KANTARA TOURS

Art & Adventure in Morocco

Moroccan desert image

TRAVEL WITH ALIA

Alia Kate launched Kantara Tours in 2019 after more than a decade of running her Moroccan rug business, Kantara. Over the years, she established long-lasting relationships with women weavers throughout Morocco and crisscrossed the country many times on rug buying trips.

Her knowledge of the country, local customs, and current events goes hand in hand with her knack for the local languages-- French, Arabic, and Tachelhit.

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.

QUESTIONS? ASK ALIA

ABOUT KANTARA TOURS

ABOUT KANTARA TOURS

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.

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 not only Alia's many years of travel in the region, but also her familial connections with Moroccans throughout the country.

Berber women serving traditional Moroccan tea

UPCOMING TOURS

Oct. 24 - Nov. 4, 2021
Spring 2022*
Summer 2022*
Fall 2022*
* exact dates TBD due to COVID19

INQUIRE ABOUT TOURS

SIGNATURE TOUR

ITINERARY AT A GLANCE

  • Day 1-2: Marrakech
  • Day 3-5: High Atlas Mountains
  • Day 6: Overnight in Sahara luxury camp
  • Day 7: Middle Atlas Mountains
  • Day 8-9: Fes
  • Day 10-11: Volubilis and Rabat
  • Day 12: Departure
Camel tour in the Sahara Desert

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 rug weaving artisans, explore history and tradition with Moroccan guides, and take part in musical and food ceremonies.

DETAILED ITINERARY

ACTIVITY LEVELS

Please note that this tour has a moderate activity level. Travelers should be comfortable standing or walking for extended periods of time; we average 3-5 miles a day, whether we're on guided tours in the medina of Fes or Marrakech, or walking through mountain villages, passing ancient Kasbahs on our hikes through the countryside. In both urban and rural areas, the ground is often uneven and rocky. Additionally, travelers should be prepared for light walking in the desert sand dunes, climbing uneven stairs without handrails, and longer travel days.

COST

Kantara's Signature Tour starts at $3,300 for 12-days for a group of nine to 15 participants.

For those traveling alone, there will be an added $600 single occupancy surcharge. Double occupancy rooms may either be arranged with one large bed, or two smaller twin beds.

What's included:

  • Arrival transfer from Marrakech airport
  • Departure transfer to Rabat airport
  • All hotel & admission fees
  • Private, chartered air-conditioned bus
  • Driver, guide, hotel, and restaurant tips
  • All regularly listed meals and bus snacks

What's not included:

  • Airfare
  • Trip insurance, required
  • Select lunches and dinners, per itinerary
  • Extras such as hammams and massages
  • Alcohol, beer, wine

ACCOMMODATIONS

Accommodations are in four- and five-stars locations that vary from riads (traditional Moroccan homes with interior gardens or courtyards), to auberges (Moroccan style inns), to more contemporary hotels. In the Sahara, we catch the sunset as we ride into our luxury desert camp on camels, just in time for a night under all the stars, a delicious tajine meal, and a most peaceful night of sleep.

When we're in the Imperial cities, such as Marrakech and Fes, we'll stay in the medina, which consist of the traditional walled-in neighborhoods. In Rabat, we'll change things up and stay in the new city. That way you leave Morocco with an authentic taste of both the traditional and modern. 

KANTARA TOURS GALLERY

Kantara Tours: Marrakech Jma el Fnaa Square
Kantara Tours: Moroccan Tajine Dinner
Kantara Tours: Bou Inania Madrassa in Fes
Kantara Tours: Weaving with Kantara artisans
Kantara Tours: Telouet Glaoui Kasbah
Kantara Tours: Lunch in Boumalne Gorge
Kantara Tours: Weaving with Kantara Artisans
Kantara Tours: Brochette Lunch in Middle Atlas
Kantara Tours: Hike in the Monkey Fingers
Kantara Tours: Marrakech medecine man
Kantara Tours: Desert caravan in Erg Chebbi
Kantara Tours: Night sky Glamping in Sahara
Kantara Tours: Artisans in Middle Atlas
Kantara Tours: Fes tanneries visit
Kantara Tours: Hotel in Ait Ben Haddou
Kantara Tours: Rabat new city
Kantara Tours: Artisan carding wool
Kantara Tours: Five-star Riad hotel in Fes
Kantara Tours: Hiking in Monkey Fingers in Boumalne Gorge
Kantara Tours: Guided tour in Fes Medina
Kantara Tours: Walking among Ait Ben Haddou Kasbahs
Kantara Tours: Rabat Tour Hassan
Kantara Tours: Cooking class in Marrakech
Kantara Tours: Hike with Artisans in High Atlas
Kantara Tours: Desert Caravan in Merzouga
Kantara Tours: Couscous lunch
Kantara Tours: Hiking Guide in Boumalne Gorge
Kantara Tours: Dar el Pasha Marrakech visit
Kantara Tours: Telouet Kasbah Visit
Kantara Tours: Dyeing with Kantara Artisans
Kantara Tours: Fes Blue Gate

What our guests say

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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 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.”

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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."

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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."

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Dave S.

October 2019

"I can't imagine a better tour guide than Alia. Her deep knowledge of the country, depth of her associations with the people at each of our stops, and language skills were unparalleled. The tour was well-organized and Alia's knowledge of each of our stops provided us with an excellent foundation on what we were about to see. She was very friendly and attentive to everyone in our group, which resulted in a feeling of confidence and reassurance about the tour."

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Theresa W.

October 2019

"Kantara Tours provides an in-depth personal view of Morocco by incorporating visits to villages and interaction with the people of Morocco while including must-see sights in major cities such as Fez and Marrakech. Alia takes extraordinary care in her selection of guides and activities to provide both a broad and deep view of the country. A special, once in a lifetime experience."

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Demetra M.

June 2019

"Traveling with Alia is the best way to immerse yourself in a country's people, culture and history short of knowing the native language."

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

Teen tour in Morocco

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. 

Learn more about student tours

CUSTOM TOURS
FOR SMALL GROUPS

Modern Moroccan architecture

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. 

Reach out for custom options

Location services for PHOTO/VIDEO clients

Location services for PHOTO/VIDEO clients

Photo service in Morocco

Rounding out her experience in Morocco, Alia has over five years of on-the-ground location services for film, TV and creative professionals shooting in Morocco. If you are in search of a fixer for an upcoming shoot, reach out for more information and rates.

Find out more about location services