Morocco info
 

Just got back from a trip around Morocco on a ktm 950. If anyone needs any info on fuel, accomadtion, routes etc I can post them- The tarmac at Merzouga goes to Touz now...!

Stan - Yes please. Considering doing it on a TDM 850, so won't be going far off road. Also interested in how quickly you got through Spain / ferry etc. Thanks Kevin

Hi KTM 950

I'm planning a trip through Morocco (on KTM 950 Aventure) in Jan 2007 Please forward on any info to me at mail@pixelart-design.co.uk

Cheers

Paul

Hi Stan,
i am planing trip at the end of 2005.
BMW 1200 GS

Would be greatfull!
Adam

Stan,

Any chance you could mail me some info, I'm heading off that way in October.

Thanks

Rob

Hi there.
Please could you also send any info on to me too please as i am leaving in december of this year.
Thanks, Nick.
sharonick AT ntlworld.com

[This message has been edited by Chris Scott (edited 15 July 2005).]

Will get the info on here soon- been off line for a bit..

StanH
Would be very grateful if you could email me the details of your. myself and a couple of mates are planning a trip on our 1150gs's

Email adrian.reynolds@btinternet.com

Cheers Adrian

if you could email me too please that would be great!
flavvaaa@hotmail.com

Stan, Me too please to johnlidbetter@yahoo.co.uk I am planning a trip for April 2006, with one or two others on XRV650's. Anyone else keen to joing us?

Hello Stan,
would be great to have your info (brammoriau@yahoo.com)
thanks a lot

Hi Stan,

Me too please (michael_shulver@mailblocks.com). Thanks in anticipation.

Mike

Stan

I am also interested - thanks

rob (r_munn@btinternet.com)

------------------
.. no gods .. precious few heroes.

Hiya,

Could I have the info as well please:-

e-mail: andy@preaching.co.uk

Hi Stan
This could be a big thread - could you put up your stuff on a website please, we'd all appreciate it.
My own itinerary is at the bottom of my Morocco webpage, it gives miles and times etc.

------------------
Kitmax - Traveller
Desert Pictures at
http://www.kitmax.com/kitmax/kit03ph...velgallery.htm
homepage http://www.kitmax.com

Stan,

I am going there in october. I am looking for all the offroad trails I can find. Can I please have the info too.

Thanx Yuri

yuri_ltd@hotmail.com

Put me on mailing list also.
Off in Jan on an Africa Twin.
kevinhyn@hotmail.com

Please also add me to mailing list, three of us are going down Europe and into North Africa Nov 05. Two of us on XT600's and one on a Africa Twin.

Thanks James

jamie@petersurtees.demon.co.uk

Wouldnt mind the info if Possible

baz@broomheadhDOTfreeserveDOTcoDOTuk

Thanks

Baz

i'm very interested in your infor as well.. leaving for morocco/sahara crossing in october.

thanks so much!

malone7185@aol.com

Hello,
We are going to Morocco in Nov. (5-6 Africa Twin). Please send me some information about your journey.
Thnx

if you could email me too please that would be great!

nachodvg@hotmail.com

Did anyone get a reply to the requests for information ....

No, but I have since been to Merzouga myself so if there are any specific questions I could try to help.

I just wondered if anyone had had a reply, I'm looking at going to Morroco next year, so was on an information gathering operation.

Nothing specific - but thanks for the offer.

------------------
.. no gods .. precious few heroes.

I am going in October. Any suggestion as to what gear would be best (I shall be on a Thundercat). Will leathers be too hot? mesh too cold? I have seen a nice Teknic Cordura jacket with zip vents in chest and arms and removable waterproof liner. Only have Sidi Vertebra boots. What do you think?

Chil,cordura jacket and decent leather pants worked for me; it was hot on the desert side of the Atlas, but I wouldn't compromise on the protection. Chances are it will piss down going through the RIF,a wet suit is a must.

Have a nice one.

PK

it would be great to recieve your info at jelle1 at pandora.be
2 xt600 december 2005

Chil/all,

As the other poster said above - make sure you take wet weather protection.

I took my old style Fazer 600 (Thundercat engine) to Morocco in April/May 2004 and it was great fun. I had to run it on leaded fuel in some places because of problems sourcing unleaded fuel - no trouble caused though.

I wore leather trousers, Sidi boots, Buffalo leather/cordura mixed jacket. It was fine for me, although a little hot at the dunes at Erg Chebbi.

I also got stuck in a huge snow storm whilst crossing the High Atlas mountains and I had no wet weather protection (I didn't really think I'd need it - I know better now!).

Have a good time and keep an eye out for the small birds that always seemed to swoop towards me as I was riding along :-)

Simon

Darkenbad and Simondavis - thanks for the info. I really don't like getting hot, but will take the advice and look for some leather trousers and Cordura jacket. Note taken re wet suit.

