FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Get all the answers to your questions before starting your adventure
Planning a vacation to Morocco is exciting, but you probably have a lot of questions and maybe some concerns. We want you to be prepared and have all the facts to have a carefree trip.
Below you will find detailed information about our company, expeditions, ecotourism, tourist logistics, local culture, currency and documentation.
If you have any other questions, contact us at info@cherg.com so that we can organize your Moroccan adventure!
FAQs: COVID-19
Yes we are open for business! While our office remains closed due to the pandemic, we are working remotely and actively booking tours.
The borders in Morocco opened for international travel from certain VISA exempt countries on September 5, 2020. The state of emergency remains in place and is currently scheduled to be lifted on October 10, 2020.
Those wishing to enter Morocco must be a tourist presenting a verified hotel reservation,
OR
a business visitor presenting an invitation from a Moroccan business, printed on the letterhead of the company, and signed by an authorized company representative. The invitation must include the purpose of the visit, the full names and passport numbers of visitors, their date of entry into Moroccan territory, and place of residence during their stay in the Morocco
All foreign visitors must also comply with the health recommendations of the Kingdom and local Moroccan authorities, including a negative COVID-19 test and an antibody test within 48 hours of departure.
Due to the constantly evolving nature of the pandemic. do not rely on this information and contact your local Moroccan embassy for current information prior to travel.
The Kingdom-issued state of emergency remains in place until at least October 10, 2020. The state of emergency allows the Kingdom and local jurisdictions to impose certain measures including but not limited to:
- Restricted travel to and from certain locations based on the prevalence of COVID-19 within these locations
- Police enforced curfews
- Limitations on group gatherings
- Early closing of restaurants, cafes, beaches and other public places
- Personal distancing and other hygiene practices
Please be aware that certain areas of Morocco, primarily the Imperial Cities, currently have high cases of COVID-19 and we urge against travel to these cities.
Please contact your local Moroccan embassy for current information prior to travel.
Contact us at Info@cherg.com with concerns or for additional information.
We have implemented certain measures to protect clients and staff from COVID-19, based on the procedures mandated by the Kingdom of Morocco, local jurisdictions and generally accepted best practices at the time of your tour and the status of the pandemic at the time of travel. These measures are not meant to be overly burdensome but rather as protection measures.
These include but are not limited to:
- Practicing personal distancing to the extent possible
- Our drivers and guides will wear masks and/or gloves and clients will be required to do the same, as appropriate
- Temperature checking of clients on arrival (this may be performed at the airport) and during the tour, and testing, if the health of the client is in question
- Our vehicles will be disinfected with disinfectant or a bleach solution, depending on what is available, before and after each tour
- Our vehicles will rest for a minimum period of 24 hours between tours
- A questionnaire will be required of all clients relative to coronavirus upon arrival, and clients may be denied participation based on responses
- Evidence of current medical insurance
We understand that this is a trying time for everyone none of us can predict what will happen tomorrow let alone next month and onward. Many COVID-19 related concerns can impact your travel and we want to work with you as best we can. We encourage you to carefully consider whether this is an appropriate time for you to travel to Morocco.
If you have a confirmed tour and you need to cancel due to COVID-19, please contact us as soon as possible at Info@cherg.com. We will do our best to present options to you that are reasonable for both you and Cherg. These options may include rescheduling your tour for a later date or canceling your tour and refunding tour fees received.
It is possible that we may need to cancel your confirmed tour due to COVID-19 reasons, if for instance, Morocco's borders are again closed. If we cancel your tour, you will have the options of us refunding any deposit that we have received from you, or rescheduling your tour to a later date.
FAQs: General
Our standard tours include:
- Transport by 4x4, minivan and/or minibus, driver and gasoline
- Accommodations
- Meals: half board (breakfast and dinner per day)
- Camel treks
- Taxes
Our standard tours do not include:
- Guides
- Beverages (water, soda, coffee, tea and alcoholic)
- Entry fees for attractions
- Airfare
- VISA fees
- Tips for our drivers, guides and lodging staff, at to your discretion
Ecotourism combines the idea of discovery and education about a natural environment, while preserving ecology and supporting the well-being of the local population. Recycling, for example, is an integral part of ecotourism, as is saving energy, conserving water and creating economic opportunities for local communities.
