MOROCCAN QUEST – Imperial Cities & Desert Dunes
Photo Tour with Gavriel Jecan
April 5-19, 2018
Important Photo Tour Details
Morocco Photo Tour - April 5-19, 2018
Small group size of max 6 travelers, plus guide, instructor.
15 days/14 nights lodging and in-country transportation included.
Photo Instructor: Gavriel Jecan of International Photo Tours
Tour Leader: Emily Wilson of Traveler Worldwide Explorations
Come with us as we discover and photograph Morocco’s exotic sights and culture, unattainable to the usual tourist masses! The Land of pink horizons and golden dunes which reflect the setting sun plus small villages and plenty of Kasbahs! Morocco has historically served as the world’s cultural crossroads and is known for its ancient tradition of cultural hospitality. We not only see the Imperial cities, desert dunes, majestic mountains, beautiful oases and much much more…. we show you the “people” around the sights! An unforgettable journey of memorable photographic moments!
Prices: Approx. $5,775.00 per person (based on double occupancy), Single Supplement: $1075.00
Deposits & Payments: $1,500.00 per person to reserve your place on this tour. All payments are processed on the International Photo Tours site.
Final Payment is due on or before: January 5, 2018
All payments are processed on the International Photo Tours site.
Morocco Photo Tour - April 5-19, 2018
Small group size of max 6 travelers, plus guide, instructor.
15 days/14 nights lodging and in-country transportation included.
Photo Instructor: Gavriel Jecan of International Photo Tours
Tour Leader: Emily Wilson of Traveler Worldwide Explorations
Come with us as we discover and photograph Morocco’s exotic sights and culture, unattainable to the usual tourist masses! The Land of pink horizons and golden dunes which reflect the setting sun plus small villages and plenty of Kasbahs! Morocco has historically served as the world’s cultural crossroads and is known for its ancient tradition of cultural hospitality. We not only see the Imperial cities, desert dunes, majestic mountains, beautiful oases and much much more…. we show you the “people” around the sights! An unforgettable journey of memorable photographic moments!
Prices: Approx. $5,775.00 per person (based on double occupancy), Single Supplement: $1075.00
Deposits & Payments: $1,500.00 per person to reserve your place on this tour. All payments are processed on the International Photo Tours site.
Final Payment is due on or before: January 5, 2018
All payments are processed on the International Photo Tours site.
Itinerary
APRIL 5 — Rabat
A group transfer* from Casablanca airport 1½ hrs to stately capital Rabat, added in 2013 to the World Heritage List. Pending everyone’s arrival time, Rabat program may begin this afternoon. Continental dinner at the hotel. (D RABAT) *(Participants who cannot take advantage of group transfer are responsible for their own transfer.)
APRIL 6 — Rabat and to Chefchaouen
Morning for visiting the hillside Oudaya Casbah, a former lair of Barbary Coast corsairs, and the Chellah fortress, with time for photography. Afternoon transfer northeast into the Rif Mountains and Chefchaouen, the North’s most picturesque town. (B, L, D Chefchaouen)
APRIL 7 — Chefchaouen
An open day for photography in the old town of Chefchaouen, tracing its cobblestone alleyways amid whitewashed buildings with blue doors. (B, L, D Chefchaouen)
APRIL 8 — Fes
A morning transfer to spiritual capital Fes, considered the last true example of a typical medieval Arab city, with midday arrival. This afternoon, an orientation tour of the city, with a walk through its 14th-C. Sector, stopping at the 700-year-old Bou Inania Koranic School and the famed “Blue Gate” around sunset. (B, L, D FES)
APRIL 9 — Fes
A morning walk through 9th-C. “Old” Fes, considered by scholars to be the last true example of a typical medieval Arab town. See the recently restored Attarine Medersa, the finest artistic achievement of the 14th-C. Merinid Dynasty; the mausoleum to city founder Idriss II; the 17th- C. Nejjarine caravansary; and the area of the world’s oldest functioning university, Al Qaraouine, with its famed, colorful leather tanneries, bazaars and craft workshops. The afternoon is open for photography. (B, L, D FES)
APRIL 10 — To Marrakech
A full-day transfer to legendary Marrakech. Begin with the Middle Atlas and its last forests of the giant Mediterranean cedars, passing mountain station Ifrane, site of a new international university, and taking a track into the heart of the forest to look for the indigenous Barbary macaques. Then along hilly farmland and small townships until the wide Tadla plains, with an early evening arrival in Marrakech. (B, L, D MARRAKECH)
APRIL 11 — Marrakech
A morning orientation tour of the medina, with its monuments, the largest bazaars of the country, and the tumultuous Jemaa el Fna square, the vibrant heart of the city (best to return there later in the day, as the circus-like atmosphere is at its highest around sunset). The afternoon is open for photography.
