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Discover the best of Morocco on an adventure to awaken the senses

Give me More-occo, you say? Travel to Morocco and visit the best of the country's sights on this 15-day all-encompassing adventure from Casablanca to Marrakech. From the Atlas Mountains to seaside Essaouira, the Saharan deserts to the palmeries of Todra Valley, and from the medieval old town of Fes to the spice markets of Marrakech, the most spectacular of Morocco await. Observe the vibrant contrasts between old and new architecture, artwork, and cuisine. Learn about fallen cities and cross paths with nomadic tribes. The majesty of Morocco is a feast for the senses and is waiting to be explored.

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Terms & Conditions
Start
Casablanca, Morocco
Finish
Marrakech, Morocco
Destination
Morocco
Style
Original
Theme
Explorer
Code
XMSC
Physical rating
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1, Max 16

Why you'll love this trip

  • Under the eye of a local tour guide, feel like you've travelled back to the Middle Ages in the labyrinthine medina of Fes.

  • Stay in a traditional Berber homestay high in the Atlas Mountains, to better understand the culture and tradition of an indigenous population who have stood the test of time.

  • Take the opportunity to trek through the dramatic red dunes of the Sahara on a camel, experiencing an unforgettable sunset experience.

  • Kick back in the coastal town of Essaouira and discover at your own pace, enjoying a fresh seafood barbecue on the waterfront.

  • Marrakech’s Djemaa el-Fna is a city within a city. Explore one of the world’s largest meeting places, joining the night’s carnival atmosphere of fortune-tellers, dancers, and medicine men.

Is this trip right for you?

  • Don’t let the heat keep you from exploring the world! Summer temperatures can be extremely high in Morocco (over 40°C), which can make things uncomfortable. It’s important to use sun protection, wear layers to combat the heat, and drink plenty of water.

  • In 2023, Ramadan will take place from 22 March to 20 April. Travelling during this holy month can be a rewarding cultural experience, however some regular services may not be available during the daytime, such as restaurants or coffee bars, and occasionally travel can be disrupted by events. Your leader will adjust the itinerary accordingly, but please consider your travel arrangements carefully before booking travel for this period.

  • As Morocco has a tipping culture, travellers are expected to tip small amounts for most services, so please be prepared. Your trip leader and the 'Money Matters' section of our Essential Trip Information will help to provide you with some suggestions as to what amounts are appropriate.

  • Although you shouldn’t expect any aggressive selling techniques in Morocco, please be aware that you may be approached by shop owners and street vendors offering their goods to you on regular occasions.

  • We've sourced our accommodation very carefully and picked the best possible hotels in line with the Intrepid style of travel, but please note that service and accommodation in Morocco may differ from western standards.

Travellers riding camels in Sahara Desert, Morocco
morocco_food_colourful-market-spices
Local man sitting with colourful spices at market, Marrakech, Morocco
Intrepid Travel group and local woman standing in colourful doorway, Fes, Morocco
Colourful mosaic exterior of Hassan II Mosque, Casablanca, Morocco
morocco_food_traditional-tajine-dishes
Happy traveller spreading arms, Todra Gorge, Morocco
Aia Benhaddou kasbah fortified village, Morocco
Morocco_Tafraout_Veggie Tagine
Intrepid Travel group posing under arch, Voulibis ruins, Morocco
Travellers and Berbers dancing at Sahara Desert Camp, Morocco

