☆ Explore the four ancient capital cities on one trip
☆ Discover major historical sites in every city
☆ Satisfy your craving for learning how to hand make traditional local arts and crafts
☆ Sample some typical Moroccan cuisines along the journey
☆ Include ample optional features and extensions to enhance overall experiences
☆ Visit 7 UNESCO Cultural Heritage Sites
Tour Code: USMB09
Duration: 9 Days
Optional Features and Upgrades: Since the seats are limited, we recommend you to choose optional and extension programs at the time of booking:
Service Language: English
Extra Service: Travel Insurance Visa Service
1. Round-trip international flight from New York (All Airports) to Casablanca for NO additional charge
The following departure cities are available for additional charge:
Additional U$500/person | Miami / Fort Lauderdale / Boston / Washington, D.C. / Orlando |
Additional U$600/person | Las Vegas / Austin / Oklahoma / Chicago / Detroit / Memphis / Milwaukee |
Additional U$700/person | Dallas / Philadelphia / Charlotte / Houston / Denver / Phoenix / Sacramento / San Antonio / Seattle / Portland / Los Angeles / San Diego / San Francisco / Toronto / Vancouver/ Montreal |
Land only package without round-trip international flight ticket: minus U$500/person
2. Hand-picked 4-star hotel accommodations
3. Transfer from airport to hotel and hotel to airport (except for land only package)
4. Sightseeing admission fees as listed on the agenda
5. Food as specified on the itinerary
6. Special cultural programs as specified in the schedule
7. Professional English speaking local tour expert
8. All tax and fuel surcharge
1. Travel insurance
2. Any personal expenses
3. Tour extensions and optional programs
4. A Mandatory Service Charge & Tipping U$225/person is required and payable by Credit Card Before Your Final Payment Due Date.
5. Single Supplement Fee (Our tour price is based on double occupancy. If a single passenger is traveling alone and not sharing a room for the entire trip, the tour price charged to the single traveler will be double the standard tour price.)
ALL PRICES ARE IN USD
PAYMENT SCHEDULE:
Full Payment is Required at the Time of Booking
GROUP SIZE:
☆ 10 - 40 people in each group
On board international flight to Casablanca.
Upon arrival at Casablanca, meet and greet, then transfer to the hotel (transfer is not included if you booked the land-only package).
Rest up and get ready for your busy sightseeing tomorrow.
Remarks before tour starts:
Acclaimed as the "Atlantic Bride", Casablanca is also called a "White City" as the entire city is dominated by white color. Today you will start your journey from Casablanca to Fes and on the way, visit the political capital Rabat, some 56mi/90km away to the north along the ocean coast. Rabat is one of the four ancient imperial cities with a history of about 900 years. Follow our local expert to explore the UNESCO listed Kasbah of the Udyas, once a military fortress on the ocean and first built by the Berber Dynasty in 12 century AD, now is a mesmerizing blue and white artist village, nicked named "Miniature Chefchaouen". The white marble Mausoleum of Mohammed V commemorating the founding father of modern Morocco sits just opposite of Hassan Tower, a remarkable and elegant structure from 1195 AD. In between the two constructions are 312 stone pillars still standing as the Ruins of Grand Hassan Mosque which was destroyed during the 1775 earthquake. Continue on to Meknes, 94mi/150km from Rabat. En route, stop at Volubilis to visit a UNESCO listed ancient Roman city archeological site. Arrive at Meknes, one of the four ancient imperial cities and used to be the capital city in 1672 AD. Walk around the historical city under the protection of UNESCO including Royal Stables, City Wall and Bab Mansour.
Overnight in Fes.
Being the first of the four ancient imperial cities, Fes is always regarded as the religious and cultural capital even today with 2800 years of history. Start off your full sightseeing day by observing the Bronze Doors of the Royal Palace, symbol of the country followed by entering the magnificent Bab Bou Jeloud erecting between the old town and the new town with shining blue façade on the outside and green mosaic design facing interior, a typical Moorish architecture. Stroll along the UNESCO Medina old winding alleyways lined with hundreds of mosques and tens of thousands of shops with medieval atmosphere. As the first Muslim city in North Africa and proud to be one of the Islamic Mecca places globally, Fes had the world first university, Mosque and University Karaouiyn which was built close to 400 years earlier than Oxford University. Once known as the “African Athens”, “Paradise for Handicrafts” and “Pottery Capital”, Fes was a much more prosperous and sophisticated city than most of the European metropolitan areas back then. Step into the bucket-list workshop of Dye-pits, Tanneries, Ceramics and Carpet weaving to learn how the local artisans have preserved their traditional techniques for producing such high standard handicrafts for hundreds of years.
Enjoy your free evening or you may join us for a unique optional evening excursion to enrich your experience.
Optional Tour: Fes by Night with dinner and live performance in Riad U$109/person
Sit down in a traditional-style house with a courtyard in the middle decorated with colorful ceramic mosaic paterns. Dinner is the special Moroccan delicacy accompanied by a live music band. Some of the instruments that the musicians use date back to ancient dynasties. A marvelous proformance presented by belly dancers and local artists will for sure leave you an unforgettable memory for the evening.
Today you are bused from Fes to Marrakesh (330mi/530km) , the last of the four ancient imperial cities.
