Morocco in Springtime

This is a 15 day itinerary, starting and ending in Marbella.

2 May 2020.  Day 1:  Benahavis
If renting: Fly into Malaga for arrival no later than midday.  Transfer to hotel in Marbella area.  Familiarisation with rental motorcycle.  If riding your own bike; arrive to the group hotel for around 3pm. Evening Group Dinner.

3 May 2020.  Day 2: Benahavis – Chefchaouen. (140 miles)
Catch the Algeciras – Tangier ferry and head into the Atlas Mountains to the narrow alleys and blue buildings of Chefchaouen.

4 May 2020.  Day 3: Chefchaouen – Azrou. (167 miles)
Our route takes us via the Roman ruins of Volubilis and onto the Ifrane National Park, with its pine forests and cool temperatures and Alpine like villages. Group Evening Dinner.

5 May 2020.  Day 4: Azrou – Merzouga. (244 miles)
We descend to the Sahara Desert and a two night stopover in a traditional kasbah. One Group Evening dinner in the Sahara, including camel ride into the desert, traditional music & 4×4 jeep return to the kasbah.

6 May 2020.  Day 5: Merzouga.
Day off to enjoy activities in the Sahara Desert (camel rides, 4×4 jeep tours etc) or just relax by the pool.

7 May 2020.  Day 6: Merzouga – Boumalne Dades. (200 miles/ 255 miles).
A spectacular route via the Todra and Dades Gorges. If you don’t want to do the Gorges loop, then head straight to the hotel, which is in the Dades Gorge (paved road section) for a shorter days ride. Group Evening Dinner.

8 May 2020.  Day 7: Boumalne Dades – Marrakech. (198 miles)
We head to the imperial city of Marrakech via the ancient fortress of Ait Ben Haddou and then superb twisties on the Tizi n’Tichka Pass.

9 May 2020. Day 8: Marrakech.
Day off to enjoy the vibrant markets and narrow alleys of the medina in this medieval imperial city.

10 May 2020.  Day 9: Essaouira. (100 miles)
This is a half day ride to have the afternoon in Essaouira and explore this UNESCO listed late 18th century fortified port town, with its walls.  Try the fresh fish dinners in the old port area – simply delicious!

11 May 2020.  Day 10: Essaouria – Taroudant. (166 miles)
Track south down the Atlantic Coast, before heading inland to Taroudant. Group Evening Dinner.

12 May 2020.  Day 11: Taroundant – Cascades D’Ouzoud. (234 miles)
Today we ride the Tizi n’Test Pass at 2092m, before ending the day by the D’Ouzoud waterfalls, the highest in Morocco, in an old riad. Group Evening Dinner.

13 May 2020.  Day 12: Cascades D’Ouzoud – Fes. (238 miles)
Descend from the mountains to Fes, one-time home of the Moroccan sultanate, many winding narrow medina streets and grand buildings.

14 May 2020.  Day 13: Fes. (238 miles)
Day off to explore Fes.

15 May 2020.  Day 14: Fes – Tangier – Benahavis. (261 miles)
Final days ride to the port town of Tangier, catch the ferry back to Spain.  Group Evening Dinner. (Riders with hire bikes will drop them off today)

16 May 2020.  Day 15: Benahavis

Check out time from the hotel by 11am.  If flying back home, please book a flight for around 1-2pm.  Should you wish a late check out or extra days at the hotel, please let us know and extra charges will apply.

Flights
For clarity, we do not include your passenger flights.  Once we have confirmed that this tour is a guaranteed departure, it is your responsibility to organise your own flights to and from the destination.  Do not book your flights until we confirm the tour is a guaranteed departure.

We select hotels for their character, rather than just on their star rating.  We find most riders prefer the experience of staying in a converted riad or a kasbah, or a family run independent hotel rather than modern chain hotels.  All hotels we use have en suite bathrooms and most have satellite TV and wifi, although don’t expect a super fast connection!

Where available, we aim to use the equivalent of a good 3* or 4* standard hotel accommodation.  In some more remote locations, we may use hotels which are the best in area, which could be a more family run establishment, with character.

Please be aware that Moroccan hotels are generally lower in standard than the same rating in equivalent European hotels, unless you are in a well trodden tourist area, such as Marrakesh.

You have the benefit of booking your motorcycle tour with a UK tour operator who has in place Financial Payment Protection Insurance with Towergate Stevens & Chapman, so that your money paid to us in advance is protected in accordance with The Package Travel Regulations 1992.

