Morocco advice please
 

Hi,

I'm new to this forum and to adventure biking. My mate and I are going to Morocco in March, ferry to Santander, ride to Algeciras, ferry to Ceuta. Our trip takes in Fes, Erg Chebbi, Todra/Dades Gorges, M'hamid across the Djebel Banito Tata, then up to Asni, Marakech, Casablanca, Larache and back to Ceuta. There is quite a bit of mileage involved and we are prepared to ammend our plans if neccessary. I ride a KTM 990 Adventure and my buddy rides a XT660Z Tenere. I will be carying 10ltrs extra fuel. We plan to camp out most nights. Our time span to go from Ceuta and back is 10 days. Is this doable?
Can anyone recommend any good places to camp? Is rough camping easy to do in Morocco? How late does the Ceuta/Moroccan border stay open? How long does it take to pass through (my buddy is travelling on a Safrican passport/Visa)

Any other comments or advice will be helpful. I've read the books, dreamed the dream, now time to live the life!

Malaga is a good starting point, I have my Tenere in storage there with Hana and David of MotoAdvenTours.

I've wild camped a fair bit. It's easiest in the mountains or semi-arid regions where the land isn't being cultivated.

The border at Fnediq is open 24/7. Complete and print out your temporary vehicle import form in advance.

Thanks Tim,

useful information. I'll let you know how it goes.

cheers,

Ian.

Eirin, most the roads out there are good, with the exception of lots of roadworks in the regions between meknes and the coast. I went last year with the gf and managed Meknes in 2 days, a day trip to fes, then 2 days back up the coast. we were riding long days and it will suprise you how long it takes to ride a main road. some of which i couldnt get over 40mph....i was on a cb1300 and she on a nt650. Road bikes are ok for the trip...just be wary of the huge craters in the roads!

I'm a little bit late, but we did it :)

We had a great time down there. In Morocco we did the following route: Ceuta - Chefchaouen - Fes - Beni Mellal - Ouzoud falls - Marrakech - Agdz - Taroudant - Essaouira - El Jadida - Salé - Tanger.

Nothing too hard for our cruiser, roads were ok, except for the part on the Rif near Chefchaouen and the metal road humps :nono:. We reached 52° between Agdz (wonderful place!) and Taroudant but we had almost no problems riding even in the hottest hours. We just followed a proper diet (lots of fruits and vegetables, about 3 litres of water / juices a day) and closed all our jacket vents when it was awfully hot. Sweating is good in some circumstances, and I can say that the northern italian summer is worse!
We absolutely loved the part south of the Atlas (down from Tizi'n tichka to Agdz and surroundings), stunning views and wonderful people. Two thumbs up!
We had no green card for our bike, since the moroccan customs near Ceuta messed with our documents... but we are here, all's well that ends well! :clap: