☆ Visit the bucket-list workshop of Dye-pits and Tanneries in the YELLOW city of Fes
☆ Visit the Mausoleum of Mouley Ismail in the GREEN city of Moulay Idriss Zerhoun
☆ Visit the captivating Merzouga Desert at the GOLDEN Sahara
☆ Visit the dynamic and lively Djema el-Fna Square in the RED city of Marrakesh
☆ Visit the trendy and cozy coastal Miami Beach Boardwalk in the WHITE city of Casablanca
☆ Visit 6 UNESCO Cultural Heritage Sites
Tour Code: USCM09
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 an additional charge:
Additional U$500/person | Miami / Fort Lauderdale / Boston / Washington, D.C. / Orlando |
Additional U$600/person | 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/ Las Vegas / Toronto / Vancouver / Montreal |
Land only package without round-trip international flight ticket: minus U$500/person
2. Hand-picked 4 & 5 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. Gratuity* for tour guides and drivers
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 - 28 people in each group
FLIGHT UPGRADE** TO BUSINESS CLASS (BEFORE FINAL PAYMENT):
☆ Business Class Flight Upgrade (only available for the International round-trip flight between North America and Morocco): Please contact us for pricing and availability
*Gratuities for tour director/local guide or driver are not included in the package price and if you are happy with their outstanding services, we recommend a tipping guideline: $15 per person per day for the guide and $ 5 per person per day for the driver. If you find the service is exceptional, feel free to tip additionally. Please keep in mind that the amount of appreciation is always at your discretion and we thank you for your generosity and kindness. Should you wish to settle your tipping money before the trip by using credit card, you may do so in your account.
**Since the seats are limited, we recommend you to choose upgrades at the time of booking.
On board international flight to Casablanca.
Upon arrival at Casablanca, meet and greet then transfer to 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 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 and also the Mausoleum of Mouley Ismail. 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, Carpet weaving and 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$99/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.
Morning bus ride to Merzouga(350mi/460km) via Ifrane with a lunch break at Midelt. En route, sit back relax and enjoy idyllic sceneries of the middle Atlas Mountain, tree-fringed Ziz Valley and Berber villages.
Erfoud, the gateway to Sahara, has earned its fame from its golden desert, towering dunes and surreal terrain like on the planet of Mars which have attracted many international filmmakers. Welcome to attend the optional Saharan Excursion with dinner.
Overnight in Merzouga
Optional Tour: Sahara by Night with dinner U$99/person
Enjoy the magical sunset against the golden dunes at Merzouga Desert. You may try 4X4 jeep and attend the heart-beating dune bashing ride. Hop on a camel and ride into a Berber Camp and try the traditional dinner with the villagers beneath the starry sky.
After breakfast in the hotel, begin your journey westward(150mi/200km) to Tinghir, a small but thriving oasis town surrounded by lush palm trees in the middle of a huge arid landscape. Not far from Tinghir stand the imposing natural wonders, Todgha Gorge and Dades Valley famous for the spectacular sheer cliff-sided canyons featured in many movies and advertisements. Keep driving to Quarzazate(105mi/170km), a city called” African Hollywood” where over 100 well known films have been made.
Overnight in Quarzazate.
Kick off the day to explore Ait-Ben-Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a celebrated “The most charming village in Morocco”. This one thousand years old village was made of red clay by the Berbers and served as a fortress along the caravan route between the Sahara and Marrakesh in ancient time. Afterwards you are going to reach Marrakesh(140mi/180km) and venture into the last of the four imperial cities. 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 the 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 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.
Enjoy the rest of the day or you may take part in our optional Marrakesh evening excursion with dinner
Optional Tour: Marrakesh by Night with dinner U$99/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.
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. Upon arrival, 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.
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 USA/Canada may depart in very early 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).
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 (CHOOSE BEFORE THE TRIP STARTS):
☆ Day 4: Fes by Night with dinner U$99/person
☆ Day 5: Sahara by Night with dinner U$99/person
☆ Day 7: Marrakesh by Night with dinner U$99/person
FLIGHT DEVIATION SERVICE:
Please contact us for details and pricing whenever you need
PRE & POST TRIP ACCOMMODATION SERVICE:
Please contact us for details and pricing whenever you need
HAND-PICKED 4 & 5 STARS HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS:
☆ Casablanca: Movenpick Hotel Casablanca or similar (5 Stars)
☆ Fes: Riad Authentic Palace & Spa or similar (5 Stars)
☆ Merzouga: Kanz Erremal or similar (4 Stars)
☆ Ouarzazate: Hotel Club Hanane or similar (4 Stars)
☆ Marrakesh: Riad La Vie or similar (5 Stars)
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.
