Northern Morocco

• Visas and travel insurance
• Spending money – budget for meals, snacks, drinks, limited souvenirs, laundry, tips and any extras
• International flights to/from the start/end of your tour and departure taxes  
• Tips on excursions, visas, travel insurance, personal items and single rooms.  
• Optional excursions - On each trip, you may find there are some excursions that are not included. This might be because they are not to everyone's taste or there may be various options of differing value to choose from. More information on the excursions we recommend is listed under each day of your itinerary though prices may vary. If you are after something in particular, don't hesitate to ask your tour leader.
• Tip for your Guide is not included in the tipping kitty. Please feel free to offer a tip at the end of the tour if you are happy with the service provided.

Your joining location is:

Hotel El Andalous
Président Kennedy Avenue
Hivernage
Marrakesh 40020

Tel: +212(0) 524 44 82 26

Emergency Contact Details

In case of an emergency, please call Brahim in Morocco on 00212 (0) 661252381 or Mustapha on 00212 (0) 662 175 808

Arriving in Marrakech

When arriving at Marrakech International Airport we recommend that you obtain some local currency, Moroccan dirham, as soon as you arrive. There is an international ATM inside the airport, as well as money exchange offices offering a good rate. The rate will always vary slightly depending on where you go. It may be worth changing a small amount of money at the airport for your transport, and then finding a bank or money exchange within the town centre. Previous experience has shown that some of the hotels offer a better rate than the banks but you must be careful about counterfeit notes.

It is advisable not to wear chains or expensive looking watches or jewellery while in major cities. You should also keep your camera concealed when not in use and carry daypacks on your front for extra safety. Crime in the Morocco is not as bad as its reputation but you must be sensible and alert.

Airport Transfers

Arrival transfers are included in the price of your tour. If you do not see your name or Tucan Travel immediately in the arrivals hall, please wait by the large Nomadic Expeditions banners on the left hand side of the hall. Please supply your Reservations Consultant with your flight details.

Making your own way

If you would prefer to make your own way to and from your hotel, an official taxi to our hotel in Marrakech will cost approximately 100 dirhams (US$7-$15). The taxis should work on a metered system - please make sure they set the meter when you first enter. If they refuse or do not have one, you must set the price before you begin your journey and you will have to bargain.

Pre departure meeting

The pre departure meeting takes place at 6PM on the departure date given for your tour so make sure you are at the hotel in time.Please do not forget to bring your tipping kitty to the pre-departure meeting.

Ramadan

In 2020, Ramadan will fall between the 23rd April and 23rd May. Ramadan is a month long period of fasting observed by Muslims where they should not eat or drink between sunrise and sunset. Generally, our tours will operate as normal during this period although there may be some limitations to services and disruptions. Food is still available to non-Muslims however you should display cultural sensitivity and not eat in public during this time out of respect for those who cannot. If you have further questions about what to expect please contact an Adventure Specialist.

You can find a breakdown of your accommodation in the "About this Tour" section.

Berber Camp - Staying in a Berber Camp is the best way to experience the Sahara Desert. Due to the remote location, breakfast and dinner will be provided here. You will sleep in a large Berber tent, or if you prefer, take your mattress out and sleep under the stars! The location is unrivalled and stargazing will leave you with memories of a lifetime. The camp does have a flushing toilet but no showers are available.

Alternative Accommodation

The type of accommodation indicated in the trip notes is a guideline. If for any reason, we need to change the accommodation listed on the itinerary, a similar standard of accommodation will be used instead. You can find the list of hotels or similar used on your itinerary under each day.

Twin Share

Accommodation on this trip is mostly on a twin share basis unless. If you are a solo passenger you will be sharing a room with another group member of the same sex. If you are travelling with a partner and wish to book a double bed, please advice your Adventure Specialist upon booking.

Check-in Time

Although we endeavour to have hotel rooms ready in time for arrival, sometimes this is not possible especially if we arrive early in the morning. In this instance we will store our luggage and enjoy the destination before checking in later in the day.

This tour operates on private minivans.

Luggage

You will be carrying your own luggage on tour. Please limit this to one piece per person plus one day bag.

It is important to bring luggage you can carry and lift comfortably, potentially up several flights of stairs in hotels where elevators are not available and between bus/train stations and hotels.

