Essaouira Beach Extension

Morocco - Trip code ESS Discovery
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220Kg of CO²e
Average carbon footprint per person
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Extend your stay in the Atlantic port town of Essaouira. The town has a wide sandy beach which is great for a stroll along. The town itself is divided into two with the old town's medina a maze of narrow streets, vibrant art galleries and street vendors selling crafts and surrounded by ramparts, a great spot to watch the sun set. The town also hosts a lively port, it's a photographers dream, with brightly coloured blue fish boats the perfect backdrop to the town beyond.

Why we love this trip
  • Beach extension - can be combined with any trip ending in Marrakech.
  • Cookery class - prepare a three course meal with freshly purchased ingredients.
  • Characterful medina - head into the old walled medina and the maze of streets lined with craftsmen selling souvenirs.

  • Included meals

    Breakfast: 3

    Dinner: 1

  • Trip staff

    Local Guide(s)

  • Transport

    Car

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    Accommodation

    3 nights premium riad

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    Trip pace:

    Relaxed

Itinerary

Day 1 - Trip starts in Marrakech, drive to Essaouira

Our extension trip starts at your hotel in Marrakech or the airport. A private transfer from your hotel or Marrakesh Menara Airport (RAK) is included, provided we receive your flight details no later than 10 days prior to departure. The journey from Marrakech to our riad in Essaouira is around three hours, we will make a stop along the way.

If you arrive early, there are plenty of sights to keep you occupied. In contrast to other towns and cities in Morocco, Essaouira has a relaxed, European feel to it. The town is easy to navigate, our riad is in the heart of the old town which is crammed full of craft shops, exotic spices and food stalls.

Our accommodation for this beach extension is a characterful riad in the heart of the old town medina with fine views of the ocean. Each traditionally furnished bedroom has a different design. The riad features a sun terrace and has a roof top restaurant, offering a choice of freshly prepared Moroccan dishes.

Please note, this is a stand-alone extension and can be booked on any date of your choosing, subject to availability. Whilst this itinerary has been designed to complement several of our group tours, we'd like to point out that it's not a group experience and you're unlikely to be travelling with other Explore customers. This extension is unescorted and is not accompanied by a Trip Leader.

Accommodation:

Riad Mimouna (or similar)

Grade: Premium Riad

Single room available

Meals Provided: None

Day 2 - Morning orientation tour to explore Essaouira, free afternoon

This morning our local guide will meet us at reception at 10am and accompany us on a two to three hour orientation tour. The town has a rich and somewhat colourful history and its importance as a trading port during the 18th and 19th centuries saw it prosper, attracting British, French, Arab and Jewish merchants and sailors to its shores. These influences are still reflected in the architecture and layout of the town, which is divided into the old town (including its medina) and the new town. We will visit the ramparts, with its cannons facing out to the sea, head into the medina and take in the Mellah (the old Jewish Quarter) where we can witness skilled silversmiths at work.

The rest of the day is free to spend the day as we wish, uncovering the colourful coastal town. Head into the old walled medina and the maze of streets lined with craftsmen selling souvenirs from handmade leather belts to jewellery to wooden boxes inlaid with mother of pearl. Outside of the medina, sink your feet into the golden sands of the beach and watch the fishermen return to shore with their day's catch.

Accommodation:

Riad Mimouna (or similar)

Grade: Premium Riad

Single room available

Meals Provided: Breakfast

Day 3 - Free morning. Afternoon cookery class in Essaouira with a local family

The morning is left free. With a near constant sea breeze coming off the Atlantic, even in the hottest months of the year taking a stroll along the town's expansive beach is a very pleasant experience. Visit the port to see the fishermen land their catch or wander through the old town browsing the wares on sale or pop into one of the towns many art galleries or workshops. The wood products are particularly good quality in Essaouira and the traders more laid back and relaxed compared to other towns and cities in Morocco.

This afternoon we have a cookery class, our local guide will accompany us to our cookery school where we'll prepare a three course meal with freshly purchased ingredients. It's a chance to refine our cookery skills to impress friends and family back home and enjoy a delicious meal together.

Accommodation:

Riad Mimouna (or similar)

Grade: Premium Riad

Single room available

Meals Provided: Breakfast & Dinner

Day 4 - Trip ends in Essaouira, complementary transfer included back to Marrakech

Our beach extension to Essaouira ends at our riad after breakfast.

A private transfer is included back to Marrakesh Menara Airport (RAK) from Riad Mimouna regardless of your departure day, provided we receive your flight details no later than 10 days prior to your tour departing. The journey time back to the airport in Marrakech is around three hours.