Itinerary
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Salaam Aleikum! Welcome to Morocco. Your adventure begins today with a welcome meeting at 6 pm. As there's little free time included in Casablanca on this trip, to fully explore the city consider coming a day or two earlier. Modeled after Marseille in France, the city is famous for its art deco buildings and the modern-day masterpiece, the Hassan II Mosque. A pleasant way to spend the day exploring Casablanca is to wander the old medina and the city walls, then jump in a taxi to visit the Quartiers des Habous, the new medina. Finish the day with a walk along the Corniche, watching the locals play football on the beach, or take it easy with a glass of sweet mint tea in one of the many great cafes. It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance details and next of kin information at this time. If you are going to be late please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place. If you can't arrange a flight that will arrive on time, you may wish to arrive a day early. We'll be happy to book additional accommodation for you (subject to availability).
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Optional Activities
  • Casablanca - Religious Casablanca Urban Adventure - MAD1206
  • Casablanca - The Medina and Beyond Urban Adventure - MAD948
  • Casablanca - Jewish Museum (entrance fee) - MAD50
  • Casablanca - Villa des Arts Gallery & Museum (entrance fee) - Free
  • Casablanca - Hassan II Mosque - MAD130
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.
Special Information
Please be aware that some of our travellers to Casablanca are being approached by locals offering excursions before their Intrepid trip commences. This has been particularly prevalent in and around the hotels used by Intrepid. These guides are in no way connected to Intrepid Travel and we cannot guarantee the safety or quality standards of their tours. We strongly advise customers against joining any tour offered by unauthorised guides.

Today take an early morning 1-hour train to the historical town of Rabat. Rabat's history is long and colourful, having been host to Roman settlements, pirates, and more recently the Moroccan parliament. It contains many fine Arab monuments, some dating from the 10th to 15th century Almohad and Merenid dynasties, and others that are far older. The earliest known settlement is Sala, occupying an area now known as the Chellah. Store your luggage and spend a few hours strolling through the city's old quarter, then walk up to Kasbah des Oudaias and enjoy views over the Atlantic Ocean. Afterward, continue to Meknes on a 3-hour train. The imperial city of Meknes was built when Sultan Moulay Ismail (a contemporary of Louis XIV) set out to create his own version of Versailles, using over 25,000 slaves to construct walls, gates, and over 50 palaces.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Rabat - Leader-led walking tour
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

This morning is free for you to explore Meknes. In the 17th century, Sultan Moulay Ismail turned Meknes from a provincial town to a spectacular Imperial city – visit his immense Heri es Souani Granary, a mammoth architectural feat, and the city's now crumbling imperial palaces. Also, why not try a camel burger for lunch at a friendly local restaurant in the medina? Later, board a private minibus and travel for 1 hour through rolling hills and olive groves to the archaeological site of Volubilis. This was once a provincial Roman capital, a distant outpost of the empire, and the remains make an undeniably impressive sight. Upon arrival, take a tour around the ruins with a local guide. Please remember to pack drinking water, hat, sunglasses, and sun cream for this tour as it may get hot and you will be exposed to the sun. And, of course, don’t forget to take your camera as the town is filled with fantastic mosaics along the Decumanus Maximus, many of which remain intact. Afterward, make the 2-hour drive to Fes, where you'll spend the next two nights. Fes is the spiritual and cultural heart of Morocco – vibrant, noisy, fascinating and overwhelming. It is a feast for the senses, with a huge, well-preserved medieval old city that’s the mother of all medinas.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Volubilis - Entrance and Guided Tour
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch

Take a guided group walking tour of the old city, known locally as Fes el Bali. Step back into the Middle Ages in the labyrinth of the Medina, which is alive with craftsmen, markets, tanneries and mosques. Pass donkeys piled high with goods (this is one of the largest car-free urban zones in the world) and explore the specialty sections that divide the souk. Look out for the Medersa Bou Inania: one of the city's most beautiful buildings, which has recently been restored and is now open to tourists. Visit Medresse el Attarine and the splendid Funduk Nejjarine: a beautifully restored 18th century inn. You'll also see the famous tannery, known for the iconic view overlooking its dye pits, and a ceramics factory where you can see potters working in the traditional way. In the evening, why not get your group together and try out some Moroccan specialities like harira (chickpea soup) and chicken-stuffed pastilla with couscous.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Fes - Medina walking tour
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Today’s experience will include shopping in carefully selected places. If you are not interested in shopping experience, you need to advise your tour leader about it beforehand. It is possible for you to have free time during the tour, however, it will be impossible to set a meeting point inside the medina due to the fact it is so complicated to navigate. If you decide to leave the group you will only be able to meet back with them in your hotel in Fes.
While you'll be on your feet for at least five to six hours today for your tour, this is one of the highlights of Morocco and well worth any weariness at the end of the long day.

