FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Get all the answers before you start your adventure
Planning a vacation to Morocco is exciting, but you probably have a lot of questions and a few concerns. We want you to be prepared and have all the facts to have a stress-free trip. Below, you will find detailed information regarding our expeditions, ecotourism, tour logistics, local culture, currency, and documentation.
If you still have additional questions, please contact us at info@cherg.com so that we can get you set up for your Moroccan adventure!
Expedition FAQ's
All of our standard tours include:
- Transport by 4x4 vehicle, driver and gasoline
- Lodging in hotels or camps
- Meals: half board (breakfast and dinner each day)
- Camel trek
Our standard tours do not include:
- Guides
- Lodging
- Beverages (water, soda, coffee, tea and alcoholic)
- Entry fees to attractions
- Airfare
- Tips for our drivers and camp staff, at your discretion
Ecotourism merges the idea of discovery and education about a natural environment while conserving the ecology and sustaining the well being of the local people. An integral part of ecotourism is the promotion of recycling, energy efficiency, water conservation, and creation of economic opportunities for local communities.
Touring responsibility is our objective. Cherg will show you our best practices for sustainability in the Sahara Desert and southern Morocco. It’s important for you to be aware of the impact you make as an individual in this fragile environment.
For a listing of our standard tours check out our Expeditions. We also offer custom tours based on your wants and needs.
We want you to get everything you expected from your tour, but we understand that sometimes things happen. It usually is not a problem to change your itinerary before you arrive. However, last minute changes in lodging are dependent upon availability, especially in high season. If you need to change your tour before you arrive, contact us to find out the options.
Yes, if we have availability on another tour, we’re happy to include you in that tour. You can also join any of our regularly scheduled tours, based upon availability.
Once we receive your deposit, we will make arrangements for lodging, a driver and other aspects of your tour.
Our drivers can pick you up at the Casablanca, Marrakech, Ouarzazate or Zagora airports and transport you to your hotel or pick you up from your hotel. Pickup at other locations is also available. Our driver will accompany you throughout your tour.
Our drivers have many years of experience and drive with your safety in mind. They know the best places to stop for sightseeing and for food and drink. However, feel free to mention a stop that you would like to make or a place you would like to see.
For the desert, we recommend that you avoid suitcases and use a soft travel bag or backpack. In addition, a small backpack is recommended for items you would like to keep readily available during the day (camera, sunscreen, water, money, etc.).
Our desert camps are amazing! They consist of permanent or movable nomad tents, with shared bathroom facilities. 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 about our camps.
Yes! If you have booked a hotel with us as part of your tour, we have specific partners that we use based upon the quality of the accommodations and the price. If you would like specific accommodations, please let us know before you book your tour. Pricing is based on double occupancy with either 1 double bed or 2 twin beds, and an en suite bathroom.
Best dress for the desert is in layers; cotton or other fabric that is lightweight and absorbs perspiration. Good walking shoes and/or sandals with an ankle strap are also needed. The temperature during the winter months (November through March) can be quite cool, especially at night. Summer months (April through October) are hot, however the temperature can still vary by several degrees from sun to shade. A light jacket and sweater is recommended in all but the hottest months.
Morocco enjoys on average 360 days of sunshine each year. In the desert, you will not only receive the sun’s rays from above, but also from below as they are reflected upward from the sand. Sunburn and heatstroke are common ailments in the desert for those not prepared. Bring good UV blocking sunglasses, strong sunscreen (50-70 SPF is recommended), and a good water bottle.
Our tours include either half board (breakfast and dinner) or full board (3 meals) each day. Meals at our camps are prepared by local chefs and served in the traditional Moroccan manner.
- Medication for motion sickness while driving
- Evidence of medical insurance
- Wipes for quick clean ups
- Dry shampoo
- Insect repellent if you are susceptible
- Moleskin or Band-Aids
- A good anti-diarrhea medication, just in case
- Power converter (same as for Europe)
We accept payment by VISA, MasterCard, PayPal and wire transfer. A fee of 5% is added to payments made by credit card and PayPal. Payment by credit card is only accepted onsite at our agency in Ouarzazate, so your deposit must be paid at least 2 weeks in advance by either PayPal or wire transfer, with the balance due at the beginning of your tour. If you book your tour within 2 weeks of your departure, full payment is due when you book your tour. Payment is preferred in Moroccan dirhams.
