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Photo courtesy of Flickr -
Photo courtesy of Shawn Allen -
Photo courtesy of Shawn Allen -
Photo courtesy of Shawn Allen -
Photo courtesy of Shawn Allen -
Photo courtesy of Flickr -
Photo courtesy of Flickr -
Photo courtesy of Maureen -
Photo courtesy of Maureen -
Photo courtesy of Flickr -
Photo courtesy of Robin Pollock - Difficulty Rating:
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Tour Description
Enjoy an adventurous four-day camel trek across the sands of the Sahara. This is a true camel trek with all the magic of the Sahara, ride camel back or proceed on foot. Cobalt-blue skies, orange sand dunes, lush fertile oases, and serrated mountain summits fill the vistas, and with the grand solitude and silence of the Sahara, and nights spent under a starry sky, you'll feel the mysterious power that the desert has always had over the human soul.
Itinerary
DAY 01 - OUARZAZATE, MOROCCO
Your representative will meet you at the Quarzazate airport and transfer you to the hotel for check-in and overnight.
This desert city has grown from a nondescript camel stop to a major destination for international winter tourism. Among the reasons are the town's Taourirt Kasbah, its Ouazguita carpets (geometric designs of red-orange on black background) and its exotic charm. Enjoy the balance of your day at leisure.
Dinner
Hotel Le Zat
DAY 02 - OUARZAZATE - BOUYIRDE OASIS
This morning, meet your guide and driver at the hotel for departure to Bouyirde Oasis.
Drive east from Quarzazate on the mille Kasbahs road via the Palmeraie of Sekoura, "rose's valley," and Dades valley before stopping for a picnic lunch at Todghra Gorges. In the afternoon, continue driving to the first dunes of Erg Chebbi in Yasmina. Meet your caravan team and trek to your first camp in the oasis of Bouyirde for dinner and overnight.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Camp at the Oasis of Bouyirde
DAY 03 - BOUYIRDE OASIS - BOUGHANIME OASIS
Enjoy an early morning climb up one of the nearby dunes to watch a spectacular sunrise. Return walk back to the camp for breakfast. Then head south with your camel caravan... meandering in the dunes straight to the oasis of Boughranime Stop for lunch camp by the well. In the afternoon, climb on one of the big dunes in the surrounding area to admire the dramatic sunset. Walk back to the oasis for dinner and overnight.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Camp at the Oasis of Bouyirde
DAY 04 - BOUGHANIME OASIS - TIMERDANINE WELL
After breakfast, continue over sand dunes to the oasis of Boukhnioune.
Enjoy lunch under the shade of palm trees. In the afternoon, continue on small dunes to our camp near the well of Timerdanine. Dinner and overnight in the Saharan dunes.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Camp at the Oasis of Timerdanine
DAY 05 - TIMERDANINE - OUARZAZATE
After breakfast, you will continue south and return to the small dunes and the village of Tanamouste. Stop for lunch in a typical Berber house.
Bid farewell to your caravan team this afternoon. Meet your driver and drive to Risani and Erfoud before returning to Quarzazate for dinner and overnight.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hotel Le Zat
DAY 06 - OUARZAZATE - MARRAKECH
This morning, visit two magnificent Kasbahs, Tifoultoute and Taourirt. Continue to Ait Benhaddou, the backdrop for famous films such as "Lawrence of Arabia. Gladiator, Kingdom of Heaven and many other movies.
Continue to Marrakech along the River Imini through stretches of desert, picturesque farmland, Berber villages, and ruins of ancient kasbahs. Arriving mid-day, you will get your first glimpse of exotic Marrakech. Positioned in the shadows of the High Atlas Mountains and blessed with a perfect climate, Marrakech is one of Morocco's most important cultural centers. Founded in 1062, this pink city was twice the capital of Morocco and evidence remains of its historical significance. Your Riad is located in the Medina among the Palaces of Marrakech. The famous Jemaa El Fna square is only five minutes' walk away.
Breakfast, Dinner
Riad Kaiss
DAY 07 - MARRAKECH
Following a leisurely breakfast, begin your exploration by visiting the twelfth-century Koutoubia Mosque. Continue on to the Bahya Palace and the Palace of Dar Si Aid, situated in an exquisitely restored palace, and a magnificent private garden.
This afternoon you will visit the labyrinth streets of the souks with their Quarters of dyers, carpenters, jewelers, and many others. End your tour at Jemaa El Fna square, a big popular fairground; unfolding day after day with its story tellers, fire eaters, acrobats, snake charmers, fortune tellers, water sellers, etc..
Breakfast, Dinner
Riad Kaiss
DAY 08 - MARRAKECH - DEPART
After breakfast, transfer to Marrakech airport for your homebound international flight.
Breakfast
Departures
Depart any day! Contact an iExplore Adventure Consultant for details.
Due to extreme heat in July and August, alternate options to Camel Trekking may be made available.
Pricing Information
2011 Prices:
$2,589 per person double occupancy.
$489 Single room supplement.
Prices for your dates of travel may vary- please contact iExplore for an exact quote. Quoted prices are based on current rates of exchange, tariffs and taxes as of March, 2011. iExplore reserves the right to increase tour prices to cover increased costs, tariffs and taxes received after prices are published, and to reflect fluctuations in foreign exchange rates. iExplore is under no obligation to give breakdown costs involved in any package.
Inclusions:
· 2 nights accommodation at the Hotel le Zat in a standard double
· 3 nights accommodation in an exclusive mobile tented camp in the Sahara Desert: your tent has two single beds with adjacent toilet and shower facilities, camel trek staff includes a guide, cook and camel driver (minimum of 5 camels)
· 2 nights accommodation at Riad Kaiss in a standard double
· Meals as indicated (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
· All transport by private vehicle
· English-speaking guide throughout the tour
· Entrances to all stated attractions and activities
· All local taxes, VAT and parking fees
Exclusions:
· International or Domestic Air and taxes
· All items of a personal nature (telephone calls, laundry, room service, personal insurance, alcoholic beverages not mentioned above etc)
· International/domestic air & taxes
· All meals except breakfast & one dinner
· Anything not specifically mentioned in the "Inclusions" list above
· Travel Insurance
· Holiday surcharges
· Gratuities
All prices are in US dollars and do not include international airfare, unless otherwise noted.
Prices displayed are based on the lowest season base price and assume double occupancy. Prices are shown in U.S. dollars and may or may not include administrative fees, taxes, meals, airfare (where applicable) and Single Supplements. Cancellation penalties, blackout dates and other restrictions may apply.
