Fast Facts:

Staffing: Escorted by Imaginative Traveller Tour Leader, services of local guides in Fes & Volubilis
Transport: First class air-conditioned train, minibus, public air-conditioned coach.
Accommodation: 12 nights tourist class hotels, 2 nights Berber tent camp.
Activities: Extensive walking, optional camel ride
Meals: As per itinerary (B- Breakfast, L-Lunch, D-Dinner). Please allow US$10-20 per day for additional meals.
Entrance fees: Included for all sites listed as part of the itinerary.
Tipping: To avoid embarrassment and save your money all tours operate a tipping kitty. Please allow US$20-30 per week of the tour for this. We use the US Dollar since that is familiar to most. However, once on tour you will need to pay for all goods and services in the local currency (with the exception of the local payment which must be paid in US Dollars). See your Country Dossier for details of exchange rates.

Local Payment: There is a local payment of US$180 on this tour. This must be paid to the Tour Leader in cash in Moroccan Dirham on Day 1 of the tour. Your Tour Leader will advise you of the latest rate of exchange.

Supplementary Tour Information: Marvel at the beauty of Todra Gorge; travel the "Valley of 1000 Kasbahs"; cross the great High Atlas Mountains; relax on the Atlantic Coast in Essaouira; explore the Imperial Cities of Fes, Meknes & Marrakech. Marvel at the beauty of Todra Gorge; travel the "Valley of 1000 Kasbahs"; cross the great High Atlas Mountains; relax on the Atlantic Coast in Essaouira; explore the Imperial Cities of Fes, Meknes & Marrakech.

Visas: A visa is required by South African passport holders but no fee is charged. Please enquire for further information. Other passport holders will need to check as to whether visas are required for entry into Morocco.

Border Taxes: There are no entry or exit taxes payable when entering or leaving Morocco by air or by land.

Special Luggage Requirements: The Pre-Departure Information includes an extensive luggage checklist. However there are some special requirements for this tour.

Towel
Torch & spare batteries
Fleece/sweater
Waterproof jacket
Daypack/rucksack
Backpack or easy-to-carry luggage
(As we use some public transport please ensure you have a bag which you find easy to carry)
Sleeping sheet - this is required for the optional camel safari. It can get cold in the desert at night, particularly at the start and end of the season. There are blankets available but these are used as cushioning on the back of the camel, under the saddle, and they are not frequently washed so you may prefer to bring a sleeping bag.
Entrance Fees
Entrance fees are included for all sites as listed as part of the itinerary. Morocco also has a wealth of other historical sights and museums, which you may wish to visit. If you intend visiting a wide range of different sights, you should allow up to approx. US$20 for this.

Optional Activity: Should you wish to take the optional overnight camel safari at Erg Chebbi, please allow approx. US$30 for this.

Fitness: None of the activities featured in this trip require special training or skills, just a reasonable level of fitness and a willingness to participate. If you are in any doubt contact your doctor for advice.

Transport: Train This tour uses trains to travel between the some cities. Compartments are air-conditioned and there is a western-style toilet in each carriage. Overhead luggage racks are available in the compartments. There is normally a limited drinks/snack service available on the trains. On this trip we travel 1st class, where compartments seat six people. Approximate traveling times have been noted in the itinerary.

Private Vehicles We use privately chartered mini-buses on this tour. We have a NO SMOKING policy on all our tour buses. This usually proves no hardship as there are plenty of opportunities for breaks. The only exception to this rule is the driver. Major roads in Morocco are generally good, enabling our buses to cover distances in reasonable time. Even so, the country is large and many areas are mountainous requiring slower progress. Delays can also occur and we ask for your patience and understanding in these matters.

Public Buses & Taxis On occasions we will also use public coaches and taxis. As these are a public service we do not have control over all aspects of the service provided. In particular clients should be aware that there may be no restriction on smoking on public transport.

Includes: Arrival transfer, services of tour leader and local guides, transport in 1st class air-conditioned train, minibus, public air-conditioned coach, extensive walking, optional camel ride, 12 nights accommodation in tourist class hotels, 2 nights accommodation in Berber tent camp, meals as per itinerary, entrance fees included for all sites listed as part of the itinerary.

Excludes: Flights, airline/airport taxes, visa cost, travel insurance, health requirements, tips, drinks and any additional cost not specified.

Prices are subject to change due to any unforeseen price increase.
Wild Frontiers are able to assist with airfare ex South Africa to/from Morocco. Please enquire for details.
We have regular departures. Enquire for more details.

ITINERARY:

Day 1 - Arrival day in Casablanca. Transfer to hotel.

Day 2 - Free morning before taking the train to Fes. Breakfast included.

Day 3 - A guided walking tour of the Medina and souqs (markets), including the leather tanneries, noted as much for their overpowering smell as for their spectacle! Breakfast included.

Day 4 - Though not as large as Fes, Meknes has a charm of its own and is far less frequented by travellers. We have time to explore before continuing to the Roman ruins of Volubilis. Return to Fes for the night. Breakfast included.

Day 5 - A long day's journey across the middle Atlas Mountains, via the remarkable roc formations of Ziz Gorge. Continue to the western fringe of the Sahara Desert where we stay for two nights amongst the great dunes of Erg Chebbi in a Berber style camp. Breakfast included.

Day 6 - Enjoy the sunrise in the dunes before visiting some of the local villages to see how people live in these desert surroundings. In the afternoon you'll have the option to take an overnight camel ride into the great dunes. Breakfast included.

Day 7 - Leaving the eastern desert region we continue to Tinehrir and the Todra Valley. Breakfast included.

Day 8 - Morning walk through the lovely Todra Valley palmery. Afernoon to explore the spectacular Todra Gorge, a deep chasm cutting through the desert mountains. Breakfast included.

Day 9 - Journey along the 'Valley of 1000 Kasbahs' to the desert city of Quarzazate and visit the fortified village of Ait Ben Haddou. Breakfast and dinner included.

Day 10 - We cross the Atlas Mountains via the spectacular Tizi 'n Tichka mountain pass to the great city of Marrakech. Breakfast included.

Day 11 - A full day to explore this exotic city. Breakfast included.

Day 12 - Today we travel to the Atlantic Coast and the 18th century Portuguese fishing port of Essaouira. Plenty of opportunities to sample the local seafood! Breakfast included.

Day 13 - A full day to explore this white-washed city, famous for its woodwork shops, or relax on the beach. Breakfast included.

Day 14 - Return to Casablanca. Breakfast included.

Day 15 - Tour ends after breakfast (included).