Morocco Encompassed
Morocco Encompassed
Morocco Encompassed
14 Days Starting in Casablanca, Morocco and ending in Marrakesh, Morocco
Visiting: Casablanca, Meknes, Site Archéologique de Volubilis, Chefchaouen, Fes, Midelt, Sahara Desert, Todra River, Aït Benhaddou, Essaouira, Marrakesh
Tour operator:
Tour code:
634
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
2 - 16
Age range:
8-95
Special diets catered:
Request dietary needs
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Activities:
From:
$1335
$1275
Exclusive Tourhub Members Discount: -$60
NB: Prices correct on 21-May-2024 but subject to change.
Tour Overview
From the High Atlas Mountains, to deep Todra Gorge, Sahara Desert, Blue City of Chefchaouen and the Coastal town of Essaouira, this 14 day tour will take you to all corners of Morocco and show you the very best of what this kingdom has to offer. After meeting the group in Casablanca, we begin our journey, making our first stop in the capital city of Rabat where we'll explore the Oudaia Kasbah, Royal Palace and the Hassan Tower before moving on to the relaxed city of Meknes, where we'll spend a night (in 2025 we'll spend an additional night in Chefchaouen instead of the night in Meknes). Next is the Blue City of Chefchaouen in the North of Morocco, where we'll have the opportunity to explore the main square and Kasbah with its white painted doors and blue walls. Turning our direction south, our next stop is Fes, often considered to be one of the oldest and largest medieval city in the world. With a 2 night stay here, you'll have plenty of time to explore this city and explore the maze like Medina. As our journey continues, we pass over the Moyen Atlas and spend a night at the mountainous town of Midelt, where we'll have time for a short hike in the surrounding hills and a visit to a local berber family, where we'll experience a few hours in their way of life. Be prepared for a change of scenery next are our adventure takes us in to the Sahara Desert. We'll take a camel trek through the sand dunes of the Erg Chebbi, to our base for the night, a traditional Berber camp. You can choose to sleep within the tents or choose to sleep outside, beneath the start speckled desert sky. Nextt you'll have time in the deep Todra Gorge follows, with the opportunity for a short hike through the canyon and Palmerie area, or even try some rock climbing. You'll then follow the Road of a Thousand Kasbahs to Ouarzazate and the Ksar of Ait Benhaddou, which you may find familiar as it has appeared in several movies, some of which were also partially filmed in the nearby Atlas studios which you'll also have the opportunity to visit. The final leg of our journey firstly takes us to the coast, where we'll spend 2 nights in the laid-back town of Essaouira, whilst here you can enjoy seafood, try your hand at kite surfing or explore the UNESCO listed Medina and former Portuguese fortifications. This comprehensive tour of Morocco ends in Marrakech where an optional tour is available to explore this Imperial City, the fourth of which you will have visited on this tour. For those passengers who find it easier to fly in and out of Marrakech, we also offer a 15 day version of this tour, starting 1 day earlier in Marrakech. Please see the optional extras for further details.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Arrive In Casablanca - Transfer To Hotel
Location: Casablanca
Accommodation: Hotel, Casablanca hotel
Meals Included: Dinner
Welcome to Morocco! After a short transfer from the airport, you will have a free day to explore this vibrant city. Tonight you will meet your fellow travellers at your pre-departure meeting at 6pm, organised at the joining hotel in the heart of town.
We also offer the option of joining this tour 1 day earlier in Marrakech, please check the extra options section for further details.
Day 2 : Visiting The Capital City Of Rabat And Laid Back Meknes
Location: Meknes
Accommodation: Hotel, Meknes hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
After breakfast we head to Rabat and have some time to visit Oudaia Kasbah, Hasssan tower, the Royal palace and Chellah. After lunch we move on to the more laid back city of Meknes where you get to enjoy some free time.
Day 3 : Visit Volubilis And Head North To The Blue City Of Chefchaouen
Location: Site Archéologique de Volubilis
Accommodation: Hotel, Chefchaouen hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
In the morning we take a tour of the Roman ruins at Volubilis, the largest ancient site of Morocco. UNESCO-listed, the site dates back to AD40 and once ruled the entire Roman province of Mauritania. We then travel on to explore Chefchaouen, a haven of peace and tranquility. High up in the Rif mountains, Chefchaouen is a beautiful blue door and white-walled medina that was originally a Berber post. The main square is the heart of Chefchaouen, with the Kasbah (built back in the 18th century), central mosque and cafes with great local food. You can explore the busy market in a relaxed atmosphere.
