Morocco - An Expatriate Guide

Morocco - An Expatriate Guide



Each time I go to a place I have not seen before, I hope it will be as different as possible from the places I already know.
–Paul Bowles, author of The Sheltering Sky, desert explorer, Morocco expatriate
A mere 17 miles south of Europe, across the Strait of Gibraltar, a very different experience awaits—an intriguing place of great contrast, color, culture, history, and hospitality: Morocco was the first nation to recognize the United States as an independent nation in 1777. The Moroccan-American Treaty of Friendship stands as the U.S.'s oldest non-broken friendship treaty. Signed by John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, it has been in continuous effect since 1783.

"Rooted in Africa, watered by Islam and rustled by the winds of Europe" in the words of its late King Hassan II, Morocco is a captivating and multifaceted country. If you are you motivated to learn firsthand about a culture rich in African, European, Arab, and Islamic traditions…if you are eager to explore an ecological diversity ranging from Atlantic Ocean to High Atlas Mountains to Mediterranean Coast to Saharan Desert…and if you desire close interaction with people of legendary hospitality.

Overview
History
People and Culture
Religion
Climate and Weather 
Getting There
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Speaking the Language
Visas, Residency, Immigration & Documentation
Currency and Cost of Living
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Banking
Taxation
Insurance
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Healthcare and Medical Treatment
Social Security
Employment
Renting Property in Morocco
Education and Schools
Utilities (Electricity, Gas, Water)
Communications (Telephone, Post, Internet, TV)
Driving and Public Transport
Crime and Safety
Etiquette and Respect
Food and Drink
Leisure, Entertainment and Sports
Retiring and Pensions
Taking Your Pets
Holidays and Festivals
Expat groups in Morocco

Each time I go to a place I have not seen before, I hope it will be as different as possible from the places I already know.
–Paul Bowles, author of The Sheltering Sky, desert explorer, Morocco expatriate
A mere 17 miles south of Europe, across the Strait of Gibraltar, a very different experience awaits—an intriguing place of great contrast, color, culture, history, and hospitality: Morocco was the first nation to recognize the United States as an independent nation in 1777. The Moroccan-American Treaty of Friendship stands as the U.S.'s oldest non-broken friendship treaty. Signed by John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, it has been in continuous effect since 1783.

"Rooted in Africa, watered by Islam and rustled by the winds of Europe" in the words of its late King Hassan II, Morocco is a captivating and multifaceted country. If you are you motivated to learn firsthand about a culture rich in African, European, Arab, and Islamic traditions…if you are eager to explore an ecological diversity ranging from Atlantic Ocean to High Atlas Mountains to Mediterranean Coast to Saharan Desert…and if you desire close interaction with people of legendary hospitality.


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Night Erg Chebbi & Ait Benhaddou Tour

Night Erg Chebbi & Ait Benhaddou Tour
Merzouga :
Erg Chebbi is a dune field of about 22 Km from north to south and about 5 Km from east to west at the widest point. The highest dune, 884 m, is in the north. Among the dunes there are several oasis and you can easily get water just by digging a little. The trip to the oasis starts with a long route by road which is an experience itself geographically speaking, and also because of the numerous stops to cool down and get in contact with the people.
 

Erg Chebbi & Ait Benhedou tour itinerary : 3 day 2 Night Trip
Day 1 :
We Depart from Marrakech at 09h in a modern, air conditioned transportation. We travel over the Atlas mountains, enjoying the magnificent views of the surrounding countryside below and we visit the Kasbah of Ait Benhaddou. This journey takes approx 3h. From there, after our break, we continue to Ouarzazate (approx 1 hour or so) for lunch break & Sightseeing. Lunch is available in the local cafe's. After lunch, we continue along the route of The Dades Valley to reach our guesthouse where we will stay for the night. The guesthouse offers Private ensuite rooms and an evening meal and breakfast are included.
Day 2 :
The next morning we continue along the Dades valley, visiting Dades Gorge, Todra, Todra Gorge and other interesting sites, making our way to Merzouga. At Merzouga we explore the village and meet our Camels who will take us for 1 and a half hours into the Dunes to reach our desert camp at Erg Chebbi. Each person rides their own Camel . The Camel trek is usually just prior to sunset, so that you may enjoy the sun setting over the landscape from the top of the Dunes. Once we arrive at the Desert camp, we are greeted with a cup of delicious hot minty tea and we spend the evening under the stars, on the dunes and beside the warmth of the fireside. We enjoy a locally cooked meal of Tagine or couscous (vegetarians are catered for with vegetable tagine), a drum party and story swapping. The camp has toilet facilities. Those that wish to can sleep directly under the stars, but there are Bivouacs for everyone. The stars in the desert are a great opportunity to see as their are no artificial lights around and you can fully appreciate the glory of the skies above.
Day 3 :
Wake up early , just prior to sunrise, we have a 1h30 camel ride at sunrise to explore the area further and we head back to Merzouga on our Camels. When we reach Merzouga, have breakfast & have the opportunity to shower and then we begin our journey through the stony desert and over the Atlas mountains, with plenty of stops for photos, exploring and lunch as we return to Marrakech. The usual arrival time in Marrakech is between 17:00hrs and 18:00hrs.