Meals Provided: Breakfast

Trip information

Climate and country information

Morocco

Climate

The climate is both Mediterranean and Atlantic. The dry, hot season is from May to October when summer temperatures can reach 38°C and above (if sight seeing is included we will do our best to avoid the heat of the day during this period). Temperatures may drop significantly at times during the night as the day's heat rapidly diminishes. From December to January snow can be expected on mountain passes and it can be wet. In winter, day temperatures will probably be around 18-25°C, dropping to perhaps 0-5°C.

Time difference to GMT

0

Plugs

2 Pin Round

Religion

Islam

Language

Arabic, Berber, French.

Budgeting and packing

Optional activities

The following excursions and/or activities are usually available and may be arranged locally. Estimated costs are provided below for guidance only, are on a per person basis unless shown otherwise, and may depend on the number of participants. Prices quoted are correct as of the date these tour notes were originally issued but may change at any time due to currency fluctuations. Please note: These activities are booked and paid for locally and do not form part of your Explore holiday contract.


Surfing lesson 400 Moroccan Dirham per person

Clothing

Only lightweight clothing is needed, Essaouira as a temperate climate - if travelling in the winter months it is worth packing a light fleece and waterproofs.

Luggage

20Kg

Luggage: On tour

One main piece of baggage and daypack.

Equipment

Morocco

Food and drink

The costs for meals may vary depending upon location, type of restaurant and number of courses eaten and so the prices given are an average guide. Local restaurants located off the beaten track may be less expensive, whereas an upmarket restaurant located in the centre of a major city may charge more.


Lunch price
£8.00 - 12.00
Dinner price
£12.00 - 20.00
Beer price
£3.50
Water price
£1.00
Foreign Exchange
Local currency
Moroccan Dirham (MAD).
Recommended Currency For Exchange
US Dollars, Sterling and Euros are readily exchangeable at banks and currency exchanges found in all towns and cities. We recommend you take a mixture of cash and credit cards. Scottish and Northern Ireland issued bank notes are sometimes not accepted.
Where To Exchange
Most major towns - your Tour Leader will advise you.
ATM Availability
ATMs are widely available in all the main towns and cities, although some only accept cards issued in Morocco
Credit Card Acceptance
Not all places.
Transport, Accommodation, Food & Drink

Transport Information

Car

Accommodation notes

Our accommodation in Essaouira is a charming and characterful riad on the edge of the old town. The riad features a large roof top terrace and restaurant that serves a mixture of Moroccan and international dishes , traditionally furnished en suite bedrooms and is ideally located to make the most of our stay in Essaouira.

Morocco

Food and drink

Can you drink the water? 
The water quality is poor and therefore it is recommended to avoid drinking tap water during your trip. 

 

Essential Information

Government Travel Safety Advice

We strongly recommend that you check your government's travel advisory for up-to-date information and advice about your destination's safety and security, entry requirements, health, local laws and customs. Relevant government website links for UK, US, Canadian, Australian and New Zealand citizens are available on our Travel Safety page.

If you'd like some inital information on country-specific entry requirements, such as visas or any health declaration forms, please refer to our Entry Requirements page.  The services and information on this page are provided by a third party, and so we will still recommend that you cross check this against your government website for the latest advice.
 

Under 18 immigration guidance

Please note that some countries require proof of parental consent when travelling overseas with under 18s. Please check requirements with the relevant embassy or consular office well in advance of travel if this applies to your party.

Price Guarantee

Once your booking has been confirmed we guarantee the price will not increase, whatever the circumstances. However, please note that if you voluntarily make any changes to your booking including changing your trip or departure date, any additional costs or charges incurred will not be covered. Before booking please ensure you have read our important tour pricing information.Booking Conditions
 

Booking conditions

Before booking your Explore trip, please ensure that you read both our Essential Information and Booking Conditions.
 

Minimum age restrictions

For our group tours, the minimum age is 16. The minimum age on Family trips varies between 7 and 11 - please check the 'Family information' section of the trip page for more information. 


Your safety and enjoyment on tour

We want everyone to have a safe and enjoyable holiday, so we ask you to confirm when booking this trip that you are fit and able to fully participate in all elements of the itinerary. If you have any concerns about your fitness or ability to complete any of the activities, please get in touch with our Customer Relations team at cr@explore.co.uk as soon as possible. Our tour leaders are trained and experienced in managing differing abilities within a group, but if they have concerns about a group member’s ability to safely participate in any element of the itinerary or believe someone’s presence could affect the safety or enjoyment of the holiday for others, in accordance with our Booking Conditions our tour leaders have the authority to ask an individual to miss an activity or activities. This decision would never be taken lightly, but on the rare occasions our tour leaders ask someone to sit out part of the tour, refunds will not be offered and individuals may be liable for additional costs incurred. 
 

