Morocco (1) (PDF)

Morocco Motorcycle Expedition 2014

A trip of a lifetime. These are no idle words – accompany us through the heart of Spain and then int
North Africa for a tour through the Atlas Mountains. No waiting in airport lounges, no long haul fligh
no riding unfamiliar motorcycles. This is an adventure which starts on day one; you will be riding yo
own motorcycle to another continent. On this tour you will experience high mountain passes over th
tallest mountain range in North Africa; beautiful windswept beaches; bivouac in the desert; chaotic s
and cities. It really is a trip that many dream of but few actually do.

Day 1 – Portsmouth –Bilbao (Brittany Ferries 0 miles)

A trip down to Portsmouth to catch our ferry for the trip across the Bay of Biscay. You will have app
24 hrs to relax, have a few beers, look for whales in the Bay of Biscay, get some sleep and generally
out before reaching the port of Bilbao. The ferries are excellent - everyone will have a cabin with
shower. Those of you who book the single room option will have their own cabin - those you have ta
the shared option will share (2 to a cabin). In the evening, there is plenty of entertainment includin
cabaret, recent films in the cinema, numerous bars etc.

Day 2 – Bilbao to Segovia (230 miles approx)

Off the ferry in the morning and then due South over the beautiful Cantabria mountains towards Mad
This is an easy day on fabulous roads which will give us time to get back into riding a bike after the
winter months (fair weather riders!!). Our destination for the day will be Segovia in the foothills of t
Guadarrama mountains, North of Madrid. This fortified city is a ‘World Heritage Site’ with many hist
landmarks including one of the world's best preserved Roman aqueducts and the fairytale-like Alcaza
castle where Queen Isabel promised Christopher Columbus the funds to discover the New World.
Segovia is a beautiful town and we know some great bars!!

Day 3 – Segovia to Granada (340 miles approx)

Up relatively early (0800hrs) for our continued crossing of Central Spain. Today’s route will take us
around Madrid and through Toledo (yet another World Heritage Site!!). Then we head due South an
into the region of Andalucia and the Sierra Nevada for our overnight stay in the beautiful city of
Granada. The Alhambra Palace overlooking the city of Granada, stands out as the most famous exa
of Moorish architecture, and perhaps it is the most known Muslim construction all in all. The sight of
magnificent structure should get us in the mood for our visit to Morocco.

Day 4– Granada to Tarifa to Chefchaouen (240 miles approx)

Day 4 and we will journey out of the Sierra Nevada and along the coastal roads past Malaga, Marbel
Gibraltar to the port of Tarifa. We will take an afternoon crossing to Tangier. The crossing takes ab
1hr and there are 8 crossings a day. We have made it to Africa. The border crossing is typical of Af
we would like to say that it is organised chaos - in reality it is just chaos but a great experience. We
won’t spend much time in Tangiers, instead we will head South-Westwards into the foothills of the R
mountains. The Rif mountains are very picturesque and the road that leads to out overnight stop in
town in Chefchaouen is a great introduction to Moroccan driving. Our hotel in Chefchaouen is truly
magical. A traditional Riad where each room is unique and charming.

Day 5– Chefchaouen to Fes (160 miles approx)

Today we will head deeper into the Rif mountains, initially to the town of Ketima. On the way up to
mountains you may recognise the crops that are grown on the slopes. Rif equals Reefer!! As we pa
through Ketima we will get fantastic views of Mount Tidirhine which at 8,059ft is the tallest mountain
the Rif. Then its on to our destination of Fes. Fes is the oldest of Morocco’s imperial cities and is a
World Heritage Site. It is a bustling, busy city with very narrow streets – the only way of getting rou
the Medina is by foot.

Day 6– Fes to Merzouga (260 miles approx)

Up early in the morning for a guided tour of Fes. Our experienced Moroccan guide will take us throu
the Souk The tannery is well worth a visit providing your nose and stomach can take it. It is like not
else on earth! Today sees us head south from Fes and into the Moyen (Middle) Atlas. The Middle Atl
surprisingly little visited and is a wild area of great beauty. The mountain sides are covered with gre
Cedar forests. We will head over the thinly populated high plateaux between Azrou and Timhadit.

We will pass over the Col du Zad at 7,100ft and then out of the mountains heading towards the Saha
Following the Wadi Ziz through the impressive Ziz gorge we will come across numerous Oasis as we
cross the natural boundary where the mountains meet the Sahara.

