Worlds Apart Adventures

Q. I have heard horror stories of people being left stranded by another tour operator when their vehicle broke down. What happens if my vehicle breaks down during my holiday?

A. We highly recommend that for the European leg of your journey to and from Morocco you have breakdown and recovery cover with one of the major motoring organizations.
Whilst you are with us in morocco, be assured that we will always do our utmost to fix a vehicle problem ourselves therefore allowing you to continue your holiday with the minimum of delay, but in the event of us being unable to do so, our support vehicle will tow your vehicle, if it is towable, to the nearest suitable garage for repair.
If your vehicle is not towable we will arrange for recovery to the nearest suitable garage, but be assured that at all times at least one of our team and support vehicle’s will remain with you to assist with dealing with the garage and overcome any language difficulties i.e. explaining the mechanical problem, and if necessary arrange hotels etc whilst you wait for your vehicle to be repaired, and once your vehicle has been repaired you will be able to follow our support vehicle to rendezvous with the rest of the group at whichever point is most suitable, therefore again minimizing the amount of your holiday time lost.
In the unlikely event of your vehicle being un-repairable, we will endeavor to help return you and your vehicle to Europe were you will be able to contact your motoring organization to arrange onward travel/recovery to your home. If we cannot tow your vehicle then we will arrange recovery to Europe. (Please note that any repairs or recovery not carried out by "Worlds Apart Adventures" will be at your expense).
Please be assured that at all times we will do our utmost to either help you continue on your holiday or help you to return home with the minimum of stress if the need arises.

Q. What mechanical preparation will I need to carry out to reduce the risk of my vehicle breaking down during my Adventure?

A. Your vehicle will need a thorough service, tell your mechanic where you are going with the vehicle and ask him to pay special attention to the cooling system and other components such as wheel bearings, universal and constant velocity joints etc. Also any potential problems should be addressed i.e. if something has been "playing up" change/fix it, as you may loose a day or more of your Moroccan holiday whilst the problem you knew you had before you set off is being fixed!

Q. What happens if someone else’s vehicle breaks down during the adventure, will it affect or delay my holiday?

A. No. Most definitely not because we never run an “adventure with less than one lead vehicle and one support vehicle, so if someone else’s vehicle breaks down then our support vehicle will remain with them as described above, until they are able rejoin the main group or otherwise. Therefore allowing the rest of the group to continue with very little or no delay whatsoever.

Q. What would happen in the event of a medical emergency?

A. In the first instance all our team is trained in basic first aid and key team members are further trained in "extended casualty care for remote locations". But ultimately the key to resolving any medical emergency in a foreign country is communication and the most important asset we have capable of doing so is our Moroccan “Fixer” Hamid. He speaks all languages encountered in Morocco and several European languages also, therefore making it easy for us to locate the nearest Pharmacy (most towns have one), clinic or even hospital if necessary, and critically he will be able to communicate our problem when we arrive there, thus assuring us of immediate and correct treatment. So whatever the "emergency" rest assured, you will receive our utmost attention.
If you have any concerns about the suitability of a "Worlds Apart" holiday because you suffer an illness/ailment then please do not hesitate to contact us to discuss the matter further.

Q. What is the mobile phone coverage like in Morocco? Will I be able to keep in touch with my family/business whilst I am in Morocco?

A. For the most part yes, as Morocco has recently greatly improved its mobile communication network, so you shouldn’t have problems making contact with family members or your office on a regular basis if you need to.

Q. Does my vehicle need to have any off-road modifications? i.e. Raised air intake, diff/steering guards etc.

A. No. All our off-road routes have been selected and assessed to be "non damaging" for standard four wheel drive vehicles if driven with care, (after all we will need to drive our vehicle's home afterwards) but at the same time being worthy of being driven in a 4wd vehicle, although for our "Extreme Adventure" we do recommend at least all terrain tyres, due to increased the puncture risk and the slippery conditions which we are likely to encounter i.e. Snow & mud. If you are at-all unsure about the suitability of your vehicle then please contact us to discuss your concerns.

