04 Jul 2023

Best of Morocco Family Holiday

XMFB

Validity: 01 Jan 2024 to 31 Dec 2024

Take your family to experience the best of Morocco's many highlights on this 12-day trip that’s perfect for kids and adults alike. Explore the rich history of Meknes, take part in a fun pottery class in bustling Fes, wander the streets of colourful medinas and witness one of the best sunsets of your life from a camel’s back in the Sahara Desert. From camels to donkeys, you’ll then walk through quiet villages in the High Atlas Mountains and experience traditional Amazigh hospitality during a homestay in Imlil. Explore the seaside village of Essaouira, kick back on an optional beach day and then top it all off with colourful Marrakech, where you can dine on tasty street food from the bazaar and watch street performers and snake charmers from the famed Djemaa el-Fna.

Original

Family

Minivan,Train

1

Hotel Imperial

291, Boulevard Mohamed V & Angle Rue Azilal Ex Rond Point

Casablanca

20110

MOROCCO

Phone: +212 522342729

Please make sure that you provide your flight details no later than 14 days before departure to book your arrival transfer with us. For your confirmed arrival transfer, you’ll be met outside your arrival terminal (1 or 2) at Casablanca Airport (CMN) by a transfer representative holding an Intrepid sign. In case of flight cancellations, changes, if you experience severe delays at immigration, baggage collection or customs, or if you are not able to find the driver, please contact our local office on the number in the ‘Problems and emergency contact information’ section

Hotel Meriem

154, Med El Beqal

Marrakech

40000

MOROCCO

This hotel has large spacious rooms with air-conditioning and television. The hotel has a swimming pool and wifi is available in the rooms.

Intrepid can assist with pre-booking a departure transfer to the airport - enquire with your agent. Please advise your flight arrival details at least 14 days prior to the start of your trip. If you have a confirmed departure transfer your leader will advise your pick up time the day before your trip ends. If your driver has not arrived within 30 minutes of the scheduled pick up time, or your departing flight is cancelled or changed, please contact the transfer operator directly: +44 20 4576 9838. Taxi fare from your hotel to the airport will cost approximately MAD100 - MAD200 to prebook. If hailing a taxi on the street, the price should be agreed before entering the vehicle. Please ask your leader or hotel staff for assistance in arranging a taxi.

1. Please note that these trips are for adults and children travelling together and there must be at least one child under 18 with you. 2. Minimum age for children on this trip is 5 years old. Please note that anyone aged under 18 must be accompanied by (and share accommodation with) a parent or legal guardian. 3. A discount of 10% applies on this trip to children 17 years and under at time of travel. 4. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement excludes Day 6 (Desert Camp) where you will be in shared accommodation and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information. 5. While Wi-Fi is available in our hotels it is important to note that wi-fi works best in the hotel foyer and will be very slow in the rooms. An easier option may be to purchase a SIM card in Morocco to stay connected. 6. Ramadan is an exciting time to travel through Morocco but there are also a few things to bear in mind. Meal times will be a lot later than you may be used to, in particular dinner. You will find restaurants will open at 7–7.30 pm in the evening for dinner. Which will mean your family may not be eating dinner until 8–8.30 pm. Likewise breakfast may not start until 7 am. As you travel through the countryside there will be limited small road side cafes to stop at. Your leader will pre-plan where to stop to ensure families have access to snacks and bathroom stops along the way. Morocco is a Muslim country therefore alcohol is not readily available, particularly during Ramadan.

All Intrepid Family trips are accompanied by one of our group leaders. The aim of the group leader is to assist your family to take the hassle out of your travels and help you have the best trip possible. Your leader will provide information on the places you are travelling through, offer suggestions for fun things to do and see - for both kids and parents, recommend great local eating venues that will even get the kids trying new things, and introduce you to our local friends. While not being guides in the traditional sense you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the countries visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious and social aspects. Our leaders are not babysitters on this trip - we leave that to you (the experts), but they will make sure that group members of all ages are able to explore their destination safely and with as much fun as possible. Our group leaders are not responsible for looking after children at any time and children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times throughout this itinerary.

https://www.intrepidtravel.com/safety-guidelines

With the modern world you may want to bring along tablets of smartphones for the children to document their adventure - there are a wide variety of apps out there which we suggest downloading before you depart. There will be opportunities to charge ( just make sure you bring the correct adapter) and there will be wi-fi available on your trip, although it will probably not be at the speeds you are used to at home and it won't be available everywhere.

