North Africa Discovery

All content by Intrepid

39 days (ex Cairo)

Destinations visited: Libya, Morocco, Casablanca, Tunisia, Algeria, Egypt, Cairo, World

Physical rating:
Culture shock rating:

Physical Ratings

The physical rating gives you an idea of how much huffing and puffing you can expect on the trip. While generalisations are always tricky, a summary of our ratings follows:

Rating 1

These trips are a relaxing break. You don't have to worry about doing anything physically demanding unless you want to.

Rating 2

Some easy physical activities included in your trip. No physical preparation is required to make the most of the journey.

Rating 3

This trip will raise your heartbeat. Moderate physical activities are included and a good level of fitness is required.

Rating 4

Be prepared for some serious physical activity. The majority of activities included on this trip will be challenging. The fitter you are, the more you will enjoy your holiday.

Rating 5

Intrepid’s highest physical rating. Get ready for a heart-pumping adventure with plenty of challenges and some extreme conditions. You will be required to be seriously fit for this trip as difficult activities are included.

Culture Shock Ratings

The culture shock rating considers the level of development in the location, the area's infrastructure and how easy it is to access services. It also takes into consideration how different the food and customs are and whether English is widely spoken. While generalisations are always tricky, here’s a summary of the ratings:

Rating 1

This is the least confronting of Intrepid's product range. English is the native language and the food, customs and access to services will be familiar to you.

Rating 2

You will probably have experienced food like this in restaurants back home and English is commonly spoken. Services are available most of the time but there may be some cultural differences.

Rating 3

Expect some culture shock. You will be exposed to signs of poverty and access to services may be sporadic. The food will be quite different to home and English speakers harder to find. Respecting the local culture will make it easier to fit in and really experience the location.

Rating 4

The comforts of home are more of a rarity. English is not common and the food will be quite different to what you are used to. It is important to observe some of the local customs to not cause offence. Many of the locals' standard of living may be confronting.

Rating 5

You're really out there! You'll need to pay specific attention to health and hygiene. A large proportion of locals' living conditions are a world away from standards you are used to. You may have difficulty finding an English speaker and there is little or no access to services. Paying heed to local customs is essential.

from USD$10,400

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Description

Experience a truly unique and epic adventure crossing North Africa from coast to coast - from Cairo to Casablanca. Follow in the footsteps of great rulers and their mighty civilisations as you forge through Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, Algeria and Morocco. Discover the rich cultures, dramatic histories and awe-inspiring natural beauty of these five fascinating countries - from modern Arab cities through the majestic Hoggar mountain ranges and the immense and desolate Sahara. Enjoy visits to Berber and Tuareg settlements, and explore ancient ruins. Pack a bold spirit and an open mind as this captivating continent awaits the adventure of a lifetime.

Highlights

Learn the Tuareg way of life in Algeria.
Admire the Sahara's austere beauty.
Experience North Africa's diverse cultures.
Visit Morocco and relax in cosmopolitan Casablanca.
Spend time in a Berber settlement.
Explore Alexandria's ancient catacombs.
Travel to Egypt and visit chaotic Cairo and the Pyramids of Giza.
Bargain for a souvenir in a busy Benghazi souq.
Be moved by the Knightsbridge War Cemetery.

Itinerary

Day 1 Cairo

Travel to Egypt and visit Cairo. Admire the Great Sphinx and the Pyramids of Giza.

Day 2 Alexandria

Explore the catacombs of Kom ash-Shuqqafa and the modern Bibliotheca Alexandrina.

Day 3 Marsa Matruh

Make tracks for the Mediterranean resort town of Marsa Matruh.

Days 4-5 Apollonia

Cross the border into Libya and explore the moving Knightsbridge War Cemetery.

Day 6 Benghazi

Shop in Benghazi's Souq al-Jreed.

Days 7-8 Tripoli

Stroll through the Old City and bustling medina of Tripoli.

Day 9 Gharyan

Visit unique cave dwellings.

Days 10-11 Ghadames

Explore a Berber grain castle. Enjoy a traditional lunch in an oasis city.

Day 12 Sabratha

Drive through the desert and mountain ranges to reach the ancient city of Sabratha.

Days 13-14 Jerba

Cross into Tunisia and visit synagogues in agricultural Jerba.

Day 15 Desert Safari

Travel across towering dunes to feast with Berber locals.

Days 16-17 Mahdia

Visit the set of Star Wars and scale a Roman colosseum.

Day 18 Kairouan

Admire mosques and merchant houses in the holy city of Kairouan.

Days 19-21 Tunis

Wander glamorous Tunis.

Day 22 Ain Draham

Unwind in this hilltop spa village.

Day 23 Le Kef

Discover Le Kef, a hidden Tunisian treasure.

Days 24-25 Tozeur

Cycle around a palm tree plantation.

Day 26 El-Oued

Inspect this oasis town's famous carpets.

Days 27-28 Ghardaia

Shop in Ghardaia's colourful souq.

Day 29 Djanet

Relax in the desert oasis of Djanet.

Day 30 Tadent

Get a taste of Tuareg village life.

Day 31 Tin Agoula

In seemingly barren terrain, try to spot camels and rare leopards.

Day 32 Youfihakit

Camp amid ancient rock engravings and surreal mushroom-shaped boulders in Youfihakit.

Day 33 Tamekrest

Sleep by a waterfall cascading over pink and purple granite.

Day 34 Hoggar Mountains

See where a French priest built his chapel in a forbidding volcanic landscape.

Day 35 Tamanrasset

This red mud-brick city hums with Tuareg herders.

Days 36-37 Algiers

Explore Turkish palaces, medieval courtyards, lush gardens and winding alleys in Algiers.

Days 38-39 Casablanca

Celebrate the end of the North African Discovery in cosmopolitan Casablanca.

Group Size

Maximum of 12 travellers per group

Departure Guarantee

Departure is guaranteed, subject to 4 people travelling

Accommodation

Hotel (30 nts), Desert camp (6 nts), Dormitory (1 nt), Cave house (1 nt)

Transport

4x4, Boat, Bus, Private Bus, Taxi, Plane

Budget

Allow USD $1,500 for meals not included.

Check dates and prices
Book this trip with Intrepid Travel on their site

from USD$10,400

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what a rip off price

satluocp -1 1 -1 does not recommend this, July 20, 2011

did this in reverse some 50 years back on a uni summer holiday crossing to tangiers from gib to tangiers to increase the very limited sterling you were allowed....of the tour suggestions days 4-8 not only miss great bits of libya but would now only be tried by a trainee war correspondant....the club med sahara crossing of that time cost less than 200 pounds and nearly all of the large and easily done on your own tunisian section (days 10-26)....it also covered the south of algieria and morocco much better....I cannot imagine how in such a short time they manage to spend over 6000 pounds on this trip and an additional 1500$ for food.....

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