Hi Folks

Sorry for not posting this sooner-my girlfriend has just had a baby and the trip seems an age away.
Am amazed at the response so I hope the info will help.
This trip was on a KTM 950 and a Tenere 600..We crossed from Algeciras to Ceuta- the fast boat is better
Went down the coast to Agadir via Moulay Bouselham- camping at 54DH for 2 then to Essauria (600km day some motoway some coast road) to an Auderge at 600DH DBB for 2- our most expensive on the trip!
We then had a short day down the coast at Tarazoute plage-camping at 44DH-very basic
Then from here via Agadir to Tafroute bungelows at 80DH
We changed our tyres here and swapped the old ones for souvenirs ( This place is fantastic-and would recomend it) Then did Chris Scotts route M11 -got slightly lost and went down a parallel valley but got there in the end.
We couldnt get unleaded petrol but the 950 was ok with the leaded.. fuel in Morocco was between 9.49 and 9.68 DH / litre
We stayed at Akka in a hotel for 80DH DBB then went to Tata and routeM10 to Ingherm over the atlas and stayed at Talouine for 340DH DBB
Then to Foum Zguid and route M7 Stayed in FZ(300dh) after an electrical problem 20k down the track fixed it then set off next day - did M7 then bivied 30 k down M8 Then from bivi to Merzouga via an epic in the sandy Oued at Remilia- another story...Then after a rest day in Merz it was a highway trip back to the ferry via the Riff mountains- not recomended- far too much hassle after the desert.

Did a similar trip on a DRZ 400 a few years ago but the 950 is far more suited- a bit heavy in the sand but fantastic elsewhere-stable on the track comfy on the road- the best bike for this country by far. I carried a 10 litre jerry but you can get fuel in villages so wouldnt bother with it. We took bivvy stuff but wouldnt bother with that either- stay in Auberges take just a day sack with water and a change of pants and you will enjoy the ridding a lot more-the lugage just gets in your way!

We traveled in April/May so it was warm in the north and very hot in the Desert.
Its very difficult to judge the ridding gear-10 years ago I went in february and got caughtin blizzards in the mountains. This time I took 2 much and had the rucksack stuffed full of 'just in case' clothes - October to feb would need a few warmer layers and waterproofs.
As an example this trip I had Hein Gerick Pants with the liner out, Thermal top, body armour, pertex top and enduro jacket mainly, with 2 thin fleeces and another(!) windproof bike top.2 T-Shirts, thermal lonjohns. On the moterway i didnt need all the fleeces on, but it was dry, in the desert it was body armour and pertex top- thats a lot of stuff to carry, but you will always have 2 much kit! Just look at the long way round lot...

We used MT21 tyres with no punctures, just a rucksack and a tank bag for luggage, a GPS 5, Chris Scotts route sheets, Michelin Map, digital camera, bivi bags, therma rest and tiny MSR gas stove- used twice dont bother-buy coffee its nicer!

I hope this is of use and if you need any more I will try to keep an eye on the thread- Apologies again
Stan

Thanks for the info. I'm counting down the days to my trip. Leave Portsmouth for Bilbao on the 2/10/05. Just having a minor internal debate about camping gear now after reading your report. Anyone heading that way (Bilbao to Algeciras-Ceuta to ????) at the beginning of Oct. Care to join up?

hey Stan, you mention that you´ld rather stay in "auberges" than carry a tent, I assume those are huts or bungalows. Did you notice all camping places had those? and how expensive were they?

How far can you go between camping places?

Pedro- Auberges are just bed and breakfast type places varying from the basic room on a campsite (80Dh for 2 in Tafroute no food) to a posh pad with en suite bathroom(600dh for 2 with 4 course amazing meal and huge breakfast at Essoura). I used the lonely planet guide book to find some places but everywhere you go you will find a place to stay. The distances on the pistes arent huge and there are places to stay along some of them ,not all the campsites have bungelows however dont just look at campsites- hotels will give a good deal and if your on a bike they will insist you park it in the foyey..next to the pool table in one hotel. After many years of biking I have decided camping is for 4x4 travel where you can really get away- unless you do a trip like Chris's desert riders, but for a few weeks in Morocco travel light on your bike...

ok i've just got back from morocco after a 2.5 week trip, this thread was very useful, if anyone needs any up to date advice please ask- i have to say though everyone seems very blase about the state of the roads out there- i've ridden many places including india and mexico- these were some of the worst roads i have ever experienced. blind corners on mountain roads with trucks coming at you, motorways turning to gravel with no prior warning, some major roads on the map are just rocky trails... be careful out there! also btw rough guide is well out of date, better to trust your instincts.

:: Mayhem ::

Yes please I would like some more info, especially if you went on a bike, looking to do a Solo trip in March, any info much appreciated, email me if easier.

Cheers

Wilso

I would be very happy to recieve such info. I'm looking into ridng Morocco on my Vespa... e-mail would be great

I thought the roads were pretty good apart from in the North. Not up to European standards but far better than I expected. Could make 300 iles in a day easily between the larger towns & cities.

My Report is here http://www.bikersoracle.com/vfr/foru...ad.php?t=54198

Baz

Stan Will be in morocco this Christmas would be grateful for the info Cheers

There's a bit of info (photos mainly) on my website (see below), when I went there on a 99% tarmac tour a couple of years ago. About 6000 miles total in just over a fortnight.

Highly recommended! I actually didn't encounter any rain, and also found the roads to be good, contrary to some earlier posts in this thread.