Before you go

• The assurance of booking with a UK tour operator and knowing that your money paid in advance is protected.
• Access to GlobeBusters Team pre-departure to request individual meeting about preparing for the trip
• Departure Handbook, Travel Pack with marked up maps, daily road book and GPS information
• Loan SD Card with GPS Morocco mapping suitable for Garmin Zumo or BMW Nav IV / V models

En Route

• Transfer to and from the airport in Malaga (if you are flying in, and you are arriving on the Official Start Date and/or leaving on the Official End Date)
• Hotel bed and breakfast accommodation on a shared basis (unless Single Room booked).
• Standard of accommodation is a mix of 4*, 3* or best in area
• Six evening meals, including your Welcome & Farewell Meal and two evening meals in locations which are remote and you have no other choice of restaurants. (Drinks are excluded)
• Algeciras (Spain) to Tanger-Med (Morocco) return ferry crossing for you and your motorcycle.
• Local overnight hotel parking charges.

Support Crew

• GlobeBusters Motorcycle Tour Leader on a motorcycle to accompany the group
• Local Support Driver and Vehicle, equipped with satellite phone, spare fuel, water, tools, selected spare parts and emergency first aid kit, acting as a sweeper vehicle

Motorcycle Hire
Where you have chosen to rent a motorcycle, this is organised by us with the local motorcycle rental provider.   Your rental fee includes:

• 14 days of motorcycle rental of the model as chosen by you (or equivalent model)
• Motorcycle is supplied with side cases / panniers and top box.
• Comprehensive insurance, with excess of 1,500 euros.

We act as agent for the local provider and on arrival, you are required to sign the local rental agency terms and conditions of hire – please request these, if you require sight in advance.  It is mandatory that you provide valid credit card details for the insurance damage deposit of 1,500 euros, as a guarantee against damages.  On collection, we advise you to check your rental motorcycle carefully and to take photographs of it, as proof of its condition.  Please note that on rare occasions we may need to substitute your choice of motorcycle for something similar.

If you require a GPS mount and GPS unit, please request these on booking and an additional charge is applicable.

Not Included

• Return passenger airline flights or any other travel costs to get to the start and from the finish point for the tour.
• Personal travel, accident and medical insurance
• Motorcycle insurance or motorcycle breakdown recovery insurance (if riding your own bike)
• Entrance fees to sights and parks, optional excursions or activities, (except where stated)
• Lunches, snacks or evening meals (except where stated).  Any meals whilst on board ferries.
• Personal spending money, tips, souvenirs or other extras.
• Personal documentation (eg visas, passport), vaccinations, personal taxes, border crossing fees.
• Fuel, oil & other motorcycle consumables, toll road fees, traffic fines.
• Cost of parts, labour or other indirect costs relating to the repair of any damage to your motorcycle or a rental motorcycle
• We do not supply riding gear; you must bring your own helmet, jacket, trousers and gloves.
• Any other item not specifically stated as included in the price.

Flights
For clarity, we do not include your passenger flights.  Once we have confirmed that this tour is a guaranteed departure, it is your responsibility to organise your own flights to and from the destination.  You need to book an outward flight to our start point, Malaga to arrive no later than around 1pm on 2 May 2020.  The earliest leave date is any time on 16 May 2020 from Malaga.

Only book your flights once we have confirmed that your tour is a guaranteed departure.  We do not refund flight costs if you have booked flights for a tour that has not been notified as a guaranteed departure.

Should you wish to arrive before the official date or stay after the official end date, please simply request extra nights at the time of booking and we can make the reservation at our group hotel.

Please also refer to our terms and conditions.

When you book a motorcycle tour with us, we provide you with Tour Specific Guidance Notes that give you detailed information about what you need to know to prepare and plan your tour, and what to expect when on our motorcycle tour.  Here are some of the questions that we often get asked before a rider makes a booking.   If you wish to meet with us prior to booking to ask more questions, do not hesitate to contact us and we can set up a one-to-one meeting.

What bike is suitable to bring?
If you are bringing you own bike, we recommend an adventure style bike as the most suitable.  Typical bikes used are Triumph Tiger, BMW GS, Africa Twin, CCM, Yamaha Tenere etc.  However, as this is primarily a paved road tour, any robust road bike will also be suitable.  Just be aware that paved roads can be potholed with broken surfaces, so the higher clearance the better.  Having said that we have had riders on Harleys successfully complete the trip, so it just depends on what you are comfortable riding and what comprises you are prepared to make.  If you don’t want to use your own bike, then you can rent one instead.