Any of travel products or services that you purchase from UTOvacation contains a contractual agreement between you and UTOvacation and it represents that you have agreed to UTOvacation Terms and Conditions. Please make sure that you read carefully before making any payment.
Reservation
Online Reservations
Step 1. Visit UTOvacation website at www.utovacation.com, register login to your account.
Step 2. Choose your desired departure date and departure city.
Step 3. Enter the travellers’ information according to the passport. Please identify and provide the contact information for the main traveller. All communication from UTOvacation will be sent to the main traveller only.
Step 4. Make your payment 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 by uploading all required documents to your online account no later than 180 days before your departure date (If you choose to provide your required documents after your initial booking ). In the event of delayed payment or late submission of essential travel documents, including but not limited to passport information and a valid passport copy, by 180 days of your departure date, your booking may be subject to suspension, cancellation, or forfeiture. If our supplier makes an exception and accepts your late booking (due to late payment and late document submission), you will be able to continue your tour with an additional surcharge for each traveler. The surcharge will align with the original total payment you completed during the booking, inclusive of all optional and mandatory fees detailed on the invoice. It is imperative to note that this surcharge is subject to the fees imposed by our suppliers.
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.
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 and payment reconciliation in time on your side is necessary to confirm your booking.
The full or balance payment (if any balance on your invoice) is required 180 days prior to the tour departure date. For all packages, please ensure the submission of all essential travel documents, including but not limited to passport information and a valid passport copy, by this date (180 days before the tour departure). In the event of delayed payment or late submission of essential travel documents, a surcharge will be applied for each traveler. The surcharge will align with the original total payment you completed during the booking, inclusive of all optional and mandatory fees detailed on the invoice. It is imperative to note that this surcharge is subject to the fees imposed by our suppliers.
Offline Reservations
Step 1. Complete the reservation.
Call 1-855-526-1286 to request Booking Form. Fill out all the information on the Booking Form with an authentic signature and date on the bottom of the second page. It is the passenger"s responsibility to ensure documentation accuracy and travel documents validity. You will be liable for the full loss caused by incorrect information. By the time you full-fill the booking form, you have agreed to receive correspondence from UTOvacation which might include newsflash, email blast or any other promotions in the future. Email/Fax your current and valid Passport Copy with the Booking Form together to [email protected]/416-251-7778
Step 2. Finalize the booking.
Make the deposit. A Non-refundable, non-transferable payment is required to secure the space.. We accept cash, cheque, money order, debit card, credit card, email transfer, TD transfer. A full payment is required when booking if the package is a special on-sale product.
Step 3. Booking is confirmed.
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. * In addition, some products may require a second deposit before final payment. Please carefully review your product pages for your reference.
By booking your tour offline with UTOvacation.com, you acknowledge and agree to all terms and conditions including the Internet Sales & Deposit Policy and the Sales and Cancellation Policy. You also confirm and agree that you understand that the deposit/payment at booking is non-refundable.
Final 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 traveller approximately one month before departure.
Trip Cancellation and Eligible Refunds
Please ensure you have read the Trip Cancellation Policy in full and have not scrolled past or by-passed this section.
UTOvacation reserves the right to cancel or modify a tour prior to departure date. An alternative departure date will be offered for no extra charge should there be any travel restrictions, lock-downs imposed by governments, health organizations, travel bureaus. A full travel credit will be offered for future trip rebooking or rescheduling if there are extreme cases happening which are all beyond our control including but not limited to any global pandemics, regional epidemics, wars, or any other acts of god.
All passenger cancellation after booking will be consider non refundable, any cancellation or change requests must be confirmed in written form by email including your reservation number, full name and date of travel, cancellations will only be accepted in writing.
Once air tickets are issued, they are considered non-refundable. Any cancellations made, whether prior to or after the commencement of travel, will not be eligible for a refund. An administration fee will also apply. No refund will be available once travel has begun.
Cancellation terms will be applied based on the date that the written cancellation is received and based on the following dates prior to departure.
All reservations, except where specified:
All refund-related processes will take around 6 to 8 weeks to process.
No refund will be available on departure date and/or after the tour has commenced (Including denied and/or rejected by Immigration Department or Custom of destination or Cruise port terminal officer).
No refund or reimbursement will be available to passengers who voluntarily forego meals, cruise, tours and/or accommodations. A surcharge may apply should there be any additional fees occurred from services refused by the passengers. i.e. Since air ticket, cruise ticket, transportation, accommodation, and meals have to be arranged in advance during high season (i.e.Holidays, Special Events, and other important activities and conventions), no departure date changed is allowed. No refund will be available on departure date change and/or booking cancellation.