PASSPORT You’ll need a valid passport to travel internationally and most countries require your passport to have a minimum of 6 months validity, so remember to check the expiry date. We need your passport information to get everything ready for your trip so it’s important that the information on your booking matches your passport exactly. Please take care to provide the correct details. We recommend carrying a copy of the photo page of your passport while travelling and leaving a copy at home with family or friends. VISAS Many countries require a visa and obtaining the correct visa is your responsibility. We recommend you check your visa requirements as soon as you have booked your trip. This will ensure you have time to prepare your documents and for your visa application to be processed. Entry requirements can change and are different depending on your nationality. Please refer to your government's foreign travel advisories, the consular websites for the countries you’re travelling to and those you may transit through. Always follow visa advice from official websites; not all visa information found online may be valid. You can also head to Intrepid’s Entry & Health requirement page to get the latest information on travel documents and visa requirements, plus local government COVID-19 vaccination and quarantine policies: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/au/visa-health-requirements

After watching the sunset from the unique perspective of a camel’s back – spend an evening camping in the Sahara Desert, surrounded by windswept dunes under thousands of stars.

Explore the famous cities of Fes and Marrakech during guided tours where your local leader will give you a unique insight into the area – then, enjoy plenty of free time as a family to explore.

Adventure into the Atlas Mountains and stay with a traditional Amazigh family for an insight into authentic Moroccan life and culture – and a homecooked meal of local favourites.

The kids will love wandering the mystical alleyways of medieval Ait Benhaddou – can you spot which movies were filmed here?

Enjoy a pottery class from a local craftsman in Fes’ bustling medina and get your hands dirty as you make your own clay ceramic, all the while supporting the local artisans.

This trip directly supports Education for All, who provide an opportunity for girls in remote areas of Morocco to access education and prepare for successful careers. Donations help girls in the High Atlas Mountains through secondary school, bringing a generation of women out of the cycle of illiteracy, poverty and early marriage.

The weather in Morocco can be extreme. Summer temperatures can be uncomfortably hot, especially for those who aren't accustomed to the heat, so please consider what time of year you travel carefully. If you do travel in the warmer months, pack layers to cover you from the sun, bring the necessary sun protection and drink plenty of water. On Day 6, the group will take a camel trek through the Sahara. You will set off from your camp on the edge of a desert and loop back. This is a great way to experience the desert, but if you'd prefer, it's possible to walk alongside the caravan on the sand for about an hour. The walk is not very demanding, so a basic level of fitness is fine. There are some long travelling days on this trip as we cover a great deal of land. The road to the High Atlas Mountains is very windy, so please take this into consideration if you or your child suffers from motion sickness.

