Committed to Serve You Better….. Zagora – Chgaga Trail Partners program Dec 25 – Jan

Morocco is like a tree nourished by roots deep in the soils of Africa which breathes through foliage rustling to the winds of Europe. | King Hassan II.

Committed to Serve You Better….. YOU TOUR AT A GLANCE DayLocationAccommodationMeals 1Arrival to Marrakech AirportLe Meridien N’Fis 2Marrakech - ZagouraRiad Lamane B/D 3ZagouraRiad LamaneB/D 4Zagoura – MerzougaDesert CampB/D 5Merzouga – OuarzazateBerbere BalaceB/L/D 6Ouarzazate – M’HamidDar Azawad B D 7M’Hamid – CheggagaDesert CampB/D 8Chegaga - OuarzazateBerbere PalaceB /D 9Ouarzazate – DepartureB

Committed to Serve You Better….. Day 1 Friday Dec 25 - Marrakech Upon arrival in Marrakech airport, you will be met by our tour leader who will assure your transfer to the hotel and give you full information about the tour. After a welcome Moroccan tea at the Riad of your stay, you will be assisted with the check in formalities and accommodated. The rest of the day is at leisure and time permitting, your will be able to explore the famous square of Marrakech. Overnight AT Le Meridien N’Fis Hotel Program

Committed to Serve You Better….. Day 2 - Saturday Dec 26 – Marrakech - Zagoura This morning the drive will be along one of the most beautiful roads in Morocco across the High Atlas Mountains via the pass of Tizi n’Tichka at 7000ft. You will enjoy some of breathtaking sceneries while passing through the green valleys punctuated by small local Berber villages. Getting to the pre Saharan regions where you will stop to explore the beautiful U.N.E.S.C.O. protected Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou used as a set for many films. After lunch, cross the city of Ouarzazate and head South towards the Saharan mountain ranges of the Anti-Atlas. Here the scenery will be different as it is getting more desert looking with interesting geological formation and canyons. In AGDEZ you will start a drive along the Draa valley inhabited by a blend of Berber, Arab and African population. Diner and accommodation in ZAGORA Overnight Riad Lamane B/D - About 7 hour 30 mn drive Program

Committed to Serve You Better….. Day 3 – Monday Dec 27 – Zagoura Program This morning you will go for a walk through the palm grove. You will walk by the small farms at the foot of the date trees where you will meet locals working in fields. Getting to Amzarou, an old village which was inhabited by an important jewish community. Visit some of the jewelry workshops and get in the labyrinths to explore the village currently inhabited by berbers. You will be welcomed to sip a glass of tea with a local family before you make your way back to the hotel. *03hs walk Overnight Riad Lamane B/D

Committed to Serve You Better….. Day 4 Tuesday Dec 28 Zagoura – Merzouga Leave Zagora across the huge and beautiful oasis of the Draa valley and start a long journey across the Reg Desert of Jebel Saghro. Along the way you will discover some of the nomadic Berber tribes as well as sedentary people living next to their oases in finely built Kasbahs. Stop for lunch in Alnif before you head towards the legendary Saharan town of Rissani from where camel caravans used to start their long journeys across the Sahara desert. Stop to visit some of the historical sites before you continue to the edge of the Reg desert, in Merzouga where the Saharan sand dunes begin. Here you will start an adventure riding camels across the sand dunes enjoying the emptiness and the quietness of these spaces as well as a tremendous sunset. Diner around a camp fire and accommodation in in the camp under tent Dinner and Overnight Desert Camp. Program

Committed to Serve You Better….. Day 5 Wednesday Dec 29 –Merzouga/Tinghir / Ouarzazate After breakfast leave Merzouga and bound for Ouarzazate in the snow-topped High Atlas Mountains, passing one scene of natural beauty after another. your first stop is in Tineghir, a stunning mountain oasis rising on a series of lush riverside produce gardens accented by palm trees and dominated by ornate clay villages. Here youvisit 984-foot Todra Gorge, home to a variety of rare plant and bird species. After enjoying lunch here, you begin your journey along the “Route of a Thousand Kasbahs,” a region of fortresses with elaborately decorated façades. You continue on through “Valley of the Roses” and El Kelaa M’gouna, Morocco’s “rose capital,” before arriving to Ouarzazate Overnight Berbere Palace B.L. (about 5 hours drive) Program

Committed to Serve You Better….. Day 6 Thursday Dec 30 Ouarzazate – M’Hammid This morning, you will drive south from Ouarzazate via the arid lanscape to Ait Saoun pass at 1500m. Getting to Agdez you will follow the spectacular Draa palm grove, the largest oasis in south Morocco. You will be driving alonfg some old ksours and impressive kasbahs to Zagora, the capital of the south and wich was once an old trade center connecting Morocco to subsaharaan countires.A stop in a local restaurant before you headf souith following the Draa river and crossing some small towns to Ouled Driss Oasis. From there, you will start an off- road route through sand dunes and barren plateaus to Cheggaga dunes. There, you will meet your caravan and gerton camels for a short journey on sand dunes. You will stop at some point and climb a big dune to admire the sun set before you join your private camp in dunes. -05hs drive -45 mn camel ride Program

