for the hike up to Aroumd, as you'll be trekking up steep, rocky steps for around an hour. If you do decide to do this walk then you'll need comfortable walking shoes, but you can also hire a mule to ride up all the way. Please also note that your main luggage will be left behind, as only hand luggage can be carried up to the village for you.
· Although you shouldn’t expect any aggressive selling techniques in Morocco, please be aware that you may be approached by shop owners and street vendors offering their goods to you on regular occasions. your guide will brief you about this on the meeting
· The weather in Morocco can be extreme. Summer temperatures can be uncomfortably hot, especially for those who aren't accustomed to the heat, so please consider what time of year you travel carefully. If you do travel in the warmer months then pack layers to cover you from the sun, bring the necessary sun protection and drink plenty of water. The desert can also get cold at night, so remember to bring base layers and warm clothing.
· We have sourced our accommodation very carefully and picked the best possible hotels, but please note that service and accommodation in Morocco may be different to western standards. On the second day of the trip, the journey by bus to chefchaouen is windy in places so it's not for the feint hearted. Although the backdrop of the stunning Rif Mountains makes this a truly scenic journey.
Physical rating A good level of fitness is recommended and will certainly help increase the enjoyment of the trip and help you to make the most of the variety of optional walks and hikes around towns and villages.
- Casablanca: Hotel Moroccan House
- Chefchaouen: Dar Echchaouen
- Fes: Riad Taryana
- Sahara: comfortable camp
- Boumalen Dades: Hotel Vielles Charues
- Ait Ben Haddou: Riad Maktoub
- Atlas Mountain: Gite with a family
- Essaouira: Riad ben Atar
- Agadir: Hotel Tildi
- Marrakech: Hotel Gomassine
Arriving Infrastructure
If you are making you own way from the airport to hotel, you can either catch a taxi or the hourly train to CasaVoyageur or Casa Port then get a petit Taxi to hotel
Please reconfirm your departure transfers with your trip leader (Rachid).
emergency phone number: +212 6 71 30 52 48
Departure from Casablanca:
If you are flying out of Casablanca: Trains from Marrakech to Casablanca, depart every 2 hours between 4:45am and 12:45pm The trip is scheduled to take 3 hours & 30 minutes and is subject to frequent delays.
From Casablanca Voyageurs Station, trains run to the Casablanca airport every two hours at 13 mins past the hour between 03h13 and 22h13. From Casa L’oasis (first station in Casablanca), trains run to the airport every hour between 05h40 and 21h20. The trip takes 45 minutes.
Check the useful website (in French) for more information - www.oncf.ma
Alternatively, from Casablanca city the 25km taxi ride to the Casablanca airport.
Please note a private transfer from your Marrakech hotel to Casablanca airport is available for sale 150$.
OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES
A selection of optional activities are listed in the day 16. All activities are subject to availability and need to be mentioned to Rachid during the first week of the trip, he will provide more information and cost. it may not be possible to do all the activities listed in one day. You may find the same activity cheaper with another operator on the ground, however we cannot vouch for the safety or quality of that operator.
Essential Trip Information
Important notesA single supplement is available on this trip with the exception of Day 6 - Sahara desert , Day 9 - Atlas mountains,
Passport and visas
Australians, New Zealanders, Canadians, Americans, EU and British citizens do not require a visa to visit Morocco for stays up to 90 days. All other nationalities should check with the Moroccan Embassy or Consulate in their country for up-to-date visa information.
What is the dress code?
There’s no official dress code in Morocco, however wearing clothes that cover the shoulders, upper arms and knees will be highly appreciated by the local people
Do I need to get any vaccinations?
There are currently no official requirements for travellers to have specific immunisations before entering Morocco but we recommend you be up-to-date with your inoculations for hepatitis A, polio, tetanus and typhoid. Malaria prophylaxis is not necessary
Food and dietary requirements
Moroccan food is, generally speaking, excellent and particularly varied. Breakfasts usually consist of bread, butter, cheese and jam with coffee, tea & orange juice. In main towns it is possible to find very good French and Moroccan restaurants where a meal and French wine will cost anything from Mad 25$- 35$. Generally dinner is likely to cost between MAD 10$-15$ depending on what you order.
