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22 Day
Conducted Tour
       
North Africa Tour to
Morocco & Tunisia

For only $5,475
per person twin share
This price includes airport taxes & levies

Tour departs Australia February 9 and returns March 1, 2012

This value price covers all of the following:
  • Return Air fares from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane into Casablanca and out of Tunis with Emirates, plus a flight from Casablanca to Tunisia with Royal Moroccan Airlines. 
  • A 10 day tour of Morocco, an 11 day tour of Tunisia, which includes a 3 night stay at the first class Iberostar Saphir Palace in the resort town of Hammamet. 
  • Good accommodation, mainly 3 to 4 star.
  • All entrance fees and many meals. 
  • All transport and transfers. 
  • Services of local tour guides in each destination and if there are 12 or more participants there will be an Australian tour leader.
For this tour we will guarantee twin share accommodation to anyone who wants it. If you would like a single room there is an extra cost of $849.

This is a wonderful off-the-beaten-track tour. Tunisia in particular is seldom visited by tourists and is a fascinating place, including the ruins of famous Carthage.

Tour Itinerary

Terms and Conditions

Booking Form

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  Itinerary for North Africa Tour - Morocco & Tunisia Tour - February 2012
Included meals are indicated as B = Breakfast, L =Lunch, D = Dinner
09.02.12 Australia - Dubai
Depart Brisbane at 8.45pm on EK 435, arriving in Dubai at 5.25am the following morning (10.02.12).
Depart Sydney at 9.45pm on EK 413, arriving in Dubai at 5.30am the following morning (10.02.12).
Depart Melbourne at 10.25pm on EK 407, arriving in Dubai at 5.40am the following morning (10.02.12).  
10.02.12
(D)
Dubai - Casablanca
All passengers depart Dubai at 7.50am on EK 751, arriving in Casablanca at 12.50pm. On arrival you are transferred to your hotel for check in. Later, meet your tour director and fellow travellers.
11.02.12
(B/D)
Casablanca - Rabat - Meknes - Fez
A sort ride along the coast to Rabat, once a lair of the corsairs and now the country's capital. Sightseeing includes the Royal Palace, Hassan Tower and the Kasbah of Oudayas. You are reminded of the time when Morocco was the Roman province of Mauretania as you visit the fine Roman relics of Chellah and its gardens. Next stop, Meknes, see its monumental gates, mosque, palace and miles of protective walls. Travel east towards Fez, Morocco's most enchanting city.
12.02.12
(B)
Fez
At leisure in ancient Fez, which occupies a position of outstanding scenic beauty. Visit the exotic ancient Medina on the optional sightseeing tour, a maze of narrow bustling streets and alleys that make up the old Medina with its colorful souks.
13.02.12
(B/D)
Fez - Ifrane - Erfoud
Travel today into the very heart of Morocco. Morning break in the quite, French-built alpine resort of Ifrane. Verdant cedar forests give way to volcanic mountains and wind swept plains as you motor across the Middle Atlas range to Midelt. Pass fortified mud and straw villages. Descend into the spectacular Ziz Gorges and arrive in Er-Rachidia, an important crossroad once controlled by the French Foreign Legion. Afterwards the landscape becomes progressively more arid and you enter a stony desert. On your last stretch to Erfoud, an unexpected and breathtaking surprise; the miraculous and peaceful oasis of Ziz Valley.
14.02.12
(B/D)
Erfoud
The best choice today is an included excursion to Rissani to see the Mausoleum of Moulay Ali Sharif, the first ruler of the Alaouite Dynasty. This evening, join an optional excursion in the desert.
15.02.12
(B/D)
Erfoud - The  Road of a Thousand Kasbahs - Ouarzazate
Enjoy the drive through the eastern slopes of the Atlas Mountains and arrive at the Tinerhir oasis with its green valley of palms and local villages. Drive north to the impressive Todra Gorge, then west along the Dades Valley to the film capital of Morocco, Ouarzazate for an overnight stay.
16.02.12
(B)
Ouarzazate - Ait Benhaddoutizi N Tichka Pass - Massakesh
Enjoy an orientation drive this morning in Ouarzazate, famous for its film studios and a visit of the Kasbah de Taourirt. Next to Gait Benhaddou, a Kasbah famous as a film location for Lawrence of Arabia and Gladiator. Pass through picturesque villages surrounded by craggy mountains while motoring towards the 7,414 foot high Tizi n Tichka Pass in the heart of the High Atlas Mountains. Each new twist in the road leads to a different, more dramatic landscape. Leaving the pass behind, the landscape gradually changes to a tapestry of red ochre. Afternoon arrival in the red coloured imperial city of Marrakesh, justly reputed the most fascinating of all Moroccan cities. An optional evening excursion will be a fitting choice to end the day.
