Legendaries Kasbahs & Desert

Home , Agdz, Alnif, Boumalne Dades, Ouarzazate, Tinghir

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LEGENDARIES KASBAHS & DESERT

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LEGENDARIES KASBAHS & DESERT Marrakesh - Boumalne Dades - Merzouga - Zagora - Ouarzazate 8 Days / 7 Nights 0 Persons Date of Issue: 25 January 2021

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Introduction

Accommodation Destination Basis Duration

2Ciels Boutique Hotel & Spa Marrakesh HB 2 Nights

Hotel Xaluca Dades Boumalne Dades HB 1 Night

La Belle Etoile Merzouga HB 1 Night

Hotel Palais Asmaa Zagora HB 1 Night

Hôtel Club Hanane Ouarzazate HB 1 Night

2Ciels Boutique Hotel & Spa Marrakesh HB 1 Night

Key HB: Half Board - Dinner, Bed and Breakfast B&B: Bed and Breakfast

Included • 7 nights at selected hotels or similar on half board • 6 lunches on 3 courses in local restaurants • Deluxe A/C Bus with the driver at disposal from arrival till departure • 4 Wheel Drive Off-Road to Merzouga desert dunes (max 5 pax per vehicle) • 1 Camel Ride per person • English speaking guide at disposal from arrival to departure • Entrance fees as per the program • 01 Small Bottle of water per person per day on the bus • Tips for porters of luggage at Hotels • Tips for waiters in restaurants

Excluded • Any other services not mentioned here above • Tips for driver and guide • Personal extra such drinks, telephone, laundry… • Beverages at hotels and restaurants

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Day 1: 2Ciels Boutique Hotel & Spa, Marrakesh

Marrakesh Situated to the north of the foothills of the snow-capped Atlas Mountains and fringing the famed Sahara, the bustling UNESCO-listed city of Marrakesh is an enchanting travel destination in Morocco. It’s easy to lose all sense of time in Marrakech, with its maze of narrow alleyways scattered with donkey carts, snake charmers, castanetists, acrobats, story-tellers, dancers, water-sellers and potion vendors to entertain. If you don’t find all of these as you journey through the winding streets of the ‘Red City’, you will be sure to find them and much, much more at its famous markets. Marrakesh is home to the largest traditional Berber market in Morocco and one of the busiest squares in the world, known as Djemaa el Fna. Don’t miss the opportunity to visit this square in the evening as it transforms into an enormous, open-air restaurant.

Day Itinerary Marhaba!!

Welcome and greetings upon arrival at Marrakech Menara airport, your English-speaking guide will be waiting for you outside of the airport. Transfer to your hotel, review the itinerary of the trip on the way.

Arrival at the hotel, you will be welcomed by a Moroccan tea while doing the check-in.

Dinner at the hotel & overnight, and get ready for your Amazing journey in this fabulous country !!

Overnight: 2Ciels Boutique Hotel & Spa 2Ciels Boutique Hôtel is a luxury boutique hotel & spa, ideally located in the heart of the city, surrounded by the exclusive hivernage and the legendary Gueliz. The hotel is strategically located a short walk away from the mythical place Djamaa El Fna and cultural tourist attractions, near the famous Mohamed V Boulevard and in front of the Royal Tennis Club. Rooms and suites offer modern amenities including Egyptian cotton textiles, tea table, desk, air- conditioning, free WiFi, mini bar, a safe, flat-screen TV and bathroom amenities. Facilities include a restaurant, spa and meeting & events rooms.

Basis Half Board - Dinner, Bed and Breakfast

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Included • Group arrival transfer from Marrakech Menara airport • Welcome & greetings by your English speaking guide • Welcome tea at the hotel

Day 2: 2Ciels Boutique Hotel & Spa, Marrakesh

Day Itinerary Breakfast at the hotel and meet with your guide for a full-day visit to the red city known to be the second oldest imperial city after Fes and also "the pearl of the south", founded by the Almoravids at the end of XI century. The historic visit includes the Koutoubia Mosque, the Menara gardens, and the Bahia Palace.

Lunch at a local restaurant; and continue the visit in the afternoon with the traditional souks and neighborhoods of craftsmen, showing a variety of topics. By the end of the tour, you will stop at the famous Djemaa El Fna square to enjoy the mesmerizing streets show!

Transfer back to the hotel, diner, and overnight.