Any other charges, refunds or rebates caused by the acts of God, Force Majeure, natural disasters, fire, weather, governmental and local authority"s order, political change, strikes, war, riots, quarantine, custom regulations, damages or inquiry caused by accident is beyond the responsibility of UTOvacation and therefore, you agree to hold UTOvacation harmless and non-liable for any refunds or compensation outside of the previously defined refund structure. Furthermore, should the traveller violate any local/provincial or national laws during their travels, UTOvacation is not responsible or liable. By this signing the agreement the client agrees to any offer of a voucher, future company credit, or alternative arrangements as determined by management at that time.
Should an outright travel ban be implemented by the departing or destination country/city, a full travel credit will be offered. Refunds will not be granted for pre-existing situations at the destination country at the time of the booking. Please note, should UTOvacation incur any unexpected costs from its suppliers, these costs would be subtracted from and balance/travel credit issued to the passenger.
Please note, any refundable amount will not include fees associated with Travel Visa’s which have already been issued or any services that have already been delivered or any incurred fees already charged by suppliers and such final refundable amount will be returned in the form of the original payment to the payer.
All reschedule tours are considered non-refundable; regular cancellation policy does not apply.
All upgrade packages are non-refundable including gold/silver flight package, hotel, cruise cabin, meal package and etc.
Optional programs and trip extensions
The pre-paid deposit/tour fare for any of the early bird deals or promotional packages is not refundable.
Travel Visa
The following documents from the passenger are required if travel visa is applied through UTOvacation’s Visa Center:
*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 administration fee..
A Word About 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.
Please remember that these gratuities are appreciated as recognition for excellent service and we thank you for your encouragement and generocity.
Infant/Baby
We don"t take any infants or babies under 2 years old for any of our tours.
No Show
Should a passenger fail to participate in the scheduled daily activities or attend their scheduled tour for any reason, please note that all prepaid tour fares are non-refundable.
Shopping During your Tour
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. If you have any inquiries about the quality, price, after-sales service, etc., of the purchased goods, please contact the store directly.
Price Adjustments
After the booking is confirmed, if the price increased following the imposition of a surcharge on fuel by the carrier or an increase in the exchange rate, insofar as the exchange rate applicable before the date on which the services are provided has increased by more than 5% since the date on which the contract was entered into; and/or if the increase, without taking into account any increase in the provincial sales tax or USA Canada"s goods and services tax, raising taxes, royalties or reauthorized charges by a competent public authority, is equal to or greater than 7% of the price of services, you may choose between a full and immediate reimbursement of the services or the provision of similar services.(except for acts of God, wars, national strikes, travel restrictions, significant inflations, global pandemic or anything beyond our control)
Tour Adjustments
UTOvacation retains the right to adjust, modify or reschedule tours if deemed necessary.
UTOvacation also reserves the right to adjust your tour date or itinerary if it feels it is in the best interest of its passengers especially in cases that involve the health and safety. This may include minor adjustments like the timing of a scheduled tour attraction visit to a complete date modification.
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).
Stipulations. Please note, UTOvacation does its’ best to fulfill its tour obligations. However, UTOvacation is not liable for scenarios which impact room availability, tour execution, separate fees or other elements of the tour that is enforced by third party entities such as local and federal authorities.
Tour Credits
Please note: Travelcredit will be applied should there be any cancellation/refund occurs if thetour/service has been paid by travel credit in the initial transaction.
Travel Seat Arrangements
Seating/Cabin assignment: UTOvacation has no power to control the seating selection on the aircraft or cabin location on the cruise (unless where specified). All the spots are arranged by the airline/cruise line group department or randomly selected by the computer system. Therefore, UTO vacation cannot help the customers to change, reserve, pre-assign 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 $299 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. See Airline Name Changes section for specific regulations.
Replacing a travelling passenger is subject to cancellation penalties and is not covered by this Reservation Changes policy.
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.
Optional Tours
There is a need to pay deposit for any of the optional programs and extensions. Please note there is a possibility that the seats are all gone once you wish to attend such activity onsite or price might change due to the inflation, so we ask you to sign up early. For any early bird or discounted rate for the side trips special promotion, a non-refundable deposit or full fare might be required as per the terms and conditions.
Travel Insurance
UTOvacation strongly recommends all tour members to purchase travel insurance at the time of booking. UTOvacation does not directly offer Travel 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.
Flight upgrade
Our ticketing department will send you an email 30 days prior to your departure to confirm your flight details.
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, some destinations baggage is not included in the fare. Refer to your specific tour product page’s terms & conditions for specific baggage allowances.
