NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC
photography expedition
where :: Morocco, Africa
when :: Oct 22 – 31, 2009
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I couldn’t be more thrilled for this upcoming adventure!
I am extremely excited to announce that on October 22-31, 2009 — I will be joining Chris Rainier (below) and a small group of cultural photographers on a photography expedition of Morocco, Africa. This upcoming expedition is sure to be an absolutely amazing experience in which to learn cultural photojournalism techniques from the absolute best of the best. Please check back in early September to view photos from this adventure.
CHRIS RAINIER
Chris Rainier is considered one of the leading documentary photographers working today. A National Geographic Society Fellow, Chris is a director of the All Roads Photography Program and the Enduring Voices Project, documenting endangered languages and cultures. He serves as a contributing editor for National Geographic Traveler and a contributing photographer for National Geographic Adventure, as well as a photography correspondent for NPR. He has won numerous awards for his photography, including the prestigious Lowell Thomas Award, given by the Explorers Club for adventure stories.
TRIP ITINERARY
Days 1 and 2 — U.S./Casablanca, Morocco
Depart on an overnight flight to Casablanca. After time to relax, visit the extraordinary Hassan II Mosque, whose 689-foot minaret is the world’s tallest. Then, take an excursion to a vineyard set among cork oaks and eucalyptus trees near the town of Ben Slimane. Enjoy lunch and a wine tasting in this bucolic setting. Later, stroll through Casablanca’s Habous district and mechouar, the ceremonial meeting place outside the Royal Palace. Tonight, gather for a festive welcome dinner overlooking the sea.
Golden Tulip Farah Casablanca (L, D)
Golden Tulip Farah Casablanca (L, D)
Day 3 — Casablanca/Marrakech
Drive through the elegant Anfa neighborhood on the way to Marrakech, Morocco’s legendary “pearl of the south.” After a poolside lunch at the hotel, meander through the stunning Majorelle Gardens, once owned by Yves Saint-Laurent, and pay a visit to the museum here. See the splendid Koutoubia Mosque, and visit Bahia Palace and the Dar Si Said Museum of Moroccan Arts. Explore the labyrinthine streets of the medina, lined with market stalls and craftspeople; and soak up the colorful chaos of Djemma el Fna Square, where snake charmers and magicians enchant the passersby. Discover the city on your own this evening.
Le Méridien N’Fis (B, L)
Le Méridien N’Fis (B, L)
Day 4 — Marrakech and the Atlas Mountains
Today you may continue your exploration of Marrakech, or head into the Atlas Mountains on a back-road adventure, stopping to visit Berber villages and local markets. Sip mint tea in a Berber home, and learn firsthand about this culture. Stop for lunch at Lake Takerkoust, and go for a hike along the shore. Visit lesser known suqs on the way back to Marrakech. Gather for a special rooftop reception and dinner in the medina. (B, L, D)
Day 5 — Marrakech/Aït Benhaddou/Ouarzazate
Cross the Atlas Mountains to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Aït Benhaddou and have lunch overlooking this enchanting fortified city. Then venture into its warren of twisting lanes and dwellings, stopping for tea in a traditional adobe home. Take an optional horseback ride along the river before continuing to Ouarzazate, a former trading post now known for its movie studios, where films like Gladiator andLawrence of Arabia were shot.
Le Berbère Palace (B, L)
Le Berbère Palace (B, L)
Day 6 — Ouarzazate/Erfoud/Merzouga
Learn about traditional adobe architecture in Taourirt Kasbah this morning. Set out on the fabled Road of 1,000 Kasbahs to Erfoud, passing spectacular rock formations, oases, and rose plantations. Enjoy a hike through a palm and tamarisk grove. Later, walk into Todra Gorge and have lunch at the foot of the soaring, red canyon walls. In Erfoud, climb into 4×4s and drive into the desert to a traditional tented camp, nestled among the dunes of Merzouga. Dine under the star-studded Saharan sky, and enjoy an evening of Berber folk music and tales around the campfire.
Bivouac Tented Berber Camp (B, L ,D)
Bivouac Tented Berber Camp (B, L ,D)
Day 7 — Merzouga/Erfoud/Fez
Awaken early to a ride a camel across the sandscape as the rising sun paints the dunes orange and gold. Return to the camp for a hearty breakfast. Head north into the high-mountain plains on your way to Fez, stopping for a walk in a lush cedar forest. Arrive in Fez late this afternoon, and settle into your room at the legendary Palais Jamai, your home for the next three nights.
Palais Jamai (B, L, D)
Palais Jamai (B, L, D)
Day 8 — Fez
Spend the day exploring this magnificent imperial city. Discover the 14th-century Bou Inania madrassa, characterized by its intricately carved stucco walls, arches, and cornices. See the Nejjarine Fountain, covered in exquisite mosaics, and the Kairaouine Mosque. Delve into the lively medina, where merchants preside over colorful mounds of spices and tanners soak skins in vats of dye. Later, visit the Royal Palace and Fes Jdid, home to the historic Jewish quarter. (B, L, D)
Day 9 — Fez
Today you may choose to explore Fez at your own pace or take an excursion to the Roman ruins of Volubilis, a World Heritage site; and Meknes, Morocco’s 17th-century capital. Tonight, toast our Moroccan adventure at a farewell dinner and belly-dancing performance at the Palais Jamai. (B, D)
Day 10 — Fez/U.S.
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your return flight. (B)
