Morocco experience
| country: | Morocco |
| trip type: | Moderate walking holidays |
| departures: | 2009: 3 Oct |
| price: | From £800 (14 days) excluding flights. We can arrange flights from the UK. |
| vouchers: | Gift vouchers can be used with this holiday |
read 2 travellers reviews
the amazing things you'll be doing
The colour and commotion of this enchanting land will dazzle travellers looking to experience a way of life suspended in time. Travel from Casablanca to Marrakech through the moody desert landscape and past kasbahs and villages. Picnic in tranquil mountain gorges or investigate the labyrinth of souqs in the cities and haggle with traders. Learn the secrets to the perfect couscous and discover ruins of a city built by a mad sultan during the Golden Age. Stay in a hotel made of Saharan sand and find tranquillity in a traditional riad amid the frenzy of the medina. The sights, sounds and smells of the cities and the aromatic flavours of the cuisine will infuse your memories of Morocco for years to come.
day-by-day itinerary
| Day 1: | Casablanca. Modelled after Marseille, Morocco's economic capital is an intriguing mix of old and new. Take a stroll through this bustling port city to admire its striking colonial buildings, including some impressive examples of Art Deco architecture. |
| Day 2: | Meknes. Enjoy a guided tour of the Hassan II Mosque - a truly awe-inspiring architectural feat. Boasting the tallest minaret in the world, this extraordinary structure is the result of years of work by over 6,000 of Morocco's master artisans. In the afternoon, travel by train to Mekens, the ambitious building project of Sultan Moulay Ismail. Severely damaged by an earthquake, the remnants of the royal compound give an insight into the wild ways of this fearsome ruler. |
| Days 3-4: | Volubilis/Chefchaouen. Tread in the footsteps of the Romans at ancient Volubulis then travel north to blue-washed Chefchaouen, cradled gently in a fold of the Rif Mountains. |
| Days 5-6: | Fes. Discover the artistic and religious heart of Morocco. Explore the labyrinth of alleyways and feast on local delicacies then retreat to the oasis of a traditional riad. |
| Day 7: | Midelt. Look out for Barbary apes on the way to the Middle Atlas mountain range. Visit a carpet and embroidery workshop that employs local women. |
| Day 8: | Sahara Camp. Journey through lush valleys dotted with date palms en route to the Sahara. Embark on a camel ride and watch the sunset over the cinnamon-red dunes. Stay in a hotel made from the Saharan sands. |
| Days 9-10: | Todra Gorge/Dades Gorge. Marvel at the towering limestone cliffs of Todra Gorge then head to Dades Gorge via a series of spectacular hair-pin bends. |
| Day 11: | Ait Benhaddou. Marvel at Ait Benhaddou's ochre beauty then learn the secrets of Moroccan cuisine at a cooking demonstration. |
| Day 12-14: | Marrakech. Full of colour, the mosaic of souqs in Marrakech's medina is a delight. Enjoy a Moroccan feast at Djemaa el-Fna and try a thirst-quenching fresh squeezed juice or fragrant mint tea. |
travellers' tales
Great country, fantastic sights, met wonderful people, Summer was an amazing guide, we were very lucky to get her. A wonderful experience. I wish it never had to end. (more)
small group adventure holiday
This is a 'small group adventure' - on our group trips you'll be with a maximum of 11 like minded travellers and you'll have a group leader with you. Whether you are travelling alone or with friends it's good value, and a great way to meet new people! While itineraries are pre-planned there is some flexibility and you'll have plenty of privacy. This trip will appeal to travellers of all ages who enjoy meeting people from other parts of the world as well as seeing new places! (more) Because of our small group size, we're able to guarantee departures for all of our trips. Once you have booked and paid your deposit, your trip is guaranteed to go!
highly commended
This tourism business was Highly Commended in our 2007 Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards - the largest awards of their kind in the world, and organised by responsibletravel.com in association with The Times, World Travel Market and Geographical Magazine, of the Royal Geographical Society.Since 2004, the Awards has recognised individuals, companies and organisations in travel making a big commitment to the culture and economies of local communities and helping to conserve biodiversity.
how this holiday makes a difference
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The mixture of the French language and the religion of Islam make Morocco a unique destination for us. It is important for travellers to learn as much as possible in advance about the many cultural differences so that we can travel respecting these differences and minimising any negative impacts. Your group leader and the local guides we use along the way will help to break down barriers in your interactions with local people.
Modest dress and a few words in the local language (either French or Arabic) are the keys to unlocking the doors of local interaction in Morocco. A respect and understanding of the differences between yourself and the other citizens of the world will make for beneficial interaction for all parties, which is what we at Intrepid hope to facilitate and inevitably become the lasting memories our passengers take home with them. In particular your visit to the small village Imlil in the High Atlas Mountains and the experience of camping in the Sahara with the Berber people allow you the opportunity to share the best of yourself and receive the best the locals of these environs have to offer. In Marrakesh there is an opportunity to visit the SPANA organisation that is dedicated to the protection of both animals and the environment. Check out www.spana.org.ma for more info. |
Tourism can be good and bad for destinations & local people. We carefully screen every holiday against our criteria for responsible travel. 'Look behind the brochure' to find how each holiday makes a difference (see left). We don't claim to be perfect - there is no global accreditation - but we've led the way since 2001 and screened 1000's of holidays. We invite every traveller to write a review about their experiences and responsible tourism. This valuable feedback is sent to the people who run the holidays. We keep a very close eye on it and take off holidays that don't live up to our standards. |