Yassine Echcherki
I'm originally from Sefrou, Morocco, which is located in the foothills of the Middle Atlas Mountains, Southeast of Fez. In 2010, I started working with Morocco Off the Beaten Track with the vision of bringing local Moroccans together with the rest of the world to encourage understanding and give the gift of worldly experience to all involved. My goal is to always provide a uniquely Moroccan experience, where my travelers can see, feel and taste what makes the Kingdom of Morocco special.
I have worked for the U.S. Peace Corps as an Arabic language instructor and culture trainer, as well as worked with different travel companies in Morocco facilitating and organizing cultural tours and programs. I have also conducted cross-cultural educational programs for several American organizations and taught French and Arabic at a primary school in Citta Del Castelo, Italy. In addition to speaking my native Arabic language, I'm also fluent in French and English.
At Central Washington University in Washington State, I graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and Marketing and a Master's degree in Data Analytics at the same university. I also have volunteered and taught English to Syrian refugees in the greater Seattle area while providing them with localization and life coach services. I strongly believe that cross-cultural education and international learning opportunities are the keys to promoting peace and building long-lasting friendships.
What places and activities do you specialize in?
"MOBT Global operates all over Morocco. We want to give our travelers the opportunity to experience the real Morocco far from the touristy places and can plan trips to the larger and Imperial Cities (Marrakesh, Rabat, Fez, Casablanca, etc.). On our tours, we visit villages, meet artisans and farmers, and share food with local people. Our activities include historical and cultural tours, hikes and treks, cooking classes, surfing instruction, 4x4 and camel desert trips, skiing and snowboarding, rafting, rock climbing, and much more."
How did you get involved in travel?
"My goal with MOBT Global is to provide opportunities for travelers to learn about Morocco and to support local Moroccan communities by providing jobs and giving them the experience of interacting with people from other countries. The catalyst for my interest in this was my experience with the US Department of State Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI). I was selected to participate in the MEPI Student Leaders Program at Montana State University because of the quality of my leadership experience and community involvement. This prestigious program brings young leaders from North Africa and the Middle East to learn leadership skills and to study democracy, human rights, and conflict resolution. During my time in the USA, I realized how little Americans knew about Morocco and how many misconceptions there were of the Arab world. I decided to work for a travel company that could bridge the gap in understanding Morocco and the US. I had experience working with travel companies in Morocco and had traveled throughout the country myself, so I knew what it would take to be successful with this company and how to create and facilitate outstanding programs for our travelers."
Please share a unique travel experience you will never forget.
"I will never forget the time I went with my friend to the desert dunes of Merzouga in Morocco. Prior to traveling there, I had not known that Morocco had deserts like this. It was endless rolling dunes of reddish sand, and it took us two hours by camel to reach the oasis we were staying at. At the oasis, I learned different ways to bake bread by the local Berber nomads and got to try their unique foods. Their hospitality was outstanding and was one of the more special things about the trip. In the evening we went to the largest dune in the area and got to see the silver shine of the desert in the moonlight. It was a breathtaking view and something I will never forget."
Yassine's favorite itineraries and travel advice
Top itineraries and travel advice
On this 13-day tour of Morocco, you'll explore the country's ancient history and adventure through the desert. In Casablanca, visit the Hassan II Mosque and Hassan Tower—one of...
Buckle up for a luxurious week-long trip around Morocco's iconic Imperial Cities. Your private driver will usher you through from Casablanca to Fes and Marrakech, with...
Take a luxurious round trip around northern Morocco, where you'll dive into bustling marketplaces, unwind in finely-appointed riads, and discover the magic of the kingdom's...
Luxury itineraries
Buckle up for a luxurious week-long trip around Morocco's iconic Imperial Cities. Your private driver will usher you through from Casablanca to Fes and Marrakech, with...
Take a luxurious round trip around northern Morocco, where you'll dive into bustling marketplaces, unwind in finely-appointed riads, and discover the magic of the kingdom's...
Souks, kasbahs, mountains, and deserts await on this luxurious trip plan that loops you around the country. You'll see Morocco's highlights, relax in deluxe accommodations, and...
Favorite experiences
Food Tour in Marrakech
Explore the flavors of Marrakech with a food tour through the city's Medina (old town). Bustling Marrakech is filled with picturesque alleyways and vibrant squares. It's the perfect city to get lost in as you follow your nose and taste bites from one snack to the next.This food tour guides you on...
