SPAIN • MOROCCO • GIBRALTAR Exotic sights, interesting sounds and smells and lots of oriental flair. Be part of this adventure. AT A GLANCE: START/FINISH: Malaga
DURATION: 15 day vacation, 13 riding days
ROUTE: Total distance 1710 - 1890 miles (2750 - 3040 km).
Daily rides 60 - 250 miles (100 – 400 km).
The entire route runs on good asphalt roads.
ACCOMMODATION: Comfortable middle-class and luxury hotels and kasbahs.
REST DAYS: Marrakesh, Erfoud, Fez
HIGHLIGHTS: Gibraltar, Casablanca, Marrakesh, oriental bazaars, Fez, Erg
Chebbi
ROUTE: 15 DAY VACATION / 13 RIDING ROUTE
DAY 1 ARRIVAL IN MÁLAGA *
DAY 2 Málaga - Ceuta
DAY 3 Ceuta - Chefchaouen
DAY 4 Chefchaouen - Rabat
DAY 5 Rabat - Marrakech
DAY 6 Rest day Marrakech
DAY 7 Marrakech - Ouarzazate
DAY 8 Ouarzazate - Boumalne Dades
DAY 9 Boumalne Dades - Erfoud
DAY 10 Rest day Erfoud
DAY 11 Erfoud - Fes
DAY 12 Rest day Fes
DAY 13 Fes - Chefchaouen
DAY 14 Chefchaouen - Málaga
DAY 15 DEPARTURE FROM MÁLAGA - THE TOUR ENJOY THIS RELAXING TOUR THROUGH THE FASCINATING SCENERY, HISTORY AND CULTURE OF MOROCCO.
A fascinating tour through the beautiful kingdom of
Morocco, a country with rich history and strong Oriental
ties. Visit the royal cities of Fes and Marrakech, travel
the road of the kasbahs and see the diverse landscape
of high mountain ranges, rocky canyons and expansive
deserts. This tour starts in Malaga, Spain and follows
the Costa del Sol to British-ruled Gibraltar, the
southern most tip of Spanish territory. Ferried across
the Strait to North Africa, we land, ironically, in the
Spanish enclave of Ceuta.
Once underway on land, curvy mountain roads between
Orient and Occident greet us as we descend upon
Rabat and Marrakech, set in the foothills of the Grand
Atlas. Suddenly, the oriental influence becomes
prevalent: souks and narrow alleys, colorful carpets and even flamboyantly dressed people and vibrant
distinctly oriental music – it’s truly another world. After traversing the road of the kasbahs and its
magnificent side-canyons, we head high up the Atlas to Ifrane, where snow may still be melting on the
12,000-ft peaks. Fes, the oldest of the “Royal Cities”, waits below on the plain. This city of a half million
inhabitants has a magical atmosphere that Western travelers find fascinating. The last leg of the journey
consists of winding mountain roads lined with young street merchants offering their special treats on the
way back to Malaga. Along with all your souvenirs, you’ll take home countless memories and images to
process from this trip that will take you from the Occident to the Orient and back.
DAY BY DAY
01 Málaga - Ceuta
After leaving Malaga heading south we follow the Andalusian coast, passing the famous town of
Marbella, before we arrive in the British city of Gibraltar. After a short coffee break and a wonderful
view from the “Rock” to the Moroccan Rif Mountains, we continue to the port of Algeciras. Here we
meet the rest of the tour members. Then we take the ferry together, and after a 2-hour trip we
reach the Spanish enclave Ceuta on the African continent!
02 Ceuta - Chefchaouen
We start at the border and we take care of all the paper work together. Even early in the morning
there are a lot of Moroccans around, looking for bargains in the duty free area of Ceuta. Just a few
meters beyond the border we enter a totally different world. It seems like everybody tries to sell
something on the street. Plenty of old cars are driving around and all the people are astonished at
our BMWs. We follow the Mediterranean coast to Tetouan where we have our first opportunity to
get in contact with the oriental life.
03 Chefchaouen - Rabat
After our first night in Morocco, we leave Chefchaouen and continue through the beautiful Rif
Mountains. We cross the “Pont de Loukkos”, the former border between the Spanish protectorate
and the French part of Morocco.
04 Rabat - Marrakech
Today Casablanca is on our route. It is the most important trade and industrial center of Morocco
and possesses the biggest port in North Africa. For all western oriented Moroccans it is a dream to
live in “Casa”, as they call it. Worth seeing is the new Hassan II. Mosque. In the afternoon we ride
on very good roads to the south. We cross enormous rural plains mostly dedicated to agriculture.