APRIL 12 — Marrakech
The day is reserved for additional photography around Marrakech. (B, L, D MARRAKECH)
APRIL 13 — Over the Atlas
The morning is again open for photography and personal pursuits in Marrakech, with a suggested excursion for dawn photography 20 min south of the city in the area of the Agafay Kasbah, amid a pristine hilly landscape. Then a transfer South, on the spectacular drive of the 7,500-ft Tizi-n-Tichka pass, with late afternoon arrival in international filming center Ouarzazate, whose exotic surroundings have been used ever since “Lawrence of Arabia.” (B, L, D OUARZAZATE)
APRIL 14 — Into the Sahara
The early morning is saved for photography around the town’s majestic Taourirt Kasbah. Then still south, over the moonscape of the Saghro range and down the Draa Valley, a 60-mile ribbon of date-palm oases guarded by ancient adobe citadels. You reach administrative center Zagora and continue into typical desert scenery, past former learning center Tamegroute, until the village of M’Hamid. There board 4WD vehicles for the transfer into the heart of the vast sea of dunes of the Erg Chegaga, with a late-afternoon arrival. (B, L, D bivouac camp amid the dunes, with walk- in tents, raised beds and shared, basic bathroom facilities).
APRIL 15 — Erg Chegaga
A full day for photography at the dunes of Erg Chegaga. (B, L, D bivouac camp amid the dunes, with walk-in tents, raised beds and shared, basic bathroom facilities).
APRIL 16 — To Aït ben Haddou
Just after sunrise take the all-terrain vehicles back to M’Hamid and then retrace the route North all the way to Ouarzazate. From there you reach the hillside Aït ben Haddou kasbah, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and oft-used film backdrop (e.g., “Gladiator”). A few miles past the kasbah is your hotel. (B, L, D Fint Oasis)
APRIL 17 — Fint
A day for photography in the area of your hotel and the Fint Oasis. (B, L,D Fint Oasis) APRIL 18 — Back to the Red Medina A transfer back over the Tizi-n-Tichka pass road to Marrakech, with the remainder of time free for personal pursuits. A farewell dinner at the Riad Kniza in the old city. (B, L, D MARRAKECH)
APRIL 19 — Outbound
A group transfer* to Marrakech airport for the homebound flights. *(Participants who cannot take advantage of group transfer are responsible for their own transfer.)
Price includes:
(based on 6 PAX, double occ.): $5,775.00
Price does not include:
Cost increases may occur unexpectedly due to rising costs of airfares, ground transport, fuel surcharges, accommodations and currency fluctuations, among others. International Photo Tours may be compelled to amend prices, and we reserve the right to do so without prior notice. An increase in trip prices shall not be sufficient grounds for any refund of funds paid for the trip other than as determined by the terms of our cancellation policy. Note: flow/sequence of itinerary or daily events are approximate and subject to change. There can be itinerary variations until 45 before departure due to group size, road conditions, weather or decision of driver, guide or escort. Prices can be affected and change due to exchange rates of currencies, up until all client’s final payments made.
A non-refundable deposit of $1500.00 per person is required when registering, and the balance is due 120 days before the departure date of the trip. When registering within 120 days of the trip departure date, full payment is due at the time of registering. If full payment is not received by the due date, we have the right to cancel your reservation and retain deposit and trip fee per the payment schedule.
