- Morocco Escorted Tours
- Moroccan Explorer: Mountains to Desert
Explore Morocco’s rich traditions, spice-filled souks, and sun-scorched desert plains as you journey through this captivating land. In the shadow of the towering High Atlas Mountains, admire breathtaking vistas across the vast Sahara Desert, savour flavourful local delicacies, and discover the vibrant blend of cultures that define this enchanting country.
Dinner
Depart on your scheduled flight to Marrakech. Upon arrival, you will be met by your representatives and transferred to tonight's hotel. Arriving in time for your first dinner in Morocco.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Indulge your senses as you begin your Moroccan adventure in the 'Red City' city of Marrakech; renowned for its bustling medinas, aromatic souks and elaborate Arab architecture. Embark on a comprehensive tour, commencing at Marrakech's largest mosque and minaret - the 12th century Koutoubia Tower. A dazzling spectacle of Hispano-Moorish art, marvel at the varying geometric arch motifs which spectacularly embellish its 77-metre minaret, before continuing to Bahia Palace. Next, weave through a labyrinth of bustling alleyways, teeming with the colourful stalls, charismatic hawkers and powerful aromas which epitomize Marrakech's souks and explore the Berber apothecary, offering a display of magic potions, spices and refreshing mint tea. Finally, witness a kaleidoscopic vision at the colourful dyers souk, before watching as the world-famous Djema El Fnaa Square transforms from a day market into an immense show of dancers, musicians and snake charmers this evening.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Following breakfast, embark on a scenic journey towards the High Atlas, North Africa's highest mountain range. Along the plains of Ouarzazate, Skoura and Tinghir; traverse rugged scenery along a route fringed by immense palm groves, before reaching the province of Al Haouz where the small rivers that trickle through its arid terrain remain the sole source of irrigation to the area. Pause to absorb incredible panoramas of the Touama streams and verdant vegetable terraces from Toufliht Park, before journeying onwards towards the breath-taking Tizi N'Tichka path, 'the gateway of the Sahara'; ascend a rocky trail and be rewarded with incredible views that stretch beyond the horizon of sun-scorched pre-Sahara areas that lay motionless at the foothills of the Atlas Mountains. After lunch, reach the magical town of Kelaa Mgouna, positioned amidst the Valley of Roses which bursts with dusky-pink hues, and peruse the local beauty products, skilfully produced from these delicate flowers.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Set out for Merzouga this morning, leaving the panoramic sights of Tinghir Valley behind you. Marvel at a carpet of dense green palm groves in Todra and follow a winding crystal-clear stream which spectacularly cuts through the awe-inspiring Todra Gorges. On arrival into the fortified villages of Tinekdad and Erfoud, take advantage of time at leisure and browse through a collection of local market stalls, which sell an extensive array of delicately produced artefacts using ancient fossils, for which Erfoud is synonymous with, and savour some regional recipes during a break for lunch, before journeying through Tafilalt, the largest Saharan oasis in Morocco. Later this afternoon, your arrival into Merzouga is announced as a camel ride transports you across sandy desert landscapes towards your evening accommodation. As the blazing sun begins to set over this idyllic location, settle into your comfortable desert camp whilst listening to the rhythmic beats of an entrancing drum performance this evening.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Rise early to catch the first glimpse of sunlight emerge over the vast Saharan landscape, before discovering the elaborately adorned gate of the Mausoleum of Moulay Ali Cherif, whose embellishment of green ceramics truly characterise traditional Moroccan architecture. A network of rural market stalls in Rissani's nearby souk provides the perfect opportunity to witness hawkers fervently sell a varied selection of local produce, before travelling onwards across the unforgettable lunar plains, mountain peaks and canyons of Saghro Djebel. Having arrived into the small villages of Tazzarine and N'Kob, enjoy a flavourful lunch and trace along a mere section of the Draa River, leading into Tanssikht this afternoon, the final stop of the ancient Saharan caravans which journeyed south. Conclude today's exploration in 'the door of the desert' - Ouarzazate.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Mirroring the image of a remarkable life-sized sandcastle, begin your day with a visit to the official residence of the Pacha of Marrakech - Taourirt Kasbah, a stunning citadel encompassing over 300 rooms made entirely of earth and straw, all connected by a warren of corridors. Next, continue to the Kasbah Ait Benhaddou, a fortified village and UNESCO World Heritage Site situated along the former caravan route between the Sahara and Marrakech, in which traders transported gold, ivory and salt. Spend an afternoon at leisure to discover a breath-taking area used as a backdrop for many a Hollywood blockbuster.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Travel to the southern verge of the Atlas Mountains today, an area rich in vegetation, abounding verdant plains and gushing streams; amidst the spacious fields cultivating regional vegetables, adobe houses dot a landscape of supreme beauty. Enduring the test of time, be transported to a bygone era as you discover the modest lifestyle of indigenous Berbers who maintain the self-sufficient existence that they have led since the middle ages. This afternoon, begin the return journey along the Tiz N Tichka pass, stopping in Taddert village for a light refreshment Uncover Moroccan traditions, spice-filled souks, rugged landscapes and sun-scorched desert plains, as you wind through a mystical land in the shadows of North Africa's tallest mountain range - the mighty High Atlas. along the way. Snake past abrupt valleys and majestic mountain peaks before descending onto the three famous valleys, Zat and Choutier. Head back to Marrakech later this afternoon for your overnight stay.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Today you will explore Ourika Valley starting with the region's green villages, orchards, and vegetation. Take the journey over the Haouz Plain toward the abandoned village of Aghmat, founded by the Berbers before the arrival of Islam. Continue to the ighref (the starting point for hikers) into Jebel Yagour, a mountain famous for its rock art. Take in panoramic views of Berber villages that dot the area as well as the fast-flowing waters that cut through the mountain foothills irrigating the Ourika Valley. Continue to Oualmes village where you will be greeted by a local and welcomed into their home enjoying a small local delicacy admiring the spending view of the Toubkal pass. After visiting their home, continue to Sit Fatma village Enjoy a typical Berber meal at lunch including bread in the traditional oven and a Berber tajin. After lunch, return to your hotel in Marrakech.