There are vegetarian options given the new hotels we're staying in. Vegetarians will have choices of vegetarian couscous, tajine, pasta, salad, pizza or omelettes. Fish will be available in towns that are close to the sea: Agadir, Rabat, Essaouira, Marrakech. Generally Morocco is very known for it is fresh vegetables.
If you need vegetarian food seasoned to your taste, you can supplement that with what you bring from home or pick up spices from Morocco's amazing spice markets starting in Fez.
Vegans and those on gluten-free diets may find this region very challenging and may need to supplement meals with their own supplies from supermarkets and markets.
Transport via Train, Private Bus & Camels
There are some long travel days and some rough travelling in areas away from main tourist routes. High passes, windy roads and rough surfaces make for some challenging travel experiences. On some long travel days we depart early in the morning to ensure we optimise our time at our next destination. If you experience travel sickness we recommend you consider medication to help ease the discomfort. The best part about all of these long drives are the spectacular views and fun stops en route such as mountain passes, kasbahs, palmeries, sand dunes, goats up trees etc.
Money CURRENCY
The currency of Morocco is the dirham (MAD). Bank notes come in denominations of MAD 200, 100, 50 and 20. Smaller values are issued as coins in values of 10, 5, 2 and 1 as well as 50c, 20c, 10c and 5c. Changing money is easy and you will find banks and exchange bureaux in Casablanca, Fes and Marrakech.
TIPPING
If you're happy with the services provided a tip - it's of great significance to the people who will take care of you during your travels, inspires excellent service, and is an entrenched feature of the tourism industry across many destinations.
The following amounts are based on local considerations
Restaurants we suggest 8% to 10% of your bill.
Local guides: Throughout your trip you may at times have a local guide in addition to your leader. We suggest $2- per person per day for local guides.
Drivers: We would suggest a higher tip for those more involved with the group however $3 per person per day is generally appropriate.
You may also consider tipping your tour leader for outstanding service throughout your trip. The amount is entirely a personal preference, however as a guideline $4-$5 per person, per day. Of course you are free to tip more or less as you see fit, depending on your perception of service quality, remember a tip is not compulsory and should only be given when you receive excellent service.
Packing
I suggest you pack the following:
· Warm layers
· Light raincoat
· Comfortable walking shoes
· Sunglasses
· Sunscreen
· Hat
· Insect repellent
· Torch
· Clear plastic sandwich bag for any hand luggage liquids.
· Plastic/rubbish bag for dirty laundry/wet clothes/shoes (single-use plastic bags are banned in Morocco)
· Photocopy of your passport.
· Please always have comfortable shoes for the trip as it will involve different walking distances.
· If you use a hiking pole, it would be a good idea to bring it with you.
· Make sure your necessary items are in your hand luggage i.e. travel documents, medications, electronic devices etc.
· Keep a sarong/pashmina in your hand luggage – it can be used as a blanket on the plane, a scarf if it’s cold or a shawl on an evening out.
· Bring a small, soft/fabric bag to put your essential items in for the two nights in the sahara camp where you won’t have your main luggage with you, I advise you to keep the suitcase in bus away from the dust and sand.
· Roll your clothes instead of folding them.
· Stuff socks and underwear inside of shoes.
· Take photos of your luggage and its contents in case it gets lost.
· Put a piece of paper with your contact details in your checked luggage in case it gets lost
· Skip airport snacks and pack your own – you can save yourself a bit of time/money and keep your hunger at bay if your flight’s delayed.
· If you’re driving to the airport, take a photo of your car and where it’s parked.
Climate and seasonal information
Morocco is a very cold destination in winter and a very hot one in summer
For the latest weather information, go here before your departure and choose clothes accordingly.
Safety
SCAMS: When walking through touristy areas of cities you may be approached by 'helpful' locals who want to show you where to go or take you to a local spice shop. They will either ask to be your local guide for the day or expect money when you arrive at your destination. Please note these people are not registered guides and will try and get as much money from you as they can. A friendly 'no thank you (or 'la Shukran') should suffice.
