Morocco in January 2024
 

As the title says my wife and I are thinking of about a two week ride in Morocco. Currently my BMW R1200GS is stored in Malaga and we would be riding the last part of the month. We’ve never been there.
We would prefer paved roads for the most part.
Is there a recommendation that will work for us knowing the higher elevations probably won’t work.

There is a maybe ~4% chance of snow in the Middle Atlas around Ifrane and on the RN13 south of Azrou. Unless the weather is glorious I would jump on the motorway and head south for the better weather. Possibly leave the madness of Marrakech for on your way back when you will be better suited to handle the mithering.

Personally I go down the coast stopping a couple of nights or more at Essaouira, then a couple of nights at Sidi Ifni, then three nights at Tafraoute (lots to explore), then head east towards Ouarzazate, then Marrakech. Maybe visit the cedar forest and wild monkeys at Azrou on the way back north. Where possible try to get off the N national roads and travel instead on R regional or P provincial which are quieter.

If you visit Essaouira, Sidi Ifni, Tafraoute and Azrou you will have stayed at my four favourite places in Morocco.

I heartily second Tim's recommendations in his post above.

Northern Morocco (anywhere north of Casablanca) can get damn cold in the wintertime, even if you are not at higher elevations. So for sure you don't want to spend any time in the north, you want to get off the ferry and then "transit" south as expeditiously as possible.

The climate inland, to the east of Essaouira, is much milder than elsewhere during the winter months, and it warms up even more as you get further east towards Ouarzazate. That's the area you want to spend your time in during January.

My experience was that almost all, if not all of the regional and provincial roads are paved. I suggest you purchase a copy of the excellent Michelin map 742 (Morocco), and use it for planning. The most recent issue date is 2022. Be careful if you are ordering online to make sure you are buying the 2022 edition, not an earlier out-of-date edition.

Michael

PS: I note that you are located in Canada. I have a Garmin map of Morocco on a data chip that I have used in various Garmin moto navigators. Send me a PM (Private Message) letting me know what kind of Garmin navigator you have on your moto - if it is one that is compatible with the map chip I have I will give you the chip free, that will save you the roughly $100 CAD cost of buying the map.

I will chip in with Taroudant and the Draa valley then East. but move around to avoid any rain.

Great thanks for the input. We are thinking of the camel tour at Merzouga. Is that the best place to do that?

After a few hard days on a bike you may end up agreeing that there is never a good time or place to ride a camel :devil::devil::devil:But Merzouga could be the place:D

All good advice - head south, save the cities for later and enjoy the warmth and empty roads.
Even up high you're not above 2000m for long.

Maybe BMW Navigators are different from other Garmins, but the 2023 Garmin North Africa Topo Light V5 map is 20 quid and great on Morocco.
Or an OSM is free: https://sahara-overland.com/2014/12/27/morocco-maps/

On paper I find the RKH map is least bad, but though great for planning and big picture distances, these days paper maps are just not keeping up with digital or aerial.

You may find riding a camel at Merzouga akin to riding a donkey on Blackpool beach. Erg Chebbi is a tiny sand sea but if you've not seen dunes before, it is a great spot.

We are planing to go in January, from 12 to 19 two motorcicles. Starting in Tanger Chefchaouen, Cascades d'Ouzoud, I would like to cross the Atlas by the 307 to Zagora but, as Tim say, weather is complicated in January. I have no problem with low temperatures, but I dont like rain or snow in the Atlas.. Later we will go to Agadir and comming back Tanger by the coast.
I have not news about the road R307 during last months, provably Tim know about, is it all pavimented?

R307 is asphalt the whole way but with some rough patches from weather damage. Great route though

I rode it yesterday from the N10 up to about halfway (then turned west at Ait Tamlil for Zerkten; N9).
Progressively bad up to the Fedghate pass (KM85; province boundary), but only edges of broken tarmac to negotiate.
From the pass new wide road, but it's far from finished yet, so stages of gravel.
Now called the RN23.

Update here

Good info. Thanks.

We are getting ready for trip late next week. Just wondering how much cash we should get out initially. We will be there about two weeks.

Two up on a big bike I would say at least 600D (£50) a day (after you bought insurance).
More like 800 if you are staying in nice places.
Better not to rely on cards down south.

Most ATM's limit you to 2000dH per transaction, but they are every where so no need to carry lots of cash.

Bank Al Barid at the post office don't have a transaction fee

Great, thanks.
Should I buy a sim card at the border when I buy insurance or further inland?