Hello, This is me Hamid your personal Privat tour.
I am Hamid Gharbal, Director of CSM/ICYE Morocco and a seasoned professional within Morocco’s esteemed tourism industry And I am tour guide man Since 2016, I have proudly served as a registered national tour guide accredited by the Ministry of Tourism, dedicated to curating enriching and unforgettable experiences for visitors exploring our culturally diverse nation. My tenure with CSM/ICYE Morocco began in 2014, where I initially distinguished myself as a diligent project coordinator within our esteemed cultural organization, before assuming the leadership mantle as Director. In this pivotal capacity, I orchestrate and oversee national and international collaborations, ensuring the seamless integration of volunteers into Moroccan communities through thoughtful placement with nurturing host families and experienced mentors.
Beyond my role in Morocco, I bring a wealth of international volunteer experience, having successfully contributed to impactful projects in various countries. These experiences have enriched my perspective, deepening my understanding of global dynamics and best practices in volunteer management.
Each year, CSM/ICYE Morocco warmly welcomes approximately 100 volunteers who play integral roles in diverse initiatives across Morocco, contributing significantly to community development, cultural exchange, and social cohesion.
Fluent in Arabic, English, and French, I am deeply committed to upholding the highest standards of service excellence and professionalism within Morocco’s tourism sector. At CSM/ICYE Morocco, we distinguish ourselves by prioritizing bespoke and personalized experiences tailored to the discerning traveler, emphasizing quality engagements over mass tourism.
I extend a sincere invitation to explore the diverse opportunities available through CSM/ICYE Morocco. Whether it’s immersing oneself in the rich cultural tapestry of Rabat, savoring the culinary delights of Moroccan cuisine, or experiencing the renowned hospitality through intimate family visits, our programs offer unique insights and meaningful connections that enrich both volunteers and local communities alike.
Together, let us continue to advance the ethos of collaboration, cultural understanding, and impactful service that define our mission at CSM/ICYE Morocco. I look forward to the prospect of partnering with you to create enduring and positive impacts within Morocco and beyond.
If you wish to cancel your tour in Morocco, we must receive a confirmation via e-mail. Cancelation is possible within the following conditions:
– 45 Days or more before you’re the start date of your Trip: 100 % refundable.
– 2 weeks : 50% refunds.
– 1 week or less: not refundable
Morocco is a Muslim country with liberal views and is generally tolerant for all. We do recommend that women dress more conservatively to avoid unwanted attention. Looser fitting clothing, longer skirts and dresses and tops with sleeves are recommended.
There is no place where anyone needs to cover their hair in any circumstance in Morocco.
You are welcome to dress as you choose and you will see all styles in the major cities, but to avoid attention and show respect toward the devout, we recommend a scarf over shoulders and a little discretion in showing “skin”. Just remember we are not on Spring break or at a beach party in Ibiza!
Allthough Morocco generally enjoys a warm climate, winter is extremely cold with snow inamu regions. When visiting during winter, autumn and spring do check the weather forecast for rain or cooler temperatures.
Arabic, Amazigh (Berber) and French are the official languages of Morocco.
Darija is the Moroccan dialect of Arabic that is spoken among Moroccans. It is not a written language so you will not find many translator services. Many Moroccans who interface with tourists also speak English.
It is best to rely on French and English and to lean on your guide for assistance in other communications.
While the tap water in urban centres is well treated and very clean, we recommend that you use bottled water if you are sensitive to changes while travelling. In rural areas we recommend that you rely 100% on bottled water.
Bottles of water are widely available in restaurants and shops. We recommend you purchase large 5L jugs and dispense into reusable bottles if you are able. This will help reduce plastic waste.
You can purchase 1L bottles for around 10 dhs in the shops and 20 dhs in the restaurants. Most restaurants do not mind if you bring your own water with you.
In the south, close to the desert, you will find the water is very salty and you should be prepared with bottled water for tooth brushing and all drinking.
Pharmacies are plentiful in all locations but you should be prepared for holidays and Sundays when they typically close. There are emergency locations available but often times they are not easily accessed on holidays.
You can find paracetamol (acetaminophen) is easily available as is Imodium by brand name. You will find that pharmacies offer many familiar over the counter medications under different names. You will NOT easily find antacid tablets, Gravol or Benedryl.
We recommend that if you have OTC medications that rely on at home, you should bring a supply with you to have for quick access. Please bring a copy of any prescriptions with you in case you are asked for it at security and customs control.
Pharmacies also have antibiotic brands available without a prescription.
Most tourists from western countries do not require a VISA in advance to visit Morocco.
You will be given a 90 day tourist Visa on entry to the country, indicated by a number that is stamped into your passport on your first entry.
You are required to have a passport that is valid for 3 months AFTER your trip to Morocco.
Please do check if you are from countries outside of the EU, North America etc whether you need to apply for a tourist visa.
The currency in Morocco is the Moroccan dirham. MAD or DHS are the associated symbols. Morocco currently has a closed economy which means you can only use dirhams inside Morocco.
We encourage you to manage your cash carefully towards the end of your trip so you don’t have any dirhams to take out of the country.
In Morocco there are two ways to get local currency:
– Use your bank card from home. Be advised that while this is an easy way to get fast cash, there is a withdrawal limit of 2,000 dhs ($200 USD) and a $5 international transaction fee is common among US banks.
– Bring US or Euros and visit a currency exchange. There are numerous outlets in the large cities and several in the smaller centers.
Morocco is a safe country and enjoys a relatively low level of crime.
However, criminals are always on the look out for unsuspecting tourists so please
Contrary to what might be published on Western media outlets, Morocco currently has no threat of terrorist attacks or local terrorist threats or activity whatsoever.
Guns are illegal in Morocco so there is never a threat of mass shootings or violent public attacks.
Cash is the most preferred form of payment in Morocco. You will find that cash is the only method of payment accepted in many places. Visa, Mastercard and American Express may be accepted in more established, larger stores and restaurants.
Tipping can NOT be added to the terminal when checking out with a credit card so please be prepared with small bills for that.
Your phone carrier at home may offer global roaming. It has been our experience that this can be an expensive option and can be limited in effectiveness.
Free wifi is widely available in most restaurants and hotels. We recommend if you plan to use wifi to access WhatsApp, or messenger services, that you turn your phone to airplane mode or turn off data roaming to avoid surprise charges.
You can purchase a SIM card from Orange, INWI or MarocTelecom when you arrive and top it up and any local shop. They will help you install it and get things working at time of purchase. Data is very inexpensive and you should be fine with only 100 or 200 dhs ($10-$20) expense during your trip. Most carriers offer very good coverage with the exception of some areas in the mountains or in the desert.
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