Basis Half Board - Dinner, Bed and Breakfast

Included Full-day guided visit of Marrakech

Lunch at a local restaurant "Ksar Lhamra"

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Day 3: Hotel Xaluca Dades, Boumalne Dades

Boumalne Dades Boumalne Dades is located in southeast Morocco’s Tinghur Province, at 1500 metres above sea level in the High Atlas Mountains. It is a spellbinding destination - a city of terracotta buildings set between rugged red cliffs, palm oases and fields of crimson wildflowers. The city’s scenic beauty is matched by its cultural intrigue - it has a rich heritage that includes its traditional art, music and adobe architecture - some of which has remained virtually intact over several centuries. A hiking trail leads between the Dades Gorge and the Rose Valley and is a wonderful way to experience the area’s ancient palaces and forts, Berber villages and spectacular scenery.

Day Itinerary Breakfast at the hotel and drive to Boumalne, via Taddert and Tiz-in-Tichka (2260m) and the Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah. Lunch at a local restaurant overlooking the Kasbah, then drive to Boumalne via the Dades valley, the principal route between the desert and the ancient trading oases of the Tifilalt.

Arrival, check-in at the hotel, Dinner, and overnight

Overnight: Hotel Xaluca Dades t an altitude of 1612m, surrounded by majestic mountains at the very spine of the Atlas range, whose impressive ravines sketch out to the winds in the sky, the Xaluca Dades Hotel, enjoys a panoramic view of the Dades Valley, sprinkled with friendly Berber villages and snowy peaks.

Hotel Xaluca Dades offers 110 beautifully designed, welcoming rooms, exquisitely decorated with materials from different African countries. It is a true paradise in the middle of the mountains.

Basis Half Board - Dinner, Bed and Breakfast

Included Lunch at Local restaurant "Oasis D'or"

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Day 4: La Belle Etoile, Merzouga

Merzouga Situated on the edge of the Sahara Desert, close to the Algerian border, the small Moroccan village of Merzouga serves as the gateway to the Erg Chebbi, an expanse of impressive dune fields. Merzouga is a Moroccan desert dream destination for visitors who come here to explore the sensational surrounding landscape. This remote village provides an excellent base for visitors to explore the Erg Chebbi, which stretches twenty-eight kilometres from north to south and seven kilometres across. The area offers a fantastic selection of activities including: taking a camel safari through the desert; watching a magical sunrise of sunset over the rolling dunes; immersing yourself in traditional Moroccan culture in the heart of the village on a village tour; or visiting the seasonal salt lake of Dayet Srji, home to an array of desert and migratory birds. Don’t miss the golden 150-metre-tall Grande Dune de Merzouga, known to be the tallest dune of the Erg Chebbi.

Day Itinerary Breakfast at the hotel and visit of Dades canon, will stop at Kelaa des Mgouna “the rose’s city” known for roses and its annual festival during the roses harvest in May, keep driving along the Dades Valley to Tinghir and the Todra valley, watch the panoramic views of the old mud Berber villages overlooking the valley, get to the Gorge and walk under the 300m high red cliff, where many Rock-climbers come to enjoy their preferred sport.

Continue our trip to Erfoud where will have late lunch. Visit of the Rissani village Pick up the 4X4 vehicles and drive to the village of Merzouga, where you will spend the night in an equipped camp in the middle of the Sahara, this is a great opportunity to take lovely pictures of the sunset and sunrise, you will walk to the high dunes to see the sunset, It will be a magical night when the sky is clear of cover and stars sparkle and shine with intensity, there will be a wonderful dinner around a campfire, a night under a traditional Berber nomad tent.

Overnight: La Belle Etoile La Belle Etoile offers a spectacular space, strategically located in the middle of the big dunes of the Erg Chebi Desert. It is especially attractive because of the organization of bivouacs of tents made of camel skin. Marvel at the spectacular sun at dawn and then at the warm colours of the sunset before experiencing a night in the desert, with its silence and magnificent starry sky. Thanks to La Belle Etoile, this great experience is possible.

Basis Half Board - Dinner, Bed and Breakfast

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Included Lunch at local restaurant "Lamrani"

4X4 transfer from Erfoud to Merzouga

Magical dinner around a campfire

A night under traditional Berber nomad tents

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Day 5: Hotel Palais Asmaa, Zagora

Zagora Resting at the foot of the Zagora Mountain, Zagora is a small town in the Draa-Tafilalet region of southeastern Morocco. This dusty desert outpost is centrally located, making it an ideal base for exploring the spectacularly scenic Sahara Desert and the beautiful Draa River Valley. The town has long served as a popular trading point offering visitors a range of convenient amenities. The town is also known for its array of restaurants and cafes, and for its lively regional souq which takes place bi-weekly on Wednesdays and Sundays. Don’t miss the annual Moussem festival of Moulay Abdelkader Jilali, which celebrates this much-loved Sufi Saint and attracts large numbers of visitors from around the world.

