Wander Across Morocco

Mary Fredrick, family and friends!

October 8th – 21st, 2022

Important Details

Tourist Visas: You do not need a visa to visit Morocco. You simply need your passport and you will receive a free entry stamp upon arrival at the airport.

Immunizations: Morocco does not currently require any immunizations in order to enter the country. If you are interested in getting other immunizations before you travel for your own comfort and safety, you can find suggestions on the CDC website.

Meals: For the included meals, many of them will be family style, a common way of eating in Morocco. There will always be both meat and vegetarian dishes available. For meals that are not family style, you may order a reasonable amount of food and non-alcoholic drinks. Alcohol is not included with these meals.

Packing: Packing lightly will make it easier to load up the van and will also be less of a hassle as you move from place to place. There may be times when you’ll need to walk with your luggage for a short while to reach our accommodation.

Local currency: As for exchanging money, the best method is via ATM machines which can be found in all cities and towns in Morocco. This method ensures you’ll get the best exchange rate and you won’t have to carry around a large amount of cash. However, please check with your bank to make sure they don’t charge high foreign ATM fees.

If your bank fees are too high, you can also exchange USD, GBP or Euros at money exchange offices located throughout the country.

IMPORTANT: COVID-19 Travel Information

Currently, all travelers age 12+ entering Morocco must present:

• A completed passenger health form; and
• A valid vaccination certificate* demonstrating that you have been fully vaccinated OR
• A negative PCR test taken less than 72 hours before boarding.

*A valid vaccination certificate is one that shows the administration of three doses or, if only two doses, the administration time of the 2nd not exceeding 4 months (except for the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, where a single dose is equivalent to 2 doses of the other vaccines).

Airport Arrival & Pickup

Please follow the below instructions upon arrival at Casablanca’s International Airport:

• After exiting the plane, walk through the terminal building to the immigration inspection.
• Once through immigration, follow the signs and go downstairs to the luggage area. Collect your luggage from the correct carousel and then pass through the customs inspection.
• After you exit the baggage/customs area, you’ll enter the Arrivals Hall. Please head for the main exit of the Arrivals Hall and walk outside. Once outside you will find a driver with a sign that says “Wandering Earl Tours.” (Only ticketed passengers are allowed inside the airport so all drivers must wait outside.)
• If you are unable to find your driver, you can call your tour leader, Sakai, at +1 (510) 806-5488 or our local contact, Ismail, at +212 5224-52967

Itinerary

OCT 8th: CASABLANCA / RABAT / ARRIVAL DAY

• Arrive in Casablanca and transfer directly to Rabat (1.5 hours)

OCT 9th: CASABLANCA / FES

• Tour of the beautiful old town of Morocco’s laid-back capital city
• Lunch in the heart of the medina of Rabat
• Drive to Fes (2 hours)
• Check-in to a riad in the historic old town

OCT 10th: FES

• Walking tour of the wondrous medina – markets, madrasas, tanneries, souks and more. It’s the largest medina (ancient walled city) in the world
• Free time after lunch to wander the maze of markets on your own

OCT 11th: FES / MEKNES

• Day trip to the imperial city of Meknes
• Walking tour through the local royal market
• Wonderful lunch in the heart of the old town
• Afternoon visit to the impressive Volubilis Roman ruins site in the countryside
• Return to Fes

OCT 12th: MERZOUGA / SAHARA DESERT

• Drive over the picturesque Atlas mountains to reach Merzouga (8 hours)
• Stop along the way at Ifrane and the Ziz Valley
• Arrive at the edge of the desert and check in to your peaceful riad
• Dinner and stargazing from the courtyard of the riad

OCT 13th: SAHARA DESERT

• Relaxed morning at the riad 
• Visit a local Gnaoua village (sub-Saharan ethnic minority in remote Morocco that is known for their musical tradition)
• Lunch in the Gnaoua village
• After lunch, head to the center of Merzouga for a short tour of this remote desert village
• Travel into the magical sand dunes, either by camel (1.5 hours) or jeep (30 minutes)
• Arrive at the desert camp among the dunes
• Enjoy an excellent dinner followed by sunset, wine, live music and a campfire

OCT 14th: SAHARA DESERT

• Take off on a 4×4 jeep excursion
• Visit local Bedouin communities who live in the middle of the desert
• Return to the desert camp
• Free time to enjoy the desert
• Dinner, wine and some more incredible stargazing!

OCT 15th: MERZOUGA / DADES VALLEY

• Drive to the gorgeous Dades Valley (4 hours)
• Cross the mountains and soak up the surreal natural landscapes
• Visit a fascinating desert fossil workshop and Berber carpet collective
• Check in to the idyllic Chez Pierre guesthouse

OCT 16th: DADES VALLEY

• Day trip to to the surreal Valley of the Roses by 4X4 jeep
• Meet local Berber people, visit remote towns and villages
• Stop at the caves where Bedouins actually live
• Return in the afternoon for time to relax by the pool, with views over the valley

OCT 17th: DADES VALLEY

• Take a guided walk to a local village to see the historic kasbahs (ancient fortified homes)
• Other options include hiking the Monkey Fingers Gorge, visiting a local Bedouin market, mountain biking, relaxing by the pool or taking a cooking class at the family home of my good friend

OCT 18th: MARRAKECH

• Drive to Marrakech (8 hours)
• Stops in Ouarzazate and the Tizi-n-Tichka Pass
• Arrive in Marrakech and check in to your hotel

OCT 19th: MARRAKECH

• Half day city tour to visit the Bahia Palace, colorful Marrakech markets, the main square and
  Majorelle Gardens (created by Yves Saint Laurent)
• Free time for a traditional hammam experience at a luxury spa and for wandering through the vibrant markets

OCT 20th: MARRAKECH / ESSAOUIRA

• Options include a day trip to the quaint coastal town of Essaouira, visits to museums, deeper exploration into the markets, Ouzoud Waterfalls, the Palm Groves (where you can walk or take ATVs around the unique landscape) or taking it easy in town

OCT 21th: MARRAKECH / DEPARTURE DAY

• Private transfer to the Marrakech or Casablanca Airport for your departing flight.

What’s Included?

• Private tour experience throughout
• All accommodation (12 nights – hotel, beautiful riads and a desert camp)
• As mentioned, we can ensure you have the riads all to yourself
• Transportation in Morocco (comfortable private Mercedes vans)
• All activities mentioned
• Local guides in each destination
• English-speaking driver
• Breakfast and dinner every day
• Bottled water throughout the trip
• All airport transfers

What’s Not Included?

• Flights to/from Morocco
• Meals and activities not mentioned
• Travel insurance
• Gratuities

Covid-19 Disclaimer

Please note that in the event of any interruption to your tour experience as a result of your testing positive for Covid-19, our staff will be on hand to assist with making any arrangements that need to be made. This could include accommodation booking, transportation, scheduling additional Covid-19 tests, etc. However, it is important to understand that you would be fully responsible for all expenses incurred related to interruptions to the trip and/or medical treatment needed as a result of a positive Covid-19 test before, during or after the trip. We highly recommend having a travel/health insurance policy that covers Covid-19 related situations. By participating in the tour, you are confirming your understanding of the above

That’s all for now! If you have any questions at all, please don’t hesitate to send us an email at team@wanderingearl.com.