Imperial Morocco Of all the trips to all the towns, you ll want to play this one again! Trip code: Group size: Number of days: SMK 4-24 8 Detailed description Welcome Visit the country s three most beautiful imperial cities, ancient strongholds with maze-like streets surrounded by towering walls. See colourful markets, grand mosques, Koranic schools and ancient palaces. Be inspired by splendid Roman ruins, Morocco s most important pilgrim city and the towering Atlas Mountains. Day to Day schedule Below is a summary of the day-to-day description. Transport Route Overnight stay 1 Casablanca Casablanca 2 Bus Casablanca Hassan II - Rabat - Meknes Meknes 3 Bus Meknes Volubulis - Moulay Idriss - Fès Fès 4 Fès Fès 5 Bus Fès Marrakech Marrakech 6 Marrakech Marrakech 7 Marrakech Marrakech 8 End of tour in Marrakech End of tour Day to Day description
Day 1: Casablanca Welcome to Morocco! Your tour starts in Casablanca, where you can use your hotel room from check in time (12.00 hrs at noon) on day 1. Most of your travel companions will arrive later this first day, the exact time will be depending on their flight schedule. You will meet your English speaking tour leader at 8.00 hrs A.M. on day 2 in the lobby of your hotel but we recommend that you also try and make contact this evening, after 20.00 hrs. You can take the opportunity to explore this diverse city. You will stay overnight in Casablanca. Day 2: Casablanca ± Hassan II - Rabat - Meknes In the morning you can visit the Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca, the worlds second-largest and the only working mosque in Morocco that can be visited by non-muslims. You can only enter the mosque with an organised tour which are run daily (Except Fridays) at 0900, 1000, 1100 and 1400 and costs 120dh per person. We travel for three hours, stopping briefly to see Morocco's capital city, Rabat, before arriving in Meknes, a royal city situated on hills surrounded by orchards and olive groves. The old medina is typical of Morocco s northern cities and the houses have warm ochre-yellow-washed walls and green roof tiles. In the centre of the old city you will find the Place el Hedim, an ideal place to watch the local population going about their business while you enjoy a coffee. Explore the colourful markets filled with fresh produce and souks with beautiful carpets, tiles and Berber silver; lose yourself in the narrow alleys of the Meknes medina! Day 3: Meknes ± Volubulis - Moulay Idriss - Fès Not far from Meknes lies Morocco s holiest place, Moulay Idriss, as well as the remains of Volubilis, the country s main Roman city, this is where the Berber king, Juba II built the first palace aided by a Roman architect in 32 BC before it was taken by the Romans 80 years later. The 8th century town of Moulay Idriss holds the tomb of the founding father of the first Arab Dynasty in Morocco and is built on two hills, between which lies the tomb. We will visit both places on the journey to Fes (the admission fee is not included in the cost of the journey), one of the most exciting cities in the Islamic world with a labyrinth of endlessly winding alleys, up and down, jostling inhabitants, braying donkeys, bright bold colours, swirling scents and a cacophony of noise. There are numerous Koranic schools and mosques in the ancient city. Day 4: Fès It is best to visit Fès with a guide as the old city has retained its essentially medieval character and its winding streets can get very busy. The age-old guild system is still partially in use and the inhabitants are close knit in communities of traders and craftspeople. The decline of this medina in the past century has been associated with an exodus of well-to-do families. For those interested, a daylong excursion can be organized to visit the most essential monuments, under the guidance of an expert local guide. This is an optional excursion that can be booked locally.