Horseback Riding on the Beach in Essaouira
Embrace the tranquility of Essaouira with a serene horseback riding excursion on the beach. After meeting with your guide, you'll learn a few basic techniques and get acquainted with your animal. Then, as you trot along Essaouira's long stretch of sand, enjoy the ocean breeze and smell of the...
Jewish Heritage Tour in Fes Medina
Learn all about Morocco's Jewish heritage by touring the Fes' medina. As you walk through the twisting streets, you'll listen to your guide share the ancient stories of the Jewish Mellah (old Jewish neighborhood) and explore historic synagogues, cemeteries, and museums. Fes is teeming with Jewish...
Merzouga Sunset Camel Ride & Desert Overnight
One of the most quintessential Moroccan experiences is a sunset camel ride through Erg Chebbi in Merzouga, combined with an overnight in the desert. Most visitors enjoy this experience when traveling to the Sahara from one of the country's imperial cities, such as between Merzouga and Marrakech...
Explore the "Blue City" Chefchaouen
Discover the sites, streets, and monuments of Morocco's famed "Blue City," Chefchaouen, or simply “chaoeun,” as the locals call it. Its name translates to “two horns,” referencing the town's two mountain peaks. Despite its popularity with tourists, Chefchaouen retains a much more relaxed...
Hike the Berber Villages in Toubkal National Park
Just outside of Marrakech is a serene natural environment within Toubkal National Park, an excellent escape from the busy city. Enjoy zipping south over gorges and high passes of the region's upper mountain valleys while enjoying views of flat plains, verdant hills, and rocky peaks.Your entry...
Recent trip reviews for Yassine
People
Morocco
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May 8 - May 18, 2023
People:
Driver Mohammed was very good. Also guides in Fes and Marrakech. People were friendly and helpful when we got lost in the medinas. read more
Hi Joel, Thank you for your review! I'm glad to see that you liked your accommodations so much and that you enjoyed your time with your driver and guides. Stay in touch and let us know if you ever plan to return to Morocco!
Wonderful Morocco
Morocco
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Apr 27 - May 8, 2023
From the beginning of planning this trip, Yassine (our trip coordinator) was a huge help. We were able to tailor our trip to our interests and experience unique adventures that we will never forget. Yassine was able to listen to our desires, make great recommendations, and explain the small nuances that really helped up navigate another country and be prepared for all of our events.
Our private driver, Hamza was along with us for the entire 12 days. This was a first time experience for us... read more
Dear Nisah! Thank you so much for taking the time to share your wonderful feedback about your recent Morocco trip. I'm thrilled to hear that I was able to be of great help throughout the planning process and tailor the trip to your interests, allowing you to experience unique adventures that will be cherished forever. It was a pleasure to listen to your desires, provide recommendations, and explain the nuances to ensure seamless navigation and preparedness for your events.
I'm delighted to... read more
Out tour guides and driver Yassine were incre...
Morocco
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Apr 5 - Apr 13, 2023
Out tour guides and driver Yassine were incredible. Yassine thought nothing of going the extra mile in customer service and did that the day I hurt my ankle. As a Human Resource Professional, Yassine is the type of employee I want on my team!
Morocco scenery and people were beautiful.
My absolute favorite was the Sahara desert and riding the camel! read more
Hello Kathleen, Thank you so much for your review! I'm happy to hear that you enjoyed your Morocco trip and that your driver Yassine went above and beyond. We are very lucky to have him and unfortunately, for you, you can not steal him :)
It has been truly a pleasure working with you and Gail to plan your Morocco adventure and I'm truly over the moon that your trip exceeded your expectations. Thank you for everything and please stay in touch!
Great trip. All guides were amazing. Climbed...
Morocco
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May 5 - May 15, 2022
Great trip. All guides were amazing. Climbed to the top of Mt Toukbal. Kimkim was really spot on. Amazing customer service
Aladean
Thank you for the review. I'm glad to hear you enjoyed your Morocco trip and that you had the chance to climb the highest point in Northern Africa.
Kind regards!
Yassine
Kim Kim & MOBT did an AMAZING JOB of planning...
