Legale Information:
Material provided:
- Overnight double tents. Please bring a sleeping bag.
- Salon tent for rest periods and meal service.
- Kitchen tent and utensils for cooking.
- A comfortable single mattress.
- Baggage and camping equipment is carried by mule (in the mountains) or dromedaries (in desert).
Thinks to take:
- Valid passport, so if yours is about to expire, you will need to renew it. No visa required if you are British or EU citizen.
- It is recommended to have adequate personal holiday insurance that will provide cover in the case of a medical emergency.
- Well worn-in boots. For treks including climbing, please make sure you have a reasonable level of fitness before the trek.
- Sandals for relaxing after walking.
- A day sack for any articles you want to take on the walk.
- Sunglasses, cream, sun hat, spare socks, gloves in winter, waterproof, camera, electric torch, and other items useful for taking on a hike.
- Water purification tablets.
- Medicines: You may wish to consider bringing painkillers for diarrhoea, headaches, fever, etc.
Please don’t hesitate to tell the guide about any problems you may foresee or may experience.
About Morocco:
Morocco is part of Africa, but also has many European influences including an historical association with Spain and France. The indigenous Berber peoples held it until the 7th century when the Arab and Muslims made it the westernmost muslim country. It is quite heavily populated, with approx 30 million people!
Geographically it has coasts and beaches, cities and plains, mountains (exceeding 4,000m- 13,500ft) and desert lands, all quite close together. Arid scrublands/steppes and cedar forests can be seen in the same day. The coastline has wonderful sweeping beaches and the inland desert of the Sahara has a peace of its own with burning stars at night.
Time:
Morocco’s time is the same as GMT all year round, and is therefore one hour behind Britain between late March and late October.
Languages:
Berber and Arabic are the official languages, but French is very widely spoken.
Climate:
To give you an idea of the temperatures you can expect, the tables below give the average minimum and maximum temperatures (in ºC) for Morocco. Temperatures in the High Atlas Mountains vary according to the altitude. Even though spring and autumn days in the mountains are usually warm and sunny, evenings can be very chilly.
Marakech:
| |
January |
February |
Mars |
April |
May |
June |
July |
August |
September |
October |
December |
| Day |
18 |
20 |
23 |
26 |
33 |
38 |
38 |
33 |
28 |
23 |
19 |
| Night |
4 |
6 |
9 |
11 |
17 |
19 |
20 |
17 |
14 |
9 |
16 |
Haut Atlas:
| |
January |
February |
Mars |
April |
May |
June |
July |
August |
September |
October |
December |
| Day |
14 |
14 |
14 |
18 |
24 |
28 |
30 |
20 |
18 |
18 |
15 |
| Night |
4 |
2 |
11 |
16 |
22 |
25 |
26 |
18 |
15 |
15 |
6 |
Sahara:
| |
January |
February |
Mars |
April |
May |
June |
July |
August |
September |
October |
December |
| Day |
15 |
20 |
24 |
33 |
45 |
48 |
48 |
35 |
33 |
25 |
15 |
| Night |
8 |
15 |
17 |
25 |
35 |
40 |
40 |
25 |
25 |
18 |
8 |
The people:
The mixed Berber and Arab population has successfully maintained their ethnic and cultural stability, despite a burgeoning young population and 99% of the population being muslim. The Berbers are decendants partly of the paleolithic population and partly protomediterranean, and were converted by the Arabs in the 7th C. They have conserved the society structure of families, villages, clans and tribes..
Customs:
Part of the attraction of visiting Morocco is in its very different-ness to northern Europe. We would ask that you pay attention to our berber guides when visiting villages, and cities, they will tell you what is the recommended clothing and when to take photographs for instance. It would also be best to keep shorts and skimpy clothing to the mountains and desert where you are a long way from any village. Moroccans are very friendly and hospitable people. Try the mint tea- it is very sweet to our tastes at first, but can become very welcome. Some meals are eaten with bread and fingers... although you can ask for a knife and fork.
Our food:
Moroccan cuisine has long been considered as one of the best and diversified in the world, with countless dishes and variations. The most traditional dishes offered during your stay with us are:
Tagine :
Tagine is a spicy stew of meat and vegetables that has been simmered for many hours in a conical clay pot (from which the dish derives its name). Is the best Moroccan meal. There are dozens of variations including: chicken Tagine with lemon and olives, prawn Tagine in a spicy tomato sauce, etc.
Couscous:
Coucous is made from semolina grains and steamed in a colander-like dish known as a couscoussiere. This is the staple food for most Moroccans. It can be served as an accompaniment to a stew or Tagine. This meal is prepared and offered in our Lodging in the Happy Valley (included in price).
Takliya:
A popular Berber cuisine. It is a combination of lamb, tomatoes, bell peppers and onion and served with couscous or bread.
Harira:
The traditional Moroccan soup. It is usually eaten during dinner in the Muslim holy month of Ramadan to break the fasting day. It is considered as a meal in itself. It is also served to relatives and friends after a special celebration, such as the morning after a wedding night. Of course, it could be prepared any time, however, some families prefer to stick to tradition and serve it on special occasions.
Harira’s base-recipe is composed of the following ingredients, and may vary depending on regions: flour, tomatoes and tomato concentrate, lentils, chickpeas, onions, rice, beaten eggs, herbs (celery, parsley and coriander), spices (saffron, ginger and pepper), small amount of meat (beef, lamb or chicken), a spoon or two of olive oil. Lemon juice can also be added. Harira is served as first course in dinner during your stay with us.
Tea:
The most popular drink is green tea with mint. Traditionally, making good mint tea in Morocco is considered an art form and the drinking of it with friends and family members is one of the important daily rituals. The technique of pouring the tea is as crucial as the quality of the tea. Mint tea is offered at will during your trip with us.
Free Spirit Limited. Registered in Morocco No 359/07 (Chronological), 461 (Analytical). Trading Licence No. 41670411.
Registered Office: Douar Ait Ouchi, Ait Bouguemez, Azilal, Maroc.
