Africa Getaways & International Travel

START:    MARRAKESH – MOROCCO
FINISH:    MARRAKESH – MOROCCO

DURATION:  9 days

COST:  from  R8 960

TRANSPORT: Private vehicle, Horse Drawn Carraige, Camel, On foot.

ACCOMMODATION: Hotels (7 nights), Camping (1 Night)

INCLUDED IN THIS TOUR:  8 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 2 Dinners – All Activities and entrance Fees as per itinerary
Escorted Tour, English speaking Local guide and driver – Airport transfers- Camel Safari with Camelteers,
Gladiator film set Visit – Marrakesh City Tour.

HIGHLIGHTS: Morocco – Marrakesh – Souks(markets) – Jamma el Fna – Horse Drawn Carriage Ride(Caleche) – Snake Charmers, Jugglers -Atlas Mountains – Ait Ben Haddou,  Gladiator Film Set – Quarzazte – Sahara Desert Camel Trek – Desert Camp – Kasbahs – Skoura Palm Oasis.

Sunbaked mud built kasbahs, oases of palm trees, camels, the ever changing colours of the sand dunes as the sun sets, revealing blazing stars and constellations in the night sky are all to be found on this adventure holiday. Starting in the exotic city of Marrakesh, we get our first taste of the orient at the Jamna el Fna square, including snake charmers and smoking open air tagine stalls. Close by are the souks or markets where you can find anything from carpets to Moroccan drums for sale. Heading over the high passes of the Atlas Mountains, the landscape changes to the rocky plains that are the beginning of the desert. Here we will visit the world heritage kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou, and Ouarzazate, known as the “Hollywood” of Morocco. Passing the lush date palms and Kasbahs in the Draa Valley, we catch our first real glimpse of the Sahara desert with sand as far as the eye can see. We meet up with our camel team and head out into the dunes for an overnight camel safari, an adventure in itself. It’s possible to hear the shifting sand in the heat and observe the Scarab beetles running up the dunes.

 ITINERARY
Day 1: Marrakesh.  You will be met at the airport and transported to the hotel. The hotel is about a 15 minute walk to the old city medina. There is a swimming pool at the hotel.

The pre-departure meeting will be held in the hotel at 6pm, giving you a chance to meet your Tour Leader and fellow passengers, and go through the itinerary.
 
Day 2: Marrakesh – City Tour.  Breakfast at the hotel. After breakfast, we take a horse drawn carriage (caleche) to the main square, Jamma el Fna and explore the old city.

Marrakesh is one of the four imperial cities of Morocco and after Casablanca, is Morocco’s second largest city. Marrakesh has one of the most exhilarating and liveliest souks (market) in the world. The markets are located around the Jamma el Fna square, resplendent with snake charmers, storytellers, acrobats and musicians. Marrakech will not fail to ‘capture’ you. The souks sell spices and fruits, and everything you could wish – you may like to buy a refreshing orange juice from one of the street stalls.

In the afternoon you may like to take another horse drawn carriage ride, or visit Oasira (beach, waves, flumes). In the summer when it is too hot you may like to go shopping. It all depends on how energetic you are feeling. Back at the hotel there is a chance to cool off at the swimming pool.

In the evenings, the square comes alive with music, dancers, acrobats, storytellers, potion salesmen and boxing contests, surrounded by a plethora or mobile food and juice stalls.  (B)
 
Day 3: Marrakesh to Ouarzazate.  An early start after breakfast for our journey to Ouarzazate with our guide. The route goes over the high passes of the Atlas mountains and near the highest mountain in North Africa, Jbel Toubkal. After a lunch stop at the highest point we descend to a completely different landscape of pre desert rocks and kasbahs. We stop to visit the fortified settlement of Ait Ben Haddou (the setting for the film Gladiator), a wonderfully preserved fortified town built out of the local stone and mud into ornate structures. Carrying on a further 20km we reach Ouarzazate where we overnight. It will be about 5 to 6 hours travel today.  (B)
 
Day 4: Ouarzazate to Zagora.   We spend the morning in Ouarzazate, giving you the chance to visit and explore the film sets, or go shopping. In the afternoon we travel for 4 to 5 hours to Zagora, along the palms and oasis of the River Draa. We relax for the night in a hotel with swimming pool.  (B)
 
Days 5-6: Camel Safari.  We continue to Mhamid, where we will meet the camel team for our  2 days adventure in the Sahara Desert, trekking with camels over the sand, and camping in the wildness of the sand dunes. The  camels are available to ride at any time, and they will carry all of your luggage. Picnics and evening meals will be cooked by part of the guide team.

The camel safari is full board camping in 2 person tents in the desert. We provide a large mess tent and 2 person tents, and all camping material apart from sleeping bags. Please ensure you bring your own sleeping bags. Camelteers will accompany us.

After the trek we return to Zagora, for a shower and a night in the hotel.  (Full board whilst on camel trek)
 
Day 7: Zagora to Ouarzazate.  Today we return to Ouarzazate via the Tighrempt Kasbah in Skoura Palm Oasis which you can explore if you are feeling energetic! The Kasbah has a fascinating display of artifacts. The journey takes 4-5 hours. We overnight in Ouarzazate.  (B)
 
Day 8: Ouarzazate to Marrakesh.  We return over the High Atlas to Marrakesh, and the remainder of the day is free – maybe for some last minute souvenir shopping in the souks. (B)
 
Day 9: Marrakesh. The tour finishes after breakfast today. A transfer to the airport is included, so please ensure that you have provided us with your flight details to enable us to make the necessary arrangements.  (B)

TO BOOK THIS TOUR CALL STEPHANIE AND GET THE BEST POSSIBLE AIRFARE RATES TO MARRAKESH.  031 769 1305   -   info@africagetaways.co.za