Kimkim Trip Reviews for Morocco

I cannot adequately put into words how fantastic our 12 Day Moroccan trip was for my daughter, 23, and me, from the planning stage with Maryem to being dropped off at the Casablanca airport by Ziad at the end. We ventured to Rabat, Tangier, Chefchouen, Fez, Merzouga, Ait Ouffi, Marrakech, and Casablanca, and even with all of that, it was not enough; I need to go back and explore even more of this wonderful country.
It all started when I stumbled across the Kim Kim site while attempting to plan the trip on my own. My daughter created a profile, and the next thing I knew, Maryem was assigned as our travel planner. She put together an outstanding package for us, capturing everything we wanted and making the process so much fun! She encouraged feedback and changes and gave advice when solicited. We changed a couple of the riads to ones we found, and I regret not using the one she originally selected for us in Marrakech.
Maryem built an incredible journey for us through Morocco, allowing us to experience the diversity of the country; my daughter and I felt the love she poured into designing our adventure. After everything was planned, she provided tips to help us, and then we kept in contact with her throughout the trip. She is a sweet and amazing lady who stole a piece of our hearts.
Ziad, our driver & travel manager! Oh my goodness, he made this trip spectacular for us, and we will forever be grateful to have him assigned to take us on this grand adventure. He was so much more than a driver for us; he was our protector, translator, storyteller, and ultimately, our friend. Ziad was a true professional as he navigated the roads, arranged meetups with our tour guides in various cities, made suggestions for stops along the way based on our conversations, and helped us get situated at our riads. We absolutely adore Ziad!
We stayed in 6 riads, 1 hotel, and a luxury camp. Our #1 rated lodging was Dar Rihana Dades in Ait Ouffi in Dades Gorge. It was the perfect setting with an amazing view, a beautiful and spacious room and bathroom, a comfortable bed, delicious dinner and breakfast, and a very welcoming and personable host. Our next favorite riad was the stunning Riad Nila in Chefchouen, and our 3rd was Riad Kalaa in Rabat, with a beautiful courtyard and delicious food.
The Tiziri Luxury Camp in the Sahara Desert was a wonderful experience with a camel ride, stopping to watch the sunset, dinner, and traditional music afterwards.
We had two amazing and passionate tour guides during our journey: Othman in Rabat, who has never met a stranger, and then Mountain (Mohamed), our hiking guide in Dades Valley, who welcomed us into his home for a meal with his family.

Hotel Reviews

Tiziri Luxury Camp

Merzouga

What a fun experience to camp out in the Sahara Desert! We were offered the choice of riding on a camel out to the camp or riding in a vehicle. We chose the camel, and it took about two hours, with a stop to watch the sunset. We arrived and had a delicious dinner, followed by traditional music afterwards around a fire. The tent was very spacious, and the bathroom was much more than what I expected for tent life. The staff was fantastic! We met with them down at the bottom before our ride up to the camp, and then they fed and entertained us into the night.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Casablanca Marriott Hotel

Casablanca

This is a beautiful new hotel with very comfy bedding. The staff were very friendly, and we enjoyed our stay.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Palais Zahia

Old Medina, Tangier

This riad was in the middle of the medina, a perfect location for exploring the town. It had lots of character and charm.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Ryad Salama

Fes

What a beautiful riad in Fez! The hosts were very welcoming, and the courtyard was gorgeous with lush vegetation, a fountain, and a pool. The room was huge with beautiful stained glass windows.

Authenticity & Character

We loved the stained glass windows in our room and bathroom, and it was the most beautiful courtyard of all the ones we stayed in over 12 days there. The bathroom had an incredible sunken tub & shower.

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

This riad was so very clean and lovely and served amazing food. My only complaint is that these were the hardest beds during our trip. I probably could have asked for a mattress topper, but I didn't even think about it at the time. I found an extra blanket in the closet and used that as a mattress pad for two nights.

Riad Kalaa

Rabat

This was our first experience staying in a riad, and we loved it. The staff were very friendly and gave us our first mint tea and cookies in Morocco, which I came to love. The room we stayed in was beautiful, as was the courtyard and patio on the roof. The food was exceptional at dinner and lovely at breakfast.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Riad Nila

Chefchaouen

This riad was simply stunning with its elegance, neutral color patterns, and numerous nooks and crannies to explore, including multiple patio levels overlooking the gorgeous town; I would recommend it to anyone staying in Chefchouen.

Authenticity & Character

The design of the hotel is spectacular and simply beautiful.

Location

Very easy to get to and the views from the room and the patio were wonderful.

Staff

Everyone we encountered was very nice.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Dar Rihana Dades

Douar Aït Ouffi

Of the 8 places we stayed in during our 12-day adventure, this was our favorite one. It is located in the perfect setting with an amazing view, and it was so calm and peaceful; I could have stayed there for much longer and was sad to leave the area. The room was beautifully appointed, serene and spacious, had very comfortable beds and a large and lovely bathroom. Dar Rihana Dades provided delicious breakfasts and dinners in a lovely dining room, with quantities of food that made you groan, but you kept eating because it was so good. And as wonderful as all of this was, it was made even better by the very welcoming and personable host, who also served our meals and entertained all the guests with his charm and wit.

Authenticity & Character

The colors throughout the riad are simple and elegant, and the walls are adorned with captivating portraits. The rooms and bathrooms are beautifully designed, the patio areas have lovely wrought iron railings and spiral stairs. The pool is a stunning blue, very clean and the lounge area around it is large and well laid out.

Location

The riad is located in the lush, green Dades Valley, surrounded by terracotta colored hills. The view here was by far the best one we had. I fell in love with the serenity of the area, and we went hiking with a guide while there.

Staff

Everyone at Dar Rihana Dades was very welcoming and happy, but none more so than Mohamed. He greeted us with a huge smile when we arrived, brought our luggage to our rooms, and served us breakfast and dinner; I'm not sure when he sleeps! As he moved around the dining room, he easily conversed with all of the guests, making everyone comfortable with his wit and charm, making us smile and laugh. I had gotten hurt before arriving at the riad, and during dinner I asked if we could move to a table near the window because I was starting to feel light-headed. He quickly moved us and opened the windows on both sides of the room for a cross breeze. He checked on me repeatedly to ensure I was okay, and at the end of the meal he brought me ice for my swollen lip. In addition, each day he would check in with the guests to see if we slept well and if there was anything we needed. While the quality of the Dar was outstanding, Mohamed's attention to the guests made it an even better experience. Oh, and whenever we were out on the main patio, he would bring us refreshing ginger and orange juice drinks.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Not only was the riad very clean and beautifully decorated, it smelled so good in the lobby/lounge area; I commented on it to my daughter each time we passed through it. As for the beds, of the 8 places we stayed in while venturing around Morocco, these were the most cozy and comfortable. It turns out Moroccans like their beds more firm than I'm used to, so it was very pleasant to fall deeply asleep in a nice cozy and comfortable bed.

