8-Day Morocco Desert Safari

5.0

Tour Code: 460960

Live ~~per person~~

Departure City

Marrakesh

End City

Marrakesh

Language

English Live, French Live, Spanish Live

Tour Themes

Cultural & Historical, Outdoor Adventure

Guide Type

Fully Guided Tour

Activity Level

Moderate

Highlights

This budget tour offers a great opportunity to combine the sights and sounds of Marrakech with the awe inspiring desert dunes of Merzouga

Itinerary

Adventure tour to the Moroccan deserts

Our Moroccan Desert Safari tour is a fantastic insight into the history and cultures of the Moroccan desert regions. The Moroccan tour kicks off with a city tour in Marrakech including the Bahia Palace, the Koutoubia Minaret, before finishing in the famous Djema el-Fnaa square and surrounding souqs. Next we'll leave the city and travel across the Atlas Mountains and over the highest mountain pass in North Africa. While we’re at it, we'll also visit the famous UNESCO world heritage site of Ait Benhaddou which has featured in many famous movies. We'll then continue through the Draa Valley to the remote desert town of Erfoud. From here, after passing through many Berber villages we reach the famous Erg Chebbi sand dunes where you have the option to spend the night in a comfortable Berber desert camp and take a camel ride at sunset. Our next stop is at the spectacular Todra Gorge before we pass the Skoura Oasis on our way along the 'Road of a Thousand Kasbahs' to Ouarzazate, or 'Place of no Noise'. The famous Atlas movie studios are located here, and the area has played host to numerous TV shows and films. After crossing the Atlas mountains again, back in Marrakech you have a free afternoon to explore Marrakech further and head back into the square for a final exciting evening amidst the street food stalls and entertainers. The standard tour uses comfortable mid-range hotels, with an upgrade available to a higher Superior level on request – don’t hesitate to contact us for more information.

