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7 - 24 OCT 2024 (18D15N) Morocco Meanderings
(Casablanca, Rabat, Chefchaouen, Fes, Tinghir, Mhamid, Er Chicaga Desert, Ouarzazate, Marrakesh, Essaouira, El Jadida)

Trip Cost per person Rm7100 (16pax group)
EXCLUDE FLIGHT
Based on 1 Moroccon Dirham = Rm 0.4718 (19 Dec 23). Final adjustments on cost is based on Dirham exchange rate at time of final collection.

Update 5 Jun 2024 Group secured Qatar Airways as schedule updated below. NOTE: Slight change of itinerary, we stay two nights in Essaouira and one night in Oourzazate.

Update 19 Dec 2023 Itinerary below based on Qatar Airlines. Qatar FIT fare is Rm4780 (19Dec23) We check for Group fares and benefit are passed on to trip members. DO NOT PURCHASE FLIGHT UNTIL WE ADVICE

IMPORTANT NOTICE. This is meant to be a "free and easy" budget trip. Participants should be relatively fit, with a good sense of humour, and above all, have the right attitude for close travel with others through possibly some trying times. Most definitely, this is not a trip for prudes, whiners, fuss-pots, and other similiarly assorted types! Although every effort will be made to stick to the given itinerary, ground conditions may change and cause some disruption and/or deviation from the norm. Otherwise, have fun! 

We hire a 17 seater Mercedes Sprinter with a local driver for the duration of this trip. We stay budget to mid-range accomodations except for the one night in a DESERT TENT. Local guesthouse (Moroccan Riad) and desert stay could be on TRIPLE SHARE. It's quite important participants are able to manage their own luggage, preferably backpacks or softpacks. Large 28 inches luggage is strictly NOT allowed. Yongo trips, you pay for your own meals unless stated below, entrance fees, within-the-town taxis and other activities.

Morocco is an amazing travel destination which will overload your sensories. The sights, scents and sounds that permeate medieval Fes and magical Marrakech, to the coastal charm In Essaouira and El Jadida. From the high of the Atlas range and its abundance of mountains, Kasbahs, and friendly Berbers, to the stunning sculpted sands of the Sahara. Morocco rewards you with the richness of its desert, the thrill of the hidden alleys in its ancient cities and its salty breeze along the Atlantic coast.

 
  
Shopping / Chigaga Dunes / Centuries old tannaries of Fes

Day 1 Meet KLIA Meet up at KLIA 6PM MON 7 OCT 2024 for Qatar flight leaving KUL 2100 (9PM) to DOHA, lands 1130PM. Flight time 7h30.

Day 2 Casablanca Transit 2h05 at DOHA. Next flight leaves at 1.35AM, landing Casablanca at 7.30AM. Our chartered van takes group to our hotel located in downtown. Rest of day free. Overnight (O/N) Casablanca. NO Meals included.

Day 3 Chefchaouen (340km) After breakfast, we start our journey of 5:30hr to Chefchaouen located in the Rif mountains in Northwest Morocco. 91km from Casablanca, we stop at Rabat, listed in UNESCO World Heritage. We visit the Kasbah of the Udayas, a well preserved fortress dating back to 12th century Almohad Dynasty. The Hassan Tower Mosque and across it the Mausoleum of Mohammed V. After lunch, we continue journey to Chefchaouen, also known as the Blue City with its blue-washed buildings, this town of 43,000 population is becoming a popular tourist destination. O/N Chefchaouen. Breakfast included. (B)

Day 4 Chefchaouen. We spend the day wandering about the Old town. Take a walk through the old medina and uphill to a "Lookout Point" infront of a Spanish mosque. Enjoy the breathtaking view over Chefchaouen and its surrounding mountains. This place is indeed a rare and stunning gem of Morocco. O/N Chefchaouen. Breakfast included. (B)

Day 5 Fes (220km) An early start 4:30hr to Morocco 's biggest Roman ruins of Volubilis, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was an important Roman outpost which was founded in 3rd century as capital of Mauretania. Then to Fes 1:30hr 85km, which was founded in 9th century, and it was a capital of Marinid Dynasty In 13th and 14th century. Fes hosts world's oldest university i.e. Univerisity of Quaraouiyin". O/N Fes. Breakfast included. (B)

Day 6 Fes. We will do a guided walking tour of the old medina (locally known as Fes el Bali). The old city is alive with craftmen, markets, tanneries and mosques. Lookout for Merdesa Bou Inania, one of the city's most beautiful building. Visit Merdresse Al-Attarine and the splendid Funduk Nejjarine, a beautiful restored 18th century caravanserai. The rest of day free to continue your own explorations and get lost in the labyrinthe of alleys in this old medina. Note Fes medina is car-free, you will be on foot throughout your stay in Fes. O/N Fes. Breakfast included. (B)

 
  
Roman Ruins Volubilis / UNESCO Ait-Ben-Haddou / Todra Trekking / Port Essaouira 

Day 7 Tinghir (470km). It's a long bus ride into the High Atlas today, as we take in a 10 hours trip to Tinerhir. However, the change of scenery as we start our uphill ascend will surely keep all awake, at least some of the time. Tinerhir is a city in the region of Draa-Tafilalet, an oasis sandwich between High Atlas and Little Atlas. The beautiful palmeraie or oasis along the Todra river simply takes your breath away. O/N Tinerhir. Dinner included. (D/B)