Board a private minibus and leave the intensity of the city behind for the simplicity of the scenic Middle Atlas Mountains (approximately 5 hours). Drive south and inland through a variety of spectacular scenery – fertile valleys and forests contrasted with barren, rocky landscapes. The area is populated with wandering nomadic shepherds attending to their flocks. Pass through cedar forests which are home to Barbary apes, North Africa's only monkey, and on to your destination of Midelt. Nestled in a valley, Midelt is a market town, originally built as a base for mining in the area and surrounded by farmland and orchards. Stretch your legs as you explore the nearby village of Berrem and take a closer look at local farming life. You could also check out an optional traditional music performance in Midelt. Tonight, stay at Ksar Timnay. This terrific accommodation is inspired by a traditional kasbah (type of medina or fortress) and is an ideal base for your tour through the Middle Atlas – especially with a large pool to cool off! Relax in the large rooms and be ready for some desert trekking tomorrow.
Accommodation
  • Guesthouse (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Walk and visit of Berrem village
Optional Activities
  • Midelt - Folklore Musical Performance - MAD600
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Today it's a 6-hour drive towards the mighty Sahara. Since we'll have the convenience of our own private minivan, there will be many opportunities to stop and admire views of kasbahs and palmeries (valleys lush with date palms, fields, and orchards). You may also have the chance to pass by Nomads on their journey – these free-spirited people are born to move with their animal flocks under the open sky, and never stay settled in one place for too long. Continue to drive through changing scenery, from barren mountainsides to fertile valleys, pausing in frontier towns like Erfoud and Rissani, before reaching the end of the road at the small Saharan settlement of Merzouga. With a backdrop of the orange-coloured Erg Chebbi sand dunes, the charming Saharan village of Merzouga feels wonderfully isolated, like the modern world has left it behind. Store your main baggage in your overnight camp on the edge of the desert and mount a camel for a 1-hour sunset ride into the desert. The Erg Chebbi dunes are the most stunning in the country and an essential part of any visit to Morocco. An erg is a vast sea of shifting wind-swept sand that's formed into picturesque, undulating crests and valleys. Located at the end of a sealed road and just 20 kilometres from the Algerian border, this really feels like a frontier country. Spend the night in a desert camp under the stars. Our local friends will prepare a hearty feast, so all you need to do is sit back and relax.
Accommodation
  • Desert camp (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Sahara Desert - Sunset Camel Ride
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner
Special Information
The camp is a simple affair, with bedding and basic toilet facilities provided. The blankets provided are usually sufficient for most travellers between April and October, but you may like to bring your own sleeping bag for extra warmth, especially during the months between November and March. Electricity is not available in the camp therefore it’s important to come prepared with phones, cameras, and everything else you may need fully charged.
If you'd prefer not to do the camel ride, it's possible to walk alongside the caravan on the sand for about an hour. The walk is not very demanding and you manage with a basic level of fitness.

