Details

Frequently Asked Questions

Please click here to go to our general FAQ, which has essential information that applies to all of our programs.

Resources to Learn & Teach about Morocco

Visit our recommended reading page to see the list of books GEEO recommends reading before your program (this is not required reading). We also have lesson plans and Pinterest boards that may be useful for you as you learn about your destination and prepare to bring lessons back to your classroom.

Terms and Conditions

It is very important for you to visit our Terms and Conditions page before signing up for this program.

Cancellation policy

All cancellations must be submitted to GEEO in written form by emailing your request for cancellation to travel@geeo.org. If you do not receive a confirmation that we have received your written cancellation request, please call us at 1-877-600-0105. Verbal cancellation requests will not be honored.

• If you cancel 60 days or more prior to departure, all your program fee payments will be refunded besides your $350 deposit which is kept on file for future use
• If you cancel between 30 and 59 days prior to departure, you will receive a 50% refund and your deposit is kept on file for future use
• If you cancel within 30 days of departure, you will receive no refund, but your deposit is kept on file for future use

Trip Notes

1. PACE: This is a fast-paced itinerary that covers a lot of ground in the available time, but it also means some early starts, some long drives in the minivan, and less free time than many other GEEO programs. We feel that, if you enter this trip with this knowledge and expectation, you will appreciate even more the variety of locations we are able to include in this itinerary.
2. TRANSPORT: We use a 16-seater minivan for this tour. With a full group, every seat will be used. The legroom in the minivan is possibly smaller than you may be used to and taller passengers may find space a little cramped. It is important to be aware that as it is not a legal requirement in buses in Morocco: your vehicle may not be equipped with seat belts. While the minivans have air conditioning, summer temperatures in Morocco can easily reach over 100 degrees Fahrenheit. As such, when the outside temperature is so hot, a minibus air conditioning system will not be able to cool the bus to the temperatures you may be used to enjoying at home. Please bear in mind that traveling in Morocco in summer will inevitably involve very hot temperatures and you may experience some discomfort when traveling.
3. CAMEL RIDE: Please note, you can skip the camel rides if you wish and hang out at our hotel or the nearby sand dunes. It is not possible to reach the middle of the dunes, where we watch the sunset, by 4WD or any other vehicle. There is the option to walk (can be very hot and tiring) for those who cannot/prefer not to ride a camel.
4. GETTING HOME: This program ends in Marrakech. Most international flights depart out of Casablanca. Make sure that you arrange your flights correctly. Keep in mind there are flights from Marrakech to Casablanca as well as a train that runs a few times a day and takes 3.5 hours.
5. CLOTHING: To avoid unwanted attention in rural areas, dressing modestly is advised for parts of Morocco. A general rule of thumb for women in rural areas is to keep your shoulders and knees covered up. It is fine to dress how you like in Fes, Sahara, and Marrakech, but keep in mind, less exposed flesh is less attention.
6. SMALL CHANGE: For bathrooms, you will need small bills, like 1 or 2 Dirham. We recommend visiting a bank early on in the trip and exchanging larger bills for small bills so you always have small change handy.

Group Leader Description

All GEEO/G Adventures group trips are accompanied by one of G Adventure’s group leaders, which they refer to as Chief Experience Officers (CEO). The aim of the group leader is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. They will provide information on the places you are traveling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues, and introduce you to our local friends. Our itineraries often have plenty of free time to explore on your own. While not being guides in the traditional sense you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the countries visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious and social aspects. We also use local guides where we think more specific knowledge will add to the enjoyment of the places we are visiting – we think it’s the best of both worlds.

Fitness Level

Trip includes light walking and hiking that is suitable for most fitness levels. The roughest parts are the optional Rif Mountains hike and the ascent to the mountain gîte. There should be a van or donkey that can help get you to the gîte, but avoid the Rif hike if you aren’t in very good shape. The camel riding is pretty easy, but thicker pants are recommended.

