We hire a 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. Its quite important participants are able to manage their own luggage, preferably backpacks or softpacks and no "giant" luggages please. As on other Yongo trips, you pay for your own meals unless stated below, entrance fees, within-the-town taxis and other activities. Leekeng, the one with the writer's flair wrote part of this itinerary.
Welcome to one of the greatest shows on Earth! Morocco is sensory overload at its most intoxicating, from the sights, scents and sounds that permeate medieval Fes and magical Marrakesh, to the coastal charm of its Atlantic Coast . From the highs of the Atlas range and its abundance of mountains, Kasbahs, and friendly Berbers, to the stunning sculpted sands of the Sahara . Yongo…Just Go!
Centuries old tannaries / Yong brothers
Day 0 night: Meet up at KLIA by 1130PM 22 NOV MONDAY for checking in. Note that you would not need to apply for annual leave on this day.
Day 1 KLIA: Depart KLIA on Emirates Airlines at 210AM 23 Nov Tue arriving in Doha 510AM (7hrs flight), connecting to Casablanca flight at 750AM arriving 1250 noon (9hr flight). Our chartered van takes group to our hotel located in downtown. Rest of day free. Overnight (O/n) Casablanca.
Day 2 Chefchaouen: Early morning we wander about the Central Market before starting on out 5:30hr trip to Chefchaouen located in the Rif mountains in Northern Morocco. 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.
Day 3 Chefchaouen: We spend the day wandering about the Old town. This place is one of the best shopping places in Morocco. There are also good trekking trails in the moutains just behind the town. On Chefchaouen.
Day 4 Meknes: An early start to Meknes 5hr, with a stop at Vollubilis, Morocco 's main Roman ruins of Volubilis, and a Unesco Heritage Site. We''ll arrive in the evening at Meknes, one of three imperial capitals of old Morocco.. O/n Meknes.
Day 5 Fes: In the morning we wander about the Unesco listed Old City in Meknes, which is the least visited of all three imperial capitals. In the afternoon, we bus to Fes 1hr, Morocco's oldest imperial city and a 3rd Unesco site on our travels, so far. O/n Fes.
Day 6 Fes: We will do a 3km walking tour of the old medina, taking about 3hours or so, and rest of day free to continue your own explorations of Fes. Be prepared for a labyrinthe of alleys and a riot of sights and smells, many of which has remained pretty much the same since centuries ago! Run riot on your own then! O/n Fes.
Ait Benhaddou UNESCO site / Picturesque village abound
Day 7 Tinerhir: . It's a long bus ride into the High Atlas today, as we take in a 10hr 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. O/n Tinerhir. O/n Tinerhir.
Day 8 Tinerhir: 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, today will be a day of natural and cultural appreciation. We will go on a long walk over the gorge with great views of the surrounds. O/n Tinerhir.
Day 9 Mhamid: Early departure for Mhamid 5hr, to the last village before the Algerian border, and the beginnings of the Western Sahara . On the way there we stop at Zagora market (Wed & Sun only) where one finds many dark-skin Moroccans of African origins. O/n Mhamid.
Day 10 Sahara Berber Camp: Its 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.
Day 11 Mhamid: We return to Mhamd in the morning for cold drinks, showers, and a soft bed. We take the rest of the day to relax in this desert kasbah. O/n Mhamid
Day 12 Ouarzazate: We travel over the mountain to Ouarzazate 5hr. Upon arrival, we visit Tourite Kasbah, one of the best in Morocco as well as the Museum of Cinematography. O/n Ouarzazate.
Sahara dunes at Chigaga near Mhamid town
Day 13 Marrakesh: 10km outside Ouarzazate is Ait Benhaddou, one of the most exotic and best preserved Kasbahs in Morrocco, and yet another UNESCO Heritage Site! We move on to Marrakesh on a beautiful high mountain road reaching an elevation of 4000 meters. Total travel time 5hr. O/n Marrakesh.
Day 14 Marrakesh: The epicenter of Morocco tourism, Marrakesh is meanderer's heaven. We take in the city sights, smells, and sounds in a half-day walking tour, and end the day at the Unesco listed Djemaa el-Fna, a huge square in central Marrakesh , and a backdrop of one the world's greatest spectacle of food, fun, fools, etc in a kaleidoscope of Moroccan vibrancy! O/n Marrakesh.
Day 15 Essaouira: Bus 4hr to Unesco listed Essaouria, a late 18th century Portuguese fortified seaport town. Wander about the maze-like streets of this small town and is the most popular of the Atlantic coastal towns. O/n Essaouira.
Day 16 El Jadida: In the morning, see more of Essaouira including the stone ramparts and canon turrets. After lunch proceed 3hr to our 7th Unesco site on our Moroccan travels.
The Portuguese fortification of Mazagan, now part of the city of El Jadida, 90-km southwest of Casablanca. O/n El Jadida.
Day 17 El Jadida: Half day visit to Mazagan Fort before lunch at a well-known fish restaurant. Then the rest of the day final shopping at the local souk at good local prices. The stretch of beach is also very popular with locals and a good way to relax, eat and shop. O/n El Jadida.
Day 18 Fly: Bus to Casablanca Airport 2hr and the end of our 17 days of Moroccan meanderings! Fly at 215PM to Dubai arriving 130AM (7:15hr flight).
Day 19 Home: Depart Dubai 310AM arrive Kuala Lumpur (7hr flight) at 205PM 11 DEC 2010 SATURDAY and get ready for your next Yongo trip…Can you hear Romania , the Silk Road , Peru etc calling your names!!?
Houses in former Jewish Quarter Fes / Trek in Todra Gorge by 73 year old Yonger (Xavier Goh go go go..)
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
