MoroccAN MOSAIC - Byroads Travel

MoroccAN MOSAIC
Discovering the many facets of this wonderful country
17 Days starting RABAT
April 23 – May 9, 2014
with Richard Mole
MoroccAN MOSAIC
Trip Outline
Tour Host – Richard Mole
Morocco has experienced many waves of conquerors
including Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Romans and Arabs,
but it is the last of this group that has left the most
enduring impression. It is the oldest kingdom in the
Moslem world and successive dynasties have left a rich
heritage, including historic towns, cities and monuments.
Richard Mole, director and founder
of Byroads, designed this trip and
will lead it as tour host and
facilitator. He lived in the Middle
East for three years in the early
1980’s, and from 1996 to 2005 was
a director of Peregrine Adventures.
Over many years he has set up and
led numerous tour programmes
around the world including Libya,
Morocco, Spain, Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Turkey, India and Sri
Lanka. He still consults to the travel industry and offers
occasional courses at Sydney’s WEA, focusing on the
history, architecture and decorative arts of western Islamic
lands.
This exciting and very comprehensive journey showcases
the best of Morocco. We not only visit the celebrated
cities of Rabat, Meknes, Fes and Marrakech but our tour
encompasses many lesser-known places that we have
discovered over the years including Sale (home to the
infamous Barbary Pirates); Chefchaouen and Tetouan (in
the far north); and N’Kob, Tamnougalt and Agdz in the
south.
From Rabat we explore neighbouring Sale and then travel
east to the imperial city of Meknes. Nearby we visit
Roman Volubilis before driving due north to the once
remote town Chefchaouen. From here it’s a short drive to
World Heritage-listed Tetouan, just south of the
Mediterranean Sea. In due course we reach the amazing
city of Fes, with its maze of medieval souks. We have
three nights here and make a side-trip to the lovely old
town of Sefrou. Driving across the dramatic Middle Atlas,
we arrive at Merzouga, where we ride camels into the
golden sands of the Sahara…
We now deviate from the traditional tourist route and
travel through the Jebel Ougnat towards the Draa Valley.
We experience stunning landscapes, explore a number of
Kasbah-filled towns and villages and make a special visit to
a private home near Agdz. This region of Morocco is a
particular ‘Byroads’ specialty, and a major highlight of the
trip. Four days allows ample time to experience this
spectacularly scenic region without hurrying through.
Heading to the Atlantic coast, we spend two nights in the
delightful walled medina of Essaouira and then drive to
Marrakech where we visit all the major sights.
A particular feature of the tour is the charming
accommodation we offer, including historic riads and
authentic kasbahs.
A particular feature of his tours is the chance to see places
that others often miss (or simply don’t know about!), such
as Turkey’s Black Sea hinterland, the pueblos blancos or
‘white villages’ of Andalusia, or Sri Lanka’s stunning south
coast. On this trip, there is a particular focus on the kasbahstudded valleys of Morocco’s Zagora. Richard enjoys taking
the time to make his own discoveries and his tours are
structured to allow participants to wander off and ‘smell
the roses’. But you can also be confident you’ll visit all the
‘must see’ attractions – and more – with local guides
employed throughout the tour to provide plenty of
background information.
Itinerary – starts IN RABAT
WED 23 APR: CASABLANCA/RABAT – Upon arrival at Casablanca Airport you are met and
transferred to Rabat. Today is simply an arrival day and we will plan to meet up in the evening.
Pre-tour accommodation is available if you wish to arrive a day earlier (see back page for details).
THU 24 APR: SALE-MEKNES – We see Rabat’s Hassan Tower, explore Sale’s old medina and slave
market and then drive east to Meknes. Here we visit the great storerooms of Moulay Ismail, Dar
Jamai, Bou Inania Madrasa – and take a walk through the atmospheric medina. (B)
FRI 25 APR: MOULAY IDRISS, VOLUBILIS, CHEFCHAOUEN – Northeast of Meknes is the holy city
of Moulay Idriss. We stop here for tea and then continue to the fascinating Roman city of
Volubilis. We visit the ruins and drive north to the charming blue and white (but mostly blue!)
