Morocco 2017

[T140]

Hi all and happy new year 2017.

Pat and l are heading of to travel down though France then onto Spain catch the ferry from Algeciras to Ceuta in Morocco,leaving in around 17th January.
We have traveled though Morocco before by hire car in 2003 but think it will be much more exciting in the Cali.
No real plans for Morocco but we have allowed month to travel round.
Anyone else planing a trip around the same time?

Steve and Pat.

 

[Loz]

Instead of Ceuta, which is a bit of a bun fight and a sh1t Hole at the border why not go from Algeciras to the new port at Tanger Med. much nicer no locals hassling you to assist.
You can buy ticket from Carlos who has an agency just behind the Hypermarket in Algeciras. I'll post a google link to his office.

 

[T140]

Instead of Ceuta, which is a bit of a bun fight and a sh1t Hole at the border why not go from Algeciras to the new port at Tanger Med. much nicer no locals hassling you to assist.
You can buy ticket from Carlos who has an agency just behind the Hypermarket in Algeciras. I'll post a google link to his office.

Loz,cheers mate for the information and a happy new year to you.

S&P

 

[snowy55]

We went across in Sept 2015 and wrote this thread which might have some ideas for you.

https://vwcaliforniaclub.com/threads/holiday-to-morocco-sept-2015.11465/

 

[T140]

We went across in Sept 2015 and wrote this thread which might have some ideas for you.

https://vwcaliforniaclub.com/threads/holiday-to-morocco-sept-2015.11465/

Thanks Snowy for reply, we have read your very interesting thread with some great pics,
It was part of the reason we chose to go back to Morocco with the van.
Steve & Pat

 

[surfer-rich]

We went across in Sept 2015 and wrote this thread which might have some ideas for you.

https://vwcaliforniaclub.com/threads/holiday-to-morocco-sept-2015.11465/

Just read through your thread @snowy55, brilliant source of info, thanks. I'm a kitesurfer and have been to essaouira a few times, would love to do in the cali - maybe one day

 

[Loz]

This is the link to Carlos for ferry tickets, if you mention that you know "Peter" of Atlas Overland he will give you a good price. (Pete is my mate not me..)

http://www.viajesnormandie.net/situacion-agencia-viajes-algeciras.htm he's basically behind the Carréfour at Algeciras

 

[Loz]

If your interested, you can watch a movie Mrs Loz made of our last trip 2014 in the Touareg.

 

[Jabberwocky]

If your interested, you can watch a movie Mrs Loz made of our last trip 2014 in the Touareg.

Reminds me of when I was there in 2008. Just me, Mrs JW and a Toyota Yaris!!

 

[T140]

This is the link to Carlos for ferry tickets, if you mention that you know "Peter" of Atlas Overland he will give you a good price. (Pete is my mate not me..)

http://www.viajesnormandie.net/situacion-agencia-viajes-algeciras.htm he's basically behind the Carréfour at Algeciras

Thanks again Loz
Steve

 

[T140]

Instead of Ceuta, which is a bit of a bun fight and a sh1t Hole at the border why not go from Algeciras to the new port at Tanger Med. much nicer no locals hassling you to assist.
You can buy ticket from Carlos who has an agency just behind the Hypermarket in Algeciras. I'll post a google link to his office.

Hi again Loz
Could you tell me if I require the original V5 document or OK with a photo copy to get into Morocco?

 

[Loz]

Hi again Loz
Could you tell me if I require the original V5 document or OK with a photo copy to get into Morocco?

You will need the original for temporary importation. Also you will need to have a cin number added to your passport and this can be done on the ferry on the way over.
You will need your cin number for you vehicle temporary importation form, you can do the vehicle form online and print it before you go and add the cin number to it before you hand it over.

If you can't get a green card, you can buy insurance from a kiosk at the port.

I'll see if I have any copies of the forms you will fill out..

 

[Loz]

Here, read this from Chris Scott's site instead it has all the details, https://sahara-overland.com/2014/12/27/morocco-documents/

 

[snowy55]

The insurance purchased at the port is I believe a very basic third party insurance.
We are insured with Comfort and they extended our policy for Morocco at minimal cost likewise the VW roadside assistance doesn't cover Morocco, again Comfort covered us at minimal cost.

 

[T140]

Thanks guys

I think we have it all sorted out now,thanks for your help.