Enjoy the rest of the day after arrival or you may take part in our optional Marrakesh evening excursion with dinner.
Optional Tour: Marrakesh by Night with dinner U$109/person
Hop on a horse carriage for a ride to soak up the unique ambiance of thousand-year-old North African culture. Explore Medina, a UNESCO World Cultural Site and linger around the dynamic and lively Djema el-Fna Square, a never-sleeping bazaar for almost one thousand years where you will find dancers, fortune tellers, snake charmers and acrobats all over the market place. The smell of the food stands, the lights of the souvenir stalls, the rhythm of the musicians all make this souk a hustle and bustle hub of Marrakesh attracting visitors from home and abroad every single day. Dinner will be a roast lamb feast in a unique Moroccan tent facing a horse race track for an outstanding production.
Overnight in Marrakesh.
Often declared to be the “Pearl of the South”, Marrakesh is also named “Red City” due to its age-old red city wall together with other red sandstone buildings from history. In sharp contrast to this major city color, Majorelle Garden adopts vibrant colors especially the bright yellow and bright blue for decorating the courtyard dotted with leafy trees, dense shrubs, towering cacti and colorful flowers. The so-called Majorelle Blue villa located in the garden has been converted to be the Berber Museum, home to a collection of Berber cultural relics and artifacts. Next is Saadian Tombs, a richly and luxuriously decorated complex depicting the high point of Moroccan and Moorish architecture in the Saadian Dynasty. Following the necropolis is the Bahia Palace, former residence of the royal family known for its ornate glazed tiles and intricate wood carving decorations. Your final stop is at the center of the old quarter, Koutoubia Mosque, “The most beautiful mosque in North Africa”, big enough to host 20,000 people at the same time. The 253ft/77m tall minaret tower, also called “Fragrant Tower”, is the landmark and symbol of the city, not only due to its height but also its aroma as herbs and spices were added in the plaster when constructed.
Overnight in Marrakesh.
Drive south along the coast to Essaouira (230mi/370km), a major seaport and the gateway to Marrakesh since the 19th century. Essaouira is also a renowned “City of Wind" that makes it the best place for surfing, windsurfing and kitesurfing. En route, stop to watch the Climbing-tree Goats which is unique to this area. Upon arrival, you will be taken to the Fish Market where you may see not only the fresh seafood but also the sea-blue fishing boats. Wander around at the country"s best beach , the Essaouira Beach stretching a few miles long, and enjoy the hustle and bustle here on the fine and soft golden sand with the breeze from the Atlantic. Continue on to visit Skale du Port which is a fortress built in the late 18th century and now the city landmark appearing as Astapor in the Game of Thrones. Afterwards, walk through the Bab el Marsa and explore the UNESCO protected old town of Medina, a melting pot consisting of Arabic culture, Berber culture, South African culture and Jewish culture. The Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch and French rulers in history have also left their influences in this fascinating city. Stroll through the old alleyways full of cafes, shops, restaurants and art galleries.
Overnight in Essaouira.
Breakfast in the hotel followed by a bus ride back to Casablanca (190mi/250km), Morocco’s commercial capital and the largest city of the country. On the way, make a quick stop at the Portuguese Fortified City of Mazagan which was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as an outstanding example of the interchange of influences between European and Moroccan cultures. Upon arrival at Casablanca, go directly to Mohammed V Square located at the city center in honor of the former king of Morocco Muhammad V. Head to Hassan II Mosque, the third largest mosque worldwide. Designed by French architects, partially built in the Atlantic and equipped with innovative facilities, the mosque is often hailed as the “Mosque on the ocean” and the “Most luxurious and modern mosque in the world”. Stroll along the Miami Beach Boardwalk, a trendy and cozy coastal promenade where you may enjoy the ocean breeze, view the stunning sunset or take a selfie with the Atlantic Ocean.
Optional Tour: Rick’s Cafe dinner with wine at U$109/person
Overnight in Casablanca.
After breakfast, transfer to the airport and board the flight back to your home (transfer is not included if you booked the land-only package).
*Please note: Depending on the air scheduling and availability, your flight back to the USA/Canada may depart very early in the morning the next day (00:00 am-03: 00 am).
For your final day, you may explore the city on your own and transfer to the airport in the evening. Hotel check-out is before noontime. (Late check-out may be available for a fee subject to the hotel policy).
Hotel Upgrade:
☆ 5-star hotel upgrade(not include the tour extension):
Price: U$299/Person
(Single Supplement Fee: Additional U$200)
Flight Choice:
☆ Regular Flight: We are trying to put you on a direct flight. If this is not possible, you will take flights with moderate layover time: + U$0
☆ Express Flight: We are trying to put you on a direct flight. If this is not possible, you will take flights with limited layover time of less than 6 hours each way
Price: U$299/person
☆ Swift Flight: You will take a direct flight with no layover guaranteed (if there is (a) direct flight(s) service already existing between your departure gateway and the arrival gateway of your destination country)
Price: U$599/person
☆ Business Class Upgrade (exclusively available for US departures): Elevate your journey with a luxurious international long-haul flight that defines sophistication and comfort.
