Morocco is a country rich in culture and tradition, it takes you into a land of light and color where traditions and culture are genuine.
Very diverse landscapes from north to south through very green places Berber villages, big Atlantic beaches, big cities, typical historical and architectural monuments and the Atlas mountains with peaks that cross 4000m above sea level, Morocco is the only Maghreb country to have such a great mountain atlas.
Southern desert is vast with a large expanse of stone plateaus, oases and sand, the best known is the erg Chegaga, dunes can reach 200 M tall. The desert is popular for trekking camels, bivouacs and circuits 4/4, the desert is unforgettable for its beauty, its calm his search for peace.
You can browse the Morocco 4/4 in camels, mountain bike, on foot, on horseback, according to your choice and your desires, this is what is special about this country and the happiness of the tourists who travel.
The welcome, sharing and hospitality is important in Morocco, during your meetings and your travels you will not miss the ritual of tea, very consumed by the Moroccan population. The kitchen offers delicious food and a great culinary diversity tagines, couscous, pastilla, soup, barbecue, the fresh orange juice … .The bread always accompanies the dish.
The Berbers of Morocco will designate by the term Amazigh: free men. Formerly this written language is oral today. The Berber language includes three dialects:
The rif: north of Morocco
Tamazigh: South area of Ouarzazate, taza
The Souss tachelit: region of Agadir, west
A true sign of identity of traditions and hospitality, Berber culture is still very present with songs, music, parties, weddings … in southern Morocco in particular, it is common to come across women dressed with traditional outfits large black and colored veils and eyes makeup kohl and henna on their hands. Family, parents are strong links, hospitality remains that nomads because always invited to his place, with the ceremony of the Berber tea, and sharing.
The climate in Morocco through a hot, dry season, summers are very hot (June to September) and a mild winter and sunny day, (November to April), however the cold falls quickly at sunset and evenings and nights are cold. Atlas peaks are often snow-covered.
For your discovery in Morocco you have the choice to go where you wish, you will keep a wonderful memory of this friendly country, rich landscapes and beautiful circuits.
Information to travel to Morocco
Formalities:
A passport valid for at least six months from the entry to Morocco is required. Europeans do not need visas. The authorized legal maximum stay is 3 months from entry into Morocco.
TIME HOURS:
In winter: one hour less in Morocco compared to France and Spain
In summer: two hours less in Morocco compared to France and Spain
HEALTH:
No vaccine is required. You can find in pharmacies same drugs in Europe. Provide a first aid kit containing all the necessary to avoid inconvenience and minor injuries.
CURRENCY:
The currency is the dirham. 1 € = 10MAD.
On arrival at the airport in Morocco you can change your money directly at the teller provided. You’ll also find exchange offices around the major cities. In some hotels and possibly in some cities, you can pay by credit card. If you have a map you will find international distributors in the city and directly withdraw local currency. On the other hand allow enough money for trips outside major cities.
CLIMATE:
The climate in Morocco varies by region and season.
The months of December, January, February are the coldest of the year between 20 ° C to 0 ° C at night by region. Atlas Mountains are snowy winter.
Because of its geography, the Atlantic coast is windy and humid and temperatures vary between 20 ° C in winter and 30 ° C in summer.
In the south and the desert from the month of June, July, August temperatures are hot they reach over 50 ° C. Winters are mild and cold nights.
KITCHEN
It is best to drink bottled mineral water and wash raw food before eating,
Tea is the national drink is prepared with mint and green tea. This is part of the tradition, a ritual to celebrate the welcome the newcomer. They call it the Berber whiskey, a successful tea should lather. The dishes are the Tagine, meat and vegetable stew and couscous prepared according to the tradition every Friday. The main secret of all the kitchen is a special selection of the variety of spices, cumin, paprika, ras el hanout …
Bread is an unconditional, is present in every meal.
In rural areas, each family has a stone oven and clay, the bread is kneaded thoroughly and baked.
Harira is the Ramadan soup, nutritious mixture of pasta, vegetables, meat, spices.
The tangia, a specialty of Marrakech, a mix of meat and spices prepared in a bowl in the ground and cooked in the ashes of the hammam.
Not to mention the delicious fresh orange and law jus …
languages
Morocco’s official languages are:
National: Classical Arabic and Berber.
Berber languages (tarifin, Tamazight and Tachelhit) used daily in mountains and desert of Morocco. French is the language of commerce; higher education is taught in French.
Spanish: northern, southern, because in the past this was the Spanish protectorate in Morocco.
In southern Morocco Spanish and traditional Arab Region (Hassaniya) .L Classical Arabic is the language of legislation, The spoken by the population is Moroccan Arabic gradually influenced by the culture of language use. The Berber areas including three Berber dialects (tarifin in the north, Tamazight in the Middle Atlas and Tachelhit in southern desert .. large atlas and the Atlantic coast) they speak this language daily.
PURCHASES:
When you buy do not forget that Morocco is developing even though everything is a bit cheaper than in Europe. Even today, as bartering, exchanging objects or food are still practiced.
The souks are markets where you can buy everything. an explosion of flavors and colors. you must negotiate the price with the seller competently The idea is to start with a little less than the price you will pay for the desired object and from there the seller made a cons-offer, you continue the negotiations for reach agreement.
Some typical products such as orange blossom water, rosewater, argan oil, musk, dates, couscous, harissa fossils (very spicy), carpets, printed scarves, turbans, the Cheches, silver jewelry, djellaba, slippers, and quartz extracted the country, Arab and Berber handicrafts, pottery ceramics, textiles, musical instruments (darboukas castanets gnawa …), variety of spices like saffron , cardamom, cumin … so valuable in ancient times, they were used as currency in the trans-Saharan trade routes.
Events:
Marathon des Sables (late March, April) is one of the toughest marathon in the world, he begins his departure to Ouarzazate and ends in the desert.
Festival of Roses, Kelaa M’Gouna (early May) in the valley of roses, festivals are held every year in May for 3 days with Berber live music.
Gnaoua Festival in Essaouira (mid June) large Moroccan Festival of traditional African music.
Gnaoua Festival in Khamlia (mid July) people encounter desert towns where the tribes Gnawa invite you to eat and perform dances and rituals of protection.
National Festival of Popular Arts in Marrakech (mid July), recognized since 2005 by UNESCO as cultural heritage of humanity. It takes place in the best areas of the city such as Menara Gardens, Palm, Palacio El Badi …
Art and Music Festival of Asilah (end of July) you can enjoy the colorful mural with the artists decorate the white houses of the medina.
Feast of the bride, Imlil (mid-September) curious celebration with traditional music where women and men meet the Berbers to find a heart to take and then unite in marriage.
Dates Festival, Erfoud: the people of the region meet in one of the most fascinating places in Morocco, Merzouga dunes and also enjoy traditional camel races. Late October.
International Film Festival of Marrakech (November) the city became for a week “Moroccan Cannes. »
Ramadan, the month of purification through fasting. The whole country respects this tradition for about 30 days a year. The setting sun and the call to prayer all Moroccan f’tour prepares for a big meal to break the fasting. The end of Ramadan is celebrated by Eid,
The Lamb of holiday: aid el Kebir. Approximately 40 days after Ramadan, every family sacrifices a lamb as an offering to God as Abraham did in his time.
ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY FOR YOUR TRIP:
– Sunglasses, sunscreen, protective cream against mosquitoes, hats, lip balm, first aid kit, comfortable shoes or hiking sandals, fleece jacket for cold nights, scarves or scarf.