| Cost From: | $4995 |
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| Length: | 15 days |
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| Activity: | Hiking / Trekking, Cultural Adventures |
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| Difficulty: |
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Could not have been better. It was a trip that we’ll never forget, and we’ll never forget the company that made it happen.E. and C. Stern—Summit NJ
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On this high alpine adventure, we trek in the Tien Shan (“Celestial Mountains”), the highest mountain range in Central Asia, and discover the fascinating culture of traditional Kyrgyz nomads.
Some of the most glorious scenery in North Africa is found in enchanting Morocco, land of mud-brick casbah towns, medieval medinas, and mythic charms. On our odyssey with Trip Leader extraordinaire Mark Gordon, we discover the country’s sensuous beauty in the epic Sahara, in royal cities, in mysterious souks, in pilgrim towns, at Roman ruins, and on hikes to nomad encampments in red-rock canyons sculpted by nature and time. The centerpiece of our journey is a 3-day desert trek by camel (or on foot, if preferred) across the silent, open spaces and golden dunes of the Sahara. We travel this stunning desert wilderness with a wonderful crew of Berber guides and blue-robed Tuaregs who have worked with us for years. Morocco’s evocative imperial cities also provide a visual feast for us, from amazing Fez, a walled city suspended in a medieval dream, and tiny Essaouira, an 18th century gem set by the sea, to the fabled imperial capital of Marrakesh.
$4995 (11-15 guests)
$5195 (8-10 guests)
$5395 (6-7 guests)
Single supplement: $575
Prices are for 2009 dates
Oct 10-24, 2009 Mark Gordon
Oct 31-Nov 14, 2009 Mark Gordon
Nov 21-Dec 5, 2009 Mark Gordon
Feb 13-27, 2010
Mar 13-27, 2010
Apr 10-24, 2010
Oct 2-16, 2010
Oct 23-Nov 6, 2010
Nov 21-Dec 5, 2010 Mark Gordon
The US Dollar has strengthened against the Moroccan Dirham, and Wilderness Travel would like to pass the savings along to you! Here's how it works: we will purchase the Dirham for your trip when you sign up, which lets us lock in the current exchange rate, and guarantee your savings. To receive the discount, the first deposit on the trip ($500 per person) is non-refundable. If you prefer to have your deposit be fully refundable up to 90 days before departure, you can sign up at the regular published rate for the trip.
To find out the current discount available at today’s rate, please call us at 1-800-368-2794 or send us an email.
Reading list, click here.
In Casablanca, we visit the beautiful Hassan II Mosque, inaugurated in 1993. Massive in scale and set along the water, it is a remarkable blend of ancient craftsmanship and modern technology. In Rabat, we stroll in the picturesque lanes of the Oudaya Kasbah and explore the Chellah, a spectacular royal necropolis built atop the ancient Roman town of Sala Colonia.
After visiting the pilgrim town of Moulay Idriss, surrounded by vineyards and olive groves, and exploring the luminous Roman ruins of Volubulis, we head for unforgettable Fez, hauntingly beautiful and full of infinite visual delights. This ancient city is the most evocative of Morocco’s imperial capitals and one of the most perfectly preserved medieval cities in the world. We enter through one of its four original gates and discover a mile-long network of souks, open-air cafes, courtyards, hammams (traditional steam baths), and gardens. We roam the honeycomb of twisting alleys of Arabic-Moorish architecture, savor the scent of spices, orange blossoms, sizzling lamb kabobs, and sweet honey cakes, and watch scenes unchanged in centuries.
In the silent world of the Moroccan Sahara, we experience the breathtaking beauty of ochre dunes, cobalt sky, and jagged volcanic peaks, and live the life of a desert nomad for a few days. We ride (or hike) across ever-changing desertscapes, with our Berber crew preparing our meals and camps while Tuareg guides tend our camels. Our last camp is in an incredibly picturesque setting at the foot of the golden dunes of Erg Chebbi, one of the great sights of Morocco.
We hike in the dramatic Dades Gorge, where Berber nomads roam with their herds, and the Todra Gorge, a narrow canyon lined with tiny villages, and visit the famed desert citadel of Ait Ben Haddou, a stunning medieval casbah.
Set by the sea, the charming walled town of Essaouira is an artists’ haven of whitewashed houses with blue shutters. We explore on foot to discover the medina, fishermen’s market, artisan workshops, and the ramparts where Orson Welles filmed Othello.
Fabled Marrakesh is a palm-fringed city more Berber than Arabic, a metropolis for the tribes of the Atlas since the 11th century. On foot and by horse-drawn carriage, we discover Marrakesh’s secrets. Depart on Day 15
