• > How Strenuous are these Trips?
• > Group Participants and Tour Leader
• > Private Tours and Custom Dates
• > Local Transportation
• > Accommodations
• > Meals
• > Climate
• > Travel Documents
• > Flights
• > Airline Tickets
• > Money
• > Health
• > Luggage & Clothing
• > Resources
• > Communication

How Strenuous are these Trips?

Djoser participants enjoy an active style of travel. On a Djoser tour, we do lots of walking. If you are interested in more rigorous hiking, let your guide know and always alert the guide to any physical limitations.

 You can also forgo these activities for a more leisurely activity. Our hotels are often located so that you can walk to the nearby sites. Once in a city, we will only take transport to sites that are far away.  You must be capable and willing to carry your own luggage from the bus to the hotel, as usually, there is no porter.

Group Participants and Tour Leader

Participants

This trip is available to be booked on a private basis for two or more travelers. Price reductions apply if you have a group of four or more.  If you book Land & Air with us, you may select the departure date of your choice, however, please be aware that there is an additional charge for flights departing Friday, Saturday or Sunday.

Guides

The guide is knowledgable about the area. He/she will plan and accompany some meals and activities, but not all. The guide will also make recommendations so you can dine and explore safely on your own. If this trip is booked privately for two or more (at a higher price), a driver/guide will be available to you.

Private Tours and Custom Dates

Local Transportation

Because we have our own transportation, it is always possible to make a stop along the way to take photos, or to visit a little market or go for a walk along a beautiful stretch of nature. There are some long travel days. Within cities, we typically rely on the local forms of transport: taking cabs or buses or walking to nearby sites.

Accommodations

We spend the night in comfortable tourist class hotels with a shower and bathroom in the room. In many hotels, air conditioning is available. Wherever possible we use hotels with their own special character, which are centrally located. Pricing is based on 3-star hotels. It is possible to upgrade accommodations in Fez and Marrakech to stay in traditional riyads. This are lovely private establishments with inner courtyards. You can also upgrade to 4-star hotels by requesting on your booking form.

Meals

The breakfast served at the hotel is included in the price and usually consists of fresh baguettes, butter, jam and honey. The food in Morocco is diverse, inexpensive, and quite good. You pay between $6 and $11 per meal. The Moroccan tajine is a famous steamed dish consisting of meat and vegetables; it is possible with just a little money to eat at every terrace at each restaurant. You also come across couscous of every variety and price range. In addition, the French Colonial rule left her mark on the menu. In addition to baguettes, for breakfast the salade nicoise is often served. Typical of Arabian fare are the many salads that are often served as side dishes. Also popular are skewers with meat, a sort of Moroccan sate. The tap water in Morocco has an unpleasant taste. We therefore recommend that you drink bottled water, readily available everywhere.

Climate

Morocco has a mild climate with cool winters and warm summers. In the mountains and on the coast the temperature is quite different than the inland: in the mountains it is cooler and on the coast, mild. In spring and fall, it can be cool in the mountains and you may need a sweater or overcoat. The summers in Morocco are warm but also dry making it easier to tolerate the heat. In the mountains and on the coast it is also cool in the summer requiring a sweater. Nights on the desert can be cold, so bring appropriate clothing.

Travel Documents

American and Canadian citizens need a current passport but you do not need a visa. If your passport is of a different nationality be sure to consult the Moroccan embassy or consulate for your home country as requirements may vary. 1601 21st street, NW, Washington, DC 20009, telephone (202) 462-7979 to 82, fax 202-462-7643, or the Moroccan Consulate General in New York at 10 E. 40th Street, New York, NY 10016, telephone (212) 758-2625, fax 211-779-7441. The website for Morocco is http://www.embassy.org/embassies/ma.html.

If you need rush service for processing your passport, we recommend a service called It’s Easy, located in New York. It’s Easy honors Djoser customers a 10% discount on their processing fee. You can check their website http://www.itseasypassport.com for passport requirements and to download the current forms and rates and processing fees. Or you can call them to fax you forms if you do not have Internet.

It’s Easy  (Passport & Visa Service)
Satellite Airline Terminal
125 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10017
Phone - (212) 286-8500,
Fax (212)-490-3224
Website   http://www.itseasypassport.com
E-mail     mail@itseasypassport.com

Flights

It is recommended that you book your domestic Add-on (connecting) flights through Djoser in association with the international flight. To avoid penalties for flight changes, do not book your own domestic add-on (connecting flight) without first receiving a printed copy of your flight record from Djoser confirming your actual departure and return flight times. Flight times are subject to change. You will find that our trips are priced departing from Los Angeles and New York City. Departures from many hubs throughout the United States are available. You can find them on our website www.djoserusa.com. Please see ADD-ONS on the home page. Add-on rates are calculated over the New York and Los Angeles prices (our lowest contract rates). However, your actual routing may not go through these cities.

The time difference: Morocco is 7 hours ahead of East Coast Time and 10 hours ahead of West Coast time.

Sample flight with Northwest/KLM

Usual flight times – Subject to Change

Airline Tickets

You will receive your tickets or E-tickets 10-12 days prior to your departure date.
In case the airline uses E-tickets you will receive two documents:

•    A document that shows the E-ticket number & flight itinerary (sent by email & mail).
•    A receipt of the E-ticket (sent by mail).

The first document listed is needed to check in at the automated kiosks. If you check in at the
E-ticket desk you don’t need any of the provided documents, you can simply show your passport and you’re good to go. Both the automated kiosk and the e-ticket desk insure a much faster check in than at the regular check in desks. It is important to hold on to your e-ticket receipt, as you might need it to claim your mileage credits (if the airline awards mileage for this particular flight).

Money

Refer to www.exchangerate.com for the most current exchange rate.
At many places in Morocco, you have access to ATM machines although the machines are not always in working order. Since it is not allowed to import the Dirham to Morocco, you may not to bring Dirham in with you from home. Upon arrival at the airport in Casablanca, you have the opportunity to exchange money. In the pricing section of this trip, please see estimated out of pocket expenses for meals, entry fees and incidentals.

Tipping
Tipping your tour leader is welcome. The amount is up to you based on the satisfaction of your services.

Health

Even though vaccinations for Morocco are not mandatory, the Center for Disease Control recommends that you take the following immunizations: DTP, Typhoid, Hepatitis A, and Malaria tablets CHECK THESE. You should check with the CDC for the latest recommendations at www.cdc.gov. 1-877-394-8747, Fax 1-888-232-3299. Check early with your doctor regarding the recommended timing for these inoculations. Even though the hygienic circumstances in Morocco are reasonable to good, it is handy to bring something for your stomach, such as Imodium, and a salt solution for dehydration. The guide has a medical kit with sterile materials in case of an emergency.

Luggage & Clothing

Try to keep the weight of your luggage at about 35 pounds. A rolling duffle bag is recommended. A day pack will also be useful.  Hard suitcases are more difficult to load in the vehicles.  Morocco is an Islamic country and even though it is rather progressive it would appreciated if you take this into consideration when you packing. Shoulders and knees should be covered. Also, bring along a beach towel as you can swim at the beach and the pool. You will generally carry your own luggage so be sure to bring what you can comfortably lift. 220 V (a converter is required).

Resources

Communication

With all of the modern telecom equipment these days, it is easy to reach you in Morocco. In most towns you will find internet cafes, where for a small fee, you can send and receive emails. Access by cell phone will depend on your phone instrument and carrier plan.