Activity Reviews

Tangier to Chefchaouen: Hercules Caves, Tetouan & the Rif Mountains

Morocco

It was a beautiful drive from Tangier to Chefchouen! We made numerous stops along the way with our phenomenal driver/travel manager, Ziad. We had fun at the Hercules Caves, getting dressed up in traditional clothing.

Guided Tour of Tangier

Tangier

We liked our guide, Kalid, a.k.a. Columbo. He was very nice, but I would have liked to explore more of Tangier and not just the medina. He was very sweet and did take us to a nice restaurant to grab a bite to eat because we were so hungry; maybe this took away from our tour time and from exploring more with him.

Rabat to Tangier with Guided Tour in Both Cities

Morocco

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Ziad, our driver & travel manager! Oh my goodness, he made this trip spectacular for us, and we will forever be grateful to have him assigned to take us on this grand adventure. He was so much more than a driver for us; he was our protector, translator, storyteller, and ultimately, our friend. Ziad was a true professional as he navigated the roads, arranged meetups with our tour guides in various cities, made suggestions for stops along the way based on our conversations, and helped us get situated at our riads. We absolutely adore Ziad!

Transport

Half-Day Private Sightseeing Tour in Rabat

Rabat

Osman (Othman) was our tour guide, and we loved him! He was so personable and knowledgeable about the history of Rabat. He smiled, laughed, knew everyone throughout the city, and shared his passion for his town with us. I highly recommend him to anyone visiting Rabat.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Our personal driver and travel manager, Ziad, made the trip throughout Morocco amazing.

Youssef our driver was incrediable. He was on top of everything and ensured our trip was top of the line. Youssef well portrayed the culture he represented by his honesty, compassion and willingness to go out of the way so that our trip was perfect.
We appreciated the families we had dinner with . The dinners were a special occasion for us to meet new people

Sharon put together the perfect itinerary for us. After that, it was smooth sailing. Ahmed, our lovely driver, met us at the Casablanca airport as planned, and it was game on from there. I can't remember exactly the names of all the people we interacted with, but every one of them was amazing!!!

Our guide in Casablanca was so nice to us, very knowledgeable, and gave us a great tour. Then off to Rabat, where again our guide was super sweet and knowledgeable, and the tour was great.

Sayeed is the best as he took us all through the various parts of Fez allowing us to experience the old city and its neighborhoods and Souqs, the pottery coop, the tannery, and many, many other fascinating structures. Everything about our time in Fez was wonderful, and it is our family's favorite city to explore. Plus, since we are a family who like cats, it was heartening to watch Sayeed interact with and feed many of the cats on our tours - they love him too!

Ikram - what's to say about the most beautiful person we had the opportunity to spend time with. She is my daughter Megan's "twin flame" and they continue to chat. Ikram and her entire family were the sweetest and most welcoming ever ... who does that? Well, they do. We love them! We don't remember the name of the young woman who gave us a tour of the ruins, but she was so kind, and we loved that she was trying so hard to learn English.

Abdul was so very kind in giving us a tour of the 'Valley' - and how he remembers the most intricate details of the area's history is far beyond us, but we so very appreciate his passion for the history, the land and the people. Hakeem, our Marrakesh guide, was also super knowledgeable, and we loved the tour. He also connected the dots on how everyone is related which was both fascinating and helpful to better understand the people and culture of Morocco.

The family consensus of our top memories are the Sahara (riding camels, atv's, glamping, sunrise/sunset), the Valley of Roses with Ikrams family (the experience with Ikram was such a genuine experience with Moroccan culture and hospitality), and the souqs in Marrakech - they were definitely fun to explore.

However, none of that compares to Ahmed ... he is a very kind, smart, compassionate person who did everything he could to make us feel comfortable, safe and welcome. We very much appreciated his driving skills since we weren't exactly prepared for the drivers of Morocco (much crazier than those in the States!). And because of his deep love for his family and his Valley, we feel a close bond to him , his family and the Valley as well. We hope so much that Ahmed fulfils his dream of visiting the United States someday, and we hope even more that he takes the time to visit us in Cincinnati.

A big thanks to everyone who helped make our dream vacation the most heartwarming, educational, eye-opening and fantastic journey ever.

Hotel Reviews

Riad Nesma Suites & SPA

Medina, Marrakech

This was an outstanding hotel for us to end our trip. Its location is perfect for exploring Marrakesh.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Kasbah Tiziri

Kelaat Mgouna

Just when you think the hotels can't get any better, you stay here and are treated by the kindest people. The garden area was beautifully kept, the breakfasts were so yummy, and the rooms were spacious and clean.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Sahara Stars Luxury Camp

Merzouga

I half expected to see something from my Boy Scouting days, but boy was I blown away at these accommodations. I'd never heard the term 'glamping' before ... now I understand.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Riad Farouzi Fes

Fes

Best staff by far. Very welcoming and accommodating.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

I was allowed to stand in the kitchen and watch breakfast being prepared. It was wonderful.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Riad Kalaa

Rabat

Breakfasts .... oh my!!!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Private Cooking Class w/ Souk Tour

Morocco

The lunch was perhaps some of the best food we had. I'd like to think my family contributed a lot to that, but all the accolades go to the professionals who made the lunch incredibly special.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Guided Tour of Marrakech

Marrakesh

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Dades Valley to Marrakech via Ait Ben Haddou

Morocco

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Day with the Locals in the Valley of Roses

Morocco

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Merzouga to Dades Valley Via Todgha Gorge

Morocco

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

ATV Quad Tour of the Desert

Merzouga

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Fes to Merzouga via Ifraine and Azrou - Camel Trek to Desert Camp

Morocco

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Guided Tour of Fes

Fes

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Rabat to Fes via Volubilis and Meknes

Morocco

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Afternoon Guided Tour of Rabat

Rabat

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Arrive in Casablanca & Transfer to Rabat

Morocco

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Majid was extremely responsive. We had one minor snafu and he responded in a very timely manner. Any questions we had while planning the trip were also rapidly answered.

