We’re going to Marrakech, All aboard!

MOROCCO TRAVEL GUIDE
Experience the exotic sights and sounds of enchanting Morocco. Inhale the intoxicating scents of turmeric, cinnamon and
sweet paprika in the spice market as you weave through intricate alleys of the Marrakech souk. Enter into a world of ‘A
Thousand and One Nights’ as you explore Imperial Cities such as Fes and Rabat, dazzling mosques and time­honored
palaces—or dine on fragrant tagines. Bargain for woven carpets, brass trays and ornate metalwork in bustling bazaars.
When night falls, sleep in a villa with a rooftop pool and a mountain view, a luxury hotel boasting sunlit gardens, or a
Bedouin camp under a ceiling of stars. Morocco is as ideal for kids as it is for those who are young at heart. Our ‘Kidtastic’
tailor­made adventures have families riding camels, treasure hunting in bazaars, cooking with a local chef and watching the
sun set over the sand dunes. Get ready to explore this hospitable land and create unforgettable memories on your Moroccan
tour.
BEFORE YOU GO
PASSPORTS
A passport that is valid for at least six months after the end of your trip is required for both U.S. and Canadian citizens to
enter and depart the country. Please ensure that the name on your passport matches all travel documents we have issued.
If this is not the case, please contact us immediately.
Your passport must have at least one blank page for the entry stamp. This cannot include the ‘endorsement’ page at the
back.
Please make a photocopy of your passport’s identification page and keep it separate from your original. It’s also a good idea
to leave a digital copy with someone at home. This may speed up the replacement process should you lose your passport.
VISAS
Citizens of the USA and Canada do not require a visa for Morocco, only a valid passport. If your stay is longer than 90
days, a resident permit is required and can be issued by the Police Department of your place of residence in Morocco.
Foreign visitors to Morocco are allowed to enter and exit the country with a maximum of MAD 2000.
For more visa information please visit:
America: www.travisa.com
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COUNTRY INFO
MOROCCO
Capital: Rabat
Language: Darija (Moroccan
Arabic), French, Berber
Currency: Moroccan Dirham
(MAD)
Religion: Muslim, Christian,
Jewish
Time Zone: UTC +1
Electricity: 220 Volt, 50 Hz
Telephone: Country code for
calling is +212
Calling North America: Dial
001 plus area code and your 7
­digit number
Emergency numbers in
Morocco: Police (in urban
areas): 19, Royal
Constabulary (outside urban
areas): 177 Firemen and
ambulances: 15
Canada: www.travisa.ca
INSURANCE
Cancellation and Medical Insurance is highly recommended as it can safeguard
against the expenses associated with in­country medical emergencies, lost or
delayed baggage and emergency cancelation or interruption of your trip. Please
ensure your policy will provide you with upfront medical coverage so that you
are not responsible for a hefty doctor’s bill while away. Insurance can be
purchased through us.
HEALTH
We always recommend that you see a doctor or health­care provider who
specializes in Travel Medicine. They will best determine your vaccination and
medication needs based on your health and immunization history, areas of the
country you will be visiting, planned activities and up­to­the­minute requirement
changes. Please bring vaccination certificates with you in your carry­on
luggage as you may need to present them on arrival.
VACCINATIONS
No vaccinations are required by law to enter Morocco but Typhoid and Hepatitis
A are two vaccinations that are strongly recommended. It is also a good idea to
be up to date with your polio and tetanus vaccines. Some vaccines require
more than one dose or a major length of time to be effective. For that reason, it
is recommended to see your doctor or health provider at least 6 to 8 weeks
before your trip. For all vaccinations and health requirements, you can also
refer to the recommendations from:
World Health Organization (WHO): http://www.who.int and Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention (CDC) http://wwwnc.cdc.gov.
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MEDICATION
If there are any medical items essential to your health, such as prescription drugs or corrective eye wear, bring duplicates
and divide them between your checked bags and hand luggage. While non­prescription drugs such as aspirin are generally
available, it is difficult to replace prescription items.
Other recommended Items:
Sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher), after­sun lotion, lip balm, sunglasses
Insect repellent with a high concentration of DEET (at least 30 percent)
Basic medicine kit (painkillers, band­aids, antiseptic cream, etc.)