Steve & Pat

 

[Loz]

Do you know where you are planning to visit?

Trip report and photos please

 

[T140]

Do you know where you are planning to visit?

Trip report and photos please

Loz
Pat and I hope to do a round trip departing Portsmouth to Santander south to Algerciras via Saville then ferry to Morocco stopping and camping at Chechaquen,Meknes,Marrakes then across to Essaouira south to Taghazout Tiznitand Tafraoute hopefully for a bit of sun and beach weather.
Then return back to Blighty via Barcelona,for 17 March or sumthing like that!!!!
We hope to take photo's on the way round and keep you all posted.
S&P

 

[Loz]

Where are you located in the UK?

I have a large map of morocco on my office wall with lots of routes marked on and would be more than happy for you to come over and I show you lots of the places to visit and give you a rough idea how long it takes.

 

[T140]

Where are you located in the UK?

I have a large map of morocco on my office wall with lots of routes marked on and would be more than happy for you to come over and I show you lots of the places to visit and give you a rough idea how long it takes.

Loz
We are in East Sussex(Rye) I see you are in Gloustershire a bit of a trip for us, but once again thanks for the kind offer.
Steve&Pat

 

[T140]

Hi all,
We've been in Morocco for three weeks now, we've stayed south, Trafoute being our favourite stop so far, now in Tiznit for couple of nights before heading towards the Atlantic coast. People seem much more friendly out in the countryside and hill villages but as people commented on before you need to be a bit street wise in the busier towns. Temperatures have been as high as 28c during the day, going down to 2c at night, but a good quality sleeping bag and a glass of red wine all help. (Don't forget, if you do like a glass of now and again, then you need to stock up before leaving Spain) you can find the odd bottle, but it'll cost you a weeks campsite fees to buy! We certainly recommend travelling here in January/February, it's so green, the blossom on the trees is beautiful, and it just seems much fresher than when we came last time in October. We'll post some photo's once we have a better internet connection.
Regards
Steve & Pat

 

[zeratul]

Thank you for sharing your experiences.
Being bound to school holidays because of our 3 children, we just realized that this easter holiday is an exceptional one, because it's one day longer than normal. We'd have 17 full days, or 18 when leaving friday 31/3 right after school. So I started thinking about Morocco.
We can take a one-day stop in Barcelona and take the ferry from there. We'd have 12 full days in Morocco from Tanger.. do you think it's worth it?
We'd have to travel 1300km to Barcelona, then 26h on the ferry. On the way back it's a long drive home or perhaps the ferry Santander -> Porthsmouth then the Eurotunnel... a bit late to book and plan, but I like last-minute ideas, that's what the California is good for.
Whish we could go for longer, but the only option is summer and then it'll be too hot for us there.

 

[T140]

Thank you for sharing your experiences.
Being bound to school holidays because of our 3 children, we just realized that this easter holiday is an exceptional one, because it's one day longer than normal. We'd have 17 full days, or 18 when leaving friday 31/3 right after school. So I started thinking about Morocco.
We can take a one-day stop in Barcelona and take the ferry from there. We'd have 12 full days in Morocco from Tanger.. do you think it's worth it?
We'd have to travel 1300km to Barcelona, then 26h on the ferry. On the way back it's a long drive home or perhaps the ferry Santander -> Porthsmouth then the Eurotunnel... a bit late to book and plan, but I like last-minute ideas, that's what the California is good for.
Whish we could go for longer, but the only option is summer and then it'll be too hot for us there.

Sorry for delay in getting back to you, we've only just arrived home after spending two and a half months travelling Portsmouth to Santander, driving down through Spain, then across on the ferry Algeciras to Tangier Med. We personally wouldn't contemplate doing the trip in your time scale with 3 children, you'll be looking at so much driving and you won't even touch the surface of the country. Morocco is not a 'holiday' destination, it's an 'experience' ! ! ! The temperature when we were there was 29c and by April, it'll be warming up considerably. The sanitation on campsites leaves a lot to be desired, and you wouldn't be safe wild camping there. Obviously it's your decision, but maybe somewhere closer to home would be more relaxing. If you do decide to go, please do your homework, it's as you know a strict Muslim country and has not got quite the same casual approach to tourism as what you would expect anywhere else. If we can help with any further questions let us know, but most importantly have a wonderful time in your Cali. Steve & Pat.