Single Travelers

Half of the people that travel with GEEO are traveling by themselves, so please don’t worry if you have no one who can join you on your trip. Our pricing is based on double occupancy, in other words, two people to a room. You never have to pay for a single room unless you want one. GEEO can find you a roommate of the same gender. Most of our trips have a “My Own Room” option, also known as a “Single Supplement,” which is an extra fee that will allow you to have a room to yourself. If you want to room alone, please email travel@geeo.org. To see the price for the “My Own Room” option, please click here where you can look up your trip in the extra services spreadsheet. Please note that if you have booked the “My Own Room” option for this tour, you will receive your own single accommodation for all night stops, with the following exceptions: Day 6 and 7 (desert hotel), Day 10 (simple mountain gite).

Joining Instructions

Please note that Day 1 is an arrival day and no activities have been planned. Upon arrival to the city on Day 1 (or earlier if you have booked pre-accommodation with us), please make your way to the joining hotel (note that check-in time will be in the afternoon). Once you arrive at the hotel, look for a note at reception from your tour leader. This note will give the details of your Welcome Meeting on Day 1 (usually between 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.), where you will get a chance to meet your tour leader and other travelers, as well as learn more about how the tour will run. If you don’t see a note, please ask reception for details! If you miss the Welcome Meeting, your tour leader will leave a note at reception for you with any information you may need and with instructions for the next morning. If you have pre-arranged an arrival transfer, please look for the driver holding a G Adventures sign outside of the airport building of Terminal 1. Please approach them and ask them who they are supposed to be picking up (do not tell them your name, they should have this information already). Once they give you the correct name, have your passport ready to show them, and you will be on your way! Alternatively, you can take a taxi from the airport entrance, which will take approximately 1 hour (35 km), to the hotel. The cost is around 300 Moroccan Dirham.

Emergency Contacts

Should you need to contact G Adventures during a situation of dire need, it is best to first call their local G Adventures office. If for any reason you do not receive an immediate answer, please leave a detailed message and contact information so they may return your call and assist you as soon as possible. G Adventures Operator – Morocco Open 5 days a week, Monday to Friday 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. local time (GMT). During Office hours: +212 (0)528 824898 After hours emergency number: +212 (0)661 429700 G Adventures Local Office London, UK Emergency number: +44 7817 262559 If you are unable for any reason to contact G Adventures’ local office, they have a toll-free line within North America which will connect you directly with their Toronto office: 1 888 800 4100

Packing List

Please read this article on GEEO’s blog for our staff’s suggestions on the best gear to pack for your upcoming travels. You must be prepared to carry your own bags and be comfortable carrying them up and downstairs, on and off transportation, and to hotels. As a rule, we try not to have to walk more than 15-20 minutes with your bags, which is why we recommend keeping the weight of your bags between 22-30 lb. Most travelers carry a backpack or rolling bag of small to medium size. (No XXL ones please!) A daypack is also essential for carrying everyday items. Space is limited on transportation, so there is a limit of one main piece of luggage per person plus a daypack per person.

Suggested Checklist

• Fleece top
• Light windproof/waterproof jacket (Chances are it won’t rain much)
• Sun hat
• Personal clothing for mild to hot weather (t-shirts, shorts, etc.); for women, we recommend clothing that covers knees and shoulders.
• Daypack
• Sturdy walking shoes
• Sport sandals or flip-flops
• Sunblock
• Sunglasses
• Watch or alarm clock
• Clothes for religious sites – knees and shoulders must be covered
• Flashlight (If your smartphone has one you can use that)
• Toiletries (Your hotels will have soap and shampoo)
• Camera
• First-aid kit (should contain lip salve, Aspirin, bandaids, anti-histamine, Dramamine, Imodium or similar tablets for mild cases of diarrhea, electrolyte powder, insect repellent, extra prescription drugs you may be taking)

