Rock the Kasbah - 10 Days
A Christmas of changing colours at Todra Gorge, impressive Kasbahs at Aït Benhaddou, camping under Saharan stars and ringing in the New Year in enchanting Marrakech, Guaranteed to be a festive season to remember!
Day 1: Marrakech
23rd Dec 2012. Seasons Greetings and welcome to Morocco! Our hotel is
perfectly located in the heart of the old medina
offering you the opportunity to explore the rambling
souk, local sights and the Djemaa el Fna. This
evening (at 19:00) our welcome meeting takes place
where you will meet your tour leader and fellow
travellers and afterward, maybe go for a drink at a
bar. Overnight - Marrakech
Day 2: Gorge du Dades
Marrakech - Dades Gorge. Leaving Marrakech we drive through the Dades Gorge, an aweinspiring
valley which extends from the High Atlas to
the Jebel Sarhro range in the south.
The Atlas Mountains span some 2,090km covering
vast regions of Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia. The
mountain chain comprise of a series of parallel
ranges running west to east including the Anti-
Atlas, High Atlas and Middle Atlas. With an average
elevation of 3350 metres, the Atlas claims the
highest peak of North Africa. The Berbers (original
inhabitants of North Africa) built many impressive
kasbahs on the mountain steep and in the valley
gorges for defence purposes.
En route to Dades Gorge we pass many of these medieval kasbahs and stop at one of the highest vantage points to enjoy a cup of sweet minted tea and take in panoramic views of the impressive snow capped mountain vista. Overnight - Gorge du Dades (B, L, D)
En route to Dades Gorge we pass many of these medieval kasbahs and stop at one of the highest vantage points to enjoy a cup of sweet minted tea and take in panoramic views of the impressive snow capped mountain vista. Overnight - Gorge du Dades (B, L, D)
Rock the Kasbah - 10 Days Go Guide : :Check out the go guide for details of the tour, info on visas, climate, money, what to bring and more!
Day 3: Xmas Dinner in Todra Gorge
Dades Gorge - Todra Gorge. Merry
Christmas! The morning is spent at Dades Gorge where
you can choose to partake in a leisurely walk/hike
through the simple local villages and foothills of the
gorge or spend the morning at leisure. After a hearty
lunch we drive onward to Todra Gorge.
Arriving at Todra Gorge we spend the remains of the day exploring the spectacular site, from its plunging depths to its awesome heights. Witness it’s changing colours as the sun slowly moves from east to west. For those feeling very active, there is the option to rock climb (payable locally). Overnight - Todra Gorge (B, L, D)
Arriving at Todra Gorge we spend the remains of the day exploring the spectacular site, from its plunging depths to its awesome heights. Witness it’s changing colours as the sun slowly moves from east to west. For those feeling very active, there is the option to rock climb (payable locally). Overnight - Todra Gorge (B, L, D)
Day 4: Camel trek & Sahara
Todra Gorge - Erg Chebbi. Crossing Jebel
Sarhro, we enjoy lunch and a swim before travelling
down to Erg Chebbi sand dunes, the start point of
the mighty Sahara Desert. The Erg Chebbi dunes
located near the remote frontier town of Merzouga
are renowned for their incredible height and size. In
parts the vast sand pile reaches skyward to heights
of 150 metres!
The desert winds ensure this astonishing landscape is forever changing and no two days offer the same panorama. Mounting our subservient camels, they relaxedly glide across the desert sands as we happily photograph and take in the breathtaking scenery. Arriving at our simple Berber camp, we enjoy dinner and a night under the Saharan stars. Wrap up warm and remember your winter weight sleeping bag. Overnight - Sahara Berber Camp (B, L, D)
The desert winds ensure this astonishing landscape is forever changing and no two days offer the same panorama. Mounting our subservient camels, they relaxedly glide across the desert sands as we happily photograph and take in the breathtaking scenery. Arriving at our simple Berber camp, we enjoy dinner and a night under the Saharan stars. Wrap up warm and remember your winter weight sleeping bag. Overnight - Sahara Berber Camp (B, L, D)
Day 5: Route of 1000 Kasbahs
Berber Camp - Ouarzazate. Leaving the
desert, we travel along the route of 1000 Kasbahs,
continuing on to Ouarzazate, (pronounced as wazzazat).
Sitting at an altitude of 1160 metres in the
middle of a barren plateau, Ouarzazate lies at the
cross roads of all routes going north, south, east,
and west. Its geographical position has made it a
key trading post in both ancient and modern times.
Capital of a large province, the towns’ northern limits
run along the southern aspect of the High Atlas and
its southern boundary disappears back into the ever
present and mysterious Saharan desert. Today, the
area is still essentially populated by Berber people,
who were constructors of the numerous fortified
kasbahs and dwellings for which the region is famous.
Lunch, dinner and overnight - Ouarzazate.
Overnight - Ouarzazate (B, L, D)
Day 6: Ait Benhaddou
Ouarzazate - Ait Benhaddou - Marrakech.
This morning there is the option to visit the film studio
or go quad biking (payable locally). This afternoon
we head to Ait Benhaddou, a ‘fortified city’, situated
along the former caravan route between the Sahara
and Marrakech. It is located on a hill along the
Ouarzazate River and boasts some beautiful examples
of ancient kasbahs, some of which remain inhabited.
Granted UNESCO World Heritage listing, the site had
been the setting for many films including Lawrence
of Arabia and Gladiator. Late this afternoon we travel
back to Marrakech. Overnight - High Atlas (B)
Day 7: Djemaa el Fna
Glowing red, like a welcoming campfire, against the snowcapped High Atlas Mountains, the very name Marrakech conjures up images of an exotic, distant city, of magic carpets and snake charmers and of frankincense and myrrh brought in by camel trains. The focal point is the central square, the Djemaa el Fna, an extraordinary gathering and market place. Full of colour, spicy aromas and traders it is best seen in the evening when overflowing with food stalls, dancers, acrobats, fortune tellers, musicians and henna artists. And towering over all this is the Koutoubia mosque, the tallest building in the city. Overnight - Marrakech (B, D)
Days 8 - 9: Discover Marrakech - your own way
Two days of free time
to explore Marrakech independently. Perhaps try a
hammam and practice your bargaining skills in the
souks! On New Years Eve opt to coming along for
dinner (and a few drinks) in a local restaurant to
celebrate the coming of the New Year. Overnight - Marrakech (B:2)
Day 10: Marrakech
1st Jan 2013. Our tour concludes after breakfast. Happy New Year! (B)
New Year's Eve - beach side!
|
If bringing or singing in the New Year beachside is more your style, try our Surf the New Year tour. Trek the foothills of the Atlas, snap up some bargains in the souks of Marrakech and lap up the sunshine, surf and sea breeze this new year at Essaouira - the hippest beachside hideaway in all of Morocco! Check out our Surf the New Year tour with New Year's Eve arrangments in coastal Essaouira! |
Tour Details
- Starts in: Marrakech / Ends in: Marrakech
- Departs: 23 December 2012
- No local payment required
- Breakfast:9, Lunch: 4, Dinner: 5
- Hotel Rating: 3 - 4 star
- Tour Guide: Yes
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