Breakfast
After breakfast, transfer to Marrakech airport for you return flight to the UK.
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The guide Hamza could not have been more helpful. He was always available and went way beyond what was necessary to support the group in every aspect of the trip. All the hotels were excellent with great food and service.
Maxine Davie
26 NovemberThe order of events and sightseeing may vary according to local conditions or for operational purposes. The schedules of the domestic airlines in country are subject to frequent changes. For this reason, we have indicated approximate times only. Your local guide will inform you of any schedule changes as they are informed of them. The driving times listed are point to point and do not include the duration of excursions or stops en route. Some road construction and/or weather conditions may lengthen the driving times. Our intention is to adhere to the day-to-day itinerary as printed; however, order of events and sightseeing may vary according to local conditions.
If booking more than 12 weeks before departure a deposit of £295.00pp will need to be paid at the time of booking with the full amount payable at 12 weeks prior to departure. The deposit applies to adults and children. If you are within 12 weeks of travel then the full balance of the holiday will be payable.
It is your responsibility to check your passport validity. The embassy of Morocco in the UK advise that your passport should be valid for at least 3 months on your date of entry to Morocco. If your passport does not meet this requirement, you may face difficulties and you should check with the Moroccan authorities and your travel provider before travelling. Make sure your passport isn’t damaged. Some travellers have been refused entry when travelling on damaged passports. Sources of information include; https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice
Please note that final flight details will be confirmed on your final documentation which will be sent to you approximately 21 days before departure. Check in baggage is included with your flight. A printed E-ticket is no longer required at check-in, all you need to do is present your passport to the staff at the desk and your boarding pass will be given to you.
If you wish to arrange Airport car parking or accommodation at preferential rates, we recommend you book this in advance with Holiday Extras on 0333 188 0407, quoting HX313.
We strongly recommend that you and all members of your party are suitably insured as soon as you book your holiday. It is a condition of booking that you must have suitable travel insurance. It is important that you purchase travel insurance that suitably covers your participation in whatever activities you may undertake at the time that you make your booking. To assist you with this, we have arranged travel insurance in partnership with Holiday Extras, including up to a 20% discount, which is given to all Mercury Holidays customers. To arrange your insurance with Holiday Extras, please visit https://www.mercuryholidays.co.uk/info/insurance for more details. Please ensure you provide us with the name of your insurer, policy number and their 24 hour emergency contact number as soon as possible. Mercury Holidays will not be liable for any costs incurred by you due to your failure to take out suitable travel insurance from the date of booking.
It is your responsibility to check any health and vaccination requirements applicable to your booked arrangements. We can only provide general information about this. Health and hygiene facilities and disease risks vary from country to country. You should take health advice about your own needs as early as possible and in good time before your departure. Sources of information include; www.fco.gov.uk, www.travelhealthpro.org.uk, www.hpa.org.uk, your General Practitioner or a specialist clinic.
This tour is accessible to most people with a good level of fitness and normal mobility. It involves climbing steep stairs and getting on and off coaches. This tour is not suitable for anyone with walking difficulties.
The currency in Morocco is the Moroccan Dirham (DH) and it is a closed currency. This means it is not possible to buy Moroccan money in the UK before you travel. It is important to budget carefully as you should not take any Dirham out of Morocco when you depart. There are foreign exchange offices and cash machines available in most places during your tour. Your tour guide will assist you at the start of your tour with currency exchange. Credit and debit cards are accepted in most hotels and some shops and restaurants; a charge is sometimes added for using them. We recommend that you exchange your currency before you leave the UK. It is important that you budget carefully and ensure you have the right form of currency before you arrive in the country.
