snowie Posted October 13, 2016 Share Posted October 13, 2016 I'm thinking about a trip to Morocco in 2017 or 2018. I've looked at Desert Detours and favour that sort of "guide tour" Most recent thread appears to be 2014, which is an age ago, recent experience appreciated. Cheers Alan b Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daviddwight Posted October 15, 2016 Share Posted October 15, 2016 We used Desert detours they were very good Ray who is the boss stands no nonsense but he is very open with the bussiness. We had no problems with them neither did friends who used them as well. what they say you will get from them is just that, good organizion, comfortable mileage no rush and do your own thing within the days plan, all the staff very friendly and if you are open with them they treat you well. It is a third world country so respect their culture, and they will respect you. If you e-mail Debbie say hi frm me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vindiboy Posted October 16, 2016 Share Posted October 16, 2016 http://s358.photobucket.com/user/vindiboy1/library/Campervan%20wanderings%20Morocco My advice would be to go it alone, all very easy, why pay someone to shepherd you around when it is easy to go alone? You have to meet the tour you are going on somewhere and they dump you in Morocco at the end of the tour anyway, Wild camping and Campsites are very easy in Morocco , get your tickets for the ferry crossing from Juan Carlos at Algarceras ,that is what all the loners do, he will also give you the documents you need for Morocco, on our trip we met Desert Detours at one of the campsites we used folks seemed happy enough , but we prefer the freedom of going alone, each to their own of course, enjoy whatever way you go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robbo Posted October 16, 2016 Share Posted October 16, 2016 We went with Desert Detours (DD) in 2010. Ray (the owner) is very passionate about all things Morocco. He originally started leading 4-wheel drive expeditions to some of the remotest parts of the region. On the trip we did some wild camping which wasn't appreciated by a small minority of the group, but we enjoyed it. We went to places we would never have found on our own. Went over the Atlas mountains on gravel roads. On one particular narrow and windy section the DD team closed the road to approaching traffic. For a first trip, it's probably best to be escorted by DD. You don't need to follow in a convoy but can stop and do your own thing along the route. At the end of the tour they do dump you. However, they do provide support on the way back in the form of a telephone number to ring if you have a problem of any kind. Quite a few of our group continued around Morocco but most headed back on a different route. I don't know what the current situation is about importing alcohol, something you my wish to check with DD. When we were there, some of the supermarkets sold alcohol but I think that source has now been closed down. The quality of the water is a bit suspect. We used tablets in the fresh water tank and others used in-line filters for showering and general hygiene. For drinking water buy bottled water. Morocco is definitely worth a visit even if you only do it once. It's a bit like Marmite, you either love it or hate it, but you don't know until you've tried it !!! Happy travelling. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snowie Posted October 16, 2016 Author Share Posted October 16, 2016 Thanks for replies so far; very useful. Not sure I understand "dumped" Cheers alan b Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robbo Posted October 16, 2016 Share Posted October 16, 2016 snowie - 2016-10-16 10:35 PM Thanks for replies so far; very useful. Not sure I understand "dumped" Cheers alan b The end of our tour was on the edge of the Sahara desert. From there, the DD team did a rapid exit back to Spain. You did have the option of joining them for the quick route back but everybody in our group refused that option, preferring to have a slow trip back. There were 4 in our group who took an escorted 2 day trip into the Sahara with a 4WD vehicle and thoughly enjoyed the experience. They then all travelled west to the coast and visited Marrakesh on the way back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keninpalamos Posted October 17, 2016 Share Posted October 17, 2016 Hi Snowie, Depends how confident you feel about going alone You could always team up with someone else in a 'van. Have a read up on the place first. I found getting to know the place before I went was a great help. A little bit of French can help as well. Have a look at "The Lonely Planet Morocco and get a couple of decent maps, Michelin and Insight Travel are as good as any Always try to be respectful, polite but firm and smile. You will be pestered by Children and they do throw stones etc at your van on the odd occasion. Get your ferry tickets in Algeciras. The roads are pretty good but narrow so be prepared to move over. Motorways are OK but you do get pedestrians camels and so on on them. By all means visit Casablanca, Marrakesh etc but do have a look at Sale pronounced sar le just across the river from the capital Rabat. Also Essaouira and Agadir, plus the western Sahara, Tafraoute Sidi Ifni, Guelmim and if feeling really adventurous try Fort Bou Jerif a former French Foreign Legion fort (Abandoned 1947) A magical place if it wasn't for the mickey mouse camp site just up the track (no road) and for great big sand dunes try Erg Chebbi near Erfoud. . There used to be large super markets called Marjanne i think in places like Agadir etc where alcohol is openly on sale also most hotels have bars. I havn't been for 5-6 years now but used to go regularly for a month or so. Things will have changed I expect but not much so give it a go and good luck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SAUNDERS Posted October 19, 2016 Share Posted October 19, 2016 I used Blue Camel Tours which , in 2008 , gave a better itinerary than Desert Tours. It was a great trip without being too regimental. Have a look at their website. However, having done the trip you could easily do this yourself. Just make sure you have all the necessary paperwork and put up with the chaos at the border and you will be fine. There is a lot of information out there , books on camp sites and Aires , which you can buy at Vicarious books. All the best DJS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snowie Posted October 20, 2016 Author Share Posted October 20, 2016 keninpalamos - 2016-10-17 2:28 PM Hi Snowie, Depends how confident you feel about going alone Thanks Biffo, I'm usually pretty confident, or I don't do it, so I'll treat this sort of outlay a bit like medical insurance and vehicle breakdown cover. I also see this as a once in a lifetime trip, and having done Italy and Scotland this year, and missed a few sights then I'm prepared to pay for local knowledge, particularly as it's a new continent! We'll do our sums and make the decision. Based on what has been said so far I think it's worth taking it to the next stage! Thanks Alan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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