Walk up the nearest dune for a spectacular sunrise over the Sahara, break your fast with traditional food, and begin the drive to Todra Gorge. On the way visit the oasis museum of El Khorbat, before continuing on to the beautiful Todra Valley (approximately 5 hours in total), which follows the foothills of the Atlas Mountains and is dotted with mud-brick villages perched on hillsides. The remarkable scenery – sprawling green valleys and rocks sculpted into stunning formations by the wind – will be your home for the next two nights. This area is best discovering on foot, so you’ll take a short walk through the surrounding farmland and a ruined village.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Tinejdad - Museum El Khorbat
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Today enjoy free time to explore the Todra Valley. A guided hike through the gorge and over a nearby mountain pass is highly recommended. There are a couple of circuits to choose from, but the most popular choice is a 10-kilometre circuit that will take around 4 hours. Accompanied by a local guide, you’ll walk a trail that undulates slightly here and there, but isn't too challenging if you have a moderate level of fitness. On the walk you'll pass Berber villages, meeting local Berbers along the way and perhaps having a chance to share a cup of mint tea. The surrounding mountains and the famous Rose Valley in the distance make a sensational setting. To fully enjoy the walk, ensure you have walking boots or sturdy trainers, sunglasses, sun cream, and plenty of water. For lunch, you can join some local ladies in their mudbrick kasbah – a fantastic opportunity to see how people live in this largely unchanged culture. Otherwise, a simple lounge by the hotel pool with views over the lush palmeries and soaring cliff faces is also a great way to spend your day.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Optional Activities
  • Todra Gorge - Full day hike - MAD250
  • Todra Gorge - Lunch in a mudbrick kasbah - MAD70
  • Todra Gorge - Henna Tattooing - MAD50
  • Todra Gorge - Hamam (Public Baths) - MAD100
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
An optional walk around Todra Gorge is probably the best way to get an insight into local way of living. It is important to note that walk requires a certain level of fitness, takes place over rocky terrain and the first part is more challenging as going to the saddle is over a steady incline. Going back down may be slippery, especially after a rainy day. Please be prepared with good walking shoes or boots if you prefer so.

Today travel south for 4 hours to Ait Benhaddou. The scenic drive will take you past ancient kasbah ruins, former colonial military outposts, austere mountains, and valleys of palm trees and irrigated fields. Pause for lunch in Ouarzazate, where movies such as Lawrence of Arabia, The Sheltering Sky, and Black Hawk Down were filmed. Time permitting, you may also have time to take a tour of the Atlas Movie Studios. Afterward, continue on to your destination of Ait Benhaddou. Centuries ago, this was an important stop for caravans carrying salt across the Sahara. Today, its grand kasbah, a fine example of clay architecture, has been listed as a World Heritage site. In the late afternoon, why not enjoy Morocco's most famous cuisine: couscous and tagine.
Accommodation
  • Guesthouse (1 night)
Optional Activities
  • Ouarazate - Atlas Movie Studios - MAD80
  • Ouarzazate - Kasbah Taourirt - MAD20
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner

Bid farewell to the Sahara and journey over the spectacular Tizi n'Tichka Pass (2260 metres above sea level) to Toubkal National Park (approximately 5 hours), passing snow-dappled mountains and valleys in full flower along the way. At the end of the road in Imlil, store your main luggage and load a daypack onto a pack mule. Walk into traditional mountain village life with a 1-hour trek up to the peaceful village of Aroumd; far from the reach of the modern world. If you don't feel comfortable with the walk, you can ride a mule instead. Perched on a rocky outcrop, the remote village of Aroumd offers stunning views across the High Atlas Mountains and a unique opportunity to experience traditional Berber culture, and as such, you’ll spend the night in a family-run mountain home (gite). Surrounded by the smell of woodstoves and bread, meet the host family and enjoy Berber hospitality and food.
Accommodation
  • Gite homestay (1 night)
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner
Special Information
The walk from Imlil to Aremd and further to the Sidi Chamharouch shrine requires appropriate footwear. You may choose to bring sturdy boots if you prefer so, but a pair of good walking shoes with rigid and grippy sole will be sufficient. You will walk over well-trodden paths that may however be muddy and unstable in places and are rocky. Your main luggage will be left behind and only hand luggage can be carried to the village for you. You'll spend the night in a traditional Berber house at the foot of Mt Toubkal.

Facilities at the homestay are shared (both the bathroom and sleeping arrangements) but cozy, comfortable, and definitely a unique Intrepid experience.

