MOROCCO 203 AFRICA Imaginative Facts Tour code: MTMH • Activities: Extensive walking at sites • Accommodation: 7 nights tourist class hotels • Transport: 1st class air- conditioned train, minibus • Fully Escorted: By Imaginative Traveller tour leader, services of local guides • Imaginative Traveller Suggests: Add our ' Essaouira Extension' tour DAY 1: CASABLANCA- Arrive and check in to your hotel. DAY 2: CASABLANCA - RABAT- Travel to Rabat, Morocco's capital. Walking tour of the medina, the Kasbah des Oudaias, the Mausoleum of Mohammed V and the Tour Hassan. ( B) DAY 3: RABAT - FES- Free morning to further explore the Andalucian influences in the medina. Afternoon departure to the exciting city of Fes. ( B) DAY 4: FES- Guided walking tour of the fascinating medina and souqs ( markets) of Fes, including the leather tanneries. ( B) DAY 5: MEKNES - VOLUBILIS- Drive to Meknes, one of Morocco's four ' Imperial Cities' and a great place to explore. Though not as large as Fes, Meknes has a charm of its own and is far less frequented by travellers. In the afternoon continue to the Roman ruins of Volubilis. Return to Fes for the night. ( B) DAY 6: FES - MARRAKECH- We take the bus or train to Marrakech, Morocco's most exotic city. ( B) DAY 7: MARRAKECH- Morning guided tour of Marrakech medina. Free afternoon to soak up the atmosphere of the souqs and the famous Djemaa el Fna square. ( B) DAY 8: MARRAKECH- Tour ends after breakfast. ( B) Experience the country's four great exotic cities in just one week! • Compare and contrast the magnificent imperial citiesof this exotic country • Take a walking tour of Rabat and discover Meknes' hidden charms • Explore the labyrinth of the old city of Fes • Wander amongst the Roman ruins and mosaicsof Volubilis • Spend time amidst the bustling souqs and alleysof Marrakech Moroccan Highlights Imaginative Facts Tour code: MAMV • Activities: Extensive walking & hiking, optional camel trek • Accommodation: 11 nights simple hotels, 1 night berber tents ( multi share), 2 nights village gite in the High Atlas ( multi share) • Transport: 2nd class air- conditioned train, minibus, public bus • Fully Escorted: By Imaginative Traveller tour leader, services of local mountain guide in the High Atlas DAY 1: CASABLANCA- Arrival day. DAY 2: MEKNES- We take the morning train to Meknes and have a free afternoon to explore the old imperial city and the bustling souqs. ( B) DAY 3: MEKNES - FES- Free morning where you have the opportunity to visit the Roman ruins at Volubilis. In the afternoon we take the train to Fes. ( B) DAY 4: FES- A full day to explore this remarkable city, in particular the old city of Fes el Bali, one of the best preserved mediaeval Islamic cities in the world. ( B) DAY 5: MIDELT- We drive into the Middle Atlas where we stay in a small auberge situated on a charming farm with fruit trees and fields all around. The afternoon is free to relax by the pool, visit a small local kasbah or hike through the surrounding countryside. ( B) DAY 6: ERG CHEBBI- We drive via the Ziz Gorge to the Sahara Desert, where we stay in berber tents on the edge of the mighty dunes of Erg Chebbi. For those who wish, there is the chance to take an overnight excursion with camels into the dunes. ( B) DAY 7: TODRA GORGE - DADES GORGE-Drive to the magnificent Todra Gorge, a steep- sided chasm that cuts through the mountains. Later we continue to the Dades Valley. ( B) DAY 8: AIT BEN HADDOU - Drive via the desert city of Ouarzazate to Ait Ben Haddou, one of the most impressive collection of kasbahs in Morocco. We spend the night in a simple auberge nearby. ( B) DAY 9: IMLIL- Head for the small village of Imlil, our gateway to the High Atlas and Toubkal Massif. From Imlil we continue on foot to the village gite that will be our hiking base. The views in this area are superb. ( BD) DAY 10: HIGH ATLAS