GENERAL HEALTH All travellers need to be in good physical health in order to participate fully on this trip. When selecting your trip please make sure you have read through the itinerary carefully and assess your ability to manage and enjoy our style of travel. Please note that if in the opinion of our group leader or local guide any traveller is unable to complete the itinerary without undue risk to themselves and/or the rest of the group, we reserve the right to exclude them from all or part of a trip without refund. You should consult your doctor for up-to-date medical travel information or for any necessary vaccinations before departure. We recommend that you carry a first aid kit as well as any personal medical requirements in their original packaging as they may not easily be obtained while travelling. COVID-19 The safety and wellbeing of our travellers, leaders, crew, staff, and suppliers continues to remain our highest priority as we travel. You can read more about how we will keep you safe on our trips, including our COVID-19 Health & Safety Guidelines here: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/safe-travels VACCINATION POLICY From 1 January 2023, Intrepid will no longer require travellers to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19 for this trip. However, we continue to strongly recommend that all travellers get vaccinated to protect themselves and others. Specific proof of testing or vaccination may still be required by your destination or airline. Please ensure you check travel and entry requirements carefully. For more information, including a detailed FAQ about this policy, please visit https://www.intrepidtravel.com/covid19. HEALTH SCREENING If you are unwell prior to travelling, please stay at home and contact us to make alternative arrangements. From 1 January 2023, Intrepid will no longer require travellers to complete a self-screening health form at the group meeting for this trip. If you are displaying any COVID-19 symptoms or have any health concerns during the trip, we will follow the advice of local health authorities to determine whether medical assistance, isolation or further action is required. Travellers who test positive while taking part in an Intrepid trip will need to leave the group for a minimum of five days and may only rejoin the group if presenting as asymptomatic – our team will assist them in arranging a place to self-isolate and any onward journey. It's quite possible that the destination country may have different or more strict protocols than your home country regarding COVID-19. This may include hotel or hospital quarantine or quarantine for the group. Please check your government's travel advice or contact the closest embassies to find out the details. We ask all travellers to continue to monitor their health throughout their travels and report any relevant symptoms to their tour leader.

Moroccan meals can consist of up to five courses! If you eat a little of each, you may just have enough appetite left to find some room for dessert which is well worth saving some space for! While plentiful, often there can be a certain amount of repetition in the types of food available. Tagine and cous-cous are both examples of very common dishes that you will encounter. Breakfasts usually consist of bread and jam, pastries, fresh tomato and cucumber with coffee or tea. This is typical of breakfasts in Morocco hotels and large American/English style breakfasts are generally not available. Meals eaten out are reasonably priced. In main towns it is possible to find very good French and Moroccan restaurants. Vegetarians can be catered for but there is a fairly limited choice of vegetarian cous cous and tajine or omelettes.

CURRENCY The currency of Morocco is the dirham (MAD), divided into 100 centimes. Bank notes come in denominations of MAD 200, 100, 50 and 20. Smaller values are issued as coins in values of 10, 5, 1 as well as 50c, 20c, 10c and 5c. Changing money is easy and you will find banks and exchange bureaux in Casablanca, Fes and Marrakech. Please note that sometimes Australian dollars are not accepted in exchange bureaux or banks, so the safest option is to bring US dollars. In the desert and Atlas Mountains opportunities to exchange money are limited. There are ATMs in all major cities, which accept Visa cards, MasterCards and cards connected with Cirrus. Some ATMs, belonging to smaller banks, will not work so occasionally you may need to try two or three before you are successful. We would strongly recommend bringing a combination of cash and credit cards. Credit cards are useful for large purchases such as carpets or gold from a large store, but generally speaking they are not accepted in many places. Local restaurants, markets, and many hotels will only accept cash as payment for goods or services. Please ensure you only use banks, licensed money exchangers or hotels. We also suggest you keep your receipts. Do not change money with street touts. This is illegal. TIPPING If you're happy with the services provided a tip - though not compulsory - is appropriate. While it may not be customary to you, it's of great significance to the people who will take care of you during your travels, inspires excellent service, and is an entrenched feature of the tourism industry across many Intrepid destinations. The following tipping amounts are based on local considerations and feedback from our past travellers. Please don't tip with coins, very small denomination notes, or dirty and ripped notes. This is regarded culturally as an insult. Restaurants: At local markets and basic restaurants we suggest leaving the loose change. At more up-market restaurants tipping 5% to 10% of your bill is recommended. Local guides: Throughout your trip you may at times have a local guide in addition to your leader. We suggest MAD20-30 per person per day for local guides. Drivers: You may have a range of private drivers on your trip. Some may be with you for a short journey while others may be with you for several days. We would suggest a higher tip for those more involved with the group however MAD10 per person per day is generally appropriate. Over the years we have found that many of our travellers find the need for tipping to be both tiresome and embarrassing, especially if they don't have the correct small change. To overcome this, we have established a tipping kitty system. At your group meeting, your tour leader may discuss the idea of running a group tipping kitty, whereby everybody contributes an equal amount and then your tour leader pays the tips while keeping a running record of all monies spent (except restaurant tips). The record can be checked at any time and any money remaining at the end of the tour returned to group members. We suggest budgeting around MAD20-30 per person, per day for this but the exact amount may vary depending on your Morocco itinerary. You may also consider tipping your tour leader for outstanding service throughout your trip. The amount is entirely a personal preference, however as a guideline EUR2-4 per person, per day can be used. Of course you are free to tip more or less as you see fit, depending on your perception of service quality and the length of your trip. Remember, a tip is not compulsory and should only be given when you receive excellent service. PRICES IN MOROCCO Morocco is often misjudged as being an inexpensive destination. With tourism booming, the influx of cheap flights from Europe, prices for some items are becoming more equivalent to prices you would be used to at home. Eating in local restaurants, road side stalls and from markets can be inexpensive, but for nights out at tourist friendly restaurants you can expect to pay much more. With drinks, tipping and of course - shopping, it can all add up. Budgets are a personal choice but please bear in mind that you should not expect Morocco to be a budget destination. BARGAINING In Morocco some services and products are not a fixed price which means that your bartering skills will be tested from hiring taxis to buying a souvenir in the Medina. This can be challenging for travellers who have not experienced this before. Ask your leaders for advice when you arrive however the best approach is to smile and have fun as this is an entrenched part of Moroccan culture. EMERGENCY FUNDS Please also make sure you have access to an additional US$500 per family member, to be used when unforeseen incidents or circumstances outside our control (e.g. a natural disaster, civil unrest, strike action or an outbreak of bird flu) necessitate a change to our planned route. COMMISSIONS The receipt of commissions or kickbacks in exchange for recommending particular shops or services is ingrained in the culture of the tourism industry. Rather than turning a blind eye to this unavoidable issue in some areas, Intrepid has established a centralised fund whereby contributions from recommended suppliers are collected and distributed back into the business. Intrepid aim to provide the best value trips in the market, and this fund assists in keeping operating costs and trip prices low to you. A priority in establishing this fund is that the experience of our traveller - you - is not compromised in any way. Please let us know via the feedback form completed after your trip if we are successfully meeting this objective.

