A pre-departure meeting will be held the night prior to your trip departure, the details of where to meet are listed on your tour voucher and trip dossier.

The Pre-Departure meeting is held at 6pm THE DAY BEFORE the scheduled departure date at the meeting point. The pre-departure meeting is held to discuss the tour itinerary in more detail, meet your crew and fellow passengers.

In addition the crew will check that all passengers have the following necessary travel documents:-
1. Tour voucher
2. Travel insurance documentation
3. Your passport
4. Vaccination certificate – if applicable

It is IMPORTANT that you attend this meeting. Please advise KUMUKA or your AGENT if you CANNOT attend this meeting.

Morocco, so close to Europe in distance but so different in all other ways. Our tour brings you face to face with the country’s diverse cultures of Berber, Jewish, Arab, Roman & European in amongst the smells and sights of the souqs (markets), the scenery of the mountains and the serenity of the desert…whlist always accompanied by the Moroccans’ well-known friendliness and hospitality. We visit the former coastal fortresses of Asilah, Rabat and Essaouira, the magical crossroads of Africa that is Marrakech, former camel caravan trading centres on the edge of the Sahara, the historically significant cities of Meknes and Fes and the mountain recluse-turned-hippie magnet of Chefchaouen. Plenty of photographs, plenty of shopping, plenty of free time to explore, plenty of memories…all of this awaits you on our Magical Morocco safari.

Essaouira To Marrakech. A free morning to continue exploring the medina or to catch some more sun on the beach. We then head inland for Marrakech, arriving mid-afternoon to enjoy a siesta by the pool. Tonight we scrub ourselves up and go out for a dinner and show at a beautiful former palace-cum-restaurant inside the medina. (B,D)

Marrakech. Another day spent at leisure exploring the sights, sounds and smells of Marrakesh. Options include the Friends of Marrakech Museum, the Marjorelle Gardens and its 12 acres of exquisite gardens… or more shopping! Don’t forget to head up to one of the rooftop bars for a sundowner drink and watch the square come alive with music, dancers, acrobats, storytellers, potion salesmen and boxing contests surrounded by a plethora of mobile food and joice stalls. (B)

Ouarzazate via Keela des M’Gounia to Todra Gorge. Another stunningly scenic day, travelling past kasbahs and palmeries along the Dades Valley, or ‘Valley of the Kasbahs’. We stop for an extended lunch off the main highway in a small village with a local Berber dagger-maker and his super-friendly family. This is an eating and cultural experience of note! A late afternoon drive takes us into the Todra Valley where our hotel is located in the steepest part of the gorge alongside the small river. Tonight we eat under the hotel’s huge Berber tent and can sleep on the roof top terrace. (B, L, D)

Merzouga Sand Dunes via High Atlas to Midelt. Arise pre-dawn and find your spot for one of nature’s spectacles…sunrise over the Sahara. Then it’s again atop your camel and back to our hotel for a shower and breakfast. Leaving the sand dunes we have short stops in the desert Berber towns of Rissani and Er Rachidia and then enjoy the pleasant afternoon drive alongside the Ziz gorge to Midelt, a ‘frontier’ town located between the High and Middle Atlas mountain ranges. (B, L, D)

Fes. Old Fes is one of the most complete medieval cities left in the world today and is the spiritual heartbeat of Morocco. Up to 300,000 people still live in the medinas of Fes el Bali and Fes el Jdid. No motor vehicles are allowed inside the old city so watch out for the donkeys and mules! Enjoy a brilliant morning tour with our local guide that includes a visit to a ceramic pottery factory, the famed leather dye-pits, historical Kairouan Mosque medersa and all the best shopping spots. The rest of the day and night is at your own leisure to allow you to find your own little piece of paradise. (B)

Chefchaouen to Tangier. Chefchaouen is a magical little village with a strong Spanish influence dating from the mid 1500’s right up to Moroccan independence in 1956. Up to 1920, only three westerners had been recorded as entering the walled old city… only two of them made it out! Thankfully the villagers are much more receptive to outsiders nowadays. Enjoy this free morning of exploring the maze of alleyways in the old walled village or perhaps head up one of the two mountain peaks from which the town gets its name. We meet up after lunch for the afternoon drive down the Rif to Tangier. (B, D)

Rabat To Casablanca. A great day of history and sightseeing that includes the imposing Hassan Tower and exquisite Mohammed V Mausoleum, tomb of the present king’s father and grandfather. We also take a relaxing stroll through the local markets and kasbah and rub shoulders with the locals before continuing onto Casablanca, arriving in time for a visit to the architectural wonder of the Hassan II mosque. An optional walking tour of the mosque’s interior is offered. (B)

Hotel Prince de Paris

24 Bis Boulevard de Paris

Casablanca

Morocco

Tel: +212 5 2246 5565

If you would like to book this hotel for pre or post tour accommodation please contact Kumuka or your agent

All optional excursions and meals unless otherwise stated in the itinerary, visas, pre- and post-tour accommodation.