PETTY THEFT AND PERSONAL SAFETY:
While travelling there is always the risk of pick-pocketing and petty theft, particularly in the more touristy cities. We recommend that you exercise caution when walking alone at night and encourage you to walk together and only on main, well-lit thoroughfares. Simple measures like carrying your day pack on your front, not hanging your bag over the back of your chair or on the floor and wearing a money belt will reduce any chance that your valuables should go missing.
In general, Morocco is a country with low crime levels, but pickpockets do exist - be careful with your valuables
Always remain vigilant when crossing the road - a green pedestrian light doesn't guarantee you a safe crossing, nor does a pedestrian crossing
Travel Insurance
You must purchase travel insurance that covers you for the entirety of your trip before your trip start date.
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ITINERARY Day 1: Airport transfer | Casablanca Your adventure begins today with a welcome meeting at 6pm. If you can't arrange a flight that will arrive in time, you may wish to arrive a day early. We'll be happy to book additional accommodation for you. Day 2: Casablanca | Rabat | Chefchaouen We’ll pick you up from your hotel in the morning, leaving Casablanca’s colonial buildings behind and beginning the journey along the Atlantic Coast and up into the Rif Mountains and the charming whitewashed village of Chefchaouen. One of the prettiest destinations in Morocco, this artsy village with its small but delightfully blue-doored, red-roofed medina is a mix of Moroccan and Andalusian influences. Along the way you’ll stop off in Rabat for a guided tour of the old medina, the whitewashed Kasbah des Oudaias, Bab Oudaia and Hassan Tower—the remnants of what was once planned to be the second largest mosque in the world. In Chefchaouen you’ll spend the night in a hotel. Included meals:
Day 3: Chefchaouen Your day is free to explore the winding paths of Chefchaouen’s medina and its surrounds… why not lace up your walking boots and go on a locally guided hike through the surrounding scenic Rif Mountains? (We can organise this for you.) Included meals:
Day 4: Chefchaouen | Volubilis | Fes This morning you’ll start travelling towards the mediaeval city of Fes, first making a stop at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Volubilis. Here you’ll go on a guided tour of one of the most well-preserved Roman ruin sites in North Africa. After visiting Volubilis you’ll continue on through the verdant countryside of northern Morocco to Fes where you’ll spend the next two nights in a riad. Included meals:
Day 5: Fes Today you’ll head into Fes’ old city—known locally as Fes el Bali—on a guided tour of one of the most extensive and well preserved historic towns of the Arab-Muslim world. You’ll visit the souks, the tanneries and their famous dye pits, Medresse el Attarine and the beautifully restored 18th century inn, Funduk Nejjarine. You’ll even stop by a ceramics factory where you can see potters and their students working in the traditional way. And as you walk along the narrow streets and alleyways that make up this UNESCO World Heritage Site, you’ll pass the historic khans, mosques, craftsmen and donkeys laden with goods that make this journey back to the Middle Ages one truly unforgettable experience. Included meals:
Day 6: Fes | Middle Atlas | Merzouga Today you’ll begin your journey to the vast expanse of sand that is the Sahara, leaving Fes behind in the morning and journeying south through the Middle Atlas and on to Merzouga. Along the way you’ll pass through some spectacularly varied scenery—fertile valleys, cedar and pine forests, barren, rocky landscapes and the spectacular Jurassic geography of the Ziz Gorges, including Tafilalt—the largest Saharan oasis in Morocco. You might even catch a glimpse of a Barbary ape—North Africa’s only monkey. When you reach the desert outpost of Merzouga on the edge of Erg Chebbi you’ll meet your camel and begin an unforgettable 1.5-hour ride to a nomadic camp in the middle of the dunes. Upon arrival at the camp you’ll be served a traditional Berber meal and treated to some local tribal singing and drumming by the campfire. Here you’ll spend the night in a luxury tent. Included meals:
