Destination: Morocco By AirAccommodation: Various 3*Board Basis: Full BoardTour Dates: 27/06/2011 - 03/07/2011Length of Tour: 7 days, 6 nights

2 nights at Marrakech Hotel2 nights at Quarzazate Hotel1 night at Merzouga Hotel1 night in Sahara Desert (Berber Tents)

Estimated Party Size: 36 students, 4 staffStudent Price: £669.00 Per passengerDeposit: £250

Morocco 2011

27/06/11 – 03/07/11

Yes, the rumours are true; Abercorn is indeed planning a school trip to Morocco! Due to the unfortunate absence of Mr Lowe the French trip has been cancelled, but this has opened a fantastic opportunity to take our French, Art and Geography learning to a rather more exotic destination than Wyndham!

Although it will be quite an epic effort to arrange, we feel that the experience a trip of this kind offers so much to enhance the students learning and life experience and we hope you will allow your children to join us on this adventure. We are using an experienced and reputable company any they will be happy to address any of your concerns. There will soon be a presentation available on the school web site to wet your appetite and a full presentation to parents on an evening nearer the time.

Have a look at the dates and the itinerary below and if you want to join us complete the form attached to the end of this document. We will need definite numbers and deposits of £250 as soon as possible but by Friday January 14th 2011 at the latest.

Day 1: Arrival Marrakech. Met by Mistral Travel representative. Help with arrival

formalities. Transfer to hotel. Evening: Visit to famous place Jemma El Fna Square.

Itinerary:

To all Parents of Year 6,7 and 8 Students!

Marrakech is the third largest city in Morocco after Casablanca and Rabat. It was known to early travellers as "Morocco City" and prior to the reign of Moulay Ismail Marrakech was the capital of Morocco.

The city has the largest traditional market (Souk) in Morocco and also has one of the busiest squares in Africa and probably the world; Jemma El Fna. The square bustles with acrobats, storytellers, water sellers, dancers, and musicians. By night the square is filled with food stalls, becoming a huge open-air restaurant.

Acc: Marrakech: Hotel 3* Twin/Triple Rooms en suite

Meals: L+D+ (Hotel)

Day 2: After breakfast a Conducted Tour of Marrakech City.

Places to visit:

After the tour we climb aboard our bus and depart Marrakech for Ouarzazate.

We leave behind us the busy and sometimes chaotic streets of Marrakech to the relative calm of the foothills of the Atlas Mountains that can be seen in the distance. Driving slowly through the foothills the views from the bus are quite stunning as we climb higher and higher. Looking down from our bus we can see small Berber Villages perched here and there in fact anywhere where there is room to cultivate the land and build a small house. Look out for the small boys selling volcanic coloured rocks by the roadside. Here we take time out from our journey for a guided trek in the clear cool air of the High Atlas Mountains. Notice the stillness and breathtaking views. In the winter months these parts are covered in snow. Bet you did not know that you could ski in Morocco.

At last we reach the Tizi-n-Tichka Pass at 2260m that marks the highest point after which begins the long descent to the Eastern plains that lead via the Valleys du Dades and Draa to the Sahara Desert.

• D’Jemaa El Fna Square

• Kortoubia Mosque

• Qoubba Almoravide

• Saadiens Tombs* (picture)

• El Badii Palace

Just 20kms from our destination Ouarzazate we turn off the main road and travel a short distance to a World Heritage Site Ait Benhaddou. This WHS is unique in Morocco as it comprises a collection of small Kasbahs (Ksar) balanced precariously on a mountainside. These lived in Kasbahs and the surrounding sites have been and still are much sort after by film companies who use the backdrop for their productions. The climb to the top through the winding alleyways is well worth it for the views back west to the Atlas Mountains and east down the valleys Dades & Draa.

We continue on to Ouarzazate a City that stands at the head of the Dades and Draa Valleys. In the past because of its strategic position Ouarzazate was important being the gateway to the route to the Sahara Desert and grew rich by charging travellers passing through the city. Today Ouarzazate has developed its tourist activities and has become known as the “Hollywood’ of Morocco due to its large and flourishing film studios just outside the city.

We arrive at last at our Kasbah hotel with time to relax and perhaps a swim before dinner.

Acc: Ouarzazate: Hotel 3* Twin/Triple Rooms en-suite

Meals: B+L (en route)+D (Hotel)

Day 3:

After lunch there is a short tour of the Gorge before we continue our journey heading out of the Valley du Dades en route to our final destination, the Sahara Desert. Passing through several villages as we break out of the Dades Valley the landscape starts to change to scrubland and then desert as we approach the great Sahara. Arriving at last at our destination Merzouga we leave the main road and travel a short distance across the desert to our accommodation a traditional Kasbah Auberge set right up against the Great Sand Dunes of Erg Chebbi. Here you can relax after your journey with maybe a refreshing swim in the Auberge’s ‘pool or just enjoy the feeling of being in the Sahara Desert proper.

Acc: Merzouga: Desert Auberge Twin/Triple Rooms en-suite

Meals: B+L (en route)+D (Auberge

Day 4: After a relaxing morning in the Auberge we have lunch before mounting our camels for a Camel Trek into the Sahara Desert that takes us behind the Great Sand Dunes of Erg Chebbi. Afternoon spent exploring the desert with overnight Bivouac. Here there is the opportunity to see the evening sunset over the Sahara Desert plus a unique opportunity to view the heavens in clear space.

