Morocco Desert Safari tour
8 Days Starting and ending in Marrakesh, Morocco
Visiting: Marrakesh, Aït Benhaddou, Zagora, Alnif, Rissani, Erfoud, Todra River, Ouarzazate
Tour operator:
Tour code:
196
Recommended For:
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
2 - 40
Physical rating:
Medium
Age range:
Over 9s
Special diets catered:
Request dietary needs
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Activities:
From:
$715
$679 (USD)
The Big ADVENTURE Sale: -$36
Tour Overview
This exciting budget tour gives you a fantastic insight into the history and cultures of the Moroccan desert regions. The tour will take in beautiful scenery, the Atlas Mountains and the Sahara Desert. The tour starts with a full day's tour of the fascinating city of Marrakech, including the famous Djemaa el-Fna square which is well worth re-visiting late in the evenings as it is packed with street food stalls and local entertainers. We then take a scenic drive across the Atlas Mountains and over the highest mountain pass in Africa, the Tizi N’tichka at 2260m altitude. After descending, we'll visit the famous UNESCO world heritage site of Ait Benhaddou which has featured in many famous movies. Our journey into the desert then continues to Boumalne where we spend the night. From Boumalne we pass through several pre-Saharan villages including Tamegroute, known for its pottery centre, before arriving at Erfoud on the edge of the spectalar Erg Chebbi sand dunes. Here you have the option for a 4x4 safari into the desert, with dinner and a night spent sleeping in a comfortable Berber camp on the edge of the dunes. After a memborable evening at the camp you can rise early to witness a beautiful sunrise from the top of the nearby dunes. A 4x4 safari to climb the dunes at sunset is also included if you spend the night in the hotel instead of the desert camp. We then head back towards the Atlas Mountains, dtopping at the spectacular Dades Canyon and then driving on the Road of a Thousand Kasbahs past Kalaat M’Gouna & the Skoura valley before spending the night at Ouarzazate. Our final drive then crosses the Atlas Mountains again to Marrakech where you have a free afternoon for some final sightseeing and souvenir shopping in the souqs, and a last evening back in the main square. The standard tour uses comfortable mid-range hotels, with an upgrade to a higher 'Superior' level available on request.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Arrive In Marrakech, Transfer To Hotel
Location: Marrakesh
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Marrakech
Meals Included: Dinner
On your arrival in Marrakech airport (RAK) our representative will greet you and transfer you to your hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to settle in, relax after your flight, and have a first look around. Extra nights before the tour starts are available on request.
If you arrive early enough, you can head into Marrakech's famous Djemaa el Fna Square for a first taste of Moroccan food at one of the main street stalls, while watching the many street performers and salesmen offering their wares.
Day 2 : Marrakech, City Tour
Location: Marrakesh
Accommodation Name: Marrakech Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Today's tour of Marrakech, Mararkech's second oldest Imperial City, starts in the morning with visits to the Menara Garden, the Saadian Tombs, the Koutoubia Mosque, home to the minaret which has become a symbol of the city, the Dar Si Said Museum, and the Bahia Palace which hosts intricate and beautiful Arabic craftsmanship. After a break for lunch in the hotel, we spend the afternoon exploring the old centre of the city. Home to many different types of traders these bustling and aromatic souqs and handicraft quarters provide a real taste of Morocco. The tour finishes at the Djemaa el-Fna Square, which is well worth revisiting later in the evening when it is packed with street food stalls, musicians and entertainers - one of Morocco's highlights.
Full-board option: dinner with show.
Day 3 : Across The Atlas Mountains To Ait Benhaddou And The Draa Valley
Location: Aït Benhaddou, Zagora
Accommodation: Hotel, Hotel
Accommodation Name: Zagora Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner, Breakfast, Dinner
After breakfast this morning we bid farewell to Marrakech and take a scenic drive across the mountains of the high Atlas, passing through the Tich'n'Tichka pass at an altitude of 2260m. After descending out of the mountains we'll stop at what is probably the most well-known kasbah in Morocco - Ait Benhaddou. The kasbah is a UNESCO protected monument and has appeared in countless movies. In the afternoon we continue our journey to the desert, travelling through the Draa Valley before arriving at the remote town of Zagora where we spend the night.