WATER BOTTLE Please bring your own water bottle to refill along the way. Although it can be difficult to avoid bottled water when travelling, please use the water dispensers which are provided on some of our vehicles and at some of our accommodation. Your leader will advise whether tap water is safe to drink in your destination and if it is you can simply refill with tap water. When unable to avoid bottled water it is better to buy the largest available and distribute into your smaller bottle for the day. If you are walking or trekking as part of your trip you will need to carry at least 2L of water with you.

Remember - the lighter you travel the better! A soft-sided duffel or sausage bag is the ideal form of luggage. It is recommended that you and your family keep your luggage weight around 15kg and certainly no more than 20kg. A small or medium-sized backpack (45-50 litres) is another good option, but preferably one without a frame. When you pack your clothing, consider the climate at the time of year you are travelling and any specific requirements for your trip as at certain times of the year some of the items suggested in the list that follow may not be necessary. Keep in mind that the weather will vary significantly from place to place. Laundry facilities are available in some destinations. Below is a list of equipment and documentation that we suggest you take with you. Please use this checklist as a guide when packing for your holiday. - Travel documents: passport, visa (if required), travel insurance, air tickets or e-ticket receipts, final itinerary and this document - Photocopy of main passport pages, visa (if required), travel insurance and air tickets - Money: cash/credit card/EFTPOS card - Money belt - Small first-aid kit - Daypack - torch/flashlight (or your phone light)/headtouch - Electrical adapter plug (view www.kropla.com) - Toiletries/roll of toilet paper/travel wipes/ tissues - Insect repellent - Sunscreen, lip balm, sunhat and sunglasses - Earplugs and eye mask (for light sleepers) - Extra pair of prescription glasses (if required) - 2 strong plastic garbage bags (for laundry and in case of rain) and dry bags - Refillable water bottle - Warm clothes - when travelling in cooler climates - Wind and waterproof rain jacket - Comfortable and sturdy walking shoes with good walking socks - Camera - Swimwear DRONES IN MOROCCO: Please note that drones are not permitted to enter or be used in Morocco, either for personal or professional/commercial use.

