Morocco Notes

For those who have not visited an Arab country before, we think you will find it very different and interesting from our Western Culture. Your visit will be all the more enjoyable if you observe in a minor way just some of their customs. This applies particularly to female clothing. For your own peace of mind, when we are in towns it is a good idea, for females especially, to be discreet in their clothing, although it is not necessary to wear ankle length dresses, long sleeves or anything like that.
CLOTHES
It is of course best to travel light , especially if you or a mule is going to have to carry it! Practical clothing is what's needed with perhaps (not essential) one smarter set for the hotels.
It is important to realise that we are staying in the mountains at heights of over 2,000m, so extremes of temperature can be encountered , especially if travelling early or late in the year. It is difficult to be exact about the temperatures to be expected as it can vary so much depending on the prevailing weather conditions.In winter, once the sun goes down, the temperatures can drop rapidly and sub,zero temperatures would not be uncommon at altitude at night , therefore one set of really warm clothes is essential plus a four season sleeping bag. Equally you must be prepared for hot sunny days where shorts etc could be the order of the day, so for those that need one, a sun hat is useful (these can be purchased on the square in Marrakech). Anyone with fair skin, as well as the various sun lotions should also bring a complete sun block. Day time temperatures in the 20's can be expected, with the possibility of much hotter days on the plain of Marrakech and in the South. In summer, day time temperatures will be in the 30's and even hotter in Marrakech and the south where temperatures into the 40's can be expected, however cool evenings are also possible.
As a guideline your total luggage should not exceed 26lbs in weight (excluding sleeping bag).
Here is a suggested list of clothing:
- shirts & shorts
- Sandals
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Trousers , tracksuits are preferable to jeans
- Cotton dress/trousers
- Swimming Costume
- Sun hat
- Waterproof clothing , yes it does rain in Morocco
- Warm weather clothes , shirts, trousers and jumpers
- Hat, gloves and thermal underwear are very cheap ways of keeping you
warm in cold weather
- Day/rucksack
- Sleeping bag
If you play a
musical instrument you are welcome to bring it along but please enquire
before bringing anything that will not fit in your bag.
Toiletries etc....
- eco friendly soap & washing powder
- loo roll
- toothpaste & brush
- torch
- shampoo
- suntan
lotion & block
- Personal first aid, should include the obvious basics
plus dio,calm tablets, fly pel etc
It would be appreciated if you
would leave any spare items from your first aid with your tour leader, after
your trip, so that they can be put to good use by treating the local
Berbers.
ACCOMMODATION & FOOD
Hotels
The hotel
that Discover uses in Marrakech is situated right in the heart of the city
close to the famous square and the old medina with gardens opposite. The
Hotel provides pleasant Moroccan cuisine with continental breakfast. Wine
etc is available.
The Kasbah
The Kasbah was designed to provide a friendly and airy
environment with guest rooms off a large central meeting space and access,
as is traditional in Morocco, to the roof which allows wonderful views and
additional space for eating or sleeping under the stars!
The kasbah
affords a very reasonable level of comfort and space and comprises of the
following: - a double bedroom
- one female salon
- one male salon
- one dining room
- flat roof and courtyard
- 2 terraces
- separate
from the main building is the main toilet and shower block including a
hammam
Berber Houses
When we stay in Berber houses as part of an extended trip, it is important to realise that although paying, we are still guests in the Berbers own houses and villages and therefore privileged to be able to experience their way of life, eat their food and sleep in their houses for a number of nights, it will be an experience you will never forget!
Everyone who we have taken to these villages are unanimous in that they all would have not missed it for the world.
But there are hardships, because we are guests we eat the evening meal when it is ready which tends to be rather late, after the work in the fields is done, plus the added problem of cooking for more that the usual number over open fires. You can rest assured that we will receive the best that they can offer and it is pretty good!
The evening meal is often a form of stew, tagine, with freshly baked bread. So as the meal times are less in our control it is useful to bring a secret store of munchies! Fruit and nuts can be brought cheaply in the market in Marrakech. Sleeping arrangements are in communal rooms of our own or on flat roof tops gazing up at the stars.
As you would expect in a lesser developed mountain area there are basic
toilet facilities.
You will be free to wander around the villages and
it is possible to have very genuine hospitality/friendship shown to you,
invited into people's houses for tea etc. Obviously the success depends on
the individual but anyone with even moderate artistic ability should bring
pen and paper, drawing seems a very successful way of making friends,
especially with the children. Playing cards and books are also useful to
bring along and also a torch as there is no electricity in these villages If
doing fieldwork, be respectful of other people's property and land.
CAMEL RIDING
For those that wish, and we highly recommend it,
a one day camel expedition is arranged spending the night under the stars in
a nomadic tent of the Tauregs , the blue men of the desert. We ride on
camels out into the desert, where our guides set up camp and prepare an
evening meal in the traditional fashion including the fascinating activity
of making bread on hot stones. The night is spent under the stars and then
waking up to a desert sunrise is a truly unforgettable experience!
WASHING
Obviously the hotels in Marrakech have modern facilities.
If staying in the villages it will be a case of washing in the stream
etc.
DRINKING WATER
It is essential to have your own water
container to carry with you. There will be regular access to refill these
from safe supplies , springs etc. However as a precaution it is best to
carry your own purifying tablets or equivalent to sterilise your own water
as necessary (particularly important if trekking). In the towns the tap
water is officially drinkable but of course it is possible to buy mineral
water if preferred.
INOCULATIONS/MEDICINE
Although it is not necessary to have any inoculations to enter Morocco we recommend that you have a typhoid, cholera and tetanus injection. Also check that your polio inoculations are up to date. Check with your doctor about the current advise for malaria tablets and hepatitis injections.
PHOTOGRAPHY
Bring all the film that you think you will need.
Although the official line allows you to bring into Morocco only 2 rolls of film duty free, most people have no problem bringing in all they require. Print film is available in the major towns and is reasonable priced, slide film tends to be more expensive.
If you have a video camera tapes tend to be more expensive and Hi8 or S-VHS difficult to obtain. Special batteries too can be difficult.
Remember you will be taking photographs in areas of strong sunlight, for
example external views, where fast film is more useful and also in the Souks
where the light is much dimmer and a slower speed film recommended. You
might also be taking flash photographs, for example on the square in
Marrakech. Its worth talking to an experienced photographer before you leave
as you will treasure the pictures you take.
SLEEPING BAG
Even in the summer the nights can be cool in the mountains. If travelling late/early in the year a good quality four season sleeping bag and mat is essential. These can be hired from us.
PASSPORT
British full passports are necessary. If you are from outside the UK please check the current documentation required
at the Moroccan Embassy or legation in your country.