Evening: music, entertainment with the Berber camel drivers after dinner.

Sahara Desert: The Sahara Desert is a great desert area in North Africa that extends from the Atlantic Ocean eastward past the Red Sea to Iraq. The entire desert, the largest in the world, is about 1600 km wide and about 5000 km long from east to west.

The total domain of the Sahara Desert is more than 9,000,000 sq. km more than 3,500,000 square miles of which 80,000 square miles consist of partially fertile oases.

After breakfast dep. Ouarzazate to Tinerhir and the incredible “Todra Gorge” via the Valley du Dades also known as the “Valley of a Thousand Kasbahs” due to the number of these dwellings seen en route. We also pass through Skoura. This part of the Valley du Dades is also known as “Rose Valley”. Here every year the rose petals grown in this area are collected (as much as ten tons it is said) and crushed to make perfume that is exported all over the World.

We continue on to Tinerhir and the Gorge du Todra where we stop for lunch and to see how millions of years of water erosion has carved out this incredible gorge

The boundaries however are not clearly defined and have been shifting for a thousand years. The limits of the Sahara Desert are the Atlantic Ocean on the west, the Atlas Mountains and the Mediterranean Sea in the North, the Red Sea and Egypt in the east, and the Sudan and the valley of the Niger River in the south.

Acc: Sahara Desert: Berber Tents Twin/Triple

Meals: B+L+D (Bivouac)

Day 5: After breakfast dep. Merzouga to return to Ouarzazate via N’koob (Ziz Valley). En route through the valley stops to study the stunning geography of the Jbel Sarhro Mountains and later the equally spectacular volcanic rock formations that form the Western Jbel Sarhro Mountains.

Arriving at our hotel there is time for a wash and brush up before an evening “Special Moroccan Traditional Dinner” plus entertainment by local dancers/musicians. Chance to see the ancient “Howish” dance performed.

Acc: Ouarzazate: Hotel 3* Twin/Triple Rooms en-suite

Meals: B+L (en route)+D (Hotel)

Day 6: After breakfast we drive into the town centre to visit the impressive Grand Kasbah. This was once the home of the powerful Pasha Glaoui. Notice the construction, mud & straw this is typical of all Kasbah’s in Morocco. Also a visit to the ‘souk’ (market) where are displayed Berber handmade artworks. Then it’s back on the coach for a short trip to the Berber Village of Tiffoultout. Here you will see how the waters from the High Atlas Mountains irrigate the land here and continue on down the Valley’s du Dades and Draa providing much needed water for irrigation for crop and date growing. We depart to return to Marrakech once again crossing the High Atlas Mountains. Arriving back in Marrakech we have time revisit the Place D’Jemma El Fna Square to spend the last of our dirhams in the souk for a present for those at home before enjoying a “Last Night” celebration dinner in a Marrakech restaurant.

Acc: Marrakech: Hotel 3* Twin/Triple Rooms en-suite:; Meals: B+L (en route)+D (Restaurant.

Day 7: Transfer to Marrakech Airport for the flight home. Meals: B

Notes: CAA - ATOL Protection Contribution:

On the 1st April 2008, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), radically changed the way in which consumer financial protection is implemented in relation to the licensing of air travel. A ‘levy’ has been introduced – this is currently set at £2.50 per passenger and is referred to as the ‘ATOL Protection Contribution’. All ATOL holders are now required to collect and pay over to the CAA £1 per passenger for ‘all’ booked passengers, with effect from bookings received (not departures) from the 1st April 2008. Please note that this fee has been included in tour cost.

Fuel Surcharges, Airport taxes and Security Charges:

The quoted price includes all known charges and taxes, but it is important to note that these can fluctuate. You will be advised of any changes notified to us by the airlines.

Flights with “No Frills” airlines:

The price we have quoted is based on today’s published fare. Prices shown in our quotation are subject to availability and daily price fluctuation.

Baggage Allowance on “No Frills” airlines:

Most “No Frills” airlines now charge extra for checked in baggage and we will automatically include one item of checked in baggage in your price. Additional items will be charged by the airline at the check in desk.

Accommodation:

Accommodation is based on students staying in multi-bedded rooms.

LOtC:

By being awarded the Quality Badge by the LOtC, Equity School Travel ensures that they deliver good quality teaching and learning experiences, whilst managing risk effectively.

Vaccinations, Currency and Visas

The recommended vaccinations that you should have before travelling to Morocco are Typhoid and Hepatitis A, 2 weeks before travel.

http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/travel/africa/morocco.shtml

The currency Morocco is the Moroccan Dirham.

Please check if your Nationality requires a visa and inform us. U.K., E.U. and American/Canadian Nationals do not require a visa.

http://www.morocco.com/essentials/visas-passports/

REPLY SLIP MOROCCO 2011

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YES! I WOULD LIKE TO CONFIRM MY CHILD __________________________________ IN FORM _________

WILL BE PARTICIPATING IN THE ABERCORNSCHOOL TRIP TO MOROCCO AND I ENCLOSE MY DEPOSIT PAYMENT OF £250 (CHEQUES MADE PAYABLE TO ABERCORN SCHOOL PLC.)

SIGNED: ________________________________

DATE: ___________________________________