Take a morning walk through the valleys and trails of the stunning Atlas Mountains (weather depending). Later on, head westwards for around 5 hours towards the Atlantic Coast and the old fishing town of Essaouira: a city where the medina brushes up against the Atlantic Ocean. Sandstone walkways contrast with whitewashed houses, bright blue sky, and the sand of the surrounding beaches and dunes. This artists' town was once home to sizeable British and Jewish populations, and its charm has seduced people like Orson Welles and Jimi Hendrix, who (according to local legend) spent much of his time here in the 1960s. As you will arrive in the afternoon, there will be still some time for exploring. Your tour leader will guide you through some options for the rest of the day. Observing the daily seafood auctions is always a fun thing to do, but otherwise, visit one of the small local cafes and do a spot of people watching. In the evening, perhaps catch up with your group to share a meal and discover this lovely town by night.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Atlas Mountains - Half-day hike
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
Special Information
In the event of inclement weather, it may not be possible to conduct the hike on this day due to safety concerns.

Today, join a local guide for a walking tour through the old medina, Jewish mellah, port, and skala (sea wall). Afterward, use your free time to get under the skin of the town. The narrow streets of Essaouira are ideal for walking. Their size discourages cars, and on a walk through the town, it feels as though little has changed since the days of sea pirates. Browse the plentiful shops and intriguing art galleries that make this little town a particularly pleasant place to unwind for a few days. It has a growing reputation for its unique art and is becoming even more famous for its burled Thuya wood, delicately formed and inlaid in tiny shops that are built into the thick walls of the Portuguese ramparts. The scent from the oils used to polish the richly coloured wood permeates the air and makes walking down the streets incredibly pleasant. For lunch, why not order a freshly cooked plate of the day’s seafood? There are so many places to enjoy this on the seaside. Later on, if you’d prefer to relax, don't miss the opportunity to indulge in a hammam or local-style bath.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Essaouira - Guided walking tour
Optional Activities
  • Essaouira - Hamam (public baths) - MAD200
  • Essaouira - Berber Massage - MAD350
  • Essaouira - Horse Riding - MAD250
  • Essaouira - Seafood Market Lunch - MAD80
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Have a casual chat with locals on a 3-hour shared bus ride to Marrakech: an ancient, exotic city wrapped in European modernity. Marrakech is a feast for the senses. Be enticed by the alluring scents and brilliant colours of the spice markets, the sounds of the musicians, the rich folds of carpets, delectable foods, acrobats, and perfumed gardens. Perhaps join the thronging crowds for dinner at the famous Djemaa el-Fna: one of the largest public spaces in the world and unique to Marrakech. When night falls on this square it transforms into a hive of activity. Henna-painters, performers, and storytellers share the square with a street food bazaar, packed with stalls loaded with Moroccan delicacies, including snail soup! You could enjoy a bite of famous Moroccan pastries with a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice, and then finish your evening with a cup of tea on one of the roof-top restaurants overlooking the square.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Marrakech - Dinner on Djemaa el Fna
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner

It’s time to explore Marrakech at your own pace. Explore the Medina for some last-minute shopping, where every step brings a new smell, a new sight, or a new gift to buy. In the seemingly endless mosaic of souqs, each is devoted to a separate trade: pottery, woodwork, copper, leather, carpets and spices. Watch skilled artisans perfect their craft, practice your haggling skills, or take a break from the hustle to sip on tea or share a tajine, filled with the pure scent of Morocco. Otherwise, you could visit the well-known Koutoubia Mosque and its 12th-century minaret, which was the famous prototype for the Giralda tower in Seville. Take a wander through the tropical gardens of the French painter Jacques Majorelle (now owned by Yves Saint Laurent). You might like to check out the Palais Bahia, a superb example of Muslim architecture, or the ruins of the Palais Badi, reputedly one of the most beautiful palaces in the world in its time. The Saadian tombs are a recently uncovered gem of the Medina. All of the above can be a challenge to locate, but that's all part of the experience of exploring the medinas of Morocco. This evening you will likely be drawn back to the Djemaa el-Fna and its surrounding medina. Eating out at one of the many outdoor restaurants lining the square is a great way to wrap up the day!
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Optional Activities
  • Marrakech - Marjorelle Gardens - MAD70
  • Marrakech - Palais Bahia - MAD70
  • Marrakech - Palais Badi - MAD70
  • Marrakech - Saadian Tombs - MAD70
  • Marrakech - Medersa Ben Youssef - MAD40
  • Marrakech - Museum of Marrakech - MAD40
  • Marrakech - Tajine Cookery Class Urban Adventure. - MAD640
  • Marrakech - Luxury Spa Hammam & Massage - MAD750
  • Marrakech - Heart of the Atlas Mountains cycling day trip with lunch - MAD2000
  • Marrakech - Magical Marrakech City Cycling Tour - MAD350
  • Marrakech - Quad Biking Barrage Lalla Takerkoust - MAD1650
  • Marrakech - Palmery Cycling Tour - MAD350
  • Marrakech - Asni & Ouirgane day trip with lunch - MAD1806
  • Marrakech - Oukaimeden Day Tour - MAD1882
  • Marrakech - Ourika Valley Day Tour - MAD1817
  • Marrakech - Hot Air Balloon Ride - MAD2050
  • Marrakech - Cascades d'Ouzoud Day Tour - MAD2207
  • Marrakech - Quad Biking the Rock Desert & Palmgrove - MAD715
  • Marrakech - Medina, Palaces & Tombs Urban Adventure - MAD630
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

With no activities planned for today, you are free to leave at any time. Check-out time is usually around midday, however, if you wish to spend more time in Marrakech, we can organise additional accommodation for you (subject to availability).
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Want to tailor this itinerary?

Meals

14 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 4 dinners

Transport

Camel, Private Bus, Public bus, Taxi, Train

Accommodation

Camp site (1 night), Gite homestay (1 night), Guesthouse (2 nights), Hotel (10 nights)

Included activities

  • Rabat - Leader-led walking tour
  • Volubilis - Entrance and Guided Tour
  • Fes - Medina walking tour
  • Walk and visit of Berrem village
  • Sahara Desert - Sunset Camel Ride
  • Tinejdad - Museum El Khorbat
  • Atlas Mountains - Half-day hike
  • Essaouira - Guided walking tour
  • Marrakech - Dinner on Djemaa el Fna

Dates & availability

Trip departures are unavailable.

There are currently no scheduled departures on our Best of Morocco trip. If you are interested in other trips in the region visit one of the links below.

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Important notes

1. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement exclude Day 6 (Desert Camp) and Day 10 (Gite Homestay) where you will be in shared accommodation and is subject to availability. There is a limited amount of single supplements available per trip departure. Please speak to your booking agent to enquire availability.
2. The receipt of commissions or kickbacks in exchange for recommending particular shops, services or activities is ingrained in the culture of the Moroccan tourism industry. In an effort to best control and monitor shopping and activities with an aim for the best experience possible, Intrepid has established a system of carefully selected shopping experiences and activities based on positive feedbacks from our previous travelers. On occasion these will be as part of included walking tours or outside of included activities in free time. Please note that if you feel that you do not wish to join in on these shopping experiences we assure you there is no obligation and if you indicate your desire to not partake your group leader will help to facilitate a suitable alternative during this time.
Intrepid have set up a centralized system of receiving payments from these recommended suppliers, and funds are then distributed towards local Responsible Travel projects (such as 'say no to plastic' cotton bags for our travelers and drinking water refilling stations), traveler information packs, and leader bonuses. Further details of these arrangements can be provided by your group leader on request.
While Intrepid endeavors to ensure that these suppliers and services maintain reasonable levels of quality, please note recommended suppliers are chosen based on past travelers feedback and experiences and Intrepid cannot explicitly guarantee the quality of the product. A priority in establishing this fund is that the experience of you our traveler is not compromised in any way. Please let us know via the feedback after your trip if we are successfully meeting this objective.

Essential trip information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

View Essential Trip Information

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