Route advice please

[kfer]

Hello all, Me and my better half will be popping over to Morocco on my GSA and her Transalp on 06/10/2011ish and be staying for about eight days. I would like a bit of advice on a route to take. This is our first trip to Morocco and we would like to do a bit of travel off the black stuff. We are not really bothered about the touristy bits and want to keep the distances reasonable so there is time for pictures and a brew. I have read Tim's wealth of information on here and have Chris Scott's book I just need some route advice to tie it all together.
Thanks in advance.

 

[fritz]

Hello all, Me and my better half will be popping over to Morocco on my GSA and her Transalp on 06/10/2011ish and be staying for about eight days. I would like a bit of advice on a route to take. This is our first trip to Morocco and we would like to do a bit of travel off the black stuff. We are not really bothered about the touristy bits and want to keep the distances reasonable so there is time for pictures and a brew. I have read Tim's wealth of information on here and have Chris Scott's book I just need some route advice to tie it all together.
Thanks in advance.

Chris Scott route MH2 is asphalt all way now (well, never did the imilchil to El Kebab bit, but all rest certainly is)

MH1 is great, mainly tar, but from north of gorge to to Agoudal is off road and variable - not hard, but spectactulat.

Chris's L5 route is a great one...but a full day

We were advised the N13 was a good way down to Erg Chebi and it certainly proved so, greta scenery and easy. The dunes are definately worth seeing.

Across to Zagora is a long old road leg through some start beautiful scenery.

MH4 (1/2 and part of L2) Nkob to Boumalne was fun...the GPS died so route finding was using the guide (backwards) by description alone. A long old leg through some amazing scenery. Was a challenge two-up loaded, but eminantly doable (best other way round as book mentions. One of the highlights of the trip.

The N2 (Rif) was fine, think things have improved, though road leaves something to be desired, if I was there again I'd take N8/N2 on way back up. Our experience and that of a German couple we met - most pople have it down as not advisable so one for consideration

The coast road from Tetoun N16 should be avoided at all cost! I'm a redundant civil engineer so I found much of interest, but sucking dust all day long isn't fun - the whole bloody thing is being rebuilt in a oner (a very long oner ). N8/N2 much better choice in comparison.

There is just so much to go at

Thanks to advice of friends and the outstanding info on the knowledgebase here it's a brilliant destination. The online vehicle import makes life easy at the border.

We didn't go to any of the cities as it was early Sept. Did particulakly enjoy chefchaouen on way back up though, very, very chilled and a nice place to call in on your way home after some of the other spots.

Brilliant place to visit, hope this helps if you see it before you leave

 

[kfer]

Cheers Fritz, useful info. I'm really looking forward to it now. Cant wait.

 

[fritz]

Cheers Fritz, useful info. I'm really looking forward to it now. Cant wait.

Useful tip - you will find (I suspect) there are very few tourists. You'll often be the only people staying in a place.

At hotels send the wife in to ask about rooms, ask her to get their best price then say the husband will have to check the room. Then you can ask for less, and less still if staying more than one night. If you get a flat 'that's the rate' ride away. It was quite normal to get a lower rate than the one posted (legal requirement I think) and then get 30% off that. Asking for DB&B can work out very well.

Equally you may find you get somewhere pretty basic at more than a lovely place a few nights before - funny old world. And we probably still paid more than needed. Cheapest was £12.50 RO, and £18 DBB p/p is about average.

You may have to pay for parking on top dependant on location. The street attendants are 'proper' usually in bibs and sit all night. Around 10DM a night should do it - it was 12 for two nights and a whole day in Azrou. Morocco felt far safer and secure than EC.

Wish we were coming You'll love it

 

[kfer]

Thanks for the tip. Will be in Morocco tomorrow, 16:00 ferry. In Seville at the moment, leave in the morning. Any recommendations where to stay?

 

[fritz]

Thanks for the tip. Will be in Morocco tomorrow, 16:00 ferry. In Seville at the moment, leave in the morning. Any recommendations where to stay?

Some we used that might be useful

http://www.gites-hotes-ombre-des-oliviers-volubilis.com/chambre_dhotes_sulimane.html Idela for Volubilis and Moulay Idriss

http://www.kasbahjurassique.com/

http://www.auberge-merzouga.com/

kasbah d'idis boumalne Gorge du Dades

chefchaouen a big place on right as you go up A. Res Elma before the Sidi Hmed Elouafi 'monument' up on the hill side, can't find name Hotel Laura or something perhaps, has parking short walk to medina etc it's at 35.162565,-5.25786 if that means anything (google map grid) on SE of town

Always bargain have a great trip

 

[fritz]

chefchaouen a big place on right as you go up A. Res Elma before the Sidi Hmed Elouafi 'monument' up on the hill side, can't find name Hotel Laura or something perhaps, has parking short walk to medina etc it's at 35.162565,-5.25786 if that means anything (google map grid) on SE of town

Found card for this one now - Hotel Loubar
www.hotelloubar.com
if anyone needs details

 

[David G]

Found card for this one now - Hotel Loubar
www.hotelloubar.com
if anyone needs details

Stayed here a year ago, well worth the stay and a shortish walk to the centre.