Price: U$6,000/person
OPTIONAL PROGRAMS (BOOK ON SITE):
☆ Day 4: Fes by Night with dinner and live performance in Riad U$109/person
☆ Day 5: Marrakesh by Night with dinner U$109/person
☆ Day 8: Rick’s Cafe dinner with wine at U$109/person
VALUE PACK: Click here to view itinerary
Price: U$294/person (with extra 10% off if purchase all three optional programs)
RETURN FLIGHT DEVIATION SERVICE:
1) Return Flight Deviation Service - 3 days (Airport drop-off service not included)
Price: U$1,299/person
Early Bird Price: U$1,099
Included:
*Air Ticket change fee & fare difference from the original itinerary
2) Return Flight Deviation Service - 5 days (Airport drop-off service not included)
Price: U$1,399/person
Early Bird Price: U$1,199
Included:
*Air Ticket change fee & fare difference from the original itinerary
3) Return Flight Deviation Service - 6-20 days (Airport drop-off service not included)
Price: U$1,499/person
Early Bird Price: U$1,299
Included:
*Air Ticket change fee & fare difference from the original itinerary
*Please note the exact departure date may be selected at a later point prior to final payment or you may specify your preferred return date in the "Remark" Column.
PRE & POST TRIP ACCOMMODATION SERVICE:
Please contact us for details and pricing whenever you need
HAND-PICKED 4 STARS HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS:
☆ Casablanca: ONOMO Hotel or Hotel Toubkal or Best Western or similar
☆ Fes: Dar Al Andalous Hotel or L"Escale or similar
☆ Marrakesh: 2Ciels Boutique Hotel & SPA or Nassim Hotel or similar
☆ Essaouira: Dar L"Oussia or Des Iles or similar
INTERNATIONAL AIR: (UTOvacation reserves the right to confirm the airlines below)
☆ United Airline ☆ American Airline ☆ Delta Airline ☆ Air Canada ☆ Lufthansa Airlines ☆ Jet Airways ☆ Lot Polish Airlines ☆ Tap Air Portugal ☆ Austrian Airlines ☆ KLM Airlines ☆ Alitalia ☆ Air France ☆ French Bee Airline ☆ Virgin Atlantic ☆ Vueling Airlines ☆ Air Caraibes ☆ Level Airline ☆ Norwegian Air Shuttle ☆ Iberia ☆ Air Italy ☆ Aeroflot ☆ Aer Lingus ☆ Finnair ☆ Swiss International Air Lines ☆ Scandinavian Airlines ☆ Brussels Airlines ☆ British Airways ☆ Turkish Airlines ☆ Ukraine Intl Airlines ☆ Royal Air Maroc ☆ Etihad Airways ☆ Egyptair ☆ Italia Trasporto Aereo ☆ Qatar Airways ☆ Royal Jordanian ☆ Emirates Airline ☆ Kuwait Airways
Morocco does not require a visa for USA & Canada passport holders. You must have a valid passport with at least one blank page.
Visit the "IATA Travel Centre" for detailed information on country-specific passport, visa and health requirements:
https://www.iatatravelcentre.com/passport-visa-health-travel-document-requirements.htm
Call 1-855-526-1286 or email [email protected] for any inquiries about travel visas.
More about Travel Documents
*It is your responsibility to ensure that you- and any child travelling with you- have all the valid travel documents necessary to enter in, exit from or transit through, each country/region on your itinerary. Note that the documents required for the outbound portion of your travel may differ from those required for the return.
*Your passport should be valid for six months beyond your date of return. Passport must be in good condition: passport damaged beyond normal wear and tear will not be accepted.
*Consult with the appropriate embassy, high commission or consulate about the travel document requirement for any country that you plan to enter in, exit from or transit through.
*Some country no longer issue paper visas but rather electronic visas. E-Visa holders must present the printed e-Visa and valid passport at the checkpoint.
*International travel with infants and children may be required to show documentary evidence of your relationship and a Letter Consent or permission for the child’s travel from the parent(s) or legal guardian not present.
*Americans holding dual citizenship must travel to the United States with a valid U.S. passport. American permanent residents returning to the United States from abroad must carry a valid passport and a valid U.S. Permanent Resident Card (Green Card).
*Canadians holding dual citizenship must travel to Canada with a valid Canadian passport. Canadian permanent residents returning Canada from abroad must carry a valid passport and a valid Canadian Permanent Resident Card (PR Card).
Morocco, a North African country bordering the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, is distinguished by its Berber, Arabian and European cultural influences. Marrakesh’s medina, a mazelike medieval quarter, offers entertainment in its Djemaa el-Fna square and souks (marketplaces) selling ceramics, jewelry, and metal lanterns. The capital Rabat’s Kasbah of the Udayas is a 12th-century royal fort overlooking the water.
Why visit Morocco
1. Travel to Morocco for the destination itself
Moroccan culture is a perfect blend of African, Arabic (or Moorish), and European influences. Naturally, the two most common languages in Morocco are Arabic and French (Spanish is also relatively common in the north). This European influence can be felt particularly in larger cities such as Casablanca, Fes, and Marrakesh, where you will find both grand Islamic palaces, and Parisian style art galleries in close proximity. If you want to experience a destination that is rich in culture and his
2. Travel to Morocco for the things to do and see
There are countless things to do in Morocco, from shopping to surfing and everything in between! Indeed, people of all ages will find much to love in the expansive deserts, or winding rustic streets of Morocco.