DAY 1: Arrive in Marrakech, transfer to hotel On your arrival in Marrakech airport (RAK) our representative will greet you and transfer you to your hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to settle in, relax after your flight, and have a first look around. Extra nights before the tour starts are available on request. If you arrive early enough, you can head into Marrakech's famous Djemaa el Fna Square for a first taste of Moroccan food at one of the main street stalls, while watching the many street performers and salesmen offering their wares. OVERNIGHT: Marrakech hotel MEALS: Dinner EXTRAS: Extra day in Marrakech - pre-tour Single room supplement - Standard Hotels (MOSHDS) Single room supplement - Comfort Hotels (MOSHDS) Single room supplement - Superior Hotels (MOSHDS) DAY 2: Marrakech, city tour Today's tour of Marrakech, Mararkech's second oldest Imperial City, starts in the morning with visits to the Menara Garden, the Koutoubia Mosque, home to the minaret which has become a symbol of the city, the Dar Si Said Museum, and the Bahia Palace which hosts intricate and beautiful Arabic craftsmanship. After a break for lunch in the hotel, we spend the afternoon exploring the old centre of the city. Home to many different types of traders these bustling and aromatic souqs and handicraft quarters provide a real taste of Morocco. The tour finishes at the Djemaa el-Fna Square, which is well worth revisiting later in the evening when it is packed with street food stalls, musicians and entertainers - one of Morocco's highlights. Full-board option: dinner with show. OVERNIGHT: Marrakech hotel MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch EXTRAS: Full board supplement (Morocco Desert Safari) DAY 3: Across the Atlas Mountains to Ait Benhaddou and onwards to Boumalne After breakfast this morning we bid farewell to Marrakech and take a scenic drive across the mountains of the high Atlas, passing through the Tich'n'Tichka pass at an altitude of 2260m. After descending out of the mountains we'll stop at what is probably the most well-known kasbah in Morocco - Ait Benhaddou. The kasbah is a UNESCO protected monument and has appeared in countless movies. In the afternoon we continue our journey to the desert, travelling through Ouarzazate and Kalaa Mgoune before arriving at the town of Boumalne where we spend the night. Full board option: Lunch OVERNIGHT: Boumalne Hotel MEALS: Breakfast, Dinner EXTRAS: Full board supplement (Morocco Desert Safari) DAY 4: Todra Gorge, Erg Chebbi Sand Dunes We leave Boumalne today and continue on towards Erfoud, we'll pass by the Todra Gorge where rock faces reach up to 250m. Erfoud is on the edge of the famous Erg Chebbi sand dunes where you'll have a 4x4 drive into the dunes before returning to your Erfoud accommodation for the night. You then have two options for tonight. The standard tour spends the night in a hotel in Erfoud, with a 4x4 safari to the sand dunes for sunrise or sunset. Alternatively you can take a 4x4 safari to the sand dunes for sunset, and then have dinner and spend the night at a comfortable Berber Camp at the edge of the dunes. OVERNIGHT: Erfoud Hotel (or Berber Desert Camp) MEALS: Breakfast, Dinner EXTRAS: Full board supplement (Morocco Desert Safari) Overnight Desert Camp, 4x4 Safari and Dinner DAY 5: Tinjdad Oasis, Dades Canyon, Road of a Thousand Kasbahs You can rise early this morning and if staying in the desert camp take a walk or camel ride to witness an amazing sunrise over the Erg Chebbi sand dunes before returning to the camp. If staying in the hotel at Erfoud, an option is available to take 4x4 vehicles into the desert to enjoy sunrise on the dunes. After breakfast we then head away from the desert and to the impressive Tinjdad Oasis before we continue on to the Dades Canyon, close to Tinghir, whos rocks tower around 250 metres above you. Our journey then continues along the 'Road of a Thousand Kasbahs' crossing Kalaat M’Gouna and the Skoura Valley before arriving at Ouarzazate or 'place of no noise'. An incredibly dramatic landscape, this area has played host to countless well known films and is home to the famous Atlas movie studios. We'll take a short tour of the city this afternoon before taking dinner at the hotel. OVERNIGHT: Ouarzazate Hotel MEALS: Breakfast, Dinner EXTRAS: Full board supplement (Morocco Desert Safari) DAY 6: Cross the Atlas Mountains to Marrakech. Free afternoon After breakfast today we'll make another crossing of the Atlas Mountains and the Tizi N'tichka col on our way back to Marrakech. You'll arrive in time to spend the afternoon exploring Marrakech's souqs and bazaars further for some final sightseeing and souvenir shopping, and to enjoy a final night back in the Djemaa el-Fna Square after dinner in the hotel. OVERNIGHT: Marrakech Hote MEALS: Breakfast, Dinner EXTRAS: Full board supplement (Morocco Desert Safari) DAY 7: Marrakech departure, transfer to the airport Our exciting week in Morocco comes to an end today. You'll have free time until you are transferred to the airport for your departure flight. Subject to your flight departure time, additional options such as spectacular hot air balloon flight (which runs first thing in the morning for around 4 hours with a flight of around 1 hour) or a full day trip to the Ourika Valley including lunch are available today. Extra nights in Marrakech are available if you would like to extend your stay to accommodate these options or just to spend a bit more time exploring Marrakech. OVERNIGHT: N/A MEALS: Breakfast EXTRAS: Marrakech hot air balloon flight Ourika Valley half day tour Extra day in Marrakech - post-tour

Tips

| OVERNIGHT 4-star Marrakech hotel | MEALS Dinner | EXTRAS Single Room Supplement, Extra night - pre-tour

Visiting Attractions

Koutoubia Tower

Saadian Tombs

Bahia Palace

Ait Benhaddou

Gorges Du Dades

Ouarzazate

What’s Included

Includes

All accommodation as stated in the itinerary

Transport in AC minibus/coach (4x4 landcruisers in the desert)

24-hour airport arrival & departure transfer service

English speaking tour leader throughout and specialist local guides

Meals as indicated in the itinerary

Entrances fees to monuments as stated

Excludes

International flights (available on request)

Visa fees

Travel insurance (compulsory, available on request)

Optional 4x4 desert safari and night in Berber desert camp

Meals not indicated in the itinerary

Drinks, snacks and other personal expenses (e.g. laundry)

Tips for guide & driver

Any other items not mentioned above

Special Notes

Accommodation
We use good quality hotels rated at the Moroccan 4-star level on this tour (except Taroudant which is 3-star). Local star ratings may vary slightly from international standards. However, we’re confident you’ll be impressed by the quality of the hotels used.

