Page 251 - 2022 & 2023 Adventures by Land & Sea

AFRICA

DAY 9 • Sahara Desert walk & camel ride • Association for Rural Development, a Grand Circle is free for your own discoveries. This evening, a
Farm visit • Khamlia Foundation site, to better understand life as a local young woman will join our group at the riad
You can rise before dawn to watch the sunrise in the woman in the Moroccan countryside. Then, for a conversation about a Controversial Topic:
Saharan dunes, and then stretch your legs during a we’ll return to Ouarzazate where you’ll enjoy free the challenges faced by Morocco’s young feminist
guided walk. Later, we’ll “saddle up” to explore the time before dinner at a local restaurant. movement. We’ll speak candidly about how Moroccan
desert dunes the traditional way—on the back of a B,L,D — Le Berbere Palace or similar society foists gendered expectations on its women,
camel (weather permitting). Then, our 4x4 vehicle and how a new generation of feminists is fighting
takes us on a visit to a local farm, where we’ll learn DAY 12 • Cross High Atlas Mountains against these traditional roles. Then, we’ll enjoy a
about the local produce and vegetation, followed by a • Overland to Marrakesh • Explore Farewell Dinner at a local restaurant.
visit to Khamlia, a remote desert village. Renowned Djemaa El Fna B,D — Hotel Riad Bahia Salam or similar
for the ritual music of its Gnawa musicians, we’ll We travel through the High Atlas Mountains today en
get the chance to hear their melodic chants during a route to Marrakesh. Along the way, we’ll pause high DAY 15 • Women’s Solidarity Association •
lively musical performance. Later, we’ll enjoy a cup of above narrow green valleys to take in sweeping views. Overland to Casablanca & Hassan II Mosque
tea with nomadic women to discuss their lifestyle. In Once we arrive in Marrakesh, we’ll check into our riad On our way to Casablanca, we’ll have lunch at the
the afternoon, our Trip Experience Leader will lead a where we enjoy lunch together. Tonight, we’ll walk Women’s Solidarity Association and get to know
conversation on the basic tenets of Islam. to Djemaa El Fna, where the street is lined with food one of the women training there. Upon arrival in
B,L,D — Private tented camp stalls. Here, we’ll try out some samples and dinner on Casablanca, we’ll visit the Hassan II Mosque. Then, we
your own afterward. set off for a discovery walk through the city center.
DAY 10 • Overland to Ouarzazate • Visit B,L — Hotel Riad Bahia Salam or similar Please note: Travelers taking our optional post-trip
Berber museum extension will transfer to Essaouira after breakfast,
This morning we leave the open desert behind and set DAY 13 • Explore Marrakesh • Horse-drawn leaving the main trip a day early, and experiencing
off for the oasis town of Ouarzazate, making a stop in carriage ride Casablanca on Day 5 of the The Atlantic Coast: Artistic
Tinejdad. There, we’ll arrive at the Ksar of El Khorbat Today, we explore the legendary city of Marrakesh Essaouira & Casablanca post-trip extension instead of
and take a walk inside one of the unique and ancient on foot, stopping at the Koutoubia minaret, the Day 15 of the main adventure.
fortified ksars (walled cities). We’ll then visit a Berber Moorish spice market, the opulent Bahia Palace, and B,L — Radisson Blu Hotel Casablanca or similar
museum and learn about the history, architecture, the famous medina. You may spend the balance of
and daily life of Berbers in this region. the afternoon exploring on your own, or join your DAY 16 • Return to U.S.
B,L,D — Le Berbere Palace or similar Trip Experience Leader for an elective visit to see If you are flying home today, you’ll rise early and go
a demonstration of Berber weaving. Afterwards, to the airport after breakfast for your flight to the U.S.
DAY 11 • A Day in the Life of Asfalou village explore the legendary city of Marrakesh in a Or, begin your New! Historic Tunisia: Tunis, Kairouan &
• Visit GCF Site: Imik Smik Women’s traditional horse-drawn calèche. This evening, dinner Ancient Carthage post-trip extension.
Association • Explore Ouarzazate is on your own.
Our group will have the opportunity to experience A B,D — Hotel Riad Bahia Salam or similar B
Day in the Life of Asfalou village, beginning with
meeting the family of a local brick maker. We’ll have DAY 14 • Marrakesh • Controversial
the opportunity to tour their home and sit down over Topic: Feminism and youth activism •
bread and locally produced olive oil and tea for a Optional tours
conversation with this family. After a shared lunch in Discover Morocco from a unique vantage point on
their home, we’ll visit the Imik Smik Women’s our optional Marrakesh Hot-Air Balloon Ride, or join
our optional Marrakesh Museums tour. The day

Unique Accommodations

Private tented camp
Merzouga
You’ll experience the life of an authentic desert
nomad—an unforgettable Morocco travel
experience—during our stay at a private tented
camp at towering sand dunes near Merzouga,
a small frontier town on the edge of the
Sahara Desert.
Explore stalls lining the streets of Djemaa El Fna in Marrakesh on Day 12.

Morocco Sahara Odyssey Information & Reservations 1-800-955-1925 www.oattravel.com/mso2022 251

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