Our goal is to support responsible tourism. Cherg Expeditions will show you the best behaviors to adopt to ensure sustainability in Morocco and the Sahara Desert. It is important that you are aware of the impact that you have as a tourist on this fragile environment.
To see the list of our standard tours, see the Expeditions page. We also offer customized tours according to your desires and needs.
We want you to get everything you hope for from your tour, but if a change should happen at the last minute, rest assured, it is usually not difficult to change your itinerary even shortly before your arrival. However, for lodging, last minute changes are difficult and depend on availability, especially during high season. If you want to change your itinerary before arriving, contact us for options.
As soon as we receive your deposit, your tour is confirmed and we begin making arrangements for lodging, drivers and other aspects of your tour.
Our drivers can pick you up at your airport of arrival in Morocco, typically Casablanca, Marrakech or Ouarzazate. We can also pick you up at other airports located throughout Morocco or your lodging facility. Pick up from other locations is also possible. Our driver will accompany you throughout your visit.
It's best for you to travel with 1 main suitcase, if possible. For the desert, we recommend that you also bring a travel bag or a light backpack which is the one you will take to the desert camp. Your main suitcase will be securely stored while you are at the camp. In addition, a small backpack to use during your tour is recommended for items you want to carry easily during the day (camera, sunscreen, water, money, etc.).
Our desert camps are extraordinary! These are permanent or mobile nomad tents, with shared bathrooms. The lighting is either by candle or solar energy. Bedding is provided; Mattresses, pillows, sheets, blankets. One towel per person is also provided. See more information on Camps.
Yes! We have specific lodging partners that we use depending on the quality of the accommodation and the price included in your tour. If you want specific accommodation, please inform us before confirming your tour. Lodging price is based on a double room with 1 double bed or 2 twin beds, and a private bathroom.
Regarding clothing, our suggestion is conservative. You can dress however you like especially in the larger cities, but our suggestion is geared to make you fit in and show respect to the locals.
The best dress is in layers, cotton or other fabric that is lightweight and absorbs perspiration. A light jacket, sweater or wrap is recommended at all times, except the hottest of summer months. Ladies do not need to wear a scarf however you will show respect in the small villages (and at your homestay events) if you cover your head with a light scarf.
Good walking shoes and or sandals with an ankle strap are also necessary, especially in the desert.
We can also provide you with suggestions specific to your tour.
Morocco enjoys an average of 360 days of sunshine a year. In the desert, you are subject not only to the rays of the sun coming from above, but also from below, because they are reflected on the sand. Sunburn and heatstroke are common problems in the desert, for those who are not prepared. Bring good anti-UV sunglasses, sunscreen with high protection index (50-70 SPF is recommended), head covering, and a good water bottle.
Our tours include half-board (breakfast and dinner) and sometimes full-board (3 meals) per day. Meals are prepared by local chefs and served in the traditional Moroccan way. Please let us know in advance if you have specific dietary needs.
- Travel sickness medication
- Proof of personal medical insurance
- Quick cleaning wipes and dry shampoo for desert treks
- Insect repellent if you are sensitive to bites
- Band-Aids or moleskin for foot blisters
- A good diarrhea medicine, just in case
- An adapter for electrical outlets (identical to Europe)
We accept payment by VISA, MasterCard, PayPal and bank transfers. A 5% fee is added to payments made by credit card and PayPal. Payment by credit card is usually only accepted on site at our agency in Ouarzazate. Your deposit must be received by us at least 30 days in advance of your tour start date. The balance will then be due at the beginning of your tour. If you book your tour 30 days or less before the start date, full payment is due upon booking. We prefer cash payments in Moroccan dirhams.
We understand that sometimes things happen that might prevent you from attending your tour and we want to work with you in the best way possible.
Your stay is only confirmed upon our receipt of your deposit. Once we receive your deposit, you can cancel more than 30 days before the start date of your tour and we will refund your full deposit, less any costs we have already incurred. If you cancel your tour 30 days or less from the start of your tour, we will refund half of your deposit less the costs we have already incurred.