If you need to cancel your reservation, the cancellation would have to be in writing and would be valid as of the day of received in our office, at which time the following fees apply: – Cancellation 90 days or more before departure: 100% of trip land cost refundable – Cancellation 89 to 60 days before departure: only 50% of trip land cost refundable – Cancellation 59 or fewer days before departure: no part of the trip land cost is refundable This photo tour and workshop is offered as a complete package. Once the trip commences, we do not provide partial refunds for any cancellation or unused portion or service for any reason.
A group transfer* from Casablanca airport 1½ hrs to stately capital Rabat, added in 2013 to the World Heritage List. Pending everyone’s arrival time, Rabat program may begin this afternoon. Continental dinner at the hotel. (D RABAT) *(Participants who cannot take advantage of group transfer are responsible for their own transfer.)
APRIL 6 — Rabat and to Chefchaouen
Morning for visiting the hillside Oudaya Casbah, a former lair of Barbary Coast corsairs, and the Chellah fortress, with time for photography. Afternoon transfer northeast into the Rif Mountains and Chefchaouen, the North’s most picturesque town. (B, L, D Chefchaouen)
APRIL 7 — Chefchaouen
An open day for photography in the old town of Chefchaouen, tracing its cobblestone alleyways amid whitewashed buildings with blue doors. (B, L, D Chefchaouen)
APRIL 8 — Fes
A morning transfer to spiritual capital Fes, considered the last true example of a typical medieval Arab city, with midday arrival. This afternoon, an orientation tour of the city, with a walk through its 14th-C. Sector, stopping at the 700-year-old Bou Inania Koranic School and the famed “Blue Gate” around sunset. (B, L, D FES)
APRIL 9 — Fes
A morning walk through 9th-C. “Old” Fes, considered by scholars to be the last true example of a typical medieval Arab town. See the recently restored Attarine Medersa, the finest artistic achievement of the 14th-C. Merinid Dynasty; the mausoleum to city founder Idriss II; the 17th- C. Nejjarine caravansary; and the area of the world’s oldest functioning university, Al Qaraouine, with its famed, colorful leather tanneries, bazaars and craft workshops. The afternoon is open for photography. (B, L, D FES)
APRIL 10 — To Marrakech
A full-day transfer to legendary Marrakech. Begin with the Middle Atlas and its last forests of the giant Mediterranean cedars, passing mountain station Ifrane, site of a new international university, and taking a track into the heart of the forest to look for the indigenous Barbary macaques. Then along hilly farmland and small townships until the wide Tadla plains, with an early evening arrival in Marrakech. (B, L, D MARRAKECH)
APRIL 11 — Marrakech
A morning orientation tour of the medina, with its monuments, the largest bazaars of the country, and the tumultuous Jemaa el Fna square, the vibrant heart of the city (best to return there later in the day, as the circus-like atmosphere is at its highest around sunset). The afternoon is open for photography.
APRIL 12 — Marrakech
The day is reserved for additional photography around Marrakech. (B, L, D MARRAKECH)
APRIL 13 — Over the Atlas
The morning is again open for photography and personal pursuits in Marrakech, with a suggested excursion for dawn photography 20 min south of the city in the area of the Agafay Kasbah, amid a pristine hilly landscape. Then a transfer South, on the spectacular drive of the 7,500-ft Tizi-n-Tichka pass, with late afternoon arrival in international filming center Ouarzazate, whose exotic surroundings have been used ever since “Lawrence of Arabia.” (B, L, D OUARZAZATE)
APRIL 14 — Into the Sahara
The early morning is saved for photography around the town’s majestic Taourirt Kasbah. Then still south, over the moonscape of the Saghro range and down the Draa Valley, a 60-mile ribbon of date-palm oases guarded by ancient adobe citadels. You reach administrative center Zagora and continue into typical desert scenery, past former learning center Tamegroute, until the village of M’Hamid. There board 4WD vehicles for the transfer into the heart of the vast sea of dunes of the Erg Chegaga, with a late-afternoon arrival. (B, L, D bivouac camp amid the dunes, with walk- in tents, raised beds and shared, basic bathroom facilities).
APRIL 15 — Erg Chegaga
A full day for photography at the dunes of Erg Chegaga. (B, L, D bivouac camp amid the dunes, with walk-in tents, raised beds and shared, basic bathroom facilities).