Accommodation is based on double or twin en-suite rooms with air conditioning. All couples will be given a private double room. Single travelers may choose to pay a single room supplement to guarantee themselves a single room throughout the tour. Alternatively, they may choose to share a twin room with another traveler of the same sex. If there are no other single travelers available to pair up with at the time of your booking, then we will need to add the single supplement to the tour price, but will refund this or deduct it from your balance payment if we are able to pair you up later on.

At the Berber desert camp out in the sand dunes, comfortable permanent Berber tents with mattresses and traditional local blankets are provided. You do not need to bring a sleeping bag. Shared toilet facilities are available.

Transport
Our trips feature a mix of different transport options. We want you to feel like you’re really experiencing the country you’re travelling through, but at the same time we want you to finish journeys refreshed enough to enjoy the next stage of the tour. The terrain and public transport options in Morocco mean that we use private vehicles throughout this tour, including a 4x4 for your desert safari.

Transfers
Our Morocco tours include a 24-hour airport meet & assist service in Casablanca/Marrakech airports (depending on the exact itinerary), your arrival and departure airport-hotel transfers and all other transfers.

Your airport transfers are only included on the first and last day of the set tour itinerary, plus on any additional days if you book your hotel room with us. If you make your own arrangements for additional accommodation at either the beginning or the end of the tour then you will need to arrange your own airport transfers on these days.

International Flights
We want to give you as much flexibility as possible when it comes to booking your holiday with us. So, to take account of people with varying travel plans, most of our tour prices online are on a 'land only' basis. We are however very happy to book your flights for you, and our ATOL (UK flight sales license) covers all holidays booked together with a flight from the UK.

Please contact us with your preferred dates and departure airport and we’ll give you a selection of airlines, times and fares to choose from. Your airport arrival & departure transfers are included on the first and last days of the tour whether you book your flights independently or through us. Airport transfers on any days before or after the main tour will be added as a supplement. Our Morocco tours either start/finish in Marrakech (RAK) or Casablanca (CMN) airports.

Some packages on our website are sold as flight inclusive and in this event you will see the departure airport listed on the Dates & Prices tab. Airlines may vary on these packages, and baggage fees may be subject to an extra fee. Please check the Inclusions/Exclusions section for details.

Group Size/Tour Leaders/Guides
We are committed to being a small group operator as we feel this gives everyone in the group the best chance to get to know their fellow travellers and to hear and make the most of their guide. There's no point in us providing great guides if you've got to peer over 30-40 shoulders to see them! So, we won't ever put you in a 50-seater coach with 49 other people and just one guide. Instead, we set these tour departures to have a maximum of 20 travellers per guide.

The minimum number of travellers required for the tour to run is 4. If there are only 2 or 3 people in the group then those travellers will be offered the opportunity to still do the tour but to pay a supplement of GBP150 per person. This will be refunded should the group size increase closer to departure (this is very rarely an issue as this is one of our most popular tours).

In Morocco we provide fully trained, local English-speaking guides for all of the sightseeing tours. Our local reps in all the towns and cities en-route are also at your service, and will be handling all the practical arrangements for the tour.

At Encounters Travel we only use local Moroccan guides and reps. We feel this gives you the best experience of the country and the sites you are seeing and many people describe our Moroccan guides as one of the highlights of their holiday.

Entrance Fees
The tour price includes entrance fees to all the tourist sites mentioned in the itinerary. You will need to cover the cost of entrance to any other extra sites that you may wish to visit.

Tipping
Haggling is a traditional necessity, so never pay too much regard to initial prices. Instead fix an items value in your mind then negotiate towards it unhurriedly (Moroccans never rush their bargaining), and don’t be afraid to simply walk away if the price isn’t right. However, if you do mention a price, then you should be prepared to pay it or risk causing offence.

Bahsis (bahk-sheesh) or tips are common place and customary in Morocco. Wages for service staff are very low and tips are a necessary supplement to meagre incomes.

While an accepted part of the culture and customs in Morocco, tipping is always optional, and the amounts paid should reflect excellent service. We are often asked for advice on common amounts, and for assistance with tipping. Some suggested guidelines are given below.