If you have special circumstances that require you to cancel your tour, we will work with you in good faith on available options.
FAQs: Traveling to Morocco
To enter Morocco, you need a passport valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry into Morocco with at least 1 blank page. Generally, Visas are not required for tourists with a passport valid for a stay of less than 90 days. However, check with the Moroccan embassy in your country to find out what entry conditions are specifically required for your country.
The currency is the Moroccan dirham, but the Euro and US Dollar may also be accepted in some places in big cities. You will have to exchange currency to be able to pay for things that are not included in your reservation in dirhams, such as meals, drinks, snacks, shopping, tips and personal expenses. Your driver can show you where to change money.
ATMs are available virtually everywhere, except in the smallest villages and distribute dirhams.
Credit cards are usually only accepted in major cities. Plan to have cash for most of the shopping, especially in the souks and the desert. Remember that using ATMs and credit cards results in foreign transaction fees, unless you use a fee-free card.
Businesses generally charge an additional 3-5% for using a credit card, depending on the total amount of the transaction.
Remember to notify your bank before the trip if you plan to use your ATM or credit card abroad.
Shopping is one of the main attractions of Morocco. The souks are traditional markets where you can buy almost anything, and it's an exciting experience. Bargaining and price haggling is a typical art form in Morocco.
All you need to have is time to know the value you place on the product you are interested in, and the price you are willing to pay. In these situations, local guides will be of great help to explain how to do it.
Also remember that the price you are willing to pay for a product should be reasonable with respect to the seller.
Morocco is on Greenwich Mean Time. The same time zone as France, and 5 hours ahead of New York most of the year, unless there are changes for daylight savings time.
Due to a varied geographical relief (sea, mountain, oasis and desert), Morocco benefits from all climates. December and January are typically the coldest months of the year, and July and August are the hottest.
Summer temperatures in the desert can be above 120 ° F (49 ° C) during the day and winter temperatures can be as low as 35 ° F (2 ° C) at night.
The temperature can vary everywhere by several degrees from sun to shade at all times of the year.
Morocco has a great linguistic diversity. Moroccan Arabic (Darjeea) is the native language and French, English, Amazigh (Berber), and other languages are spoken in large cities.
Guides are a necessity in Morocco, especially if you are traveling solo. They know the best and off-the-beaten path sites to show you and help you navigate in the medinas and souks. Being with a guide also discourages unwanted advances from locals.
No vaccinations are usually required to enter Morocco. Ask your doctor. Depending on your health, your doctor may recommend vaccination against typhoid, tetanus, hepatitis or meningitis.
Tap water is generally ok to drink in the big cities, but you may not like the taste. Most travelers prefer bottled water which is available everywhere. You should also bring good anti-diarrhea medication, just in case.
Medical insurance, including emergency evacuation, is recommended.
Morocco uses 110 V and 220 V power outlets. Generally, you will only need a 2-pin power adapter, the same as used in Europe. Since power outlets can vary in voltage, a universal converter is ideal for electronic and small devices. A portable phone adapter also comes in handy.
Regarding clothing, our suggestion is conservative for both men and women. You can dress however you like especially in the larger cities, but our suggestion is geared to make you fit in and show respect to the locals.
The best dress is in layers, cotton or other fabric that is lightweight and absorbs perspiration. A light jacket, sweater or wrap is recommended at all times, except the hottest of summer months. Ladies do not need to wear a scarf however you will show respect in the small villages (and at your homestay events) if you cover your head with a light scarf.
Good walking shoes and or sandals with an ankle strap are also necessary, especially in the desert.
We can also provide you with suggestions specific to your tour.
Mobile phones work in most places in Morocco, but using your home network for calls and texts can cost you a small fortune while roaming. Check with your operator if they offer a special rate for Morocco. You can buy a local SIM card at the airport and in most cities.
WiFi is generally available in the airports and in most lodging facilities and cafes, but the connection speed varies considerably. WhatsApp is available for text messages and phone calls, but can only be used on WiFi unless you have a local SIM card.
You should consult your airline and/or the authorities in your country for any restrictions on traveling with electronic devices that may apply to you.