Morocco on a Shoestring tour
Morocco on a Shoestring tour
Morocco on a Shoestring tour
8 Days Starting and ending in Casablanca, Morocco
Visiting: Casablanca, Meknes, Conservation du site Archéologique de volubilis, Fes, Rabat, Marrakesh
Tour operator:
Tour code:
166
Specialist Group:
18-30 Somethings
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
2 - 45
Age range:
Over 9s
Special diets catered:
Request dietary needs
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
This budget trip offers an amazing insight in to Morocco's historic cities, with bustling medinas and fantastic historic sites to see, and a wonderful chance to experience local Moroccan cuisine. Starting and finishing in Casablanca (book cheap flights to Easyjet and Ryanair) the tour includes the popular city of Marrakech, the old town of Rabat, fantastic ruins at Volubilis, and of course time to explore the mazy medina at Fez.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Arrive Into Casablanca. Transfer To Hotel
Location: Casablanca
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Casablanca Hotel
Meals Included: Dinner
On your arrival in Casablanca airport (CMN) our representative will greet you and transfer you to your hotel in the centre of the city. The rest of the day is free for you to settle in, relax after your flight, and have a first look around. Extra nights before the tour starts are available on request.
Day 2 : Casablanca, Meknes And Volubilis
Location: Casablanca, Meknes, Conservation du site Archéologique de volubilis, Fes
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Fez Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
We start today with a tour of Casablanca, Morocco's economic capital. We'll visit the central market, the exterior of the Royal Palace, the Habous disctrict, Mohamed V Square, the Anfa residential area and the exterior of the impressive Hassan II Mosque on the seafront. After leaving Casablanca we drive to the Berber town of Meknes. Formerly the capital of Morocco during the reign of Moulay Ismail, he transformed the town, constructing intricate gateways, beautiful gardens and at 40km the longest ramparts in the country. We'll see the Bab Mansour Gate, the Royal Stables and the Jewish quarter. Our next stop is then for a panoramic view of the holy city of Moulay Idriss on our way to the ancient Roman city of Volubilis. Recently listed as a UNESCO world heritage site and dating back as far as AD40, Volubilis is home to some of the most impressive Roman ruins in North Africa. We finish the day by driving on to the mediaeval city of Fes.
Day 3 : Fez City Tour
Location: Fes
Accommodation: Hotel, Hotel
Accommodation Name: Fez Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner, Breakfast, Dinner
Over 1200 years old, the city of Fez is a labyrinth of souks, mosques and spice filled streets. We delve into the fascinating history of the city with a full tour encompassing the outside of the Moulay Idrss mausoleum and Karouine Mosque, the Royal Palace, Nejjarine fountain and the Attarine or Bou Anania Medersaine, .After lunch we'll spend time confusing our senses in the cacophony of noise surrounding the heady alleyways of Fes's medieval medina, home to tanneries, dye pits, leather and carpet shops, alleys dedicated to all kinds of different crafts, tiny mosques and local restaurants.
Day 4 : Rabat Tour, Drive To Marrakech
Location: Rabat, Marrakesh
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Marrakech Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
We'll leave Fes behind us with reluctance today and drive to the Imperial City of Rabat, Morocco's administrative capital, on the Atlantic coast. Our tour here will include the Royal Palace (Mechouar), the Mohamed V Mausoleum and Hassan Tower Mosque, as well as the Oudayas Garden and Kasbah. After an optional seafood lunch (full board package) we'll continue on the highway to Marrakech.
Day 5 : Marrakech, Full Day City Tour
Location: Marrakesh
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Marrakech Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
We'll spend the whole day today exploring the exotic city of Marrakech, Morocco's second oldest Imperial City, also known as the 'ochre city'. Our tour will include the iconic Koutoubia Mosque, home to the minaret which has become a symbol of the city, the Menara Garden, Saadian Tombs, Dar Si Said Museum and the Bahia Palace. After lunch at the hotel we'll head back out and explore the busy souks and handicraft quarters before the tour finishes at the famous Djemaa El Fna square. It's well worth eating out near the square or returning later in the evening as it really comes to life at night when it is packed with street food stalls, musicians and entertainers - one of Morocco's highlights.
