Moroccan Caravan

Most Recent Comments

• June 2023 by VADCMDtonian
  Without question, one of the best cultural specific tours I have ever taken. Our guide Addi, is a multilingual local who I can only describe as the best ambassador a country could ever have. You will do and see things that other people and groups will not experience, with lots of hands on involvement. From sites and time with the locals, to shops that are co-op specific and helping to support their communities. Can't recommend highly enough.
• June 2023 by Meghan L
  If you want to truly learn about Morocco, this is the trip. From sun up to sun down, we were part of the culture of this country. No tourist stuff here; we stayed with family, we dined with locals, we met the artisans, we supported the local enterprises, and we learned, learned, learned. The group was perfectly sized, so it never felt clunky. As an aside, I got very sick (sinus infection, bad luck), and Sandy and Addi took loving care of me, finding medicine, bringing food, and checking on me. It didn’t hurt that the hotel in Marrakech was stunning! One of the most important trips of my life; I’m changed by it.
• June 2023 by Go643571
  There is no better way to see Morocco than with Moroccan Caravan. What makes them so good is their passion for the country and all it has to offer. Their enthusiasm is infectious. At the end of the tour, I wanted to do the whole thing all over again and maybe I will--next year!
• June 2023 by Bibelot
  Traveling with multilingual tour guide extraordinaire Addi and Sandy, his colleague, an award-winning landscape architect, was the ultimate Moroccan adventure! You will be in excellent hands with this knowledgeable, patient and attentive duo, exploring the country in a comfortable, air-conditioned Mercedes van. Addi and Sandy exude a joy and personal warmth, engendering a positive group dynamic. My husband and I truly enjoyed the 2-week journey with our hosts and 10 other fellow travelers and we hope to maintain our friendships! Addi’s infectious passion for his homeland, the Amazigh (Berber) people, language and culture are intoxicating. Every day was a learning experience -- full of surprises, beautiful and unfamiliar sights and sensory delights. Addi has an infallible internal GPS. In the Fes and Marrakech medinas, he confidently spirited us through the dizzying mazes of narrow, busy, artisan-filled passages lined with stall after stall of wondrous, colorful textiles (rugs, robes and scarves) leathergoods, glassware, lighting, tiles, ceramics and fine metallurgy. Several twists and turns later, he might open a door to an Islamic school. One afternoon, he led us down a shoulder-width alley and ducked under a low archway, beyond which a dark-panelled wooden door opened to reveal …. Go see for yourself! Another morning, we wound our way to a lovely home to observe an enchanting, moving Sufi ceremony. At the end of our days in Marrakech, Addi ushered us back to our lovely lodgings through the bustling chaos of humanity, burros, carts, bicycles and scooters, to the tranquility of our riad with its peaceful tiled courtyard, exotically furnished rooms and stunning rooftop terrace, where we gathered to watch an exquisite sunset. Thanks to their frequent tours, Addi and Sandy have friends and contacts everywhere – connections which translate into unmatched experiences, such as rich musical performances –haunting drummers at our Sahara camp; a talented, endearing family creating tuneful, energetic rhythms with bongos, Moroccan-style tambourines, castanets and one- or two-string “guitars;” and the addictive beat and dancing feet of the five-man band, on percussion and strings, who entertained us on our last night in Essaouira. . We were also fortunate to witness skilled ceramists and mosaic makers at a tile factory, demonstrations at a leather tannery, the wizardry of women embroidering tablecloths and napkins and to discover astonishingly preserved fossils formed hundreds of millions of years ago when a large area of Morocco was undersea. Who knew? At the market in Rissani, a spice vendor identified a sea of red, brown and yellow spices as we breathed in their tantalizing aromas; a man pressed blue and yellow tiles in a narrow workshop piled high with his handiwork and a smiling blacksmith banged on a fiery rod. In Essaouira, just outside its small and easily-navigated medina, local silversmiths crafted a gorgeous array of earrings, bracelets, necklaces, fibulas and charms. Try to resist! The dromedary ride and overnight in the Sahara was unforgettably thrilling and beautiful! Addi ran along-side us, up and down the dunes to capture photos and videos of our own Moroccan caravan. The golden desert was a stunning contrast to the tight switchbacks through the ochre-hued Dades Gorges in the Atlas Mountains, the isolated roads in the verdant Valley of the Roses and the windy Atlantic port of Essaouira. Especially meaningful was the time spent among Addi’s gracious family at their lovely home in Mezguida. The rooms were comfortable, the décor impressive and traditional, and the food as beautifully prepared and displayed as it was delectable. With his sister’s assistance, we made our own Tagine! One morning, Addi guided us through the labyrinth of passages that is the humble nearby kasbah where he grew up. Some of our best travel memories were made while dining alfresco -- at a streetside village café not far from the ancient Roman ruins of Volubilis, on a terrace overlooking an 11th century kasbah in Oua
• May 2023 by Marie F
  This trip was immersive, intimate and inspiring. It was beautifully curated and seamless organized, thanks to the co-tour leaders, Sandy & Addi. Addi is warm, sensible, organized, brilliant and fun loving. He is a self made anthropologist, sociologist, historian and philosopher with a wealth of knowledge about just about everything pertaining to Morocco (and beyond). It was delightful to be guided by him for two weeks. Accommodations were always comfortable and often very beautiful. Wherever we arrived, guides were ready for us and restaurants had a table waiting. Our experience in the Sahara was magical- and traversing the High Atlas Mountains was spectacular. We saw several beautiful gardens and we had the privilege to stay at Addi’s family’s guest house, where we felt so welcome. I can’t imagine a better way to see Morocco. Thanks again, Addi & Sandy!
