Addi Ouadderrou

Addi is a native Moroccan from the desert region, and an expert on Moroccan culture and history. With over 25-years of experience directing deep-dive and personalized cultural tours, Addi acquaints participants with his country’s history, lifestyles, arts, languages, food, dance, music, and more. Addi is the owner of Moroccan Caravan, LLC, is the tour co-leader and manager, and makes all on the ground arrangements for this tour, allowing visitors the opportunity to relax and enjoy the entire trip stress-free. addi@moroccancaravan.com

Day 1

Depart USA to Casablanca/Morocco

Begin travels today with a flight across the Atlantic to arrive in Casablanca, Morocco no later than 10:00am on the following day of Day 2.

Participants book their own flights. Suggested nonstop flights from the US to Casablanca, Morocco on Royal Air Maroc depart: from New York (JFK), from Washington DC Dulles (IAD), from Miami (MIA), from Montreal (YUL). This is an overnight flight.

Day 2

Casablanca / fes

Arrive in Casablanca and transfer to Rabat aboard our private vehicle, that will be with us throughout the trip. Rabat is the capital of Morocco, with a lively art scene and deep history.

We will visit Rabat’s Contemporary Art Museum and the Andalusian gardens of the Kasbah des Oudayas, and time permitting, a few other wonderful sights - overnight in Rabat. (L,D)

DAY 3

Rabat - Volubilis - fes

Enjoy the picturesque drive through the Middle Atlas Mountains to Fes, the artistic center of Morocco, with the Middle Atlas Mountains harkening ahead of us.

We’ll arrive in time for a special Sufi ceremony and dinner in the heart of the Fes medina – overnight in the ancient city of Fes. (B,L,D)

DAY 4

explore fes

After breakfast at our hotel, we will enjoy a full day tour of Fes, including visiting a centuries-old ceramic arts workshop, fiber work artists and weaving studios, the oldest leather tannery in the world, metal works, and more.

Meal preparation and delicious foods are another artform in Morocco. Experience this as we foray through this lively medina (old city) – overnight in Fes. (B,L,D)

DAY 5

fes to rissani/Tafilalt Oasis

This morning, we board our vehicle for a picturesque drive south to the desert oasis of Tafilalt, crossing the Middle Atlas Mountains and the dramatic eastern High Atlas Mountains.

After a day-long drive, with multiple stops of interest, we will reach our guesthouse at the edge of the Sahara Desert, where we will spend the rest of our time together discovering places few others get to experience, venturing deeper into the desert region, and primarily socializing and interacting with other artists, sharing ideas. Overnight at guesthouse in the Oasis. (B,L,D)

DAYs 6 & 7

Tafilalet Oasis - art retreat

The next 2 days will be spent in and around the creative space of the guesthouse. Indigo and henna dyeing on fabric, and botanical eco-printing on paper will be available to experiment with and create pages for collage, decorative pillowcases, t-shirts, etc. Each participant is able to spend time how they wish, either as a group or individually, bringing your own art supplies as needed for your own creations. Further details of these days will unfold as the desires of the group become apparent. Overnights at our guest house in the Oasis. (B,L,D)

DAY 8

Tafilalet Oasis - sahara desert & camel trek

Today is one of the weekly Market Days in nearby Rissani, an ancient trading center at the crossroads of nomadic routes. We’ll visit this lively market - an amazing place for people-watching and understanding how and where locals purchase food and supplies. This is a great opportunity to learn about local spices and their uses in both food preparation and medicinal applications.

While in the area, we’ll enjoy a local lunch, and then head to the Sahara desert for a late afternoon camel trek to a luxury desert camp, overnight under the stars, and music and dance around the camp fire. (B,L,D)

DAY 9

sahara desert & the desert region

Return from camp and enjoy some downtime around the pool, as we soak in the desert region and enjoy lunch overlooking the golden sand dunes.

In the afternoon, we’ll explore other parts of this region including a Saharan oasis garden and villages, witnessing how locals extract water from the dunes for drinking and irrigation using an ancient underground system called khuttaras. We’ll wrap up the day with a visit to a local community with Sub-Saharan origins to experience their unique spiritual music and chanting. Overnight at our guest house in the Oasis. (B,L,D)

DAYs 10, 11, & 12

tafilalt oasis - art retreat

Our final 3 days together will be spent in and around our guesthouse, creating art, taking walks, reading on the terrace, and more.