Packing List

Temperatures in Morocco are generally high, particularly during the summer months from May to September. Loose, comfortable clothing that covers your legs and shoulders is ideal. In the winter months, temperatures can drop in the evening so ensure you have at least one pair of warm jeans/trousers and a few sweaters or tops which you can layer.

Morocco is predominantly Muslim and, as such, we ask that all our customers respect this. This means covering of shoulders and knees whenever possible.

What essential items should I bring to Morocco?

• A lightweight and waterproof jacket.
• Good, comfortable walking shoes are essential. There can either be comfortable trainers or walking shoes.
• A small daypack - This should have enough room to carry items on day trips.
• Sun protection- It can get very hot in Morocco. Ensure you have a sun hat and sunscreen to keep you safe.
• Insect Repellent (DEET 35% min) and bite cream.

Clothing

• A lightweight and waterproof jacket
• Jeans/trousers
• Underwear and pyjamas
• T-shirts/tops/shirts
• Shorts/dresses/skirts
• Trainers or walking shoes
• Sandals
• Jumper/cardigan/fleece
• Swimwear/sarong/coverup

Electronics

• Phone and charger
• Camera and charger
• Worldwide adaptor
• Portable battery pack
• Ipad/tablet/e-reader (great for long journeys!)

Toiletries

• Toothbrush and toothpaste
• Small medical kit with paracetamol/plasters
• Antibacterial hand gel
• Insect repellent and bite cream
• Sun cream and lip balm
• Shampoo/conditioner/body wash - ideally in bar form
• Antiperspirant/deodorant

Other

• One small day bag
• Sunglasses
• Reusable water bottle
• Cloth bag for shopping
• Ear plugs and sleep mask

Documents

• Passport
• Visas
• Insurance
• Printed copy of your passport
• Printed copy of your emergency contacts numbers

Laundry

Depending on the time spent in each destination, your Tour Leader will be able to advise on laundromats or laundry services in or near our hotels. Hotel services can be pretty costly however your tour leader will be able to recommend cheaper options. If you wash clothes yourself take care not to be too obvious where you hang them as most hotels do not like guests washing and drying their clothes in the hotel rooms.

On a Tucan Travel tour you will experience a huge variety of amazing food in each location. Meals included are listed on the day to day itinerary and the "about your tour" section. On this trip, most breakfasts are included but lunch and dinner are at your own cost unless stated as included in the itinerary. Your tour leader will suggest restaurants in each location, and arrange evening group meals for those who wish to join. In Morocco, there is a huge choice of incredible food.

If you have a specific dietary requirement it is important you advise us at the booking stage. We also recommend re-iterating this information to your tour leader on day 1. While we endeavour to assist as much as possible, it is ultimately your responsibility to research and arrange meals that suit your dietary preferences.

Food in Morocco

Traditional Moroccan food includes lots of meat, bread, tajine, couscous, stews and salads. Morocco uses a lot of spices and herbs which result in some mouth-watering dishes.

Currency

This tour uses the Moroccan dirham.

Tipping Kitty

Tipping is part of the culture in Morocco, so we have included the cost of most of the tipping on this tour. This will include the tip for any included meals, excursions, transport and accommodation staff. Please note that should you take part in optional excursions that are separate from the tour, the tip will not be included. The tipping kitty also does not include a tip for your tour leader at the end of the tour. If you feel that your tour leader has provided excellent service, a discretionary tip is always appreciated.

Cards

The majority of shops, restaurants, hotels and other establishments in Morocco will accept credit and debit cards. American Express is not as widely accepted, so do not rely on this as your primary card.

Spending Money

We know how easy it is to lose track of your spending on holiday! That’s why it’s essential to thoroughly read your trip notes so that you understand what is and what isn’t included on each day. Most lunches and dinners are at your own cost, which gives you the flexibility to spend as little or as much as you like. Remember to budget for things like laundry, tipping, souvenirs and optional activities. In general, Morocco is a fantastic destination for shopping and haggling.

Budget

Your budget should include additional meals, transport within cities, optional excursions, shopping and an emergency fund.

Backup Funds

Travel can be unpredictable. While we endeavour to plan for every situation there are some instances where it is out of our control, such as severe weather, strikes, civil unrest or natural disasters. If these result in unavoidable itinerary changes, you should have access to enough funds for you to return home unexpectedly.