Even if you have no real plans, simply walking around the cities of Morocco, enjoying delicious local food, and soaking up the grand and varied architecture can be very rewarding. We particularly recommend the iconic Fes medina (old-city), a UNESCO World Heritage site. Exploring the medina’s winding and narrow streets, seeing the many historic buildings and hearing the traders calling out for customers and selling their wares, is something to experience. Here you can experience the past and present of Morocco at once. So whatever you are interested in, you will find lots to enjoy.
3. Travel to Morocco for the landscapes
If you think of Morocco, you might imagine large expanses of empty desert, or large dusty towns. While this is accurate for some places in Morocco, the country as a whole is wonderfully diverse. If you explore the country by vehicle, the long distances and long drives will be punctuated by sandy beaches at Oualidia and Essaouira, large expanses of desert near Merzouga and Agafay, rustic Berber towns near Skoura, majestic cities such as Rabat, and beautiful mountain valleys of the High Atlas, possibly all in one day’s drive. Morocco is a land that will constantly surprise you.
4. Travel to Morocco for the diverse and delicious food
As mentioned earlier, the food of Morocco is representative of the countless cultures and people who have called Morocco home through time. Generally speaking, you’ll find the food to be a delicious blend of Arabic, Andalusian, and Mediterranean, with hints of sub-Saharan Africa and Central Europe (France in particular). As Morocco produces a large amount of fruit and vegetables, the cuisine is wonderful for vegetarians, indeed, rich and flavorful salads are a staple of the Moroccan diet.
Visa in Morocco
Morocco does not have a Visa On Arrival available. All visas for Morocco have to be obtained before you travel unless you are exempt from visa requirements. Only visa-exempt nationals are eligible to travel without priorly obtaining the Morocco visa.
The best time to visit Morocco
The best time to visit Morocco is during spring (mid-March to May) or fall (September to October). The weather is warm but pleasant, unlike the cold temperatures and snow of winter, or the scorching heat of summer.
The coastal regions can be visited year-round. In the winter they are pleasantly mild, while in the summer they bask in temperatures hovering around the high 20°Cs.
The High Atlas Mountains can also be visited all year round, although it does get cold in winter. The summer may still be a bit hot to embark on any long-distance hikes, but if the heat doesn’t bother you then conditions are fine any time between April and October. Outside these months, there is snow on the peaks, which makes hiking more dangerous, but creates some spectacular panoramas.
Language in Morocco
There are a number of languages of Morocco. The two official languages are Standard Arabic and Standard Moroccan Berber. Moroccan Arabic (known as Darija) is the spoken native vernacular. The languages of prestige in Morocco are Arabic in its Classical and Modern Standard Forms and sometimes French, the latter of which serves as a second language for approximately 33% of Moroccans
Currency in Morocco
The Moroccan dirham (MAD) is the official monetary currency of Morocco. One Moroccan dirham is subdivided into 100 centimes (or cents). The Moroccan dirham comes in both coin and banknote forms. The banknotes have denominations of 20, 50, 100, and 200 dirhams.
Exchanging money in Morocco
You can exchange your money at the airport when you arrive, but you're more likely to get a better rate in town, either at hotels or the Bureau de Change. Remember to keep your receipt, in case you have some dirhams left at the end of your Morocco trip.
Other Items/Electricity
Camera and batteries. Camcorder. Mobile phone. Chargers of your cell phone, digital camera, etc. The electricity used in Morocco is 220V. Washrooms in many middle and high-class hotels are equipped with transformer plugs for electric shavers and hair dryers. For safety purposes, preparing an adapter is a much better idea.
What to pack and what to wear for a trip to Morocco
• Comfortable shoes: It’s really tempting to wear open-toed shoes in Morocca
• Hand Sanitizer: Hand sanitizer is useful for general sanitizing, especially if a bathroom isn’t handy or it doesn’t have soap.
• Toilet paper: A lot of public toilets in Morocco don’t have toilet paper, so prepare that or bring it from the hotel.
• Filtered water bottle: Refill your water bottle in the food safety section.
• Travel insurance: Yes, you need travel insurance.
• Scarf: Having a large scarf on hand is helpful for impromptu mosque visits or to protect your skin when the sun is feeling just a little too strong.
Staying hydrated and drinking water in Morocco
Be sure to stay extra hydrated while you’re in Morocco.
“These conditions apply to all travel booked on or after August 22, 2024. For all travel booked prior to August 22, 2024, the applicable conditions are outlined on your invoice and booking confirmation email. ”
Your agreement with UTOvacation is subject to the terms and conditions outlined below.
Please read them careful prior to deciding whether to enter into this agreement. Do not hesitate to ask a UTOvacation staff member of any questions you may have in respect to these conditions before booking your travel. They are required to answer any questions you may arising from the information provided during the booking process and these terms and conditions. These terms and conditions can also be found on UTOvacation’s website at utovacation.com.
By booking your tour online with UTOvacation.com you acknowledge and agree to all terms and conditions herein.
Online Reservations
Step 1. Visit UTOvacation website: www.utovacation.com, login or register your account. (Learn how to book online Click Here)
Step 2. Choose your desired departure date and departure city
Step 3. Please identify and provide the contact information for the main passenger. All communication from UTOvacation will be sent to the main passenger only.
