I'm planning a trip to Morocco (early next spring) and am looking for someone who's spent a bit of time to see if my itinerary is realistic. I want to do some kind of a loop down from Tangier (I'm going to trailer the bike to Gibraltar) as far as I can get in a 2 weeks - well I might be able to stretch to 17 days but probably I ought to plan for 14 that way I have some days in hand for unexpected stuff. Anyway I was looking at doing a few days of high miles at times mainly the road work and not do all the cities extensively so I get more time off-road which is my reason for going really.

It's be great if someone would comment on the following:
1) Tangier(skipping Tangier mostly) to Fez - 150 miles
2) Fez to Casablanca - 200 miles
3) Casablanca
4) Casablanca to Agadir - 300 miles
5) To Tindouf - 300 miles
6) To Smara - 250 miles
7) To Galtat Zemmour - 150 miles
8) Into Mauritania to Ain Ben Tili - 220 miles
9) Back into Morocco to Tindouf - 220 miles
10) To Tiznit - 230 miles
11) To Marakesh - 250 miles
12) To Errachidia - 300 miles
13) To Oujda - 300 miles
14) To Tangier - 300 miles

Also which of the are likely unleaded petrol stops.

Anyway - help appreciated, hotel names, suggested routes, any of these unfeasable given terrain.

I'm going to be travelling on a DR350 lightness being to essence. The range should be based on my estimate of 10 miles per litre minus a bit about 250 miles carrying about 27 litres - 40 miles per gallon being a cautious estimate.

Enough for now, BTW the gathering in the UK was brilliant, inspiring a good laugh, well organised and a definite for next year :=)

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[This message has been edited by nick_ratcliff (edited 19 July 2002).]

Hi Nick, Tindouf is in Algeria, you won't get near there - and the only permitted crossing into Mori is down south on the coast . Even Smara is Maroc is possibly a restricted area.
You can't just cross and re-cross the borders here willy nilly. Many tracks are still mined from the Polisario wars. See:
http://www.sahara-overland.com/routes/atlantic.html
and /mines

In the short time you have you're much better off sticking to Maroc (avoid Tangiers) and enjoy lower daily mileages south of the Atlas. There are some great dirt tracks there - like the 1000km string of trails from Tan Tan to Erg Chebbi - 'Sahara Overland' Routes M1 to M7 or whatever.

Chris S

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Author of Sahara Overland and the Adventure Motorcycling Handbook, among other things

http://www.sahara-overland.com

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Morocco Overland 4 pre-order for Xmas • Trans Morocco Trail

Hi Chris

I'm leaving for C-Town this Sept, the northern bit bothers me. I have bought your Sahara book and am devouring it with great interest, but with respect to all the great stuff in it, the situation is so fluid I was wondering if you could help (happy to agree a fee) or direct me to the most upto date web sites.... Best regards

Simon H.

Don't forget the Gorges du Todra and Gorges du Dades. One off the best routes off Marocco.

Freek

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Freek (NL)

Chris' advice about the run across from Tan-Tan has proven to look valuable. I've ordered the Sahara book to look at the route plans. The great benefit for me is that it looks like I'll be able to do less long haul miles before getting to the good off-road stuff and including the Todra and Dades gorge are a definite.

I am having a lot of fun planning this and appreciate the help



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>if you could help (happy to agree a fee) or direct me to the most upto date web sites....

I think you're on it Simon H.
Dont forget,. it all gets simpler once your in the middle of it and meet other travellers.

Pre-dept fretting is a common ailment ;-)

Chris S

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Morocco Overland 4 pre-order for Xmas • Trans Morocco Trail

I think you're on it Simon H.
Dont forget,. it all gets simpler once your in the middle of it and meet other travellers.

Pre-dept fretting is a common ailment ;-)

Chris S[/B][/QUOTE]


Thanks Chris,

The bit I was unsure of specifically was my route to avoid the central and west coast political bits, so I was trying to go - Moroc, Mauritania, Mali, Niger, Sudan, Ethiopia and then on down the East Coast.
However I learnt from the British consulate in Libya we can get in from Niger but not out into Sudan...Eeeek! This now suggests that short of re-routing into Egypt (where I have no interest of visiting) that the alternative is to ship the bikes from Nigeria to either Sudan or Ethiopia. This would be a shame for two reasons, one it means we dont go overland to the cape and the other is... of course, the dosh, which will be a big hit.

Do you know of any cunning routes I can try without being robbed, shot at, or arrested?
Thanks Simon