• November 2021 by lilir634
  For my first ever travel tour I think I hit the jackpot! I was invited by my friend Sandy, to bring yoga into a cultural tour of Morocco led by a gifted tour guide, Addi Ouadderrou, who was extremely knowledgeable about the places, the history and culture of Morocco, as well as sociopolitical challenges Morocco has endured over the centuries to the present day. My mission was to infuse our days with just enough yoga to feel greater ease after hours of travel; from the flight, to the luxurious Mercedes van, to the earthy camel rides, and the many walks we took. I offered accessible yoga by poolsides, on a rooftop terrace of our Casbah, and the indoor-outdoor garden spaces of our various Riads, as well as at our campsite in the desert where we practiced yoga using the chairs before dinner, and my favorite spot - on the beach at Essaouira before the setting sun! Addi took us on walking tours on winding, narrow paths through old Fes to fields of date trees in his home village of Mezguida, a village in Morocco's desert region settled in the 17th century. We learned how the desert was irrigated by an amazing network of aqueducts first created by the Romans, and how the sand dunes act like a natural dam preventing evaporation of the water beneath the sands. We saw stunning Roman ruins in Volubilis and the beautiful Bahia Palace in Marrakech. We learned of the Imazighen people, also known as Berbers, indigenous to North Africa, and the Tuaregs, a nomadic people of the desert known as "the children of the wind". We enjoyed abundant and delicious foods, opportunities to experience traditional song and dance, star gazing and satellite counting in the mountains and desert. We learned the intricacies of weaving, pottery and tile making, leather and metal work, plus some local phrases to help us feel more as one with these kind people. There was so much culture, history, sights and sounds packed into this 2 week tour that as I sit here writing, I know you'll just have to go and experience it for yourself! And if you choose to do so, choose one of Addi's tours with Sandy as his gardens expert and all-around cheerful assistant by his side. You will find yourself as welcomed as family, and the other nomads traveling with you will become dear friends by the end of your journey.
• November 2021 by altravis_123
  I just returned from a magical trip to Morocco that exceeded every expectation!! The two week tour was masterfully led by Addi Ouadderrou, owner of Moroccan Caravan Tours, as well as landscape architect Sandy Clinton. Addi, a native Moroccan, and expert in all aspects of this beautiful and mystical country, including his native Imazighen culture, provided a seamless experience from beginning to end. The tour also included a yoga focus led wonderfully by Lili Robbins. This was truly a deep dive into the culture of Morocco, including the cuisine, art and crafts, history and the beautiful patchwork of people and topography. I woke up everyday like a little kid, excited to see what Addi had planned for us. I highly recommend this tour (or another of Addi’s highly curated experiences) for anyone looking to go way beyond the basic tourist trip.
• November 2021 by acallon
  Where do I even start?? Addi and Sandy are a magnificent team for introducing you to the incredible history and culture of Morocco, especially the Imazighen (also known as Berber) culture. Addi, who is Amazigh, has lived in the US for many years but grew up in a small village in the South of Morocco near the Sahara Desert. Staying with his family in their spacious riad and experiencing their day to day life, was a highlight of the trip. Side trips to the old city where Addi lived as a child and to the nearby Rissani market, where most people arrive by donkey, were just two additional glimpses into the culture. I have never traveled with a "tour" before but learned about the "Yoga-infused" Cultural Tour of Morocco through my yoga community and was intrigued. Of the nine in our group, only two I think signed up for the tour specifically for the yoga. But Lili was such an incredible, experienced yoga instructor, everyone participated and benefited from her fun, gentle classes offered whenever it was convenient with the schedule. We practiced in the most beautiful settings-- from the pool deck in Fes and at our camp in the Sahara after our camel ride. We did much-needed Yin Yoga in Marrakesh and even practiced headstands on the beach in Essaouira at sunset. I could go on and on about each experience but it might spoil some of the surprises for those who wish to take the trip. Addi has a deep understanding of the culture and history of the country and makes learning about it all very relatable and fun. Sandy, a professional landscape architect with a passion for art, design and all things Moroccan, adds a whole other dimension to learning about the rich culture. I thoroughly enjoyed traveling with Addi and Sandy (and Said, the safest driver ever!) in their comfortable 15-passenger Mercedes van. Even though we were a group, I never felt like a typical tourist. I felt like I was getting an authentic view of the many fascinating aspects of Moroccan culture. Not only would I recommend this trip to others, I may join them again next year!