Again, we understand that sometimes things happen. We don’t confirm your tour until we receive your deposit. After your deposit is received, you can cancel anytime up to 2 weeks BEFORE your tour begins and we will refund your full deposit, less any fees that we have already paid. If you cancel your tour within 2 weeks AFTER the start of your tour, we will refund ½ of your deposit, less any fees that we have already paid.
Moroccan Travel FAQ's
In order to enter Morocco, you need a valid passport that is good for at least of 6 months from the date of entry into Morocco. Generally, VISAs are not required for tourists with a valid passport for a stay less than 90 days. Check with the Moroccan Embassy in your country to understand the requirements for your country of citizenship.
Currency is the Moroccan dirham, however the Euro is also accepted in some places in the larger towns. You will need to exchange your currency for dirhams to pay for things not included in your tour such as meals, drinks, snacks, shopping, tips and personal expenses.
ATM machines are available in the larger towns and dispense dirhams. There are no ATMs or banks in desert towns.
Credit cards are accepted only in the larger towns. Plan on using cash for the majority of purchases, especially in the souks and in the desert. Both ATMs and credit cards charge a foreign transaction fee, unless you have a card that has carries no fee.
Vendors typically charge an additional fee of 5% for using a credit card, that is based on the total amount of the transaction. Remember to alert your bank before you travel if you plan to use your ATM or credit cards abroad. There are many options to change money into dirhams, the airport, banks, change agents and some hotels. You will typically be charged the highest rate at the airport.
Shopping is one of the main attractions in Morocco. Souks are traditional markets where you can buy almost anything, and is an exhilarating experience. It is typical and expected to bargain on the price, and is really an art form.
The art of bargaining is to have plenty of time and know what a product is really worth and the maximum price you are willing to pay. This is where a local or a guide can help you. Also remember that the price you are willing to pay for a product should be a fair price and not take advantage of the vendor.
Morocco is on Greenwich Mean Time. Same time zone as London; 5 hours ahead of New York for most of the year, however, there are some changes with daylight savings time.
Due to the varied geography (coastal, mountains, oases and desert), Morocco enjoys all climates. December, January and February are the coldest months of the year, and June, July and August are the hottest. Summer temperatures in the desert can be over 120˚F (49˚C) during the day and winter temperatures as low as 35˚F (2˚C) at night. The temperature can vary by several degrees from sun to shade at all times of the year.
Morocco has great linguistic diversity. French, English, Amazigh, Moroccan Arabic (Darija) and other languages are typically spoken in the larger cities. Darjia, Amazigh and French may only be spoken in the smaller towns.
Guides are a necessity in Morocco and will know the sights to show you and help you navigate the souks. Expect to pay 500 dirhams per day for a guide.
No vaccinations are usually required for entry into Morocco. Ask your doctor. Depending on your health, your doctor may recommend vaccinations against typhoid, tetanus, hepatitis and meningitis. Avoid drinking tap water in favor of bottled water which is available everywhere. Private health care is expensive and limited, outside of major cities. Medical insurance, including emergency evacuation, is recommended.
Morocco uses both 110V and 220V outlets. Typically, you will only need a European-style 2 pin plug adapter. Since outlets can vary in voltage, a grounded, universal voltage converter is best for electronics and small appliances.
Dress in Morocco is conservative. Be respectful of the local dress in the area you are in; small towns are much more conservative than larger cities. Revealing clothing is frowned upon. Lightweight, long sleeved shirts or blouses, long pants and dresses/skirts will not offend and are also a sensible precaution against the sun, especially in the desert.
Mobile phones work in most all of Morocco, however using your home network for calls and texting may cost you a small fortune in roaming charges and fees. Check with your carrier to see if they have a special rate for Morocco.
You can also purchase a SIM card from a Moroccan carrier at the airport and in most large towns. You can usually buy a simple phone, a local SIM card and an hour of time for far less than it will cost to use your own phone. You can use WhatsApp for texting but not for phone calls in Morocco. WiFi is generally available in most hotels and cafes, but the speed varies widely. Don’t forget your portable charger!
Recent travel bans by the US and other countries require that electronics larger than a smartphone (including cameras) on some flights leaving Morocco, be in checked luggage instead of carry on luggage. You should check with your airline and/or local governmental agency for restrictions that may apply to you.