Morocco south-desert - routeplan

[Kalundborgjyden]

Hello Morocco experts


My wife and I have several times with good experience of 4x4 desert driving on slopes in the south of Tunisia around Ksar Ghilane, Douz, Tozeur etc.
We have now planned a 9-10 days tour in Morocco in october, with the main theme: the South and Sahara desert, seen from Morocco ago.

We fly to Marrakech 15/10 and fly from Agadir 25/10 2010.
We hire a Suzuki Vitara 4x4, 2 door, or a Mitsubishi Pagero 4x4 in Marrakech. - Some experiences about what one of the two 4WD which is best?

Forecast is scheduled following route plan:
15/10: arrival Marrakech late afternoon.
16/10: Marrakech
17/10: Marrakech - Ouarzazate - Boumalne (296 KM - 3.59 h)
18/10: Boumalne - Tinejdad - Erfoud - Merzouga (247 KM -3.0 h)
19/10: Merzouga
20/10: Merzouga - Alnif - Njob - Agdz (288 KM 3.34 h)
21/10: Agdz - Zagora - M'hamid (185 KM -2.23 h)
22/10: M'Hamid - Foum-Zguid - Tata - Foum El Hassana (491 KM -6.19 h)
23/10: Foum El Hssana - Tafraoute - Agadir (438 km - 5.56 h)
24/10: Agadir
25.10: departure Agadir morning.

1) Is the above route plan realistic?
2) Are there any good suggestions for alternative routes.
3) Are there some that have some good / bad experiences with these alternative more "excotic" routes / pistes I have read in my book Morocco Overland:
- MS6 route from Merzouga / Taouz to Tagounite.
- Route MS8 from M'Hamid to Mrimina
- Route MA2 from Ait Herbil to Tafraoute
We're not sure how hard it is to run and find the correct way in these three pistes.

All good advice and tips are welcome.

[Chris Scott]

This post ought to be moved to the Sahara forum.
But until then:

22/10: M'Hamid - Foum-Zguid - Tata - Foum El Hassana (491 KM -6.19 h)
Although it is tar from FZ on, this will be a long day as the piste is a bone shaker. Pull up in Tata or camp in the desert before FeH, the village itself is a bit rough, I recall.

23/10: Foum El Hssana - Tafraoute - Agadir (438 km - 5.56 h)
Looks like you want to go via piste which will slow it right down into an exceedingly long day.

- MS6 route from Merzouga / Taouz to Tagounite.
2 days needed. I would head west.

- Route MS8 from M'Hamid to Mrimina
Also a 2 day slog which IMO is not worth wearing yourself out over on a short holiday.

- Route MA2 from Ait Herbil to Tafraoute
A great route (the best of the three in the area) but as slow as it says in the book. Stay at the auberge in the gorge rather than Tafraoute. MA9 is a nice one too.

As for cars, I suppose the Mits will be tougher but if the Suzuki is in better condition and you don't rag it, it will be fine.

Looks like you are making the common mistake of packing too much in - better to slow down and see more. Then you won't need a holiday to get over your holiday ;-)

Have a great trip - I think you will find that part of Mk more interesting than Tunisia.

Chris S

[desertexpress]

Hi,

Marrakech, Ouarzazate to Boumaine in 3,... hours. Can't be done.
From Marrakech to Ouarzazate over the mountains(Tizi 'n Ticka) is min. 5 hours drive .With verry slow trafic.
grts
Peter