Morocco
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Apr 5 - Apr 13, 2023
Kim Kim & MOBT did an AMAZING JOB of planning & organizing a fabulous trip. The entire trip, from planning, to execution, to all the experiences couldn't have been easier or more perfect!
The best part was our driver, Yassine. He was knowledgeable, friendly, professional, & fun! When we had Yassine around we always felt well taken care of and safe. We felt like he was our security blanket & like a good security blanket - it is always there when you need it! The day/night we did the desert... read more
Dear Gail, A big THANK YOU for such a great review! I'm very happy to hear that you enjoyed traveling with us and that everything went super well for you! Your driver Yassine is indeed a great individual and we are very thankful for all the work he does to make sure our travelers are having a good time. I really enjoyed working with you to plan your Morocco trip, and to hear that you had a great time is truly something that makes me love the work I do. If you ever decide to return to Morocco,... read more
Had no idea what to expect - but BLOWN AWAY!
Morocco
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Mar 27 - Apr 6, 2023
My husband and I picked Morocco fairly randomly for our honeymoon. We knew we wanted a true adventure - somewhere completely unfamiliar to us and truly immersive. Neither of us knew much about Morocco, and the KimKim sample itineraries looked intriguing - so we went for it! Best decision EVER. Morocco is beautiful in every sense of the word. The landscape is diverse - mountains, desert, ocean, etc, the people are so kind and welcoming, and the culture is incredibly vibrant. There is a... read more
Hello Hunter,
Thank you so much for your detailed and very kind review! We are so happy that you made the leap and came to Morocco for your honeymoon, and even more happy that you enjoyed it so much.
I’m so glad to hear that the entire trip went smoothly. It is always our goal for your trip to be seamless as you navigate the country, and it’s good to see that you felt safe throughout. I appreciate your open communication during the planning process so we could determine the best trip for... read more
Moroccan travels
Morocco
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Mar 5 - Mar 11, 2023
Our driver Yassine was excellent. He was there whenever we needed him or had any questions! Also, our guide in Fez was very knowledgeable and very informative. I highly recommend them both. read more
Dear Dina! Thank you so much for the review! I'm glad to hear that your trip went so well and that you enjoyed everything about it. Please stay in touch and let us know if you ever want to visit us again :)
A perfect Moroccan adventure…
Morocco
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Feb 18 - Feb 25, 2023
Yassine did a wonderful job putting together our vacation to Morocco. Our driver, Said, who was with us for the duration was warm, friendly, courteous, thoughtful and made our trip so enjoyable and smooth. An awesome guy! Our two local tour guides in Fes and Marrakech (Mustafa and Abdul, respectively) were fantastic and knowledgeable. The riads that Yassine booked us into were magnificent…one more amazing than the next. The overnight luxury camping in the Sahara Desert was perfect and... read more
Dear Thomas, Thank you so much for the review! I'm happy to hear that you enjoyed your trip with us and that everything went so great for you both. I'm glad that you connected very well with Said and that you found the tour guides knowledgeable. Merzouga is indeed a very special and unique place so it makes me happy that you overly enjoyed your experience there. Please stay in touch and let us know if you ever decide to return to Morocco :)
Excellent itinerary and driver
Morocco
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Feb 13 - Feb 20, 2023
My niece and I took this trip together to Morocco and it was absolutely amazing. Our driver, Hamza, was outstanding and really made the trip extra special. He is a wonderful man, and he made everything so easy. He made us feel very safe. We hope to travel with him again! All the guides were great with excellent English. Mustafa was especially good and made our day in Fes a really enjoyable one. Riads were also wonderful, especially Chez Pierre. read more
Leslie, Thank you so much for the review! I'm glad to hear you enjoyed your time in Morocco! Hamza is a great driver and I'm happy that he made the trip extra special. We are very thankful for our drivers and it makes me happy every time we hear great stories from our travelers. Mustafa is another gem and he loves his job as a tour guide. Chez Pierre is a gorgeous place and I'm so happy that you enjoyed it. I really enjoyed working with you and I'm glad that you and Sydney were able to make... read more
Great guides and lots of sights!