Hotel Reviews

Elegancia Riad Boutique & SPA

Marrakech

This was clearly the nicest facility that we stayed in. It was located just off one the main streets in the Medina and the alleys we walked through were cleaner and wider than the prior Riad. Rooms were large and clean with elegant bathrooms and efficient AC. Staff was readily accessible. On 1 occasion, we asked for directions and a staff member actually walked us out to the street in the manner of a Ritz Carlton. When we received the itinerary, I was actually indifferent about the spa and massage. However, it was well appreciated after the trek through the desert and a nice conclusion to our trip.

Authenticity & Character

Location

See above

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Riad Ksar Ighnda

Ait Benhaddou

I feel like we should rate this an incomplete. It just felt very eerie as we were the only people staying in this facility and it was hard to tell "the vibe". The grounds, including the pool, spectacular view and chaises outside of each room were luxurious. Not unexpectedly, we had great service. There was a gentlemen who was our server at dinner who had very limited English and seemed so worried that he would get something wrong. Everything he served was perfect and he warranted a 100% tip on our dinner drinks.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

See above

Cleanliness & Comfort

Dar Hnini

Oulad Yahia Lagraire

We enjoyed the facility as it was the first time we encountered other travelers that we could socialize with in the desert and enjoyed chatting it up around the pool and dining room. Refreshing is an understatement when describing the feeling jumping in the pool after the previous day's camel root and tent stay.

Authenticity & Character

Well, I can now say that I slept in a Kasbah.

Location

The only criteria for location seems to be that it was along our route. The views from the facility were breathtaking but there really is not much to do outside.

Staff

The staff of the facility has missed an incredible opportunity. There clearly is a history behind this series of buildings and a receptive audience ready to listen. Why not assemble guests before dinner with a 15 minute presentation?

Cleanliness & Comfort

AC didn't work. I had it set to 18 and never dropped below 27. Told them about it in the morning and he claimed I had it set to 27. Never had a problem operating the AC in any of the other facilities.

Tiziri Luxury Camp

Merzouga

I think by desert camp experiences, this probably rates highly but you need to be prepared for the overnight desert experience. We stayed in very early June and it never cooled adequately at night despite the attempts with fans.

Authenticity & Character

Location

If you wanted to stay in the desert, then you're there.

Staff

Manager was very attentive. Ensured we made it back to our rendezvous point with our driver Mohammed in time, and the 15 minute desert drive was a nice finish

Cleanliness & Comfort

Despite the luxury label, we never felt truly comfortable due to the heat.

Dar Rihana Dades

Douar Aït Ouffi

The place was charming and well situated by a small creek. The location in Dades Valley was provided a relief from the otherwise sweltering temperatures and we were able to sleep with the windows open. The owner Mohammed was always available and attentive. Clearly obsessed with the operation as we would hear him barking instructions in the kitchen, then serving our meal, escorting us back to the hotel situated in the next building and then running back to the restaurant.

Authenticity & Character

Had a small "B and B" character to it. We almost expected Bob Newhart to suddenly appear

Location

Very quaint small village, situated creekside with walking paths in the rear.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Riad al Rimal

Marrakech

The location was very deep in the Medina as opposed to the last Riad and we had to navigate some questionable alleyways to get to the location. . The facility itself was very clean and food was excellent. We had a problem with the cold water faucet and were left with scalding water which prevented us from showering on the last day. I probably would have given this a 4 initially but downgraded it after our last Riad which was far superior.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Clean but see above comment regarding shower.

Activity Reviews

Marrakech – Telouet – Ait Benhaddou – Skoura/ Dades Gorge ( 5/6 Hour Drive)

Morocco

Not much to say. It was a long drive with frequent scenic stops as were most of the drive. Full disclosure, drives are not something I would ever rate as a 5. However, I am going to make an exception here as there is no place to rate our driver Mohammed. The most important criteria for both of us is safety and that was one of my concerns. We never felt unsafe on the roads. It is easy to become impatient behind slow cars on single lane roads but Mohammed always waited for safe distance and visibility for passing. There only white knuckle experiences we saw were when other drivers tried to pass without adequate room and we would see cars in the opposite direction veering to the shoulder. Mohammed never attempted this. We also learned a great deal from Mohammed about daily life in Morocco and especially the small desert towns. Would definitely recommend him to other clients.

Quality of Experience

Food

N/A

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Mohammed!

Transport

Mohammed!

Hammam Spa & Massage in Marrakech 3 PM Session

Marrakesh

We've never done his before and not something I was looking forward to at the beginning of the trip. It was a very cleansing and refreshing experience after 5 days of heat, sand and saddle sores.

Quality of Experience

Food

N/A

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

N/A

Aït Benhaddou to Marrakech via Tizi n'Tichka Pass & the High Atlas Mountains

Morocco

A short ride, glad to be done!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Guided Tour of Aït Benhaddou

Morocco

Prior to the tour, we were exhausted and it was incredibly hot. I was not looking forward to this but glad we acquiesced. The climb to the top was difficult on such a hot day. Our guide was excellent and we were also pleasantly surprised to learn about the Jewish-Berber coexistence in AB from our guide.

Quality of Experience

Food

There was no actual food on the tour but we feels compelled to comment on the restaurant stop immediately prior. This was our worst experience in the week. We arrived not very hungry, but had 2 prix fixe meals of poor quality forced upon us. We were not very hungry and left with numerous untouched plates that we paid for. Given the number of tour vans in the parking lot, we almost sensed there was an incredible amount of untouched food that was reserved. And then when leaving there was an open door to the kitchen. After seeing this, we clearly regretted here. Find another option

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Relaxing Day in Darra Valley.

Agdz

It was a drive, not much else

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Camel trek to your luxury camp

Merzouga

I wouldn't do it again but could not leave Morocco without the experience. The guide (Abdul) was incredible. I was in awe watching him walk up the dunes in 100 degree temps and in flip-flops. Yes, it was physically uncomfortable. However, the overall experience, particularly watching the desert sunset was a once in a lifetime bucket list item.

