FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Get all the answers to your questions before starting the 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 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!
Hiking FAQs
All our standard circuits include:
- Transport by 4x4 vehicle, driver and petrol
- Accommodation in hotels or camps
- Meals: half board (1 breakfast and 1 dinner per day)
- Camel rides
Our standard circuits do not include:
- Guides
- Accommodation
- Beverages (water, soda, coffee, tea and alcohol)
- Registration fees for attractions
- Plane ticket
- Tips for our drivers and camp staff: left 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 the Sahara Desert and southern Morocco. It is important that you are aware of the impact that you have as an individual on this fragile environment.
To see the list of our standard circuits, see the Expeditions page. We also offer personalized 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 at all to change your itinerary even shortly before your arrival. However, for accommodation, last minute changes depend on availability, especially in high season. If you want to change your tour before arriving, contact us for the options.
Yes, if we have availability on another tour, we will be happy to include you. You can also join our regular hikes, depending on availability.
As soon as we receive your deposit, we make arrangements for accommodation, drivers and other aspects of your visit.
Our drivers can pick you up at the airports of Casablanca, Marrakech, Ouarzazate or Zagora, take you to your hotel or pick you up there. Pick up from other locations is also possible. Our driver will accompany you throughout your visit.
Our drivers have many years of experience and take your safety into account. They know the best places to stop for sightseeing and to eat and drink. However, don't hesitate to mention a stop you would like to make or a place you would like to visit.
For the desert, we recommend that you avoid suitcases and rather use a travel bag or a light backpack. In addition, a small backpack 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! If you have booked a hotel as part of your visit, we have specific partners that we use depending on the quality of the accommodation and the price. If you want specific accommodation, please inform us before finalizing the reservation of your stay. The price is based on a double room with 1 double bed or 2 twin beds, and a bathroom.
The best clothing for the desert consists of layers; cotton or any other light fabric that absorbs perspiration. Good walking shoes and / or sandals with an ankle strap are also necessary. The temperature during the winter months (November to March) can be quite cold, especially at night. The summer months (April to October) are hot, but the temperature can still vary by several degrees between sun and shade. A light jacket and a sweater are recommended in all seasons except the hottest months.
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 indeed reflected on the sand. Sunburns and heatstrokes 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) and a good bottle of water.
Our tours include either half-board (breakfast and dinner) or full-board (3 meals) per day. The meals in our camps are prepared by local chefs and served in the traditional Moroccan way.
- Travel sickness medication
- Proof of medical insurance
- Quick cleaning wipes
- Dry shampoo
- Insect repellent if you are sensitive to bites
- Bandages or dressings
- A good diarrhea medicine, 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 only accepted on site at our agency in Ouarzazate. Therefore, your deposit must be paid at least 2 weeks in advance, either by PayPal or by bank transfer. The balance will then be due at the start of your stay. If you book your trip within 2 weeks before the departure date, full payment is due upon booking. If possible, we prefer payments in Moroccan dirhams.
Again, we understand that sometimes unexpected things happen. Your stay is only confirmed upon receipt of the deposit. Once your deposit has been received, you can cancel up to 2 weeks before the start of your trip and we will refund your full deposit, less any costs we have already incurred. If you cancel your visit within 2 weeks of the start of your stay, we will refund half of your deposit less the costs we have already incurred
FAQ: Traveling to Morocco
To enter Morocco, you need a passport valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry into Morocco. 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 conditions are specifically required for your country.
The currency is the Moroccan dirham, but the euro is also 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.
ATMs are available in major cities and distribute dirhams. There are no ATMs or banks in the desert cities.
Credit cards are 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.
Traders generally charge an additional 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 card at ATMs or credit cards abroad. There are many options for changing money into dirhams: at the airport, in banks, at stockbrokers and in some hotels. Currency exchange costs will be highest at the airport.
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 negotiation is a typical art form of 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 must be reasonable with respect for the seller.
Morocco is Greenwich Mean Time. The same time zone as London; 5 hours ahead of New York most of the year, unless there are changes to daylight saving time.
En raison d’un relief géographique varié (mer, montagne, oasis et désert), le Maroc bénéficie de tous les climats. Décembre, janvier et février sont les mois les plus froids de l'année, et juin, juillet et août sont les plus chauds. Les températures d'été dans le désert peuvent être supérieures à 120 ° F (49 ° C) pendant la journée et les températures hivernales peuvent être aussi faibles que 35 ° F (2° C) de nuit. La température peut varier de plusieurs degrés du soleil à l'ombre à n’importe quel moment de l'année.
Morocco has a great linguistic diversity. French, English, Amazigh, Moroccan Arabic (Darija) and other languages are spoken generally in large cities. Darjia, Amazigh and French are only used in small towns.
Guides are a necessity in Morocco. They know the interesting sites to show you and help you find yourself in the souks. Expect to pay 500 dirhams a day for a guide.
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. Avoid drinking tap water. Prefer bottled water which is available everywhere. Private health care is expensive and limited outside the major cities. Medical insurance, which includes emergency evacuation, is recommended.
Morocco uses 110 V and 220 V power outlets. Generally, you will only need a 2-pin power adapter if your devices have one. Since power outlets can vary in voltage, a universal converter is ideal for electronic and small devices.
Dress in Morocco is rather conservative. Be respectful of the local dress code in the region where you are; Small towns are much more conservative than large cities. Revealing many parts of the body is frowned upon. Light, 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 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 also buy a SIM card from a Moroccan seller at the airport and in most major cities. You can usually buy a simple phone, a local SIM card, and an hour of call time for a fraction of the cost of using your own phone. You can use WhatsApp for text messages but not for phone calls to Morocco. WiFi is generally available in most hotels and cafes, but the connection speed varies considerably. Don't forget the charger for your laptop!
The recent bans that apply to American travelers and nationals of certain other countries, require that electronic devices larger than a smartphone (including cameras) on certain flights leaving Morocco, be in the hold baggage rather than in the cabin. You should consult your airline and / or the authorities in your country for the restrictions that may apply to you.