Kids in the Kasbahs Family Adventure, Morocco

Factfile

CLIMATE:
Winter: Marrakech is generally warm and sunny (average daytime temperature -low 20s °C), but nights can be cold -especially Nov-Feb. Temperatures on the coast are similar but moderated by coastal breezes, and lower still in the mountains (depending on altitude and wind) -particularly at night.

Summer: It is hot during the day (low 30s °C), but cooler at night. What little rain there is generally falls in winter but can occur at any time of year. In the Atlas, as in any mountain region, the weather is variable whatever the season and can change from warm sunshine to snow in a matter of hours. Although spring and autumn are a perfect time for visiting Morocco, remember that nights are often cold, so warm layers are essential.

BAGGAGE:

For your comfort we recommend you travel as light as possible; many airlines impose a maximum weight limit of 20 kg – we advise you to take a lot less!
One soft, lockable bag – travel pack, or rucksack. Hard suitcases are not generally practical for our style of travel (as you may on occasion have to carry your baggage for quite a distance). Pack light, as space in the vehicle is restricted -max. 12kg
A daypack (15-25 litres capacity -large enough to carry everything you'll need during the day)

CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR:

Please note: As Morocco is a Muslim country, tight, skimpy clothing should be avoided out of respect for local customs, especially in the smaller, more remote villages. Loose, knee-
length shorts are usually acceptable but women should avoid tight, low- cut T-shirts and shoulders should be covered.

Below is a suggestion of what you might find useful to take on this trip. It is not an exhaustive packing list. If you need further advice, please call us or consult your nearest specialist outdoor clothing and equipment
store.
Windproof/waterproof outer shell (i.e. lightweight jacket/kagoul)
Warm mid-layer (fleece or wool) for cool mornings and evenings
Lightweight walking/trail boots
Trainers/sandals for relaxing
Swimming gear
Sun-hat

EQUIPMENT:

Torch
Water bottle
Personal first aid kit
Insect repellent
Sunglasses, sunscreen and lipsalve
A laundry service may be available in some hotels, but we recommend you take travel detergent so you can wash clothes as you choose

ABOUT ISLAM:
Islam's roots lie in 7th century Arabia where a poor merchant named Muhammad heard the revelations. These visions provided him with the faith that 'there was no God but Allah, and that Mohammed was the prophet of God'. Armed only with this, he managed to unify countless tribes and conquer the whole of the Middle East through his and successive khalifa's campaigns. Islam arrived in Morocco at the end of the 8th century and immediately found a firm base on which to grow. The indigenous Berbers were easily converted, though much of their cultural identity remains even today.

A Muslim is one who submits to Allah. Islam means submission. A good Muslim will follow the five Pillars of Islam:

1. To profess that there is no God but Allah, and that Mohammed is the prophet of God.
2. To pray five times each day.
3. To give zakat, alms to the poor.
4. To observe Ramadan, a period of fasting, between sunrise and sunset and lasting for one month.
5. To make the Haj, a pilgrimage to Mecca, at least once in a lifetime. Islam is more than a religion to Muslims, it is a way of life -and in the west we find it very difficult to appreciate this. Certainly Islam provides a strong bond for the community, and gives people faith when there is hardship, but more than this it gives many people happiness for its own sake. Far from being a frightening religion, full of fanatics, it embraces everyone farmers, bureaucrats, schoolteachers, housewives, craftsmen and labourers alike.

The men guard their women jealously and the Koran says a woman should cover her head -a fashion introduced (prior to Islam's foundation) by rich, Greek women. When visiting Islamic countries we should avoid unintentional offence and observe local sensibilities by covering legs, and wearing long-sleeved shirts and blouses.

The vast majority of Muslims are a friendly and incredibly hospitable people, and we would do well to remember their greeting ‘salaam’ meaning peace.

RAMADAN:

Please note that during Ramadan, the Muslim holy month of fasting, sites and museums throughout the Muslim world are subject to reduced opening hours and there may be some limitations as to the provision of services. The impact on our trips is usually minimal and indeed this can be an interesting time to visit as the streets are usually lively during the late evenings. The month culminates in the celebration of Eid al Fitr, when families eat together in celebration. The approximate dates of Ramadan in 2008 are 02 Sep to 02 Oct; in 2009 they are 22 Aug to 20 Sep.

A NOTE OF CAUTION

We would ask you to consider the points below before deciding to book with us

We appreciate that parents wish their children to have as full a range of experiences as possible and the geographical and cultural awareness that travel brings can play a great part in their development and education. This is why we created adventure trips for families. However, we feel we should remind you of some of the negative aspects of travelling with children. This is not necessarily intended to put you off, but to give you the information you need to make an informed decision.

CULTURE SHOCK:

From the minute you arrive, different sights, sounds and smells assault your senses. There are different customs, new food, noisy and crowded cities, and less personal space. People may want to touch and play with western children. This culture shock can be daunting for adults, and even more so for children.

DIFFERENT STANDARDS:

Standards of hygiene can be considerably lower than at home particularly so when you travel off the traditional tourist path. Children may be more prone to sickness than adults and standards of medical care can be extremely variable. Similarly, standards of transport and accommodation may be lower than you are used to.

DEGREE OF PHYSICAL DIFFICULTY:

Most of our trips are more demanding than mainstream travel and include a reasonable amount of walking be it sightseeing, day-walks or full scale trekking. Whilst your children could be fitter than you, a period of time in tropical heat with unfamiliar food could affect them adversely. Generally we advise against travelling with us if you and your children have not had some similar outdoor or other travel experience.

RESPONSIBILITY:

If you decide to travel with us, your children won’t be pampered but treated as small adults by your group leader. If you wish to opt out of some activity or part of the trip it is your responsibility to make alternative arrangements.

CONCLUSION:

This may seem a little negative but we must point out the potential lows as well as the highs. On the positive side, you’re likely to find that children have a wonderful way of opening doors and breaking down cultural barriers. Children are usually more curious and less inhibited with foreigners than adults are, and you’ll be amazed how quickly friendships build between your kids and local children despite the language barrier.

Why Don't You... Live life to the full

Kids in the Kasbahs Family Adventure, Morocco

Factfile