From
Marrakech to the Nile
Including
a one week on a The Dahabiya Nile Cruise
And camping in the Grand Sahara in Morocco . A 19 day North African
Dream Vacation
Including a 5 day Dahabiya Nile Cruise . Private TOURING . Private air-conditioned
vehicle, private chauffeur , private guide(s). We have even included
all the tips.
For guests who want the best in Private Touring
Explore
the two gems of North Africa--Morocco and Egypt--on this Private
19 -day tour edition , that includes a Dahabiya Nile Cruise, Cairo
, Luxor Aswan, Edfu, Kom Ombo , Marrakech . And an overnight deluxe
camp experience in the Sahara in Morocco and the Grand Maghreb. Weekly
Year Round
Day
1 - MARRAKECH - Wednesday: Weekly arrival .... year round : Subject
to availability
Your international flight arrives in Marrakech after completing customs
and immigration formalities, our local rep. escorts us to our hotel.
Your airport transfers are always on a private basis. Private air-conditioned
vehicle, private chauffeur.
DAY
2 - MARRAKECH - Thursday (BL)
We board a horse-drawn carriage for a clip-clop tour of this ancient
royal capital, including the Kotoubia, a former royal palace,
and of course the labyrinthine souks (bazaars). Lunch is included
at a charming local restaurant , private guide .
A
complimentary Dinner is included at a local home:
Meet the locals,
you may wish to bring token gifts to exchange with the host family (
T shirt , small souvenirs of your home town )
This
evening we'll venture where few ordinary visitors ever tread . . . right
into the homes of some of the people of Marrakech l! You'll be invited
to a family dinner, and while you enjoy wholesome home-cooked specialties,
you'll learn about and appreciate the outlook, aspirations, and way
of life of your hosts. Of course, you may enjoy a quiet evening with
your travel companions, by letting us know your preferences.
DAY
3 - OURZAZATE- Friday (BD)
Morning departure
to Ouarzazate crossing the Atlas Mountains and its striking scenery
through the Tizi N'Tichka Pass at an altitude of more than 2000 meters
Before reaching Ouarzazate, visit of the Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah, a wonderful
site now protected by UNESCO, having served as natural decor to numerous
films shooting. It is an area of crumbling Kasbahs grouped among patches
of wheat fields, terraced orchards, olives and date palms. It ascends
a small mountain and is surmounted by an « Agadir » (grain storage tower)
giving it an epic scale. Dinner at hotel : Mercure
Amohad, Berber Palace or similar
DAY
4- OUARZAZATE / TODRA GORGE / ERFOUD / MERZOUGA- Saturday (BLD)
Depending on season and weather , camping may be done in Merzouga or
Erfoud:
From Marrakech explore the wonderful Road of 1000 Kasbahs in the direction
of Boumalne du Dades through Skoura and El Kelaa Des Mgouna . Upon arrival
in Boumalne we'll drive by impressive Ksours (fortified villages) and
fabulous rock formations and fantastic geological landscape. Continue
on the Road of 1000 Kasbahs towards Tinerghir, a former military outpost
built on terraces above a magnificent palm grove and the way into the
awesome Todra Gorge.
The
Todra Gorge is a massive fault in the plateau dividing the High Atlas
from the Jebel Sarho with a crystal-clear river running through it.
Lunch is included at the "End of the Earth," in the awesome gorge, between
300 meter cliffs.
Then
on to Erfoud crossing impressive palm groves and oases. On arrival in
Erfoud you will then take chauffeured four-wheel-drive vehicle (Turbo
Land Rover) to continue on to Merzouga, on the edge of the Sahara. There
will be a bonfire and an entertainment by the locals during the
evening.
Dinner and overnight in a Bedouin tent in the Sahara, offering
a magical sight of the sunset over the majestic dunes.
Accommodation: Upgraded deluxe Berber Tent. Foam Mattress /
Billows. Sheets. Blankets.
Toilet tents are available for your convenience. Your stay includes
a sunset or a sunrise camel ride
We camp in the shadow of the Erg Chebbi dunes south of Tafilalet Valley.
The sand mountains of the Erg hide scattered oases marked by groves
of date palms and greenery.
Here's
our recommended list of things to bring:
- Ski
or thermal clothing, particularly for tenting in the desert, where
evenings and early morning can be quite chilly (particularly in October,
April and May)
- Polar
fleece jacket or woolen sweater
- Windbreaker
DAY
5 - MERZOUGA / ERFOUD / MIDELT / FEZ - Sunday (BLD)
Depending on season and weather , camping may be done in Merzouga or
Erfoud:
After breakfast we drive back (private 4 X 4 Turbo Land Rover ) to Erfoud
, where we pick up a private Mercedes sedan or air-conditioned motor
coach ( depending on the number of guests) .