Day 4 : Free Time In Chefchaouen, Continue To Fes
Location: Chefchaouen
Accommodation: Hotel, Fes hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
You'll have some additional free time in Chefchaouen this morning - spend your time exploring this beautiful city a little further or relax at the hotel. We’ll then enjoy a leisurely lunch break in Chefchaouen before continuing on to Fes in the afternoon. Fez is the oldest and largest medieval city in the world and its medina is a heady mix of aromas, sounds and sights. To navigate, follow one of the five themed tourist circuits. There are plenty of mosques and palaces to visit, but be aware that only Muslims can enter mosques in Morocco.
Day 5 : Exploring The Ancient City Of Fes
Location: Fes
Accommodation: Hotel, Fes Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Considered the largest and oldest medieval city in the world by many, Fes is over 1,200 years old and is famous for its busy Medina. Home to 400,000 inhabitants this is packed with narrow winding streets, mosques, souks and is a heady mix of sights, smells and sounds. We'll spend plenty of time exploring the Medina, seeing various palaces and mosques (which non-Muslims will not be able to enter), and many different crafts on sale. ounds. Our guided otur will also include the Fes's famous dye-pits and tanneries, as well as a traditional Moroccan pharmacy and pottery. Finally we'll return to our hotel to relax after a long day of walking and exploring. This evening there is the option for a traditional meal inside the city with live Moroccan entertainment including music, belly dancing and magicians.
Day 6 : Head To Midelt, Berber Family Experience
Location: Midelt
Accommodation: Hotel, Midelt hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
This morning we journey over the Moyen Atlas and overnight at the mountainous location of Midelt. A small town that consists of little more than one main street, most tourists would not stop here but this is a beautiful alpine area surrounded by huge pine trees and a great place for hiking the tranquil surroundings. Midelt is also a good place for carpet shopping with a small friendly population.We visit a local Berber family to experience a few hours in their way of life. Through our financial supoort of the family, they have built a new toilet block for the extended family. Our visits will continue to further support local families. We will enjoy a small hike in the afternoon then spend the night in this mountain location.
Day 7 : Sahara Desert - Camel Trek & Berber Camp
Location: Sahara Desert
Accommodation: Camp, Berber Camp
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Today we enjoy a stunning drive into the Sahara Desert and a fantastic Moroccan lunch (optional), after which you can spend the afternoon relaxing and swimming (except in Winter months). Then we will head towards the desert and Merzouga. Here we can experience a camel ride where we trek into the desert for a night at our authentic Berber Camp. In the evening there is plenty of local food to enjoy also the opportunity to listen to local music and a night out under the incredible Sahara night sky filled with stars. (Camel trek included).
Day 8 : The Todra Gorge (Optional Rock Climbing)
Location: Todra River
Accommodation: Hotel, Todra Gorge hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today is spent exploring Todra Gorge, from its plunging depths to its 1000 foot high cliffs. You have the opportunity to discover the charm of Todra on your trek or go for optional Rock Climbing. You can witness its changing colours as the sun slowly moves from east to west. Or alternatively, you could choose just to chill out for the day.
Day 9 : Ouarzazate And Ait Benhaddou
Location: Aït Benhaddou
Accommodation: Hotel, Ait Benhaddou hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Today our journey takes us through Ouarzazate, where you have the chance for an optional tour of the Film Studios. We then drive on to Aït Benhaddou, a 'fortified city', situated along the former caravan route between the Sahara and Marrakech. It is situated on a hill along the Ouarzazate River and boasts some beautiful examples of kasbahs, some of which remain inhabited. Granted UNESCO World Heritage listing, the site had been the setting for many films including Lawrence of Arabia and Gladiator. Here we also include a guided tour of the main Kasbah.
Day 10 : Heading To The Coastal City Of Essaouira
Location: Essaouira
Accommodation: Hotel, Essaouira hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
The drive today takes us through truly stunning landscapes as we pass over the High Atlas Mountains, making our way to the coastal city of Essaouira. A colourful fishing town situated within 15th century Portuguese fortifications, where great beaches and surf beckon. You can choose to relax on the beach of explore the UNESCO listed medina, with its many market stalls and woodcarving workshops. All of the city gates will take you in to the Medina, so you won't get lost! The beach is in front of the medina and there are plenty of cafés with terraces, both ideal for relaxing for a few hours. Blue doors and window frames abound as do the artists shops – buy a carpet or Thuya wood carving or sit on the beach sipping a mint tea as the sun sets, an antidote to the hustle & bustle of the Imperial cities.
