Intrepid Travel has partnered with the Moroccan National Tourism Office to help boost visitation in that country.
The partnership comes as Intrepid says it’s seen significant growth
in Morocco bookings since the pandemic, making it one of the company’s
top-selling destinations globally.
“We are thrilled to be launching this new partnership with MNTO,
investing more in the development of tourism in my home country,” said
Hala Benkhaldoun, Morocco general manager for Intrepid Travel. “Morocco
is an extremely special place, one that more of the world should have
the chance to see.”
As part of the partnership, Intrepid will launch a number of itineraries in 2024 that will take guests through Morocco’s Happy Valley, an off-the-beaten-path destination located in the Ait Bougmez region of the High Atlas Mountains.
The new tours
On the Trekking in Morocco Happy Valley in High Atlas journey, guests will explore cascading waterfalls, ancient ruins and lush vegetation on an eight-day adventure that includes stopping for home-cooked meals in rural villages and learning about the rich history of the Amazigh people, the community that inspired the name “Happy Valley.” Fares start at $1,180 per person.
The eight-day Classic Morocco tour includes visits to the sacred Hassan II Mosque and the Roman ruins of Volubilis; a solar-powered Sahara camping experience among the sand dunes; a visit and tasting at a Tawesna tea house run by local women; hiking through the High Atlas Mountain range; and an exploration of the vibrant architecture and flavors of Marrakech. Fares start at $1,320 per person.
• Related: Intrepid Travel makes Time’s Most Influential list
The One Week in Morocco: Sahara & Atlas Mountains, also an eight-day journey, has been developed exclusively for travelers ages 18 to 29 that will provide a sample of Intrepid’s Morocco products. Travelers on this itinerary can expect to do everything from wandering the streets of Marrakech to trekking through the High Atlas Mountains as well as sleeping under the Sahara stars at a solar-powered camp. Fares start at $710 per person.
There’s also the five-day Mount Toubkal Long Weekend trip that will have guests climbing the highest summit in North Africa with expert guides, where they can take in incredible views of the High Atlas Mountain Range, the Sahara and the Atlantic Coast. There will also be a night spent in an authentic mountain refuge at Toubkal base camp along with home-cooked Moroccan meals served throughout the journey.
New experiences, as well
Intrepid has also added some new experiences to existing itineraries. A M’goun Valley Henna Ceremony on its Morocco Uncovered trip will offer travelers the opportunity to learn about the history and significance of henna tattoos and receive their own designs from Naquasha women. On the Premium Morocco tour, Intrepid has added a visit to the Taman’Art Space with a local artist on a terrace overlooking the mountains.
• Related: Faith-travel specialist ETS adds tours
In addition to the partnership with the tourism office, the operator’s non-for-profit Intrepid Foundation has created a partnership with the Moroccan nonprofit High Atlas Foundation. It is just one of 22 new partners for the brand globally in 2023.
For every traveler booked on an Intrepid trip, the company will make a donation to an NGO partner chosen by its local team including The High Atlas Foundation dedicated to agricultural development, education and health access for women and youth in Morocco, and Education for All, a nonprofit expanding female education access to the remote communities of Morocco.
Source: Read Full Article