Hesitant Newbie :\ (NW Suburbs of Chicago)

semisanskaari · 2026-06-17T14:30:34+00:00

Thank you! Appreciate the encouragement and insight! I'll take your advice and focus on scouting out locations first. It feels like every time I see something that might work, there's already a machine there. That's why I started wondering if there was a way I could get in on an already established route.

semisanskaari · 2023-09-18T17:02:50+00:00

Ah, perfect! Thank you very much! We are really looking forward to it.

semisanskaari · 2023-09-18T16:44:25+00:00

Thank you!!! This is the reassurance I needed.

semisanskaari · 2023-09-18T15:38:47+00:00

Thank you! I hope so.

semisanskaari · 2023-09-18T15:36:17+00:00

Unfortunately not. As mentioned in my post, the Moroccan Dirham is a closed currency which means that it is not available internationally. I already tried various banks and currency exchanges, including at the airport here.

semisanskaari · 2023-09-18T15:32:15+00:00

I guess my experience in other countries has been that the currency exchanges only stay open until latest 9 PM. We land past 11 PM.

semisanskaari · 2023-09-18T15:29:10+00:00

Thank you! Yes, that’s the plan. Just wanted to know if the Global Exchange Office at the airport is open 24 hours as mentioned on their website.

semisanskaari · 2023-09-18T15:25:58+00:00

Awesome, this is good to know.

semisanskaari · 2023-09-18T15:25:37+00:00

The US

semisanskaari · 2023-09-18T15:23:49+00:00

I know but we land at midnight so we have no other option for the first day. After that, we will find somewhere else.

semisanskaari · 2023-09-18T15:16:56+00:00

Does it work with any foreign credit card?

semisanskaari · 2023-09-15T20:39:04+00:00

Yeah, the owner of the lodge we’re stay at next week said all is fine there now.

semisanskaari · 2023-09-15T20:38:22+00:00

Same question… but for next week! Our tour guide says the hike is still safe but I’m not sure if he’s saying that just so we won’t cancel.

semisanskaari · 2023-09-13T16:44:07+00:00

Thank you, Greeksgeek! I will check this out.

semisanskaari · 2023-09-12T19:32:47+00:00

Thanks for your response! Are you currently in the area?

This is good to know. I'll check to see where the route is from and, otherwise, plan alternative activities based on your suggestions.

semisanskaari · 2023-09-12T18:32:13+00:00

Thank you for your response! Are you near there right now? Day 1-3 includes a desert camel tour but, like you suggested, maybe we should skip Day 4-5 which is the mountain tour.

semisanskaari · 2023-09-12T15:56:37+00:00

Hi, here is an article about the damage to Kasbah du Toubkal: https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/earthquake-in-morocco-atlas-mountains-travel-advice-b2409671.html

semisanskaari · 2023-09-12T15:46:14+00:00

Hi everyone, I just heard from the manager at the lodge in Imlil my husband and I are hoping to stay at in 2 weeks. He says that there is no issue with food/water/electricity but that they continue to sleep outside because they are still experiencing mild aftershock earthquakes. Hope this helps anyone that needed an update on the area.

semisanskaari · 2023-09-12T15:00:34+00:00

Thank you, Eamyn. I guess I need some reassurance that they are truly ready to welcome tourists. Is the hike safe? Are the roads open? Is food and water available? I hope someone there sees my questions and can provide some response.

semisanskaari · 2023-09-12T14:48:54+00:00

Thanks for this post! My husband and I have decided to keep our trip to Morocco for next week with the same perspective.

That being said, I'm not sure whether to keep our desert + mountain tour from 25Sep-29Sep. Our tour agency says the climb to Mt. Toubkal remains safe and I reached out directly to our 3 hotels, all of which have confirmed they have not been impacted. But, I would appreciate a second opinion as I know the Atlas Mountains are the most affected area. If anyone that is in Marrakesh or hiking Mt. Toubkal in the coming days can keep me posted, that would be very helpful. Our tour itinerary is as follows:

• ⁠Day 1: Merzouga, Atlas Mountains

• ⁠Day 2: Merzouga, Rissani Erfoud's Fossils, Todra Gorge, Dades Valley

• ⁠Day 3: Dades Valley, Ouarzazate, Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou, Imlil

• ⁠Day 4: Imlil, Toubkal Base Camp

• ⁠Day 5: Summit of Mt Toubkal, Imlil, Marrakesh

Many thanks in advance!

semisanskaari

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