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Generous Adventures offers personalized off-the-beaten-track small-group experiences with like-minded travelers. Tours are led by exceptional guides who focus on culture, wildlife, history, adventure, and discovery.
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GENEROUS ADVENTURES TOURS
Amazon River with Heartbeat of the World
January 6-13, 2024
You’re invited on a private, custom 8-Day Journey up the Amazon River into the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve and to the Amazon headwaters. Travel dates are January 6-13, 2024. The trip is all-inclusive live-aboard experience with meals, accommodations, entrance fees, guides, tours and local transportation. This is not a luxury tour. It’s an intimate and extraordinary tour supporting the Heartbeat of the World film project whose team member will be traveling with you. This trip begins and ends in Iquitos, Peru. Please request the cost via email.
We are happy to recommend Lima/Iquitos accommodations, suggest add-on trips to Machu Picchu or Cuzco, and give you tips on international or domestic travel options.
The Amazon rainforest contains some of the most vibrant and exotic wildlife in the world. It is home to pink and grey river dolphins, three-toed sloths, jaguars, macaws, a variety of monkeys, anacondas, to name just a few. During our time on the Amazon River, we’ll motor in small skiffs into small tributaries for intimate wildlife viewing, walks on lush rainforest trails, identify edible and medicinal plants, watch pink dolphins playing, and visit village communities enroute.
One unexpected highlight of the Amazon is the lovingly prepared traditional dishes made with fresh, locally sourced ingredients from the surrounding environment. You can expect to sample a variety of fish, meat and vegetable dishes, accompanied by cocktails and desserts made with exotic tropical fruits.
This part of the Amazon is also home to a diverse population of Amazonian tribes in 94 communities, many of whom retain traditional lifestyles. Those communities who share their culture with visitors, invite us in to meet their residents and learn about their culture. Our private guide grew up on the River and will share his first-hand experiences and knowledge of the River, wildlife and River people.
Jan 6 - Day 1: Arrive in Iquitos, Peru, a place that can only be reached by plane or boat. You’ll be met at the airport and taken by van or bus to the pier where you’ll board the M/V AGUA MARINA for your welcome drink and orientation. You’ll enjoy lunch onboard and meet your naturalist guides, receive your cabin assignmentM/V Aguamarina, your airconditioned live-aboard quarters during the trip. , and learn about the adventure ahead. The afternoon will take you to a canopy walkway for a closer experience with the Mother Nature. Dinner and overnight onboard.
Jan 7 – Day 2: You’ll get an early wake-up call with time enough to grab a cup of coffee or tea before exploring of birds and other wildlife on the Momon River. Breakfast is back onboard followed by
Visit to a Bora Village. Lunch is back onboard the ship followed by an afternoon on Centro America Creek for spotting huge rainforest trees, birds and monkeys, and river people. Dinner and overnight onboard.
Jan 8 – Day 3: We’ll have an early breakfast, then travel along the banks of the Ucayali River to explore the Yucuruchi region of the Amazon, and see the Victoria Regia waterlily, the largest lily in the world. Your naturalist guide will point out unique species of medicinal plants, orchid, bromeliads, different insects, and other natural attractions of this area. Lunch is back on board the Agua Marina, before a Marañon riverbank exploration by skiff and land excursion in the rainforest.
Jan 9 – Day 4: After breakfast, you’ll explore the Nauta Caño Creek area by skiff in search of birds, monkeys, sloths, and other wildlife. Your post lunch experience gives you the opportunity to cast a line into the dangerous Amazon waters as you fish for ferocious Piranhas. These fishare a dietary staple for the Amazon rainforest´s indigenous people and are esteemed as one of the best eating fish in South America.
Jan 10 – Day 5: It’s another early morning wakeup for bird watching before breakfast. Later we’ll have the opportunity to meet a shaman who with his wisdom in ancestral medicine will teach us the secrets and powers of plants, trees, roots and flowers that he uses to cure the different diseases. We’ll take a walk in terra firme after lunch, to get a closer look at the rainforest flora and fauna and travel into the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve. We’ll take a night skiff cruise to explore witness the Amazon become a different domain, keeping on the lookout for bats, night birds, frogs, caimans, and poison frogs.