https://www.intrepidtravel.com/packing-list

WEATHER IN MOROCCO As a desert country, Morocco can have extreme weather. Winter (November to March) can be very cold, particularly in the mountains and the desert, with overnight temperatures dropping to 5 degrees Celsius or below. Even in summer the desert gets cold at night. It is recommended to bring a sleeping bag, thermals, a scarf, gloves and a warm jacket for travel in winter.  Please be prepared for cold showers. Summer (May to September) can be very hot everywhere, which means that it can be quite uncomfortable for those not used to the heat. It’s important to use sun protection and drink plenty of water.  Some of our guesthouses/hotels are unable to supply heating or air conditioning as this would be a major financial and environmental strain. It is also a case of energy supply and timing provisions, which are limited in some places. RAMADAN The important month of Ramadan will be in progress 22 March - 20 April 2023 and 10 March to 08 April 2024, and the Eid ul-Fitr festival will be held directly at its conclusion for 3-4 days. Ramadan is a festival of sacrifice where the devout refrain from eating or drinking during daylight hours. During Ramadan, business hours are shortened, including opening hours at some tourist attractions. Alcohol is not permitted during daylight hours and many restaurants will be closed. While you should expect some delays and inconveniences during this period, the month is a fantastic opportunity to travel in a Muslim country and witness this unique period, particularly the nightly celebrations when the sun sets and the fast is broken. Please note that although the Eid ul-Fitr festival can also be a fascinating time to travel it's a period of national holiday. Most government offices and businesses will be closed and some tourist site opening hours may be affected.

We like to think our Intrepid travellers are all connected by a love of adventure and passion for seeing the world in a different way. We've laid down a few non-negotiable rules to ensure everyone feels connected, comfortable and safe on our trips. We ask that you respect your fellow travellers, group leader, and local people and places we visit in all circumstances. We don't tolerate any forms of violence and expect that you follow the local laws, customs and regulations in any destination we travel to. Any behaviour contrary to the above, including any behaviour that prevents our staff from performing their duty of care or continuing the itinerary as planned, may result in travellers being removed from the trip. If you consume alcohol while travelling, we encourage responsible drinking and expect you to abide by local alcohol laws. To ensure the well-being of everyone on the trip, all decisions made by group leaders and ground staff are final. Romantic relationships between travellers and group leaders are not permitted while on trip. By travelling with us, you agree to comply with these rules and the laws and customs of all countries visited. If something is concerning you during your travels with us, please speak to your group leader or local guide immediately. Alternatively, contact us on the emergency contact number detailed in your Essential Trip Information’s Problems and Emergency Contact section.

Can’t stop thinking about your adventure? Tell us all about it! We read each piece of feedback carefully and use it to make improvements for travellers like you. Share your experience with us at: http://www.intrepidtravel.com/feedback/

While we always endeavour to provide the best possible holiday experience, due to the nature of travel and the areas we visit sometimes things can and do go wrong. Should any issue occur while you are on your trip, it is imperative that you discuss this with your group leader or our local representative straight away so that they can do their best to rectify the problem and save any potential negative impact on the rest of your trip. We recognise that there may be times when your group leader/local partner may not be able to resolve a situation to your satisfaction - if this is the case, please ask the leader to speak to their direct manager. You may also choose to provide details in your online feedback, which we ask you to complete within 30 days of the end of your trip. Please do be aware that it is very difficult for us to provide any practical help after the trip is completed, so informing us while still travelling will give us the opportunity to resolve the issue in real-time. In case of a genuine crisis or emergency, you can reach our local office on the number below: For general contact details please use the following page: http://www.intrepidtravel.com/ourtrips/contact/ PEAK Marrakech (Morocco): 212 661922693

Our Responsible Travel Policy outlines our commitment to preserving the environment, supporting local communities, protecting the vulnerable, and giving back to the places we travel. All our trip leaders, suppliers, and staff are trained on these principles and are core to us delivering sustainable, experience-rich travel. Explore the different parts of our Responsible Travel Policy by visiting: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/responsible-travel

