Larbi Anzal
I was born into a small traditional village on the Marrakech Plain. Agriculture was the main means of livelihood– livestock and crops – and I had to play my part in my family’s farming activities each day, throughout the year.
I attended primary school and this involved a mile walk each way, twice a day. Of my class, only two of us were able to progress to high school In Marrakech. My cousin and myself, at age 12, looked after ourselves in a small house in the city, getting ourselves to school each day as well as cooking our meals and doing our laundry. But endeavour paid off and I was able to progress to college and take courses in first Practical Science and then Business Management .
After this, I first worked for an English tourism company based in Morocco, gaining much further practical business management training. I was eventually given full responsibility for all of the company’s financial matters. I also took part in many of the trips that the company organised, gaining many certificates including Mountain Rescue and from the Moroccan Guide Federation. I am also qualified to lead rock climbing and kayaking.
Today I am the owner and manager of my own company, Anzal Tours (Anzal Tourisme Services, ATS), founded in 2007. My life’s journey has taken me far but it has not made me forget my home village on the Marrakech Plain, a place to which I return frequently. To journey is good, to return fulfilled is even better.
What places and activities do you specialize in?
"With extensive experience gained over many years in Moroccan tourism and with a deep and strong network of Moroccan service providers, my company, Anzal Tours, specializes in both Hiking and Trekking Tours in the High Atlas as well as Traveling Tours the length and breadth of Morocco. Such tours can be of any duration and at all levels of demand, from the very gentle to the demanding.
In particular I am also very pleased to offer our special Highlight Tours. These are several day options out from Marrakech that uniquely take our travelers to mostly unknown places, well off the beaten track, and that give opportunities to meet and engage with people and to see daily life as it truly is (with opportunities to participate as well).
One of our most enjoyed and appreciated Highlight tours is spending a day in my own village on the Marrakech Plain, engaging and participating with the villagers in their daily activities."
How did you get involved in travel?
"After finishing my studies in High School I gained very good experience in the tourism industry spending many years training and working with an English company that specialized in the provision of outdoor activities. These activities included hiking and trekking, mountaineering, rock climbing, kayaking and camping.
In addition, the company was heavily involved in providing Team Building activities and I was responsible for the planning and management of such events.
Further (and this led to my present strong interest in Traveling Tours) Sahara expeditions) were undertaken, exploring the hot desert landscapes of Southern Morocco.
After 7 years in this company, I founded my own company, ANZAL TOURS (ANZAL TOURISME SERVICES, ATS), in 2007. I now work with UK Educational Tour Operators (for student groups) and with Healthy Holidays (providing their hiking programmes) as well as providing comprehensive tailor made tours for adult groups and private client groups. "
Please share a unique travel experience you will never forget.
"During an annual winter mountaineering training with some experienced mountaineering climbers from various countries, we planned to climb Angour mountain.
We left Marrakech at 03:30 toward Oukaimden (about 76 km South Marrakech), arriving at 05:00. After thoroughly checking the equipment and getting ready to start, we began the climb at 05:30.
It was dark and very cold; we were at around 3,000m. I was anxious about what lay ahead. We started using ropes to ascend further at 11:00; everyone had to use their climbing skills. The cliff was very high and the snow very slippery with some Ice in some places. After a big effort we eventually attained the summit.
I was so pleased to be the 3rd of 9 climbers to make the top at 18:00. The last of the 9 finished the climb at 21:00, three hours later. This further reinforced my satisfaction in achieving success in such a demanding challenge. It was very cold at the summit and to wait there was very hard, but it was all part of the experience and working as a team.
The return journey was treacherous – only once everyone is safely back home can you claim success. With falling temperatures the snow was very icy and it was all in the dark.
After another 4 hours of walking we reached our starting point where we had left the vehicles; they were a very welcome sight. Departing for Marrakech at 01:00, we arrived back in to the city at 03:30, 24 hours after the start.
I was extremely exhausted but also so very exhilarated. It had been a great climbing challenge, involving both strength (physical and mental) and mountain climbing techniques. But, working as a team, in the High Atlas environment, left a long and lasting memory. If you try, if you are encouraged and if you are supported by a strong team of like-minded people, so much can be achieved."
Larbi's favorite itineraries and travel advice
Top itineraries and travel advice
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Recent trip reviews for Larbi
Trip to Morocco
Morocco
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Sep 12 - Sep 22, 2019
Our driver, Said, was very good, he was attentive, polite, and informative. He made us feel like friends, not just customers. Our guide in Fes, name? Was very informative, and took us to a lot of co operative shopping spots. Our guide in Marrakech, was very amusing, but didn't give us much time to browse the medina.
Morocco Travel (with mom)
Morocco
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Dec 15 - Dec 23, 2018
Said, was our driver and guide for 6 days (no guide in Marrakesh) and he was wonderful! My mom and I had the best time. Said did above and beyond what he was supposed to do - even took us to some local places to eat and took me to Starbucks in Marrakech. "Thank you, Said. You are the... Read more
Moroccan cities and culture
Morocco
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Oct 15 - Oct 24, 2018
Overall, the cities tour of Casablanca, Chefchaoen, Fes and Marrakech was very good. Our driver Said was very professional, accommodating and spoke excellent English. We felt very well cared for by Said.