Jan 11 – Day 6: You visit a River People village where you’ll experience how these people live in harmony with the jungle - fishing, farming, and hunting. Following your visit to the village, you’ll head to a local hut to enjoy a delicious lunch with River family, sampling a delicious “leaf roasted fish”, roasted ripe and green bananas, delicious vegetables salad, and fresh tropical fruits. Later your naturalist will explain about the ingredients and spices that were used to prepare these regional dishes. You’ll go on an exploration to the Marañon river in the late afternoon.
Jan 12 – Day 7: You’ll have a morning cooking class and an afternoon visit to Belen, a floating neighborhood that ebbs and flows with the Amazon River. This is a community that relies on canoes instead of cars, a place where residents live a unique riverside existence that has led to the moniker “The Venice of Peru.”
Jan 13 – Day 8: You’ll be transported from the Agua Marina to the airport after breakfast.
PLEASE NOTE:
Proof of medical insurance coverage is required for this trip from January 6-14, 2024.
Your passport must have six months validity at time of entry and one page available for an exit stamp.
INCLUDED IN COST:
Airport transfers in Iquitos to and from the ship
All meals beginning at lunch on January 6 through breakfast on January 14
Live-aboard accommodations on the M/V Aguamarina
Daily tours and activities
Entrance fees to all relevant activities
English speaking naturalist guides
NOT INCLUDED:
Flights to and from Peru and/or Iquitos
Heath/accident insurance
Personal items
Alcoholic beverages
Tips (for drivers, staff, and guides)
Activities outside of scheduled itinerary
Peruvian Visa (None levied at this time)
Peruvian exit tax (included in flight purchase)
Laundry services
PAYMENT – A 25% deposit is required to reserve your space on this trip. You are not confirmed until your deposit is received. The balance of your payment is due no later than September 1, 2023. Payments may be made by cash or check. Please add 2.9% to your total if you pay by PayPal or Venmo.
Your deposit check should be made out to Generous Adventures ($850/person) and mailed to:
Generous Adventures
556 Hidden Way
Homer, AK 99603
CANCELLATION POLICY – Your deposit/payment is refundable until October 1, 2023, and fully refundable after that if we’re able to fill your space with another traveler. We recommend you purchase trip cancellation insurance (http://www.travelinsurance.com/) as soon as your deposit is paid.
For further trip details or reservations, contact Sally Oberstein (907) 299-8288, sallyoberstein@yahoo.com.
Checks should be made out to Generous Adventures and mailed to 556 Hidden Way Homer, AK 99603.
We are happy to recommend Lima/Iquitos accommodations, suggest add-on trips to Machu Picchu or Cuzco, and give you tips on international or domestic travel options.
The Amazon rainforest contains some of the most vibrant and exotic wildlife in the world. It is home to pink and grey river dolphins, three-toed sloths, jaguars, macaws, a variety of monkeys, anacondas, to name just a few. During our time on the Amazon River, we’ll motor in small skiffs into small tributaries for intimate wildlife viewing, walks on lush rainforest trails, identify edible and medicinal plants, watch pink dolphins playing, and visit village communities enroute.
One unexpected highlight of the Amazon is the lovingly prepared traditional dishes made with fresh, locally sourced ingredients from the surrounding environment. You can expect to sample a variety of fish, meat and vegetable dishes, accompanied by cocktails and desserts made with exotic tropical fruits.
This part of the Amazon is also home to a diverse population of Amazonian tribes in 94 communities, many of whom retain traditional lifestyles. Those communities who share their culture with visitors, invite us in to meet their residents and learn about their culture. Our private guide grew up on the River and will share his first-hand experiences and knowledge of the River, wildlife and River people.