Day 5: Fès ± Marrakech During the long and scenic drive to Marrakech we pass the Atlas mountain range en route to the thousand-year old pink city, in the middle of an oasis. Marrakech is unparalleled in the colourfulness of its population and markets. The Djemaa el-fna central square is world-renowned, full of fortune-tellers, storytellers and snake charmers. The old city walls of Marrakech are largely preserved. You can take a tour along the walls in a horse-drawn carriage, which in this city is still a normal means of transport. The city walls conceal mosques, old palaces and sultans tombs like the Bahia palace, the residence of a grand vizier and a magnificent example of AndalusianMoorish architecture. The serene central courtyard contains fountains, a mosaic floor and a garden full of orange trees. Day 6: Marrakech There is an optional half-day excursion to visit the most important monuments, which can be booked locally. Alternatively, for those wishing to escape the bustle of the city, a full-day excursion can be arranged to Imlil, a village in the High Atlas, which has excellent walking. A local guide will accompany you and lunch is included. TIP: You can also, under expert guidance, take a crash course in Moroccan cooking with a lesson in a beautiful Riad. This is a half day excursion and you will naturally get to eat your cooked meal afterwards. Day 7: Marrakech On your final full day in the city, you may like to see the Majorelle Gardens in Marrakech which are filled with rare plants, bright colours and peace and tranquility. The botanical gardens are situated north-west of the Medina of Marrakech, about a 30 minute walk. (Stop by the wholesale market en route to see mountains of dates, grains and nuts being traded). Try to arrive before 10 am, when it starts getting really busy. Day 8: End of tour in Marrakech The last day of your tour. The tour leader and the rest of the group will normally depart early in the morning but you can use your hotel room in Marrakech until check out time (most times at 12.00 hrs noon). We wish you a comfortable journey home and are sure you will take with you some wonderful memories of Morocco. Your personal µmy.shoestring page on our website is the perfect way to make contact with other travellers before and after your trip. You can read and create journals from trips and upload your photos onto the photo gallery. Visit my shoestring today. When booking your tour, please check to see whether you need any posttour nights, bearing in mind that accommodation for the night of the final day of the tour (day 8) is not included. More info What's included:
Accommodation in hotels, including breakfast; visit to Hassan II, Rabat, Volubilis and Moulay Idriss (excluding entrance fees); transportation with AC (mini) bus (only for transfers from hotel to hotel); English speaking tour leader. What's excluded: International flights; all other meals; tips; visas; optional excursions; all entrance fees; airport transfers; booking fee; travel insurance. Travel documents Travelling with the correct travel documentation is your own responsibility. Please ensure your passport is valid for a minimum of 6 months beyond the finish date of your trip. For Morocco, a visa is not required for many nationalities. You will receive a free entry stamp on arrival, allowing you to stay for up to 3 months. Please check this information in good time before your trip commences as this information is always subject to change. You can check this information through a site such as this one. Accommodation and transport Transport In order to enjoy all the interesting things that we will see along the way, we travel in our own (mini)bus. This makes it possible to make stops as and when we want. Depending on the group size we travel around in one or two minibuses. The buses usually have air conditioning but experience has taught us that it is often more desirable to have the windows open instead of the air conditioning. In addition, on some routes (steep mountain roads) the AC can not be turned on. The bus is non-smoking. The transfers to and from the airport are not included. Any additional transportation costs for optional excursions are not included. Accommodation During this tour we stay in hotels in the two-and three-star category in 2-person rooms usually with private bathroom. You stay on a bed and breakfast basis. In the selection of our hotels, we pay particular care to the location, cleanliness and atmosphere. Most hotels have a restaurant and a roof terrace, courtyard or garden. The check-in/out times at the hotels is usually 12:00. Participants who book individually share a room with another participant. We of course keep in mind that you should share the room with someone of the same sex. If you want a room for yourself, then that can be arranged. You should indicate this when making your booking and you will be charged a single room supplement. Please note: There are only 5 single rooms available per each departure of this tour.