Digestive aids such as Imodium, Pepto­Bismol. Also, re­hydration salts and anti­diarrhea preparations.
Hydrocortisone tablets or cream for allergic skin reactions and bites
Anti­nausea tablets if you suffer from motion sickness
ALLERGIES & DIETARY NEEDS
If you have health requirements or allergies that we should know about, please contact your travel advisor right away so
that we might help in case of an emergency. This includes any allergies such as nuts, shell fish, etc. Please advise us as to
what you may need, how severe the reaction could be, and what we could do to help.
For those guests with specific dietary requirements, please ensure that we are notified prior to your arrival so we can pass
on the information to airlines or any suppliers providing meals. We can accommodate most reasonable requests.
SMART TRAVELER ENROLLMENT/ REGISTRATION PROGRAMS
Depending on your citizenship, your government may offer a free Travel Registration service. We recommend that in addition
to arranging comprehensive trip insurance coverage, you make use of these free travel safety programs. The programs are
simple: you submit your travel plans so that in the event of a natural disaster or civil unrest, your government has your
itinerary and can provide you with necessary information or assistance.
For American citizens: https://step.state.gov/step/
For Canadian citizens: http://www.voyage.gc.ca
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INSIDER TIP:
FOOD & DRINK
Moroccan cuisine is
considered by many experts to
be among the finest in the
world. It is characterized by
the use of a plethora of
spices, including coriander,
cinnamon, cumin, saffron,
dried ginger and paprika.
Specialties include; couscous
(steamed semolina), which
often contains raisins or nuts,
roasted chicken with lemon
and olives and harira, a thick
tomato­based soup with
chickpeas and meat
traditionally served during
Ramadan. Stews called
tagines are found everywhere;
although each cook has his or
her own secret recipe, the
basic ingredients are meat or
fish and vegetables cooked in
a “tagine” (or a cone­shaped
terra cotta vessel) and
sometimes served with
almonds, apricots or prunes.
Mechoui, is whole goat or
lamb, seasoned with cumin
powder and slow­roasted until
the meat is tender and the
skin crisp.
The average cost of dining
out is between 150­250 MAD
for lunch and between 250­
400pp MAD for dinner in the
larger cities. The cui
WEATHER, SEASONS & CLIMATE
The Moroccan climate varies according to season and region. Throughout most
of the year, mornings and evenings can be cool and if you are travelling to the
Sahara or trekking in the mountains please note that early mornings and
evenings can be extremely cold. Weather is rather unpredictable from October
through February and can vary greatly from one year to the next; some winters
are quite moderate and others are wet and cold. Although there is a chance
you might encounter rain at any time, the odds are greatest between November
and February. Summer temperatures are high from June to early September.
For up­to­date forecasts, check www.weather.com.
PACKING: LUGGAGE
You will be on the move a lot, so our advice is to pack as lightly as possible.
Choose durable luggage that can withstand rigorous use. We highly recommend
the use of a small duffel or backpack (whatever you find easiest to carry).
Every bag or pack should be clearly labeled. We cannot be held responsible for
lost, stolen or damaged luggage. Insurance is highly suggested for this reason.
Please consult your airline carrier for detailed luggage restrictions specific to
your international and internal flights. Luggage limits on airlines are often
strictly enforced. As well, due to limited vehicle capacity in country, luggage
should be carefully considered. The cost of transporting any luggage beyond
these restrictions is the responsibility of the client.
PACKING LIST
In keeping with many Muslim countries you will find that people in the capital
and other major towns are used to foreigners and are therefore likely to be
more tolerant and more liberal. However once outside; the population is more
traditional and rigid so please be sure to cover your shoulders, stomach, hips
and bare legs. For women scarves or pashminas can be a quick fix and help
cover & avoid some unwanted attention.
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larger cities. The cui
Morocco can be very hot, especially from March to October, so don’t forget to bring some light clothes, T­Shirts and shorts.
Bring some warm clothes too, if you are planning to go to the desert (it gets really cold at night), and some long trousers if
you want to visit mosques and religious buildings.
The winter months of November – March are mild but none the less cooler especially in the evenings so pack a jacket or
jumper/pullover or pashmina, it is also wetter so it’s a good idea to pack a waterproof windbreaker.
Make sure you take comfy footwear for daytime and it is best to avoid heels ­ flat sandals for the evenings and preferably
closed in shoes for day as the streets are often uneven and dusty.