 

[zeratul]

Thank you for getting back. 2 weeks since my post and so we've already taken the decision that we'll go, so your advise is a bit worrying.. but we'll make the best of it and go anyway. Last summer we did a 5500km trip Slovenia/Croatia/Italy/west-France and back and so we're kind of used to driving long distances and never sleeping twice in the same campsite.

I do understand and share your concern on the total driving distance and we're deciding what NOT to do to limit it to an acceptable amount. We'll focus on Marakkesh, Atlas, Ouzouarte, Dades valley, desert. We'll skip all of the other cities (our children prefer nature over cities). We are not planning on camping wild. And we are aware of the different campsite standards. So let me share our plan and please comment.

For us from Belgium, Tanger is 'only' 1300km because we take the Ferry in Barcelona. That is just 3hours more than a regular ski holiday which we do every year..must be doable.
Fri 31/3 Leave 3pm after school, drive till midnight (kids fall asleep around 8pm, at least on skitrip they do), then pull up the roof on a French aire and sleep.
Sat 1/4 another 3hours, so by noon we are in Barcelona where we'll spend the day with the children depending on the weather we may go to the beach
Saturday at 2am the ferry leaves, but we can embark much earlier.
Mon 3/4 arrival at Tanger med at 6am.

Monday night and tuesday night campsites are not decided yet, but we'll be en route for Marakkesh which is 6hours in total (Google maps time - how much should we add?). Any suggestions for campsites en route?

Wednesday, we've booked a riad in Marakkesh and visit the city. From experience, half a day is enough in any city for the children.
Thursday, we've booked an all-in with aqua park near Marakkesh for the children to enjoy and us to relax.
Then the plan is to travel through Atlas, enjoy Tizi-n-Tizka pass toward Ouzouarte, then Aït Benhaddou - kasbah Taouirt - Fint oasis and then towards Merzouga (fri/sat/sun) where we've booked a camel trip and night in the Desert experience (sunday to monday). We still need to find campsites for friday and saturday in between.

And from monday 10/4 till saturday we have 5-6 days for the 830km back to Tanger. We'll probably visit Chefchaouen, but other that that we haven't planned anything yet. We'll see who we meet, what happens, what campsites we encounter and how hot it is. I have this Morocco overland route book here where I might take one of the routes labeled 'VAN'.

Saturday we have the ferry to Algeciras at 10am, then drive to Bordeaux region. Stay there the sunday (my wife's parents life there and drive home on monday). So the way back is a 23h drive split over 2days (with a rest day in between) which I don't look forward to but the ferry from/to Barcelona is only once a week and it didn't fit.

So to summarize the driving..
1x a 1300km drive from Algeciras to Bordeaux
2x a 1000km drive (home->south of france) and Bordeaux->home
1 day (2nights) on a ferry
1 day (2nights) near Bordeaux in a house

Except for the 3 complete days all the other days we plan are no more than 3-4 hours. There's 12-13h of daylight.
We never sleep 2 nights in the same place with the California. We've never done that.. it's just so much fun to go to the next stop. But I am a little concerned leaving the car behind when visiting a city or going for a walk.

Does this sound like a crazy idea?

Initially we had hoped to also visit Tazzeeka national park, Ouzoud waterfalls, Fez, Paradise City (near Agadir), Essaouira (though we still hope to squeeze that in before Marakkesh) and Legzuira Beach (which is just way too far). Those have been cut due to lack of time.
If I look at what travel agents offer for Morocco with children it's usually one week with
- Marakkesh + atlas
- Desert trip with mules or camels and hiking for older children
We've used it as inspiration.
We'll never have more than 17days in the coming 15 years because of the children's school situation (and summer is not an option due to heat). Which is why it's now or .. probably never (with the children).

 

[Jonathan Duke]

I've been thinking about Morocco lately..... Been there on three occasions to date, twice on a motorbike, and once on a push-bike.

Each trip, was for less than a week. It's an amazing country, and definitely an experience. Yes, you'll only scratch the surface, but that'll just mean you'll have to return again & again.....

Here's a short video, one of the members of our group compiled.

 

[Alibee]

Here's a short video, one of the members of our group compiled.

That looked superb, what a fantastic trip!