Morocco overland holiday, small group

Planet

As a global operator, we take our role in the tourism industry very seriously. We recognise the impact that tourism has on local communities and the environment, and we plan and operate all our tours with this front of our minds. We believe that every tour operator must be responsible in the way they conduct their business, to ensure the welfare of all people and the conservation of the environment.

We are committed to operating in a responsible manner, incorporating the principles of sustainable development in the way we provide our travellers with real life experiences. These values are more than just words on a page; they are ingrained in our culture and the daily operations of every office and every trip. In addition, we expect our staff and travellers to demonstrate the principles of responsible travel - respecting people, cultures and local environments; in the distribution of wealth; in good will and cross-cultural sharing; and in contributing to sustainable development.

As company our responsibilities don’t stop when our tours end. Our own in house foundation has been in operation for over 10 years; a not-for-profit fund that has distributed over AU$3 million to more than 70 non-government organisations since 2002, from health care, education, human rights, child welfare, sustainable development and in environmental and wildlife protection. Donations come from our travellers and are then matched by us dollar for dollar.

Our project supported in Morocco is Project Handicapped Horizon. This is an organisation which is dedicated to the rehabilitation, health, empowerment and the social and economic success of people with disabilities. This project is dedicated to Orthopaedic and Prosthetic Medicine and the training of local artisans.

People

We believe that responsible travel is about the attitude you take with you and the choices you make when travelling - to respect and benefit local people, their cultures, economy and the environment. From the colourful, chaotic medinas to the moody desert landscape, Morocco is a land filled with wonder and rich culture.

We take care to use local transport throughout, including sleeper trains and buses and stay in small, locally owned hotels and guesthouses.

This trip includes a variation of quirky overnight stays. You will experience a guesthouse stay with a local family in the rural village of Moulay Idriss. A family run mountain home, (Gite) in the rocky outcrops of Aroumd, and a nomad style desert camp in the Sahara. These overnight stays will provide you with a glimpse into local life it also is a great way to put money back into the local community.

We source produce locally throughout the trip, eat at local restaurants and encourage our travellers to purchase souvenirs from local artisans. You will have the opportunity to join local friends in a simple cooking demonstration into Morocco’s most famous cuisine, couscous and tagine. They will take this opportunity to explain the secrets and subtleties of these traditional meals, you will then be able to sit back and enjoy the feast.

Recruitment of our ground team comes from the local community. This not only gives a fantastic insight into the country and a snap shot of day to day life, but it also puts valuable financial resources back into the local economy, creating jobs and supporting local businesses.