Numerous small restaurants are on our way and offer delicious Moroccan cuisine. Before we get to
Marrakech we pass the well-known palm tree gardens and in the background we can already
recognize the profile of the Atlas Mountains. Marrakech brings to mind – stories like “Aladdin” or
“1001 Nights”, and now we are really here!
05 Rest day Marrakech
Today we visit the breathtaking Medina of Marrakech. The morning is the best time to explore the
largest central market or “souq” in the country. Every handicraft art has its own souq, like textilesouq,
coppersmith-souq, woodcarver-souq, leather and carpet markets. For those who would
rather spend a half day on the motorcycle, we recommend a trip to the Oukaimeden Ski area.
06 Marrakech - Ouarzazate
The High Atlas, which forms the natural dividing line to the Sahara, is almost uninhabited. We are
leaving Marrakech climbing up on the spectacular pass road to the Tizi n Tichka. Along our way we
have wonderful views of the beautiful valleys with their terraced fields used for fruit and grain
cultivation. Once on the top of the 2260m high Tizi n Tichka Pass, we are in the fantastic scenery of
the Moroccan mountain world.
07 Ouarzazate - Boumalne Dades
After crossing the Atlas Mountains yesterday we ride our motorcycles today through very dry
areas. On the famous “Route of the Kasbahs” we follow the unique Dades Valley toward Er
Rachidia. As the name says, along this road are numerous fortress-like loam castles. Some of them
are in ruin, but many are still in good condition. Some of them have already installed television
aerials on their roofs and announce the modern times. The road follows the Dades River and we
pass several Kasbahs and beautiful oasis villages with palm trees.
08 Boumalne Dades - Erfoud
Let´s go to the dessert ! The largest “sandbox” in the world awaits us! First, we have our last
excursion into the Atlas Mountains. The magnificent Gorges du Todra begins in Tinerhir. In
comparison to the Dades Canyon, this ravine is a lot narrower and, after few kilometres, you are
right between the red cliffs steeply rising up into the clear blue sky. We continue toward Tinejdad,
where we leave the main route, and through dry and stony plains we reach the caravan base -
Erfoud, which dates back to the Middle Ages.
09 Rest day Erfoud
After a romantic night in our beautiful hotel in the Saharan desert, we have the possibility to
explore the sand dunes of Merzouga on the back of the typical desert transport – camels! Like a
caravan thousands of years ago we disappear behind the dunes. But of course we are in the 21th
century and that´s why we have to do something different: We take some skis and snowboards
with us and slide down the beautiful sand dunes.
10 Erfoud - Fes
Today is our longest riding day. We say good-bye to the desert of Morocco and start along the
beautiful Ziz Valley. After Er-Rachidia we enter the Ziz Canyon, which follows the Ziz River by
numerous palm oases, and is bordered by the steeply rising mountains of the High Atlas. In the
oases fruits are cultivated and children try to sell them on the road. The route continues through
high mountain plains to Midelt. We cross the 2178 m high “Col du Zad” on a wonderful highway to
the Middle Atlas. The vegetation increases and we see the first small forests.
11 Rest day Fes
Do you remember Indiana Jones? Okay, you will feel like him once you are in the old part of town!
Of course it is possible to go for a loop around the city, but at least a half day visit of the old town
is highly recommended!
12 Fes - Chefchaouen
With the Medina of Fez still in our minds, we mount our motorcycles and start back into the Rif
Mountains. On our way we have the opportunity to visit the former Roman settlement Volubilis,
which has the biggest Roman ruins in Morocco. Afterwards we continue through beautiful scenery
to the north. Enjoying this wonderful area with all its olive trees, cork oaks trees and interesting
little villages, we approach in the afternoon the already familiar town of Chefchaouen. On the nice,
little square close to the Kasbah we enjoy our last “Café au lait” enjoying the Moroccan way of life.
13 Chefchaouen - Málaga
For the last time we start the engines and ride on familiar roads back to the Spanish border. The
last views of small villages with their unique mosques close to the road, perhaps one or two more
photo stops – and we cross the border control to Ceuta. From there we continue directly to the
port. Sitting on the ferry we enjoy the last views of the disappearing Rif Mountains. Morocco – what
a country! In the afternoon we reach the European continent and from Algeciras we have a relaxing
ride back to our base hotel in Malaga.