Day 7: Merzouga | Todra Gorge | Boumalne Dades After waking early to watch the glorious sunrise over the still eastern dunes you’ll hop on your camel once more and ride out of the Sahara. And after saying goodbye to your camel in Merzouga you’ll begin your journey to Boumalne Dades, a great place to go for a walk in the countryside and discover the local Berber way of life. Along the way you’ll stop in the small town of Tinejdad and visit the Oasis Museum. This group of three restored houses displays Berber antiquities and objects of traditional use collected from various tribes across the country. You’ll also visit Todra Gorge—a narrow, 300m-high canyon and one of the most dramatic natural sights in Morocco—and take a short walk through the nearby palm grove. In Boumalne Dades you’ll spend the night in a kasbah. Included meals:
Day 8: Boumalne Dades | Skoura | Ait Ben Haddou This morning you’ll go on a guided walk through Dades Gorge before leaving Boumalne Dades and travelling along the fabled 'Road of 1000 Kasbahs, before passing through Ouarzazate —the “Hollywood of Morocco”—and continuing on to Ait Ben Haddou. This fortified city is so famous for its 17th century ksar that it’s been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987; it’s even served as a filming location for Hollywood movies such as The Gladiator and Jewel of the Nile, and more recently the tv series Game of Thrones. In Ait Ben Haddou you’ll have a walking tour of the main passages of the ksar and spend the night at Kasbah. Included meals: Breakfast Dinner Day 9: Ait Ben Haddou | Imlil | Aremd Today you’ll journey to the magnificent Toubkal National Park via the spectacular Tizi n’Tichka (2,260m)—one of the highest drivable passes in Morocco. Along the way you’ll follow the winding roads that lead you from the south’s vast desert plains to the High Atlas’ gorgeous green valleys, passing many a beautiful landscape and Berber village along the way. When you arrive in Imlil (1,800m) you’ll begin your 1-hour walk up to the peaceful Berber village of Aremd (1,920m). Here you’ll spend the night in a Berber guesthouse. Included meals:
Day 10: Aremd | Imlil | Essaouira This morning you’ll walk back down to Imlil, before continuing on to the Atlantic Coast and Essaouira—Morocco’s “Windy City”. This charming seaside town with its fortified walls, fishing harbour, lively markets, long sandy beaches and seagulls is the perfect place to both relax and be active. Along the way you’ll have the opportunity to stop at an argan oil co-operative, where you’ll be shown the process of extracting and preparing the oil. In Essaouira you’ll spend the next two nights in a riad. Included meals:
Day 11: Essaouira This morning you’ll have a guided tour of Essaouira’s medina, visiting its remparts, fishing port and fish market and souks. Optional activities:
Included meals:
Day 12: Essaouira - Marrakech After breakfast, you''ll be free to roam the souk of Essaouira or go the beach...it's your time...then lunch will be your own. We'll meet back at the riad in the afternoon and travel to Marrakech in our tour van. Today you’ll journey to the red city of Marrakech. Included meals: Breakfast Day 13: DreamingOutLoud Goddess Retreat - Marrakech
Day 14: DreamingOutLoud Goddess Retreat - Marrakech
Breakfast Lunch Day 17: Marrakech | Marrakech airport transfer Included Meals Breakfast Optional activities:
Day 16: Marrakech | Transfer to Marrakech airport We’ll pick you up from your hotel and transfer you to the airport. Included meals:
General Inclusions
Included Meals
Included Activities
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Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca
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Shop
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Shop
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Payment Policies
The first $500 is a non refundable deposit which secures your spot.
Any cancellations later than 1 month from the first payment and your deposit can be credited for a future trip exactly one year from the date of initial purchase.
All payments are non-refundable after the first two months of the payment cycle.
If an automatic payment is skipped for insufficient funds, you will be charged $50 late fee and the entire balance of the trip will be due immediately.
The first $500 is a non refundable deposit which secures your spot.
Any cancellations later than 1 month from the first payment and your deposit can be credited for a future trip exactly one year from the date of initial purchase.
All payments are non-refundable after the first two months of the payment cycle.
If an automatic payment is skipped for insufficient funds, you will be charged $50 late fee and the entire balance of the trip will be due immediately.