Thinking of going back there soon for some more off-road, now a GS has replaced the Pan!

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www.aslc43.dsl.pipex.com

[This message has been edited by IanC (edited 20 November 2005).]

Hello, I'm preparing a trip for 4 bikes in April 2006, and yes, fuel, accomodation, routes... I 'll take it all :-)

My e-mail : fmoritel@gutenberg-online.com

Thanks a lot

hi stanH iam planing to go in 2007 any help would be great all best steve

Hi Stan,

You may be sick of been asked for the same information again but would you mind posting it to me as well. Myself and seven other are planning a trip into Morocco late september 2006. We will be travelling from Ceuta - Erfoud - Quarzazate - Taroudant - Marrakech - Meknes and back to Ceuta. The main thing I am struggling with is the availablity of fuel especially in the southern regions (Erfoud). Any help you can provide would be much appreciated on anyone else for that matter.

Regards Martin

martin@lindwell.fsnet.co.uk

and me too please! Planning for Jan 07.

Thanks

topperthedog _at_ hotmail.com

[This message has been edited by topper (edited 22 February 2006).]

Dont know about the extreme south. The only place I had problems with fuel was betwen Marrakesh & Ouarzazate. I had about half a tank when I let Marrakesh & it was about 85 miles til I found a fuel stop and that was only leaded fuel. Made a mental note after that to fuel up once I had done 70 miles.

Fuel. Problem in Morocco?
Only leaded?
I was in Morocco this winter (Ceuta-Chaouen-Fez-Merzouga-Tinerhir-Ouazarzate-
Mhamid-Ouazarzate-Marrakech-Sidi Ifni via Tizi-N-Test-Tafraoute-Essouira-Ceuta). I had no probelm with fuel. Every fuel station sells leaded and unleaded petrol. Only I didn't see fuel stations between Ouazarzate and Marrakech and between Marrakech and Taroudant, via Tizi-N-Test, but I expected it (in Europe -not central or NW- you can also find similar problems if you expect to find fuel in low populated rural areas).

You can also ask me questions about Morocco.

Sorry, don't mean to hi jack this post and Stans info, but from my experience of Morocco over the course of 5 visits just a few pointers that may be usefull.

Go in via Cueta rather than Tangier, less hassle. Ignore all of the hustlers offering to help out side the border gates, but when thru into the border zone its worth paying one of the "official" minders if you want to speed the paperwork process up, especially if you don't speak good French or the local lingo.

The Rif Mountains are beautifull, but you will get hassled non stop by hash sellers, especially in Ketema. If that puts you off don't go via the Ketema route.

Moroccan tum or Moroccan bum is best avoided by only eating stuff you can peel, boil or burn! Bottled water is best and avoid ice cubes in drinks or salads as both are invariably made of or washed with local water. Sorry if i'm stating the obvious.

As Stan says the advance of tarmac is relentless out past Erg Chebbi and also the road thru Todra Gorge towards Imilchil in the Atlas Mountains is being tarmacced now, although the winter rains had washed away some of the tarmac road in Todra itself last time i was there.

Also there is petrol on the piste from Merzouga to Zagora in a village about 25 kms on from the Auberge at Ouzina on route to Zagora (can't check the name because the map i lent out has been lost!!!!!!!!!!!! moral of the story don't lend maps out)the petrol station consists of some 50 gallon drums and they fill up your bikes with empty whisky bottles and the likes, look for the mud building with "Essence" painted on the side as you come into the village.

There is also petrol in the town of Oum-Jrane where you can either carry onto Zagora or nead towards tarmac on the N12 and the Jbel Sarhro.

Hope that helps a little.

[This message has been edited by BDG (edited 16 March 2006).]

[This message has been edited by BDG (edited 16 March 2006).]

Martin if you're sticking to tarmac from Erfound to Quarzazate no problems with fuel, if you're going via the piste to Zagora have a look at my previous post.

Hi....
just logged onto this thread and thought you may all be able to gather some extra information from the GPS points that we have available for download on our website.
www.2ridetheworld.com
The GPS points include refs of where we obtained fuel and free camping etc.
Simon and I have been travelling now for 3 years and managed to cross from Morroco (a fantastic country) down through Mauritania, Senegal, Gambia, Burkina Faso, etc....early in 2004.
We also have a full dairy section on our website which includes photos.
Go have a look, you may find some extra information.
If you need any other advice you can contact us direct.
We are currently visiting our 43rd country and are only a few days away from Ushuaia Argentina so we may not be able to reply straight away.
hope you all have a great time.....we fell in love with the desert and the sand riding....hope you do to.
regards
Lisa T

Lisa,
Re; 'Hi....
just logged onto this thread and thought you may all be able to gather some extra information from the GPS points that we have available for download on our website.
www.2ridetheworld.com'

Thanks for the offer but it seems you guys have not kept up with payments to your hosting company... Site is not currently available!

Stan,
Would like any information you can send me. Thanks
Paul

http://www.2ridetheworld.com/

it works for me......

Me TOO!
 

Hi,

Any info greatly appreciated:

c.ibbotson@jerseymail.co.uk

Regards