Step 4. Review the required documents page, provide the requested passport information for each traveller, and upload the requested passport information for each traveller.
Step 5. Read these terms and conditions and, if agreeable, indicate that you agree to abide by them.
Step 6. Make a deposit online. A Non-refundable, non-transferable payment is required to secure the space. The specific deposit amount is determined by the requirements specified on the product pages and the amount indicated during the enrollment process for each respective product.
Step 5. Finalize the booking.
Final Payment
Balance payment of any regular products or services is due 180 days prior to departure unless specified. If the full payment is not obtained by the due date, UTOvacation reserves the right to cancel such reservation and retain the pre-paid deposit to cover any expenses occurred.
Step 6. Trip Confirmation.
A final trip confirmation by email including day by day itinerary, hotel information, and flight information will be sent to the main contact passenger approximately one month before departure.
UTOvacation notice
Generally
If UTOvacation becomes aware of a change to any matter that might have affected your decision to purchase this travel, they will promptly advise you of this change.
Such notices may include doubt as to your tour meeting minimum attendant requirements thereby threatening cancellation or alteration of your tour. In either such circumstances UTOvacation will offer the customer the choice of a travel credit acceptable to you, comparable re-scheduled travel acceptable to you, or reimburse you the amounts paid to UTOvacation minus such amounts already received by you directly from or on behalf of the relevant travel supplier.
Specifically
If UTOvacation becomes aware of the following events, it will promptly notify you and offer you the choice of a full and immediate refund or comparable alternative travel acceptable to you:
1. Transportation that forms part of your travel is delayed or advanced by at least 24 hours, unless caused by mechanical problems, safety considerations, weather conditions, a strike or lockout, or force majeure.
2. A different cruise ship is substituted (if applicable)
3. An accommodation is changed, or the standard of the accommodation is changed.
4. The contract permits price increases by more than 7%, except any increase resulting from an increase in sales tax.
5. The documents needed for the trip have changed because of changed transportation routing and there is not enough time for you to obtain the documents before departure.
Travel Outside Canada
You will require your passport and, depending on your destination, a travel visa, to travel to your destination. The entry to a stopover country or your final destination may be refused if the required information and travel documents are incomplete or even if they are complete.
UTOvacation is not responsible in either circumstance for denial of entry to a country by their relevant officials.
Before entering into an agreement with a customer for travel services and taking payment, UTOvacation will advise you of the typical information and travel documents, such as passports, visas, affidavits, and notarized consent letters, that will be needed for each person whom travel services are being purchased. Please utilize the IATA as a resource - https://www.iatatravelcentre.com/passport-visa-health-travel-document-requirements.htm
The living standards and practices at your destination in respect to the provision of utilities, services, and accommodation may differ from those found in Canada.
Travel Visa
The following documents from the passenger are required if travel visa is applied through UTOvacation’s Visa Center:
• Original Passport (Make sure your actual passport must be valid at least 6 months beyond the date of your expected departure time)
• Recent passport size photo with white background. Please note, each countries requirement may differ, please check requirement click here
• Visa Application Form (Complete with signature and date)
*Remarks: If acquiring a visa on your own, the supporting documents will be provided from UTOvacation One Month prior to the trip departure date. Supporting documents requested early are subject to a $100 per person administration fee.
Visit the “IATA Travel Centre” for detailed information on country-specific passport, visa and health requirements: click here
Payment Info
Payment amounts and due date shall be outlined on your invoice. Kindly be advised that you will receive our emails before the set payment due dates. The first notice will be within two weeks following your initial deposit. The second notices will be 180 days before the tour departure date and will remind you to settle your 2nd deposit and final payment respectively for the tour package you have reserved. Please check your email regularly, including your junk box, to ensure you don’t miss a notice.
Please note: Your timely payment is important to guarantee your seat/cabin and ensure the overall tour package price. Your balance or final payment will NOT be charged automatically by UTOvacation.
Full or final payment is due 180 days before tour departure date. Travel documents, including but not limited to, a valid Passport copy shall be collected prior to booking.
Trip Cancellation and Eligible Refunds
UTOvacation Cancellations or Modifications
UTOvacation reserves the right to cancel or reschedule a tour prior to departure date. The travel provider may also be unable to provide the travel services you contracted for. In either such circumstances UTOvacation will offer the customer the choice of a travel credit acceptable to you, comparable re-scheduled travel acceptable to you, or reimburse you the amounts paid to UTOvacation minus such amounts already received by you directly from or on behalf of the relevant travel supplier.
Refunds may take up to 6 to 8 weeks to process but UTOvacation will make best efforts to provide a refund as soon as possible.
Please note, any refundable amount will not include fees associated with Travel Visas already been issued, any services that have already been delivered, or any incurred fees already charged by suppliers when such amounts will be returned directly to you from the supplier.
Customer Cancellations and Modifications
Subject to these terms and conditions, if a customer cancels their travel before or during their travel, any and all payments made to UTOvacation are non-refundable. This includes cancellation due to denial and/or rejected by relevant immigration and/or customs department, cruise port terminal officer, inability to obtain necessary visas and/or passports, or any other reason outside UTOvacation’s control, other than cancellation by a travel provider.
Cancellation or change requests must be confirmed in writing by email including your reservation number, full name and date of travel. Cancellations will only be accepted in writing.
