Elegant Moroccan Icons & Great Sahara Desert Tour (CMN - CMN)
Highlights:
• With Air Arabia Airlines • 7 Nights Accommodation • Half Board AccommodationIstanbul
We are meeting at Sabiha Gökçen Airport international departures terminal three hours before the flight (1 calendar day before the departure flight date).
Istanbul – Casablanca – Majorelle Gardens – Marrakech
After baggage, ticket, and boarding procedures, our Casablanca flight begins with Air Arabia Airlines scheduled service. Upon arrival at Casablanca airport, we transfer to Marrakech with our private bus waiting for us at the airport. Upon arrival in Marrakech, we set off for our full-day tour of the red city, Marrakech. After our panoramic city tour where we will see the Koutoubia minaret and Jmaa el Fna, the largest square in Africa, bustling with street performances, snake charmers, and open-air restaurants that bring together all the colors of Africa, among the places we will see is the Bahia Palace, adorned with country-specific tiles. Continuing our tour, Marrakech has been one of the favorite places of many European fashion designers, artists, musicians, and adventurers, especially French ones, since the early 1900s. Due to being an important hub for African trade, it also contains all the colors of Africa. In the city medina, which once shaped Islamic art and philosophy, the traditions of medieval life are still maintained. Then, Jardin Majorelle, Yves Saint Laurent’s secret garden, is one of the finest examples of Moroccan architecture. In the garden, there will be unique plants that we will have the opportunity to see and photograph. Transfer to our hotel after the tour and free time. Dinner and accommodation at our hotel.
Route: Casablanca-Marrakech 250 Km (3 Hours 30 Minutes)
Suggestion for the day’s food and drink: You should definitely try the freshly squeezed fruit juices in Jmaa el Fna square
Marrakesh – Essaouira – Marrakesh
After breakfast at the hotel, we are heading to Essaouira, listed as a UNESCO “World Heritage” site. Located on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean, Essaouira is a Portuguese port city where art and ancient culture intertwine, and it is also known by its Portuguese name, Mogador. It has served as a setting for many productions such as Orson Welles’ Othello and the widely watched series Game of Thrones. After our tour of the extraordinary city of Essaouira, where art and culture blend together, including the Jewish quarter mellah, the Portuguese fortress, the fishing harbor famous for its blue boats, and the highly spacious old town center with its streets crossing at right angles, we transfer to our hotel in Marrakech and have free time to rest. Dinner and accommodation at our hotel.
Route: Essaouira-Marrakech 175 Km (3 Hours)
Food and drink recommendation of the day: You should try fresh seafood and fish.
Shopping recommendation: World-famous Moroccan argan oil and cosmetic products based on argan oil can be purchased.
Marrakesh – Film Studios – Ait Benhaddou – Ouarzazate
After the breakfast we will have at the hotel, we depart for Ouarzazate. Along our route are the dazzling Ait Benhaddou, used as a set for many Hollywood films such as The Message, Jewel of the Nile, The Mummy, Gladiator, Alexander the Great, Babylon, as well as for the television phenomenon Game of Thrones in recent years, and the Hollywood film studios. After our lunch break in the town of Ait Ben Haddou, in the late afternoon we arrive at our hotel in Ouarzazate, which has hosted many Hollywood films and welcomed Hollywood celebrities such as Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchett, Martin Scorsese, and many more. Dinner and accommodation at our hotel.
Route: Marrakech - Ait Benhaddou -Ouarzazate 215 Km (4 Hours)
Food and drink recommendation of the day: You should try Lamb Stew and Moroccan Salad.
Shopping Recommendation: Ceramic and pottery varieties specific to Morocco can be purchased.
Ouarzazate – Tinghir – Erfoud
After the breakfast we will have at the hotel, we set off for Tinghir. Our day will pass in the style of a road journey. Along the way, the desert will be on one side and the Atlas Mountains on the other. Water channels, Todra Valley, and M'gouna (the city of roses) are among the places we will visit. Then, we arrive in Erfoud and check into our hotel. After that, we depart for our Sunset Activity in the Sahara Desert Jeep and Camel Safari tour. We head to the sand dunes where we will go on a desert safari. After watching the sunset in the desert, we return to our hotel in Erfoud. Dinner and overnight stay at our hotel.