Morocco
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Feb 13 - Feb 20, 2023
We had an amazing time. I had to arrive late due to unforeseen circumstances but has some was very accommodating to help me come up with a plan to join the tour late. Our driver, Hamza, became our friend throughout the trip and was there whenever we needed him. He also provided great recommendations for food and drink. He really made the trip what it was and represented Morocco so well. We’ve already discussed coming back and having him as our driver again! We also had a private guide,... read more
Sydney, Thank you so much for the review! I'm glad that everything worked out just perfectly and that you were able to make it. I'm happy to hear that you enjoyed your time with Hamza and that he made your experience a unique one. Thank you so much for your trust to plan this journey and can't until we see you again next time :)
Imperial Cities Tour, Casablanca-Marrakech and the Blur Walled Town.
Morocco
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Jan 26 - Feb 3, 2023
I wanted a very special birthday gift for my wife, Hanan, and I always knew that she is in love with Morocco and Moroccan traditions and culture.
Didn’t quite know where to start with the preparations, but in came Yassine and KimKim to the rescue.
From day one, planning this trip, I felt at ease with Yassine. The process was seemless. I changed my mind several times about the route we are to take and Yassine was very patient with me. More than my business, he wanted my comfort,... read more
Dear Jamal, reading your review truly put a smile on my face so thank you!
It makes me very happy that you enjoyed your trip and that you found the planning process easy and straightforward. I honestly enjoyed working with you to plan your trip so thank you so much for being responsive and also easy to work with. Said is indeed a great driver so I'm happy that you enjoyed his company and driving you around. We always love hearing when our travelers bond with our drivers so I'm glad it went... read more
We had a wonderful time!
Morocco
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Jan 13 - Jan 22, 2023
We had a wonderful time! We enjoyed the various terrain, nature and experience food and culture from different parts of Morocco.
Especial thanks to our driver Amine who is awesome and made the trip exceptional by going the extra mile every step of the way for the entire duration of our trip! He accommodated us when our bags did not make it to Rabat from Paris, made calls to the airline in French and Arabic and made the round trip back to Rabat from Fes just to pick them up! Throughout he... read more
Magnificent Morocco
Morocco
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Dec 23 - Dec 31, 2022
From the moment we began planning the trip with Yassine and then Louis, we were off to a great start. They tailored our trip to match our interests and tastes. They answered our questions and messages in a timely manner and provided very good customer service.
Upon arrival in Casablanca, we were welcomed by the amazing Amine whose energy and enthusiasm about our pending adventure was infectious. Amine truly made the trip even more special with his warmth and hospitality. His ability... read more
Eliana! Your review simply makes me love what I do so thank you so much! My colleague Louis and I truly enjoyed working with you to plan your Morocco adventure. You were so fun to work with and it frankly made it so easy to put your trip plan together. Amine is indeed a fun person to be around and so glad that you two connected very well. I love hearing that you had a good time with Siham, Aziz, and Mohamed in Fez. I agree that the cooking class is a must, I do recommend it to my travelers... read more
Our Morocco trip made it to the top three fam...
Morocco
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Dec 24 - Jan 2, 2023
Our Morocco trip made it to the top three family trips. Amazing!!!
The majority of the planning/foot work was done by Louis and Yassine for us.
I oversaw the hotel choices because it mattered we slept in memorable, comfortable and quiet roads and hotels. They delivered above our expectations 98% of the time. We were very pleased. I am confident to recommend that their word/promise held true. Thank you Louis and Yassine.
The person who made the biggest difference in our trip was Abdr Fateh... read more
Just what I was looking for
Morocco
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Dec 17 - Dec 22, 2022
The planning process with kimkim was very easy. I went with them to organize 5 days in the northern part of Morocco because they offered more flexibility in arranging the itinerary. Every other company I looked at had a trip to the desert as part of the tour, and we didn't want to do that. I never spoke to Yassine, but had two conversations with Louis and he was great. The first conversation was early on fine-tuning the schedule, and the second was when our flights were delayed leaving... read more
Thank you Helen for the review. I know that we didn't interact a lot but you were definitely in good hands with Louis. I'm glad he was able to help you and figure out a solution to your flights being delayed. Being flexible and available for our travelers to make sure that they are well taken care of is one of our priorities so I'm very happy to hear that you felt that way. Salim is a great driver with an amazing personality and I'm very happy that you felt very comfortable with him during... read more
Wonderfully organized and excellent execution!