During your trip, it is possible to participate in 'single' excursions offered locally by the tour leader. These excursions are optional. To allow you to plan a budget for your trip we have provided you with an idea of the cost of these excursions. The price can change due to currency fluctuations. The amounts are therefore only meant to give you an indication of the cost. Entrance fees will often change and therefore are excluded from the prices displayed (unless explicitly stated). We display the prices in Euros/GB Pounds/US Dollars. When you are in your destination, it is possible to pay for the excursions in local currency. Single excursions Excursion Details Price Fes - City tour Book at location Fes is the oldest city in Morocco. After breakfast you'll be picked up by bus at the hotel. You see the Royal Palace (from the outside) and walk through the Jewish quarter (the Mellah), where you get to visit the old synagogue and Jewish cemetery. The bus will then take you to the Borj Sud, for a panoramic view of Fes. You'll visit the potteries, where the 'zellije (mosaic) and the blue pottery Fes is famous for, are made. The bus drops you off at one of the entrances to Fes el Bali, the oldest medina in Morocco. On foot and accompanied by the guide you will find your way through the maze of picturesque streets, the medina is a real labyrinth! Along the route there will be regular stops in interesting places, like the coloured (and scented) tanneries, Karouine the mosque, the holy shrine of Moulay Idriss II, a Koranic school, silk weaving and the souks. You may have lunch in the medina (not included). After the tour the bus will take you back to the hotel. Included: English speaking guide, transfers Not included: drinks, lunch, entrance fees, tips 15
Marrakech - City tour (half day, with guide) Book at location Marrakech is also known as the "Red City" because of the terracotta-like colours of the mighty walls and gates. For centuries the city has acted as a trade and exchange center for the surrounding Berber tribes. Even today, this character is preserved in the old town. During this walking tour that takes half a day you visit some interesting places. The Saadian Tombs are among the finest examples of opulent Islamic architecture in Morocco. The tombs date from the late 16th to the 18th century. You also visit the Bahia Palace, a beautiful building with pavilions at the ground floor. This is because the former Grand Vizier Bou Ahmed was very large and could not walk the stairs. The palace was built around 1900. You will also see the Koutoubia Minaret (only outside) and the famous Djemaa el Fna. The square buzzes and moves all around you. Storytellers, fortunetellers, acrobats, musicians, dancers and snake charmers all have their own spots. Behind the square begin the extensive souks, traditional Moroccan markets where everything is for sale, from slippers to spices, to carpets and amulets. You'll visit part of the huge souk. Since a large part of Marrakech is car-free, this excursion is on foot. You see more this way. Included: English speaking guide. Not included: drinks, transfers, entrance fees, tips. 12 Marrakech - Imlil Tour, High Atlas mountains Book at location 37 At 09:00 hours you will be picked up at your hotel. You travel by bus to Imlil, a town in the High Atlas Mountains, at an altitude of approximately 1700 meters. The Berber village is surrounded by mountains of about 4000 meters, with peaks that for a large part of the year are covered with snow. On a clear day you can see the top of the highest mountain in North Africa, Toubkal (4260 meters) from Imlil. In this area is a beautiful walk, which is also in the program. Bring comfortable, well worn walking shoes. You will be accompanied by a mountain guide and will enjoy lunch in a Berber house. The hike takes you over rocky trails, through villages that are tough to see because they are built from the same rock, and dried riverbeds. You will be pampered by beautiful scenery, ravines and valleys of lush green fields. Higher up perhaps you see the girls who collect plants for their goats. At the end of the afternoon you drive back to Marrakech. Note: This tour operates with a minimum of 5 participants. Included: mountain guide, transfers, lunch Not included: drinks, tips
Marrakech: Cooking class Book at location Do you enjoy cooking and love Moroccan cuisine? Not far from the square at Djemaa el Fna a Dutch cooking enthusiast has started a cooking school in a beautiful riad. You meet her or her assistant at 11:00 am on the square and go along the souk in search of the necessary ingredients. You learn the quality of various products. Make sure to look, feel, smell and...to taste! This is very fun to do, because as you shop and stroll through the streets, you experience the Moroccan city life all the better. After shopping, it's time to roll up your sleeves to start work. Under supervision, you will learn at least three Moroccan dishes, think of a tagine (a stew of vegetables, fish or meat dish), or a Moroccan couscous salad. During cooking, there are appetizers, which of course you make! To quench your thirst while cooking you have mint tea and wine. Obviously, you can eat your cooking results afterwards with the other participants. At around 15:30 hours, the course ends. Note: The cooking class will run with a minimum of 6 participants and a maximum of 12 participants. The course is only given on Mondays and Thursdays. 47 Included: assistance with cooking, cooking, home cooked meal and appetizers, unlimited mineral water and mint tea, 2 glasses of house wine, list of recipes Not included: other drinks, tip Festival info News General information Tour leader Our tours are led by trained, local English speaking tour leaders. We know that our travellers appreciate being accompanied by these local tour leaders who, compared to their counterparts (living outside of the destination) have more detailed knowledge of their country. He/she knows the area well, can provide background information and ensure that the trip goes smoothly. He/she knows what to do if something were to go wrong, but is not a "walking encyclopedia". Therefore we would like to refer you to study a good travel guide (book) in advance of travel. Your tour leader understandably expects a tip at the end, if she/he has completed the job well. Shoestring pay the tour guides a wage which is higher than that of most adventurous travel companies. Our guideline for tipping is between 1, - and 2, - per passenger per day (the equivalent thereof). Sustainability
We know that travelling to remote corners of this planet has its effects. At Shoestring we really try to make an effort to keep our impact to a minimum. We try to avoid the use of plastic water bottles on our treks through Nepal and we do not dump our litter during our trips through Africa. All of our staff have been trained to take special care to ensure we make as little impact on the environment as possible. Furthermore we support a lot of local projects which are mostly related to clean drinking water or making sure that children get vaccinated against illnesses such as tuberculosis. On most tours you will be able to visit some of the projects we support through our local agents. Find out more about the different projects Shoestring are involved with, how you can make a difference and our environmental policies here Further important info...
