Morocco holiday on a shoestring

Planet

CARBON REDUCTION

Efforts to Reduce Flying:
This tour avoids domestic flights entirely by utilizing a mix of private air-conditioned minibuses and 4x4 vehicles for transportation between destinations. By doing so, the operational carbon emissions are significantly reduced compared to air travel. These vehicles are shared among the group, optimizing efficiency and minimizing individual travel footprints.

Human Powered Transport:
This tour includes several opportunities for walking and hiking. Guests participate in guided walking tours through the medinas of Fes and Marrakech, exploring labyrinthine alleyways and bustling souks on foot. These tours are designed to minimize environmental impact while providing an authentic, immersive experience.

Travellers can enjoy hiking opportunities in the Todra Gorge, a natural wonder with towering limestone cliffs. This hike allows participants to connect with the environment, admire unique rock formations, and explore the lush Todra Palmeraie oasis. These human-powered activities reduce carbon emissions and foster a deeper appreciation for Morocco’s landscapes and cultural heritage.

Alternative Transport:
The tour incorporates a camel trek in the Sahara Desert. Camels are a traditional and eco-friendly mode of transport, emitting no carbon. Strict welfare policies ensure that camels are treated humanely, including limited working hours, access to water and food, and regular veterinary checks.

Vegetarian and Vegan Food Availability:
The tour includes a variety of dining opportunities that are likely to accommodate vegetarian and potentially vegan preferences, reflecting the versatility of Moroccan cuisine:
•Breakfasts: Traditional Moroccan breakfasts often feature items such as bread, olives, fresh fruit, and jams, which are generally vegetarian and can suit vegan diets depending on preparation methods. Mint tea, a staple of Moroccan hospitality, is typically vegan-friendly.

•Community Lunch in Meknes: This lunch allows one to enjoy local dishes prepared in a communal setting. Traditional Moroccan meals often include plant-based dishes like vegetable tagines or couscous. Guests with dietary preferences are encouraged to discuss options with their tour guide in advance.

•Dinner at the Berber Desert Camp: Meals at the desert camp feature local specialties. Moroccan cuisine typically offers vegetarian staples such as vegetable tagines or lentil-based dishes. Guests with dietary needs can communicate with their guide for advice on suitable options.

•Exploring Souks in Fes and Marrakech: These vibrant markets are filled with plant-based options, including fresh fruits, nuts, dried fruits, and locally sourced vegetables, which are ideal for vegetarian and vegan travellers to enjoy as snacks or ingredients.

Meals provided during the tour often include vegetarian options, particularly for the included breakfasts and lunches. This helps reduce the environmental impact associated with high-carbon foods like meat.

Local Sourcing of Food:
Many meals feature fresh, locally sourced, and seasonal ingredients, supporting Moroccan farmers and reducing the carbon emissions associated with food transportation.

ENVIRONMENT AND WILDLIFE

Environmental Impact Policies in Accommodations:
Accommodations on this tour include locally owned hotels and an eco-conscious Berber desert camp These properties emphasize minimizing waste, using traditional materials, and supporting local ecosystems.

Wildlife and Nature Restoration Efforts:
Accommodations like the Berber camp in the Sahara often engage in small-scale nature restoration projects, such as planting native vegetation to combat desertification and creating habitats for local wildlife.

Entry Fees to Parks and Protected Areas:
The tour visits UNESCO World Heritage sites such as the Roman ruins of Volubilis and the kasbah of Ait Benhaddou. Entry fees from these visits contribute directly to the preservation of these cultural and natural landmarks. For example, funds are allocated to restoration projects and maintenance of pathways to ensure the sites remain accessible and intact.

Conservation Contributions Through Local Partners:
By booking this trip, travellers automatically support impactful local charities and projects via donations made by local partners:
•Ait Ouham Association: This initiative supports the Berber community in the Atlas Mountains. Efforts include improving school infrastructure, supplying essential items during winter, and constructing a critical bridge to improve connectivity and safety within the village.
•Jarjeer Mule and Donkey Refuge: This care centre provides a retirement home and orphanage for working equines in the Atlas Mountains. It also educates locals, including children, on animal welfare and equine care. These activities align with the tour’s broader commitment to animal welfare and responsible travel.

