Your top 5 none regular places to go in Morocco.

We have 8 weeks left before we go and I was looking at the map and wondered if any of you guys wouldn't mind sharing 5 cool places to visit. I have done the google thing and then done the google thing where I live an I know miles better places than the top 5 they give for London.

We are interested in rock art, wild camping, nice views, nature all that kind of thing.

Jed

Well years ago my No.1 would have been the Todra Gorge, but that was before they laid tarmac though it. Tackling it whilst avoiding boulders was great fun.

Doubtless the lads will let you know their favourites when they return - if not before.

Auberge De Sud is a must!! On the edge of Erg Chebbi .....  
You can camp just beside the hotel is you wish. Sunrise over Erg Chebbi is fantastic!

See here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRP6PFY5jXM&feature=share&noredirect=1

and I agree with Tom Todra is a must do as well!
I also enjoyed our time in the Atlas mountains and Volubilis is a great site . -
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volubilis

Cedar Forest is one of my favourites. Careful with the wild camping, the monkeys will have whatever is loose or edible. One time we were interrupted by two opposing sheepdog packs, they were only protecting their individual flock but was like WW3 breaking out until the shepherds arrived on horseback.

Thanks for the info guys.

We were planning on the pistes around the cedar forest and I guess we should be expecting some snow in January?

Volubilis looks interesting so I will add that to the map too  

Auberge De Sud looks quite up market :shock: when you say camp next to it is there a camp site? Does it belong to the hotel? and can you go in just for a drink? When I Overlanded further down Africa a few years ago I used to really love going to those swanky game lodges with nice viewing platforms from the bar for a late afternoon drink. Then you would get chatting to some guests who where staying there dressed in all the safari gear asking what you thought of your accommodation in the luxury lodge. When you told them you were not actually staying there they used to look confused as there wasnt anything else around for miles. They would then quite often fly over at sun rise in there early morning hot air ballon flight  looking down where we are wild camping in the bush wishing they were us  

Todra Gorge was also on our map but only loosely up till now as there seems to be loads of gorges and we were having trouble trying to pick the most worth while.


Keep them coming guys.

Jed

Yes, Jed you can just camp beside De Sud. Its just a sandy area about 100M from the building. You can use all the facilities as long as you pay De Sud a 'camping fee'. The pool is just great after a few days dune bashing! There are loads of places to stay around Erg Chebbi, but from the ones I have seen I prefer De Sud. Even if you don't use any facilities then I would still suggest you visit Erg Chebbi
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erg_Chebbi

Not sure of the prices to camp at De Sud, but a quick E mail will get you that info. It doesn't get 'up market' clients on organized 'safari's', but does get people on day trips out to Erg Chebbi. However most of the people I have seen there are just your normal Overlanders.
Im sure they would be fine with you nipping in for a drink..... The guys there do like to have a bit of a music session and dancing as you can see in that video.

Have a look at my web site for photos of the 'camp site'. Here - http://global-adventures.webs.com/apps/photos/photo?photoid=147824370

There is also photos of Volubilis on my web site.

well you are going in january so there will be snow about what are you going in,roof tent or camper...if you go to the mountains it could be very tricky at that time of year so you might have to stay low or on the main roads,cedar forrest is great but has been said watch out for the monkeys.... lake tislet is very good as is the gorges and if you get to merzouga
http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_Review-g304017-d1731679-Reviews-Kasbah_Hotel_Panorama-Merzouga_Meknes_Tafilalet_Region.html

stop here for a few days its stunning....and the guys are great but you will find your own special places when you start looking....ok enjoy.... 

tuggy wrote:

well you are going in january so there will be snow about what are you going in,roof tent or camper...if you go to the mountains it could be very tricky at that time of year so you might have to stay low or on the main roads,cedar forrest is great but has been said watch out for the monkeys.... lake tislet is very good as is the gorges and if you get to merzouga
http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_Review-g304017-d1731679-Reviews-Kasbah_Hotel_Panorama-Merzouga_Meknes_Tafilalet_Region.html

stop here for a few days its stunning....and the guys are great  but you will find your own special places when you start looking....ok enjoy.... 

Thanks Tug

We are the guys in the white VW Syncro 4x4 Campervans that were trading at the show (CampervanCulture.com) just in front of the entrance a little. The scruffy ones with long hair and beards that gave you beer. We will be going in our vans and they have night heaters so we are OK, -10 isn't a problem.

Jed

"The scruffy ones with long hair and beards that gave you beer"  

You could have two heads for all he cares - a beer's a beer!!!  

Tom Mc wrote:

"The scruffy ones with long hair and beards that gave you beer"  

You could have two heads for all he cares - a beer's a beer!!!  

Ahhhhh yes beer .. ....i remember.. ....its all coming back now.... 


how many trucks are going. if there are a few of you you can go higher but keep an eye out for the weather ...and if it gets to bad you can always get an auberge there dirt cheep and they will have a fire some are real cozy.....but remember if your going in january the weather won't be great untill you hit the desert and then it will still be cold... .

have you been before..... 





.

No we haven't been before so looking for good advice from people who have been and how to make the best of our 7 week trip. We are two vans with four adults and a 8 year old that have travelled loads between us but never in Morocco.

We set off on 13th of December and have to get my son back at school for February and wouldnt mind being in maybe Chefchaouen for xmas day and maybe Fez then maybe the Cedar Forests wild camping for new years eve. It is my 40th on January 17th so on a sand dune would be good and this leaves us two weeks ish to head back north and home, maybe up the coast.

We have been talking with the guys on the Morocco 4x4 Forum and they have been really helpful also. We just really want to make the most of our time away really.

Jed

Jed,

We can't speak about the west, but we certainly have been having a great time in the east. There is very little population out here and alot less tar than in the center/west areas as far as we can tell. Other than our rest day here in Figuig, we have only wild camped and never seen a soul when doing so. The temperatures range from about 20c at night up to 27-32c during the day here this time of year but I can't speak for January. I have been shooting lots of video and can show you some when we get back (05 November).

James

scott.l. wrote:

Yes, Jed you can just camp beside De Sud. Its just a sandy area about 100M from the building. You can use all the facilities as long as you pay De Sud a 'camping fee'. The pool is just great after a few days dune bashing! There are loads of places to stay around Erg Chebbi, but from the ones I have seen I prefer De Sud. Even if you don't use any facilities then I would still suggest you visit Erg Chebbi
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erg_Chebbi

It was beautiful - but also depends on your budget. When we visited there last year, we could camp for free as long as we had dinner at the restaurant ... which was slightly out of our long term travelling budget. Instead, we stayed at Petit Prince which wasn't nearly as stunning but suited our pocket better. But there is lots of accommodation to choose from and a visit to the dunes is gorgeous!

An incredible piste to drive is the one that links Dades and Todra ... here is Viking Explorer's account:
http://www.kapp2cape-blog.net/2012/11/going-off-road/

Even though Dadres and Todra have been tarred, they are still truly stunning to drive - I would recommend going up the one to Lac Tislit and spend the night then back down Todra to where the piste starts. It is 40km and takes about 3-4 hours ... but stunning! Then you reach Dades and can continue south again ...

rgds