Jan 6 - Day 1: Arrive in Iquitos, Peru, a place that can only be reached by plane or boat. You’ll be met at the airport and taken by van or bus to the pier where you’ll board the M/V AGUA MARINA for your welcome drink and orientation. You’ll enjoy lunch onboard and meet your naturalist guides, receive your cabin assignmentM/V Aguamarina, your airconditioned live-aboard quarters during the trip. , and learn about the adventure ahead. The afternoon will take you to a canopy walkway for a closer experience with the Mother Nature. Dinner and overnight onboard.
Jan 7 – Day 2: You’ll get an early wake-up call with time enough to grab a cup of coffee or tea before exploring of birds and other wildlife on the Momon River. Breakfast is back onboard followed by
Visit to a Bora Village. Lunch is back onboard the ship followed by an afternoon on Centro America Creek for spotting huge rainforest trees, birds and monkeys, and river people. Dinner and overnight onboard.
Jan 8 – Day 3: We’ll have an early breakfast, then travel along the banks of the Ucayali River to explore the Yucuruchi region of the Amazon, and see the Victoria Regia waterlily, the largest lily in the world. Your naturalist guide will point out unique species of medicinal plants, orchid, bromeliads, different insects, and other natural attractions of this area. Lunch is back on board the Agua Marina, before a Marañon riverbank exploration by skiff and land excursion in the rainforest.
Jan 9 – Day 4: After breakfast, you’ll explore the Nauta Caño Creek area by skiff in search of birds, monkeys, sloths, and other wildlife. Your post lunch experience gives you the opportunity to cast a line into the dangerous Amazon waters as you fish for ferocious Piranhas. These fishare a dietary staple for the Amazon rainforest´s indigenous people and are esteemed as one of the best eating fish in South America.
Jan 10 – Day 5: It’s another early morning wakeup for bird watching before breakfast. Later we’ll have the opportunity to meet a shaman who with his wisdom in ancestral medicine will teach us the secrets and powers of plants, trees, roots and flowers that he uses to cure the different diseases. We’ll take a walk in terra firme after lunch, to get a closer look at the rainforest flora and fauna and travel into the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve. We’ll take a night skiff cruise to explore witness the Amazon become a different domain, keeping on the lookout for bats, night birds, frogs, caimans, and poison frogs.
Jan 11 – Day 6: You visit a River People village where you’ll experience how these people live in harmony with the jungle - fishing, farming, and hunting. Following your visit to the village, you’ll head to a local hut to enjoy a delicious lunch with River family, sampling a delicious “leaf roasted fish”, roasted ripe and green bananas, delicious vegetables salad, and fresh tropical fruits. Later your naturalist will explain about the ingredients and spices that were used to prepare these regional dishes. You’ll go on an exploration to the Marañon river in the late afternoon.
Jan 12 – Day 7: You’ll have a morning cooking class and an afternoon visit to Belen, a floating neighborhood that ebbs and flows with the Amazon River. This is a community that relies on canoes instead of cars, a place where residents live a unique riverside existence that has led to the moniker “The Venice of Peru.”
Jan 13 – Day 8: You’ll be transported from the Agua Marina to the airport after breakfast.
PLEASE NOTE:
Proof of medical insurance coverage is required for this trip from January 6-14, 2024.
Your passport must have six months validity at time of entry and one page available for an exit stamp.
INCLUDED IN COST:
Airport transfers in Iquitos to and from the ship
All meals beginning at lunch on January 6 through breakfast on January 14
Live-aboard accommodations on the M/V Aguamarina
Daily tours and activities
Entrance fees to all relevant activities
English speaking naturalist guides
NOT INCLUDED:
Flights to and from Peru and/or Iquitos
Heath/accident insurance
Personal items
Alcoholic beverages
Tips (for drivers, staff, and guides)
Activities outside of scheduled itinerary
Peruvian Visa (None levied at this time)
Peruvian exit tax (included in flight purchase)
Laundry services
PAYMENT – A 25% deposit is required to reserve your space on this trip. You are not confirmed until your deposit is received. The balance of your payment is due no later than September 1, 2023. Payments may be made by cash or check. Please add 2.9% to your total if you pay by PayPal or Venmo.
Your deposit check should be made out to Generous Adventures ($850/person) and mailed to:
Generous Adventures
556 Hidden Way
Homer, AK 99603
CANCELLATION POLICY – Your deposit/payment is refundable until October 1, 2023, and fully refundable after that if we’re able to fill your space with another traveler. We recommend you purchase trip cancellation insurance (http://www.travelinsurance.com/) as soon as your deposit is paid.
For further trip details or reservations, contact Sally Oberstein (907) 299-8288, sallyoberstein@yahoo.com.
Checks should be made out to Generous Adventures and mailed to 556 Hidden Way Homer, AK 99603.
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Coming April 5-19, 2024
3. Tiramisu, Tartes,Tapas, &Tagine ~
The Savory Culture of Mediterranean Cuisine
Treasures of Morocco October 12-24, 2024
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You are invited to join a select group and discover the treasures of Morocco in comfort on this private 13-day small group custom tour. It begins in Casablanca on October 12, 2023 and ends in Marrakech on October 24. The cost is $XXX (request the cost via email) per person based on double occupancy and includes a private licensed guide, all meals, accommodations, entrance fees, taxes, driver, and daily gratuities. Also included in this tour is a Moroccan cooking demonstration and a cooking class. This is a SMALL PRIVATE tour of 10 people.
Day 1: OCTOBER 12
Arrival to Casablanca and Welcome Dinner - You will be warmly welcomed by your Guide and Driver at Casablanca’s Airport and driven your hotel for your welcome reception and team briefing in the hotel lobby. Welcome dinner is at Rick’s Café.
Day 2: OCTOBER 13
Explore Casablanca and Rabat on the way to Tangier - After breakfast, we’ll drive to the impressive Hassan II Mosque. We’ll visit Mahkama Du Pacha and the Notre Dame de Lourdes Church. We’ll drive to Rabat, Morocco’s capital to visit the Mohamed V Mausoleum, then head for lunch in a 17th century Riad in Rabat. We’ll explore the Kasbah of the Oudayas and its Andalusian Gardens, take the Al Boraq train from Rabat’s Agdal Station to Tangier and arrive in Tangiers for check-in to our hotel. We’ll enjoy a home hosted dinner in the setting of a Moroccan living room.
Day 3: OCTOBER 14
City Tour of Tangier’s Medina and Drive to Chefchaouen - After breakfast, we’ll begin our city tour of Tangiers and its Medina, drive up the Boulevard Pasteur, across the international quarters to Cape Spartel, visit the Perdicaris Park for a promenade in nature to learn about the Perdicaris Incident, drive to the Cape Spartel Lighthouse and Caves of Hercules, then to the Gate of the Kasbah of Tangier for our walking tour of the Medina. We’ll explore the Kasbah of Tangiers and the beautiful Bab Al Assa Fountain, have a 3 course lunch at a local restaurant overlooking the Medina, walk the alleyways and streets of the Petit Socco to the American Legation, visit the American Legation and the Fish/Vegetable/Meat Markets of the Medina, then drive to Chefchaouen for check-in before dinner in a traditional Riad. You’ll discover the alleyways of Chefchaouen after dinner.
Day 4: OCTOBER 15
Morning Discovery of Chefchaouen and Drive to Fes via Meknes - Chefchaouen is a very small town and will be fully discovered on foot after a leisurely breakfast. Chefchaouen is arguably the most photogenic of city of Morocco. After our walk, we’ll drive to Motel Rif in to Ouezzane where we will have lunch before continuing our drive to Meknes, the Versailles of Morocco. We’ll visit the Royal stables and granaries of Hri Souani on our way to Fes, where we’ll experience a traditional Riad and be introduced to the delicacies of Fassi cuisine in the most original setting.
