The itinerary for our next trip
The route of our upcoming trip through Morocco is all sorted.
Read the brief description below to get a rough idea about our adventure!
We leave from Malaga for Tarifa to embark on the ferry there. The adventure basically already starts upon arrival in Tanger, where the first “obstacle” awaits: getting past border control. Here, in the busy environment of a large harbour, there’s always enough going on to keep your senses busy.
The second day will be our first real leg of the trip, and a long one right away: Final destination Béni-Mellal. We drive through the green district in the west with its well maintained roads and rich nature, home to the famous tree-climbing goats. Should you spot them: a good opportunity to take a cool picture together with your own “goat” !
From Béni-Mellal we will venture into the mountains of the Atlas! During this leg of the trip we will visit one of the magnificent waterfalls of this area, near Ouzoud.
Through Alemdoun we continue our trip in the direction of Bhou Tarat, with climbs of over 3000 meters in altitude. Despite the fact that our daily trip distances will be less than half of that of the first leg, it will often take just as much time. The cars will be seriously put to work, and the drivers will really get to know their vehicle and how to handle it in these conditions. Because of the long and tiring days we will be enjoying the comfort of a local riad upon arrival in Bhou Tarat.
After Bhou Tarat we aim for Ouarzazate, also known as the Hollywood of Morocco, and with that we also go towards the Sahara desert. Today will bring us the first hardcore offroad tracks with serious descents; again a tough challenge on both cars and drivers. And as before, the total distance to travel will not seem too much but it will take ample time for everyone to arrive in the next camp!
In Ouarzazate we will most likely have our first “day off”, with the possibility to visit the movie studios or a trip to Ait-ben-Haddou, the famous location used as set for Gladiator, Kingdom of heaven and Game of thrones, amongst many others.
We will leave Ouarzazate in the east, to drive along Foum Zguid towards Erg Chegaga. We’ll enjoy a rough and barren landscape, passing the ruïns of a centuries old settlement now and then, and always see those impressive mountains on the horizon.
From Foum Zguid onwards there is the choice of either taking the desert track with some more time for an occasional break, or going for the rocky road through the mountains. After that we drive along and through the partially dried up Lake Iriki: stretched out before us like the salt flats, with beautiful vistas to enjoy.
After Erg Chegaga we enter the desert full on, along the ancient trade route to Timbuctu. We will visit the “oase sacré” Oum Làalag and continue through the legendary sand dunes until we reach Tagounite.
Upon leaving Tagounite our trip will bring us some tough but beautiful desert tracks; well known from the Dakar rally and other raids. We will end this leg in the high dunes of Erg Chebbi, near Merzouga. Here, we will most likely have another day off to give everybody the opportunity to see the oases of Merzouga and Erfoud, known for it’s fossils. Here you’ll find thousands of palm trees in the middle of the desert! It is also worth a trip to go visit the ruïns of the ancient trade post of Gara Medouar, the Zouk at Erfoud or the impressive artworks l’escalier celeste, Cité d’Orion and spirale d’or. In the evening you can enjoy one of the many restaurants.
From Erfoud our trip will continue in the direction of Boudnib, not too far from the eastern border. The exact route we’re going to take is subject to weather conditions, but it is certain that it will bring us back to a fair bit of climbing and descending with stretches of sand, wide plains and beautiful views. We will end this long day at the uniquely situated hostel/campsite Chez Francois Rekkam, traditionally used as the headquarters of coutless rally-raids in the surrounding area.
From Boudnib we will return to doing some serious mountain tracks. This will be another day of steep climbs, really challenging both drivers and cars, up to the Col de Bekassem. After the Col we continue to Talsint, where we will find ourselves a nice place to camp out in the wild together for one last time.
After Talsint the route will take us towards Lamrija, the last stretch of real offroad track we’ll see this trip.
Here we will endure several oued crossings: a ferriage in a river bed. We will end the day in a luxurious resort with a pool, as a sort of a ceremonial finish to our adventures together.
The last official day of our trip will then bring us to Nador, where we take the ferry back to Spain.
Have you read this and become enthousiastic? And you want to come with us? Let us know before januari 31st so we can make all the arrangements in time!
Not entirely sure yet, and you’d rather have some more information, or you have a specific question about something? Or maybe you just wanna chat and/or meet with us before you decide? All possible!
Please feel free to contact us for all questions, meet-ups or to register!
Waar wacht je nog op? Doe mee!