Committed to Serve You Better….. Day 07 Friday Dec 31 –M’Hamid – Chgaga After breakfast, you will leave the last town of Mhamid in south and venture out for a couple hours journey to Chegaga dunes. You will be crossing sand routes, flat plateaus dotted with acacia tress where you will encounter nomads herding goats and camels. Getting to the dunes, you will swap into camels and ride through the sand dunes. Stop to admire the sunset before you join your private camp in Chegaga. *02hs drive *45 mn camel ride Program

Committed to Serve You Better….. Day 08 Saturday Jan 01 –Cheggaga – Ouarzazate Program Today, you leave the desert following the sand trails to Mahamid and on along the Draa Palm grove to Zagora.Stop to visit Tamegroute libraray known for its unique scripts.Lunch in a local restaurant before you carry on along the stunning Draa valley with its outstanding kasbahs and ksours. From Agdez You will negociate Ait Saoun Pass and through arid mountains to Ouarzazate. Dinner and overnight At Berber Palace *06h30 minute

Committed to Serve You Better….. Day 09 – Sunday Jan 02 Departure After breakfast, transfer to Ouarzazate Airport for the return flight with the fondest of memories. Program

Morocco Travel Tips Time Zone GMT Language Arabic is the official language, Berber (another dialect) and French are widely spoken while English is understood in most Moroccan cities. EnglishFrench Good morningBonjour Good eveningBonsoir GoodbyeAu revoir PleaseS'il vous plaît Thank youMerci YesOui NoNon WaterEau GoodBien MoneyArgent How much?Combien? Where is?Où est? OKD'accord Committed to Serve You Better…

EnglishMoroccan Dialect Good morningSabah al kheyr Good eveningMasa al kheyr GoodbyeB'slama PleaseAafak Thank youShukran YesNaam NoLa WaterMa GoodMezyan MoneyF'lous How muchB'shhal? Where is?Fein? OKWakha Committed to Serve You Better… Religion Morocco is predominantly Muslim with Jewish and Christian minorities. Ramadan (Fasting Month) is observed once a year. In 2013, this falls between 10 July and 10 August. During Ramadan, locals may not eat in public and will not be served in restaurants and cafes. Tourists may eat in public, although it is recommended that eating inside is more appropriate to show respect to the local culture. Currency The Moroccan Dirham, code (MAD) and symbol (Dh), is equal to 100 centimes. Notes are in denominations of Dh200, 100, 50, 20 and 10. Coins are in denominations of Dh10, 5 and 1, and 50, 20, 10 and 5 centimes.

Committed to Serve You Better… Weather The best times to visit are from mid February to June and from September to November. Most of Morocco is situated north of the Western Sahara. The coasts experience a typically Mediterranean climate, with mild wet winters and hot dry summers. Coastal Morocco is cooled by breezes off the Mediterranean Sea and Atlantic Ocean. The rainy season generally extends from October to April. In the interior, winters can be quite cold while summers are very hot. The mountain peaks of the Atlas Mountains are snow capped for most of the year. Clothing Travellers should bear in mind that Morocco is a predominantly Muslim country, and so, out of respect, women should refrain from wearing anything too revealing when walking around town. Health Although it is safe to do so in most big cities, it is always advisable not to drink tap water or eat raw vegetables, especially in Desert areas. Bottled mineral water is available throughout the country. Many hotels claim to have a no-smoking policy, please be aware that this policy is not always enforced and you will almost always still find an ashtray in the room. Pharmacies are open Monday to Friday, and Saturday morning but closed on Sundays. In case of emergency, contact the reception of your hotel or your guide. No vaccinations are officially required for entry to Morocco. It is recommended that Tetanus and Hepatitis A vaccines are up-to-date. For up to date information on latest health and vaccination recommendations, please contact your doctor. Electricity Voltage is 220 volts AC, 50Hz.

Committed to Serve You Better… Photography As in all foreign countries, it is considered polite to adhere to and show respect for local customs. Urban culture is greatly influenced by Western culture, but in rural areas traditional values and customs survive. You should always ask permission before taking photographs of local people as offence could easily be taken. Some locals may ask for a few Dirhams when being photographed. Local Food Moroccan dishes are famously flavourful. The most common ones to try are: Tajine (a thick vegetable and meat stew); DjajjM'hamer (chicken stuffed with couscous, almonds and raisins); and Mchoui (roasted or grilled mutton). Of course, mint tea is very typical in Morocco and is available wherever you go. Local Handicrafts Favourite buys for visitors to Morocco include Moroccan carpets, leather goods, traditional dress and other local handicrafts.