Day Itinerary Early wake up in the morning and Camel ride to assist the sunset on the sand dunes of Merzouga.

Back to the camp to have breakfast and drive to Zagora passing by Alnif & Tazarine, crossing the Sargho mountain. Lunch at local restaurant and continuation to Zagora, Arrival, check-in at the hotel, dinner, and overnight.

Overnight: Hotel Palais Asmaa Zagora, the door to the Sahara desert, was a large commercial centre where goods and wealth of Africa, salt, ivory, slaves, gold, were traded for the marvels of Moroccan crafts, leather, carved woods...

Palais Asmaa offers you, for your holidays in Morocco, a high standard place where you can rest after a trip to the desert, or prepare a tour to Chebbi, for example...

Basis Half Board - Dinner, Bed and Breakfast

Included Camel ride to assist the sunrise

Lunch at a local restaurant

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Day 6: Hôtel Club Hanane, Ouarzazate

Ouarzazate At the intersection of the Dades and Draa Valley lies the relaxed Moroccan town of Ouarzazate. Surrounded by some unbelievably picturesque terrain, the town is characterised by the red-glowing kasbah at Ait Ben Haddou, the snowcapped High Atlas Mountains, and the spectacular Sahara Desert with its rolling dunes, vast canyons and deep gorges. These exotic backdrops have served as the location for a slew of Hollywood movies which have turned this once sleepy town into Morocco’s version of Hollywood. The town is a popular stopover point for tourists on their way to the Sahara. Its palm-fringed boulevards are lined with grand palaces, bustling souks, old adobe buildings and film studios. Its an ideal location for hanging out at one of the many charming cafés, sampling some delicious local Moroccan cuisine and perhaps even spotting one of the many celebrities who frequent this fascinating North African city.

Day Itinerary Breakfast at the hotel, visit of Zagora and the Tamegroute library, Drive to Ouarzazate via Draa Valley and Agdz. Lunch at a local restaurant in Ouarzazate and visit the Kasbahs of Taourirt and Tifoultoute Check-in at the hotel, dinner, and overnight.

Overnight: Hôtel Club Hanane Hôtel Club Hanane offers accommodation located in the heart of Ouarzazate in Morocco. The hotel features comfortable and charming rooms which come equipped with air-conditioning, Wi-Fi, TVs with satellite channels, safety deposit boxes, telephones, wardrobes, hairdryers, and other conveniences. Traditional Moroccan and Asian cuisine can be enjoyed at the on-site restaurant. Other leisure facilities include a bar, an indoor and outdoor swimming pool, a game room, a fitness room, a sun terrace and a lovely garden.

Basis Half Board - Dinner, Bed and Breakfast

Included Lunch at local restaurant

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Day 7: 2Ciels Boutique Hotel & Spa, Marrakesh

Marrakesh As previously described

Day Itinerary Breakfast at the hotel and drive to Marrakech. Arrival and lunch at a local restaurant.

Afternoon free for personal exploration and buying souvenirs.

Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Basis Half Board - Dinner, Bed and Breakfast

Included Lunch at a local restaurant

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Day 8: End of Itinerary

Day Itinerary Breakfast at the hotel and transfer to the Menara airport of Marrakech to take departure flight.

Basis Bed and Breakfast

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Transport

Transfers Date Company Pick Up Drop Off Time Vehicle

Marrakech Menara 2Ciels Boutique Hotel & Spa Transfer International Airport [RAK]

2Ciels Boutique Hotel & Spa Hotel Xaluca Dades Transfer

Hotel Xaluca Dades La Belle Etoile Transfer

La Belle Etoile Hotel Palais Asmaa Transfer

Hotel Palais Asmaa Hôtel Club Hanane Transfer

Hôtel Club Hanane 2Ciels Boutique Hotel & Spa Transfer

2Ciels Boutique Hotel & Spa Marrakech Menara Transfer International Airport [RAK]

Urgent Contact Numbers Company Name Telephone Email Address Contact Person amazing morocco 0633669554 [email protected] Rajaa Maarouf