Route: Ouarzazate-Tinghir 175 Km (2 Hours 30 Minutes), Tinghir-Merzouga (Sahara Desert) 200 Km (3 Hours)
Food and Drink Recommendation of the Day: Moroccan-style couscous or Tagine (meat or chicken stew)
Shopping Recommendation: You can buy precious fossil pieces, rose water and rose-scented cosmetic products, and authentic Berber rugs.
Erfoud – Midelt – Ifrane – Fes
After breakfast at the hotel, we depart for Fes. Along the way, we have the chance to photograph the magnificent Ziz Valley. Then we stop for lunch at a local restaurant in the town of Midelt. Ifrane, located in the Atlas Mountains and known as the little Switzerland of Morocco, is a remarkable tourist center with its ski resort and Swiss-style architecture. After our coffee break here, transfer to our hotel in Fes and free time to rest. Dinner and accommodation at our hotel.
Route: Merzouga(Sahara Desert) -Ifrane 400 Km (6 Hours), Ifrane-Fes 70 Km (1 Hour)
Food and Drink Tip of the Day: You should try trout and apple pie in Midelt.
Shopping Tip: You can buy leather and ceramic products
Fes – Chefchaouen – Tangier
After the breakfast we will have at the hotel, we begin exploring Fes Medina. In Fes, after our walk at the monumental gate of the royal palace, Bab-el Makhzen, and the Jewish quarter Mellah surrounding it, we continue our tour through the labyrinth-like streets of the historic Medina. Among the places we will see are the Attarine Madrasa, the Karaouine University, Nejarine Square, the market where jewelry and copper items unique to Morocco are sold, and the tannery established near the Fes River, where traditional leather processing continues today. Afterwards, we head to the Blue City of Chefchaouen, whose fame has long gone beyond the borders of Morocco. After our walk through its labyrinth-like azure streets, we will have free time for shopping for our guests who wish. After meeting at the time specified by our guide, transfer to our hotel in Tangier and free time to rest. Dinner and accommodation at our hotel.
Route: Fes-Chefchaouen 200 Km (3 Hours 45 Minutes)
Food and beverage recommendation of the day: You should try Morocco's distinctive mint tea.
Tanja – Rabat – Casablanca
After the breakfast we will have at the hotel, we first depart for a city tour of Tangier. After visiting Tangier Medina and the Ibn Battuta tomb, we head to the country’s capital, Rabat. The city of Rabat is located on the banks of the Rabat Bou Regreg River, surrounded by eucalyptus and Portuguese cork oak forests. Since the exiled king announced his return from this city, Rabat has served as the capital of the country. After our visits to Kasbah Oudaya, Hassan Tower, and the Mausoleum of Mohammed V in Rabat, we transfer to our hotel in Casablanca. Dinner and overnight at our hotel.
Route: Casablanca-Rabat 90 Km (1 Hour 30 Minutes)
Food and drink tip of the day: You should try Morocco’s unique mint tea.
Casablanca – Istanbul
After breakfast at the hotel and checking out of the rooms, in Casablanca, a modern industrial city that today has one of Africa’s and the country’s largest ports, we will see Mohammed V Square, a panoramic view of the Hassan II Mosque, and the lively Corniche promenade among the places we will visit. After our tour, transfer to the airport. Following baggage, ticket, and boarding procedures, our flight to Istanbul begins with Air Arabia Airlines scheduled service. With our arrival at Sabiha Gökçen Airport, the end of our tour and services.