Day 11 : Free Day In Essaouira
Location: Essaouira
Accommodation: Hotel, Essaouira hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
You'll have another free day today to further explore the city of Essaouira. If you haven't already, be sure to make the most of your time to explore the UNESCO listed Medina and Portuguese fortifications.
Day 12 : Leave The Coast And Journey To Marrakech
Location: Marrakesh
Accommodation: Hotel, Marrakech hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
We'll leave Essaouira this morning either by minivan on onboard the Supratours public bus, with our final destination being the city of Marrakech, the final one of four Imperial Cities we'll have visited on this tour and the second oldest. The city is also known as the 'ochre city'. The city is set against backdrop of the snow-capped Atlas Mountains and the skyline is marked by the imposing tower of the Koutoubia Mosque, a sister tower to the Tower of Hassan in Rabat. Why not begin exploring the city this evening with a visit to the Djemaa-el-Fna square, where you'll see vibrant street sellers, entertainers and street food galore!
Day 13 : Optional Marrakech Tour
Location: Marrakesh
Accommodation: Hotel, Marrakech hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today is free to explore at leisure or why not join our optional guided tour of the city with our guide. The tour will feature Marrakech's pride and main landmark, the Koutoubia Tower. A companion tower to the Giralda Tower in Seville and the Tower of Hassan in Rabat, it is said that the sultan who built them had the eyes of his architect cut out to prevent him from ever building a more beautiful tower elsewhere. Our tour of course will also take in Marrakech's UNESCO listed medina, which is packed with stalls packed with spices, crafts, and seemingly everything else under the sun. We'll finish at the Djemaa-el-Fna, which is Marrakech's famous large open square. This really comes to life at night with masses of street food stalls, entertainers and local people packing it for the evening. The rest of the afternoon is free to relax by the hotel pool, explore the markets further, or do some souvenir shopping.
Day 14 : Tour Ends In Marrakech
Location: Marrakesh
Meals Included: Breakfast
Your Moroccan tour with us ends after breakfast today and your time is free until you depart. Our guide or the hotel will help you arrange a taxi for the short drive to the airport, or you can add extra days to explore Marrakech further if you wish.
What's Included
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• Accommodation - 12 nights in 3/4hotels (shared rooms) 1 night desert camp
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• Arrival Transfer from Casablanca airport included on Day 1 (or if pre-trip accommodation is booked directly with Oasis for our joining hotel)
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• Guided tour of Rabat, Volubilis, Ait Benhaddou, Chefchaouen
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• Fes full day city tour
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• Camel trek and Berber camp in the Sahara Desert
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• All transport in private Minibus, 4X4 Jeeps & one Public Bus
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• 14 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 6 Dinners including a Berber Camp dinner
What's Not Included
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• Visas
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• Optional Excursions as listed in the Pre-Departure Information
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• Meals not listed in the itinerary
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• Tipping Kitty $65 USD - for hotel porters, hotel waiters, local guides used for City tours, airport drivers, Berber camel herders, restaurant tips & Tour driver
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• The tipping kitty does not cover your Nomadic guide, so please feel free to offer a tip at the end of the tour if you are happy with the service provided
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• Travel insurance
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• End of Trip Airport transfer
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• Airport taxes
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• Flights
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• Drinks
Check out our Q&As
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Do you require a visa for this holiday?
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.
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Are vaccinations required for this tour?