Service Provider Directory Service Provider Ref. Telephone Address Number

2Ciels Boutique +212 5243- Rue Oued EL Makhazine, Angle Imam Chafai, (en face du Club Hotel & Spa 59550 Royal de Tennis), Marrakech 40000, Morocco

Hôtel Club Hanane 227 Avenue Erraha BP 277 Ouarzazate Maroc Morocco

Hotel Palais Asmaa +212 5248- 47555

La Belle Etoile Route Arfoud à Errachidia km 5 B.P. 205 Arfoud Maroc

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Travel Information

An exotic fusion of Southern Mediterranean, Arabic and African influences, Morocco is an enticing combination of ancient cities and Roman ruins, sweeping deserts and centuries-old medinas, mosques and minarets, winding alleyways and vibrant markets, gorgeous beaches and rugged mountains. The Imperial Cities of Fes, Marrakech, Meknes and Rabat have all had a stint as the national capital and are liberally studded with attractions, including a plethora of ancient architecture, museums and souks (markets). The coastal city of Casablanca boasts one of the largest mosques in the world, while Tangier, on the Mediterranean coast, features some beautiful bays and sandy coves. Visitors can look forward to sampling exotic Berber cuisine, sipping on a fresh cup of coffee or a mint tea at a streetside cafe, hike Toubkal - North Africa’s highest peak or enjoy camel trekking in the desert.

Banking and Currency Currency

Moroccan Dirham (MAD; symbol Dh) = 100 centimes. Notes are in denominations of Dh200, 100, 50, 20 and 10. Coins are in denominations of Dh10, 5 and 1, and 50, 20, 10 and 5 centimes.

Banking

Mon-Thurs 0830-1230 and 1500-1830, Fri 0830-1200 and 1500-1830.

Most major credit cards are accepted in larger restaurants, hotels, guest houses and the occasional shop in the souks, with Visa and MasterCard being accepted most widely.

Cash can be withdrawn from ATMs in larger towns, although service in smaller towns can be erratic. Most major hotels now have more reliable ATMs.

Traveller's cheques are accepted in some areas but are not advised, as the exchange can be problematic and it can be difficult to find a bank able to cash them, although some of the main tourist hotels offer this facility.

Travel, Transport and Getting Around The high-speed toll roads connecting Tangier, Rabat, Casablanca, Meknes, Fes, Marrakech and El Jadida are of excellent quality. Coastal communities and most large towns are also well served by good roads. In the interior, south of the High Atlas Mountains, road travel becomes much more difficult, especially across the Atlas Mountains in winter.

International and local car hire companies have offices in major towns, cities and airports. Car hire is generally expensive, and prices vary with the season. The minimum age for driving a hired car is 18, although many hire companies will require drivers to be 21 or over.

Metered petit taxis are available in major towns. Taxi drivers are not usually tipped, although it is common to round fares up at least to the next dirham on short trips. Larger, grand taxis are usually Mercedes cars, used for travel

P a g e | 16 outside medinas and to areas outside towns. These can be shared, but fares should be agreed before departure as they don't have meters.

Bike hire is available in most major towns - although attempting to cycle through city traffic is inadvisable. For those travelling longer distances, bikes can be transported on trains and buses.

Making use of the extensive bus network is the cheapest and most popular way to get around Morocco. Buses serve most communities, and private operators compete for custom on the more popular routes. The major bus companies are Compagnie de Transports Marocains (www.ctm.ma), Trans Ghazala (0536 685 387), and ONCF (www.oncf.ma). There are extensive bus services in Casablanca and other main towns. Pre-purchase tickets are sold.

Traffic drives on the right in Morocco and the wearing of seatbelts is compulsory. The speed limit is 40kph (25mph) in cities and built up areas, rising to 80km (50mph) on more major roads, up to 120km (75mph) on motorways. No alcohol at all is allowed in the bloodstream when driving.

Foreign driving licences are accepted, as well as International Driving Permits. Third Party insurance is required. Insurance documentation and a licence must be carried with you at all times. Insurance can be arranged locally.

The Moroccan rail system, run by Office National des Chemins de Fer (ONCF) (www.oncf.ma) provides regular services. The network runs from Oujda in the northeast to Casablanca on the west coast, Tangier on the north coast and Fes and Marrakech in the interior. However, only a small part of the country is served, and even large centres such as Agadir and Essaouira are not covered.

