Educational Travel Experience Designed Especially
for Your Group
Morocco Sahara Desert Experience
ITINERARY OVERVIEW
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DEPART UK - ARRIVE MARRAKECH - QUARZAZATE (1 NIGHT)
QUARZAZATE - TODRA GORGE - MERZOUGA DESERT (2 NIGHTS)
MERZOUGA DESERT - CAMEL RIDE
MERZOUGA DESERT - QUARZAZATE (1 NIGHT)
QUARZAZATE - MARRAKECH (COACH) CITY TOUR - FREE TIME IN
MARRAKECH (1 NIGHT)
DEPART MARRAKECH - ARRIVE UK
ITINERARY
Morocco is mesmerising and magical. Experience the grandeur of the vast Sahara as you rock with the gentle movements of your
camel. Witness groves of date palms, olives and grapes in the cedar forests of the Atlas Mountains. Sample the circus
atmosphere of the crowded Arab souks as you bargain with locals over leather goods or carpets.
Educational Tour
Cultural Experience
Concert Performance
Recreational Activity
LEAP Activity
Sporting Fixture
Transportation
DAY 1
Relax and enjoy our scheduled flight from the UK.
Our Tour Director will meet us at the airport.
Our private coach will be waiting to transfer us to our accommodation in Marrakech.
Marrakech is not only a fantastic city, it is also a symbol of the Morocco that once was, and
which still survives here. The streets of the old and pink city have been too narrow to allow the
introduction of cars, and tourists searching for the "real" Morocco have turned the medieval
structures of Marrakech into good business.
We will board a private coach for our transfer to Quarzazate.
Take a slow climb through the Atlas foothills and reach the highest pass through the mountain.
Here we will pause to take in the magnificent views and take photographs.
Take a visit to the truly amazing World Heritage Site at Ait Benhaddou. The climb to the top
through a series of alleyways is well worth it for the breath-taking views. Looking west back to
the High Atlas Mountains and east across the flat plains to Ouarzazate and beyond, to the Sahara
Desert, is a truly memorable experience.
Ouarzazate lies in a valley at the foot of the Atlas Mountains. The region offers a fascinating
glimpse of times gone by in the ruins of ancient Kasbahs.
We will dine this evening in a local restaurant.
Our accommodation for the next one night(s) will be in Ouarzazate.
DAY 2
Head through the beautiful Valley du Dades, otherwise known as the 'Valley of Roses' or the
'Valley of a Thousand Kasbahs'.
The Todra Gorge is situated on the remote east side of the High Atlas Mountains in Morocco. Both the
Todra and neighbouring Dades Rivers have carved out cliff-sided canyons on their final 40km through
the mountains. The final 600m of the Todra gorge are the most spectacular as the canyon narrows to
a flat stony track as little as 10m wide in places with sheer and smooth rock walls up to 160m
high on each side. The tiny glacier stream is something of a misfit and the river, which once filled
the gorge, can only be imagined.
In the shadow of the Great Dunes of Erg Chebbi, we will spend the next few days in a desert Auberge
and desert Bivouac experiencing the fabulous, mystical Sahara Desert. The Sahara Desert, located
in North Africa extends from the Atlantic Ocean eastward past the Red Sea to Iraq. The entire
desert, the largest in the world, is about 1600 km wide and about 5000 km long from east to west.
We will enjoy our evening meal together in the Sahara Desert.
Our accommodation whilst in the Sahara desert will be either in a bivouac or an Auberge for the next
two night(s).
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DAY 3
Meet our Berber guides for our Camel Trek into the Sahara Desert, where we will make the journey on
top of camels, over sand dunes and rocky escarpments. The ride is bumpy, but we will truly feel a
real sense of adventure. As we get further away from Merzouga we begin to feel the isolation and
remoteness of the desert life.
Explore the surrounding area of the Sahara Desert by foot, climbing the dunes and taking in
everything that the Sahara has to offer. As the day goes on and the sun moves towards the centre
of the sky, the heat gets intense and we can understand how harsh an environment this place is. This
is a fantastic opportunity to watch magnificent sunrises and sunsets, and listen and watch
traditional Berber songs and dance. At night lie under the stars and look at the constellations,
some of which could never have been seen anywhere else other than in this remote area.
DAY 4
We will board a private coach for our transfer to Ouarzazte, hopefully with good memories of our
stay.
This evening enjoy a special Moroccan Dinner. Local musicians will entertain us with a selection of
their regional music and dance.
Our base for the next one night(s) will be Ouarzazate (area).
DAY 5
The Berber Village of Tiffoultoute gives an understanding of rural life in Morocco. Life in these
small farming communities is simple and hard.
We will board a private coach for our transfer to Marrakech, via the High Atlas Mountains.
Visit the famous Square Djemaa el Fna and watch the amazing acrobats, snake charmers, storytellers
and other performers, all trying to entice you to part with a few dirhams.
Explore the Kourtoubia Mosque Minaret that dominates the city, the gardens of the beautiful Menara
Pavilion, the Saadian Tombs, a true masterpiece of Hispano-Moresque art.
This evening to celebrate our adventure, there will be a "Last Night" Dinner in Marrakech at a local
restaurant. We will also have our last opportunity to spend any remaining dirhams in the souk on a
gift for those at home if you wish.
Our base for the next one night(s) will be Marrakech.
DAY 6
Our rewarding and enjoyable tour comes to an end as our Tour Director accompanies us to the
airport on our final day.
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What is Included:
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Return airfare with a major carrier on scheduled flights and guaranteed departure dates.
Airport taxes and fuel surcharges (subject to change until ticketed).
Accommodation in 3 star hotels in twin/triple bedded rooms with en-suite bathrooms.
Accommodation in the desert will be in auberges and bivouacs.
Breakfasts & Dinners, lunch when specified on the itinerary.
Transportation by private coach in Morocco.
All entry fees and excursions as per your itinerary.
The services of a full time English speaking tour guide.
The expertise and perspective of local guides.
Teachers travel free of charge as stated below (in twin occupancy).
All land taxes.
Health and Safety checks on all tour services.
Full assistance with completion of Risk Assessment forms.
Insurance offering complete financial security.
This Does Not Include:
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Travel Insurance - WorldStrides offers a comprehensive Travel Insurance Policy.
Coach Transfers in the UK - we can quote for this service if requested.
Lunches.
Tips for Guides or Drivers.
Single Room Supplements.
Personal expenditure such as laundry, telephone calls, snacks and drinks, etc.
Overseas departure taxes payable in cash (where applicable).
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