Emergency Contact

In case of an emergency, please call Brahim in Morocco on 00212 (0) 661252381 or Mustapha on 00212 (0) 662 175 808.

For all non-urgent matters please call the Tucan Travel office on 0800 804 8435.

Safety in Morocco

Morocco is generally safe, even more so in a group tour. There are a few precautions which you should always take.

• Do not travel with valuables. While phones and cameras are inevitable, leave the expensive jewellery and watches at home.
• Make sure your handbag/daypack has a zip and is closed at all times.
• When in crowded areas keep your bag on your front.
• Do not walk alone after dark.
• Only use registered taxis and if possible have the hotel phone one for you.
• Do not take out large sums of cash at once and avoid keeping it all in the same place. Only take what you need for the day and leave the rest in a safe. Ideally, take more than one credit/debit card in case one is lost or stolen.

The safety of our travellers is a number one priority when operating our tours. As a British registered company the lead is taken from the Foreign & Commonwealth Office Advice Service (FCO). Tucan Travel reserves the right to cancel, amend or continue the operation of a tour based on, but not solely restricted to, the advice of the FCO.

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance is compulsory on all Tucan Travel tours. Your tour leader will request your travel insurance details at the pre departure meeting which are immediately submitted to the office. Failure to produce these details will mean you cannot join the tour.

Pack a Medical Kit

A medical kit is handy for minor wounds and ailments. In areas with limited or dubious medical facilities, an emergency medical kit containing sterile syringes is also advisable. By law our staff are not allowed to administer first aid or give drugs to travellers, so please be prepared with your own supplies. If you are taking medication, please ensure you bring an adequate supply and a letter from your doctor to avoid potential issues at border crossings.

Vaccinations

It is important to consult your doctor or travel clinic in good time before your tour departs to determine what vaccinations you require. If you are coming from a yellow-fever infected country then you must have had a yellow-fever vaccine and carry the certificate with you.

Horse Riding

All clients wishing to participate in horse riding or similar activities, whether included or optional, acknowledge that the availability of protective headgear can vary or be non-existent. Therefore Tucan Travel cannot guarantee that headgear will be provided or will be to the same standard as those available in the UK or your home country. Any client intending to partake in these activities should bring their own protective headgear and other protective equipment with them.

Age Restrictions

Our tours are perfectly designed for those aged between 18 and 65 years old. They are fast-paced and sometimes tiring, while packed with adventure, new experiences and feel-good moments. With customers from around the world, of different ages, backgrounds and nationalities, some groups can be more boisterous than others. As a result, we ask that anyone wanting to travel under the age of 18 or over 65 carefully consider whether a group tour is right for them. We may ask that you fill in our tour suitability form found here to guarantee your enjoyment of the trip. Please read through our Tour Suitability page or contact a member of our Reservations Team if in doubt. Please note that we do not accept children under the age of 16 on our group tours. If you are travelling with children please contact our tailor-made team for a bespoke holiday.

As a global tour operator, we understand the importance of running sustainable tours that have as low an impact on the environment as possible. Please read our comprehensive guide here before you travel.

Physical rating on your tour

The about this tour section will advise you on the physical rating of your chosen tour. This is scored from 1 to 5.

• Relaxing: Sit back and relax on this trip! There are no physically demanding excursions included. You will have to carry your own bags.
• Easy: Some easy physical activities are required on this trip though you won't need to prepare in advance. There may also be more strenuous optional excursions available which may require advanced preparation depending on your level of fitness. You will have to carry your bags, enjoy short walking tours in the heat or at altitude or perhaps travel on cramped public transport.
• Moderate: This trip will get your heart racing with tough one-day or easy multi-day hikes included. A good level of fitness is required to get the most out of the trip. You will have to carry your own bags and travel on cramped public transport.
• Serious: Preparing in advance for this trip will allow you to get the most out of it. Tough multi-day hikes at altitude, having to carry your own bags and travel on public transport all feature but this rating may relate to the length of your tour and the mental endurance needed to get to the end.
• Heart-pumping: Our most difficult physical rating. This trip will get your body moving and heart pumping. Prepare to be challenged both physically and mentally.