What riding experience do I need?
This tour is normally best for riders who are already experienced tourers in Europe and who are looking for that extra challenge of a varied and unpredictable road conditions and hazards, coupled with a different culture, foods and way of life.  On your ride you will encounter poor road surfaces (as well as excellent ones!) – the magnificent mountain terrains, can often have bends that may be broken up and you need to watch out for diesel, as well as other road users who will work to the local rules of the road (as opposed to the “Highway Code”).  You need to be an assertive rider, with good forward planning and hazard perception skills.

Do I have to ride in a group?
No!  We do not make you ride in convoy.  We offer you the freedom to decide how you would like to ride.  We give you a road book, GPS co-ordinates and hotel information.  You can use this to self-navigate.  If you prefer to ride with our Motorcycle Leader, then you can do this.

Is this ride suitable for a passenger?
Yes.  Many riders successfully complete this ride with a pillion passenger.  Any dirt roads are optional.

What is the average group size?
Our groups are normally between 8 – 12 riders (some riders will have passengers).

Is there a support vehicle?
Yes, this tour operates with a local support vehicle and driver.

What documents do I need?
You will need your original documents as follows:  Passport and Driving Licence.  Passengers only need their passport.  Passports must be valid for at least 6 months after the end of the tour.  Riders from outside the EU will need an International Driving Permit.

If you are bringing your own motorcycle, you will also need your motorcycle registration document (V5 / log book) and your motorcycle insurance.  You will need a Green Card as proof of insurance in Morocco – please check with your UK insurer.  If your insurer will not issue this (some do not), then you can buy 3rd party insurance at Tangier-Med.  We will also provide you with details on how to create your Morocco motorcycle temporary import permit online once you have booked.

In addition you must have valid travel/medical insurance.

What about flights?
For clarity, we do not include your passenger flights.  Once we have confirmed that this tour is a guaranteed departure, it is your responsibility to organise your own flights to and from the start and end point.

You need to book an outward flight on 2 May 2020 to our start point, Malaga to arrive no later than around 1pm.  You can book your return flight from Malaga any time from 16 May 2020 onwards.  However hotel check out is at midday and if you need a late checkout, extra charges may apply.

Only book your flights once we have confirmed that your tour is a guaranteed departure.  We do not refund flight costs if you have booked flights for a tour that has not been notified as a guaranteed departure.

We will pick you up from the airport, provided you arrive on the official start date.  We drop you off at the airport provided you leave on the official end day.  Airport transfer may be done by bus, minibus or taxi.  If you arrive on any other day, you are responsible for your own journey between the airport and the group hotel.

Should you wish to arrive before the official date or stay after the official end date, please simply request extra nights at the time of booking and we can make the reservation at our group hotel.

What will the weather be like?
April & May are normally a good time to travel in Morocco.  You miss the intense heat of the Sahara Desert, but riding in the Atlas Mountains should normally be dry and pleasant.  Having said that temperatures can still be up to 35C and sometimes there can be storms and flash floods in the desert.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather
http://www.worldclimate.com/

Do I need visas for travel?
UK / EU Citizens do not normally require visas in advance for travel.  Any other citizens should check with a specialist visa agency.  It is your responsibility to have the correct visas in place prior to travel, so please check what requirements are necessary for your nationality.

http://www.thevisamachine.com/

What about my health when I am abroad?
It is a condition of your travel with us that you have in place travel / medical insurance to cover you for medical treatment and repatriation if you suffer any illness or injury when on the expedition, including any injury sustained from riding or being a passenger on a motorcycle.  Before you travel, we strongly recommend that you visit your GP or a specialised travel clinic to get advice on the recommended vaccinations and other health protection measures needed for the countries on this trip. As background, the websites listed below may prove useful.

http://www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk/
http://www.masta-travel-health.com/

Please note that many countries on this route do not have the same level of medical infrastructure nor consistent medical standards that you may be used to.  In particular, emergency services often may be a long distance away, with no co-ordinated response, or sometimes no medical response available within reasonable times. This is a risk that you must accept when making a booking.

What about local currency?
Local currency in Morocco is the Dirham.  The Moroccan Dirham (MAD) is non-convertible. You can import or export up to a maximum of 2,000 MAD to or from Morocco.  Most major credit cards are accepted in the larger towns. ATMs are widely available in cities and most of the main towns.  The websites below will give you the current rates of exchange.

http://www.oanda.com/
http://www.travelex.co.uk/