What's Included
✅ Economy class flight ticket with Air Arabia Airlines on the Istanbul (SAW) – Casablanca (CMN) – Istanbul (SAW) route
✅ Airport taxes
✅ Airport-hotel-airport transfers
✅ 7 nights half-board accommodation in 3*&4* hotels
✅ Marrakech City Tour
✅ Majarolle Garden Tour (entrance fee not included)
✅ Essaouria City Tour
✅ Film Studios Tour (entrance fee not included)
✅ Ait Benhaddou Tour
✅ Tinghir Tour
✅ Ouarzazate Tour
✅ Midelt Tour
✅ Ifrane City Tour
✅ Fes City Tour
✅ Chefchaouen City Tour
✅ Tangier City Tour
✅ Rabat City Tour
✅ Casablanca City Tour
✅ 8 Breakfasts & 7 Dinners
✅ TURSAB professional liability insurance
✅ Turkish guide service
Not Included
❌ Travel health insurance
❌ All kinds of personal expenses and hotel extras
❌ Overseas departure tax fee
❌ Lunches
❌ Tourist city taxes
❌ Entrance fees to museums and archaeological sites
❌ Drinks taken with meals
❌ Driver tips 5 Euro / per person (optional)
Hassan II Mosque, Fes Karaouine Madrasa + Film Studio + Mohammed V Mausoleum + Bahia Palace + Majorelle Garden + Local Guides + Tourist City Taxes + Sunset Safari by Jeep & Camel 175 Euro per person
***Payment to our guide during the tour is mandatory***
ACCOMMODATION NOTES, FLIGHT DETAILS and OTHER INFORMATION
Hotel check-in times are between 15:00 – 17:00 / check-out times are between 10:00 – 12:00.
Departure and arrival times are local times.
Flights marked with * arrive at the destination on the calendar day following the departure date.
Prices are not valid for groups; please ask for our special prices.
Points to note on our Morocco tour: men should not wear shorts; women should not wear tank tops, mini skirts, tights, or shorts; for mosque visits, a long-sleeved cardigan and headscarf are required.
The Moroccan dirham (MAD) is valid in the country, and 1 € is approximately equal to 10 dirhams. Turkish lira is not valid in the country. We recommend bringing Euro or USD for exchange.
The local time zone of the Kingdom of Morocco is GMT+1, and the time difference with Turkey is (-2 hours). In some periods, this difference may increase to 3 hours.
The participant hereby expressly accepts in advance that they will join the tours to be organized as stated in the tour program, will not disrupt the program, and will additionally pay to the tour official during the trip the amount previously announced in the tour program for expenses such as local guide, museum & archaeological site entrance fees, city taxes, and if applicable audio system with headphones. The participant has been fully and completely informed on this matter.
Since the Ourzazate region is a boutique area, depending on season occupancy, a 3-star or boutique hotel may be provided. Guests who purchase our tour have done so with this knowledge.
Accommodation in Erfoud may be provided at a hotel or in a desert camp, depending on availability.
30 438 SAW CMN 00.10 03.15
30 437 CMN SAW 18.00 00.40*
02,16 August
30 438 SAW CMN 02.00 05.05
30 437 CMN SAW 18.00 00.40*
25 October & November & December
30 438 SAW CMN 00.10 03.15
30 437 CMN SAW 16.40 23.20
IMPORTANT NOTES
Our tour program is arranged with a minimum participation requirement of 20 people. If sufficient participation is not achieved for the trip, the final cancellation notice date is 20 days before the tour departure. Canceled tours due to insufficient participation will be notified to you through your agency.
In cases where there is not enough participation but the tour is still operated, English guidance may be provided.
When only category information is given without specifying a name in the tour program and/or there are options for the same destination, the hotel(s) will be notified by your agency 48 hours before the trip departure.
During periods such as fairs, congresses, concerts, events, sports tournaments, etc., hotels may be used at distances greater than the stated km. In such a case, you will be informed by your agency 15 days before the tour departure date.
Triple rooms may be provided depending on hotel availability, and in such rooms the bed allocated to the 3rd person is smaller than standard beds. Triple rooms consist of 1 large bed + 1 extra bed. Since the extra beds are folding beds and coach beds, participants of the tour are deemed to have accepted the possible cramped conditions in the rooms and the bed type for 3rd person and/or child reservations. Child discounts apply only to a single child staying with 2 adults and matching the relevant age group.
Breakfasts included among the services in the tour program are served in accordance with the breakfast culture of the country visited and are generally offered as a limited menu called continental breakfast, consisting of butter, jam, bread, tea or coffee, and may be served in a separate hall allocated to the group for groups.
The panoramic city tours included in the tour package are tours arranged for the general introduction of the cities and last at most 2-3 hours, conducted panoramically from inside the vehicle with guide commentary, without museum or archaeological site entrances. Panoramic tours, including the other tours specified in the program, are not the responsibility of Lidya Tour if they cannot be carried out on the day and time of the tour due to closed roads caused by any event, or if local authorities do not allow sightseeing or entry, or when the tour becomes impossible due to weather conditions. Some tours may, where possible, be carried out by public transport or on foot in places with closed roads or where vehicle entry is not permitted.