Restaurants and taxis: Local markets and basic restaurants - leave the loose change. More up-market restaurants we suggest 5% to 10% of your bill.
Local guides: Throughout your trip you may at times have a local guide in addition to your tour guide. We suggest USD 2-3 per person per day for local guides.
Drivers: You may have a range of private drivers on your trip. Some may be with you for a short journey while others may be with you for several days. We would suggest a higher tip for those more involved with the group however USD 2 per person per day is generally appropriate.
Tour Guides: As a guideline we suggest for your tour guide between USD 25-40 per person for the entire tour, but ultimately, it's up to your satisfaction with their service and your budget. You should not feel pressured to tip any particular amount.

Note - if you are doing a private tour and not joining a group, then you should budget a higher amount for your driver and guide tips.

Health and Vaccinations
You should ensure you are fully insured for medical emergencies including emergency evacuation and repatriation.
Recommended vaccinations and other health protection measures vary according to the country you are visiting and where you are travelling from. We recommend you contact your GP/medical practitioner or a travel clinic for current information on vaccinations needed for your destination. You should ensure that you are up to date with vaccines and boosters recommended for your normal life at home, including for example, vaccines required for occupational risk of exposure, lifestyle risks and underlying medical conditions. In addition, additional courses or boosters normally recommended for the countries in this region are:

Morocco
: Additional vaccinations: Hepatitis A, Tetanus, Typhoid. Malaria not normally present. Yellow Fever certificate not required.

Passports and Visas
Passports should be valid for at least six months after your departure from the country. Please do not bring an almost full or almost expired passport. Visa arrangements are the responsibility of the traveller, and requirements are subject to change by the local authorities. We recommend that you contact your closest Moroccan consulate or embassy for current information for your nationality.

Currently, many nationalities (including USA, Canada, UK, European, Australian, New Zealand) do not need to obtain a visa to enter Morocco as long as your stay is for less than 3 months. Other nationalities should check with their local consulate.

Time
The time in Morocco is the same as GMT (plus 0 hours). Daylight saving adjustments are generally applied between the end of March and the end of October, making the time GBP plus 1 hour. During this period the time may revert back to GMT during Ramadan. Exact dates vary from year to year and sometimes the changes may be scrapped altogether.

Voltage
Sockets are two round pronged and 220 volts (Type C/E). Universal adaptors are available in most airport shops if you don’t have one already. Standard European adapters will work fine, though sometimes they may feel a little loose in the sockets. All hotel rooms have electrical sockets where you can re-charge cameras, phones etc. Hair dryers are normally available on request from the hotel reception if not in your room already. If you have US appliances (110 volts) you will need a voltage converter as well as a plug adapter.

Money
The local currency in Morocco is the Dirham. We recommend you bring some cash in a hard currency (US Dollars, GB Pounds, Euros) and a good ATM card. Most major currencies can be converted at most banks, but it's not wise to carry too much. Euros and US Dollars are welcomed more than GB Pounds. Travellers cheques are not easily exchanged. It can be awkward outside of Marrakech to find an ATM machine that takes your card as many Moroccan banks have ATMs that only work with Moroccan cards. Don't put your card in an ATM unless you see the symbol that matches your card on the machine, as you might lose your card! We also suggest trying to avoid using Post Office ATMs. In some smaller towns there are no ATMs that take foreign cards, so be sure you get enough cash to carry you until the next major city. BCM seems to be the best bank, accepting foreign cards in most of their ATMs.

While in Morocco you will need sufficient funds to cover meals not included in the itinerary, drinks, snacks, souvenirs, tips and personal expenses such as laundry. These should generally all be paid for in Moroccan Dirham. It is difficult to recommend a level of personal spending money which will suit everyone as this can differ greatly, but as a guideline, we would suggest allowing USD 15-25 per person per day as a minimum. Allow more if you plan on doing lots of shopping, or buying many alcoholic drinks.

What to take
Luggage: Small or medium sized suitcases, rucksacks or fabric holdalls are all fine to bring with you to Morocco. You should also bring a small daypack/bag to take out during the day. Your main luggage will often be left in the hotel during your sightseeing trips – you will not need to carry it far, and there are nearly always hotel porters to assist.

