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Travelling With Us

Accommodation:  There is a variety of style and standard of accommodation in Morocco from 1-5 star hotels to traditional riads (restored traditional Moroccan houses), auberges (small, comfortable Moroccan-style hotels often run by families) local families’ houses and Berber tents.  Our tours use a range of accommodation depending on the location.  All tours can be tailored to suit your personal accommodation preferences.

Drivers and Local Guides:  We use English speaking drivers and local guides. In addition, to their native Berber and Moroccan Arabic, many of our drivers and guides also speak other languages including French, Spanish and Italian.  If you have special language requirements please let us know and we will do our best to accommodate you.

You will be accompanied by one of our drivers during your tour of Morocco.  Your driver will assist you with your hotel check-in/check-out and entrance to included sightseeing. Where possible your driver will help you with local customs, suggestions and reservations for restaurants, entertainment, shopping and optional activities.

Generally, local guides are used only for specified city tours. Your itinerary will indicate those activities where a local guide is included. Should you wish to use a local guide at other locations this can be included, on request and where available, in your tour.  Alternatively, local guides may be available at some sights on arrival, in which case your driver will do his best to assist you to hire a local guide if you wish.  Your driver can help you with notable aspects of the various sights but generally does not guide you through them and is not permitted to act as your official guide through particular locations such as the medinas of Marrakech and Fes.  Moroccan law allows only registered local guides to guide tourists in cities such as Marrakech and Fes.

Group Size:  We can cater for a party of any size regardless of whether you are travelling alone, with family or friends or with a large group.

Transport:  We use air-conditioned cars, 4-wheel drive vehicles, mini-buses and buses, depending on group requirements and areas visited. 

WHEN TO GO

The Climate:  The Moroccan climate varies both seasonally and by geographic zones.  Along the coastline the average daytime temperature ranges from about 12°C in winter to 25°C in summer.  In the mountains the winter daytime temperature may drop as low as -20°C in the highest ranges, with snow sometimes blocking the high mountain passes such as Tizi n'Tichka (2260 m) and Tizi n'Test (2092 m), and in summer the temperature rises to a pleasant, cool daytime average of around 15°C.  In contrast, the average daytime temperature in the desert areas in the south of the country ranges from 17°C in the winter to 40°C in summer. 

Holidays:  

Ramadan:  Ramadan lasts for approximately 4 weeks.  Travelling during Ramadan is possible and offers a different experience of the country to that had by most tourists to Morocco.   In general the tourist cafes, restaurants and sights are open a  little later  in the morning during Ramadan. Most likely your driver and local guides will observe Ramadan neither eating nor drinking between sunrise and sunset.  You will not be expected to fast and will be able to obtain food and drinks during the day.  However, we ask that you be aware and understanding that your driver’s and guide’s fast breaks at sundown.

WHAT ABOUT

Electricity:  Morocco uses 220V though some outlets maybe 110V.  You will need a suitable rounded, two-prong adaptor.

Food & Drinks:  Moroccan food is usually a delicious freshly, cooked meal with lunch and dinner being the main meals.  While spicy and aromatic, typically, Moroccan dishes are not hot like some Indian and South East Asian food.  Each region is known for its own speciality dishes.

Commercially bottled water and most popular non-alcoholic drinks are readily available.  You should not drink untreated tap water.  Tea is universally dunk and used as a welcoming drink by Moroccans.  Moroccan tea, which is not to be missed, is a type of green tea often blended with fresh mint and always with a lot of sugar.  Morocco produces excellent red wine which tourists can freely purchase from liquor stores in larger cities and towns.  Larger hotels and tourist restaurants generally serve alcohol.

Internet:  Internet cafes are found in most cities and towns and in many larger villages. 

Language:  Arabic is the country's official language.  French is relatively widely spoken in tourist areas.  Outside of hotels, restaurants and shops catering for tourists, English is not widely spoken.

Money:  The Moroccan currency is the Dirham.  Cash or travellers cheques in most major currencies can be readily exchanged for Dirhams in banks and larger hotels. We have not found any banks or hotels that will exchange Australian or New Zealand currency.  We recommend US dollars or Euros as the most convenient currency (travellers’ cheques and cash) to carry.

You can also use your automatic teller (ATM) card or credit card (including many Australian and New Zealand ATM and credit cards) to withdraw cash, Dirhams, from your own account at many Moroccan bank ATMs in most cities and towns provided your bank is part of the international electronic banking network (eg CIRRUS).  You should check with your bank before departing.  Although accepted at many mid-larger sized hotels and some restaurants and shops catering to tourists, credit cards are not widely accepted in Morocco.

You must remember to exchange your Dirhams before departing Morocco.  You will not be able to exchange your Dirhams outside of Morocco.

Getting There:  Some airlines offer direct flights to Morocco from the Europe, Canada, the US and the Middle East (eg Emirates, Ethiad, Royal Air Maroc, most major and some discount European airlines).  There are no direct flights between Morocco and Australia or New Zealand.  For travel from Australia or New Zealand, generally, the more convenient routes are via the United Arab Emirates or the United Kingdom.  Your travel agent should be able to assist you booking flights or you may wish to contact one of the airlines directly.

It is also possible to travel to Morocco by ferry from several European ports. 

Safety:  The tourism industry is very important to Morocco.  Accordingly, the Moroccan authorities actively promote tourist safety.  There are tourist police offices in every major city.    Nevertheless, you should check government travel alerts and warnings before departing to Morocco.

Tipping:  Tipping is part of Moroccan culture and is expected for acceptable service received from, for example, drivers, local guides, hotel porters, café waiters, restaurant waiters, taxi drivers and toilet attendants.

Women Travellers:  Morocco is a Muslim country.  Women travellers who are courteous and respectful toward the people, culture and religion of Morocco will themselves be treated with courtesy and respect.  To avoid unwanted attention, we recommend you dress modestly in loose fitting clothes that cover your shoulders, upper arms and knees. Ultimately it is a matter of your own discretion but we suggest you avoid wearing strappy or tight shirts and dresses, skirts or dresses hemmed above the knee or shorts when you are in public.  It is unnecessary to wear a head scarf or jelaba (a loose fitting gown, or equivalent, worn by Moroccan women in public). Generally, your travelling experience in Morocco should be a positive one. 

If you are alone or with other women in crowded areas of Marrakech’s Djemaa el Fna Square at night it is possible you may be deliberately touched or pinched but that is usually the extent of uninvited physical contact. While it is possible for unpleasant situations to occur, they are, however, the exception and not the rule.

P.O Box: 149 Ouarzazate 45000 Morocco Tel: 212 661142959 Fax: 212 524887214
E-mail: info@berbertreasures.com.au