Day 6 : Marrakech. Free Time & Optional Tours
Location: Marrakesh
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Marrakech Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Your full day is free today to head back into the centre of Marrakech and do some final sightseeing and shopping in the souqs. You could also visit the beautiful Majorelle Garden with its French-influenced architecture and colour schemes, excellent cactus and palm collection, and intriguing history through its connection with the iconic French designer Yves Saint Laurent. The museum at the gardens also displays some of his works of art and Berber heritage collection. Options are also available this morning to take a spectacular early morning hot air balloon flight. Alternatively you could take a day trip to the beautiful Ourika Valley into the foothills of the Atlas Mountains.
Day 7 : Transfer To Casablanca, Free Afternoon
Location: Casablanca
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Casablanca Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
We drive back to Casablanca this morning, arriving in time for lunch at the hotel. Your afternoon is then free today to head into the centre of Casablanca and do some final sightseeing and shopping in the souqs. If you would prefer to finish the tour in Marrakech, we can arrange this for you. Please contact us for details.
Day 8 : Casablanca, Free Time, Transfer To Airport For Departure
Location: Casablanca
Accommodation Name: N/A
Meals Included: Breakfast
You have some free time in Casablanca today until you are transferred to the Mohamed V Airport airport for departure.
What's Included
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Accommodation
3* -
All accommodation as stated in the itinerary
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All transport and transfers in AC vehicles
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24-hour airport arrival & departure transfer service
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English speaking tour leader and local guides.
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Meals as indicated in the itinerary (half board)
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Sightseeing tours & visits as detailed in the itinerary
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Entrances fees to monuments visited
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Luggage porterage & tips at hotels
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VAT & local hotel taxes
What's Not Included
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International flights
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Visa fees
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Travel insurance (compulsory)
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Meals not indicated in the itinerary
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Drinks, snacks and other personal expenses (e.g. laundry)
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Tips for guide & driver
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Any other items not mentioned above
Mode of Transport
A/C minibus/coach
Accommodation
3/4-star hotels
Casablanca Hotel
Fes Hotel
Marrakech Hotel
Check out our Q&As
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Are vaccinations required for this tour?
You should ensure you are fully insured for medical emergencies including emergency evacuation and repatriation. Recommended vaccinations and other health protection measures vary according to the country you are visiting and where you are travelling from. We recommend you contact your GP/medical practitioner or a travel clinic for current information on vaccinations needed for your destination. You should ensure that you are up to date with vaccines and boosters recommended for your normal life at home, including for example, vaccines required for occupational risk of exposure, lifestyle risks and underlying medical conditions. In addition, additional courses or boosters normally recommended for the countries in this region are: South Africa: Additional vaccinations: Hepatitis A. Malaria map. Yellow Fever certificate: Required if arriving from or having transitted through an infected area. Namibia: Additional vaccinations: Hepatitis A, Tetanus, Typhoid. Malaria map. Yellow Fever certificate: Required if arriving from an infected area. Botswana: Additional vaccinations: Hepatitis A, Tetanus, Typhoid. Malaria map. Yellow Fever certificate: Required if arriving from or having transitted or travelled through an infected area. Zimbabwe: Additional vaccinations: Hepatitis A, Tetanus, Typhoid. Malaria map. Yellow Fever certificate: Required if arriving from or having transitted through an infected area. Zambia: Additional vaccinations: Hepatitis A, Tetanus, Typhoid. Malaria map. Yellow Fever certificate: Required if arriving from or having transitted through an infected area. Malawi: Additional vaccinations: Hepatitis A, Tetanus, Typhoid. Malaria map. Yellow Fever certificate: Required if arriving from or having transitted through an infected area. Tanzania: Additional vaccinations: Diphtheria, Hepatitis A, Tetanus, Typhoid. Malaria map. Yellow Fever certificate: Required if arriving from or having transitted through an infected area. Kenya: Additional vaccinations: Diphtheria, Hepatitis