Others

All accommodation, activities and meals that are shown in the itinerary are included in the total cost of your trip You will also receive a complimentary transfer to and from the airport if you arrive on day 1 of the trip and depart on the last day and have provided your international flight information.

Meals

A key facet of our responsible approach to tourism is that we encourage our groups to eat in local restaurants that prepare locally grown food. We give customers choice as to their meals and do not use rather bland and impersonal hotel restaurants or all- inclusive options 7 Breakfasts 2 Lunches

Transport

Minibus, On Foot Booking a land only package with Explore Customers who have chosen to book on the ‘Land Only’ arrangements of our tour, please ensure that you have checked your tour specific ‘Joining Instructions’ prior to booking your own travel arrangements. Your joining instructions can be found below in the dates and prices information. Joining Tour Abroad Customers booked on the ‘Land Only’ arrangements will receive a Free Transfer, provided you arrive and depart on the tour only itinerary start and end dates. The complimentary transfers will be arranged from the Explore designated airport or train station to your trips joining point, and then back from the ending point to the designated airport or train station. Generally the airport or station that Explore have selected will be the one that is closest to the town or city where the trip starts, or the one nearest to the joining point. It will be either an airport or train station but not both. The exception to this rule is customers who are booked on a tour where the joining and ending point is at the designated airport or train station. Free transfers are not available for Self-Guided, Polar, Tailormade or Tours for Churches customers. If you are not eligible for the Free Transfer then you will need to make your own way through to the joining and ending point. On a majority of our tours Explore will be able to provide a private transfer at an additional cost. Please ask for a quote at the time of booking.

Optional

The following excursions and/or activities are usually available and may be arranged locally. Estimated costs are provided below for guidance only, are on a per person basis unless shown otherwise, and may depend on the number of participants. Prices quoted are correct as of the date these tour notes were originally issued but may change at any time due to currency fluctuations. Please note: These activities are booked and paid for direct with the supplier and do not form part of your Explore holiday contract. Ouirgane - Mule hire between 100 to 150 Moroccan Dirham per person Ijoukak - Tin Mal Mosque 60 Moroccan Dirham for the group Essaouira - Surfing lesson 350 Moroccan Dirham per person

Guide

Tour Leaders are quite simply the glue that holds our tours together. They are chosen for their travel experience and people skills and are thoroughly trained by Explore, widely acknowledged as some of the best training in the industry. A Tour Leader’s ultimate aim is to ensure everyone is well looked after and have a fantastic trip. They are there to ensure that the tour logistics run smoothly, that health and safety is adhered to and provide comprehensive briefings at the beginning and throughout the tour. Explore leader Tipping isn’t compulsory, and we work hard to ensure that our leaders all receive a fair wage. However, you might want to recognise a leader that’s done a great job or really added to your trip by giving them a tip. We’re often asked about the recommended amount. It’s a tricky one, and down to personal preference, but we’d recommend between £15 to £20 per person per week as a guideline. Local crew Although entirely voluntary, tipping is a recognized part of life in this region of the world. Some local staff will look to members of the group for personal recognition of particular services provided. In order to make things easier for you, your leader may organise a group’s tips kitty for included activities and meals and if this is the case, they will account for it throughout the tour. Accordingly, you should allow £15.00 per family member for group tipping.

Accommodation

4 nights premium hotel 2 nights standard hotel 2 nights standard riad Triple Rooms: This trip allows the option for a limited amount of triple rooms to be included within the booking on all nights of the holiday. If you would like this option please ask our Sales team for further information. General information: Morocco is a developing country and as such, the accommodation standards are not equivalent to those in Europe and can be more basic. We generally choose our properties because of their location, cleanliness, traditional style or for their welcoming atmosphere, as we endeavour to provide an authentic Moroccan experience. However, some of the properties might have some outdated or simple furniture and the level of service may vary depending on the location. You may find that availability of hot water is variable or limited in certain locations. Breakfasts are generally continental style. A swimming pool is available on most nights of the trip, but not in Essaouira, where we stay in the old town. The hotel in Marrakech is located in the heart of the new town and surrounded by many restaurants and local shops with a swimming pool, terrace area and rooms that are equipped with satellite TV and air conditioning. Moving on to Ouirgane, the hotel is built in the middle of olive groves in an isolated location which adds to the relaxing atmosphere. The accommodation also has a swimming pool surrounded by pleasant gardens. Our accommodation in Taroudant is a riad - this old residence is in the middle of a beautiful farm of orange trees and a multitude of flowers surrounding the swimming pool - a great place to soak up the atmosphere of this rural area and its tranquillity. Finally in the beach resort of Essaouira we have opted for a hotel in the central old medina, whilst the property meets our standard grade it is more basic than others we stay at, its location in the medina is ideal for exploring. There is a pleasant roof terrace where breakfast is served and it’s a short walk to the beach.

