Maryem Kouna
I’m a Moroccan travel specialist born and raised in a small village in the historic Draa Valley; once part of the ancient trans-Saharan salt caravan route. Growing up in a family that valued education and hard work, I developed a deep appreciation for culture, history, and connection. My passion for languages led me to Marrakech, where I earned a Bachelor's degree. Today, I combine my local insight with a love for Moroccan cuisine, traditions, and hidden gems to craft personalized, travel experiences for visitors from around the world.
What places and activities do you specialize in?
"One of my greatest passions is Moroccan cuisine, both cooking and savoring it! I love introducing guests to our beloved local dishes, while also guiding them to hidden gems and authentic cultural experiences beyond the typical tourist path. Whether you're seeking adventure, relaxation, or a deep dive into Moroccan traditions, I’m here to craft a personalized itinerary that reflects your unique travel style and interests."
How did you get involved in travel?
"My passion for tourism began in childhood. Growing up in a region renowned for its historic Kasbahs and million palms, I frequently encountered travelers and was inspired. I always dreamed of being part of the travel industry, sharing the beauty and culture of Morocco with others. That dream began to take shape when I was offered a role as a sales assistant through a connection with a travel company, an important early opportunity that allowed me to turn my passion into a career."
Please share a unique travel experience you will never forget.
"One of the finest and most satisfying trips that I’ve had so far was the time I visited Essaouira. It was an amazing place for quiet wanderings and strolling alongside the city’s high battlements and its calm tight-fitting alleys in the old medina while also discovering its historical and cultural background. Essaouira is still one of my favorite destinations in Morocco even though it is always windy there!"
Maryem's favorite itineraries and travel advice
Top itineraries and travel advice
Discover the best of Morocco with this 10-day loop, featuring the imperial cities of Rabat, Meknes, Fes, and Marrakech, as well as several days in the desert. You'll navigate...
Compact Morocco offers plenty to see and experience. In seven days, there's enough time to explore imperial cities in-depth as well as tack on an extra day for desert...
Discover Morocco's highlights with this fast-paced one-week trip beginning in Casablanca and ending in Marrakesh. Visit the four imperial cities of Rabat, Meknes, Fes, and...
Family itineraries
Discover Morocco's highlights with this fast-paced one-week trip beginning in Casablanca and ending in Marrakesh. Visit the four imperial cities of Rabat, Meknes, Fes, and...
This 8-day itinerary starts in Marrakech and combines culture, adventure, and relaxation. Wander Marrakech's souks and fondouks, discover the ornate mosques and madrasas, and...
Luxury itineraries
Road trip itineraries
Honeymoon itineraries
Favorite experiences
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 Atlas Mountains from Marrakech
Discover the natural beauty and culture of Morocco's High Atlas Mountains. As you zip into the scenic hills, you'll make several stops to enjoy impressive panoramas of small villages, enchanting scenery, and interesting landscapes. After leaving Marrakech, you'll head toward the Atlas Mountains...
Recent trip reviews for Maryem
My trip to Morocco with KimKim was fantastic....
Morocco
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Oct 15 - Oct 25, 2026
All of our... Read more
Trip to Morocco October 2026
Morocco
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Oct 2 - Oct 14, 2026
Hi Stephen,
Thank you so much for taking the time to share your experience! It was a pleasure helping you plan your Moroccan adventure, and I’m so happy to hear that you enjoyed discovering the country’s diverse landscapes, rich history, and culture. I’ll be sure to share your kind words with Mohamed and our guides. It means a lot to us! Wishing you all the best, and we hope to welcome you back to Morocco someday.
Thanks,
Maryem
We had a fabulous trip. Many happy memories. ...
Morocco
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Oct 2 - Oct 14, 2026
Hi Esperanza,
Thank you for taking the time to write this lovely review! It was such a pleasure helping you plan your trip, and I'm really happy to hear that you had a wonderful time in Morocco and made so many great memories. I'll be sure to share your kind words with Mohamed as well. He'll be delighted!
Thank you again for trusting us with your trip.
Keep in touch!
Maryem, Mohamed, and the Under Moroccan Sun team
Wonderful trip to Morocco with excellent guides and service.
Morocco
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Oct 2 - Oct 14, 2026
Thank you so much for taking the time to write such a lovely and detailed review! It was a real pleasure working with Patrize to plan your trip, and I'm so happy to hear that all four of you had such a great time exploring Morocco.
I'm especially happy to hear that you enjoyed all the experiences and the accommodations I arranged for your stay. I'll definitely share your kind words with Mohammed. He'll be very happy to hear them! I'm sure he'll also be glad to know that you enjoyed... Read more
Maryem was excellent; Her follow through and ...
Morocco
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Oct 2 - Oct 14, 2026
Hi Patrize,
Thank you so much for taking the time to leave us a review! It was an absolute pleasure working with you to plan your Moroccan adventure, and it truly means a lot to hear that you had such an amazing time with Mohamed and all our local guides.
Thank you again for trusting us with your trip. We hope to welcome you back to Morocco in the future!
Keep in touch!
Maryem, Mohamed, and the rest of the Under Moroccan Sun team
Fantastic Morocco Trip
Morocco
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Sep 20 - Sep 28, 2026
Hello Kristen,
Thank you so much for taking the time to share this wonderful feedback. I’m thrilled to hear that your first trip to Africa — and to Morocco — was so smooth, well‑organized, and memorable. It’s great to know that my communication, Khalid’s professionalism, and our local guides all contributed to a 12/10 experience. I’m delighted you enjoyed the hotels and the unique activities, and couldn’t be happier that you chose to travel with us.
Kindly,
Maryem
Our driver/guide Youssef made it such an incr...
Morocco
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Sep 14 - Sep 18, 2026
Our driver/guide Youssef made it such an incredible experience. He was so wonderful about sharing his local expertise and went well out of his way to make our trip special. He was very professional and friendly and nicely matched our pace and interests. We would highly recommend him to other people taking a trip to Morocco!
Our favourite part of the trip was our days in the Sahara desert, where we had wonderful accommodations and great local and unique experiences with the communities there.
Dear Lindsay,
Thank you so much for sharing this lovely feedback. We’re thrilled to hear how much Youssef enhanced your experience, and we’re delighted the Sahara was a highlight of your trip.
Best,
Maryem
Maryem was amazing! We booked with only 10 d...
Morocco
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Jul 18 - Jul 25, 2026
We booked with only 10 days lead time and her responsiveness to us to get the perfect itinerary in 2 days was exceptional! Read more
Hello Amy,
Thank you so much for sharing this—wonderful to hear! I’m thrilled I could make your experience exceptional, especially on such short notice.
Warm regards,
Maryem
Authentic, Flexible, and Wonderfully Planned
Morocco
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Jul 25 - Aug 1, 2026
Thank you so much for your wonderful and thoughtful review! It truly means a lot to us to know that you had such an incredible experience in Morocco.
It was an absolute pleasure helping you plan your journey, and I’m so happy to hear that the personalized experiences, boutique accommodations, and flexibility of the itinerary made your trip special. I’m especially glad that your time in the Sahara and your stay at Dar Rihana in the Dades Valley became some of your favorite... Read more
5 amazing days in Morocco with 2 teenagers!
Morocco
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Jul 14 - Jul 19, 2026
Hi Rebecca,
Thank you so much for your thoughtful review! I’m super grateful to hear that we were able to exceed your expectations and create such a memorable trip for your family! And I’m so happy to hear that you had such an amazing time with Ismail.
Thanks again for trusting us with your trip, and we look forward to welcoming you back in the future, you and your friends/family who may wish to visit Morocco!
Keep in touch,
Maryem