We recommend preparing well before you go on this trip so please read about your destination and carefully check which vaccinations and other medications you might need. Here are a few important points. Prior to the trip After making your booking, if you have not heard whether your trip is definitely going ahead then it is safe to assume that this is the case. If we unexpectedly have to cancel the trip, we will let you know no later than three weeks prior to your departure. It is not common for a trip to be cancelled, so please do not worry unduly. Incidentally, even if the minimum number of participants is not reached, Shoestring can still choose to let the trip proceed anyway. Guarantee Shoestring offers a unique guarantee, but what does a "guaranteed price" mean? It simply means that you pay the price that appears on the website at the time of booking. We guarantee that price. Any price increases made later will not be passed on to you! Personal Information Make sure when completing your booking to fill all details in correctly. This includes your passport and personal information (such as gender, date of birth and first and last name as stated in your passport). These details are necessary for confirming any domestic flights or transportation tickets and at some hotels that form part of your itinerary. Check your (digital) receipt of your booking confirmation details to make sure they are listed correctly. You are responsible for providing correct information. Incorrect information can lead to you not being admitted onto a train or into a hotel! Further information for your trip No later than one week prior to departure you will find your departure letter on your personal myshoestring site. Any tickets for local flights/other transportation will be controlled by your tour leader and provided locally. Single travellers About a third of our travellers are single travellers. This does not have to cost more as you can share with one of the other travellers in your group. We of course keep in mind to pair you with someone of the same sex. If you would prefer a room to yourself then this is usually possible. Please indicate this when booking and the applicable supplement will be added. Feedback While we put a lot of effort into the execution of your trip, it still occurs that travellers have comments about various aspects. To ensure that these observations can be addressed immediately we ask that they are notified to the tour leader in writing whilst on tour. If comments are not communicated in writing to the tour leader during the trip then this will affect how we are able to handle any potential complaint after the trip has concluded. Newsletter We regularly send out a digital newsletter, our E -zine. Here you can read stories, offers, tips and latest news about our travels. Do you receive this newsletter? Sign up easily through this link. Kuoni Specialists Ltd Shoestring is part of Kuoni Specialists Ltd, a group of adventure travel companies that interact in various ways to ensure that the traveller gets true value for his/her money. Behind the scenes, there is cooperation in the field of purchasing and handling of the trips and for the traveller, it means that we have an enormous amount of extra resources behind us, in the event they should be required. Have fun with the preparations for your trip! Insurance
Travel insurance, including medical repatriation insurance, is mandatory. It is not included with our packages and it is your responsibility to purchase suitable travel insurance. Make sure that it covers all the activities that you are likely to undertake, such as rafting and trekking. Many free insurances that come with banking packages, credit cards etc, are quite often inadequate to cover you on our tours, so make sure you check the policy before you travel. You should enter your travel insurance details via your my.shoestring account and you are required to give a copy of your insurance policy to your tour leader upon arrival. Without proper insurance like this, you will not be allowed to join the tour as we will not be able to respond adequately in case of an emergency if you do not have the right insurance. Address Shoestring International Entrada 223 1114 AA Amsterdam-Duivendrecht, The Netherlands. www.shoestring.com You can call us on number +31 20 6850203 or +44 (0)1306 744797 and email us at info@shoestring.com Opening hours Monday to Saturday 10 AM to 5 PM (Local times in Netherlands).