Our guide in Fes (El Hadi) was very knowledgeable and courteous. Luckily, we had the services of our driver in Casablanca which made for seamless touring around the city. Our only disappointment was the fact that we had stressed twin bed accommodation to the tour company but this was not provided at some of our hotels. I would recommend KimKim and Anzal Tours to friends and family members.
Many thanks for taking the time to write your review. I am very pleased to read your comments that suggest you enjoyed your tour. My apologies regarding the twin/double bed provision. I will endeavour to repeat the needs to all accommodation places so that our travelers receive what they wish. Many thanks for your recommendation to other future potential clients. Kind regards, Larbi.
Sight see if culture
Morocco
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Oct 3 - Oct 15, 2018
Our 13 day journey through Morocco was very memorable. Our driver, (Youseff) was very punctual and shared with us his personal knowledge and experiences along the many roads we travelled.
In the city of Fez, we were greeted by our local guide, Fatima. She had vast knowledge of the local markets and attractions within the city. Certainly one of the highlights of our trip.
Overall our trip was well organized and tailored to what we were looking for. We plan on returning to Morocco again in the future, and look to build upon the experience we had.
Cody & Leyla
Hello Cody and Leyla. I am very pleased to read your Trip review. It was excellent to work with you, to tweak and adjust your Trip Plan and itinerary until it was just as you wished it to be. Many thanks for your most positive comments, they are very encouraging. Great to read too that you would like to return to Morocco; there is certainly so much more to see and experience and we cover the whole country. I am very pleased that you have so many pleasant Moroccan memories to reflect upon and enjoy. Kind regards, Larbi, Anzal Tours
Trip to Morocco
Morocco
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Oct 2 - Oct 11, 2018
Hello Olga. It is very rewarding to read your comprehensively positive review, many thanks. A bespoke and tailor made trip endeavours to provide an exceptional and unique set of experiences for our travelers and it sounds like this was most definitely the case for you. Thank you for taking the time to express your feelings about your trip with us, it is hugely encouraging. We put a lot of effort into preparing out travelers’ trips and all their component parts and it sounds like we have the “trip recipe” just right! Kind regards, Larbi
Glimpse of Morocco
Morocco
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Aug 1 - Aug 4, 2018
3 nights 4 days tour Chefchaouen/Fes very well organised by Larbi the local Morocco travel specialist, he was very helpful organising transport and accommodation, the Hotel and Riad was excellent, clean rooms, good meals (dinner) the staff at both places was helpful and attentive to assist our needs, information and directions .
Our driver Mubarak was not only the driver but a tour guide as well, very knowledgeable of his country's history and places of interest for the foreigner.
His driving was always defensive, courteous and safe.
Well done KIMKIM,
Hello Henry. It is very good of you to take time to write a review of your tour. I am very pleased that you all enjoyed every aspect of your trip. It was good to work with you, adjusting things as you wished till you had your ideal tour. Creating your comprehensive, bespoke tour was a pleasure and we very much appreciate our appreciative travelers. After your little taste of Morocco perhaps you will think to visit again and to experience other areas; just let me know! Larbi Anzal.
Morocco trip
Morocco
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Apr 1 - Apr 6, 2018
Our trip to Morocco was fabulous with the help of Larbi. We toured the country without any hassles, our ride was comfortable and the people who were there as part of Larbi's team were amazing. We don't have any complaints at all. The hotels all suited our needs. I am so glad we planned this trip through kimkim, I'm pretty sure there's no better way to do it. We recommend kimkim to everyone who wants to visit Morocco!
Hello Angel. Your words are very warming indeed to read, many thanks. It is great to know that your trip to Morocco was so good and that you completely enjoyed all the provisions that we had provided for you. It was great to work with you to design your ideal tour to be exactly as you wished it to be. Your praise is fullsome; thank you very much for taking the time to write some lovely words. Larbi.
A Moroccan Desert Adventure - 4 Days
Morocco
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Jun 9 - Jun 14, 2018
Cultural highlights
Morocco
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Jun 7 - Jun 11, 2018
Larbi planned a wonderful trip for us. It was exactly what we wanted for the time available to us. His driver was excellent, obliging and knowledgable. When we had to make some changes nothing was too much trouble for Larbi.
Thank you for putting us in touch with him.
This is wonderful to read. We put in full effort to provide great tours for our travelers and it is excellent when a trip is thoroughly enjoyed and appreciated by our travelers. In Anzal Tours we do go the extra mile in order to work with our valued clients to creat and provide a special tour, just as they wish it to be; when we receive a review such as yours we know we are providing just what our discerning travelers want and appreciate. Many thanks ... and spread the word! Safe and happy future travels.Larbi