Day 7– Merzouga (0 miles - Rest day or Adventure Day)

No biking today, instead you can go quad biking or take a 4x4 trip into the desert (optional excursio
Alternatively you can spend the morning and early afternoon lazing by the pool at our lovely traditio
Berber hotel (it is lovely). Then its onto our camels for an hour and half trek into the Sahara desert a
our overnight Bivouac. A night you will remember for the rest of your life!

Day 8 - Merzouga to Ouarzazate (200 miles approx)

This is a long day but what a day! Desert, oases, mountains, gorges, fabulous roads – this day has
all. Up early we travel past numerous oases and up to the Todra Gorge, Draa Valley and Dades Gorg
A truly stunning day which I am not going to describe as I cannot do it justice!

Day 9– Ouarzazate to Marrakech
(130 miles approx)
We cross the High Atlas via the marvellous
Tizi-n-Tichka pass. This is fantastic, twisty
road which takes you through delightful
mountain scenery before heading down into
Marrakech. The road itself was built by the
French Foreign Legion in 1931 and is a spine
tingling experience as it loops and twists its
way along the exposed ridges, reaching a
maximum height of 7,415ft.

Day 10 – Marrakech to Beni
Mellal (180 miles approx)

Back into the Middle Atlas mountains and th
little used roads that lead to the Cascades
d’Ouzoud. This waterfall is one of the most
spectacular sights in Morocco (especially in
Spring time).

Day 11 - Beni Mellal to Meknes (170 miles approx)

We will head into the agricultural heartland of Morocco and the Imperial city of Meknes. You will hav
time to explore the densely packed Medina quarter and the fine Moorish buildings within the Kasbah.

Day 12 - Meknes to Tangiers (2000 miles approx)

Immediately to the North of Meknes lies the ancient remains of Volubilis. Volubilis is the most impor
rd
archaeological site in Morocco. Originally found in the 3 Century B.C it prospered to AD 45 and has
been inhabited by Romans, Christians and then was Islamicized in 788AD. The ancient buildings of t
forum, basilica and capitol are still easily identifiable. A real treasure.

Day 13 - Tangiers to Seville (200 miles approx)

We will catch the early morning ferry back to Tarifa (Spain) and head directly northwards towards to
beautiful city of Seville. Again this is a fantastic city to visit - it is so full of life and the people are so
friendly.

Day 14 - Seville to Salamanca (310 miles approx)

Our penultimate day will take us across the heart of Spain to the historic city of Salamanca. Yet ano
World Heritage site, the city is famous for its University (one of the oldest in Europe).

Day 15 - Salamanca to Bilbao (270 miles approx)

Up early for the final leg of our journey to Santander. We will have a farewell dinner and a late nigh
our return ferry does not leave Santander until the afternoon of the following day.

Day 16 - Bilbao to Portsmouth

Don’t worry you will have plenty of time to shake off your hangover, do some last minute shopping e
Our ferry doesn’t leave for Portsmouth until early afternoon.

The Cost of the Tour

The cost of the tour is £1600 for a single rider in shared room. A pillion will cost an additional £1400

There will be a few single rooms available. The price for a single rider in a single room will be £2000
In order to book your place we will require a £120 deposit.

What is Included in the Price
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Tour Guide for whole of trip
Return ferry with Cabin. (Portsmouth – Bilbao)
Return ferry Algeciras - Tangiers
Berber guide in Morocco
Back up vehicle in Morocco
Camel trek and desert bivouac
All hotel accommodation in good quality hotels
All Breakfasts
Some evening meals
Tour routes and information pack.

What is Not Included in the Price







Petrol
Travel Insurance
Breakdown cover
Drinks
Evening meals (some will be provided)
Quad biking and/or 4X4 desert adventure

The Cost of the Tour
The cost of the tour is £1600 for a single rider in shared room. A pillion will cost
an additional £1400.
There will be a few single rooms available. The price for a single rider in a single
room will be £2000.
In order to book your place we will require a £120 deposit.

What is Included in the Price











Tour Guide for whole of trip
Return ferry with Cabin. (Portsmouth – Bilbao)
Return ferry Algeciras - Tangiers
Berber guide in Morocco
Back up vehicle in Morocco
Camel trek and desert bivouac
All hotel accommodation in good quality hotels
All Breakfasts
Some evening meals
Tour routes and information pack.

What is Not Included in the Price







Petrol
Travel Insurance
Breakdown cover
Drinks
Evening meals (some will be provided)
Quad biking and/or 4X4 desert adventure