Morocco, first trip & Ramadan questions...

[Greasy Biker]

I'm planning my first trip to Morocco this year, and have a couple of questions:

August is a likely date for me as I have most of the month off. However, I beleive Ramadan this year will coincide with this period - does this religious festival make it harder for your intrepid overlander to source the usual fuel, food, etc., etc. or can I take it that general day-to-day life is largely unaffected?

I was posted some years ago in Djibouti, so appreciate how debilitating the August heat could be - however, initial plans are to stay in the mountain areas where the temperature should be a little more manageable - if it looks viable then I will head for Mhamid, & look at the possibilty of Chris Scott's MS6 route.

The other option I have is to bin the August idea, and wait until my next time off work (Offshore, North Sea) which would be October. The plus I see in this would be clear of Ramadan and temperatures should be a little lower. However, more chance of heavy rains and some of the Atlas pistes being compromised...

Many thanks in advance for your advice,


Cheers,


GB

 

[Shadwell]

this is a really good site for morocco information and Ramadan.

http://www.morocco-travel.com/morocco/Ramadan/

And for the record it will be bloody hot in morocco in august. given the choice i would go in October, but im off to Tunisia at the very start of September so why would you listen to me!

 

[Big Bird]

I was there during Ramadan 2 years ago, no trouble getting fuel, food or drink. The larger cities seem to largely ignore Ramadan (from a food and drink perspective), however if you are somewhere a little more remote, you'll probably need to wait until sundown to eat. It's useful to take ration packs as occassionally you may have a long day with food not available.

I would recommend if you are eating and drinking your own rations during the day you do it discreetly. I found myself at one point glugging several liters of cold water at midday in front of a crowd of locals and I don't think they appreciated it.

 

[bladerunner]

We were there Ramadan 3 years ago - if possible I would avoid.

We found many restaurants closed and difficult to get food until nightfall. In the hotels the staff ate before serving the guests saying they had not eaten all day (neither had we!)

Also the dusk scramble by light headed drivers to get home to celebrate gave an extra spice to the already exciting traffic!
Fez souk at nightfall was a scream - the locals were torn between having a fag, scoffing something supersweet or running to get to the mosque!

As has been said also, if you do eat/drink during the day it would be polite to be discrete,

Oh, and you are not supposed to shag during the day either ;-)


Plus August will be superhot. You need to ride through the lowlands to get to the mountains. Last August Marrakesh was 57'c (SIC) - try sitting in a traffic jam in that!


October is likely to be just lovely!

 

[Paul G (BHT)]

... if it looks viable then I will head for Mhamid, & look at the possibilty of Chris Scott's MS6 route.

In August .... are you a closet masochist?

 

[Greasy Biker]

I was posted some years ago in Djibouti, so appreciate how debilitating the August heat could be - however.....

As per above.... and yes, flayed Birch twigs are sometimes my prefered pleasure