Here you'll find a few more details to help you before you leave home. You'll find information about where the tour starts, how to get there, visa information and a few other handy hints. If you can't find the info you're looking for here then send us an email at info@busabout.com and we'll try to help you out.
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General Information Morocco
Before you go here are a few important bits of information too:
Visas & permits
Visas are not required for British, Australian, New Zealand, Canadian, US and other EU nationals for a stay of up to 3 months. Please ensure your passport is valid for six months after your return date and that you get your passport stamped upon entry into Morocco.All other nationalities should contact the Moroccan embassy for details. Visas are your responsibility. Make sure you are sorted before you travel!
Vaccinations
It is recommended that you be vaccinated for Tetanus and Polio, if you have not had a booster in the last ten years. Food and waterborne diseases are more common, so we recommend vaccinations for typhoid (valid 3 years) and Hepatitis A (validity varies). Morocco is not a high risk malaria area but if in any doubt please consult a physician or travel clinic for further information.
Travel insurance
All our passengers must be fully insured for travel in Morocco. It is essential that you get the correct level of cover and it is advised that you speak to your travel insurance provider for advice. Please ensure that the policy provides adequate cover for hospitaltreatment, repatriation flights home in the event of you being too ill to continue the tour, personal accident, personal baggage and associated valuables. Please note that some optional activities may require additional cover. You must bring the policy with you as it is obligatory for joining any expedition.
Luggage
Pack all your gear in a rucksack/backpack for this type of trip. Also bring a daypack, to keep personal items such as your wallet, camera and water bottle. Your rucksack/ backpack must not have an exterior frame. Only the soft, flexible variety is permitted. Leave your suitcase at home, they are simply not practical. Luggage is limited to 20kgs. Pack sensibly and take garments that are comfortable and cool. Morocco can be very hot in summer but after the sun sets and at high altitudes, the temperatures can drop, so pack accordingly.
Sleeping bag - not required on this tour
What to bring
• Towel
• Torch and batteries
• Camera and spare memory card/film
• Mosquito repellent
• Water bottle
• Personal first aid kit, antiseptic gel and wipes
• Waterproof/wind proof jacket
• Two spare passport photos and a photocopy of your passport
Currency (Jan 2011)
GBP1.00 = MAD13
USD1.00 = MAD9
EUR1.00 = MAD11
MAD = Moroccan Dirham, rates are subject to fluctuation. Exchange facilities are available at various bureau de changes in major towns and most banks have ATMs.How much spending money is needed depends largely on the individual. We currently recommend an average of €20 - €30 per day. We can not specify every sundry cost however and you will need to allow for expenses such as drinks, snacks and the odd souvenir. Travellers Cheques can be difficult to change en route so we recommend you have cash for convenience and bring a card to use in ATMs. Most accept Visa, MasterCard, Electron, Cirrus and Maestro. There are ATMs in the main civic centers throughout Morocco.
Local pricesMineral water (local brand, 500ml or 1L) MAD15Meal for 2 (starter, main & a beer in a local restaurant) MAD50-100Beer (local brew Efes - 330-500ml approx) MAD20Chocolate bar (local brand) MAD5-10
Climate
Temperatures in Morocco are generally high, particularly during the summer months from May to September, so take sunscreen.
AltitudeThis tour does not exceed any altitude that would cause ill effects.
Cultural awareness
We cannot emphasise enough that we are travellers and therefore guests. Although we ourselves might have different views, ideas, rules and morals, it is our duty to respect andadjust where possible to the people of the region we are visiting. Your Tour Leader will also brief you on environmental matters.
Religious awarenessMorocco is predominantly Muslim and, as such, we would ask all of our customers to respect and adhere to (when appropriate) the dress codes of the Islamic faith. This entailscovering of shoulders and knees.
Nomadic Expeditions
All our Morocco Trips are operated by our local partners Nomadic .Nomadic Expeditions are members of Survival which campaigns for the rights of tribes people through out the world. We also donate to the Ait Ouham Association for Development, a local organisation in the Atlas Mountains that seeks to improve lives through education, setting up co-operatives and providing
Joining point Morocco 8 day
TOURS DEPARTING MARRAKECH (8 Day Marrakech & Sahara)
GETTING THERE:
There are several airline options to get you into Marrakech: Easyjet www.easyjet.com / Ryanair www.ryanair.com / Atlas Blue www.atlas-blue.com / British Airways www.ba.com / Royal Air Maroc www.royalairmaroc.com / Thompsons www.thomsonfly.com There are scheduled airlines as well that fly this route.
Alternatively if you have time you could arrive by ferry from Spain and take a train from Tangier to Marrakech (approx 8 hours).
JOINING INSTRUCTIONS:
Once in Marrakech, please check in at:
Riad Fantasia,
Arset El Maach, Marrakech
Tel / Fax: 00212 (0)524 42 65 45
Contact our guide on 00212 (0) 672217744
FROM THE AIRPORT:
FREE TRANSFER Please look for Nomadic Expeditions or Your name.
IF YOU DO NOT SUPPLY US WITH YOUR ARRIVAL FLIGHT DETAILS THEN WE WILL BE UNABLE TO PROVIDE YOU WITH REIMBURSMENT FOR YOUR TAXI
IF YOUR PLANE IS DELAYED THEN YOU WILL HAVE TO TAKE A TAXI AND MAKE YOUR OWN WAY TO THE HOTEL RAID FANTASIA, THIS COST WILL BE REIMBURSED UP TO A MAX OF 70 DIRHAM.
CONTINGENCY OPTION:
Bus: no 11 departs every hour from the airport to the Djemaa, but is very unreliable.
Petite Taxi: average cost, around 50 to 70 Dirham per taxi to the Djemaa Fna Square.
(These costs will be reimbursed- max 70dh)
FROM THE TRAIN STATION:
Petite Taxi: about 15 Dirham until 8pm per car then about 25 Dirham after.(Max 30dh will be reimbursed)
Walking: standing outside the train station, looking at the road, turn left and keep walking to the first main crossroads. Take the road to the right. Look for Katoubia mosque, towering in the sky, walk towards it. When you get to the Mosque, down Mohammed Avenue, the Djemaa is to your left.
FROM THE CTM BUS STATION:
Petite taxi: before 8pm, around 15 Dirham per car. After 8pm, around 25 Dirham.
Walking: from CTM: turn left, walk to the next crossroads, turn right and keep on walking, past Maroc telecom on your right, Mcdonalds on your left and keep walking for around 15 minutes. Walk towards the Katoubia Mosque, towering in the sky. The Djemaa place is on the left.
In an EMERGENCY you can also reach us at the office Tel: 0044 (0) 1189 737 011
All tours in Morocco end after breakfast (9am) on the final day.
PRE-DEPARTURE MEETING:
You will be met by our Tour Leader, who is looking forward to your arrival. You should be at The Hotel Raid Fantasia by 6 pm On the dept date given for your tour. Please don't miss it.