A, Poliomyelitis, Tetanus, Typhoid. Malaria map. Yellow Fever certificate: Required if arriving from an infected area. Uganda: Additional vaccinations: Diphtheria, Hepatitis A, Tetanus, Typhoid, Yellow Fever. Malaria map. Yellow Fever certificate: Required if arriving from an infected area. Sudan: Additional vaccinations: Diphtheria, Hepatitis A, Tetanus, Typhoid, Yellow Fever. Malaria map. Yellow Fever certificate: Required if arriving from or having transitted through an infected area. A certificate may also be required for those departing Sudan. Morocco: Additional vaccinations: Hepatitis A, Tetanus, Typhoid. Malaria not normally present. Yellow Fever certificate not required. The above information can change at short notice. For up to date health information & vaccination requirements we recommend that you contact your medical practitioner or a travel clinic. Malaria: Vaccinations are not available against Malaria, which is a disease transmitted by mosquitoes that can be very serious and sometimes fatal. You should avoid mosquito bites by covering up bare skin with clothing such as long sleeves and long trousers and applying insect repellents to exposed skin. When necessary, sleep under a mosquito net. Mosquitoes are most active during and after sunset. You should consult with your GP/medical practitioner/travel clinic about the most appropriate malaria prophylactic medication to take for the regions you are visiting. Yellow Fever: This disease is spread by infected mosquitoes that bite during the day. A Yellow Fever Certificate of vacinnation is often required as a condition of entry depending on which country you are arriving from, or that you have travelled or transitted through recently (including connecting flights with stopovers of over 12 hours). You can view this US CDC information about where the virus is present and follow the links to further information detailing which countries need you to have a Yellow Fever vaccination as part of their entry requirements. Please ensure you have this certificate organised in advance and with you and to hand during the trip. Please inform us of any pre-existing conditions such as diabetes or asthma and any prescription medicine you may be taking. We also need to know about any food allergies or physical disabilities that you may have. If you are travelling on an Overland tour or your trip includes wildlife safaris then please bear in mind that you may be travelling on bumpy roads and/or rough ground for several hours at a time. This can be very uncomfortable or painful if you have a bad back, and make such conditions worse. Please contact us if you have any concerns.
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What is the tipping policy?
Tipping and Haggling is an accepted and usual part of life in Morocco and other countries in the region. Wages for service staff are very low and tips are a necessary supplement to meagre incomes. If you are visiting from a country where this is not the case, then we have given some guidelines below which will hopefully prove helpful. . Tipping Kitty On our Small Group Tours we implement a Tipping Kitty for your convenience and to remove the hassle of being asked for tips by main people you may come across during the tour. This kitty will be collected in US Dollars cash at the start of the tour, and administred by your tour guide. You may ask for information on who they are tipping along the way if you wish as often they will do it out of sight for politeness. However, the tipping kitty amount covers people like hotel porters, hotel waiters, local guides for city tours, airport drivers, Berber camel herders and restaurant tips.It does not cover your main tour guide. Please check the 'Not Included' section of the tour notes for details of the tipping kitty amount for your tour. This amount is payable per person (for adults only - children on family tours do not need to pay it). This tipping kitty system works well on small group style tours. However, due to the different numbers of people travelling, we do not use it on our Shoestring or Private/Tailor-made tours. Other tips Your main tour guide is not included in our Tipping Kitty. On group tours we suggest you budget around USD 2-4 per person per day to cover the main guide's tip, subject to your personal budget, and your satisfaction with the level of service provided. On private/tailor-made tours we recommend you budget a bit higher. Throughout your trip you may at times also have a local guide in addition to your main guide. These are covered in the Tipping Kitty on our small group tours, but on other tours we suggest budgetting around USD2-3 per per day. The same applies to drivers on our Shoestring and Private/Tailor-made tours. In local markets, and basic restaurants you can leave the loose change. For more up-market restaurants we suggest 5% to 10% of the bill. Haggling Haggling is a traditional necessity, so never pay too much regard to initial prices. Instead fix an item's value in your mind then negotiate towards it unhurriedly (Moroccans never rush their bargaining), and don't be afraid to simply walk away if the price isn't right. However, if you do mention a price, then you should be prepared to pay it or risk causing offence.
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What currencies are required for this tour?
