Page 320 - Discoveries Await in 2022 & 2023

Itinerary DAY 4 • Fez • Hammam visit DAY 7 • The Middle & High Atlas
Travel to Fez—a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Upon Mountains • Erfoud
arrival, leave our bus behind and enter the medina Wind across the Middle and High Atlas Mountains,
DAY 1 • Depart U.S. on foot, making our way to our riad—a Moroccan through cedar forests, to the town of Erfoud. Along
Depart today on an overnight flight to Casablanca. home that has been refurbished into an intimate the way, meet with a semi-nomadic family (when
hotel. Later, we’ll visit a traditional hammam and possible) and delve into their way of life.
DAY 2 • Casablanca, Morocco • Rabat learn how life is interwoven in this bathing culture.
An O.A.T. representative meets us at the airport in B,L — Hotel Riad Salam or similar B,L,D — Kasbah Hotel Chergui or similar
Casablanca this morning. Then we drive to Rabat, DAY 8 • Off-road Sahara adventure •
one of Morocco’s ancient imperial cities. Later this DAY 5 • Fez • Home-Hosted Dinner Sahara Desert camp • Meet local family
afternoon, we meet our fellow travelers who took Set out for a day of exploration in Fez. First, go to Enjoy an O.A.T.-exclusive visit with members of a
the optional pre-trip extensions to New! Andalusia & the traditional Jewish quarter, called the mellah, tol local desert community in their home to experience
the Costa del Sol: Seville & Malaga or Northern Morocco: visit a 17th-century synagogue. Afterwards, stroll a traditional side of Moroccan life. Afterwards,
Chefchaouen, Tangier & the Berbers of the Rif. through the souks (marketplace) of the Old City— board 4x4 vehicles and head through the desert
D — Le Diwan Hotel or similar the medina.. This evening, we’ll enjoy an exclusive to our private tented campsite. Upon arrival,
Home-Hosted Dinner with a local family. enjoy some free time, or join your Trip Experience
DAY 3 • Rabat • Controversial Topic: Leader on an optional hike to see the sun set over
Refugees and poverty in Morocco B,L,D — Hotel Riad Salam or similar the dunes. Take in a traditional Moroccan cooking
Enjoy an introduction to the Arabic language before DAY 6 • Fez • Controversial Topic: Women’s demonstration this evening.
a walking tour of Rabat. We’ll visit La Halinka, the rights • Optional Volubilis & Meknes tour B,L,D — Private tented camp
oldest coffee shop in the region. Then, visit the ruins The day is free for your own discoveries. You may
and gardens of the Chellah and Kasbah Oudeya, a join a full-day optional tour of two UNESCO World DAY 9 • Sahara Desert walk & camel ride •
citadel built in the 12th-century. This afternoon, Heritage Sites, Volubilis and Meknes. First, wander Farm visit • Khamlia
learn about a Controversial Topic from a Nigerian amongst the ruins of Volubilis, one of the most well- Choose to rise before dawn to watch the sunrise
refugee and a young Moroccan woman to learn why preserved Roman cities in North Africa. Then set off in the Saharan dunes followed by a guided walk.
a growing number of sub-Saharan refugees are for Meknes to tour the Old City. Reconvene as a small Later, explore the desert on the back of a camel
arriving in Morocco to seek a better life. Tonight, group to learn about a Controversial Topic when we (weather permitting). Then, 4x4 vehicle take to a
gather for a Welcome Dinner at a local restaurant. meet a local activist and professor to discuss sexism local farm to learn about local produce, followed by a
B,D — Le Diwan Hotel or similar in Morocco. visit to the remote village of Khamlia. Renowned for
B,D — Hotel Riad Salam or similar the ritual music of its Gnawa musicians, we’ll watch

Meet the people who
call Morocco home

Local family in Fez : On Day 5, we’ll
learn what it’s like to live in one of
the world’s largest intact medieval
cities when we join a local family
for a Home-Hosted Dinner in
their Fez home.

The women of Aït Benhaddou :
We’ll spend A Day in the Life of Asfalou village near
Aït Benhaddou on Day 11. And we’ll visit the Imik Smik Women’s Association
for Rural Development, where local women will show us the handicrafts
that form their livelihood and share a midday meal, mint tea, and henna
ceremony with us.
A young feminist in Marrakesh : Gain insight into Morocco’s young feminist
movement on the evening of Day 14 when a local young woman comes to our
riad to talk to our small group about Moroccan society’s gendered expectations
of women and how a new generation of feminists is fighting against these
traditional roles.

On Day 7, meet with semi-nomadic Berber families en route to Erfoud.

320 Morocco Sahara Odyssey www.oattravel.com/ mso

4036_MSO2022_PROD.indd 320 11/4/21 2:08 PM