Not included:

Insurance

Travel Insurance is not included It is a condition of booking with Explore that you have adequate valid travel insurance. It is your responsibility to arrange appropriate travel insurance and ensure you have read and understood the full terms and conditions of your travel insurance policy to ensure that you are covered for all activities you intend to undertake whilst on the tour, including all optional activities. Your Insurance Policy must fully cover you for medical expenses and emergency repatriation to your home country. Please ensure your policy includes medical emergency helicopter evacuation in the event of illness or injury and covers the entire duration of your holiday. If you are trekking at altitude please ensure that there is no upper altitude limit which may limit or exclude cover for your trip. The cost of many of our Polar Voyages will exceed the capped amount covered by standard insurance premiums and you will be required to pay an additional premium to cover the full value of your trip. Please ensure that you are covered for the full amount of your holiday cost, as insufficient cover could invalidate a claim under the policy. Medical and repatriation insurance cover is not mandatory for UK residents who are travelling on trips within the United Kingdom.

Flights

International flights not included in the tour cost You are able to book this tour on a ’land only’ basis or as a ‘flight inclusive’ package. Your flight inclusive package will be fully protected by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) ATOL protection scheme. Booking a flight inclusive package with Explore We have a good selection of flights not only from London but from many regional airports around the UK allowing us to compare fares between scheduled carriers as well as low cost and charter airlines. Our dedicated flights team will match the best flight options to your arrival and departure airport. On our website we display a UK flight inclusive package guide price which is generally based on a London departure. To avoid paying supplements or to secure your preferred flight option, we recommend booking as early as possible, especially for peak travel dates.

Others

Any visa costs, spending money and tips are not included in the trip price. You can also book extra nights’ accommodation at the beginning and end of the trip and the cost of this accommodation along with any transfers would be quoted separately. Morocco: Visas are not required by UK, Australian, New Zealand, US and Canadian citizens. Other nationalities should consult their local embassy or consular office. UK passport holders are requested to have at least 3 months validity from the date of entry into Morocco. All other nationalities please check with your nearest embassy for requirements of passport validity. If you do require assistance in obtaining a visa then you may be able to apply through Explore’s recommended visa service in the UK, Travcour. See www.travcour.com to download the relevant visa application for your trip, if applicable (UK citizens only), along with details of how to apply for your visa through Travcour. The Team at Travcour will be happy to answer specific questions relating to visa applications, please call them directly on 0208 5431846. It is your responsibility to ensure that you are in possession of a full passport, with the correct validity for your chosen destination. Vaccinations Nothing compulsory, but we recommend protection against tetanus, typhoid, infectious hepatitis and polio. Consult your travel clinic for latest advice on different prophylaxis available against malaria. Please check the latest requirements with your travel clinic or doctor prior to departure. The above is not an exhaustive list. Further information regarding vaccinations and travel health advice can be found by following the NHS and NaTHNaC links at Explore Travel Health and from your local healthcare provider. Visa and vaccination requirements are subject to change and should be confirmed by you before travelling.

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Day 1 Day 1: Trip Starts In Marrakech
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 1: Trip Starts In Marrakech

Our tour of Morocco starts in the Red City. With its dusty rooftops, maze-like streets and bustling souks, Marrakech encompasses the essence of Morocco. Head to the medina and people watch while you sip a mint tea in Jemaa el-Fna (the main square) or visit the Jardin Majorelle, just a short walk from our hotel. There are no activities planned for today, so you’re free to arrive at any time and explore the city or relax by the hotel pool. If you’d like an airport transfer, you’ll need to arrive at Marrakech Menara Airport (RAK), which is around a 20-minute drive from our hotel. Our tour leader will meet you in the hotel reception at 6pm for a welcome meeting and then an optional dinner. If you arrive later, they’ll catch you up as soon as possible.
Day 2 Day 2: Marrakech Walking Tour And Drive To Ouirgane
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 2: Marrakech Walking Tour And Drive To Ouirgane

Today we dive straight into the heady delights of Marrakech with a guided walking tour. We’ll pass by the rose-coloured Koutoubia (booksellers) Mosque on the way to Bahia Palace, an open-air museum that’s famous for its decorated stucco walls and marble floors. We’ll fuel up on fresh pastries from a traditional bakery before continuing to the medina on foot. There, we’ll be guided through the labyrinth of spice-scented souks, passing by craftsmen selling rugs, leather goods and crockery before dropping by a spice shop to sample ripe dates and almonds. Finally, we’ll navigate our way out into the energetic Jemaa el-Fna Square. Leaving the city behind, this afternoon, we’ll drive south towards the craggy peaks and the plunging valleys of the Toubkal Massif in the High Atlas. Crossing the Haouz Plain, we’ll pass through the town of Asni, from where we’ll begin to climb toward the foothills of the Massif. Below us, the valley of the Oued Rhirhaia stretches out before us and small villages cling to the sides of the steep hills as we meander our way towards Ouirgane. The High Atlas is North Africa’s greatest mountain range and has been a barrier between the northern plains and the pre-Sahara for centuries. Up here in their mountain stronghold, the fiercely independent Berbers - the Lords of the Atlas - live by their own traditions. The Berber way of life is unique and lost to most of North Africa - here, music, dance, language, and religion are far removed from the rest of the Arab world.
Day 3 Day 3: Walk In The Atlas Foothills And Lunch With A Berber Family
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 3: Walk In The Atlas Foothills And Lunch With A Berber Family