Quality of Experience

Food

N/A

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Skoura/ Dades – Tinerir – Todra Gorge – Rissani – Merzouga – Erg Chebbi ( 5/ 4 Hour Drive)

Morocco

This was a long drive!

Quality of Experience

Food

I honestly don't remember where we stopped

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Rosewater Workshop in Boumalne Dades

Boumalne Dades

I wouldn't have been disappointed if we missed this. Traveling outside of large cities is dotted with roadside stands and this wasn't much different.

Quality of Experience

Food

N/A

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private Tour of Marrakech, the "Red City"

Marrakesh

Whenever, we travel to a new location, we like to begin with a history introduction. The Bahia palace was a perfect first stop and introduced us to Morocco, but he was also knowledgeable on colonial and post-colonial Morocco. . There were several planned stops (Bahia palace and gardens). After that we wondered through the Medina and our guide showed flexibility in gauging our interest in various sites, markets, shops, etc. We are Jewish, did not inform the guide but were very appreciative of him pointing out the Jewish merchants and quarter. My only recommendation is to shorten the 4.5 hours. Maybe this is more manageable in the winter and early spring but we actually excused him and said goodbye after about 4 hours as we needed to sit, eat and rehydrate. Also, we wanted to go back to the Jewish quarter and he provided us directions from the square as we departed.

Quality of Experience

Food

N/A

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

N/A

Mohamed, our driver/guide became like a family member to us. He was thoughtful, caring and very detailed. Our memories would not be the same without him.

From start to finish, the experience was incredible. Hamza helped me put together a tour that included outdoor exploration, desert adventures, cityscapes, waterfalls, gorges and great food. Mustapha was our driver and he was prompt, prepared for our questions and knew exactly what routes and times for the next stops. We had amazing city guides who took us through the main sites and trusted shopping areas.

My only complaint is that the vacation had to end! If you are considering a vacation to Morocco, the services here planned for seamless travel. I highly recommend!

We had an amazing 13-day trip to Morocco, starting in Rabat, then to Chefchaouen, Fes, Merzouga, Ait Benhaddou, Imlil, Marrakesh, Essaouira, and ending in Casablanca. From the beginning we were greeted by our driver/guide Khalid who was with us throughout the trip. Khalid was one of the best people we could've spent our 2 weeks with -- as he was very informative, patient, and kind on our trip. He was not only very professional, but also knowledgeable about Morocco and Amazigh culture, and took us to local artisans and museums. We really enjoyed the historical information and cultural background given by our guides at each of the cities we stayed at. Abdelatif in Rabat was our first guide and explained so much to us about Rabat's history across the various Moroccan dynasties and the meaning behind many Darija words. Omar was our guide when we hiked Akchor Falls -- another memorable guide who made us feel comfortable and welcomed. Omar welcomed us into his home for lunch, and the food was so delicious -- it was a pleasure meeting his family. Our guides Khalid (Volubilis) and Abdul (Meknes) were exceptional as well, since we learned about the Roman history of Morocco. Our guide, Reda, in Fes was very good too -- the combination of a walking-and-driving tour was very well-paced and informative as we got to visit pottery, carpet, argan, and tannery artisan workshops. Our Imlil biking guide, Abdul, was friendly and vivacious, and made us feel comfortable as we rode through the High Atlas Mountains and ate lunch at a local family home. Our guide in Essaouira, Jamal, was very friendly as well. Over the course of the trip we bonded with Khalid and many guides over our love of music and languages, and learned some Amazigh and Darija along the way. Our one issue: Unlike all the riads in which we stayed at, the hotel in Casablanca had very bad food, no Kleenex tissues, and unpleasant hospitality. Despite being on the trip in the middle of Eid-al-Adha, we are grateful to have received the utmost hospitality and kindness from our guides, Khalid, and locals.

Hotel Reviews

Kenzi Basma Hotel

Casablanca

Authenticity & Character

Food was not enjoyable at all.

Location

Far from most things

Staff

Staff were not the most hospitable..

Cleanliness & Comfort

No Kleenex tissues were available

Riad Chbanate

Essaouira

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Palais Lamrani

Marrakesh

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Staff were SO kind in helping us twice -- we had a Wifi problem, and secondly the whole room short-circuited at 11pm but they helped us very swiftly!!

Cleanliness & Comfort

As mentioned above, wifi was out and room did short circuit late at night. Also the AC did not work in our 101F/45C stay in Marrakesh.

Kasbah du Toubkal

lmlil

Lovely Kasbah -- we especially loved learning about the Kasbah's history and Education for All Initiative.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Riad Ksar Ighnda

Ait Benhaddou

We really liked this riad!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Tiziri Luxury Camp

Merzouga

Authenticity & Character

Food was okay -- quite bland. Also the music/dance started quite late and everyone sleepy (nearby we could hear other camps already playing music and celebrating early on).

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Riad El Yacout

Fès

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Shower was inconvenient - might need to be renovated

Taj Chefchoaune Luxury Hotel and Spa

Chefchaoun

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

The staff were very earnest and hardworking, but the riad did not have the triple room that we had prior requested in our booking. They did not have an extra room either, so they fit three beds into a very tight room. We adjusted, but it was not ideal.

Euphoriad

Rabat

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Afternoon Guided Tour in Casablanca

Morocco

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Afternoon Guided Tour in Essaouira

Essaouira

Jamal was great

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Shopping Tour in Marrakech

Marrakesh

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Guided Tour in Marrakech

Marrakesh

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Food Tour & Local Gastronomy

Morocco

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Bike Tour in the High Atlas Mountain

Morocco

Abdul the biker is awesome :)

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Fes to Merzouga Sunset Camel Ride and Overnight in the Desert via Ifrane, Azrou, Midelt & Erfoud

Morocco

The camel ride with Abdul was amazing!! He was so friendly and funny. The drive was enjoyable as well.

Quality of Experience

Food

The food was not great at Tiziri Camp - cold and relatively bland

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Guided Tour in Fes

Fes

Guide Reda was patient and informative :)

Quality of Experience

Pottery, Argan, Carpets, and Tannery were great artisan workshops

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Guided tour of Meknes

Meknes

Abdul our guide was great :)

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Guided Tour of Volubilis

Morocco

Khalid tour guide was great!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Transfer to Fes, Volubilis & Meknes

Morocco

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Khalid made this 7 hour drive fly by -- we were not bored once. It was good day!