Day 5: OCTOBER 16
Full Day Tour of Fes and Excursion to Bhalil - The old city of Fes is the largest old city in the world and the oldest capital of Morocco. We’ll start this day by exploring the city from the outside, heading first to the Royal Palace to see its 7 gates. Then we’ll drive to the South Castle for a panoramic view of the Medina, visit the most reputed pottery and tile mosaic apprenticeship center and Co-op in Fes, then to the old city and begin exploring the 12,000 alleyways of this maze. You’ll see the craze of donkeys, mules, and hand pushed carts, take a peek at the ornate Al Qaraouiyyine University (the oldest in the world), and visit the 9th century tannery of Fes. You’ll have a Fassi lunch at a traditional restaurant in the Medina of Fes, the culinary capital. After lunch, we’ll visit a 14th century madrasa built by the Merenid dynasty, then drive to troglodyte village of Bhalil where you’ll visit a local family and learn about living in limestone caves. Dinner is at a local restaurant.
Day 6: OCTOBER 17
Cross the Middle Atlas Mountains to Erfoud via Ifrane - After breakfast, we’ll leave the city for the countryside through the snow-capped mountains of the Middle Atlas. Our first stop will be Ifrane, also known as Little Switzerland, where we’ll enjoy a café at the local square before continuing across the great cedar forest to Midelt for lunch. Continuing through the magnificent Ziz Gorges and the impressive Ziz Oasis, we will make multiple stops to take photos. We’ll have a leisurely afternoon at our hotel in Erfoud, the Capital of the Dates (it’s date season!) followed by a buffet dinner at our hotel.
Day 7: OCTOBER 18
Explore the Dunes of Erg Chebbi and the Ksar of Rissani - After a leisurely breakfast, we will change vehicles from van to 4x4 Toyota Land Cruisers to explore the Maadid oasis to meet with Madjhoul date farmers and harvesters, and taste/learn about the cultivation of dates in the region and life in an oasis. We’ll visit the Ksar of Rissani. Our home-hosted lunch will be the traditional Medfouna dish. After lunch we’ll head to the Erg Chebbi Dunes via Khamlia Village and meet its musicians, then take a caravan camel ride in the dunes of Erg Chebbi to our camp in time for happy hour and sunset on the dunes. Dinner will be followed by star-gazing and Touareg rhythms around a campfire.
Day 8: OCTOBER 19
Saharan 4x4 adventure from Merzouga to Zagora - Our adventure will see us leave civilization to ride the unpaved roads of the Sahara as we drive from Merzouga to Zagora into the wilderness in search of nomads. Lunch will be prepared on the dunes by a local in the middle of our adventure. Our destination is the Oasis of the Draa Valley. After this adventure, we arrive to an explosion of life in Zagora where we check in at our hotel and take in a leisurely afternoon followed by dinner at our hotel in Zagora.
Day 9: OCTOBER 20
Visit Tamegroute and Drive to Kasbah Ait Benhaddou - After breakfast, we’ll go to the village of Tamegroute, world famous for its green pottery. We’ll visit with locals and learn about the glazing colors of this village, then drive on to Ait Benhaddou via Ouarzazate, where our van will be waiting for us. Lunch will be on the way to Ouarzazate. We’ll then visit the Kasbah of Taourirt in Ouarzazate, drive to Ait Benhaddou and check in to our hotel before dinner.
Day 10: OCTOBER 21
Cross the High Atlas Mountains via Telouet to Marrakech - After breakfast, we head to Marrakech via the highest mountain pass in Africa, passing forgotten Kasbahs all the way. We’ll have lunch at Toufliht overlooking the High Atlas and continue to Marrakech to check in to our hotel. Dinner will be at the energetic Jemma el Fna Square.
Day 11: OCTOBER 22
Full Day Tour of Marrakech - After breakfast, we’ll take ride in a traditional horse carriage, starting with Majorelle Gardens. Then we’ll head into the old city and explore it in a way no other travelers do - a gallop through the old city’s streets by horse cart. We’ll arrive to the Jemaa el Fna Square, arguably the liveliest square in the world, with musicians, venders, snake charmers and more. We’ll walk through the Medina to Bahia Palace, a true gem of a monument. Lunch will be at a trendy rooftop restaurant before heading to the Kasbah of Marrakech to visit a Berber Herborist. We’ll then drive back to our hotel, freshen up and relax before going to Ourika for a home-hosted dinner.