Gratuities
Gratuities for tour director/local guide or driver are not included in the package price and if you are happy with their outstanding services, we recommend a tipping guideline: $15 per person per day for the guide and $ 5 per person per day for the driver. If you find the service is exceptional, feel free to tip additionally. Please keep in mind that the amount of appreciation is always at your discretion except for some itineraries and we thank you for your generosity and kindness. Should you wish to settle your tipping money before the trip by using credit card, you may do so in your account.
Tour Fare Includes
Please refer to your tour itinerary for the most updated information
Tour Fare Excludes
Vaccinations
- Please be advised that the vaccination requirements are subject to change in each country and that it is the responsibility of the traveler and not UTOvacation to check about the requirements before the arrival of your destination.
- The World Health Organization (WHO) emphasizes that all travelers should be up to date with routine vaccinations. Following that, travelers should check that they have been fully vaccinated against measles, rubella, mumps, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), poliomyelitis, and COVID-19 before starting their travel. Non-immunized or incompletely immunized travelers should be offered the routine vaccinations recommended in their national immunization schedules, in addition to those needed for international travel (e.g. yellow fever vaccine).
- The WHO recommends the following vaccinations for travelers to South America: hepatitis A, hepatitis B, typhoid, cholera, yellow fever, and rabies. Some routine vaccinations are also recommended, such as measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR), tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (Tdap), influenza, chickenpox, shingles, pneumonia, meningitis, and polio.
- Proof of yellow fever vaccination may be required for some travelers, based on their specific itinerary. It is possible to find further details on the WHO website.
Additional Notes
The extra cost of schedule delay caused by Air Flight cancellation or change will be undertaken by passengers themselves. The missed itineraries will not be re-arranged. During the tour or cruise, it will be considered as surrendering application automatically 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 If a travel visa is denied for any reason either applied through UTOvacation Visa Service Center or applied on your own, the tour cancellation policy applies when cancellation of the tour is requested. UTOvacation holds no responsibilities for any denied Travel Visa application.
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, 18 years old or younger is travelling alone, 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.
Cruise lines reserve the right to cancel, modify or substitute any scheduled port of calls and the schedule at any time and for any reason whatsoever without prior notice due to the navigation authority and water conditions. Any additional expenses caused by the trip interruption should be paid by the customers, which includes but not limited to meals, transportation, hotel accommodations, personal expense, and lost baggage. UTOvacation shall not be liable for any loss to guests.
Please note, there is a minimum attendant requirement (10 participants) for optional programs and Pre and Post tour extensions, If less than 10, there will be a FIT surcharge of up to 50% extra on top of the price per person. UTOvacation reserves the right to cancel or modify optional programs and Pre and Post tour extensions prior to departure date.
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Please be advised that we will only respond to emails in the event of an emergency. For immediate assistance, we recommend contacting our customer support team through our online chat platform or by phone. UTOvacation assumes no responsibility in the event of a failure to contact us through online chat or phone and disclaims any liability for customers missing any travel documents or payments before or during the tour.
Important
Passengers are required to settle the final payment and submit valid passport copies/ necessary documents before the deadline or immediately when the suppliers, airlines, hotels will be or are at a stop sale. Please note, after confirming such bookings, any cancellation, tour change, name change or travel credit converting are not allowed.
Safeguarding your payment(s) is our top priority. In order to prevent any rampant fraudulence or deception, 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.
Please note that the supplier provides all flight schedules. UTOvacation would not be held responsible or liable for any heavy layovers or arrival times that may affect your tour schedule. For example, if your flight arrives earlier than expected, your hotel accommodation may not be available for check-in. Likewise, you may arrive later than scheduled and early morning the next day. For customer who choose regular flights options, please note that you do not have choice for the flight companies,arrivel/departure time and numbers of layovers. If you request a better flight schedule, please check out the flight upgrade services we provide.
For customers who opt for regular flight options, please be advised that your flight schedule may include up to four stopovers, and layover times are not guaranteed. Your flight plan will precisely align with your intended travel schedule.
UTOvacation is not responsible for changes to the schedule, including alterations to routing or the number of stops in the itinerary, made by the airline company. Additionally, UTOvacation cannot provide compensation for schedule modifications, adjustments to seat assignments, or cancellations initiated by the airline.
Dispute Penalty
Please note, if a customer requires cancellation of a product or service, kindly reach out to UTOvacation 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.
Remarks:
1) UTOvacation reserves the right to impose relevant fuel/inflation surcharge if Brent Crude Oil Price Index or US/Canada Official CPI has jumped over 4% between your booking date and tour departure date.
2) 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. We are 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.
3) Please note that local city taxes are not included in the invoice amount. These taxes, as imposed by the city, are typically calculated on a per-person, per-night basis. The customer is responsible for paying the local city taxes directly while staying at the designated location.
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.
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)