Optional Checklist

• 1-2 bathing suits
• Lightweight silk sleep sheet
• Travel pillow
• Money belt
• Water bottle
• Phone/Tablet for internet (Most hotels have WiFi)
• Chargers for electronics as well as converters/adapters, if needed
• Packing cubes
• Ear Plugs
• Snacks (Packing a few granola bars is a good idea. You can buy snacks when you get there too, so don’t go crazy here.)
• Ziplock bags for wet clothing
• Reading/writing material
• Hand sanitizer/Baby wipes

Document Checklist

• Passport (with photocopies)
• Travel insurance (with photocopies)
• Airline tickets (with photocopies)
• EUR/USD cash
• Credit or debit card (see personal spending money)
• G Adventures vouchers, pre-departure information, and dossier
• Any entry visas or vaccination certificates required
• GEEO Classroom action plans for your group (This is sent 10-30 days before departure)

Laundry

Laundry facilities are offered by some of our hotels for a charge or ask your group leader where the nearest laundromat is. If you want to do your own laundry, we suggest you bring your own non-polluting/biodegradable soap.

Passports and Visas

All GEEO trips require that the participant have a valid passport.  Please see our general FAQ for information on obtaining a passport. As with all of our trips, we try to provide the most accurate information we can, but governments sometimes change visa rules. It is your responsibility to double-check the information we provide below by searching here. Americans do not need to purchase a visa for travel to Morocco. Non-American participants should check with their government to find out if they need a visa.

Money Exchange

The local currency in Morocco is the Moroccan Dirham (MAD). ATMs are found within main cities in Morocco and will generally accept debit cards on the Visa and Mastercard networks. It is a great idea to travel with both a Visa and Mastercard if at all possible as, while there is no hard and fast rule, some banks seem to only work with one brand of card. Please note, your bank will charge a fee for overseas withdrawals. Cash is recommended for times when ATMs are not accessible. Euros are almost a second currency in Morocco, while British Pounds and U.S. Dollars are also easy to exchange into Moroccan Dirhams (MAD). Please note: while you should bring some cash with you for emergency situations, carrying cash only is a high safety risk. Money on ATM card/s and some cash is the ideal mix. Cash advances can also be made with some banks but are time consuming and tend to have high fees attached. Credit cards are, in general, not very useful in Morocco – they can be used at some larger stores if shopping for big items. If you are bringing U.S. Dollars, please make sure that the notes are new and in good condition. Any notes older than 1996 or with any tears or blemishes may not be accepted. Be fussy with your bank. Ask for new bills! As currency exchange rates can fluctuate often we ask that you refer to the following website for daily exchange rates: www.xe.com

Tipping

Morocco has a strong tipping culture – it is customary and even expected to tip small service providers such as restaurant and bar waiters, hotel staff, reception, cleaning personnel, bell boys, and taxi and van drivers. Tips are regarded as an essential means of supplementing income for those working in the tourism industry. Even though this might not be customary to you, nor common practice in your home country, it is generally expected and of great significance to the people who will be assisting you during your travels. Depending on your preference and/or that of the group, you may choose to tip individually, organize the tipping with your traveling companions, or your Tour Leader will offer to collect the tip money at the beginning of your tour and tip as a group with your participation as the tour progresses. A recommendation for tipping small service providers is about $3 U.S. Dollars per day, depending on the quality of the service (this does not include your G Adventures Tour Leader). Feel free to ask your Tour Leader for the breakdown/distribution of the tips. Note that, if you have been very disappointed by a particular service, please inform your Tour Leader right away, and the tip will be adjusted accordingly. Also, at the end of your trip, if you felt your G Adventures Tour Leader did an outstanding job, tipping is also expected and appreciated. The precise amount is entirely a personal preference, however, $20-25 USD per person per week can be used as a general guideline.

Vaccinations

We legally cannot give you any medical advice. It is very important to consult your doctor or a travel clinic about which vaccinations you will need for your trip. Please take this seriously!