Be sure to take along a scarf or pashmina to tie around your face to keep out the blowing sand on any trip into the desert
and wear long sleeves and full length trousers, otherwise the mosquitoes will have a feast
VALUABLES
Please leave your valuable belongings, including jewelry, at home. Everywhere in the world, no matter how safe, tourists
are amongst the most easily targeted for theft. We assume no responsibility for personal belongings in your possession, left
in a hotel room or left on a vehicle during a trip. Additionally, hotels will not compensate their travelers for theft from the
hotel premises. That is why we strongly urge you to leave valuables at home, and to review your personal insurance policy
to make sure you are adequately covered for the belongings you do plan to take with you.
ELECTRICITY, PHONE & INTERNET
Electricity: Electricity in Morocco is provided at 110/220 volts and 50HZ.
Phone: Roaming charges vary between carriers, but tend to be quite costly. Consult your phone provider prior to departure
to discuss overseas rates and international package options.
CURRENCY
The Moroccan unit of currency is the dirham which is divided into 100 centimes. There are ATM’s throughout Morocco in all
of the major cities and most towns. We recommend that you get local currency from your bank before you leave home or
from a bank machine in­country which is much cheaper than an exchange service at the airport or in tourist areas. Your
bank card may work, but Visa or MasterCard are more widely accepted. You will need a 4­digit PIN to be able to use your
cards. For current exchange rates please visit www.xe.com
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INSIDER TIP:
CULTURAL
SENSITIVITY
Dress modestly, shorts are not
recommended for either sex;
arms and shoulders should be
covered. Bring a smart set of
clothes to ensure entry into
more up­market
establishments. Dress
respectfully as if you were
going to a place of worship
and you won’t go far wrong.
It is customary to shake hands
with just about everyone you
meet. If eating out, where no
eating utensils are provided,
eat with your right hand, the
left is for performing
ablutions! On entering a
Moroccan home it is usual to
remove your shoes. Some
Moroccans, especially women
and older men, do not like to
be photographed or
videotaped because of a
combination of religious and
folk beliefs. If a woman is
veiled, assume she would not
like to be photographed.
Please show respect ­ ask
before taking a photo, use a
wide angle or point the
camera away from them.
CREDIT CARDS & TRAVELERS CHECKS
In major cities, the full cadre of banks cards is generally accepted including
debit cards, American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa. However, in
smaller towns and villages, choice is generally narrowed to cash or MasterCard
and Visa. Credit cards are accepted at most of the higher end hotels,
restaurants and shops. You can change money and traveler checks at all major
banks, bureau de change and some hotels. It is recommended to contact your
credit card company to advise them when and where you will be traveling to
avoid what may be picked up as suspicious activity by your credit card
provider.
ACCOMMODATION
Bed sizes vary considerably around the world, with most countries having their
own standards and terminology. North American guests could find hotel rooms
and beds smaller than those they may be used to. Please let us know if you
require a full King­size bed so we can make appropriate rooming requests with
the hotels. An upgrade may be required.
CHECKING IN
Online Check­in: To simplify your check­in at the airport, we recommend you
check in online with the airline website, usually open for check­in and seat
selection 24 hours prior to your flight departure.
Flight Check­in Times: Please check in early at all airports due to additional
security which now affects international travel around the world (at least one
hour prior for domestic flights, three hours for all flights to the USA and
Canada, and two hours for regional and other international flights). Please be
aware that during peak season, delays are often encountered on scheduled
flights.
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ON ARRIVAL
Our aim is to ensure that you are provided with 24/7 support when you are traveling with Kensington Tours. As such,
please note that you have access to our local representative(s) should you have any questions. Nothing is too big or too
small so please do feel free to call if you have any questions or concerns throughout your trip. We want to make sure that
you know that your first point of contact should be to contact the local office (information is detailed in your day by day
itinerary under the “Contact Information page” below the “In­Country Tour and Internal Airfare” section). This will be the
quickest and easiest route for you to contact someone if you need assistance.