town of Chefchaouen, where the balance of the day is free to explore. (B)
SAT 26 APR: DAY TRIP TO TETOUAN – We visit the Mediterranean town of Tetouan, with its
World Heritage listed medina. We explore the many narrow streets and alleyways and visit a
local artisan centre. We return to Chefchaouen for the night. (B)
SUN 27 APR: CHEFCHAOUEN-FES – In the morning we drive to Fes where we visit Fes el Jedid
and the western sector of Fes el Bali. Later we drive to our Riad, situated in the ‘local’ quarter of
the medina and our base for the next three nights. (B)
MON 28 APR: FES – For many, Fes is one of the most amazing places in the world. For others it is
simply bewildering! We enjoy a full day walking tour, seeing the highlights of the old city. (B)
TUE 29 APR: SEFROU, FES – In the morning we visit the picturesque little town of Sefrou, with its
friendly locals and traditional medina. Later we return to Fes to see local artisans creating
intricate Zellij tile mosaics, and the rest of the afternoon is free to explore the souks. (B)
WED 30 APR: FES-ER RACHIDIA – We drive south to the small town of Er Rachidia, passing
through a variety of scenery between the Atlas and Anti-Atlas Mountains. We stop at Ifrane, a
winter ski resort with quaint, ‘alpine’ houses, and visit Azrou with its small medina. We spend the
night at a charming, family-run auberge in Er Rachidia. (BD)
THU 1 MAY: MERZOUGA & THE SAHARA – Near Erfoud we explore the ruined Ksar Maadid, and
at Rissani we visit the busy Thursday souk. Reaching Merzouga we have time to relax and swim
before a sunset camel ride into the dunes (or an optional jeep safari). (BD)
FRI 2 MAY: JEBEL OUGNAT/N’KOB – We now take a rarely travelled route into the Jebel Ougnat
to the gorgeous Kasbah-studded town of N’Kob. In the afternoon we take a walk through the
lush palmer before meeting some local women in their home, to learn about henna and its
application. (BD)
SAT 3 MAY: N’KOB-AIT BENHADDOU – We drive through the stunning Draa Valley and visit the
fabulous old ksar at Tamnougalt. Near Agdz we make a private visit to a restored kasbah, where
we enjoy lunch as guests of the family. In Ouarzazate we visit a movie studio and then drive to
our fabulous kasbah-style hotel, near Ait Benhaddou. (BLD)
SUN 4 MAY: AIT BENHADDOU/TELOUET – After breakfast we head north along one of the most
stunning valleys in Morocco. We visit the celebrated Glaoua family kasbah at Telouet and return
to our hotel where the afternoon is free to relax and/or swim. In the late afternoon we visit the
world famous kasbah at Ait Benhaddou. (BD)
MON 5 MAY: AIT BENHADDOU-ESSAOUIRA – We drive over the High Atlas and down across the
hot plains to the lovely coastal town of Essaouira. It’s a long day (9 hours) but we can look
forward to a delicious dinner in one of the many seafood restaurants! (B)
TUE 6 MAY: ESSAOUIRA – Today is completely free to relax and explore this lovely old town.
With its many quaint houses and covered alleyways, it reminds us a bit of Chefchaouen. (B)
WED 7 MAY: MARRAKECH – We drive to Marrakech. In the afternoon there’s an optional
cooking class or we can explore the amazing Jemaa el Fna and adjacent souks. (B)
THU 8 MAY: MARRAKECH – We enjoy a half day walking tour of Marrakech, including the
Saadian Tombs and the Bahia Palace before we stroll through the souks to the superb
Photographic Museum. (B)
FRI 9 MAY: DEPARTURE – Our journey ends today, after breakfast. Post-tour accommodation is
available if you wish to stay on for a night or two (refer to the back page) and airport transfers
can be easily arranged from our Riad. (B)
Prices & Inclusions
17 Day Moroccan Mosaic
Price: $3295 (per person twin-share)
Single Supplement: $990
Price includes: Richard Mole as Tour Escort, local tour
leader, local guides, arrival transfer, all transportation, 16
nights accommodation, all breakfasts, 1 lunch, 5 dinners.
Not Included: Visa fees, travel insurance (compulsory,
flights, additional meals, drinks, departure transfer, optional
tours, spending of a personal nature, laundry and tips.
Transportation: Our transport is in fast, comfortable airconditioned minibuses.
Accommodation: Our accommodation has been carefully
selected. It is a real highlight of our tour. In Fes and
Marrakech we stay in stunning Riads, converted into
boutique hotels. In Chefchaouen we stay in a lovely village
hotel. In N’kob we stay in an authentic Kasbah, and our twonight stay at Ait Benhaddou is always a huge hit. In Essaouira
we stay in a boutique hotel just a few minutes walk from the
main square. Five of our hotels have pools and they all exude
charm and character.
Additional Expenses: Food is not expensive in Morocco.
You should allow around US$10-$15 for a light lunch and
around US$20-$25 for dinner. In addition you should
budget for any personal shopping you may wish to do.
Please also allow extra funds to tip your local tour leader,
driver, local guides and porters (full details will be
provided in the pre-trip field guide).
Flights: Both Emirates and Etihad fly via the Gulf to
Casablanca. There are regular flights and you can enjoy a
stopover en route, if you choose. Alternatively, there are
other choices if you are coming from, or continuing to
Europe.
Extra nights in Rabat and Marrakech: Extra nights can be
reserved, either pre- or post-tour but you MUST advise
us well in advance. Costs are as follows:
Rabat Hotel
Twin B/B – $75 per person
Single B/B – $100 per person
Marrakech Hotel
Twin B/B – $95 per person
Single B/B – $150 per person
Documentation: Upon receipt of final payment, a
comprehensive field guide will be mailed and you will be
sent the relevant tour and accommodation vouchers
prior to departure.
What next? Byroads is the operator of this tour. For
further information visit www.byroads.com.au. There
is an enquiry page if you have any questions.
Village hotel in Chefchaouen
Boutique Riad in Fes
Bookings: World Trade Travel (Sydney) is the appointed
booking agent for this tour. Please register your interest
ASAP in order to secure your place and note there are a
limited number of single rooms available. A nonrefundable deposit of $750 per person is required, to
secure your place, with final payment due early March
2014.
Desert hotel in the Sahara
Authentic Kasbah in N’Kob
Boutique Kasbah in Ait Benhaddou
Boutique Riad in Marrakech
Food and drink: Breakfast is included every day and some
other meals are included where there are no other options.
Elsewhere, we enjoy the great variety of local food on offer.
Soft drinks are widely available, but alcohol can sometimes
be hard to find – particularly away from the major cities.
Group size: Maximum 15/16
Contact details: Guy at World Trade Travel
Level 11, 99 Bathurst Street, Sydney NSW 2000
Tel: (02) 8267 7255
Email: byroads@worldtradetravel.com
www.byroads.com.au