Questions our subscribers have asked about our Morocco Tours:

Questions:
How would you rate your trip compared to what is offered by a company like GAP Adventures? It seems like you are moving through a lot of places pretty quickly? How much more money would I need for expenses not included?

Response from JBT:

1.) How we compare to a company like GAP Adventures:

GAP Adventures, like many tour companies, offers tours to Morocco that are actually provided by another tour company based in Australia. GAP and others offering tours to Morocco are doing the tours only to make'affiliate' money. They are a 'middle man'. The prices shown on their site are not actual, as there is an 'in-country' fee of a couple hundred Euros. We feel that this is somewhat misleading as their adveritsed prices on their homepages differ from what is stated later. One may find that it is a real difference of 300 to 400 US dollars more.

GAP and others' tours either employ one Moroccan guide, or one non-Moroccan guide who may have only lived in the country for one year. We have lived in Morocco for a total of 14+ years. The tour founder has been living and working in Morocco for over 5 years. Our U.S. guide, Fazia Farrook, has lived in Morocco for over ten years, and our local guide is Moroccan; both guides work directly for our organization.

Both guides will be giving 1hr+ of Moroccan Arabic classes per day. Other company's operating in Morocco do not offer language or culture classes at all. Also, very few companies have English-speaking guides. If the guide is non-Moroccan, they will most likely not speak Arabic, although they might speak some French. Our U.S. guide speaks English, French, and Moroccan Arabic fluently, as does our local guide.

We offer more special dinners and cultural experiences that other tour companies do not offer. On our tours, all breakfast are included, 4 lunches, and 9 dinners; plus, a Moroccan cooking class in Fez.

We limit our tours to eight people or less; others like Intrepid Travel take 12.

2.) About our itinerary:

The tours are set up for the cultural travel, but can be arranged differently for groups interested in booking together. It may seem that we are moving quickly, but in reality, GAP tours (and others') are covering the same amount of places. We spend more time where we feel like the experience will be greater. Others spend a whole day in Casablanca. We feel this unnecessary and prefer to spend it in more scenic locales of the country.

3.) Additional funds:

This might vary dependending upon each person's budget. The least we would recommend for additional lunches and dinners is 300 US$.

Questions:
What will the cost of the Morocco trip go towards?

Responses from JBT:

1.) The total cost of the tour now is US$ 1979 for the 12-Day package. We do not charge any in-country fees or have 'hidden' fees that other companies, such as Intrepid Travel charge. We tell you all the costs up front.

2.) We have calculated the tours to the very last dirham to try to make it one of quality, security, safety, organization, fun, and adventure as possible. In this amount, you are paying for two personal guides, food, in-country private, air conditioned transport with a chauffeur, 3-star accomodations, a homestay, desert trek, cooking class, and Arabic courses. Also, a majority of the trip costs goes to the local villages and communities where we have arranged stays and meals.

I hope that I was of some help. If any of you have any more questions, please do email. Additionally, if you would like to compare what we offer with other companies' itineraries, I would be glad to forward anyone interested this information and links.

Questions:
Is it going to be too hot to travel Morocco in the summer?

Response from JBT:

Morocco does get hot during the summer months, that is the truth. Is it too hot to stand?
Not really. Some days we will lay low during the hottest part of the day, but the mornings and evenings are hard to beat! We are skipping August just because the country is too crowded and crazy from many Moroccans that live in Europe coming home for vacation. In the summer, Marrakesh will be a solid 85 to 90 degrees Farenheit, or about 32 to 35 degrees celsius. It is a dry heat, which is hot, but can be enjoyed.

Our trip into the desert will be in the evening and the following morning. We will not be staying there during the heat of the day. That cannot even be done in April.

Our optional trekking in the Atlas will put as at some significant altitudes, so it will be hot, but not nearly as hot as Marrakesh. It is not as stifling as the south central zone or as humid as cities on the coast. Having lived up there; it has snowed even in June. The sun is much more intense in the summer up there, so we advise hats, sunglasses, and sunscreen. The beaches will be nice as the ocean air keeps things leveled.

Question:
Is summer a good time to grab great photos of Morocco?

Response from JBT:

It is definitely a great time for photography in Morocco. The country is a hot country, most of the year anyway. The heat keeps people at bay sometimes during the day, but that's not when you'll get the best pics. Good ones will be in the morning; but the great ones will be in the evening as the sun is setting. Morocco is also called the Maghreb, which in Arabic means land of the setting sun. So, the sunset and the people come alive in the latter part of the day.

Questions:
What are accomodations and transport like on tours to Morocco with Journey Beyond Travel? Also, what is the average age of your clientele, and who leads your tours?

Response from JBT:

1.) Accomodations are in 3-star hotels and riads(traditional Moroccan-style houses converted into hotels), desert camp, multi-share mountain hut, and a homestay. All in-country transport is included as well. We will be using private taxis and after we leave Marrakesh, we will be using a private, air-conditioned mini bus with chauffeur for 7 days of the tour.

2.) The average age of our clients, thus far, has been 26 to 55 years old. We just had a younger group of age 22 to 25, then we had a mixed group in their 30s, and then this fall we have two groups scheduled of middle-aged, active travelers.

3.) Each tour will be overseen by Thomas Hollowel, the founder of Journey Beyond Travel, led by Fazia Farrook, the U.S. Guide, and a certified Moroccan guide. We have lived here for many years and are doing this as our own business. In the mountains and desert, we also have trained local guides who have been leading mountain and desert treks for some time now. We know the country, culture, and language. And, in Fez, a Moroccan Chef will be leading the cooking seminar. We are surprised at the great turn out and are excited with each and every tour! We get to meet so many great people and fellow travelers!