AIRPORT PICK­UP
Upon your arrival in Morocco, you will clear passport control (be patient) and pick up your luggage from the baggage
carousel (porters are normally available to assist). Upon clearing customs, you will exit the luggage hall through a pair of
doors and see a crowd of people behind a rope. Your driver or guide will be waiting for you here holding a sign with your
name written on it. If your flight is slightly delayed, do not worry as your driver or guide will wait for you. If your flight has
been changed or substantially delayed, it is essential that you call our office in Marrakech at one of the numbers below so
that you can be met upon your arrival.
From the US:
011 212 5 24 42 19 96 during normal office hours 0900­1830 GMT
011 212 661 24 64 21 after hours or in an emergency/ Miss Aziza Kourout.
From Europe:
00 212 5 24 42 19 96
00 212 61 24 64 21 / Miss Aziza Kourout
From within Morocco:
0524 42 19 96
0661 24 64 21
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OUR VEHICLES
We use are fully insured, air­conditioned vehicles with experienced drivers who are English­speaking but perhaps not
always fluent. All vehicles are required to have fully functioning seatbelts and by law, all passengers must wear a seatbelt.
If you are driving a rental car, we urge you to exercise extreme caution and to wear your seatbelt at all times.
LOCAL TRANSPORT
Taxis are readily available throughout town and probably the most efficient way of getting to the main sites. Grand taxis are
old Mercedes cars that carry up to six people for a fixed fare. They usually keep to specific routes and you’ll find them at
the bus station. Petit taxis are inexpensive compared to European or American standards. You get it to yourself and they’ll
take you anywhere you want to go. The meters start from 1.60 MAD and aren’t always used so either ask the driver to
switch it on or bargain for your fare before you hop in.
CURRENCY
We recommend Moroccan Dirham while traveling. It is relatively easy to change money in Morocco. You can exchange it at
the airport Exchange Counter or you can ask your driver to stop at an ATM before you arrive at your accommodation. Before
leaving your home country acquaint your card issuer with your movements and be sure you know your PIN number. Many
hotels give you about the same rates as the banks. Visa and MasterCard are commonly accepted at larger shops and
restaurants etc (at smaller places always ask, even if they have the sticker on the door). When purchasing items that you
are having shipped home, be sure to place your purchase on a credit card so that you have recourse in the event of any
problems. American Express is less commonly accepted. It is not unusual to pay an additional 3 or 4% for using a credit
card. ATMs are now found in most major cities but some only accept debit cards not credit/charge cards. It can be a lengthy
progress to change Travellers Checks, cash or card is better.
TIPPING
Tips are voluntary and completely up to you and reflect service received. Generally speaking we advise bringing Dh350 –
520 Moroccan Dirham per day for spending money per person. Local Currency or USD cash is the preferred method for
tipping. Be sure to bring lots of small bills for porters, wait staff and housekeeping (not obligatory and based on your
satisfaction). It is customary to leave a couple of dollars per day for housekeeping and to reward a particularly helpful
concierge.
Suggested amounts:
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Airport Transfers: $5­-10 USD per group, per transfer
Guide: $10-­15 USD per person, per day
Driver $5­-10 USD per person, per day
Porters: $1 USD per bag
Lodge Gratuity Box: $10-­20 USD per person, per day
Wait Staff: A minimum of 10% of the bill, with 15% to 20 % the norm for good service is usual in restaurants that
impose no service fee (This is optional where service fee is added to bill). In bars, tips are the exception rather than the
norm and generally the loose change from your drink is acceptable.
SHOPPING & YOUR GUIDE
If you are not interested in shopping you can simply mention this to your guide. If you wish to shop, ask your guide to stay
with you in the store so you can leave when you are ready. Not only are our chosen guides knowledgeable about their
country, its culture and customs, but their job is also to help you to negotiate a reasonable price and ensure that you are
never pressured into buying anything.
STAYING HEALTHY & SAFE WHILE TRAVELING
Comprehensive insurance is advised for all nationals. Although many travelers drink the local water, it is our advice to avoid
it as mineral water is available everywhere, as is hot tea and the ubiquitous mint tea. Sidi Ali and Sidi Harazem are the best
brands of bottled water in Morocco and are available everywhere. Cleaning your teeth in the tap water of hotels and riads
we use should not pose a problem. Avoid uncooked vegetables and fruits (unless they can be peeled), food or fresh drink
sold from street vendors, and cheap restaurants. Cooked food in four and five­star hotels and the better restaurants is
generally safe.
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