HIKING- We spend the day hiking with our local guide along stunning mountain trails in the shadow of Mt Toubkal. ( BLD) DAYS 11 & 12: ESSAOUIRA- Leave the mountains and head to the coast and the 18th century Portuguese port of Essaouira. Explore the narrow alleys, stroll down to the fishing port to sample some of the local seafood or find a quiet spot on the beach. You may like to take a sunset camel ride along the beach to the ' castle in the sand'. ( B) DAYS 13 & 14: MARRAKECH- We take the bus back to Marrakech. Marrakech is Morocco's most exotic city and we have plenty of time to explore. Haggle for souvenirs in the souq, explore the network of narrow alleyways of the old city or relax with a cup of mint tea in a shaded cafe. ( B) DAY 15: MARRAKECH- Tour ends. ( B) Travel the length and breadth of this remarkable country • Time in the imperial cities of Fes, Meknes and Marrakech • Journey across the Middle Atlas Mountains to the great dunes of Erg Chebbi • Visit the spectacular Todra and Dades Gorges • Hike in the High Atlas Mountainsin the shadow of mighty Mt Toubkal • Relax at the beautiful old Portuguese fishing port of Essaouira Moroccan Caravan Single Supplement £ 115 ( optional) Voluntary Carbon Offset £ 3.95 * Price includes tour price of £ 385and local payment of € 100All prices are subject to currency fluctuations £ 460pp Land Only * Single Supplement £ 120 ( optional) Voluntary Carbon Offset £ 3.95 * Price includes tour price of £ 499and local payment of € 135All prices are subject to currency fluctuations £ 599pp Land Only * travelleradventurer Tour duration 8 daysTour duration 15 days Starts SatEnds Sat CasablancaMarrakech 2009 14- Feb- 0921- Feb- 09 07- Mar- 0914- Mar- 09 28- Mar- 0904- Apr- 09 18- Apr- 0925- Apr- 09 09- May- 0916- May- 09 30- May- 0906- Jun- 09 20- Jun- 0927- Jun- 09 11- Jul- 0918- Jul- 09 01- Aug- 0908- Aug- 09 22- Aug- 0929- Aug- 09 12- Sep- 0919- Sep- 09 03- Oct- 0910- Oct- 09 24- Oct- 0931- Oct- 09 14- Nov- 0921- Nov- 09 05- Dec- 0912- Dec- 09 Starts SatEnds Sat CasablancaMarrakech 2010 13- Feb- 1020- Feb- 10 06- Mar- 1013- Mar- 10 27- Mar- 1003- Apr- 10 17- Apr- 1024- Apr- 10 08- May- 1015- May- 10 29- May- 1005- Jun- 10 19- Jun- 1026- Jun- 10 10- Jul- 1017- Jul- 10 31- Jul- 1007- Aug- 10 21- Aug- 1028- Aug- 10 11- Sep- 1018- Sep- 10 02- Oct- 1009- Oct- 10 23- Oct- 1030- Oct- 10 13- Nov- 1020- Nov- 10 04- Dec- 1011- Dec- 10 Starts SatEnds Sat CasablancaMarrakech 2009 14- Mar- 0928- Mar- 09 25- Apr- 0909- May- 09 16- May- 0930- May- 09 06- Jun- 0920- Jun- 09 18- Jul- 0901- Aug- 09 08- Aug- 0922- Aug- 09 19- Sep- 0903- Oct- 09 10- Oct- 0924- Oct- 09 Starts SatEnds Sat CasablancaMarrakech 2010 13- Mar- 1027- Mar- 10 24- Apr- 1008- May- 10 15- May- 1029- May- 10 05- Jun- 1019- Jun- 10 17- Jul- 1031- Jul- 10 07- Aug- 1021- Aug- 10 18- Sep- 1002- Oct- 10 09- Oct- 1023- Oct- 10 Save up to 15% on your tour - see page 243 Save up to 15% on your tour - see page 243

AFRICAMOROCCO 204 " I learned a lot from this tour and I couldn't have done it on my own. The tour leader always tried to give us ' real' experiences." Becky Carville africa Imaginative Facts Tour code: MCMS • Activities: Extensive walking at sites, camel ride at Merzouga • Accommodation: 13 nights in restored kasbahs, riads and Kasbah-style hotels, 1 night tented camp • Transport: 1st class air- conditioned train, private coach • Fully Escorted: By Imaginative Traveller tour leader, services of local guides • Imaginative Traveller Suggests: Add our ' Essaouira Extension' tour DAY 1: CASABLANCA- Arrival day. DAY 2: CASABLANCA - FES- Take the train to Fes. The rest of the afternoon is free to explore this city or relax. We stay in the heart of the ancient medina in a typical residence that has been transformed into a hotel but which retains all the splendour and atmosphere of the old private homes. ( B) DAY 3: FES- Today we go on a guided tour around the city, said by many to be the best example of old Islamic architecture to be found anywhere in the world. ( B) DAY 4: FES- Using Fes as our base, we visit the nearby Imperial City of Meknes, once home to one of Morocco's greatest rulers. In the afternoon we visit the Roman site of Volubilis. ( B) DAY 5: FES - MERZOUGA- We leave Morocco's northern cities behind and embark on a long drive through mountains, forests and gorges until we end up in Merzouga, in the mighty Sahara Desert. Our accommodation tonight is in the style of a traditional kasbah fortress. ( BD) DAY 6: MERZOUGA - In the morning we can visit nearby villages. In the afternoon we ride camels out into the dunes, to our private desert camp. Our accommodation tonight is in a traditional Berber tent, where we can fully appreciate the tranquillity of the desert. ( BD) DAY 7: MERZOUGA - TODRA GORGE-Today we head to one of Morocco's greatest natural wonders, the imposing Todra Gorge, where we have time to explore before moving on to Tinerhir. We stay in a hotel built in the classic style of the desert kasbahs. ( BD) DAY 8: OUARZAZATE & AIT BEN HADDOU-Travel to the oasis town of Ouarzazate and the nearby village of Ait Ben Haddou, a World Heritage Site that contains the best preserved collection of kasbahs in Morocco. We spend the night in a traditionally decorated converted kasbah. ( BD) DAYS 9 & 10: TAROUDANNT- We travel through the dramatic scenery of the Anti- Atlas Mountains to reach the Berber town of Taroudannt, where we stay in a restored Sultan's palace within the town walls. Enjoy a free day exploring this charming walled town. Perhaps visit the local markets or take a walk along the ramparts. ( BD) DAYS 11 & 12: HIGH ATLAS MOUNTAINS-Exploring another side of Morocco, we head into the dramatic High Atlas mountains, the highest range in North Africa. Our accommodation is situated in the heart of the mountains. Take a full day to explore and walk amongst this fantastic scenery, gaining a great insight into rural Morocco. ( BD) DAY 13: HIGH ATLAS MOUNTAINS - MARRAKECH- Descending from the mountains, we head to the fabled market city of Marrakech, once the great meeting place for Morocco's remote tribes. This afternoon we have a guided tour around some of the city's fantastic monuments. ( B) DAY 14: MARRAKECH- A free day to explore the bustling souqs and sights of Marrakech. ( B) DAY 15: MARRAKECH- Tour ends. ( B) Enjoy this exotic destination from the comfort of unique accommodation • Tour the grand imperial cities of Fes, Meknes and Marrakech • Ride camels to our tented campin the Sahara Desert • Visit oasis towns, the spectacular Todra Gorge and Roman Volubilis • Head into the High Atlas Mountains to gain an insight into rural Morocco • Stay in restored kasbahs, palaces and riads Morocco in Style Morocco Casablanca Rabat Meknes Fes Marrakech Ait Ben Haddou Taroudannt High Atlas MtsTodra Gorge Merzouga Morocco in Style High Atlas Trails Imperial Cities & High Atlas Volubilis Single Supplement £ 770 ( compulsory) Voluntary Carbon Offset £ 3.95 * Price includes tour price of £ 1285and local payment of € 380All prices are subject to currency fluctuations £ 1575pp Land Only * connoisseur Tour duration 15 days © Imaginative Traveller Starts SatEnds Sat CasablancaMarrakech 2009 21- Feb- 0907- Mar- 09 04- Apr- 0918- Apr- 09 25- Apr- 0909- May- 09 16- May- 0930- May- 09 29- Aug- 0912- Sep- 09 19- Sep- 0903- Oct- 09 10- Oct- 0924- Oct- 09 31- Oct- 0914- Nov- 09 Starts SatEnds Sat CasablancaMarrakech 2010 20- Feb- 1006- Mar- 10 03- Apr- 1017- Apr- 10 24- Apr- 1008- May- 10 15- May- 1029- May- 10 28- Aug- 1011- Sep- 10 18- Sep- 1002- Oct- 10 09- Oct- 1023- Oct- 10 30- Oct- 1013- Nov- 10 We can also offer Extra Accommodation, Adventure Travel Insurance& Flights Save up to 15% on your tour - see page 243