Camel Welfare Policies:
The tour incorporates a camel trek in the Sahara Desert, ensuring animal welfare through the following policies:
•Camels are used for no more than one hour, once per day.
•They are free to roam during the day and have access to food and water.
•Only camels older than four years are used for rides, with a strict one rider per camel policy.
•Regular veterinary checks ensure the camels remain healthy and well cared for.

Customer Guidance on Reducing their Impacts:
We provide customers with information about reducing their impacts on nature in our tour notes. These include:
•Conserving Energy and Resources: Encouraging guests to switch off lights, air conditioning, and fans when leaving their accommodations and to avoid wasting water, which is a valuable resource in Morocco.
•Reducing Plastic Waste: Recommending the use of reusable water bottles to minimize the reliance on single-use plastic bottles. To encourage travellers to reduce plastic waste, we offer a special discount code for Water-to-Go bottles. These reusable bottles come with built-in filtration systems, allowing travellers to access clean water without relying on single-use plastic bottles.
•Respecting Local Customs: Advising travellers to follow local dress codes and behaviour guidelines, particularly in religious or culturally significant areas, to foster mutual respect and reduce potential disruptions.
•Choosing Environmentally Friendly Products: Suggesting the use of biodegradable products, such as sunscreens and toiletries, to reduce pollution in natural areas.
•Minimizing Litter: Highlighting the importance of not littering and, where possible, taking plastic waste home to alleviate pressure on local waste disposal systems.

Guides with Local Expertise:
An English-speaking guide will accompany the group throughout the tour, along with the driver. Specialist local guides may also provide detailed information at some of the sites visited during the trip. The use of local Moroccan guides ensures the best experience of the country and its culture. Many travellers describe the guides as one of the highlights of their holiday.

People

LOCAL ECONOMY

Locally Owned Accommodations:
The tour exclusively uses locally owned hotels and the Berber desert camp. This ensures that revenue stays within the community, supporting small businesses. They also employ local staff, boosting regional economies.

Local Economic Opportunities:
The tour employs local guides and drivers, ensuring that income from tourism directly benefits Moroccan communities. In Meknes, guests enjoy a community-hosted lunch, providing both economic support and a cultural exchange experience. Visits to local markets and cooperatives, such as those in Fes and Marrakech, encourage travellers to purchase handmade crafts and textiles, further supporting artisans.

EMPLOYMENT, INCLUSIVITY, AND DIVERSITY

Employment of Local Staff:
All staff employed during the tour, including guides, drivers, and hotel workers, are Moroccan. This not only supports the local economy but also ensures an authentic experience for travellers. Local guides are specifically trained to share historical and cultural knowledge unique to their regions.

Opportunities for Marginalized Groups:
The tour actively involves Berber communities, providing income-generating opportunities in regions that are often economically disadvantaged. For example, Berber hosts at the desert camp are integral to the experience, from preparing meals to organizing entertainment like traditional music performances.

Minimum Wage Compliance:
All tour staff, including drivers, guides, and accommodation workers, are compensated fairly, adhering to Moroccan labour laws. o ensure gratuities are distributed fairly and conveniently, we implement a Tipping Kitty on our Small Group Tours. The Tipping Kitty, collected in US Dollars cash at the start of the tour, is administered by the tour guide. It covers tips for essential service providers encountered during the trip, ensuring they are recognized for their efforts without placing the burden on individual travellers. Guests may inquire about the tipping distribution process, which is handled discreetly to maintain politeness. Please note that the Tipping Kitty does not include tips for the main tour guide, whose gratuity is left to the discretion of the traveller.

LGBTQ+ Inclusivity:
The tour welcomes participants of all backgrounds, ensuring inclusivity and a friendly environment. We are committed to creating a respectful and inclusive environment on all our tours, and our team will do everything possible to support all guests throughout their journey.

Accessibility Considerations:
While the terrain may pose challenges, accommodations and transport are chosen with accessibility in mind. Participants with specific needs are encouraged to contact the company to make necessary arrangements.