Day 8 Tinghir. Morocco 's answer to the Grand Canyon, Todra Gorge awaits us today. With 300m cliff walls at its narrowest point, and quaint Berber villages abounding. We will go on a long walk (4-6 hrs) over the gorge with great views of the surrounds. Be prepared to walk about 12km with elevation of 400m. O/N Tinerhir. Dinner and Breakfast included. (D/B)

Day 9 Mhamid (330km). Early departure for Mhamid 5 hours, the last village before the Algerian border and the beginnings of the Western Sahara . On the way, we stop at Zagora market (Wed & Sun only) where one finds many dark-skin Moroccans of African origins. O/N Mhamid. Dinner, Breakfast included. (D/B)

Day 10 Sahara Berber Camp. We depart after lunch for a sand-bashing time with 4WD deep into the Western Sahara, to Erg Chigaga and its 150m sand dunes. In the evening, try your charm on the cantankerous camels around the Berber camp and oasis where we will stay the night. We sleep in large Berber tents, but nothing like a sleeping bag on soft sands under a thousand stars! O/N Sahara Desert Tents. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included. (B/L/D)

Day 11 Ouarzazate (260km). We return to Mhamid in the morning for cold drinks, showers and quick lunch. We travel over the mountain to Ouarzazate 5 to 6 hours. Ouarzazate is an oasis for film makers all over the world, hence, it is also known as "The Moroccan Hollywood". O/N Ouarzazate. Breakfast and Lunch included. (B/L)

Day 12 Marrakesh (200km). We visit Atlas Studio, one of the largest movie studio in the world and it's named after the Atlas mountain range around it. Then, we travel 30km outside Ouarzazate to Ait Ben Haddou, one of the most exotic and best preserved Ksar (fortified village) in Morrocco, and yet another UNESCO Heritage Site! Ait Ben Haddou has been featured in many famous movies including "Lawrence of Arabia, Gladiators, Indiana Jones" and many more. We travel to Marrakesh over the beautiful high mountain pass reaching an elevation of 2260 meters at Tizi N' Tichka. It is the highest major mountain pass in north Africa. 185km 3hr to Marrakesh. O/N Marrakesh. NO meals included.

 
Chefchaouen Blue City / Tagine in local restaurant

Day 13 Marrakesh: The epicenter of Morocco tourism, Marrakesh is meanderer's heaven. We take in the city sights, smells, and sounds in a half-day guided walking tour, and end the day at the Koutoubria Mosque. The medina of Marrakesh is listed in UNESCO World Heritage. Djemaa el-Fna, a huge square in central Marrakesh showcase one of the world's greatest spectacle of food, fun, wares and everything else in a kaleidoscope of Moroccan vibrancy! O/N Marrakesh. Breakfast included. (B)

Day 14 Essaouira (180km): Travel 3 hours to UNESCO World Heritage listed Essaouria, a late 18th century Portuguese fortified seaport town. Its medina is protected by seafront ramparts called the Skala de la Kasbah, which were designed by European engineers. Old brass cannon line the walls, and there are exhilarating ocean views. O/N Essaouira. Breakfast included. (B)

Day 15 Essaouira Another full day to wander about the maze-like streets filled with interesting artisan wares and enjoy the breeze and sights of this Atlantic coastal town. Head to the port (Skala du Port) in the afternoon when the sea-blue boats come in for the day and the fishermen auction off their catch. The sunset with seagulls fill the blue sky makes a good photo. ON Essaouira. Breakfast included. (B)

Day 16 El Jadida (280km): In the morning, see more of Essaouira including the stone ramparts and canon turrets. After lunch 3 hours drive to the 8th UNESCO World Heritage site on our journey. The Portuguese fortification of Mazagan, now part of the city of El Jadida, 90-km southwest of Casablanca. O/N El Jadida. Breakfast included. (B)

Day 17 Plane: 9AM transfer to Casablanca Airport takes 1.5 hours 115km and the end of our 17 days of Moroccan meanderings! Fly from Casablanca 2.10PM WED 23 OCT 2024 . Lands DOHA 11:35PM Transit 2h05 O/N Plane. Breakfast NOT inlcuded at El Jadida Hotel.

Day 18 Home: Transit 2h05 at DOHA airport. Next flight leaving DOHA at 1.50AM to Kuala Lumpur, landing KLIA 2. 45PM THU 24 OCT 2024.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

  1. Cost cover accommodation and traveling to sites and some meals mentioned above.
  2. Accommodations will be in budget to mid-range hotels or guesthouses. Mhamid, Sahara Desert Tent and local Riad could be on Triple share.
  3. Not covered are Flight costs estimated at Rm5000. Meals Rm1200 (100 x 12 days), Entrance fees and tips (Rm350) and optional activities.
  4. Trip Cost is subject to change depending on fluctuations in exchange rates.
  5. Non-refundable deposit of Rm2400 is payable to confirm your place.
  6. Members are required t have Travel Insurance and be adequately insured prior to departure.

Email : yongo123@gmail.com or tanyeowlim@gmail.com
WhatsApp Phone : Lee Min 016 220 9033
WhatsApp Phone : Yeow Lim 016 209 3360