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: South Africa: Additional vaccinations: Hepatitis A. Malaria map. Yellow Fever certificate: Required if arriving from or having transitted through an infected area. Namibia: Additional vaccinations: Hepatitis A, Tetanus, Typhoid. Malaria map. Yellow Fever certificate: Required if arriving from an infected area. Botswana: Additional vaccinations: Hepatitis A, Tetanus, Typhoid. Malaria map. Yellow Fever certificate: Required if arriving from or having transitted or travelled through an infected area. Zimbabwe: Additional vaccinations: Hepatitis A, Tetanus, Typhoid. Malaria map. Yellow Fever certificate: Required if arriving from or having transitted through an infected area. Zambia: Additional vaccinations: Hepatitis A, Tetanus, Typhoid. Malaria map. Yellow Fever certificate: Required if arriving from or having transitted through an infected area. Malawi: Additional vaccinations: Hepatitis A, Tetanus, Typhoid. Malaria map. Yellow Fever certificate: Required if arriving from or having transitted through an infected area. Tanzania: Additional vaccinations: Diphtheria, Hepatitis A, Tetanus, Typhoid. Malaria map. Yellow Fever certificate: Required if arriving from or having transitted through an infected area. Kenya: Additional vaccinations: Diphtheria, Hepatitis A, Poliomyelitis, Tetanus, Typhoid. Malaria map. Yellow Fever certificate: Required if arriving from an infected area. Uganda: Additional vaccinations: Diphtheria, Hepatitis A, Tetanus, Typhoid, Yellow Fever. Malaria map. Yellow Fever certificate: Required if arriving from an infected area. Sudan: Additional vaccinations: Diphtheria, Hepatitis A, Tetanus, Typhoid, Yellow Fever. Malaria map. Yellow Fever certificate: Required if arriving from or having transitted through an infected area. A certificate may also be required for those departing Sudan. Morocco: Additional vaccinations: Hepatitis A, Tetanus, Typhoid. Malaria not normally present. Yellow Fever certificate not required. The above information can change at short notice. For up to date health information & vaccination requirements we recommend that you contact your medical practitioner or a travel clinic. Malaria: Vaccinations are not available against Malaria, which is a disease transmitted by mosquitoes that can be very serious and sometimes fatal. You should avoid mosquito bites by covering up bare skin with clothing such as long sleeves and long trousers and applying insect repellents to exposed skin. When necessary, sleep under a mosquito net. Mosquitoes are most active during and after sunset. You should consult with your GP/medical practitioner/travel clinic about the most appropriate malaria prophylactic medication to take for the regions you are visiting. Yellow Fever: This disease is spread by infected mosquitoes that bite during the day. A Yellow Fever Certificate of vacinnation is often required as a condition of entry depending on which country you are arriving from, or that you have travelled or transitted through recently (including connecting flights with stopovers of over 12 hours). You can view this US CDC information about where the virus is present and follow the links to further information detailing which countries need you to have a Yellow Fever vaccination as part of their entry requirements. Please ensure you have this certificate organised in advance and with you and to hand during the trip. Please inform us of any pre-existing conditions such as diabetes or asthma and any prescription medicine you may be taking. We also need to know about any food allergies or physical disabilities that you may have. If you are travelling on an Overland tour or your trip includes wildlife safaris then please bear in mind that you may be travelling on bumpy roads and/or rough ground for several hours at a time. This can be very uncomfortable or painful if you have a bad back, and make such conditions worse. Please contact us if you have any concerns.
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What currencies are required for this tour?
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.
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Is travel insurance compulsory?
Yes! 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).
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
You are always able to change your travel date. However, some charges may apply depending on how long before your departure you make the change. Our flexible booking conditions and reduced charges will apply if you are changing date because of a Covid-19 reason or because your government is advising against travel to your destination. Please check our detailed booking conditions for full details.
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When is my balance payment due?
60 days prior to departure
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
On most of our group tours, solo travellers may choose to form a temporary 'tour bubble' and share a room with another traveller of the same sex in the group. If a room share is not available then a single room supplement may be payable, with the costs for these kept as low as possible. We have also removed compulsory single supplements from many of our tours, and are reducing the cost by 50% on s
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Can I transfer my booking to someone else?
Customers may transfer their booking or any Credit on File to another person who satisfies all the relevant conditions to the tour, provided that we are notified not less than 7 days before departure, and the transferee agrees to these booking conditions and all other terms of the contract between us. The Client and new booker are jointly and severally responsible for any outstanding payments and a transfer administration fee of GBP50 / USD75 / CAD100 / AUD100 / NZD100 / EUR75 / ZAR1000 / INR5000 or GBP100 / USD150 / CAD200 / AUD200 / NZD200 / EUR150 / ZAR2000 / INR10,000 if the transfer is made less than 60 days before departure. Important Note: Certain arrangements may not be amended or transferred after they have been confirmed (for example flight tickets, Gorilla Permits) and any alteration could incur a cancellation and rebooking charge of up to 100% of that part of the arrangements.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Encounters Travel allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform encounters travel, 60 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Encounters Travel requires a minimum deposit of 150 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of encounters travel charges.
Up to 61 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 35% of booking price.
At 41 days before tour starts: Forfeit 70% of booking price.
At 27 days before tour starts: Forfeit 90% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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