All our tours begin with a pre-departure meeting, at 6pm prior to Day 1, in the joining hotel where you meet your tour leader and fellow travellers. The last night of your tour will always (all things going to plan) be in Casablanca, with your tour officially ending the next morning after breakfast on Day 15. If you wish to spend a few additional days in Casablanca before or after your tour, we will be more than happy to arrange this for you. (All rates per person per night and subject to availability). An airport transfer should be arranged directly with the hotel and will save you getting hassled at the airport.  

IF ARRIVING BY FERRY FROM SPAIN: Immigration for Morocco is processed ON THE FERRY. Shortly after departing Spain you will see all ferry passengers lining up in a particular area of the ship. This is where the Moroccan immigration officials will have set up their mobile office. You must complete an arrival form and hand this, along with your passport, to these officers who will stamp your passport.

Your passport is a valuable document and you should exercise extreme care in keeping it safe. We recommend that you keep your passport on you at all times, preferably in a money belt that is worn under your clothing. We advise that you take copies of relevant pages in your passport and any visas that you may purchase in case of loss or damage. Your tour leader will require your passport details at the pre-departure meeting. Again, we recommend that you have a photocopy of all passport details, kept separate. Your passport must be valid for six months after the END of your tour, and must have one blank page for each country to be visited.

Vaccinations:

No vaccinations are compulsory in Morocco however we do advise that you are up-to-date with your tetanus and polio vaccines. If you are travelling further you may need additional inoculations so please contact your G.P or a travel medical centre for further information.

We also recommend:

- A dental check-up prior to travelling.

- That you know your blood group in case of emergency.

- That if you have any pre-existing medical conditions which might affect you on tour, you make these known to your tour leader and your agent/Kumuka at the time of your booking.

You can also visit www.kumuka.com for further details.

Medical Supplies:

Maybe you’ve heard of ‘Morocco belly’ but don’t panic, most upset stomachs are caused by the simple change in climate and cuisine and, more often, by the hot weather i.e. dehydration. Your tour leader will be able to advise you on a course of action should you feel poorly plus Morocco’s pharmaceutical/chemist industry is first class. Your Kumuka vehicle does have a well-equipped medical kit but by law it should remain sealed and only used in an emergency. We strongly advise that all passengers bring along their own personal first aid kit. Below is a list of some recommended items:

Band Aids/Bandages, Upset stomach remedy, Anti-diarrhoea remedy, Panadol/Aspirin, Rehydration remedy, Antiseptic cream/powder, Sterile dressing, Insect repellent/bite cream. Any relevant course of medication such as contraceptive pills.

A complete Travellers Medical Pack can be purchased for approximately US$25 at most Vaccination Centres, Chemists and outdoor travel shops.

· Do not take unnecessary valuables with you.

· A money belt, or something similar, worn close to your body is the best way to carry passports, airline tickets and money.

· DO NOT leave any valuables in ANY hotel room in Africa, please use SAFETY DEPOSIT BOXES. Likewise do not leave your valuables in your tent - there is a safe available on the truck.

· Pickpockets operate everywhere, particularly in tourist areas and in crowded markets; you must always exercise care.

· Be aware that anything left lying around will also be liable to theft.

· Kumuka vehicles have secure doors and windows but it is never foolish to be cautious.

Euro’s are the easiest cash currency to change into the local Moroccan currency, the dirham (MDH). Pounds Sterling and US Dollars are also fairly easy to change. New Zealand and Australian Dollars are not accepted in Morocco. The dirham is a closed currency and can therefore be extremely difficult to exchange outside the country.Although travellers cheques are the safest option for travelling, specifically in Morocco they can become quite a hassle to exchange. Most banks in Morocco only accept foreign cash for exchange.

Credit Cards are not acceptable in most shops and should only be relied upon in capital cities; they are obviously also useful in case of emergency. However, most bank ATM’s will accept cash withdrawals from cards displaying the visa, mastercard, plus and maestro logos. Please don’t wholly rely on this, though!