Day 12: OCTOBER 23
Day Trip to Essaouira from Marrakech - After a leisurely breakfast, we’ll drive to Essaouira and the glorious Atlantic coast. We’ll cross the Argana forest and see tree-climbing goats, and stop to visit a local feminine Argan oil cooperative. Once in Essaouira, we’ll head to the old Medina and stroll through the markets on our way to the world-famous Port of Essaouira where fisherman sell their fish. We’ll have a seafood lunch at a local restaurant before returning to Marrakech.
Day 13: OCTOBER 24 - Transfer to Marrakech Menara International Airport - After our final meal together, we’ll say our goodbyes at the Airport in Marrakech.
WHAT’S INCLUDED
WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED
Payment and Cancellations
Proof of Covid vaccination is also required.
** Refund Details - Cancellation charges reflect the many expenses Generous Adventures, LLC cannot recover if you cancel, even if you must do so due to illness, injury, or personal emergencies. These fees are not meant to be punitive. The charges made reflect the expenses Generous Adventures will incur in administering your reservation and planning for your participation. Please understand that once you’ve signed up, we lose the right to sell portions of your reserved space to other individuals. We recognize that the majority of those who cancel their reservations do so out of necessity. This is the reason we require you to purchase trip cancellation insurance. If you cancel more than 120 days from the start of your trip, we offer a 90% refund of your payment.
For your safety and comfort, Generous Adventures reserves the right to make any necessary itinerary changes with or without notice.
*** Tour cost per person is based on double occupancy. The single supplement fee for this tour is $875.
Generous Adventures tours are by invitation only. If you're in receipt of this URL and are interested in this tour, please email sallyoberstein@yahoo.com. Once you're confirmed, a 25% deposit will be due in order to hold your space. Deposits are due by May 15, 2024.
Payments
Payments may be made by check and mailed to:
Generous Adventures, LLC
556 Hidden Way Homer, AK 99603
or by Venmo to Sally Oberstein for Generous Adventures, LLC
For more information, contact sallyoberstein@yahoo.com
Please note that I will be traveling for the month of April and cannot receive phone calls or text messages. You can send me a WhatsApp message at (907) 299-8288.
Day 1: OCTOBER 12
Arrival to Casablanca and Welcome Dinner - You will be warmly welcomed by your Guide and Driver at Casablanca’s Airport and driven your hotel for your welcome reception and team briefing in the hotel lobby. Welcome dinner is at Rick’s Café.
Day 2: OCTOBER 13
Explore Casablanca and Rabat on the way to Tangier - After breakfast, we’ll drive to the impressive Hassan II Mosque. We’ll visit Mahkama Du Pacha and the Notre Dame de Lourdes Church. We’ll drive to Rabat, Morocco’s capital to visit the Mohamed V Mausoleum, then head for lunch in a 17th century Riad in Rabat. We’ll explore the Kasbah of the Oudayas and its Andalusian Gardens, take the Al Boraq train from Rabat’s Agdal Station to Tangier and arrive in Tangiers for check-in to our hotel. We’ll enjoy a home hosted dinner in the setting of a Moroccan living room.
Day 3: OCTOBER 14
City Tour of Tangier’s Medina and Drive to Chefchaouen - After breakfast, we’ll begin our city tour of Tangiers and its Medina, drive up the Boulevard Pasteur, across the international quarters to Cape Spartel, visit the Perdicaris Park for a promenade in nature to learn about the Perdicaris Incident, drive to the Cape Spartel Lighthouse and Caves of Hercules, then to the Gate of the Kasbah of Tangier for our walking tour of the Medina. We’ll explore the Kasbah of Tangiers and the beautiful Bab Al Assa Fountain, have a 3 course lunch at a local restaurant overlooking the Medina, walk the alleyways and streets of the Petit Socco to the American Legation, visit the American Legation and the Fish/Vegetable/Meat Markets of the Medina, then drive to Chefchaouen for check-in before dinner in a traditional Riad. You’ll discover the alleyways of Chefchaouen after dinner.