We drive through Tafilalet region and the Errachidia and the famous
"Legionnaires Pass" ( Talghimat Pass" Lunch is included
at the foot of Djebel Ayachi in Midelt at Kasbah Asmaa. Continue through
the Middle Atlas Mountains in the direction of Fez. Late afternoon arrival
in Fez for dinner and overnight accommodation at hotel. The
city is yours to explore, guidebook in hand. The Lonely Planet guide
includes all the important things to see, and recommendations for restaurants
in all price ranges, so you'll never be at a loss for advice.
DAY
6- FEZ- Casablanca - Monday (BLD)
Oldest of Morocco's four Imperial Cities, Fez is endlessly fascinating,
and today we spend an extensive full day , lunch is included at a local
restaurant.
Top sights today include : the medina (old city), the 15-century
Borj Nord Arms Museum, the gateway of the royal palace,
the fortifications of the Kasbah, the 9th-century Karaouine
Mosque and University, the medersas (theological seminaries) of
Bou Inania and Attarine, the shrine of the city's founder
Moulay Idris II, the Nejjarine Fountain, the monumental
gateway of Bab Boujelloud, the old harem gardens, Dar
Batha Museum, and the artisans' guilds in the souks. After
which we head for Casablanca and your hotel , where dinner awaits you
.
Day
7 - CASABLANCA / CAIRO - Tuesday (BL)
Today we visit the majestic new Grand Mosque of King Hassan II,
second only to the Great Mosque at Mecca in size, continue with a panoramic
tour of the local waterfront and souks . Lunch is included at a local
restaurant , then it is off to Casablanca Airport for your flight to
Cairo on board
Royal Air Maroc or Egyptair flight across North Africa to Egypt.
Air fare is included in economy class. Tax Included . Air ticket is
issued & delivered in Morocco.
Day
8 - CAIRO - Wednesday (B)
We
arrive in Cairo early morning . Complimentary
visa issued upon arrival at Cairo Airport, valid only for American,
Australian , NZ, Canadians, EU, Mexicans & Japanese citizens. Passports
must be valid for 6 month at least at time of arrival.
Visa
will be issued upon arrival.
As you exit the gate, you will pass through a door or two , down some
stairs , then walk for 2-5 minutes , until you pass the duty free shops,
at the end of a wide corridor , you will see the security officers.
There you will be met by a local representative, who will be holding
a sign with the name you prefer to use for the sign .
Our local representative will then take your passport to obtain a stamp
from the cashier / bank window and escort you to speak with the passport
officer. He will escort you through another last check on your passport
as you exit the passport control, into customs area, he will assist
you in collecting your luggage and clearing customs . After exiting
the terminal, our local representative will escort you (private vehicle)
to the hotel
In Morocco & Egypt : all transfers are with a Private air-conditioned
vehicle and a private chauffeur. Remainder of the day at leisure in
Cairo .
Day
9 - CAIRO- Thursday (BL)
Breakfast at the hotel, then we show you the Egyptian Museum , including
the Mummies Hall and King Tut Gold Treasures Room. Then We drive through
this mystical ancient city , we visit the Citadel of Saladin
and its Alabaster Mosque, enjoying spectacular views of the city below.
We descend from the Citadel into Khan el-Khalili, the bazaar
district, in search of Egyptian treasures.
Lunch is included at the newly restored Al-Darb Al-Ahmar and Al Azhar
Park ( by the Agha Khan ) .
This evening we'll venture where few ordinary
visitors ever tread . . . right into the homes of some of the people
of Cairo ! You'll be invited to a family dinner, , you may enjoy
dinner in a quiet restaurant with your travel companions, by letting
us know your preferences.
DAY
10 - CAIRO - Friday (BLD)
Today we visit Cairo's most famous monuments: the awesome pyramids of
Giza, the Valley Temple and the timeless Sphinx.
