Douglas Steakley

Photography Tours And Expeditions


MOROCCAN DISCOVERY

October 1-15, 2016

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MOROCCO has it all--from red-orange dramatic sand dunes with camel caravans to the high Atlas mountains with mysterious kasbahs and remote Berber villages. Blend these with ancient medinas and souks in Marrakech and Fes and the cobalt coastal city of Chefchaouen! The people are welcoming, the cultures exotic and colorful. Our tour includes all the highlights and comforts at a leisurely pace, including an internal flight to save driving time, all meals, four wheel drive vehicles when necessary, and the camaraderie that my tours are known for!

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                                                                                         ITINERARY
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Day One-October 1
Casablanca

Arrive in Casablanca where you will be met at the airport and transferred to our hotel. Later we will have an opportunity to meet and have an orientation  at a welcome dinner at Rick's Cafe, made famous in the film "Casablanca". Le Doge Hotel-Five Star Hotel (D)

Day Two-October 2
The South

We will spend the day in Casablanca, visiting the Hassan II Mosque, the seventh largest mosque in the world,  and the Church of Casablanca with its amazing stained glass windows. Later in the evening we will depart and fly south over the Atlas Mountains to Quarzazate. Dar Kamar-Five Star Hotel (B,L,D)

Day Three-October 3
Draa Valley

Today we will drive through the Draa Valley in 4WD vehicles to Zagora. This will be our first experience in the majestic southern area of Morocco, where communities have struggled against the elements and invading tribes for centuries. We will see a unique lifestyle set amid a dramatic, lunar landscape and keep our 4WD vehicles until day 8, which will allow for spontaneous opportunities to visit remote and interesting locations. Riad Lamane-Four Star Hotel (B,L,D)

Day Four-October 4
Erg Chebbi

We will continue our drive through this vast landscape to Merzouga, where we will transfer to our camp in the desert. If all goes well we will photograph the tall sand dunes at sunset and try to hire a driver with several camels for a silhouette image against the skyline. Gold Sand Camp (B,L,D)

Day Five-October 5
The Gorges

After a sunrise session photographing the sand dunes and breakfast, we will drive to the well-known Dades Gorge to Boumalene, and if time permits, stop at the Torda Gorge along the way. In the late afternoon we will find a Kasbah in the Boumaine Valley set against the tall Atlas Mountains in the background.  Xaluca Dades-Four to Five Star Hotel (B,L,D)

Day Six-October 6
High Atlas

We will have an exciting day with a 4 WD excursion to explore the more remote communities high in the Atlas Mountains. We should have opportunities to photograph local people, known for their hospitality, in their authentic and rarely-visited communities. Xaluca Dades (B,L,D)

Day Seven-October 7
Film Sets-Quarzazate

After breakfast we will have an early morning excursion back in the Bouomaine Valley before continuing on to Quarzazate. We will stop at the magnificient Kasbah D'Ameridil on the way and then make a further excursion in the late afternoon to Ait Ben Haddou, probably the most famous Kasbah of all and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  Ait Ben Haddou has been featured in many films over the years and is located at an ancient trading route linking Marrakech with the southern Sahara desert. Dar Kamar-Five Star Hotel (B,L,D)

Day Eight-October 8
High Atlas to Marrakech

We will take a less-travelled but spectacular route to Marrakech, which will allow us to photograph exceptional landscapes and Berber families along the way. Le Meridien N' fis-Five Star Hotel (B,L,D)

Day Nine-October 9
Marrakech Gardens and Souks

After an early breakfast we will visit the lovely Majorelle Gardens where Islamic art is mingled with vibrant foilage. Later we will head into the bustling and photogenic souks where we will find a vast variety of goods for sale. In the afternoon we will visit La Maison de la Photographie and the Bahia Palace, a wonderful location for interior photography. We will end the day with an evening in the Djemaa el Fna, the famous square where we will capture snake-charmers with their cobras and other iconic images. Le Meridien N' fis (B,L,D)

Day 10-October 10
The North

We begin our day with a visit to Medressa Ven Youssef, which relies less on tile for its decoration and more on carved wood, stucco and stone. From there we will continue northward to Fes. Barcelo-Four Star Hotel (B,L,D)

Day 11-October 11
Fragrant Fes

This morning we will visit the famous Chouara Tannery, where animal hides are prepared in the old-fashioned way in huge open-air vats. The natural dyes offer a wide range of colors and patterns. The challenge will be to find compositions that may include the local people working. Later in the afternoon we will visit other areas of the city including less pungent gardens. Barcelo (B,L,D)

Day 12-October 12
Into the Rif Mountains to Chefchaouen

Departing Fes, we will drive north through the Rif Mountains to Chefchaouen via the picturesque village of Bellota. We will arrive at the famous "Blue Village"
in the late afternoon. Riad Lina-Five Star Hotel(B,L,D)

Day 13-October 13
Chefchaouen

We will have a full day to explore and photograph in this wonderful location, capturing a wide range of images with a blue theme. It is quite possible that this amazing city will offer some of the best images of the trip. Riad Lyna-Five Star Hotel (B,L,D)

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Day 14-October 14
Chefchaouen to Casablanca

We will be up early to capture a few more images of Chefchaouen before departing  for Casablanca. This evening we will have a farewell dinner. Doge Hotel-Five Star Hotel (B,L,D)

Day 15-October 15
Departure

You will be transferred back to the airport for your return flights. Check out time is normally 12:00, so please inquire about a later check-out if you have an evening flight. (B)

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                                                                                                                              PRICING

The cost for this tour is $8250.00 per person, double occupancy

Single supplement is $1500.00

A $1000 non-refundable deposit is required with registration

The balance is due on July 1, 2016

This tour will be limited to 12 participants

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                                                                                                                     WHAT IS INCLUDED

All transfers and in-country transportation, including one internal flight to save time

All accommodation at high-end hotels and kasbahs, including several nights in atmospheric Riads (walled homes with garden courtyards)

All tips to drivers and guides

All meals

Interactive but discrete guides

Photography assistance and instruction will be readily available

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                                                                                                                   WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED

International airfares

Visa expenses

Personal travel insurance, which is highly recommended

Items of a personal nature such as gifts, laundry and alcoholic beverages

Medical evacuation coverage is highly recommended and not expensive--a good company is Global Rescue

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To register for this trip please follow the links below. I need four items:

1. Completed Registration Form
2. Completed Liability Release Form
3. A copy of the signature page of your passport
4. Deposit check for $1000.00


                                                                                                                            Registration

                                                                                                                        Liability Release


          The Moroccan Discovery Photography Tour has been arranged by Photo Tours Abroad,  a company that designs international photography
          tours to a wide variety of locations, led by excellent photographers.

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