Deserts and Rivers Adventure

See the contrast of Morocco with its stunning rivers in the heart of the Atlas Mountains to staying with Berbers in the Sahara Desert.

Morocco is a land full of contrasts and a destination to awaken the senses. You will get a true sample of the extremes of this land on our Deserts and Rivers adventure. Travel from the heart of the Atlas Mountains by river sampling scenery few people get to experience. Along the way, you'll have gourmet food in spectacular surroundings. After your river journey, we'll return to Marrakesh to take in all that this fascinating city has to offer.

We'll journey to the Sahara desert through Ait Bennhadou, the scene of so many great movies to the heart of the desert. Here you'll ride camels and sleep under the stars miles taking in the peace and serenity of this magical place.

Morocco will surprise you in so many ways, but its variety of landscapes is illustrated perfectly on this trip.

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Itinerary / Highlights

Day 1.
Arrive in Marrakech and be met by your Trip Leader. You'll spend the night in the heart of the old town in a Riad or traditional Moroccan Hotel.
No meals included.

Day 2.
A gorgeous drive through the heart of the Atlas Mountains to the river. On a clear day, you'll get spectacular views of Mt Toubkal, the highest mountain in North Africa. We camp in a spectacular place beside the river.
Included: All meals

Day 3.
After a thorough safety talk and paddle instructions, you'll paddle off down the best river in Morocco. As well as all the fun rapids, you may well see monkeys or turtles from the raft. We stop in a superb lunch spot for a feast of gourmet sandwiches. This afternoon sees more fun rapids including the highlight, "Wee Stinky"
Included: All Meals

Day 4.
As the sun creeps over the hillside, you'll wake up to hot drinks and a yummy breakfast. We put on the water for some fun filled rapids in the morning before pausing and taking a walk up to a Kasbah, giving us a great outlook over the area. After a lunch of fresh salads, we float down another series of fun rapids camping at "Cheeky Monkey" Rapid in the heart of a spectacular gorge.
Included: All meals

Day 5.
After breakfast you'll drift through two spectacular gorges 400 metres high. As we emerge onto the lake, we get a tow across by power boat and then drive back to Marrakech. We'll sample of of the unique restaurants in the Djeema El Fna tonight and stay in the heart of the Medina.
Included: Breakfast & Lunch

Day 6.
Today sees an amazingly scenic drive up to and through the heart of the majestic Atlas mountains. We board our 4 wheel drive vehicles early in Marrakech, stopping en route to enjoy a great lunch alongside the River Dades. We arrive mid afternoon into Erg Chebbi and enjoy local food, music and entertainment.
Included: All meals

Day 7.
Let's try another type of transport today! Camels! After breakfast we board our new best friends, we take us to the Sahara Desert Great Dunes. We have some amazing photo opportunities here. We take a chance to enjoy lunch and relax. In the evening we visit a local Nomad village and meet the families who are totally at home and welcoming out here. We enjoy a traditional Moroccan Dinner with proud families entertaining us with music and dance. We Bivouac in the desert under the stars!
Included: All meals

Day 8.
We depart by camel back to Erg Chebbi Auberge, where we enjoy our lunch. We drive towards the Rissani Kasbah and other surrounding areas of interest for the afternoon. If you choose here, we can arrange an extra night in a desert Bivouac.
Included: All meals

Day 9.
Today we leave Erg Chebbi Auberge after breakfast and head for Ait Benhaddou and sample the history and hospitality of the locals. We have our lunch in the stunning Todra Gorge before making our way to Ouarzazate. We visit the Kasbah and in the evening after settling into our hotel we take a tour of the spectacular hillside medina. We enjoy dinner on the terrace of our hotel with Moroccan music and entertainment all included!
Included: All meals

Day 10.
After breakfast we depart Ait Ben Haddou bound for Marrakech. We stay in a Riad in the heart of the medina.
Included: Breakfast and lunch

Day 11.
After breakfast we take our return flight back home.
Included: Breakfast

Other Details

Accommodation Details

Accommodation the night before and after the raft trip is in a Riad (Traditional Morocco Hotel) in the heart of the Marrakech Medina. Whilst in the desert, we have 2 nights in a desert bivouac and the rest of the time in tourist hotels.

What you should bring:
We find most of our clients have in their posession already what is needed for a river journey. We have broken down here the items into what you'll need on the river and in camp. An equipment list of what you will require for your adventure will be sent to you prior to your departure.

River Fashion:
* A pair of Chacos or similar sandals. Trainers are also okay.
* A pair of River shorts or swimming costume.
* Long sleeved business shirt to wear under your life jacket in hot destinations.
* A baseball cap for under the helmet to keep sun off.
* Wide brimmed sunhat.
* Sunglasses.
* Chums for fastening your sunglasses to your head.
* Nalgene or similar water bottle.
* Carabiner for fastening water bottle to your boat.
* Thermal Top for cooler destinations. Medium weight - Heavyweight Capilene or polypropylene is the best.
* Waterproof sunscreen and lip balm SPF15 minimum.

For evenings and around camp
* Lightweight long trousers.
* Lightweight Long Sleeved shirt.
* Fleece jacket.
* Ladies should bring a long skirt or sarong to cover your legs whilst in the company of locals.
* Underwear.
* Glasses or Contact lenses. Disposable lenses are ideal.
* Toiletries. Toothbrush, toothpaste, biodegradable soap and shampoo.
* Forget the cosmetics and hair dryer! But we do suggest moisturizer.
* Hand wipes
* A 3-season sleeping bag.
* Travel Pillow.
* Small pack towel.
* Headlamp or head torch and spare batteries.
* Shoes or boots for wearing around camp and on hikes.
* Insect Repellent.
* Any medication you may be taking.

Optional Items:
* Your favourite book or a journal for recording your river memories.
* Sketchpad.
* Photographic or video equipment. On most expeditions we provide a waterproof pelicase for these items. We recommend a cleaning kit as sand gets everywhere. Bring a spare memory card or plenty of film. Also bring spare batteries for your camera.
* Waterproof disposable for the "action" on the raft shots.
* Swiss Army Knife or Leatherman.
* An extra bag to bring back a wooden hippo, a carpet, Thanka or anything else you may purchase on your holiday.
* An iPod or other music preferences. We have speakers.

Personal Spending:
* The only money that you need to bring is for meals in town, souvenirs, DVD, personal items and the beer kitty for the raft trip if you drink. Please remember that many of the countries we visit do offer Credit Card and ATM facilities and for a small charge you can withdraw cash either from your account or Credit Card for convenience.
* If you wish to pass on a gratuity to your guide we leave this entirely up to you.
* Basically, we advise you to keep things as light as possible, without skimping on the necessities. It is great to bring back a load of goodies for everybody back at home.

You do NOT need to bring:
* Tents, sleeping mats.

Departure Dates, Options & Prices

Saturday 13 March 2010 - Wednesday 24 March 2010 : 12 days : GBP £1195 : Euro €1395 : USD $1995

Saturday 27 March 2010 - Wednesday 7 April 2010 : 12 days : GBP £1195 : Euro €1395 : USD $1995

Saturday 3 April 2010 - Wednesday 14 April 2010 : 12 days : GBP £1195 : Euro €1395 : USD $1995

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