Useful Information for Backpacking Morocco

We would advise £600 ($760 / 7,600 MAD) for the duration of the 11-day tour. This is a safe amount to cover the meals not included, drinks, tips, and a few gifts, you will have lots of opportunities to withdraw more cash throughout the trip. We recommend using a Wise Travel Card for the best exchange rates and low ATM fees abroad.

We have a minimum age requirement of 18 years old to join the tour. Group members aged 16-17 years old are welcome to join the tour but only with a family member that will act as their guardian whilst on tour. Some tours also have an upper age limit, which you'll see in the tour's details at the top of its page. While our target age is 20-45, what matters most is mindset. If you’re looking for a backpacking-style experience, with hostel-style stays, local transport, and optional evening activities - you’re welcome to join us.

We highly recommend that you travel with insurance for complete peace of mind. Please click here.

We would highly recommend bringing no more than 15kg on this trip, and bringing a backpack instead of a suitcase if you can. You won’t need to carry your luggage around during daily excursions, but you will need to transport your luggage between each accommodation so we recommend packing as lightly as possible.

Yes, we can cater for most dietary requirements. Please notify us prior to arriving on day 1 so we can arrange this for you.

Yes! Travel insurance is a must for all our trips. You’ll need to show proof (on your phone or printed) to your group leader when you arrive.

Need to grab a policy? Get a quote and buy travel insurance here.

We recommend using a Wise travel card. It works in most places and supports Apple Pay and Google Pay. ATMs are widely available, but some places may accept cash only, so it’s good to carry some local currency.

Around 1–2 weeks before your trip you will get a welcome email with your trip information and your group leader's contact details. If you need to reach them before then, get in touch with us and we will pass your message on.

Absolutely. Your payment is secure. Backpacking Tours is a licensed tour operator in Thailand (Department of Tourism licence 11/12642), and we use trusted international payment providers. Your booking is safe, and our team is here to support you every step of the way.

Your passport must have at least six months’ validity and two blank pages. You should also have proof of onward travel.

Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) are the best times for a trip that covers cities, mountains and desert: warm, sunny days and comfortable nights.

Summer (June to August) is very hot inland, often above 40°C in Marrakech and the Sahara, though the Atlantic coast stays cooler. Winter (December to February) brings sunny days but cold nights, especially in the desert and the High Atlas, where snow is possible, so pack warm layers.

Our Morocco weather guide goes month by month.

Morocco uses the dirham (MAD). It is a closed currency, so you cannot easily buy it before you travel: withdraw cash from an ATM or change money when you arrive.

Cards are accepted in larger hotels, restaurants and shops, but Morocco still runs largely on cash, especially in the souks, cafés, taxis and for tips. ATMs are easy to find in cities and towns but scarce in the desert and the mountains, so take out enough before you head into the Sahara or the Atlas. Keep some small notes and coins handy.

Tipping is part of everyday life in Morocco and is expected for most services. As a rough guide, leave around 10% in restaurants if service is not included, and have small change (10 to 20 dirhams) ready for porters, drivers, local guides and toilet attendants.

Street performers, henna artists and anyone you photograph will expect a few dirhams, so ask first and agree the price. Your group leader will suggest amounts along the way.

Tap water in the cities is treated, but most travellers stick to bottled or filtered water to avoid an upset stomach. Bottled water is cheap and sold everywhere, and many riads and hotels provide it.

Use bottled water for brushing your teeth if you have a sensitive stomach, and be wary of ice outside hotels and established restaurants. A refillable bottle with a filter is a good way to cut down on plastic.

Your phone will work, but roaming charges can be high, so most travellers buy a prepaid SIM from Maroc Telecom, Orange or inwi at the airport or in town (bring your passport), or set up an eSIM before they fly. Data is cheap.

Coverage is good in cities and along the main roads, but it can be patchy in the High Atlas and out in the desert. Most riads and hotels have Wi-Fi, though it is often slow.

Most visits to Morocco are trouble-free, and travelling with a group leader makes the busy medinas far easier to handle. The usual problems are petty theft and hassle, so:

• Watch your bag and phone in crowded souks and squares.
• Politely ignore unofficial guides; official ones carry a badge.
• Agree prices before you buy or accept a service.
• Women may get unwanted attention; loose clothing covering arms, legs and chest helps.

The UK government also notes a terrorism risk, as it does for many countries. Read its travel advice for Morocco before you go.

Morocco is a Muslim country and fairly conservative outside the tourist hubs. Loose clothing that covers your shoulders and knees is respectful and practical in the heat, and swimwear is for the beach or pool.

Most mosques are closed to non-Muslims, with the notable exception of the Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca. Ask before photographing people, use your right hand for eating and greeting, and avoid public displays of affection. Drinking alcohol is only legal in licensed venues.

Trips run as normal during Ramadan, and it can be a fascinating time to visit. In 2027 it is expected to run from around 8 February to 9 March, depending on the moon.

Many Moroccans fast from dawn to sunset, so some cafés and restaurants close during the day and opening hours are shorter. Avoid eating, drinking or smoking in public in daylight; tourist restaurants and your accommodation still serve food. After sunset the streets come alive as families break the fast, and people may be more tired than usual in the late afternoon.