Morocco Itinerary(12N/13D) in Nov. 2018

~ youkyong

November 2018 (by YK)

Our next cruise is an Adriatic one in November in and out of Barcelona on Celebrity Eclipse. When we land in Barcelona on November 23rd, we plan to hop on a plane to go to Morocco for 12 nights.

This will be our first trip to Morocco, and we will travel with two other couples from Korea who are all new to Morocco. After reading itinerary suggestions online and checking out various tour company’s offerings, I settled on a 12N/13D schedule for us. One of us is an avid sailor, and he’s interested in visiting Tangier, which, he says, is one of the places every sailor dreams of visiting. So that’s where we will start. Except for the beach towns, we can cover most of the major sites and towns in this itinerary.

Everyone says the highlight of any trip to Morocco is the visit to the Sahara Desert. I figure it will be easier to have a local guide/driver for this portion of the trip, thus, we will hire someone. Moving from town to town, we will hire a van taxi. Most Airbnb hosts can help with this in Morocco.

The total budget for this trip comes out to be about $600 per person. Most meals are NOT included in this figure. Meals seem to be cheap & we will expect to spend no more than $200 per person.

– Nov. 23(F): BCN to Tangier by Air Arabia ($73; bag check 15kg) 11:20 -> 12:10

stay:  Airbnb 3BR/2BTH($113)      blog page

– Nov. 24(Sa): to Chefchaouen  2.5 hrs. by private van($25/couple) driver:Abdesalat
  stay: Airbnb 3BD/2BTH($122, with washer)    blog page
– Nov. 25(Su): Chefchaouen to Fez   4 hours by private van($35/couple) – Abdesalat
  stay: Airbnb 3BD/2BTH ($181, with washer)
– Nov. 26(M): Fez       blog page
– Nov. 27(Tu): Atlas Mt. & the Sahara tour***  (see below)  blog page
  stay: hotel
– Nov. 28(W): continue      blog page
  stay: luxury tent
– Nov. 29(Th): continue     blog page
  stay: hotel
– Nov. 30(F): to Marrakesh by private van, will arrange locally
  stay: Airbnb 3BD/2BTH            blog page
– Dec. 1(Sa): Marrakesh
– Dec. 2(Su): Marrakesh
– Dec. 3(M): to Casablanca   by private van, will arrange locally($170)
  stay: Airbnb 3BD/2BTH($110, with washer)         blog page
– Dec. 4(Tu): Rabat   by private van, will arrange locally
This was the original idea, but We decided to stay put in Casablanca to have a bit of down time at the end of this grand tour.
– Dec. 5(F): to Barcelona    Air Arabia #30373($93; bag check 15kg)  17:55 -> 21:00
This should be the end of this Morocco trip. But nobody will catch a plane the same night, thus, we will spend another night together in Barcelona.
stay: Airbnb 3BD/2BTH($161, with washer/dryer)
———–
*** tour description:
Submitted by Iddir of Marvelous Morocco Tours: we checked with 4 different companies recommended by various people online & settled on this one (liked price + itinerary)

4 Days 3 Nights Fes to Marrakech Sahara Desert

Day 1: Fes – Ifrane – Azrou – Midelt – Ziz Valley – Erg Chebbi Dunes.
Pick up from your hotel in Fes very earlier by our MMT Teams and departure for the south of Morocco. You will have a stop in Ifrane, known as the Switzerland of Morocco to enjoy its beauty and to have memorable photos. After that, you will head toward Azrou to see the monkies in the cedar forest. Continuing to Midelt for a lunch meal in a restaurant. In the afternoon, we will cross the pass of TIZI N TALGHAMT to reach Errachidia while admiring the views of Ziz gorges. Later on, you will have a stop for a panoramic view of Ziz valley. The drive continues to Erg Chebbi Dunes passing by Aoufous and Erfoud (the last is famous with fossils and dates) where you may want to visit a local fossil craft workshop. After that you will continue to the captivating dunes of Erg Chebbi, these dunes are called also Merzouga Dunes. Arrive to the hotel where you will spend the night. Dinner and breakfast in the hotel.

Day 2: Merzouga – Hassi labied – Khamlia – Nomad family – fossil Site – Tour of the dunes
This morning after breakfast in the hotel. You will have a tour of the dunes on 4×4 allowing you to visit the black volcanic rocks of fossils, visit a nomad family living in a tent, visit to khamlia village and entertainment of their spiritual music of Gnawa, and visit the lake Dayet Sarji that forms in springtime which attracts pink flamingos and wildlife. Then you will have a break for lunch in Merzouga or Hassi Labied. After lunch, you will see the canal irrigation system and have a walk on the oasis located on the foot of the dunes. Continue to your hotel to relax. Arrive at the hotel and get ready for a camel trek for an hour and a half to enjoy the sunset. While on the back of your dromedary, you will continue to the camp for an overnight in traditional nomad tent. Dinner and spend the night in Our private desert camp in the middle of the dunes.

Day 3: Erg Chebbi Dune-Erfoud-Tinejdad-Todra Gorges-Boumalne Du Dades-Kelaa M’gouna
Wake up early morning to enjoy the sunrise on the top of the dune in the Sahara Desert then have your breakfast. After these beautiful moments, you will ride your camel back to the hotel where you can shower. We depart towards Tineghir passing by Erfoud and Tinejdad. Have a break for lunch. In the afternoon, we will continue to Todra gorges via Tineghir. Stopping along the way for photos and admiring the views. Arrival to Todra Gorges to enjoy its marvelous Canyons views while hiking on foot. Later on, we drive to Boumalne du Dades or Kalaa M’gouna and stopping for a panoramic view of Dades valley. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Day 4: Boumalne Du Dades-Kelaa M’gouna-Ouarzazate-Ait Benhaddou-Tizi N’tichka Pass-Marrakech
This morning after breakfast in the hotel, We depart to Ouarzazate via Skoura. Stopping for a panoramic view of the kasbah of Taourirt then another photo stop near the Atlas film studios. After that, you will visit the Kasbah of Ait Benhaddou and stop for lunch in a local restaurant in the village. In the Afternoon we will drive to Marrakech over the mountains of high Atlas passing through the Tizi N’tichka pass (2260 m in altitude). Drop off in Marrakech.

it includes:
-Private A/C Vehicle, 4X4  throughout the tour + fuel
-Experienced English/ Italian  speaking driver

-overnight in private Berber Camp tent with private bathroom including Dinner & Breakfast
–Free time to explore the sites such as Ait Benhaddou, Kasbah, Walks, Canyons, Breaks for photos,…Etc
-Camel Trekking 1 hour and half
-Sand Boarding
-Sunrise
-Sunset
-Vegetarians are welcome.

*it dose not include:
-lunches, drinks.

accommodation except the desert*.

* Cost per person Budget is 145 Euros, private tour for  6 people.(4 days\ 3 nights Fes Marrakech  Desert Tour)

* Cost per person Mid – Range is 185 Euros, private tour for  6  people. ( 4 days\ 3 nights Fes Marrakech  Desert Tour)

* Cost per person Luxury is 235 Euros, private tour for 6 people.  ( 4 days\ 3 nights Fes Marrakech  Desert Tour)