APRIL 16 — To Aït ben Haddou
Just after sunrise take the all-terrain vehicles back to M’Hamid and then retrace the route North all the way to Ouarzazate. From there you reach the hillside Aït ben Haddou kasbah, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and oft-used film backdrop (e.g., “Gladiator”). A few miles past the kasbah is your hotel. (B, L, D Fint Oasis)
APRIL 17 — Fint
A day for photography in the area of your hotel and the Fint Oasis. (B, L,D Fint Oasis) APRIL 18 — Back to the Red Medina A transfer back over the Tizi-n-Tichka pass road to Marrakech, with the remainder of time free for personal pursuits. A farewell dinner at the Riad Kniza in the old city. (B, L, D MARRAKECH)
APRIL 19 — Outbound
A group transfer* to Marrakech airport for the homebound flights. *(Participants who cannot take advantage of group transfer are responsible for their own transfer.)
Price includes:
(based on 6 PAX, double occ.): $5,775.00
- Overnight sleeping accommodations, dbl occupancy; single supp available at additional rate $1075.00 pp.
- You must advise us of any special electronic medical equipment you are bringing, (i.e. Cpap/Sleep Apnea electronics). Certain medical devices may result in the necessity of a single room or special electrical supplements and services. We cannot guarantee electrical services while in bivouac camp.
- Group transfers (arrival /departure) to and from airport when individuals arrive and depart on similar times/ air flights.
- All land Transportation; Baggage assistance, 1 bag + carry-on per person. National, Local guides (English speaking) driver;
- Entrance fees to museums, historical sites, listed in the itinerary.
- Camera & Model fees for the whole trip
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinners. PLEASE advise any dietary restrictions, including diabetic or vegan; we will do our best to provide options to meal plans where possible, but cannot always guarantee this.
- Drinking water
- Guide fees, for National guides, local guides and drivers
- Photo instruction (Gavriel Jecan) and escort (Emily M. Wilson).
Price does not include:
- Visa Fees
- International and in-country Airfares, airport taxes, passport costs, medical costs, travel insurance costs, optional tours or excursions.
- Liquor, soft drinks, any hotel incidentals: i.e. movies, room service. Mini-bar, phone, fax or internet fees.
- Personal shopping, laundry
- Excess baggage charges
- Travel insurance, it is highly recommended that you purchase travel & cancelation insurance.
- Items not specifically listed or extra costs due to unanticipated changes in your itinerary for reasons beyond our control.
Cost increases may occur unexpectedly due to rising costs of airfares, ground transport, fuel surcharges, accommodations and currency fluctuations, among others. International Photo Tours may be compelled to amend prices, and we reserve the right to do so without prior notice. An increase in trip prices shall not be sufficient grounds for any refund of funds paid for the trip other than as determined by the terms of our cancellation policy. Note: flow/sequence of itinerary or daily events are approximate and subject to change. There can be itinerary variations until 45 before departure due to group size, road conditions, weather or decision of driver, guide or escort. Prices can be affected and change due to exchange rates of currencies, up until all client’s final payments made.
A non-refundable deposit of $1500.00 per person is required when registering, and the balance is due 120 days before the departure date of the trip. When registering within 120 days of the trip departure date, full payment is due at the time of registering. If full payment is not received by the due date, we have the right to cancel your reservation and retain deposit and trip fee per the payment schedule.
If you need to cancel your reservation, the cancellation would have to be in writing and would be valid as of the day of received in our office, at which time the following fees apply: – Cancellation 90 days or more before departure: 100% of trip land cost refundable – Cancellation 89 to 60 days before departure: only 50% of trip land cost refundable – Cancellation 59 or fewer days before departure: no part of the trip land cost is refundable This photo tour and workshop is offered as a complete package. Once the trip commences, we do not provide partial refunds for any cancellation or unused portion or service for any reason.
- It is highly recommended that you purchase travel & cancelation insurance.
- In case that an individual cancellation reduces the group size to below the minimum on which costs are based (currently 6 paying PAX), we reserve the right to either (a) offer the program with certain cost-reducing alternatives in accommodations, itinerary and/or services, or (b) charge a small-group supplement based on the actual costs for the final number of participants.