After a leisurely start to today, we’ll head out for a walk in the foothills of the Atlas Mountains to take in the natural scenery and surrounding villages. For lunch, we’ll visit a local Berber family and learn about their unique lifestyle before walking back to our hotel via a different, panoramic route. Today’s walk will last around four hours and can be adapted to meet the needs of the group, local areas of interest and weather conditions. The rest of the afternoon will be free to spend by the hotel pool or relaxing in the gardens overlooked by the mountains.
Day 4 Day 4: Visit The Tin Mal Mosque And Drive The Tizi N’Test Pass To Taroudant
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 4: Visit The Tin Mal Mosque And Drive The Tizi N’Test Pass To Taroudant

Heading south today, our first stop is the Tin Mal Mosque. Built in 1156, it was once considered the centre of the Almohades dynasty. It’s not possible to go into the mosque however we can appreciate its grandeur from the outside. After our visit, we’ll drive across the Tizi n’Test pass down into the region of the High Atlas where we’ll have sweeping scenery across the Toubkal Massif and down into the Souss Valley. We’ll journey on down the exhilarating 1600-metre descent before driving past the orange grove-lined roads that lead us to Taroudant, the old capital of the Souss region. We’ll arrive in plenty of time to relax in the hotel pool.
Day 5 Day 5: Tajine Cookery Class And Visit To The Kasbah In Tiout Before Driving To Essaouira
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 5: Tajine Cookery Class And Visit To The Kasbah In Tiout Before Driving To Essaouira

This morning, we’ll drive to the oasis town of Tiout on the edge of the Anti-Atlas. There, we’ll meet with a local family and learn how to cook a traditional tagine of meat, poultry, or fish with mixed vegetables. We’ll also take a walk across the town to visit an oasis that treats us to panoramic views of the local village and old kasbah. Again, mules will accompany us to carry younger children who might now want to walk. After lunch, we’ll carry on our drive across the High Atlas towards Chichaoua and join the new road to Essaouira. We’ll stop by an argan oil cooperative and learn about how women from different villages work together to produce the precious oil. Finally, we’ll arrive in Essaouira, a resort town and mecca for water sports. The port town is lively yet relaxed with its whitewashed houses and traditional fishing boats. British, French, Arab and Jewish influences from the 18th and 19th centuries are still reflected in the architecture and town’s layout today.
Day 6 Day 6: Discover Essaouira With Sunset Camel Ride
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 6: Discover Essaouira With Sunset Camel Ride

Today, we’ll explore the old medina of Essaouira and its vibrant fishing port with a local guide. Walk through the narrow alleyways lined with traditional craft stalls and finish up on the historic ramparts for panoramic views of the old town and surrounding coastline. The afternoon is free to enjoy as you wish. There are a range of water sports to try out, including surfing, or you might like to wander back into the medina to shop for souvenirs. Alternatively, there are the galleries and cafes of the souk or the fresh fish stalls of the harbour front to explore. At the end of the day, we’ll come back together for a camel ride along the beach as the sun sinks into the Atlantic Ocean.
Day 7 Day 7: Return To Marrakech And Explore The City
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 7: Return To Marrakech And Explore The City

Today, we’ll drive back to the Red City of Marrakech. This afternoon will be free to explore at your own pace before we toast to an adventurous trip for our final evening. There’s also an optional trip to a local hammam - a true Moroccan experience.
Day 8 Day 8: Trip Ends In Marrakech
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 8: Trip Ends In Marrakech

Our tour of Morocco ends at our hotel in Marrakech. There are no activities planned today, so you’re free to depart at any time. If your flight is departing later in the day, luggage storage facilities are available at our hotel. If you’d like an airport transfer, you need to depart from Marrakesh Menara Airport (RAK).

8 days tour

Family Marrakech, Atlas & Essaouira Adventure

This tour includes:

Not included:

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Itinerary of your trip Family Marrakech, Atlas & Essaouira Adventure

Day 1: Trip Starts In Marrakech

Day 2: Marrakech Walking Tour And Drive To Ouirgane

Day 3: Walk In The Atlas Foothills And Lunch With A Berber Family

Day 4: Visit The Tin Mal Mosque And Drive The Tizi N’Test Pass To Taroudant

Day 5: Tajine Cookery Class And Visit To The Kasbah In Tiout Before Driving To Essaouira

Day 6: Discover Essaouira With Sunset Camel Ride

Day 7: Return To Marrakech And Explore The City

Day 8: Trip Ends In Marrakech

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