Full board option: Lunch
Day 4 : Desert Villages, Erg Chebbi Sand Dunes
Location: Alnif, Rissani, Erfoud
Accommodation: Hotel, Camp
Accommodation Name: Erfoud Hotel (or Berber Desert Camp)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
We leave Zagora today and head first to Tamegroute village, which is well known for its pottery centre. We'll then continue skirting the desert stopping along the way at several pre-Saharan villages including Tansikht, Nkob, Tazzarine and Alnif where we break for lunch. In the afternoon we'll stop at Rissani village, birthplace of the Alaouites Dynasty before arriving at Erfoud, on the edge of the famous Erg Chebbi sand dunes. You then have two options for tonight. The standard tour spends the night in a hotel in Erfoud, with an option to take a 4x4 safari to the sand dunes for sunrise or sunset. Alternatively you can take a 4x4 safari to the sand dunes for sunset, and then have dinner and spend the night at a comfortable Berber Camp at the edge of the dunes.
Day 5 : Todra Gorge, Road Of A Thousand Kasbahs
Location: Todra River, Ouarzazate
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Ouarzazate Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
You can rise early this morning and if staying in the desert camp take a walk or camel ride to witness an amazing sunrise over the Erg Chebbi sand dunes before returning to the camp. If staying in the hotel at Erfoud, an option is available to take 4x4 vehicles into the desert to enjoy sunrise on the dunes.
After breakfast we then head away from the desert and to the impressive Todra Gorge near Tinghir, whos rocks tower around 250 metres above you. Our journey then continues along the 'Road of a Thousand Kasbahs' crossing Kalaat M’Gouna and the Skoura Valley before arriving at Ouarzazate or 'place of no noise'. An incredibly dramatic landscape, this area has played host to countless well known films and is home to the famous Atlas movie studios. We'll take a short tour of the city this afternoon before taking dinner at the hotel.
Day 6 : Cross The Atlas Mountains To Marrakech. Free Afternoon
Location: Marrakesh
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Marrakech Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
After breakfast today we'll make another crossing of the Atlas Mountains and the Tizi N'tichka col on our way back to Marrakech. You'll arrive in time to spend the afternoon exploring Marrakech's souqs and bazaars further for some final sightseeing and souvenir shopping, and to enjoy a final night back in the Djemaa el-Fna Square after dinner in the hotel.
Day 7 : Marrakech Departure, Transfer To The Airport
Location: Marrakesh
Accommodation Name: N/A
Meals Included: Breakfast
Our exciting week in Morocco comes to an end today. You'll have free time until you are transferred to the airport for your departure flight. Subject to your flight departure time, additional options such as spectacular hot air balloon flight (which runs first thing in the morning for around 4 hours with a flight of around 1 hour) or a full day trip to the Ourika Valley including lunch are available today. Extra nights in Marrakech are available if you would like to extend your stay to accommodate these options or just to spend a bit more time exploring Marrakech.
What's Included
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Accommodation
3* -
All accommodation as stated in the itinerary
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Transport in AC minibus/coach (4x4 landcruisers in the desert)
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24-hour airport arrival & departure transfer service
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English speaking tour leader throughout and specialist local guides
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Meals as indicated in the itinerary
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Entrances fees to monuments as stated
What's Not Included
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International Travel
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Entrance Fees
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Country Entry Visas
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Travel insurance (compulsory, available on request)
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Optional 4x4 desert safari and night in Berber desert camp
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Drinks, snacks and other personal expenses (e.g. laundry)
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Tips for guide & driver
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Tipping and Gratuities
Check out our Q&As
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
The tour is led by a qualified, dual-lingual guide and a driver. This allows for explanations to be given in two languages to accommodated both English speakers and travellers with another first language. Specialist local guides may also be used in some locations to provide more site specific information. At Encounters Travel we aim to only use local Moroccan guides and reps. We feel this gives you the best experience of the country and the sites you are seeing and many people rate our Moroccan guides as one of the highlights of their tour.
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Are vaccinations required for this tour?
