Art & Adventure in Morocco
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.
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.
Oct. 24 - Nov. 4, 2021
Spring 2022*
Summer 2022*
Fall 2022*
* exact dates TBD due to COVID19
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.”
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."
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."
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."
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."
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."
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.
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
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.
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.
