Destination of the Month: Morocco

Why Morocco?

The sun is always shining somewhere in Morocco, and we can always use a bit of sun! Our destination for the month of March is Morocco not only because we're fans of alliteration, but because Morocco is one of the best destinations in the world if you want to escape to another place and time. March also marks the beginning of the ideal season to visit Morocco.

BikeHike Morocco Trips

Morocco Mountain Biker’s Dream (10 days)
Activities: Mountain Biking, Camel Riding
Trip Difficulty Rating: Challenging
This is the ultimate adventure for the mountain biking enthusiast; tons of biking, stunning scenery, and a challenge on the quads.

Morocco – Walking with The Nomads – Part 1 (10 days)
Activities: Trekking
Trip Difficulty Rating: Challenging
Live the life of a nomad on this 10 day trek through the mountains and valleys of Morocco. This adventure is slightly more challenging than Part 2, but includes an extra day of culture.

Morocco – Walking with The Nomads – Part 2 (9 days)
Activities: Trekking
Trip Difficulty Rating: Moderate
This trip is recommended for anyone who needs to escape the hustle and bustle of city life. The most difficult part of the journey back in time will be learning to live without internet, your cell phone, and regular showers. You'll come home with appreciation for both the little conveniences of city life, as well as the unique nomadic lifestyle.

Highlights of Morocco

Ait Benhaddou
It has served as a backdrop for many well-known films like Lawrence of Arabia, Jesus of Nazareth, and Gladiator. But even before it went Hollywood, this complex of adobe Kasbahs was well known as a stopping point along one of the busiest trade routes across the High Atlas. Ait Benhaddou is now a UNESCO World Heritage site, and is the most popular village in Morocco.

Authentic Cultural Encounters with Nomads
There are few places on earth where you can live the life of an authentic nomad. Morocco is one of those few. On either of our Walking with the Nomad adventures, you’ll live with and walk alongside a tribe of Berbers to discover their way of life.

Vibrant Markets and Alleyways
If you’ve ever wanted to take a travel photo worth printing in National Geographic, this is the place to try! The famous souks (markets) and alleyways of Morocco offer a feast for the eyes. You can lose yourself wandering from stall to stall sniffing the vegetables, examining hand-crafted souvenirs, and going snap-happy on the locals (remember to ask for permission first though if you’re planning on taking a close-up).

The Jebel Saghro (aka Jbel Saghro)
This remote and dramatic mountain range of Southern Morocco will leave you breathless. The region is best visited in the cooler season between October and April, and takes a full week to hike across the entire area.

Interesting Factoids:

• Morocco is one of two countries in Africa that are not part of the African Union, the other being Eritrea.
• Morocco has both a King and an elected parliament.
• The name ‘Berbers’ originated in 440BC when Romans gave them the nickname, which means ‘those who speak noisily or confusedly’.
• In Islamic teaching, Allah is sometimes embodied as a stranger, so for this reason unknown visitors are often given preferential treatment.
• In Muslim countries, the left hand is considered the dirty hand because it is the hand that is used after using the loo. For this reason, only use your right hand when eating, touching money, or shaking hands.
• It is impolite to decline meat at a Moroccan home, since meat is a luxury and the concept of vegetarianism does not fit into Moroccan culture.
• The window handles in taxis are often removed because of a commonly accepted myth that the wind makes you sick.
• Some superstitious Moroccans believe that the chameleon possesses magical powers. But unlike cultures that provide preferential treatment of magical creatures, Moroccans throw chameleons in wood-fired ovens and add chameleon meat and bones to food in their efforts to ward off misfortunes and restore fidelity (respectively). Poor chameleons...
  
• Camels (which are found in Morocco) have 3 eyelids to shield their eyes from sandstorms.
• In the southern Sahara, locals eat camel, gazelle and hedgehog meat.

Anny Chih