We may have an opportunity to visit a local clay tile making family and understand how these unique materials are taken from the earth, molded, and baked in a wood-fired kiln. Additionally, we may visit a local shrine and garden to soak in the beauty and gather an understanding of how history unfolded in this area of Morocco. We may even take time to visit an area where fossils are extracted from the earth, and have the opportunity to dig for our own fossils.

Details of these days will unfold as the desires of the group become apparent. Overnights at our guest house in the Oasis. (B,L,D)

DAY 13

Bon voyage

Leave early morning to catch flight from Errachicia Airport (ERR) to Casablanca Airport to return home to USA.

It is crucial to register for this trip and book this flight early to avoid a day-long drive across Morocco to catch your flight in Casablanca back to the USA.

For those wishing to continue travels in Morocco we offer this Optional Extension - please see below for Itinerary.

DAY 1 - optional extension

Rissani to Todra Gorge and Ouarzazate

This morning you will set out on a ride full of unique scenes, wandering through a series of lush valleys, small villages, and the rugged Todra Gorge (canyon). Continuing westward, through the Dades Valley along the “Trail of 1000 Kasbahs”, adobe fortifications will fill the view. Overnight in Ouarzazate. (B,D)

DAY 2 - optional extension

Ouarzazate - Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou - Marrakech

Ouarzazate is a town known for film production. Today you will cross the amazing High Atlas Mountains. The scenery in the mountains is striking and unique, as dozens of Amazigh (Berber) villages accented with terrace gardens can be seen. One of the highlights for today is the world heritage site Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou. You will visit a women’s cooperative that specializes in making famous Argan Oil. Overnight in Marrakech. (B,D)

DAY 3 - optional extension

Explore Marrakech

Today, you explore the lively medina of Marrakech. You will visit a lush hidden garden (Le Jardin Secret), created on the grounds of a historical site, the 19th century Bahia Palace, and the 11th century Koutoubia Mosque and gardens. You will then experience the colors and smells of the lively souks (markets). Overnight in Marrakech. (B,D)

Day 4 - optional extension

further explore marrakech

Today, you will take a short drive outside of Marrakech to visit the stunning Anima Garden with endless colorful floral and sculpture displays. Lunch on your own at the Garden Cafe. In the afternoon, you return to Marrakech to further explore the medina, shop, and pack for your morning departure. Overnight in Marrakech. (B,D)

DAY 5 - optional extension

Transfer to Casablanca airport for departures

This morning we will leave Marrakech and transfer to Mohammed V Airport in Casablanca, arriving at least 3 hours prior to departure. (B)

Bon Voyage!

FEES AND TRIP INFORMATION

fees

BASE TRIP - $3,500 for shared accommodation+ $200 for out-of-pocket expenses paid by the tour director along the way; $700 single room supplement

5-DAY OPTIONAL EXTENSION - $1,250 for shared accommodation + $100 for out-of-pocket expenses paid by tour director along the way; $200 single room supplement

We encourage participants to room together (2 twins or 1 queen, depending on preference) in order to allow us to reserve accommodations in special local riads and guesthouses that tend to have beautiful, but fewer rooms. We will accommodate single room requests if available.

Included in this trip:

●  1st class private, air-conditioned van/bus transportation during the tour

●  Charming accommodations as indicated in the itinerary or similar

●  Admission to historical sites, gardens, and parks during scheduled guided group tours

●  All meals as indicated in the itinerary, excluding all beverages (B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner). Water will be served with every included meal

●  First rate tour leaders, professional driver, and licensed tour guides for specialty locations

●  Some art supplies and equipment during artist retreat

●  Many unique surprises!

NOT INCLUDED IN THIS TRIP:

●  Airfare

●  Travel Insurance and Personal Health Insurance

●  Passport fees and related paperwork

●  Private vehicular transfer

●  Shopping, massages, hammam visits, liquor, or anything not included in this package

●  Excess baggage, telephone, laundry, room service, personal and medical expenses

●  Art supplies for artist retreat (TBD)

●  Tips for drivers/tour leaders