No refund or reimbursement will be available to passengers who voluntarily forego meals, cruise, tours and/or accommodations for which they specifically paid for. A surcharge may apply should there be any additional fees occurred from services refused by the passengers.
Optional programs
In order to secure your spot and price for any of the early bird deals or promotional packages, a full payment or deposit may be required at UTOvacation’s discretion.
No Show- Sponsored Tour
If your travel is a sponsored tour and the sponsor requires that all passengers attend all the included activities during the trip, “No Show” fees will apply. Each and any no show in this instance will incur a penalty of $100 per person, per day. If the traveller does not attend daily activities, payment will be immediately collected for the day missed. This penalty applies no matter the cause (including illness, flight/cruise delays, quarantines, and etc). If passengers do not attend the activities or pay associated penalties for missing scheduled activities, the sponsoring associations will cancel remaining hotels and flights.
Liability
The customer shall hold UTOvacation harmless for all damages incurred and harm suffered as a result of actions or inaction of an another out of its control. Furthermore, should the traveller violate any local/provincial or national laws during their travels, UTOvacation is not responsible or liable for any damages or harm suffered.
No children under 2 years old
UTOvacation does not allow travel of children less than 2 years old.
Price Adjustments
You agreement permits price increases. After the booking is confirmed, if the total price and the cumulative increase, except any increase result from increase in sales tax, is more than 7%, the customer has the right to cancel the contract and obtain a full refund. You are responsible for paying for the increase if 1) the increase is less than 7% for reasons other than increase of sales tax, 2) the increase is more than 7% as a result from increase in sales tax, or 3) the increase is more than 7% for reasons other than increase in sales tax and you wish to proceed with the travel.
No price increases are permitted after you have paid UTOvacation in full
UTOvacation reserves the right to impose relevant fuel/inflation surcharge if Crude Oil Price Index or US/Canada Official CPI has increases by 4% or more between your booking date and tour departure date.
Tour Adjustments
UTOvacation retains the right to modify tours, if deemed in the best interest of its passengers, including in cases that involve the health and safety. UTOvacation will do its best to notify you of any such changes before your departure, or as soon as possible if you have already departed. If the adjustment is due to the supplier failing to provide travel services paid for by you at your desired time, UTOvacation will offer the customer the choice of a travel credit acceptable to you, comparable re-scheduled travel acceptable to you, or reimburse you the amounts paid to UTOvacation.
Travel Seat Arrangements
Seating/Cabin assignment
The customer understands and accepts that UTOvacation has no power to control the seating selection on the aircraft or cabin location on the cruise (unless where specified). All seating is arranged by the airline or cruise line. UTO vacation cannot help customer change pre-assigned seats/cabins.
Preferred Seat Upgrade: UTOvacation will not be responsible for any preferred seat upgrade on aircraft (except for business or first class seats). Some cruise packages allow the selection of cabins at the time of booking for an upgraded price; please refer to the product page for details.
Reservation Adjustments
Changes to an existing reservation by the passenger for whatever the cause, will incur a $100 per person charge plus any additional supplier fees. This includes name changes and removal of any
services such as optional tours and transfers. The deposit and/or full payment for any optional feature that is on an early bird or special sale promotion is non-refundable and non-transferable.
*Please note that name changes to airline or cruise line reservations are subject to full cancellation or re-booking. Replacing a travelling passenger or is subject the cancellation conditions outlined in these terms and conditions.
Changes or additional requests after departure are subject to local rates at the time of amendment and must be paid directly by the passenger to the service provider. UTOvacation will make its best effort to minimize these costs, however, all payment will be payable by request of the local service providers.
There are no refunds for unused services.
Travel Insurance
UTOvacation strongly recommends all tour members to purchase trip cancellation and health insurance at the time of booking, including health insurance. UTOvacation does not directly offer such insurance. The Travel Insurance recommended by UTOvacation are facilitated and owned by third party operators. Any Travel Insurance purchased by the passenger is governed by the third party and UTOvacation is not liable or responsible for said insurance.
Baggage
Each airline company has its own rules and regulations with the baggage weight, size, and number. The best way to find out the rules and regulations is to go visit the airline company official website.
Please note that for some destinations, baggage is not included in your package. Refer to your specific tour product page’s terms & conditions for specific baggage allowances.
Tour Fare Includes
Please refer to your tour itinerary for the most updated information.
Tour Fare Excludes
• Visa Application Fee
• Any personal charges, such as phone bills, laundry, postage, and baggage over-weight charge, insurance, beverages, water, etc
• Optional Tours
• Any other charges or incremental costs caused by the acts of God, Force Majeure, natural disasters, fires, weather, governmental and local authority’s order, political change, strikes, war, riots, quarantine, custom regulations, damages or inquiry caused by the accident beyond the responsibilities of UTOvacation or incurred due to the tourist action violating any law.
o If such events lead to the travel supplier failing to provide your travel services UTOvacation will offer you the choice of a travel credit acceptable to you, comparable re-scheduled travel acceptable to you, or reimburse you the amounts paid to UTOvacation
Flight Package Description
Silver Flight Package (Guaranteed maximum of one-stop/layover to your destination country gateway ). If your departure city has indirect flight(s) with only one stop/layover to connect your destination country gateway, we guarantee to provide you with flight with only one stop/layover to your destination country gateway if you select such package early enough before we issue the tickets. (Option and flight itinerary are subject to availability)
Gold Flight Package (Guaranteed non-stop flight to your destination country gateway )
If your departure city has regular direct flight(s) to connect your destination country gateway, we guarantee to provide you with a non-stop flight to your destination country gateway if you select
such package early enough before we issue the tickets. (Option and flight itinerary are subject to availability)
UTOvacation’s Affiliate Program
Customers who book via the Affiliate link may not switch tours or reschedule and apply the previous amount or percentage of discount/commission to future trips. Discounts that are offered are only applicable to initial tour purchase and non-transferable.