We suggest passengers budget for between Euro75 and Euro110 per week for personal expenses, souvenirs, evenings out, alcoholic drinks etc.

How much should I take?

• The best rule for packing is to limit your self to a weight limit of 15 KGs. It will inconvenience you and your fellow passengers if you bring more. If your luggage does not arrive at the airport, please inform your crew at the Pre Departure Meeting.
• A frameless or internally framed backpack is the best way to carry your belongings since it is easy to lift on and off vehicles. Please note that we do not recommend that passengers bring suitcases.
• A small daypack is practical for keeping general items (e.g. camera, books, wallets etc.) at hand when your main pack is out of reach. It is also handy for day trips and excursions. This can also be used for our overnight desert camp…what you take is only what you can carry on your camel.
• Sarong or wrap – to temporarily cover your shoulders or legs. A long-sleeved light cotton shirt is also handy for these occasions. Both these items can then stay in your daypack for whenever you feel the need to cover up.
• Sleeping Bag -  is not essential for our overnight desert camp as plenty of rugs are provided but feel free to bring one along should you want.
• Inner Sheet - for your sleeping bag or can be used as a sheet between yourself and the rugs provided at the overnight desert camp.
• Sleeping Mat – Not required. There are mattresses provided at the overnight desert camp. 
• We also recommend that you keep your passport, credit cards travellers checks etc. on you at all times, preferably in a money belt worn under your clothes.

TRAVEL TIP: You might be tempted to buy a few souvenirs here and there, so leave a little room for those extra purchases!

Morocco has some of the most spectacular photographic opportunities in the world, so come prepared! Colour photographic print film (100-200 ASA) and the subsequent processing/developing (sometimes good, sometimes dodgy) are widely available. Slide, black & white or faster print film is best purchased before you come. Downloading of digital images onto disc is becoming more and more available, although digital supplies (memory card etc) are still hard to find. Other general photographic supplies (filters etc) and camera repairs are also hard to find. Tripods tend to be bulky and cumbersome and a versatile beanbag is a good substitute.

Important – Protect your camera from the elements, particularly dust, as getting your camera repaired will be impossible in most places.

Please remember, we are guests in Morocco and we may sometimes inadvertently cause offence by taking photographs. It is best to ask permission first and then perhaps offer some small change afterwards should the subject request (an absolute given in the souqs of Marrakech and Fes). It is absolutely forbidden by law to take photos at any borders, as they are all active military installations, or at members of the police and armed forces. The Royal Guards at the Mausoleum of Mohammed V in Rabat, are the one exception to this general rule. They don’t even ask for payment but may ask for your email address!

We have put a lot of thought and effort into locating the most appropriate type of accommodation for each night in Morocco. The only camping night is out in the sand dunes on your Saharan desert excursion. You can also sleep out under the stars on the rooftop of our hotel in Todra Gorge (bedding provided) but we book an ensuite room for you as well. We feel that you will be pleasantly surprised by the standard of hotel accommodation that we provide in Morocco.

For many tipping is a means of supplementing their wage and is a normal part of payment for goods and services. Be sure to keep small denomination notes or coins on you to avoid embarrassment. Sales and service taxes are imposed in some restaurants and bars.

Bargaining is also expected and in all markets prices are inflated to accommodate such a practice. Rule of thumb is to cut the offer in half and work upwards. This can sometimes be hard work but do not let yourself be intimidated by stallholders, you can always say no and walk away.

Kumuka endeavours to advertise a compliment of optional activities available locally during tours with selected ground handlers to make your tour more enjoyable. These ground handlers and activity partners are selected for their standards in quality, professional ability and reputation. Whereas, Kumuka has developed a travel insurance policy to cover all activities offered during your journey, Kumuka can not be held responsible for injuries or claims arising from adventurous activities by third party.

Below is a list of optional excursions available at your expense on your Moroccan tour. Please note that these are intended as a guide only and prices and availability cannot be guaranteed. Your tour leader will be able to organise these optional excursions on your behalf. All activities are undertaken at passenger’s own risk.

Guided tour of Hassan II Mosque, Casablanca: MDH150/EURO15

Majorelle Gardens, Marrakech: MDH40/EURO4

Guided walk along the Todra Valley palmerie: MDH40/EURO4

Tour Questionnaire - We would like to hear about your experiences on tour. One week after your tour ends you will automatically receive a feedback questionnaire via email. If we do not have your email address you can still complete a questionnaire by visiting www.kumuka.com/feedback

Email - If you have any specific comments about your tour then please write to us by email to operations@kumuka.com