Option 2 : 4 day 3 Night Trip
Day 1: Pick up from Marrakech at 8am, 2 hours drive via the tizi ntichka pass, stops along for pictures, a visit to Telouet and it's ancient 17 century kasbah, lunch at a peaceful oasis with a Berber Folklore Show, an hour and a half drive to Aitbenhadou kasbah (11 century kasbah, UNESCO World Heritage Site), a visit to the Atlas Studio, hotel overnight in Ourzazate.
Day 2: Breakfast at the hotel, pick up at 9:00am,2 hours drive along the magical Drâa River, one of the longest rivers in Morocco, stops at some beautiful adobe kasbahs and Berber villages en route, enjoy the enchanting Draa Valley, lunch in Alnif. Tow hours drive to Merzouga, Stop along the great sand dunes of Erg Chebbi, a visit to the black Gnoua people, two hours camel ride thru the dunes, overnight under a berber tent.
Day 3: Breakfast at the camp, pick up at 9:00am, drive to Todra valley and the Todra Gorge lunch at the spot, stops along the Dades valley, the monkey fingers valley and the Dades Gorge, hotel overnight.
Day 4: Breakfast at the hotel, pick up at 9:00am, drive via the thousand kasbah route, the rose vally, a visit to Skoura oisis with it's authentic 17 century kasbah, a visit to Taourirt kasbah (the former residence of the Glaoui), lunch in Ourzazat, 4 hours drive via the tizi ntichka pass with stops along, back to Marrakech.



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Atlas Mountain Trek ( Toubkal Ascent ) & Erg Chebbi Desert Tour.

Atlas Mountain Trek ( Toubkal Ascent ) & Erg Chebbi Desert Tour.
AThis a perfert combination of 3 days3 nights circular Toubkal trek which will take you through the Azzaden valley and over Tizi n Agelzim peak before you climb the Mout Toubkal and a 4days Erg Chebbi & Ait benhaddou kasbahs Desert trip.
I think this is the best way to do those 2 regions if you have enough time because :
3 days Mount Toubkal will allow you to acclimatize with Altitude before you climb toubkal peak on day 3 instead of what most of peoples do ( 2 days going up and back down same way).
4days desert trip will allow you to take enough time to visit lot of places on the way such as Ait Benhaddou kasbahs and drive long the dirt road of Assif n Ounilla and visit the famous Glaoui kasbah in Telouet which all the peoples who take 3 days /2 nights miss to do it.
7 Day 6 nightMt Toubkal Ascent Trek + Desert tour
Day 1: After your transfer from Marrakech to Imlil (1,780m), you will set off an a 6 hour trek out of the Imlil Valley and into the Azzadene Valley. Along the way you will pass Tizi N’Mzik at 2,450m, the refuge at Azib n’Tansoult and the Ighouliden waterfalls. Overnight in the Lipeney mountain refuge at 3,000m
Day 2: Today involves a fairly stiff climb out of the Azzadene Valley to the Toubkal Refuge over the Aguelzim Mountain pass at 3,560m. Lunch will be taken with spectacular views over the Atlas Mountain Range. Overnight in the Toubkal Refuge (Niltner Hut) where you’ll likely be sharing a bunk room with other trekkers tackling Toubkal early the next morning
Day 3: Up early for the climb up Toubkal (4,167m) from where, clouds allowing, you’ll have wonderful views over the Atlas Range and the Sahara Desert then a long way back down past the refuge and the well-worn path back to Imlil. This is a fairly long day with 8-9 hours of trekking, involving 900m up then almost 2,500m back down to Imlil for the night .
Day 4: Imlil - Dades Valley
You will be picked up from your accommodation in Imlil at 9.00am and head out over the Atlas Mountains, driving over the stunning Tizi-n-Tichka mountain pass. You’ll pass through lots of Berber villages, and once you’re in the desert, you’ll see riverside oases and barren hillsides dotted with kasbahs (fortified dwellings that house families and their livestock). Along the way, you will have the option either to take a break and visit the Ouarzazate Film Studios or stop for a hike. Once you reach Dades Gorge, you have the option of going for a hike, or relaxing at your hotel. Overnight in Dades. (Total driving time 4 - 5 hours)
Day 5: Dades Valley - Todra gorge - Merzouga
Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer from the Dades Valley to Todra Gorge - a massive fault dividing the High Atlas mountains, rising up 300 metres in a narrow valley with palmeries and Berber villages. Here, you can go for a hike to explore the palmery, a green oasis full of large date palms. After lunch you’ll head further into the desert to the gateway town of Merzouga to pick up supplies for your desert trip. You will then drive on to a kasbah to pick up your camel. At sunset, you’ll trek for an hour-and-a-half by camel to a Berber camp where you will enjoy a traditional Moroccan dinner, and sleep under the stars or in tents at a desert camp. (Total driving time 3 - 4 hours
Day 6: Merzouga - Ait Benhaddou
Wake to a desert sunrise and then return to the kasbah by camel. You will then have a chance to freshen up and enjoy a breakfast. Once you are refreshed, you will head out of the desert for a drive to Ait Benhaddou. This is an ancient fortified city containing countless kasbahs and has been the atmospheric subject of numerous hollywood movies (The Mummy, Gladiator, Alexander, Lawrence of Arabia...) You will have the chance to walk around the buildings and explore with your guide. You will overnight in a hotel close to Ait Benhaddou. (Total driving time 5 - 6 hours)
Day 7: Ait Benhaddou - Marrakech
Travel along the Ounilla Valley to the Telouet Kasbah, a crumbling kasbah that was once an important stop for traders. Explore the Kasbah and then after lunch, you will head back over the Tizi-n-Tichka Pass to Marrakech (Total driving time 2 - 3 hours).


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