As normal practice you may be asked for your credit card details on check-in at the hotel in order to cover any extras incurred during your stay. If you do not have a credit card, you may be asked for a cash deposit. MasterCard and Visa are widely accepted in hotels as well as American Express.
You will need to take some extra money with you to cover any dinners where these are not mentioned in your itinerary and personal purchases, such as souvenirs, extra drinks and snacks. Approximately £200-£300 per person should be sufficient for the duration of your tour.
Tipping is at your discretion. We would recommend approximately 60DH per person per day for the guide and 40DH per person for the driver. This will be collected by your guide at the end of your tour for your convenience. It is asked that you tip in the local currency, please do not give GBP coins as these are difficult to exchange. We also recommend 10 DH for waiter service in restaurants and hotels.
The minimum number of travellers in your group will be 10, and the maximum will be 25. If in the unlikely event there are less than 10 people booked on your tour date, we will endeavour to reduce any disruption to your holiday and try to operate your tour with lower passenger numbers. If we are not able to operate your departure date then you may be asked to change to a different date and a full refund will be made available to you should this alternative not be suitable.
This is a fully escorted tour meaning that you will be met by a local guide in each of the cities that you visit, ensuring that you have first-hand knowledge at all times. For groups of 6 people or less you will have an English speaking Driver Guide or a Driver and Local/Monument Guides
Private Tour: If you have booked a private tour then you will be accompanied by a Driver Guide or a Driver and Local Guides. These will be available to you during all scheduled sightseeing. Private Tours can depart on any day of the week depending on flight and train schedules and the opening days of the attractions. They will follow the itinerary as described in the brochure unless you have been advised otherwise and you will still have all of the same meals, sightseeing and local excursions included.
Your accommodation is selected for convenience, location, comfort or character, and can range from business hotels to leisure hotels. Hotel accommodation is generally rated as local three to four-star standard, but please note there is no international classification system for hotels, and differences in facilities and quality do exist compared to what you might expect in the UK. All group tours hotels have private bathroom facilities and air-conditioning, where needed. Rest assured that all accommodation used by Mercury Holidays is regularly inspected by our staff and partners to ensure that standards meet your needs.
Breakfast is always western style and served in the hotel each morning. Dinner on your tour (when included) will be taken in local restaurants or at the hotel. A variety of restaurants are visited giving you the chance to experience a range of dishes and flavours.
Please contact Customer Experience for questions about other dietary requirements or allergy information.
It is not recommended to drink the tap water, even in developed countries water may contain unfamiliar elements that can cause upset stomachs. In less developed countries water is not filtered in the same way, so to ensure your comfort and well-being, one bottle of drinking water will be provided on touring days.
There are some dry hotels in Morocco, and some hotels where alcohol can be consumed on the premise (in your room) but must be brought in from outside. Your guide will pre-warn you of this and if anyone in the group would like to purchase drinks before getting to the hotel then we will arrange for you to visit a local shop and get what you need wherever possible.
Ramadan is the most important month in the Muslim Calendar, and it is a time for people to be with their loved ones, self-reflect and renew their faith. During this time Muslims fast from dawn until dusk and abstain from eating, drinking, smoking and chewing gum. If you are a tourist visiting Morocco, you will not be expected to fast. While eating, drinking and smoking is strictly prohibited in public places, hotels will offer meals and nonalcoholic drinks at many of their restaurants and bars. If you wish to consume alcohol during your trip, you may do so in your hotel room during the day, and some bars will be open as normal after sunset. Your guide during your tour will be on hand to give you any additional information that you require.
When you’re relaxing by the hotel pool or sunbathing on the resort beach it’s fine to wear swim wear and beach clothes. However, when out in public during the day, it is advisable to be more covered up to show respect to the local customs. We would recommend that women cover their shoulders and knees and men should wear knee length shorts or trousers when out in public areas.
A head scarf for women is recommended for entry into any religious site as well as for everyone to cover shoulders and knees.
Upon arrival at Marrakech Airport, after passing through passport control, please collect your luggage and proceed outside the terminal building, where your Mercury Holidays / Sahara Tours representative will be waiting to greet you with a sign. Your guide will be available 24 hours a day should you need any assistance during your stay.
If you need to contact your representative during your stay the details are:
Sahara Tours International: 154, Imm Agoumi, Bv Abdelkrim Khattabi, Gueliz Marrakech, Morocco
Emergency contact information: Please find below the emergency contact details for Sahara Tours International : Mobile: 00212 661 38 08 82 Office: 00212 / 524344351 / 528 840421 / 528 840611 reservation@sti.ma operations@sti.ma