You should ensure you are fully insured for medical emergencies including emergency evacuation and repatriation. Recommended vaccinations and other health protection measures vary according to the country you are visiting and where you are travelling from. We recommend you contact your GP/medical practitioner or a travel clinic for current information on vaccinations needed for your destination. You should ensure that you are up to date with vaccines and boosters recommended for your normal life at home, including for example, vaccines required for occupational risk of exposure, lifestyle risks and underlying medical conditions. In addition, additional courses or boosters normally recommended for the countries in this region are: South Africa: Additional vaccinations: Hepatitis A. Malaria map. Yellow Fever certificate: Required if arriving from or having transitted through an infected area. Namibia: Additional vaccinations: Hepatitis A, Tetanus, Typhoid. Malaria map. Yellow Fever certificate: Required if arriving from an infected area. Botswana: Additional vaccinations: Hepatitis A, Tetanus, Typhoid. Malaria map. Yellow Fever certificate: Required if arriving from or having transitted or travelled through an infected area. Zimbabwe: Additional vaccinations: Hepatitis A, Tetanus, Typhoid. Malaria map. Yellow Fever certificate: Required if arriving from or having transitted through an infected area. Zambia: Additional vaccinations: Hepatitis A, Tetanus, Typhoid. Malaria map. Yellow Fever certificate: Required if arriving from or having transitted through an infected area. Malawi: Additional vaccinations: Hepatitis A, Tetanus, Typhoid. Malaria map. Yellow Fever certificate: Required if arriving from or having transitted through an infected area. Tanzania: Additional vaccinations: Diphtheria, Hepatitis A, Tetanus, Typhoid. Malaria map. Yellow Fever certificate: Required if arriving from or having transitted through an infected area. Kenya: Additional vaccinations: Diphtheria, Hepatitis A, Poliomyelitis, Tetanus, Typhoid. Malaria map. Yellow Fever certificate: Required if arriving from an infected area. Uganda: Additional vaccinations: Diphtheria, Hepatitis A, Tetanus, Typhoid, Yellow Fever. Malaria map. Yellow Fever certificate: Required if arriving from an infected area. Sudan: Additional vaccinations: Diphtheria, Hepatitis A, Tetanus, Typhoid, Yellow Fever. Malaria map. Yellow Fever certificate: Required if arriving from or having transitted through an infected area. A certificate may also be required for those departing Sudan. Morocco: Additional vaccinations: Hepatitis A, Tetanus, Typhoid. Malaria not normally present. Yellow Fever certificate not required. The above information can change at short notice. For up to date health information & vaccination requirements we recommend that you contact your medical practitioner or a travel clinic. Malaria: Vaccinations are not available against Malaria, which is a disease transmitted by mosquitoes that can be very serious and sometimes fatal. You should avoid mosquito bites by covering up bare skin with clothing such as long sleeves and long trousers and applying insect repellents to exposed skin. When necessary, sleep under a mosquito net. Mosquitoes are most active during and after sunset. You should consult with your GP/medical practitioner/travel clinic about the most appropriate malaria prophylactic medication to take for the regions you are visiting. Yellow Fever: This disease is spread by infected mosquitoes that bite during the day. A Yellow Fever Certificate of vacinnation is often required as a condition of entry depending on which country you are arriving from, or that you have travelled or transitted through recently (including connecting flights with stopovers of over 12 hours). You can view this US CDC information about where the virus is present and follow the links to further information detailing which countries need you to have a Yellow Fever vaccination as part of their entry requirements. Please ensure you have this certificate organised in advance and with you and to hand during the trip. Please inform us of any pre-existing conditions such as diabetes or asthma and any prescription medicine you may be taking. We also need to know about any food allergies or physical disabilities that you may have. If you are travelling on an Overland tour or your trip includes wildlife safaris then please bear in mind that you may be travelling on bumpy roads and/or rough ground for several hours at a time. This can be very uncomfortable or painful if you have a bad back, and make such conditions worse. Please contact us if you have any concerns.
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Are all the relevant entry visa’s included in the price of the tour?
Passports should be valid for at least six months after your departure from the country. Please do not bring an almost full or almost expired passport. Visa arrangements are the responsibility of the traveller, and requirements are subject to change by the local authorities. We recommend that you contact your closest Moroccan consulate or embassy for current information for your nationality. Currently, many nationalities (including USA, Canada, UK, European, Australian, New Zealand) do not need to obtain a visa to enter Morocco as long as your stay is for less than 3 months. Other nationalities should check with their local consulate.
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Are airport transfers included in this tour?