Morocco
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Dec 18 - Dec 23, 2022
We had such a beautiful trip to Morocco! The riads were amazing and the activities planned were perfect for what we wanted out of our trip. Yassine and Louis truly understood how we prefer to travel and created such a nice itinerary. They built in just the right amount of structured activities and free time to explore the cities we visited. Our driver Mohammad was very friendly and made himself available to any request. He went above and beyond to make sure we saw and experienced as much of... read more
Thank you so much for the review and I'm so happy that you had a fantastic trip in Morocco! Louis & I truly enjoyed working with you and planning the details of your trip. I'm happy to hear that Mohammad made you feel safe and was there to make sure you were enjoying your trip. We love our drivers and we appreciate everything they do to make sure our travelers are enjoying their time in the country. I'm also glad to hear that you enjoyed all of your accommodations. Our local team does a... read more
Memorable Morocco trip ever!
Morocco
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Oct 28 - Nov 6, 2022
What a wonderful trip with a lifetime full of memories! Starting with Yassine who helped me plan out our trip meticulously to every last detail, keeping in constant touch over the 2 year period of our planning and finally making the trip due to Covid! He was wonderful, patient and very prompt in his responses. Amine our driver stayed with us all 10 days and was a wonderful, energetic and very patient resource with lots of local knowledge. He never rushed us and moved us just from point to... read more
Dear Rajeshwari, Thank you so much for the review! I just can't believe that this trip finally happened after postponing it so many times due to Covid-19. It has been a pleasure working with you to plan your Morocco trip and I want to thank you so much for being so understanding and flexible. I'm glad to hear that you felt so safe with Amine and that he went above and beyond to make sure that you were enjoying your trip. We are so proud of our drivers, they all do an amazing job and we are... read more
Magnificent trip!
Morocco
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Nov 28 - Dec 6, 2022
My hubby wanted to go to Marrakesh for his big birthday. So I was looking for a way to get started on planning our trip, and came by KimKim and read the reviews. I looked up Morocco and found Yasssine. I contacted him, and within 24 hours he responded. He asked me about our interests and what I wanted to accomplish, and between our wishlist and Yassines’s knowledge and expertise, we began to plan our trip. The feedback was easy and progress was måde quickly. Yassine offered up suggestions and... read more
Thank you so much for your review and I'm so happy to hear that you had a fantastic time in Morocco. I really enjoyed working with you on planning your trip. Hamza is indeed a great driver with a great personality, I'm so happy that you enjoyed exploring the country with him and that he was very accommodating and helpful throughout your trip. Thank you again for your trusting us to plan this trip for you and your hubby :)
Amazing trip!
Morocco
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Nov 20 - Nov 27, 2022
We had an absolutely amazing trip, from start to finish! Yassine was wonderful to work with to make our itinerary just perfect for us and what we wanted to do and see. He gave great recommendations and helped us build the perfect trip. Our driver (also Yassine) was fantastic and helped us get everywhere safely and very comfortably in his lovely large van. We really enjoyed our tours (our guide Hassan was wonderful), and the cooking class we took was a highlight. Thank you for helping us plan this once in a lifetime vacation!
It was truly a pleasure planning your trip, Melissa! I'm happy to hear you had a good time in Morocco and that you enjoyed everything we planned for you. Yassine is indeed a great driver and I'm glad you two were able to connect and have a good time. Cooking new food and learning about new ingredients is always fun so I'm delighted to hear that the cooking class was a great one. I always recommend our travelers to participate in a cooking class or something similar because you learn a lot... read more
Morocco is a Must Destination
Morocco
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Sep 29 - Oct 14, 2022
Morocco was our first KimKim destination, and we were helped by Yassine, who put together a beautiful and inclusive tour. We hit many cities and were not disappointed. In fact, we have already mentioned our trip to family and friends.
There were several guides along the way, and all were very capable and friendly. Our favorite part of the trip was having Soufiane Bouraqqadi as our personal driver for the trip. He's a wonderful person, smart, friendly, and helped cut through the red tape... read more
What a joy to work with you, Fred! I'm so happy to hear that you enjoyed traveling with us and that your driver Soufiane made it more special. He is indeed a great driver and he totally goes above and beyond to make sure our travelers are well taken care of during their visit. Thank you for recommending us to your family and friends, we will be more than happy to help them plan their trip. Please stay in touch and if you ever want to return to Morocco, we will be honored to welcome you again. Take care!