Your Tour Leader

All tours aside from extensions, Galapagos cruises and polar expeditions will be led by one of our experienced Tour Leaders. We believe that our Tour Leaders are the key to the success of our tours; they are local experts who are bursting with first-hand knowledge which they love to share, and their unique insights will bring the destination to life. Your Tour Leader will be on hand throughout your tour to make sure arrangements run smoothly, to organise all the local logistics and to keep you safe. Your Tour Leader should be your first point of contact if you encounter any difficulties or disappointments in country – please raise any concerns, however small, with your Tour Leader as they are best placed to assist you.

Transfers

Find out more about Trip Transfer Terms and Conditions before you book.

Booking a land only package with Explore

Customers who have chosen to book on the ‘Land Only’ arrangements of our tour, please ensure that you have checked your tour specific ‘Joining Instructions’ prior to booking your own travel arrangements. Your joining instructions can be found below in the dates and prices information. 

You may also be eligible for the Free Explore Transfer.


Joining Tour Abroad

Customers booked on the ‘Land Only’ arrangements will receive a Free Transfer, provided you arrive and depart on the tour only itinerary start and end dates. The complimentary transfers will be arranged from the Explore designated airport or train station to your trips joining point, and then back from the ending point to the designated airport or train station. Generally the airport or station that Explore have selected will be the one that is closest to the town or city where the trip starts, or the one nearest to the joining point. It will be either an airport or train station but not both.

The exception to this rule is customers who are booked on a tour where the joining and ending point is at the designated airport or train station.  

Free transfers are not available for Polar customers.

If you are not eligible for the Free Transfer then you will need to make your own way through to the joining and ending point. On a majority of our tours Explore will be able to provide a private transfer at an additional cost. Please ask for a quote at the time of booking.  

For more information regarding the Explore Free Transfer click here

Insurance

It is a condition of booking with Explore that you have adequate valid travel insurance. It is your responsibility to arrange appropriate travel insurance and ensure you have read and understood the full terms and conditions of your travel insurance policy to ensure that you are covered for all activities you intend to undertake whilst on the tour, including all optional activities. Your Insurance Policy must fully cover you for medical expenses and emergency repatriation to your home country. Please ensure your policy includes medical emergency helicopter evacuation in the event of illness or injury and covers the entire duration of your holiday. If you are trekking at altitude please ensure that there is no upper altitude limit which may limit or exclude cover for your trip. The cost of many of our Polar Voyages will exceed the capped amount covered by standard insurance premiums and you will be required to pay an additional premium to cover the full value of your trip. Please ensure that you are covered for the full amount of your holiday cost, as insufficient cover could invalidate a claim under the policy. Medical and repatriation insurance cover is not mandatory for UK residents who are travelling on trips within the United Kingdom.
Read more information about what travel insurance is required.

Flight information

Explore can arrange your flights for you, to make joining and leaving our trips easy. Read more about them here.


Flight Information

You are able to book this tour on a 'land only' basis or as a ‘flight inclusive’ package. Your flight inclusive package will be fully protected by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) ATOL protection scheme.

 

Booking a flight inclusive package with Explore

We have a good selection of flights not only from London but from many regional airports around the UK allowing us to compare fares between scheduled carriers as well as low cost and charter airlines. Our dedicated flights team will match the best flight options to your arrival and departure airport.

On our website we display the price of the tour only. Please call us or select the flight option during the online checkout to receive a quote for a flight inclusive package. To avoid paying supplements or to secure your preferred flight option, we recommend booking as early as possible, especially for peak travel dates.

Morocco

Vaccinations

Nothing compulsory, but we recommend protection against tetanus, typhoid, infectious hepatitis and polio. Consult your travel clinic for latest advice on different prophylaxis available against malaria. Please check the latest requirements with your travel clinic or doctor prior to departure. The above is not an exhaustive list. Information regarding vaccinations and travel health advice can be found by on the NaTHNaC website and from your local healthcare provider. Visa and vaccination requirements are subject to change and should be confirmed by you before travelling.

Discovery information
Award Winning Explore Leaders
Find out more
Price Guarantee Promise
Find out more
Airport Transfers
Find out more
Print Trip Notes

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