Me and the missus are thinking about spending a week or so Morocco in January, just an idea at this stage. Anyone got any tips, info etc about that part of the world?
Be prepared for snow, at, sometimes, quite lowish level at that time of year, I was there in April and 2 weeks before I walked up a mtn. pass to @ 2500m people where sking down in deep powder, pass was dry when I walked up, though snow higher up!
Also temps. can be very extreme, below -20c in mtns. to +25c in Marrakesh. If going to mtns. don't forget about alltitude, can be up to 4000m +. Routes/paths can be much steeper and longer than UK, so I'd advise getting as fit as possible.
In mtns. above a certian level, (@ 2500m), the only way in or out is on foot or donkey. so rescue evac. can be difficult. Get good insurance!!
Having said all this I loved it and want to go back. h
In January the High Atlas can be brutal, snow down well below 1,800m.
It can be stunningly beautiful too, there are good walks from Imlil or Oukaimeden or Ouirgane that you can happily do in a day in snow with no trouble.
Marrakech and Fez can be glorious in winter if there is sunshine, if it is cloudy or raining it will be very cold.
Morocco is a cold country with a hot sun.
There is always the Sahara desert, still cold but no snow, the gorges south of the High Atlas are worth seeing, Essouir on the Atlantic coast, places on the Mediterranean...and, no, I don't work for the tourist board!
I love Morocco though, what sort of thing would you like to do?
OK, then I suggest you fly to Marrakech and look at getting a taxi up to Ouirgane, go to the Sanglier Qui Fume which is a charming and rustic hotel for a couple of nights in the High Atlas and look at day walks from there. I'd suggest Imlil itself, which is the start point for Toubkal but at 1800m it is likely to be deep in snow then.
Book flights to Marrakech so that is fixed and we can liaise later in the year when weather conditions are a bit clearer as to Ouirgane or Imlil, both have advantages and nice pplaces to stay.
We're spending a month or so in December/January with my wifes parents in the UK so we'll fly from there.
From the FI it would be some route via Santiago but I've never looked into it. Chile is more the thing for a shortish trip from the Falkands (and very nice it is too) but we fancied something different for once.
You could also try Atlas Blue, Gatwick to Marakesh cost @£90 rtn. when I went. Got from comparison site,i.e. lastminute .com, compare.com, etc., all same flight but very different prices!! h
Where no different to any other cheapish airline, if anything plane seemed "newer" than so of same sort I've been on before. They took off at time stated and no complaints about service, I've been on more "well known" A/L's I would rate lower.
Atlas Blue is part of Air Maroc, in fact when I flew out the plane had both AM and AB on board, we had to pay for things , AM didn't! But price was far dearer, (up to £400), as only a 3 hour flight I took the cheap option!!
Do you live in Maroc? I hope 1 day to get back and do Jebel Toubkal from Lac d'Infi route, maybe could meet you somewhere, if/when I get back?
Might not be for ayear or so, as i would like to visit Nepal first, In shallagh. h
Will let you know if/when back in Maroc, there's so much to do in Atlas mtns. I wish I could move there!! Soukarahm ( don't know how spelt in Berber- I've spelt as would say! means Thank You). h
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