Food, Drink and Cuisine Advice Water sources outside main cities and towns may be contaminated and sterilisation is advisable. Bottled water is the best bet and is available everywhere. Milk is unpasteurised, so boil before drinking. Meat and fish should be freshly cooked and served hot. Vegetables are typically served cooked. If eating fruit, try to stick to fruit that can be peeled before eating. Most produce is grown organically, without chemical pesticides or fertilisers but it’s highly likely to have been washed in unsterilized water.

Fusion isn't a new trend in Morocco, where the cuisine is a blend of Mediterranean, Arabic, Jewish, Persian, West African and Berber influences. Meals range from the diffa, an elaborate multicourse feast featuring couscous and grilled meats, to quick brochettes (kebab) from a roadside stall. Produce is seasonal, grown locally and typically without chemical pesticides or fertilisers.

Tagines, the fragrant stews of meat, vegetables or fish, named after the distinctive conical earthenware vessel they’re cooked in are the Moroccans main staple. Flavours revolve around a subtle array of spices, and traditionally every spice shop would have its own secret ras el hanout spice blend recipe.

Restaurants range from buffet diners to high-end establishment serving gourmet fare. Many now offer à la carte menus and a three-course fixed-price menu is still common at dinner. Restaurants in cities and large resorts are cosmopolitan, offering a good selection of cuisines, including typical Moroccan fare, plus French, Italian, Spanish and fusion dishes.

The best way to experience the true flavour of Moroccan cuisine, however, is to sample the street food. Djemaa el Fna square in the centre of Marrakech sees an explosion of pop-up food stalls after dark, and most other cities have their own foodie quarters. Scrumptious local specialities such as almonds, olives and a rainbow array of spices can be found in souks across the country.

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Laws on alcohol are fairly liberal (for non-Muslim visitors) and bars in most tourist areas stay open late. Wines, beers and spirits are available to tourists. Muslims are forbidden to drink alcohol. By law, no-one is allowed to drink alcohol in view of a mosque or during Ramadan, although tourist establishments sometimes flout this rule. Locally produced wines, beers and mineral waters are reasonably priced, but imported drinks tend to be expensive.

Tipping waiting staff is expected (if service is satisfactory), usually up to 5 dirams on small bills, and around 10% for larger bills.

Climate and Weather Morocco’s climate is very diverse, varying with the season and region. In general the country has a tropical climate, with temperatures reaching as high as 35°C (95°F) and as low as 5°C (41°F) in the Sahara. The coast has a warm, Mediterranean climate tempered on the eastern coast by southwest trade winds whilst inland areas have a hotter, drier, continental climate. In the south of the country, the weather is very hot and dry throughout most of the year, though temperatures can drop dramatically at night, especially in the months of December and January.

Rain falls from November to March in coastal areas, and the country is mostly dry with high temperatures in summer and a cooler climate in the mountains. Marrakech and Agadir enjoy an average temperature of 21°C (70ºF) during the winter.

Owing to the relatively high winter temperatures, and summers that are dry rather than unbearably humid, Morocco is an all-year round destination. If you really want to avoid the heat, the best time to visit is during the shoulder seasons of April to May, and September to November.

Clothing and Dress Recommendations Lightweight cottons and linens are best worn during summer, with warm medium weight wear for the evenings, during the winter, and in the mountains. Waterproofing is advisable in the wet season, particularly on the coast and in the mountains. Both men and women should be careful to wear clothing that is cognisant of cultural sensitivities – long sleeves and low hems will be looked on favourably. Sunscreen, a sunhat and sunglasses are essential especially in summer.

Electricity and Plug Standards Electrical sockets (outlets) in Morocco are one of the two European standard electrical socket types: The "Type C" Europlug and the "Type E" and "Type F" Schuko. If your appliance's plug doesn't match the shape of these sockets, you will need a travel plug adapter in order to plug in. Travel plug adapters simply change the shape of your appliance's plug to match whatever type of socket you need to plug into. If it's crucial to be able to plug in no matter what, bring an adapter for all three types.

Electrical sockets (outlets) in the Kingdom of Morocco usually supply electricity at between 220 and 240 volts AC. If you're plugging in an appliance that was built for 220-240 volt electrical input, or an appliance that is compatible with multiple voltages, then an adapter is all you need.

But travel plug adapters do not change the voltage, so the electricity coming through the adapter will still be the same 220-240 volts the socket is supplying. North American sockets supply electricity at between 110 and 120 volts,

P a g e | 18 far lower than in most of the rest of the world. Consequently, North American appliances are generally built for 110- 120 volts.