After lunch we drive to Dahshour, the newly opened pyramid field
south of Cairo, where we visit several ancient structures, including
the great pyramid built by Senfru, father of Cheops. DAHSOUR -
we'll motor to the edge of Cairo, to Dahshour, the newly-opened
pyramid field south of Cairo. We visit the great pyramid of Senfru,
father of Cheops, and other structure:
The "Discovery" of Dahshour:
For almost half a century, the great field of huge pyramids near the
desert village of Dahshour, 25 miles south of Cairo, has been off limits
to the public. Confined within the perimeter of a military base were
many pyramids, including the great 4500-year-old pyramid built by Senfru,
father of Cheops. Senfru's pyramid, the largest in Egypt until his son
built Giza's Great Pyramid, is rhomboidal in shape: it tapers more distinctly
on its upper half. All the pyramids were coated in thick plaster at
one time. Most have lost these protective, decorative sheaths, but Senfru's--miraculously--is
still in place.
Private
air-conditioned vehicle, private chauffeur and a private Egyptologist.
Day
11 - Saturday - Cairo to Luxor ( or Aswan)
and board your deluxe air conditioned Felucca / Dahabiya Very
early morning breakfast and transfer to Cairo Airport. Flight is included
in our rate, in economy class , tax included . Morning arrival at Luxor
. We'll meet you at the airport , upon arrival in Luxor , we proceed
( private vehicle, private chauffeur and private guide to cross the
Nile to the West Bank to visit :
Ancient Workers Village at Deir El Medineh, the first known "Workers
Village" these were the true creative heroes who built the temples
& tombs for the mighty Pharaohs of the Nile Kingdom.
Deir
El Medinah is on Luxor's west bank you get a totally different perspective
on ancient Egyptian life, at the ancient workers' settlement of Deir
el-Medinah. While most of the imposing stone monuments and sites of
Egypt honor the lives and after-lives of royalty, Deir el-Medinah gives
us unique and surprising insights into the ordinary citizens who constructed
and decorated the tombs.
Here
we'll see the excavated homes shared by laborers with their domestic
animals. These quarters were surprisingly large, with three good-sized
rooms, courtyard, kitchen, and even storage cellars. While ancient Egypt
might not have been a workers' paradise, we'll see that artisans and
builders were highly regarded in their community. We are proud to be
the only operator to offer regular visits to this singular ancient settlement
in its tour and cruise programs.
Then we escort you to your
deluxe air conditioned Nile cruise felucca or dahabbiya.
Board Luxor ( or Aswan ) .
Embarkation in Luxor for a relaxing week sailing the Nile on a luxuriously
appointed Dahabbiya.
After
lunch, excursion to the West Bank for visits to the burial places of
the Pharaohs - the Valley of the Kings - where Howard Carter discovered
the tomb of Tutankhamen in 1922. Continue to the adjacent Valley of
the Queens, the temple of Medinet Habu and the Colossi of Memnon.
Overnight
moored on the Nile banks of Luxor. Sample
Deluxe Felucca / Dahabia : El Bey (His
Lordship)
. El Hanem (The Lady) , Zahra (Flower) ,
and Nesma (Breeze) , Dongola, Zarafa
Day
12 - Sunday - Luxor - On board your Yacht Nile Cruise
You will visit the magnificent temple complex of Amon-Ra at Karnak,
with its vast hypostyle hall of 137 columns, followed by the imposing
28 th Dynasty Luxor Temple ,overnight moored in Luxor.
Day
13 - Monday - Luxor to Esna - On board your Yacht
Nile Cruise
Today will be a leisurely day. After breakfast, commence sailing to
Esna where your Dahabbiya will moor
Day
14 - Tuesday - Edfu - On board your Yacht Nile Cruise
This morning you will sail to Edfu to visit the wonderfully preserved
Temple of Edfu.
Overnight
on board as we will look for an island in the middle of the Nile where
we moor.
Come to Egypt and enjoy your honeymoon
or Anniversary cruise
Day
15 - Wednesday - Kom Ombo - On board your Yacht Nile
Cruise
Today you will sail to Kom Ombo visit see the Ptolemaic temple dedicated
to the crocodile god Sobek and the falcon-headed Horus, god of the morning
sun. Overnight moored beside a Nile island.
Day
16 - Thursday - Aswan - On board your Yacht Nile Cruise
A leisurely day sailing to Aswan where the dahabiyya moors overnight.
Day
17 - Friday - Aswan - On board your Yacht Nile Cruise
Today you will visit the Aswan High Dam (completed in 1971); the Old
Dam (completed in 1902) and the ' unfinished obelisk', lying in situ
since the days of the pharaohs. You will also visit the Philae Temple,
dedicated to the goddess Isis, a structure rescued from the rising waters
of Lake Nasser at the time of the High Dam's construction.
