When is the best time for traveling to Morocco?

Coastal Morocco cities experience a mild Mediterranean climate year-round, which becomes more extreme as you travel towards the interior. Nights can be extremely chilly, so please prepare your packing list accordingly. Inland in the high Atlas Mountains the weather and climate are influenced by altitude, where the higher you ascend the colder it will be, and some areas are snow-covered well into summer. Inland at lower levels the summers are very hot, while in winter and spring winds blowing off the mountains can cause some very chilly days.

What are the passport/visa requirements?

Please ensure that you have several blank pages in your passport and that it retains its validity for at least 6 months after your departure. Please check the visa requirements with your local embassy.

What kind of cuisine is served?

The cuisine of Morocco is varied, and the breakfasts and dinners served at the hotels are buffet-style international cuisine. Your guide may recommend good restaurants for enjoying lunch (not included in the tour cost) in each city that you visit. Some traditional local cuisine that you may enjoy includes Harira (meat based soup made with chickpeas and coriander), Pastilla (a sweet and savory main-course pie filled with vegetables and nuts), Tagine (chicken or lamb cooked with vegetables and dried fruits), Mechoui (roasted lamb), Briouat (tube-shaped pastries filled with meat or rice) and Corne de gazelle (tiny croissant-like pastries stuffed with almonds, nuts and honey).

If I have a specific diet restriction or preference, will you be able to accommodate my request?

All efforts are made to accommodate reasonable diet preferences. We communicate the requests to the hotels where you would be eating and your request should generally be honored and ready. However, it is always better to re-coordinate the requirements with our escort / attendant who will be able to ensure the establishments know about your requirements. We also request you to re-inform the establishment about your requirement at the time you go for meals to avoid any confusion or misunderstanding.

Is the water safe to drink?

We recommend that you drink bottled water, which is provided for an additional charge at the hotels and restaurants.

What types of vehicles are utilized?

All vehicles are modern and air-conditioned. Depending on the group size, the vehicle may be a Ford Mini Bus, Mercedes Sprinter or similar.

Are any of the monuments closed on certain days?

During Ramadan, many of the sights close an hour early, but everything else operates as per the usual. Museums are closed on Tuesdays. All other monuments in Morocco are open for visits from 09:00 to 12:00 and from 15:00 to 18:00. Many mosques, such as Zaouia Moulay Idriss in Fes, only permit entrance to Muslims. Places open to non-Muslims include the Moulay Ismael Mausoleum in Meknes, the Mausoleum of Mohamed V in Rabat, and the Mosque of Hassan II in Casablanca (additional fee of 15 Euro).

Will there be internet access at the hotels?

Yes, most of the hotels utilized have internet access available for an additional fee.

Will there be opportunities for shopping?

Yes. The best locations for shopping are the souks (markets) inside the old medinas, the largest of which are in Marrakech and Fes. Look out for beautiful mosaics, carpets and ceramics, particularly in Fes, where the traditional blue and white pottery is made. The practice of bargaining is to politely decline the first price quoted, and offer around half as much; and then move back and forth towards a compromise figure of around two-thirds the original quote. The vendors know that western tourists believe this, which is why they come up with an opening figure much higher than a reasonable price. For any expensive purchases such as carpets, shop around to establish the price range, but do not begin to haggle unless you are serious about buying.

What currency is used? Can I pay by credit card?

The local currency is the Dirham (MAD), and currency exchange facilities are readily available in the larger towns visited, in hotels, airports and banks. Major credit cards are often accepted as well; however traveler’s checks are not widely used.

Is it safe to travel to Morocco?

Yes, overall, the people of Morocco are extremely friendly. As a precaution when traveling in any large city, carry your passport and other important documents with you at all times and do not leave your baggage unattended.