Flights

We often find the best prices for purchasing flights is 60 days before departure, but of course, this varies greatly from route to route and year to year. You must wait until this trip is confirmed with the minimum number of required participants before you book your flights. Typically, we reach the minimum number needed at least 90 days before departure. GEEO and G Adventures bear no responsibility for any flights purchased before the trip is confirmed. You can find out whether this trip has been confirmed here. Please double-check our itinerary for the date by which you must arrive in Casablanca, which would usually mean departing the U.S. on the prior day. You can arrive at any time you choose. Your trip ends in Marrakech, although most flights to the U.S. will return via Casablanca. You have a few options: You could book a multi-leg flight that arrives in Casablanca at the start of your trip and returns from Marrakech at the end. (Probably the best option. On a test search, using New York City as the departure city, we found this only added $80 to the price over a round trip to Casablanca) For about $200 you can take a 40-minute flight from Marrakech to Casablanca. (I think you are better off with the options above and below this.) For about $11 you can take a 3-hour train ride from Marrakech to Casablanca. They depart every 2 hours. You would also have to take a taxi from the train station to the airport. (This seems to be the cheapest option, but a bit inconvenient.)

Plugs and Converters

There are two components to provide external power to your device: adapters and transformers. The adapter is the plug, adapting the prongs on a standard U.S. two to three-pronged power cord to match the prongs required by the local outlets. The transformer changes the local voltage to that required by your device. Morocco uses a European-style two circular prong plug. Their voltage is 220-240 Volts. U.S. outlets are 120 Volts. Most new devices (phones and laptops) can handle the different voltage rates, but some devices only work on the U.S. standard of 120V. Check your device to see what voltage range it handles. Most transformer blocks will have an “Input” line that defines its voltage capacity. For example, “Input: 100 – 240V” means that it will work on voltages from 100V to 240V. If your transformer can’t handle the different voltage, you’ll need to purchase a voltage converter. You can find world regional voltage converters power packs at various vendors.

Expectations

Before you decide on traveling with GEEO, it is important that you read all of the information about the program you are considering. Remember, our programs are quite adventurous.

• The purpose of the accommodation is to provide a safe place for you to sleep. Sometimes you will be pleasantly surprised, but do not expect luxury. Sometimes the accommodation is not air-conditioned.
• You must be able to easily carry or roll your luggage, so do not over-pack.
• Many of our programs occur in locations where it is very hot during the day. Please make sure you have thoroughly read the itinerary and can handle the group activities, which sometimes include day hikes with your daypacks.
• We recommend always carrying snacks with you as meals can be far apart.
• Please make sure you understand the role of your tour leader on this trip as they are not the traditional “guide” you may be expecting. While our trips are educational, they aren’t study/lecture trips. We want you to learn through exploring, and much of your experience will be based on how active you choose to be in acquiring knowledge and interacting with locals.

Hopefully this is the kind of adventure you are interested in!

Itinerary Disclaimer

While it is our intention to adhere to the routes described on our website, there is a certain amount of flexibility built into the itinerary and on occasion it may be necessary, or desirable, to make alterations. The itinerary is brief, as we never know exactly where our journey will take us. Due to our style of travel and the regions we visit, travel can be unpredictable. The information on our website is a general guide to the tour and region, and any mention of specific destinations or wildlife is by no means a guarantee that they will be visited or encountered. Additionally, any travel times listed are approximations only and subject to vary due to local circumstances.