Day
18 - Saturday - Aswan - Abu Simbel - Fly back to Cairo
Breakfast aboard the dahabiyya and check-out.
We
bid farewell to the crew, we switch transportation modes and head for
Aswan Airport and your flight back to Cairo and your hotel. Air fare
is always included within Egypt, economy class , tax included
Hotels : City Stars Inter.continental . Nile Hilton , Cairo Conrad or
Grand Hyatt or similar
Abu
Simbel (Breakfast and lunch box )
Private guide in Abu Simbel. Private driver. Private air-conditioned
vehicle
Breakfast aboard the dahabiyya and check-out.
We take a short flight to Abu Simbel , meet your private guide , private
air-conditioned vehicle and driver : In Ramses the Great larger temple,
colossal figures of Ramses are seated with the gods and attended by
his queen and daughters. The smaller temple is dedicated to Queen
Nefertari, who appears as Hathor, the goddess of love, joy and fertility,
symbolized by the benevolent cow. We explore these fine temple , admiring
their ancient aura and artistry, after which retire to a comfortable
hotel for our lunch , and refreshments. After which we fly back to
Cairo , air fare is included with all taxes, where we 'll assist with
your transfer to your hotel
. J. W. Marriott ( Club level room)
Day
19 - Sunday - DEPARTURE (B)
After breakfast, our staff escorts you to the airport for your flight
home .
Bon Voyage.
Private
air-conditioned vehicle, private chauffeur
Rates
are per person in USD
|
Deluxe
A |
Deluxe
B |
| Triple |
US$
9150.00 |
US$
10,270.00 |
| Double |
US$
9370.00 |
US$
10,450.00 |
| Single |
US$
11,900.00 |
US$
12,400.00 |
Hotels
:
In
Morocco
Option A : Deluxe
Deluxe Standard 5 stars hotel :
Marrakech
: KENZI FARAH or similar www.kenzi-hotels.com/anglais
Deluxe Standard 5 stars Riad - Riad Slitine ( privileged room) or
RIAD TIWALINE - www.riadtiwaline.com
Casablanca : Royal Anfa
Ourzazate : Mercure Ourzazate Hotel, or Sultana Royal
Golf Riad ( suite)
Fes
: Les
Merinides ( room) or Jnane Palace ( room) or Perle Medina Riad ( Deluxe
Suite)
In
Egypt : Cairo : Sofitel / Hilton / Sheraton / Grand Hyatt / Conrad/
Inter.Continental
Option B : Deluxe Superior
Marrakech
in Morocco :
Deluxe Superior 5 stars Riad - RIAD KNIZA www.riadkniza.com
Deluxe five stars Superior hotel / Riad : JARDINS
DE LA KOUTOUBIA www.lesjardinsdelakoutoubia.com
Casablanca : Royal Mansour
Fes: Palais Jamai ( Medina View Room) or Riad Fes (
Junior Suite)
Ourzazate : Berber Palace
In
Egypt : Cairo : Four Seasons Hotel
Your
tour includes:
- Air
fare Casablanca to Cairo in economy class , including tax
-
Domestic airfares within Morocco as well as Egypt, in economy class
, including tax .
- Al
gratuity and tips in Egypt and Morocco.
- All
airport and train station transfers in Morocco and Egypt as described
in the tour itinerary, always using a private air-conditioned vehicle,
with a private chauffeur.
-
Your hotel room at a carefully-selected deluxe hotels including tax
& service
- Dahabiya
Nile cruise as listed , that include all meals and shore excursions,
all cabins are outside, all with large panoramic windows, tax & service
charges are included. Bottled water ( one per person) delivered to
your cabin daily while you are on board the cruise. Tea or coffee
/bottled water with each meal while on board the cruise.
- B
= Breakfast, (or aB, American Buffet Breakfast),
L = Lunch, D = Dinner
and all Egyptian airport taxes.
- Private
Guided sightseeing as listed in the itinerary including all entrance
fees.
- Private
guide for all the tours in Egypt and Morocco , except while on board
the Nile cruise, you will be part of a 4-6 English speaking group
-
US and Japanese passport holders need a visa to enter Egypt. You will
obtain a visa at the airport upon arrival in Cairo With our compliments,
valid with American or Japanese passport that is valid for at least
6 month . Visas are not required of US and Canadian passport holders
for entry into Morocco.
- One
night camping in the Sahara as indicated , overnight in a tent
-
Click
for 19
day version with a Nile Cruise
and couple of nights at a deluxe camp in the Moroccan sahara
.
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