Please note, for customers who have booked via the Affiliate program, tour change fees will be applicable should you decide to reschedule originally purchased tours. Please refer to the terms and conditions on the Product Page.
UTOvacation’s Affiliate discounts/commissions are not redeemable for cash or future travel credit regardless of circumstances. The value of the Affiliate will be deducted from your final payment if applicable.
Please note, the Affiliate commission is only applicable to the initial purchase. Future additional purchases are not applicable to the Affiliate discount/Commission.
UTOvacation’s Assurance
UTOvacation"s Travel Assurance program enables passengers to be able to change participants’ name(s) or tour departure date one time for free without any administration fees up to 180 days prior to trip departure date.
• UTOvacation"s Travel Assurance Program must be purchased within 14 days of initial booking.
• UTOvacation"s Travel Assurance Program: reschedule/rebook up to 180 days before departure $ 99 - $ 399
• UTOvacation"s Travel Assurance Program: reschedule/rebook up to 120 days before departure $ 199 - $ 499
• UTOvacation"s Travel Assurance Program: reschedule/rebook up to 90 days before departure $ 299 - $ 599
• Please note, upon purchasing UTOvacation"s Travel Assurance program, you understand that this program is non-refundable and non-transferable.
Please note, when UTOvacation"s Travel Assurance program is purchased, payments made by the customer will first be applied to the UTOvacation"s Travel Assurance program and then to the remainder of the tour package.
Additional Conditions
During the tour or cruise, you will be considered have automatically abandoned your trip if you do not attend the pre-arranged tour or check in the prearranged hotel or cruise.
All the extra cost will be undertaken by the client voluntarily. UTOvacation reserves the right to abandon any clients if such clients violate the law or damage the interest of tour groups.
UTOvacation is not responsible for any denied Travel Visa application and will not be offering a refund of received by you.
If a child- 18 years old or younger- is travelling abroad with only one parent/guardian, children must carry a notarized consent letter signed by non-accompanying parent/guardian. If a child is travelling alone they children must carry a notarized consent letter signed by both parents/guardian. Such a consent letter may be requested by immigration authorities when entering or leaving from a foreign country or by North American officials when re-entering into USA or Canada. Failure of presenting such document may result in the rejection of boarding aircraft or vessel for the children concerned.
If a cruise line substitutes ships or changes its sailing by more than 24 hours, UTOvacation will advise you immediately and offer your choice of a full and immediate refund or a comparable alternate travel service acceptable to you. UTOvacation will not do so for scheduling alterations over 24 hours, if they are the result of mechanical problems with the ship, safety considerations, weather conditions, a strike or lock-out, or force majeure.
The credits in the Affiliate Program cannot be combined with any other promotions or coupons and redeemed in the same booking.
Any promotional coupons cannot be applied to any extra items including but not limited to visa service fees, gratuities, sightseeing, admission ticket fares, meal plans, single supplement charges, airport transfers, travel insurance, any taxes/surcharges and optional tours.
UTOvacation reserves the right to cancel or modify a tour any time prior to departure date if the group has less than ten passengers, subject to these terms and conditions.
All upgrade packages are 100% non-refundable, items including flight package, hotel, cruise cabin, meal package and etc.
UTOvacation usually sends out important notifications including but not limited to destination health protocols, travel industry policies, tour updates and safety alerts to our agents/customers by newsletter through email. UTOvacation is not responsible for trip delay, service cancellation, price increase or any other types of loss caused by unsubscribing from our email list, wrong email address or a lack of checking email box/spam folder/junk folder on a regular basis. If you have not received our newsletter for a long time, make sure your email address is effective/valid and you are on our email list or contact us immediately at [email protected] for assistance.
Dispute Penalty
Please note, if a customer requires cancellation of a product or service, kindly reach out to UTOvcation customer service. If a customer files a dispute/chargeback directly with their bank, the order will be automatically canceled and suspended in your account. If a customer wishes to reinstate their purchase or credit, they must pay a disputed penalty of $299 per transaction if the total payment amount exceeds $299; 50% of the total invoice amount if the amount is less than
$299; all dispute penalties are per transaction. Chargeback fees, transaction fees, administration expenses, marketing/acquisition costs, and operations charges are all part of the disputed penalty. After you have reinstated your order and paid the disputed penalty, you will receive the travel credit. The travel credit can be used to book the same or different tours on our website. You will not be reinstated to your original order, and the amount you paid for that excursion will not be guaranteed.