Afternoon Guided Tour in Chefchaouen

Morocco

Abdul our Guide was great :)

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Hike to Akchour Waterfall

Chefchaouen

Omar was amazing and super kind!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Morning Guided Tour in Rabat

Morocco

Abdelatif was great :)

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Khalid was great as usual :)

Had a great tour, driver Housanie was great, saw many new sites and enjoyed my time in Morroco.

My trip was amazing from start to finish. Hamza and Said were incredibly responsive and organized, ensuring everything ran smoothly throughout the entire experience even with different flight and transport schedules within one group.

A special thank you to Jamal, our driver, who was truly exceptional! He was knowledgeable, punctual, responsive, and always accommodating, making every part of the journey enjoyable and stress-free. His professionalism and warm personality added so much to the experience. I could easily see him excelling in a tour guide role someday, as he has a natural talent for sharing insights and helping visitors feel welcome. He was absolutely wonderful!

I would absolutely recommend Jamal and the entire Original Travels team to anyone traveling to Morocco. They exceeded all expectations. 10/10 experience!

Our trip/adventure in Morocco was amazing thanks to Hassan! We saw beautiful sites and learned things about the history of the places we were seeing on our drive to the Sahara. Thank you so much for everything it would have been the same without you!

Hotel Reviews

Riad Ksar Ighnda

Asfalou

This hotel is gorgeous all the plants and the grotto just absolutely stunning. You could have a photoshoot here. Staff was very helpful. Our room was huge and had an awesome view of the sunrise over the mountain the next morning.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Tiziri Luxury Camp

Merzouga

What an experience to stay in the desert. The camel trek to the camp is all part of it and just beautiful. Meals were wonderful and evening entertainment. Oh and the stars!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Dar Rihana Dades

Douar Aït Ouffi

This felt like the most authentic Moroccan stay we had - owned and operated by three brothers it certainly had the feeling of home. Our room was amazing tuck in a quiet area of the hotel. Dinner at their restaurant was the best meal we had on our trip! The homemade goat cheese was to die for!!

Authenticity & Character

I loved our room here the decor was awesome

Location

An excellent stopping point on your journey to the Sahara and to see the snaky road

Staff

Mohammed made you feel very welcomed and want for nothing

Cleanliness & Comfort

Very clean and comfortable had a great nights sleep!

Activity Reviews

Erg Chebbi – Erfoud – Alnif – Nkob – Ourzazate( 5 Hour Drive)

Morocco

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Explore Ouarzazate

Morocco

We kind of opted not to do this because we wanted to get to the hotel sooner. So I can’t really rate this

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Skoura/ Dades – Tinerir – Todra Gorge – Rissani – Merzouga – Erg Chebbi ( 5/ 4 Hour Drive)

Morocco

Marrakech – Telouet – Ait Benhaddou – Skoura/ Dades Gorge ( 5/6 Hour Drive)

Morocco

Guided Tour of Aït Benhaddou

Morocco

Camel trek to your luxury camp

Merzouga

Best part of our trip! It’s just breathtaking being surrounding by the dunes and the silence of the desert

Quality of Experience

Food

There is no food. It would be cool to have a set up while watching the sunset just little snacks and maybe wine just the option

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

You stop halfway and have the option for a four wheel drive car to get you if the camel ride is too much. But keep going

From start to finish, planning to execution, our experience with KimKim traveling to Morocco was fantastic. Working with Hamza to determine the agenda was seamless and his communication was clear and fast. However, the highlight of our experience with the team was definitely our guide, Mustapha. He was full of energy and knowledge, and made our longer car rides fun with all of his information. Not only was he our guide but, by the end of the trip, had become a true friend. We can't say enough about how wonderful he was.

Beyond that, I was very pleased with all of the activities that KimKim arranged for us. Every excursion/activity met our expectations, and there was never a time where there was any confusion or issues when we arrived. It was clear that all of the necessary communication and planning was done in advance, which made it so much more enjoyable for us.

I would absolutely plan another trip with KimKim and fully endorse them for anyone who may be considering a trip of their own.

My friend and I had an amazing eight day Moroccan Road Trip which was. planned by Kimkim. The success of our trip was definitely due to our Moroccan Immersion driver Ayoub. I can't begin to praise him enough. This young man spoke English like a Native speaker,. He was a consummate driver, provided us a better and realistic picture of life in Modern day Morocco as well as his daily kindnesses and his commitment to keeping us safe and on time. Our tour begin in Rabat where we met our favorite guide Hassania, who provided an excellent framework for the next week in terms of understanding the life of the Mortocan current King Hassan II, the role of Islam in the Morocco life, and the tradition of mosques in Morocco. Our favorite Riad was the elegant Riad Dar Chrifa in Rabat. The staff Omar and Papa at this Riad were incredibly friendly and helpful, and took care of Gray, the African gray parrot living there. Our favorite day was our road trip from Fez to Merzouga, including driving through the mountains, encountering the monkeys, the camel ride to Sahara Stars, and our lodging at this elegant glamping camp. Finally, one of my other favorite was our cooking lesson with Darr Salem in Maraskesh which involved going to market to buy the local ingredients for our meal, then my role as a sous chef and finally sitting down to have the yummy lunch in the home of our teacher!

Hotel Reviews

Sahara Stars Luxury Camp

Merzouga

We loved the Sahara Stars Luxury Camp in Merzouga. It was such a unique and wonderful experience staying in the desert. This place was definitely one of the highlights of our trip.

Riad La Croix Berbère

Marrakech

Our stay at Riad La Croix Berbère in Marrakech was a bit disappointing. We were placed on the third floor, which was quite challenging after long days of walking around the city. The room was next to a common area, making it noisy, and the bathroom was quite primitive, with leaks and even a hole in the wall.

Riad Dar Chrifa

Rabat

Authenticity & Character

The main common area is very elegant and sparkly. The rooms are comfortable, and tastefully appointed.

Location

Five minute walk out of the souk to the main road which was well signed posted

Staff

Both Omar and Papa helped us a lot! Loved Gray, the African gray parrot living in the main room, who charms everyone'

Cleanliness & Comfort

In comparison to other places we stayed thus pushing maintained a high quality of cleanliness.