Luggage limits: There is no luggage limit for this tour. However, most airlines restrict you to between 20kg and 25kg for your hold luggage and between 5kg and 10kg for hand luggage. Please check with your airline before travelling to the airport.

Clothing: The Moroccan climate varies according to season and region. The coast has a warm, Mediterranean climate tempered on the eastern coast by southwest trade winds. Inland areas have a hotter, drier, continental climate.

In the south of the country, the weather is very hot and dry throughout most of the year, though temperatures can drop dramatically at night, especially in desert and mountains and in the months of December and January. Rain falls from November to March in coastal areas, and the rest of the country is mostly dry with high temperatures in summer and a cooler climate in the mountains.

Marrakech and Agadir enjoy an average temperature of 21°C (70ºF) in the winter. So, depending the time of year you are visiting you should pack for both hot and cooler conditions. Modesty rates highly in Morocco, especially for women, so to respect the local culture & people, please ensure all clothes are loose fitting and not revealing. Shorts (not hot-pants) are OK in tourist sites, as are T-shirts, but these should not show too much bare flesh (we suggest that your shoulders should remain covered). In the centre of towns and cities outside tourist areas, and when visiting any mosques, legs and arms should be covered.

Other items: If your tour includes a Berber desert camp then all bedding is provided. However, as sand has a nasty habit of getting everywhere, for comfort, we recommend bringing a light sleeping sheet or sleeping bag liner all year round, and a light sleeping bag in the winter months (November to February) when it can get very cold in the desert. We also recommend you bring a sun hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, a basic first aid kit, toiletries, money belt, small torch, camera & charger.

Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is compulsory on all of our tours and needs to cover personal accident & liability, medical expenses and repatriation, travel delay & abandonment. We also strongly recommend that you take out cover against cancellation and lost/stolen baggage. Personal medical insurance does not normally provide sufficient cover and is generally not suitable for travel on our tours. You will not be able to join your tour if you have not provided us with details of your insurance or if you arrive without cover in place (no refunds will be due in this event).

You may arrange your own insurance, or you can take advantage of a comprehensive policy that we can arrange for you through Endsleigh Insurance which has been designed to be suitable for our tours. The policy is available to travellers of all nationalities and you do not need to live in the UK to take out the policy. For full details of cover provided, prices and to apply for one of our policies, please complete travel insurance application form.

Note: Any country that borders the Mediterranean is considered as 'Europe' for the purposes of travel insurance (including Turkey, Israel, Egypt and Morocco). If you are doing a tour that visits one country in 'Europe' and one that is 'Worldwide' (for example, an Egypt and Jordan tour), then you need a 'Worldwide' policy. When completing the form you should enter your travel dates including any extra days involved in overnight flights or connecting travel between your home and the tour. Our policies are not able to cover any extra time or activities other than your tour and options booked with us and your travel to & from home.

If you plan to arrange a hot air balloon flight locally, or do some scuba diving during your tour, you should check the small print in your policy to make sure these are covered (these are covered in our policy). Please also check the maximum altitude that you will be reaching and that full cover including emergency evacuation is provided up to this altitude.

If you are taking expensive camera gear or other electronic equipment with you then please check the coverage and the fine print of your policy to ensure that you have sufficient cover.

IMPORTANT: We must have your travel insurance details (policy number and type of insurance) before you depart or you may not be allowed to join the tour. If you haven't told us already, please let us know the details when you can. You should take a paper copy of your insurance policy with you as you may be asked to show this at the start of the tour.

The time we mentioned in the itinerary is for reference only. Please refer to your guide on tour for the actual arrangement. The visiting order and duration might be changed according to actual and practical situation for better service.
This tour/activity is overseen by a select local operator in the region. Upon booking your tour or activity and after receiving confirmation, you will be issued an e-ticket detailing the local operator's name and contact information. If you require assistance finding a specific tour, please contact us for more information.

Yellow Fever Vaccination Requirement: If you have traveled to or transited through yellow fever-endemic regions including East African countries (excluding Tanzania) or South American countries, either before or after your trip, you may be required to present a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate. This requirement can apply not only for joining tours but also for certain flights or entry into specific countries. For more details, please refer to the official site: : Yellow Fever Risk Areas - Fit for Travel

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