17.02.12
(B/D)
Marrakesh
The included city sightseeing starts this morning with an orientation drive followed by a walk through the ancient quarters to the fascinating Jemaa-el-Fna square and its exotic bazaar. You'll really feel as if you've stopped the march of time. Marrakesh has always been a meeting place, first just a group of nomad tents, now a bustling city.
18.02.12
(B)
Marrakesh - Casablanca
Leave Morocco's magical city of Marrakesh for the journey northwest back to Casablanca. In the afternoon, see the sights in the company of a local guide.
19.02.12
(B)
Casablanca - Tunis, Tunisia
Transfer to Casablanca Airport, departing at 2.25pm on Royal Air Morocco flight AT 572, arriving in Tunis at 5.55pm. Upon arrival in Tunis, you are transferred to your Tunis hotel. 
20.02.12
(B/D)
Tunis - Sousse - Monastir - Eldjem - Sfax
This morning drive to Sousse, known as the 'Pearl of the Sahel" and blessed with a mild climate. Pheonicians, Romans, Byzantines and Arabs who settled in this beautiful fertile city have left their imprint. Walk through the medina with its tiny, colourful shops and bustling with local activity, and enjoy a visit to the mosque. Leave Sousse and head towards Monastir, a city nestled in the shade of its walls. Here visit the Old Town, then we head for El Djem. This impressive UNESCO World Heritage Site features the remains of an imposing 3rd century Roman Colosseum that originally seated 30,000. Today's destination is Sfax on the Gulf of Gabes, a former Barbary pirate stronghold and now Tunisia's second largest city.
21.02.12
(B/L/D)
Sfax - Gabes - Matmata - Tamezret - Douz
After a visit to the Medina of Sfax, journey to Gabes, an oasis by the sea and famous for its spice market. Later, turn inland and head for Matmata, renowned for its underground troglodyte village that was inhabited until the 1960's and served as the setting for the original Star Wars film. Follow the twisting road and stop in Tamezret, a complete contrast to Matmata and featuring stone houses and streets lined with high walls. Continue to the desert outpost of Douz, the largest oasis in Western Tunisia and gateway to the Sahara.
22.02.12
(B/L)
Douz - Kebili - Chott El Jerid - Tozeur
Travel via Kebili and cross the salt lake of Chott el Jerid to Tozeur, an important oasis on the ancient caravan route between Algeria and Tunsia. This evening consider an optional folklore show with dinner.
23.02.12
(B/L/D)
Tozeur - Red Lizard Train - Gafsa - Sbeitla - Kairouan
After breakfast drive to Metlaoui Selja to board the "Old Bey's" train, known as the "Red Lizard". The spectacular 2 hour rail journey through the narrow Selja gorges affords plenty of opportunity to take stunning photographs. Following a lunch stop in Gafsa, travel to Sbeitla for an included visit to the Roman ruins. On to the sacred city of Kairouan for an overnight stay.
24.02.12
(B/L/D)
Kairouan - Dougga - Tunis
This morning, visit the Grand Mosque in Kairouan before the journey to El Fahs, then on to Dougga for lunch and a visit to the best preserved Roman remains - the most extensive in Tunisia and spectacularly set against the backdrop of the Atlas Mountains. Later you head for the capital city of Tunis for the next two nights.
25.02.12
(B/D)
Tunis. Excursion to Carthage & Sidi Bou Said
A delightful blend of ancient and modern, Tunis has a colourful medina and a contemporary city center. Enjoy included excursions to the ancient Carthage city ruins and to the traditional village of Sidi-Bou-Said, and also visit the famous Bardo Museum, housing the finest Roman mosaics in the world.
26.02.12
(B/D)
Tunis - Hammamet
Transfer to Hammamet for a 3 night stay at the first class Iberostar Saphir Palace, Hammamet hotel. 
27.02.12
(B/D)
Hammamet
Day at leisure to enjoy Tunisia's 'Garden Resort', spend time on the beach, or maybe go the Old Town to discover the Medina. 
28.02.12
(B/D)
Hammamet
Another day at leisure to relax and enjoy Hammamet. 
29.02.12
(B)
Hammamet - Tunis
Transfer to Tunis International Airport, departing at 2.30pm on EK 748, arriving in Dubai at 10.55pm. Transfer to your next flight.
01.03.12
Dubai - Australia
Sydney passengers depart Dubai at 1.40am on EK 414, arriving in Sydney at 10.30pm.
Brisbane passengers depart Dubai at 2.45am on EK 432, arriving in Brisbane at 12.50am the next day (02.03.12).
Melbourne passengers depart Dubai at 3.00am on EK 408, arriving in Melbourne at 2.05am the next day (02.03.12).
Please note: The flight to Brisbane from Dubai go via Singapore and the flight to Melbourne from Dubai to Australia go via Kuala Lumpur. 
Note:

A stopover in Dubai can be arranged for the return segment of the journey. Please contact our office if you would like to arrange this.
Also note: The ground operator in Morocco & Tunisia is Cosmos
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Conditions for Macleay Valley Travel's North Africia Tour

Deposits and Payments - A non-refundable deposit of $600.00 per person is payable within 7 days of booking. This deposit is not refundable should you later cancel. The balance is payable in full 10 weeks prior to departure. 
Refunds and Cancellations - Cancellations after final payment will result in a refund limited to whatever we can recoup from the airline.
Insurance - Adequate travel insurance is essential. We can arrange this for you if desired. Macleay Valley Travel offers Suresave Travel Insurance.  Please note that we can only process  your travel insurance when we have received full payment for the insurance and the signed Suresave Travel Insurance application form, located on the last page of the Suresave Travel Insurance information booklet. Until this time the travel insurance cannot be processed and will not be valid. Macleay Valley Travel will bare no responsibility for any consequences that may occur as a result of an incomplete insurance application.    
Passports - All travellers require a current passport with at least 6 months left on it at the end of the tour. Non-Australian passport holders require a re-entry visa for Australia. Australian passport holders require visas for Tunisia. This can be obtained on arrival, at present the Tunsian visa costs $5.00. This price is subject to change.
Basic Tour Price and Taxes -  Air taxes and Fuel Levies are included in the basic tour price if the tour is paid in full on or before the due date on the final invoice. Macleay Valley Travel reserves the right to charge for any increase in Air taxes and Fuel Levies if the tour is not paid in full by the due date.
Not Included in the Cost - All items of a personal nature such as telephone calls, drinks, excess baggage, tips, meals, (except those specified in the itinerary), travel insurance etc. Similarly, credit card payments can only be accepted if 2% is added to the price to help defray the heavy merchant fees charged to us by the credit card companies. 
Breakaway Fee - All fully inclusive prices are based on group travel and any deviation from the set itinerary will incur a breakaway fee. The breakaway fee for most deviations including a post-tour extension on this tour is $80 per person. Please inquire with our office for prices on any pre-tour extensions.
Airfare Upgrades - Business class international airfares for Emirates can be arranged for this tour from an additional price of $6,445 per person, subject to flight availability. Please inquire with our office for a specific price for this airfare. Please note that this price does not include business class airfares from Casablanca to Tunis as this is only a short flight.
Health and Fitness - Macleay Valley Travel recommends that the passenger is reasonably healthy and/or fit to participate in this tour.  Persons with a disability requiring special assistance must be accompanied by a companion. Macleay Valley Travel and their representatives cannot provide this service. Macleay Valley Travel reserves the right to accept/decline or terminate a passenger's participation in the tour under certain circumstances.
Booking through other Agents - As we keep the cost of out tours as low as possible, there is insufficient margin for us to be able to pay commission to other travel agents, so some bookings can only be accepted if the client pays the other agent's commission. Macleay Valley Travel is a fully licensed travel agent and as such any monies paid to us are fully insured by the Travel Compensation Fund. We are happy for any prospective traveller with us to check us out with your local Consumer Affairs (fair trading) department.
Limitation of Liability - As Macleay Valley Travel acts only as agent for the Airlines, Hotels, Coach Companies etc., providing accommodation, transportation and other services, Macleay Valley Travel shall not be liable or responsible for death or injury to any person or loss or damage to any property including baggage arising out of or connection with any transportation, accommodation or other services, or resulting directly or indirectly from acts of God, fire, breakdown in machinery or equipment, acts of Government or other authorities, de jure or defacto wars, whether declared or not, hostilities, civil disturbances, strikes, riots, thefts, epidemics, quarantines, medical or customs regulations, delays or cancellations caused by changes in schedules or itinerary, or over bookings or defaults or for any causes beyond Macleay Valley Travel's control or any loss or damage resulting from improper or insufficient passports, visas or other documents and neither Macleay Valley Travel, and its servants or employees shall be or become liable or responsible for any additional expenses or liability sustained or incurred by the tour member as a result of the foregoing causes.  Macleay Valley Travel reserves the right to modify the itinerary or the accommodation if circumstances make this necessary, provided that the amended itinerary is of equal value or greater value than that of the original program.
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