Ensuring Secure Payments
Safeguarding your payment(s) is our top priority. In order to prevent fraud, we ask our customers to settle payment(s) through your account on UTOvacation official website at www.utovacation.com. Should you choose offline payment submission, Cheque/Money order/Bank draft/Credit card (with credit card authorization form filled out and signed) are accepted and the payee must be UTOvacation. Please be advised that UTOvacation has never been allowing Bank transfer/Email transfer for transactions and Cash is not recommended. If you find something suspicious regarding your payment, please call 1-855.526.1286 before any further actions.
Tipping
For the on-tour convenience of some itineraries, we will collect all gratuities which is to be shared by our local team. This may include tour leaders, guides, drivers, baggage porters, airport coordinators, restaurant waiters for all included meals and other staff in the team behind the scenes.
These gratuities are not mandatory but are appreciated as recognition for excellent service and we thank you for your encouragement and generosity.
Shopping
Although we would be happy to assist your shopping needs, UTOvacation would not be responsible for price, quality, and service of any goods purchased during the tour.
Special Notes for Middle Eastern packages:
Please be advised that traveling in the Middle East requires open-mind and willingness to respect the local culture, religion and tradition.
1. It is highly recommended that women wear tops covering shoulders and skirts falling below the knee in public. Knee-length shorts are allowed for men. It is customary for women to cover their shoulders and hair and men to have shirts and long pants when visiting a mosque or temple. More conservative dress is expected during the Ramadan or Jewish holiday period.
2. Non-Muslims above the age of 21 are only allowed to consume alcohol in licensed hotels,
clubs and restaurants, never in public open areas.
3. Taking photographs of individuals, especially females, needs a permission first. Do not take any pictures with military facilities, borders and airports.
4. Horse carts and camel rides at tourist sites are mostly not included in the entrance fees. We suggest that you negotiate ride fare and tips with the merchant beforehand in order to avoid any unexpected situation at the end of the ride. Keep the exact change in local currency handy.
5. Ramadan is the holy month for the Islamic world and all Muslims have to fast from dawn to dusk without eating, drinking or smoking. Alcohol is available in licensed bars and restaurants after sunset for non-Muslims. Tourist hotels usually keep one restaurant open during the day catering to resident guests. Also during Ramadan month, live performance, certain music and dancing are prohibited. Shops are open after sunset.
6. Most hotels and restaurants provide kosher foods with no pork or shellfish in Israel.
7. Shabbat is the Jewish holy-day and day of rest of the week. It starts on every Friday after sunset and ends on Saturday evening. Offices, public transportation (except for taxi), private businesses are closed (i.e., stores and restaurants) and reopen after the Shabbat.
Specific requirements for cruise passengers
*Guests are not allowed to sail if entering the 24th week of pregnancy before or any time during cruising. A physician’s “Fit to cruise” note is required if a customer is pregnant 23 weeks or less at the time of debarkation. Please keep in mind that not every vessel has a doctor/nurse or facilities/equipment to accommodate the special need. Please be advised to also check with the insurance company for pregnancy-related care.
*Infants must be at least 6 months of age at the time of embarkation for any itineraries under 7 nights and 12 months of age for any itineraries more than 8 nights.
*Passengers above the age of 21 are permitted to cruise alone. Anyone under such age should get onboard and share a cabin with a parent or legal guardian with a proof. Such clients are forbidden to attend any gambling activities or consume any alcohol beverages. Parent(s) or legal guardian(s) shall be in full responsibility for the minors regarding their conducts and behaviors subject to the terms and conditions of cruise lines.
*Each traveler above the age of 80 shall represent and warrant that he/she is physically fit to
travel on the voyage. Contact the cruise line of any existing physical health issues or any other conditions you may require medical attention/special care during the whole journey.
*We request all travelers to provide the accurate information for cruise reservation including name, age, gender, tour dates, nationality, passport number etc. Any change of the above will result in a one time $150USD/$200CAD penalty/surcharge per change within 110 days prior to the sailing. All name changes within the same stateroom will result in applicable cancellation.
*Gender X or any other identifications other than M or F might be prevented from going through the security checkpoint at the pier.
*When boarding, all passengers must be responsible for presenting passports valid for at least 6 months upon the end of the international travel date as well as any necessary immunizations and visas required for cruise itinerary. EVUS must be updated in a timely manner and we also strongly encourage our customers to visit the government foreign affairs website for any up to date travel advisories and safety recommendations.
*UTOvacation highly recommends guests to obtain travel/health insurance against any possible or potential issues related to any emergencies, delays, interruptions, cancellations or losses.
Any one who violates the above regulations or fails to provide the required travel documents will be denied for boarding the vessel at any time. UTOvacation shall not be entitled to have any further liability or offer any remedy whatsoever in this circumstance.
UTOvacation strongly recommends that you purchase travel insurance for any future travel plans.
We have curated two reputable partners one in the USA and one for Canada. Once you have made your trip selection, please select the option of purchasing travel insurance.
For USA patrons, in order to qualify for the “Cancel For Any Reason” Option offered by John Hancock, you will need to purchase your insurance within 14 days of your initial deposit. Other insurance policies may be purchased later.
Please note, the travel insurance that is available for purchase is with our affiliate partners and not a direct product or offering of UTOvacation. For any questions or concerns, please contact the vendor directly.
American Travel Insurance (click for more details)
Canadian Travel Insurance (click for more details)