• November 2019 by J1999FUjanel
  I just returned from the 14 day grand tour (plus 5 day extension) and I can't stop talking about the amazing experience. Addi, group mentor and my new Moroccan family is an incredible ambassador to the country and culture. His knowledge of the history and culture, not to mention where to stay, dine, shop and tour were all exceptional. I have been on several academic lead studies abroad and this tour was comparable in terms of the people we met and deep experiences with the culture. Jane
• June 2019 by 61Lew
  This was the most in-depth, personal, behind-the-scenes, and reasonably priced tour of this fascinating country I could have hoped for. A small group tour (seven adults, mostly friends, for 20 days) with guide Addi Ouadderrou, who handled all arrangements, lodging, meals, admissions, side trips, tips, and occasional surprises seamlessly for a worry-free experience. He is also profoundly knowledgeable about all things Morocco- culture, history, politics, Islam, Amazicht (Berber) culture, crafts, agriculture, music, food and more. Some hi-lites: navigating the mind-boggling medinas of Fes and Marakech, meeting craftspeople, staying at peaceful, beautiful Riad guest houses. Staying at Addi's family home in the SE desert region where we pollinated date palms, cooked with tagines, and walked through the ancient casbah where he lived as a boy. An amazing, hair-raising ride thru the Atlas Mts. (expertly driven by the ever-calm Said). Delightful seaside town of Essouerra, the fanciful blue city of Chefchouen... I just wish we could have spent a few more days in a some of these towns, but there is so much to see. All our hosts were lovely. Expect to eat and shop a lot! An unforgettable experience.
• February 2019 by Helio Monteiro
  We spent two weeks on the tour with Addi as our guide. Addi selected the best places to see and great places to eat for us to get the best experience of a country that he is very passionate about. We were able to mingle with the locals and meet interesting people, he seemed to know everyone. During the travel time between locations we would have rich conversations about the culture and history of Morocco. It really is the best way to experience what this country has to offer.
• November 2018 by Susan Raehn Boslough
  He's a stellar guide in every way .....
• July 2018 by Hayley Hicks
  Words can not express the experience I had because of Addi and the trip he created for us. I will always cherish our time in Morocco. Beautiful country, amazing people, incredible culture. It was my favorite trip yet �
• May 2016 by Grace A.
  My review is for Addi and any musical offerings/groups that he offers. Very difficult to work with and unprofessional. Had a very hard time getting proper tax and insurance information in order to pay them since the venue we were working with (Boston Public Library) requires that for all external vendors. They originally made sure to confirm their attendance at the event we had planned (1000+ people, planned about a year ahead of time), and at the last moment refused to play because they would have to pay ~$200 for insurance that they should already have. We even offered to cover half of the cost of insurance, and later the whole cost, but they refused to simply fill out a 2-page form that would grant them insurance for the evening. Caused us to lose out on an entertainment aspect of the event less than a week before it was scheduled, such that we couldn't replace them with someone else. If you are planning a formal event or are involved with an outside venue, I would suggest you go elsewhere for traditional Moroccan music.
• July 2015 by Paige H.
  What an incredible, flawless trip this was. I might never have thought to travel in Morocco had we not been invited by friends who were planning to go on this trip and they might not have gone had Addi not been given so many glowing reviews by their friends. We were certainly not disappointed, in fact it is difficult to describe how far our expectations were exceeded. Addi was endlessly knowledgeable about the history and culture of Morocco and was both eager and amazingly able to share that information with us. This was not just an academic experience (though the fact that Addi's wife is an American professor whose area of specialty is Amazigh (Berber) art and culture and that he has been involved in her research meant that the academic was always available) but, rather a feet-on-the-ground, intimate experience. It was less like visiting the country than being introduced into the country. Addi ceaselessly immersed us in the culture and into the lives of the people in the street, the markets, the artisan workshops, the villages, the kitchens and the homes. We came away with wonderful memories, new knowledge of the world of North Africa and a stimulated curiosity about all things Moroccan. I must not fail to mention that Addi is an excellent travel companion. He is witty, entertaining, adaptable, capable and just plain fun. We never thought much about Morocco before but now we can't stop. Thank you Addi.