Activity Review

Private Cooking Class w/ Souk Tour

Morocco

The private cooking class with a souk tour was fantastic. The host was welcoming, and it was a joy to meet her daughters who spoke English and added to the charm of the experience. Highly recommend this activity!

Absolutely fantastic trip made all the more memorable by our fantastic driver and host Ismail. He had a huge depth of knowledge and was always able to answer all of our questions. We have so many great memories and are forever in his debt. Could not recommend Ismail
And Kim Kim highly enough for this trip.

Very memorable trip and appreciated the organization, ease and service Kimkim provided. Illyace our driver was exceptional and added tremendously to our travel fulfillment. Hotels, guides and experiences exceeded expectations…especially hotel/guide in Fes, same in Chefchaoen, along with waterfall hike — beautiful blue city in the mountains. Two days in Merzouga at the Sahara desert was super scenic and memorable visiting with a Nomad family. Also our stay in the Dades Valley, an adventurous hike with a Berber guide and eating Tangine at a local family home was a highlight. Thank you everyone for making this a very meaningful trip experience!

Our honeymoon trip to Morocco was truly unforgettable. In just 8 days, my wife and I explored four beautiful cities — Chefchaouen, Rabat, Casablanca, and Marrakesh — and each one had its own unique charm and culture. From the blue streets of Chefchaouen to the vibrant energy of Marrakesh, every moment felt magical.

One of the highlights of our trip was our overnight stay in the Agafay Desert. The experience was absolutely incredible — peaceful landscapes, amazing food, beautiful sunsets, hospitality, and a night under the stars that we will never forget.

Morocco exceeded all our expectations with its rich culture, delicious cuisine, warm hospitality, and breathtaking scenery. It was the perfect honeymoon destination, and we created memories that will stay with us forever.

Our driver, Ziad, was absolutely amazing. Anyone traveling to Morocco should personally request him. From the moment he picked us up at the airport until our return flight back to the U.S., he was there every step of the way. I would recommend him 10/10 without hesitation.

Ziad has one of the best personalities and is one of the most humble people you could ever meet. He was incredibly knowledgeable about every city we visited and shared so much insight about the culture and history of Morocco.

Most importantly, he treated my wife and me like family. He always went out of his way to make sure we felt comfortable, safe, and were enjoying every moment of our trip. He even accommodated activities we had booked separately from our main itinerary, including dinners and shows, making everything seamless and stress-free.

Ziad truly made our honeymoon experience even more special and unforgettable.

Hotel Reviews

Elegancia Riad Boutique & SPA

Marrakech

Alkamar Camp

Marrakech

Alkamar Camp was absolutely amazing. From the camel rides to the ATV excursion, every experience was unforgettable. It was the perfect place to have fun while also being able to unwind and relax in the beautiful desert atmosphere. Our host, Mohammed, truly made the experience special for my wife and me. He went above and beyond to create a romantic, intimate, and personal honeymoon experience that we will always remember.

Mövenpick Hotel Casablanca

Casablanca

For a 5-star hotel, the experience did not meet expectations. The room lacked an updated TV and was not very clean, as I even found food remnants on the floor upon arrival. Additionally, the pool is located in the center of the restaurant area, which made it uncomfortable to fully relax and enjoy. The breakfast was also disappointing and did not live up to the standards expected from a hotel of this rating.

Lina Ryad & Spa

Chefchaouen

Amazing Ryad to stay in. In the heart of the Blue City. Amazing private pool sessions to great rooftop overseeing the city.

Location

Activity Review

Explore the Blue City

Chefchaouen

The flying dress photoshoot experience for my wife was absolutely 10/10. The photographer, Mounir, was professional, respectful, and incredibly talented. He had extensive knowledge of the best locations and angles for capturing stunning shots, and the photos turned out amazing. He made the entire experience enjoyable, comfortable, and memorable for both of us. We highly recommend him to anyone looking to capture beautiful moments in Morocco.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Just got back from an amazing trip to Morocco. Hakim did great job with the itinerary and picked hotels that were amazing. We really enjoyed our driver, Adil, who was with us for the 10 days. The guides were also fantastic. Especially Abdul in Rabat and the food tour with Hynan in Marrakech. For the food tour, go hungry. As Hynan said, it’s not a tasting tour, it’s an eating tour.

It was all such a great experience. I will definitely be using KimKim again.

Hotel Review

Riad El Yacout

Fès

Our stay at Riad El Yacout in Fes was truly remarkable. The accommodation was one of the nicest I've ever experienced. The team, especially Mohammed, was fantastic and took excellent care of us, making us feel incredibly welcome. The breakfast ensured we never left hungry, which was a perfect start to our days exploring Fes. Overall, the hospitality and comfort at Riad El Yacout were top-notch.

Activity Review

Food Tour & Local Gastronomy

Morocco

Go hungry. It’s not a tasting tour, it’s an eating tour. We couldn’t even make it to all of the stops we were so full. Hynan was great and a lot of fun.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

We just completed an incredible trip through Morocco organized by Hassan and his company, and I cannot recommend them highly enough.

From the very beginning, Hassan was responsive, thoughtful, flexible, and genuinely interested in tailoring the trip to what Kate and I wanted. He listened carefully to our interests, answered countless questions, made adjustments when requested, and created an itinerary that struck a perfect balance between comfort, authenticity, adventure, and relaxation. He was very patient as we went through the process of creating our itinerary which involved tweaking here and there.

The accommodations throughout the trip were outstanding and each had its own unique character. The riads in Fes and Marrakech were beautiful, intimate, and full of personality, while our stay in Merzouga and the luxury desert camp in the Sahara were unforgettable. Riding camels into the dunes at sunset and spending the night in the desert beneath the stars was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The tents themselves were remarkably comfortable and far beyond anything we expected.

A huge part of what made the trip so special was our local guide, driver and on-the-ground host, Hamid, who was with us throughout the journey. Hamid was wonderful — friendly, funny, outgoing, and knowledgeable. His English was excellent, he always made us feel comfortable, and he seamlessly coordinated everything with the local guides and experiences Hassan arranged along the way. Whether navigating the medinas in Fes and Marrakech, the long drive through the Atlas Mountains, and the remote desert villages we went through, he handled everything for us..