Advice From Past Participants

“I recommend asking your tour leader about the shopping opportunities throughout the trip. I found it hard to apportion out my spending money because I didn’t know what might be coming up.” “Some hotels are particular about not allowing guests to bring store-bought bottled water to their rooms because they want guests to buy it from them. The water needs to be hidden in backpacks. “ “If anything, I would just add that there is a lot of walking. Most days it was not difficult, but there were long days. Also, if you are short like I am, some of the stairs are steep.” “Some of the public bathrooms did not have toilet paper, so carrying a small roll is handy. As far as money goes, I needed way more small bills (especially change) than I had. The electrical outlets are all recessed into the wall so not all converters fit. You have to have a round one or one that is smaller than one and one half inches wide.” “For luggage handling–even if it is on wheels, super large suitcases packed heavily can be difficult to carry up steps at hotels and takes up a lot of space in the back of the van. I had a backpack so it wasn’t a problem, but some of the others struggled with their luggage.” “When I got on the camel, I thought that wearing long pants would be enough. They weren’t shorts, right? After riding both ways, I ended up with a “Charley camel” because my pants were not thick enough.” “Do not rely on credit cards. Many places say they take cards, but when it comes to actually paying, they do not. Try to bring cash and a debit card only. “ “1) Bring a bathing suit! 2) The bug spray is for the nature walk 3) The train station in Marrakech is reliable and safe 4) In case you get to Casablanca early, know that you can and should barter for EVERYTHING. In fact, you probably shouldn’t buy anything until your guide has explained to you how this works. Prices can be 5x normal because you are American. 5) A good number of people you will encounter do not want to be photographed. Make sure you ask first. “ “The Rif Mountain hike (optional) was tough. It was hot, long, and you walk straight up. I was warned by our guide, but it was even harder than he said. You need to be in shape to do it. The hike up to the mountain gîte was also hard. It was more of a scramble at times – where you need your hands to help you climb. Half our group took a van – which was probably a good thing. The village was great though. “ “I ended up buying a lot of stuff at the cooperatives. While you know that you are getting good quality, you can find quality stuff for cheaper prices in places like Essaouira and Marrakech.” “I didn’t have a hard time finding vegetarian foods! There is also a vegetarian restaurant in Marrakech. I suggest that you inform the local guide that you are vegetarian, and he will be able to help ask what has meat broth and what does not.”

Weather

The Coast of Morocco has a moderate, subtropical climate, cooled by breezes from the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. Inland, the temperatures can be quite extreme, getting very hot in the summer. In Marrakech, the average temperature in summer is a sizzling 100°F (38°C)! In mountainous areas (like the Atlas range), temperatures are cooler and some mountain peaks remain snow-capped throughout most of the year.

Food

Breakfasts: Many breakfasts are included as part of your trip. Moroccan breakfasts tend to be different from your usual cereal and toast morning fare – most will be very simple, such as a croissant or sweet roll with jam and instant coffee. Some hotels will have buffets where you will have more variety. While you are experiencing what a Moroccan family would eat, some travelers do find the provided breakfasts a bit “bread heavy” and enjoy buying fruit the day before to supplement their breakfast. Lunches and Dinners: Moroccan cuisine is world-famous, and your tour leader will be taking the chance to show you the best of it. Staples include cous cous, a type of grain, topped with stew; tagine, which is actually the name of the pot this tasty dish is cooked in; and brochette, the local variety of barbecued meat skewers. These dishes will generally cost between 45- 80 MAD, depending on the type of restaurant and which part of the country you are in. Other tastes not to be missed include pastilla, a sweet pasty with a savory filling and which is traditionally made with pigeon; and harira, a delicious soup made from chickpeas that is quite filling when paired with fresh bread. When you are on the coast, the fresh seafood cooked at one of the local markets is a must-eat! Snacks: Morocco’s fresh orange juice is highly recommended, and you should not leave without trying a glass. The brave can try the tiny snails, which are perhaps the local’s favorite snack but you might prefer a cone of piping hot bite-size fried cake donuts.

Language

Arabic is the official language of Morocco, spoken in the distinctive Moroccan dialect. Approximately 40% of the population (mainly in rural areas) speak Berber in one of its three different dialects (Tarafit, Tashelhiyt, and Tamazight). French is Morocco’s unofficial second language and is taught universally, serving as the country’s primary language in economics and commerce, as well as being widely used in education and government. Many Moroccans in the north of the country speak Spanish, and English is widely spoken in tourist areas.