Q. Should I have a CB radio in my vehicle?

A. Yes, we use the CB radios a lot for various reasons including announcing important safety information i.e. warnings of oncoming/overtaking traffic, road hazards, upcoming turns and junctions etc.
Also we use them to inform you of any other important information such as when the next "comfort" stop will be, any changes to our ETA, route etc,
A CB radio will also enable you to ask us questions on the move, maybe about the route, something you have seen, when the next comfort stop is and just general Chattering between vehicles, or even "are we there yet?”
It doesn’t necessarily have to be a fitted set as it is possible to obtain hand held versions. If you don’t already own a CB, either borrow 1 for the trip or buy 1 and sell it on Ebay when you get back! You may also be able to hire one.

Q. I’m worried, as I haven’t got much off-road driving experience. Can I still come on a “World’s Apart” adventure?

A. Of course you can. All the routes we use have been assessed by us and are selected with standard vehicles and "standard drivers" in mind, after all its not meant to be a re run of the Camel Trophy or G4 selection, its a holiday! But the routes will certainly hold a challenge or two for experienced off-roaders also. If at any stage you are uncomfortable with the route/obstacle ahead of you one of the “Worlds Apart” team will be on hand to offer advice and reassurance, (don’t forget most of our team members are actually qualified off road driving instructors) and if you are still unsure then we will either find an alternative route or if you wish, one of the team will drive your vehicle over the obstacle for you.
If you are still not convinced you have enough experience you could of course invest in a training course with us, especially if you are thinking of booking the "Extreme Adventure", we would be happy to provide further info about our training courses if required.

Q. Do I need to carry lots of Jerry cans for fuel?

A. No. As long as your vehicle has at least a 200 mile range with a full tank that will suffice, as most days it will be possible to "fill up", but we do recommend you carry at least a 20 litre container of relevant fuel for "emergencies".

Q. Is it possible to buy food and water in Morocco or is it best to bring it with me from the UK?

A. We will stop for supplies on a regular basis and at each stop you will be advised as to how far ahead you need to stock up, i.e. "you will need supplies for a picnic lunch, dinner this evening and breakfast tomorrow morning, after that we will be able to re-supply at the next town”. Fresh fruit and vegetables is always available and also meat in most places but our local fixer Hamid will be able to advise the "best" shops for freshness, value and avoiding tourist prices (we call it tourist tax).
It may be wise to bring a stock of "emergency" back up supplies such as pasta, rice, tinned meat, tuna etc just incase, and also any favorite food items as they may not be available in Morocco. Occasionally there will be an option for a lunch or evening meal at a cafe or restaurant, giving you the chance to try authentic Moroccan cuisine, and you will be advised accordingly.

A. Most definitely, apart from the most awesome and varied countryside you are ever likely to see through the windscreen of your 4x4, highlights on most “Worlds Apart” adventures include visits to:

The deepest cave system in North Africa in the Djebel Tazzeka National Park,
The highest dunes in Morocco at Erg Chebi,
The Todra Gorge which is the deepest in Morocco,
Volubulis the best-preserved Roman ruins in Morocco.
An overnight stay in the Imperial City of Fez including a trip to the famous Medieval Medina.

Activities can include:

Sunrise/sunset camel ride. Take a ride on the best "4x4" in the desert to see the sun rise or set over the dunes.
Camp in the dunes (after a camel ride) in a Berber tent including traditional evening meal and breakfast.
Optional 4x4 dune driving day.
Quad biking in the dunes.
Swim stops
Shopping
Optional off-road days (alternative to rest days)

Q. Will there a chance to buy souvenirs and gifts for friends and relatives?

A. Of course. Shopping highlights will usually include,

A Co-operative gift shop, where all the contents of this veritable Aladdin’s cave are made by over 100 local families and sold for their benefit in the shop, here it will be possible to purchase everything from fine jewelry, earthenware, ceramics, traditional clothing, silver and leatherwear to antiques.
A fossil shop (probably one of the best in Morocco) where you will see the rock being cut and the fossils "polished" out of the rock and after a tour of the "fossil factory" you can have a look around the showroom, where you will be able to purchase anything from a Kitchen sink complete with trilobites to an orthoceras pendant!
A trip to the Medina in the Imperial city of Fez where you can buy literally anything!
Of course no trip to Morocco would be complete without a visit to a traditional carpet shop, where we will be offered traditional mint tea, and the chance to buy an authentic Moroccan rug, not to be missed!