What made this trip stand apart was that we truly felt we were experiencing the real Morocco through the lens of both Hassan and Hamid. The trip felt deeply authentic and personal in a way that would have been almost impossible to replicate on our own. We visited places, met people, and had experiences we never would have discovered independently.

While budget was never our primary concern, we were honestly astonished by the value provided relative to the quality of the accommodations, logistics, guides, transportation, and overall experience. Having every detail thoughtfully coordinated removed all stress from the trip and allowed us to fully immerse ourselves in Morocco and its culture.

This was one of the most memorable trips we have ever taken, and much of that is thanks to Hassan and Hamid.

We had an excellent trip.
We were very lucky with the weather during the first two weeks of May — it was perfect for sightseeing.
Tayeb was a wonderful driver: thoughtful, punctual, accommodating, and fluent in English.
The itinerary was excellent and allowed us to experience the country’s diversity — from vibrant cities, to the High Mountains, to the desert, and finally the sea.
Although we very much enjoyed staying in the riads, it was lovely to end our trip in Essaouira at an international hotel with all the amenities and right beside the ocean.

Highlights
• The blue city of Chefchaouen, including our walk to the Spanish Mosque
• Volubilis — a fascinating historical site
• Merzouga — sleeping in a tent under the stars and the camel ride
• Boumalne Dades and the wonderful Todra Gorge
• Being lucky enough to experience the Rose Festival and see the rose fields in bloom
• Marrakesh, We thoroughly enjoyed the Majorelle Gardens (though we would also have enjoyed visiting other exhibits), the balloon ride and the excellent cooking class

Upon arriving in Casablanca, I would recommend touring Hassan II mosque and driving immediately to Rabat.
General Comments
Casablanca – Barcelo Casablanca. The city is very noisy. Recommend room on upper floor near the back of the building.
Rabat – Riad Kalaaz We had a wonderful breakfast. The room was a split level with the stairs going down very close to the entrance door. They should have railings for safety.
Enjoyed seaside lunch at Asilah
Tangier – Palais Zohia . Excellent location. Beautiful inner courtyards. Room is a little small. Enjoyed medina . Good local guide. He recommended excellent restaurant for supper.
Chefchaoeun – Taj Chefchaoeun Very nice hotel. Lots of stairs to reach hotel. Very good guide who recommended many excellent spots for photos. We enjoyed the walk our guide recommended to the Spanish mosque at sunset.
Volubilis thoroughly enjoyed walking through the Roman ruins,
Fes - Riad El Amine Fes – Lovely room. Great roof top restaurant. Beautiful courtyard.
Guide was good and necessary as the Medina is large and very confusing to navigate.
Merzouga - Tiziri Luxery camp. Loved sleeping in the tent and riding the camel.
Boumaine Dadas -Dar Rihana Dades Lovely hotel. (Towels were a little hard). Excellent food!
Marrakesh - Riad Atrium and Spa. The courtyard was very nice. The room was good but the rug inside the room was very worn. We thoroughly enjoyed the Majorelle Garden. The food tour was excellent. (I think his name was Souheil) We very much enjoyed the Mechoui and Tangia. The Balloon ride and cooking classes in Marrakesh were amazing.
In general the internet reception was not very good.

Incredible Experience – Ask for Omar!

We cannot say enough amazing things about our experience with Morocco Immersion Tour and Adventures! If you are planning a trip to Morocco, do yourself a favor and book with them right now.
The seamless experience started with Sharon, who was fantastic to work with during the planning phase. She was incredibly responsive, available, and attentive from our very first conversation. We had a rough idea of what we wanted to see but lacked a clear vision. Sharon patiently mapped out a customized itinerary, listened to our feedback, tweaked the details, and answered our endless list of questions. She even provided a comprehensive packing list that had us feeling totally prepared and confident long before we boarded our flight.

While the planning was top-notch, our guide and driver, Omar, truly made this trip an unforgettable adventure! Omar drove us across the entire country and completely stole the show. He went above and beyond every single day to ensure we had absolutely everything we needed, constantly checking in to make sure we were comfortable and having fun. Thanks to his expertise, we went way beyond the standard city tourist spots and ventured deep into gorgeous rural landscapes and hidden gems we never would have discovered on our own. Omar didn't just drive us around; he immersed us in the local culture, and taught us so much about the country. His fantastic energy and care truly made us feel at home. Omar’s exceptional service turned this vacation into the trip of a lifetime. We are so grateful for the memories and highly recommend this company to anyone looking for an authentic, stress-free Moroccan adventure!

Hotel Reviews

ONOMO Hotel Casablanca Airport

Nouaceur

Great location for early flight out. Shuttle to the airport on the hour.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

The service in the restaurant was extremely slow.

Riad Chbanate

Essaouira

This was our favorite place that we stayed and we wish we had spent more time there. The entire Riad, from the lobby, dining room, rooftop and rooms was gorgeous. Dinner in front of the fire and breakfast the next morning were two of the best meals of the entire trip. The location within the Medina was quiet, but close to shopping and the seafront.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Riad La Croix Berbère Luxe

Marrakech

The location of this Riad can't be beat. It is in the Medina, but near the exit so that you can get in and out easily. The inside has been beautifully renovated. There is lots of comfortable seating on the rooftop and you could choose to have breakfast up there or downstairs.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Rooms were a bit small.

Kasbah Roseville

Kalaat M'Gouna

This property was lovely with stunning views of the surrounding town and distant mountains. Our second floor rooms were spacious and comfortable. The Riad was amazingly managed by Osama who served as porter for our luggage, as well as cook and server. He takes such pride in what he does and is a real asset.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Riad is not near anything else.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Sahara Stars Luxury Camp

Merzouga

We arrived at the Camp on camels at sunset, which was both beautiful and hilarious! The tents were very nice and clean, and once the A/C came on after dinner, we were very comfortable. The food was average, but service was fine. They had entertainment around the campfire at night. We were too tired to participate but it sounded like all of the other guests were having a great time. We loved our adventurous truck ride out of the desert in the morning!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Riad Farouzi Fes

Fes

We had a lovely stay at Riad Farouzi Fes. Ibraham and Sabir went above and beyond to make our stay incredible. The amount of food at breakfast was over the top! There were eggs, pastries, fruit, fresh juice and coffee. When we got back from our tour in the afternoon they served us tea and cookies on the rooftop terrace. They always made sure we knew where we were going, and escorted us themselves when available.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Casablanca to Fes Via Volubilis