Day 4: OCTOBER 15
Morning Discovery of Chefchaouen and Drive to Fes via Meknes - Chefchaouen is a very small town and will be fully discovered on foot after a leisurely breakfast. Chefchaouen is arguably the most photogenic of city of Morocco. After our walk, we’ll drive to Motel Rif in to Ouezzane where we will have lunch before continuing our drive to Meknes, the Versailles of Morocco. We’ll visit the Royal stables and granaries of Hri Souani on our way to Fes, where we’ll experience a traditional Riad and be introduced to the delicacies of Fassi cuisine in the most original setting.
Day 5: OCTOBER 16
Full Day Tour of Fes and Excursion to Bhalil - The old city of Fes is the largest old city in the world and the oldest capital of Morocco. We’ll start this day by exploring the city from the outside, heading first to the Royal Palace to see its 7 gates. Then we’ll drive to the South Castle for a panoramic view of the Medina, visit the most reputed pottery and tile mosaic apprenticeship center and Co-op in Fes, then to the old city and begin exploring the 12,000 alleyways of this maze. You’ll see the craze of donkeys, mules, and hand pushed carts, take a peek at the ornate Al Qaraouiyyine University (the oldest in the world), and visit the 9th century tannery of Fes. You’ll have a Fassi lunch at a traditional restaurant in the Medina of Fes, the culinary capital. After lunch, we’ll visit a 14th century madrasa built by the Merenid dynasty, then drive to troglodyte village of Bhalil where you’ll visit a local family and learn about living in limestone caves. Dinner is at a local restaurant.
Day 6: OCTOBER 17
Cross the Middle Atlas Mountains to Erfoud via Ifrane - After breakfast, we’ll leave the city for the countryside through the snow-capped mountains of the Middle Atlas. Our first stop will be Ifrane, also known as Little Switzerland, where we’ll enjoy a café at the local square before continuing across the great cedar forest to Midelt for lunch. Continuing through the magnificent Ziz Gorges and the impressive Ziz Oasis, we will make multiple stops to take photos. We’ll have a leisurely afternoon at our hotel in Erfoud, the Capital of the Dates (it’s date season!) followed by a buffet dinner at our hotel.
Day 7: OCTOBER 18
Explore the Dunes of Erg Chebbi and the Ksar of Rissani - After a leisurely breakfast, we will change vehicles from van to 4x4 Toyota Land Cruisers to explore the Maadid oasis to meet with Madjhoul date farmers and harvesters, and taste/learn about the cultivation of dates in the region and life in an oasis. We’ll visit the Ksar of Rissani. Our home-hosted lunch will be the traditional Medfouna dish. After lunch we’ll head to the Erg Chebbi Dunes via Khamlia Village and meet its musicians, then take a caravan camel ride in the dunes of Erg Chebbi to our camp in time for happy hour and sunset on the dunes. Dinner will be followed by star-gazing and Touareg rhythms around a campfire.
Day 8: OCTOBER 19
Saharan 4x4 adventure from Merzouga to Zagora - Our adventure will see us leave civilization to ride the unpaved roads of the Sahara as we drive from Merzouga to Zagora into the wilderness in search of nomads. Lunch will be prepared on the dunes by a local in the middle of our adventure. Our destination is the Oasis of the Draa Valley. After this adventure, we arrive to an explosion of life in Zagora where we check in at our hotel and take in a leisurely afternoon followed by dinner at our hotel in Zagora.
Day 9: OCTOBER 20
Visit Tamegroute and Drive to Kasbah Ait Benhaddou - After breakfast, we’ll go to the village of Tamegroute, world famous for its green pottery. We’ll visit with locals and learn about the glazing colors of this village, then drive on to Ait Benhaddou via Ouarzazate, where our van will be waiting for us. Lunch will be on the way to Ouarzazate. We’ll then visit the Kasbah of Taourirt in Ouarzazate, drive to Ait Benhaddou and check in to our hotel before dinner.