The local currency in Morocco is the Dirham. We recommend you bring some cash in a hard currency (US Dollars, GB Pounds, Euros) and a good ATM card. Most major currencies can be converted at most banks, but it's not wise to carry too much. Euros and US Dollars are welcomed more than GB Pounds. Travellers cheques are not easily exchanged. It can be awkward outside of Marrakech to find an ATM machine that takes your card as many Moroccan banks have ATMs that only work with Moroccan cards. Don't put your card in an ATM unless you see the symbol that matches your card on the machine, as you might lose your card! We also suggest trying to avoid using Post Office ATMs. In some smaller towns there are no ATMs that take foreign cards, so be sure you get enough cash to carry you until the next major city. BCM seems to be the best bank, accepting foreign cards in most of their ATMs. While in Morocco you will need sufficient funds to cover meals not included in the itinerary, drinks, snacks, souvenirs, tips and personal expenses such as laundry. These should generally all be paid for in Moroccan Dirham. It is difficult to recommend a level of personal spending money which will suit everyone as this can differ greatly, but as a guideline, we would suggest allowing USD 15-25 per person per day as a minimum. Allow more if you plan on doing lots of shopping, or buying many alcoholic drinks.
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Is there a limit to luggage that can be brought on the tour?
There is no luggage limit for this tour. However, most airlines restrict you to between 20kg and 25kg for your hold luggage and between 5kg and 10kg for hand luggage. Please check with your airline before travelling to the airport.
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What is the maximum group size?
On our Shoestring tours we allow for larger groups than our other trips, and while the average group size tends to be around 8-12 people, this tour can run with a maximum of 45 travellers on a large coach (this will be reduced according to the local regulations as part of our Safer Encounters scheme). We may also share this departure with travellers booking through other operators so you may join with travellers booking with different companies and from different countries. This can make for some really interesting groups and new people to meet. The minimum number of travellers required for the tour to run is 2.
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Is travel insurance compulsory?
Yes! Travel insurance is compulsory on all of our tours and needs to cover personal accident & liability, medical expenses and repatriation, travel delay & abandonment. We also strongly recommend that you take out cover against cancellation and lost/stolen baggage. Personal medical insurance does not normally provide sufficient cover and is generally not suitable for travel on our tours. You will not be able to join your tour if you have not provided us with details of your insurance or if you arrive without cover in place (no refunds will be due in this event).
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
You are always able to change your travel date. However, some charges may apply depending on how long before your departure you make the change. Our flexible booking conditions and reduced charges will apply if you are changing date because of a Covid-19 reason or because your government is advising against travel to your destination. Please check our detailed booking conditions for full details.
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When is my balance payment due?
60 days prior to departure
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
On most of our group tours, solo travellers may choose to form a temporary 'tour bubble' and share a room with another traveller of the same sex in the group. If a room share is not available then a single room supplement may be payable, with the costs for these kept as low as possible. We have also removed compulsory single supplements from many of our tours, and are reducing the cost by 50% on s
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Can I transfer my booking to someone else?
Customers may transfer their booking or any Credit on File to another person who satisfies all the relevant conditions to the tour, provided that we are notified not less than 7 days before departure, and the transferee agrees to these booking conditions and all other terms of the contract between us. The Client and new booker are jointly and severally responsible for any outstanding payments and a transfer administration fee of GBP50 / USD75 / CAD100 / AUD100 / NZD100 / EUR75 / ZAR1000 / INR5000 or GBP100 / USD150 / CAD200 / AUD200 / NZD200 / EUR150 / ZAR2000 / INR10,000 if the transfer is made less than 60 days before departure. Important Note: Certain arrangements may not be amended or transferred after they have been confirmed (for example flight tickets, Gorilla Permits) and any alteration could incur a cancellation and rebooking charge of up to 100% of that part of the arrangements.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Encounters Travel allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform encounters travel, 60 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Encounters Travel requires a minimum deposit of 150 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of encounters travel charges.
Up to 61 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 35% of booking price.
At 41 days before tour starts: Forfeit 70% of booking price.
At 27 days before tour starts: Forfeit 90% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.