Morocco

We opted to visit the Hassan II Mosque instead of Volubilis. We spent our time on the ride to Fes getting to know Omar and asking tons of questions about the country. We got a laugh seeing livestock being transported on top of a truck!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Guided Tour of Marrakech

Marrakesh

We had an informative tour of Marrakech including sites just outside and within the Medina. Although not part of the guided tour, we visited the Majorelle Gardens on our own and it was a trip favorite.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Seafood Lunch from the Wharf

Essaouira

Rarely do you have the opportunity to purchase fresh seafood right off of the boat and have it cooked for you right there. What a bargain compared to what we pay in the US!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Dades Valley to Marrakech via Ait Ben Haddou

Morocco

We stopped briefly in Ouarzazate and took a look at the Taourirt Kasbah. Our next stop was Aït Benhaddou, and Omar took us on a nice walk through the ancient, but still inhabited, hillside village. We walked all the way to the top, to the ancient "bank" building (which, unfortunately was badly damaged in the September 2023 earthquake). The view down across the village and the valley beyond was breathtaking. On the way to Marrakech we traversed the Atlas Mountains along the Tizi n'Tichka Path. We stopped at the top to take in the beautiful views.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Day with the Locals in the Valley of Roses

Morocco

This was our favorite day of the trip! We started the day with Sharon's husband, Abdou, at a local rose farm and had an opportunity to pick roses with the locals and learn a little bit about how much this crop means to the area. We then went to the local market to choose vegetables that we took to the home of a local family. We spent the afternoon getting to know the family and how they live, and spent time with them in the kitchen watching them cook a traditional Couscous using the vegetables that we brought with us. A neighbor came over and gave all of us henna tattoos. We left this visit on such a high! On the way back to the Riad we had a chance to shop for some local rose products.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Merzouga to Dades Valley Via Todgha Gorge

Morocco

After a stunning sunrise and breakfast we had a fun ride slaloming the dunes on a 4 x 4 ride from the tent camp, we were reunited with Omar. Our stop to see the ancient irrigation tunnels was very informative and impressive. We had a private guide give us a tour of the Tinghir Palmeraie. It was amazing to see all of the fruits, vegetables and grains that grow in the Oasis behind the homes. Our guide, Zak, treated us to a visit with his father’s “first” wife’s residence in the new part of the village. We also visited a Berber rug cooperative to see the rugs are made and we had a chance to purchase rugs too. Finally, we took a ride through the Todgha Gorge, a natural wonder. It was a holiday so it was very crowded, but we liked seeing the locals spending time with their families swimming in the river.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Fes to Merzouga via Ifraine and Azrou - Camel Trek to Desert Camp

Morocco

This was our longest day of travel in the van, and we needed to arrive in the desert by a certain time in order to be on the camel ride to the camp during sunset. The day was rushed because of this. We would have liked spending a little more time in Ifrane and with the Barbary Macaques along the way.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Guided Tour of Fes

Fes

Omar and Abdul met us first thing in the morning at our Riad and escorted us to the van for a driving tour around the perimeter of Fez which gave us an overview of the city. We walked and learned how the Mellah-Jewish Quarter with exterior balconies differed from those of the Muslim Arabs. The ceramic co op provided an interesting insight into how the mosaics were made from the reverse side. The tannery was smelly as expected but it was interesting to learn how leather is processed. Abdul left us at a delicious and peaceful restaurant in the heart of the Medina while he went to pray.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Driving Tour of Casablanca

Casablanca

This was a last minute addition to our trip. We heard from others that had visited Morocco that we should not miss the Hassan II mosque in Casablanca. Sharon was able to adjust our trip and get us set up with a tour fairly last minute. We are so pleased that we were able to tour this stunning mosque.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

We visited this site right after landing in Morocco. We found Omar easily, and after a long trip from the States he stopped and got us some delicious coffees on the way to the mosque. He also took us to a great restaurant for our first meal.

Our trip was wonderful! We had such an amazing time. The locations we stayed, the cities we visited, and the people we met were nothing short of fantastic. All of our local guides were so informed and our driver, Ali, was so great! He helped us pick up some local lingo which was so fun practicing as we traveled. We didn't realize how quick the time would go by with how many cities we went to and how many day trip guides we scheduled. Our last guide was a woman, and as female traveler group, it made a wonderful impact on us to be able to get a Moroccan woman's perspective. If we were to change anything it would be to help slow down the day to day activities to feel like we had more downtime to enjoy the places we were staying. Overall, I fell in love with Morocco on this trip and will be returning to explore even more :) thank you, Khawla, for being a great local specialist!

Hotel Reviews

Euphoriad

Rabat

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hôtel & Ryads Barrière Le Naoura

Marrakech

Location was great but our room was right off the entrance and was a bit loud and didn't feel as private as other rooms we stayed in during our trip. The staff was very nice but the owner/manager was a bit short and unhelpful when asking about local food recommendations outside of the hotel.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

General staff was great

Cleanliness & Comfort

Riad Madu Premium Camp

Merzouga

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Palais Faraj Suites & Spa

Fès

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Eden Boutique Hotel

Boumalne Dades

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Dar Jasmine

Chefchaouen

By far our favorite stay of the entire trip. It isn't close to town but the staff, food, and views were AMAZING

Authenticity & Character

Location

Great views but a lot of steps between you and city central

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Horseback Riding Experience

Rabat

Guided Tour of Marrakech

Marrakesh

Our guided tour in Marrakech was incredible, mainly because of our amazing guide, Hicham! We were so impressed that we ended up sharing lunch with him and extending what was supposed to be a 3-4 hour tour into 6 hours. It was truly a personalized experience filled with lots of informative discussions. His depth of knowledge and friendliness made the tour a highlight of our trip. Really set a high bar for our entire trip.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Guided Tour of Fes

Fes

Our tour guide in Fes was awesome! Getting a tour through the many alleys in Fes by a local was a real treat.

Dades Valley to Merzouga Camel Trek via Todgha Gorge & Tinghir

Morocco

The camel trek from Dades Valley to Merzouga was an unforgettable experience. We timed it perfectly, heading out in the late afternoon to avoid the scorching heat. Our guide was hilarious and took some fantastic photos for us. Spending a night in the peaceful desert tent was the best sleep we had, making this experience a special memory of our trip.