It is necessary to confirm the tour flight times before purchasing a domestic flight. If the guest purchased the domestic connecting flight from a different product provider independent of the agency, they cannot request any refund from the agency in the event that the trip is canceled by the agency or if there is a time change. The guest accepts in advance, when purchasing the tour, any financial and moral losses that may arise due to tour cancellation or changes. Lidya Tour cannot be held responsible for this situation.
In accordance with airline rules, if the outbound flight of round-trip tickets purchased as round-trip is not used, the return flight is canceled by the airline.
Our guests who join the tour without a flight must be present at the tour starting point on their own means and without any delay. Otherwise, they will have to arrange all their transfers by their own means.
According to airline rules, Lidya Tour is not responsible for guests who are not present at the specified airport at the stated times for joining the tour, do not complete check-in and boarding on time, or who complete check-in and boarding on time but are still unable to board the plane and thus cannot make the flight. Any costs related to obtaining new round-trip tickets required for guests who miss the plane in order to join the tour, as well as transfers in the destination area, etc., shall be borne by them.
The personal belongings, bags, suitcases, passports/ID cards of participants in the tour are under their own responsibility, and Lidya Tour is not responsible for items forgotten/lost/stolen. In cases where forgotten items are found, there is no obligation to deliver them to the country and/or the person, and any expenses incurred during delivery shall be borne by the owner of the item.
In cases such as illness or loss/theft, since the integrity and continuity of the group is essential for the guide, the guide cannot accompany guests one by one in such negative situations.
When purchasing the tour, it is mandatory to provide the name as shown in the passport, date of birth, and passport number correctly. Air tickets are issued according to this information. Penalties for ticket cancellations and changes arising from incorrect information will be collected from you.
In some airlines, food and beverage services and online check-in may be subject to a fee.
During the tour, a seat number on the bus cannot be guaranteed.
Extra tours are organized by the local agency we work with, with a minimum participation requirement of 20 people. If the required number is not reached, the excursions cannot be carried out, or the prices, content, and vehicle used for extra excursions may vary according to the number of participants. In addition, the days and times of tours may be changed by the guide depending on the opening/closing status of the museums and archaeological sites at the destinations and weather conditions.
Extra tours are optional and not mandatory. Passengers who do not wish to join extra tours organized during the tour are deemed to have accepted waiting at a suitable rest facility along the way. These passengers will be dropped off at a roadside rest facility before the extra tour begins and picked up from the same point after the tour is completed.
When only category information is given and/or alternative information exists for the same destination, you can learn the hotel(s) where you will stay 48 hours before the trip departure.
Lidya Tour is an intermediary company between the airline and the passenger and is subject to the Hague Protocol dated 28.09.1955. There may be a risk of delay on scheduled and special flights, or times may change before the current trip and flight. Lidya Tour is obliged to notify these changes as soon as possible. Our passengers have purchased the tour knowing and accepting that flight details may change.
VISA
There is no visa requirement for citizens of the Republic of Turkey. For a visa application, a passport valid for at least 6 months from the end date of travel is sufficient.
For our guests traveling with a Turkish green passport, if the passport issue date is older than 10 years, they must renew their passport (extension is not accepted). Otherwise, they may not be admitted to the destination country and/or may not be allowed to fly by the airline. In such a case, responsibility lies with the passenger.
The visa information stated in the program is the information applicable to citizens of the Republic of Turkey. Guests holding a passport other than that of the Republic of Turkey must obtain their visa information from the relevant consulates.
Passport police have the authority not to let you into the country. Lidya Tour is not responsible for this situation; responsibility lies with the passenger.
To avoid problems with customs police at the border gate of the country to be visited due to passports that are torn, worn, wet, and/or otherwise damaged; such passports must be renewed, and if the destination country applies a visa to Turkish citizens, the relevant visa must be in the new passport. Otherwise, responsibility lies with the passenger.
Since there is a possibility that our guests under the age of 18 traveling alone or with only one parent may be asked by the police officer at the country’s entry/exit points for a document showing the joint consent of the parents, we recommend that our guests under 18 and their parents be attentive to this matter.