We created our not-for-profit, the Intrepid Foundation because you – our travellers – told us you wanted to make an even greater impact in the communities you visit. The Foundation works by teaming up with partners around the world so that together we can deliver greater positive impact at scale. Partners are identified by our local staff who live and work in our destinations. They harness their powerful community connections to determine the issues that matter most and select local partners who can deliver real solutions. Since 2002, the Intrepid Foundation has raised more than 12.8 million dollars and supported more than 130 communities worldwide. Now, with almost 40 partners all over the world, your donations are helping to restore forests in Kenya, empower women in Honduras and promote elephant welfare in Laos, to name just a few. By simply being on this trip, Intrepid Travel will make a donation to the Intrepid Foundation on your behalf. If you choose to donate too, 100% of your donations will go directly to our partners on the ground – where they’re needed most. For more information about the Intrepid Foundation, please ask your leader or visit our website: http://www.theintrepidfoundation.org/

GENERAL ROOMING CONFIGURATIONS: Family of two: All family groupings of two will be accommodated in a twin room. Family of three: Wherever possible we will put you in a triple room. Please be aware that in some places triple rooms are in short supply. This means that a triple room will often be a twin room with a rollaway bed or mattress on the floor. Where triple rooms aren’t available it will be at your discretion which of your family takes the single room. Family of four or more: You will most likely be accommodated in two twin rooms. Where possible, we will accommodate your family in a quadruple room. While we do our very best to ensure that family groups are roomed close together (in some cases, we can arrange adjoining rooms), we can’t guarantee this. Most family holidays occur during peak season and we sometimes have little to no control over the exact placement of rooms within a hotel. Please be understanding if we are unable to room your family in immediate proximity of one another.

https://www.intrepidtravel.com/booking-resources/our-services

You will travel in a group with other like-minded families who may have come from all over the world. We find that the kids of all ages usually bond well and act as a catalyst for the rest of the group. If you are keen to know the ages of other children on the trip, then please ask your booking agent. We ask you to be understanding of the various needs and preferences of your group - patience with your fellow travellers is sometimes required for the benefit of everyone's travel experience. Remember too that you have responsibilities to the group. If you are requested to be at a place at a certain time, ensure that you don't keep the rest of the group waiting. We have found time and time again that the very best trips we operate are those where the dynamics within the group work well - this takes just a little effort on your part.

ITINERARY CHANGES Our itineraries are updated regularly throughout the year based on customer feedback and to reflect the current situation in each destination. The information included in this Essential Trip Information may therefore differ from when you first booked your trip. It is important that you review this information prior to travel so that you have the latest updates. Due to weather, local conditions, transport schedules, public holidays, or other factors, further changes may be necessary to your itinerary once in-country. The order and timing of included activities in each location may also vary seasonally to ensure our travellers have the best experience. Your tour leader will keep you up to date with any such changes once on tour. OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES A selection of optional activities that have been popular with past travellers are listed in the day-to-day itinerary. This isn't an exhaustive list and should be used as a guide only for some of what might be available. Prices are approximate, are for entrance only, and don’t include transport to and from the sites or local guides unless indicated. All activities are subject to availability, and maybe on a join-in basis. It may not be possible to do all the activities listed in the time available at each destination, so some pre-planning for what you are most interested in is advised. When it's recommended that travellers pre-book these activities, look for a note in the Special Information section of the day-to-day itinerary. For most, they can either be organised independently on the day, or let your leader know you are interested in the Group Meeting and they can assist. Where activities are considered medium or high risk, we work with operators whose safety and credentials we have sighted and assessed. Although it is possible that you may find the same activity cheaper with another operator on the ground, we cannot vouch for the safety or quality of that operator. Medium and high-risk activities not listed above have not been assessed by us and as such our staff and leaders are unable to assist you with organising these activities. Activities that contravene our Responsible Travel policies are also not listed. Please remember that the decision to partake in any activity not listed is at your own discretion and risk.

Hotel (9 nights),Gite (1 night) Camping (1 night)