KANTARA TOURS
SIGNATURE TOUR
OUR SIGNATURE TOUR
Kantara's Signature Tour is a 12-day adventure for 8 to 15 travelers, offering authentic and memorable experiences throughout Morocco -- from the Imperial cities, to the majestic Atlas Mountains, to the Sahara desert and back again.
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On this tour, we experience the complexity and beauty of the country, as well as the warmth and hospitality of Moroccans. From day one, this tour offers guests an unparalleled experience in Morocco that is born out of Alia's many years of travel in the region, and also her familial connections with Moroccans throughout the country.
TRAVEL WITH ALIA
With Kantara Tours, Alia curates the best experience for her guests, offering a behind-the-scenes glimpse into both rural and urban living, history, and the rich Amazigh cultural heritage.
Throughout the journey, Alia introduces travelers to locals -- friends who are skilled artisans, knowledgeable guides, small business owners, academics, farmers, musicians, artists and more.
She designs these tours by drawing on her many years of experience leading international service-learning trips with Global Works Travel, where she also serves on the Advisory Board. In 2019, she joined Smithsonian Journeys as an expert lecturer on their tours.
WHERE WE TRAVEL IN MOROCCO
Starting in Marrakech, the Signature Tour is designed to give travelers a taste of all that Morocco has to offer. From the impeccably preserved Imperial cities of Fes, Meknes, and Marrakech, to the vast, rural landscape of the Sahara. This Tour captures both ends of the spectrum and everything in between. Along the way, we meet with local Moroccan weavers, we explore history and tradition with Moroccan guides, and take part in musical and food ceremonies.
WHAT'S INCLUDED:
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Arrival transfer from Marrakech airport
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Departure transfer to Rabat airport
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All hotel & admission fees
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Private, chartered air-conditioned bus
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Driver, guide, hotel, and restaurant tips
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All regularly listed meals and snacks for the bus
WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED:
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Airfare
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Trip insurance, required
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Select lunches and dinners, per itinerary
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Extras such as hammams and massages
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Alcohol, beer, wine
ACCOMMODATIONS
Accommodations are in three- and four-star locations that vary from riads (traditional Moroccan homes with interior gardens or courtyards) in the Medinas (the traditional, walled-in neighborhoods), to auberges (Moroccan style inns), to more contemporary hotels. This way, you leave Morocco with an authentic taste of both the traditional and modern.
In the Sahara, we catch the sunset as we ride into our luxury desert camp on camels, just in time for a night under the stars, a delicious tajine meal, and a most peaceful night of sleep.
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We make every effort to stay in Moroccan-owned hotels as it runs true to our mission of supporting Moroccan artists, entrepreneurs, and business owners.
SIGNATURE TOUR ITINERARY
On these tours, we start in Marrakech and work our way into the mountains, out to the desert, and back around to Fes and Rabat. Keep reading for more details about our day to day itinerary.
WHAT OUR GUESTS SAY
Dave S.
October 2019
“Traveling with Alia is a dream. From the moment we met up in Marrakech I knew I was in good hands, Marrakech felt like I was visiting her home city, she new people everywhere, we would bump into friends she’d me on previous trips as we wandered the Medina. Watching her negotiate and navigate Morocco speaking Berber, Arabic and a little French was truly spectacular.”
Theresa W.
October 2019
"What a very special experience! I felt like a guest, not a tourist, the warm welcome, the generosity of the women, seeing all aspects of the craft, learning a little about the women, the walk up the hill passing the communal oven were all unforgettable. I appreciated the women allowing Theresa and me to go into the kitchen to try to help a little; the homemade food was among the best we had during the trip."
Demetra M.
June 2019
"On your trip, when we met Moroccans, I felt I was more than just a tourist, maybe a guest, maybe a friend of a friend. The women in the rug cooperatives clearly felt you were special and treated us that way as well. Their home-cooked meals made me feel like an honored visitor. Their meals were a high point of my Moroccan food experience. I liked feeling that I was contributing to the success of their mission, that our trip fit into some larger picture."
Mikael K.
February 2020
“Traveling with Alia is a dream. From the moment we met up in Marrakech I knew I was in good hands, Marrakech felt like I was visiting her home city, she knew people everywhere, we would bump into friends she’d met on previous trips as we wandered the Medina. Watching her negotiate and navigate Morocco speaking Berber, Arabic and a little French was truly spectacular.”
Lynne W.
October 2019
"What a very special experience! I felt like a guest, not a tourist, the warm welcome, the generosity of the women, seeing all aspects of the craft, learning a little about the women, the walk up the hill passing the communal oven were all unforgettable. I appreciated the women allowing Theresa and me to go into the kitchen to try to help a little; the homemade food was among the best we had during the trip."
Bill B.
October 2019
"On your trip, when we met Moroccans, I felt I was more than just a tourist, maybe a guest, maybe a friend of a friend. The women in the rug cooperatives clearly felt you were special and treated us that way as well. Their home-cooked meals made me feel like an honored visitor. Their meals were a high point of my Moroccan food experience. I liked feeling that I was contributing to the success of their mission, that our trip fit into some larger picture."
OTHER TYPES OF KANTARA TOURS
The Signature Tour is the standard option, but it's not your only choice. Whether you're looking for travel advice for your upcoming vacation, a custom-curated itinerary, or a business partnership, Alia's got you covered. If you're seeking more input over the itinerary or you have specific travel needs in mind, browse through the options below.
EDUCATIONAL & STUDENT TOURS
Alia teams up with Global Works Travel to offer educational tours in Morocco to high school and college students. She has worked with Global Works for over 8 years, leading international service-learning trips for students around the world. Together, we tailor the trip itinerary to specific learning outcomes.
CUSTOM & PRIVATE TOURS
We'll work with you to custom design a trip around your vision for your trip to Morocco-- the number of people, destinations, activities, tour length, etc. This is ideal for travelers who have already visited certain Moroccan cities and want to explore other regions, or for family tours or smaller groups.