Our Morocco tours include a 24-hour airport meet & assist service in Casablanca/Marrakech airports (depending on the exact itinerary), your arrival and departure airport-hotel transfers and all other transfers. Your airport transfers are only included in our tour prices on the first and last day of the set tour itinerary. We will be happy to arrange transfers on any additional days if you book your hotel room with us. If you make your own arrangements for additional accommodation at either the beginning or the end of the tour then you will need to arrange your own airport transfers on these days. On our Shoestring group tours we do offer optional hotel upgrades. This may mean that additional pick-up and drop-offs are required each day. We do endeavour to ensure that all hotels used are close to each other and to streamline and time arrangements to limit any extra driving time as much as possible.
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Are all entrance fees included in the price?
The tour price includes entrance fees to all the tourist sites mentioned in the itinerary. You will need to cover the cost of entrance to any other extra sites that you may wish to visit.
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What should I know before travelling?
It is important when considering and preparing to travel anywhere in the world that you have a good understanding of the country you are visiting, its laws and customs, and the possible risks and situations that may occur. This includes specific risks related to your itinerary (eg. does it involve water & can you swim, are you fit enough for the activities included), as well as more general risks such as terrorism and natural disasters. General details and links to more information about health risks, visa requirements, money, and travel insurance are given in these tour notes. We recommend that you re-read all these before your departure as well as the small print of your travel insurance policy so you know exactly what is covered and what is not. You should take copies of your important travel documents with you and ideally also store them online securely as a backup. Make sure that you have given us your emergency contact details and told that person where and when you are travelling. Ensure you take enough money with you and that you have access to emergency funds. Finally, you should read through and stay updated with the current official government travel advice for your destination. We are registered partners with the UK Foreign Office's 'Travel Aware' campaign which provides further useful and invaluable information.
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Is travel insurance compulsory?
Yes! Travel insurance is compulsory on all of our tours and needs to cover personal accident & liability, medical expenses and repatriation, travel delay & abandonment. We also strongly recommend that you take out cover against cancellation and lost/stolen baggage. Personal medical insurance does not normally provide sufficient cover and is generally not suitable for travel on our tours. You will not be able to join your tour if you have not provided us with details of your insurance or if you arrive without cover in place (no refunds will be due in this event).
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
You are always able to change your travel date. However, some charges may apply depending on how long before your departure you make the change. Our flexible booking conditions and reduced charges will apply if you are changing date because of a Covid-19 reason or because your government is advising against travel to your destination. Please check our detailed booking conditions for full details.
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When is my balance payment due?
For all tours departing in 2020 and 2021, balance due dates are reduced to 28 days. For 2022 departures onwards they will revert back to our standard conditions (60 days).
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
On most of our group tours, solo travellers may choose to form a temporary 'tour bubble' and share a room with another traveller of the same sex in the group. If a room share is not available then a single room supplement may be payable, with the costs for these kept as low as possible. We have also removed compulsory single supplements from many of our tours, and are reducing the cost by 50% on s
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How long can I keep my booking as a 'Credit on File'?
New bookings need to be made within 1 year of your original departure date, with travel started within 2 years of your original departure date.
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Can I transfer my booking to someone else?
Yes, if you don't want to, or can't travel, you can transfer your booking and existing payments to other family members or friends. We are waiving our normal fees for doing this for all departures up to the end of 2022. This applies to bookings you may have moved to a Credit on File as well as those setup on a particular date. Note - not all payments may be transferrable.
Reviews from Travellers on this Tour
Dates & Availability
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Tuesday - Tuesday
Apr 30, 2024 - May 07, 2024Tuesday - Tuesday
May 14, 2024 - May 21, 2024Tuesday - Tuesday
May 28, 2024 - Jun 04, 2024Tuesday - Tuesday
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Nov 26, 2024 - Dec 03, 2024Tuesday - Tuesday
Dec 10, 2024 - Dec 17, 2024Tuesday - Tuesday
Dec 24, 2024 - Dec 31, 2024Book with Confidence
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Encounters Travel allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform encounters travel, 60 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Encounters Travel requires a minimum deposit of 150 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of encounters travel charges.
Up to 61 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 35% of booking price.
At 41 days before tour starts: Forfeit 70% of booking price.
At 27 days before tour starts: Forfeit 90% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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