Day 10: OCTOBER 21
Cross the High Atlas Mountains via Telouet to Marrakech - After breakfast, we head to Marrakech via the highest mountain pass in Africa, passing forgotten Kasbahs all the way. We’ll have lunch at Toufliht overlooking the High Atlas and continue to Marrakech to check in to our hotel. Dinner will be at the energetic Jemma el Fna Square.
Day 11: OCTOBER 22
Full Day Tour of Marrakech - After breakfast, we’ll take ride in a traditional horse carriage, starting with Majorelle Gardens. Then we’ll head into the old city and explore it in a way no other travelers do - a gallop through the old city’s streets by horse cart. We’ll arrive to the Jemaa el Fna Square, arguably the liveliest square in the world, with musicians, venders, snake charmers and more. We’ll walk through the Medina to Bahia Palace, a true gem of a monument. Lunch will be at a trendy rooftop restaurant before heading to the Kasbah of Marrakech to visit a Berber Herborist. We’ll then drive back to our hotel, freshen up and relax before going to Ourika for a home-hosted dinner.
Day 12: OCTOBER 23
Day Trip to Essaouira from Marrakech - After a leisurely breakfast, we’ll drive to Essaouira and the glorious Atlantic coast. We’ll cross the Argana forest and see tree-climbing goats, and stop to visit a local feminine Argan oil cooperative. Once in Essaouira, we’ll head to the old Medina and stroll through the markets on our way to the world-famous Port of Essaouira where fisherman sell their fish. We’ll have a seafood lunch at a local restaurant before returning to Marrakech.
Day 13: OCTOBER 24 - Transfer to Marrakech Menara International Airport - After our final meal together, we’ll say our goodbyes at the Airport in Marrakech.
WHAT’S INCLUDED
- Private chauffeured Mercedes Benz Sprinter Van throughout the program
- Off-road Saharan Desert Adventure from Erfoud to Ouarzazate
- 12 Overnights at authentic Riads, Kasbahs, Camps, and Hotels
- Private certified and licensed English speaking expert guide
- All Meals
- All monument entry fees
- Porterage, restaurant, and other daily gratuities
- Bottled water in van
- 20% VAT service tax and water in van
WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED
- Driver and guide gratuities at the end of your trip
- Travel insurance (required)
- Alcoholic Beverages
- International Travel Expenses
- Driver Gratuities (4 Euros/day or 43 Moroccan Dirham) and Guide Gratuities (10-15 Euros/day)
- Personal Items
Payment and Cancellations
- If you have a US Passport, there are currently no visa requirements for Morocco.
- There are currently no required vaccinations for Morocco.
Proof of Covid vaccination is also required.
** Refund Details - Cancellation charges reflect the many expenses Generous Adventures, LLC cannot recover if you cancel, even if you must do so due to illness, injury, or personal emergencies. These fees are not meant to be punitive. The charges made reflect the expenses Generous Adventures will incur in administering your reservation and planning for your participation. Please understand that once you’ve signed up, we lose the right to sell portions of your reserved space to other individuals. We recognize that the majority of those who cancel their reservations do so out of necessity. This is the reason we require you to purchase trip cancellation insurance. If you cancel more than 120 days from the start of your trip, we offer a 90% refund of your payment.
- If you cancel 90-120 days from the start of your trip, we offer a 50% refund.
- If you cancel within 89 days of your trip, we cannot offer a refund.
For your safety and comfort, Generous Adventures reserves the right to make any necessary itinerary changes with or without notice.
*** Tour cost per person is based on double occupancy. The single supplement fee for this tour is $875.
Generous Adventures tours are by invitation only. If you're in receipt of this URL and are interested in this tour, please email sallyoberstein@yahoo.com. Once you're confirmed, a 25% deposit will be due in order to hold your space. Deposits are due by May 15, 2024.
Payments
Payments may be made by check and mailed to:
Generous Adventures, LLC
556 Hidden Way Homer, AK 99603
or by Venmo to Sally Oberstein for Generous Adventures, LLC
For more information, contact sallyoberstein@yahoo.com
Please note that I will be traveling for the month of April and cannot receive phone calls or text messages. You can send me a WhatsApp message at (907) 299-8288.