Morocco is a wonderful country filled with imperial cities, cultural heritage, and scenery you will want to record. Planning your trip is essential. There are items you will need to bring with you on the trip whether you are trekking Morocco or staying in a city like Fez. As a guide to preparing you for Morocco, we have a list of things you will need to consider before embarking on your Morocco trip.
Picking the Right Season
Most important about your trip to Morocco is when you will go. Exploring Morocco is best done–especially if you plan on heading south–during the winter, spring and fall time. This is when the temperatures of the desert and other regions of Morocco are more comfortable and bearble.
The country will be lush with green plants due to the winter runoff of the High Atlas Mountains during the spring time. If you can’t get away in the spring, the next season to try is autumn. September to November the heat has lessened again making it noticeably more comfortable. Winter months are the most difficult for treks into the High Atlas Mountains where gaining any altitude takes snow trekking equipment. Many trails are not passable due to the winter snows.
What To Do in Morocco
Museums, taxis, and hotels should be part of your Morocco itinerary. Most High Atlas trekking begins in Marrakesh, with transport to the start of the trail. You will want to have local currency for the hotels. If you are staying in the cities or traveling to attractions like museums you will need local currency to enter as well. Typically when on a budget Dh320 a day is reasonable per person. This is for cheap hotels and if you are not in a hurry. You can easily spend more if you wish, from hundreds to several thousands in one day.
To enter Morocco you will need your passport (valid for at least six months prior), travel insurance and money to exchange (or use one of the many bank machines). Travel insurance is especially imperative if you are going trekking through the remote regions of Morocco.
Other Necessities That Make Life Easier
Rain is common during the spring and summer seasons. Consider Gore-Tex or other type of rain gear for protection. You want something that is light in weight to carry, but warm and protective at the same time. Always consider clothing items that you can layer over the top of eachother.
Purification tablets, toilet paper, and boots are also items to pack. There are areas in Morocco that do not supply toilet paper, such as when on hikes or out of the cities. You definitely do not want to get caught without basic necessities. Water purification tablets help cleanse the water making it drinkable, which also saves money on bottled water when on a budget.
Planning Your Itinerary
When preparing and planning your trip you might think about the festivals and events. The Almond Blossom Festival and Rose Festival occur in the spring. Gnawa and World Music Festival and the International Cultural Festival occur during the summer months. Other festivals include the Moussem of Mouley Idriss II, Ben Aissa Moussem, and the National Folklore Festival.
You probably already have some idea of where you would like to go while on your Morocco holiday. You may also have a tour operator helping you with Morocco trekking tours. Still, it is a good idea to look at a map and find where all the locations you want to visit are located. This will help you plan out your days, yet give ample time for relaxation.
If You’d Like To Trek
For experienced trekkers M’Goun or Jbel Toubkal are two of the tallest massifs in Morocco. They are over 4000 meters in height. It can take at least two to five days to trek up the mountain and back. If you want a more leisurely tour of the region, you can plan for a longer trip.
Day trips to the High Atlas Mountains are also available. These day trips generally take you through the valleys, gorges, and even the salt mines. While trekking you want to be on the lookout for birds and Barbary monkeys. Bird watching in Morocco is the best with over a hundred species of avifauna to see.
by Sam Mitchell