A. The largest distance we would cover in one day would be no more than 200 miles, which is our final day as we head north on tarmac. The shortest day would be less than 60 miles With the average day being approx 95 miles, each day is usually a mixture of tarmac and off-road driving which enables us to cover the distances we need to at a relaxed and safe pace, but still enjoy the amazing sites and experience the awesome off-road routes Morocco has to offer without having to spend extremely long days in the vehicle.
We would normally expect to arrive at each daily destination at approx 4pm to allow you to enjoy the surroundings if we are wild camping or make the most of Hotel facilities if you took the hotel option at an organized campsite.

Q, We have heard of tours with more than twenty vehicles in the "convoy" this sounds like far too many to me, how many vehicles would be in our group?

A. We never travel with more than ten to twelve vehicles in a group including the lead vehicle and support vehicles.
This keeps the group manageable and reduces the risk of delays associated with huge groups and minimizes our impact on the environment and local resources i.e. reducing dust in villages, finding suitable campsites, and finding suitable provisions.

Q. I like the idea of an adventure-driving holiday but will there be rest days built in to the schedule, so I can relax and further enjoy my holiday?

A. Yes there will always be at least one rest day giving you the chance to relax or even explore the locality on your own (e.g. one of our rest days is at the south end of the Todra Gorge) and this is normally at a venue with camping and auberge options and will always be with a swimming pool.
On some rest days depending on the specific adventure, there will also be optional off-road driving.

Q. If we came on a "Worlds Apart" adventure would we be staying in hotels or camping?

A. Typical accommodation consists of a mixture of hotel, auberge (a small family run hotel/guest house), riad (a large private house in large cities, usually previously owned by wealthy merchants or dignitaries now converted to exclusive accommodation and frequently owner operated) and camping. At all hotels and auberge`s there will be a camping option close by and in most cases actually in the hotel/auberge grounds, giving those who wish to take the camping option, access to the facilities i.e. showers, swimming pool, restaurant etc. The only place there is no camping option is at the riad in Fez as it is in the centre of the Medina and there are no suitable camping grounds nearby. Also a popular feature of a "Worlds Apart" Adventure is the "wilderness" camping. This is part of what makes Morocco so special, as it is possible to truly "get away from it all" and wild camp in some magnificent locations, such as on the shore of a stunning mountain lake (great for a cooling dip), in the shade of giant cedars in the forests or nestled amongst the dunes of the Sahara. Also at all of the scheduled and organized camps we use, there is usually simple bungalow type accommodation, it is subject to availability, but can be booked for you in advance.

Q. I really want to come on a tour but I am not sure if it will be suitable for my children?

A. If your children travel well and relish the adventure of camping then there should be no reason why they wont thoroughly enjoy a "Worlds Apart" adventure. There are plenty of breaks during the days drive to stretch legs, buy souvenirs, do some sightseeing, and most days it is possible to have at least one swim/dip either in the morning before leaving or in the afternoon when we arrive at our daily destination (sometimes both!) and on rest days we always stay at a venue with a swimming pool, also its a chance for your children to experience new cultures, interact with local children and even try out their French language skills.
So this really is a fantastic opportunity to share a genuine family adventure and create some unforgettable lifelong memories.

Q. Do I have to have a roof tent?

A. No. They do have advantages but can be expensive often heavy and cause a lot of wind resistance whilst driving. We recommend as small a tent as you can manage with (after all your only going to sleep in it) and if you have several people in your party, then consider two smaller tents rather than one larger tent as its usually easier to find a couple of small flat/smooth spots to camp rather than one large area. We thoroughly recommend and use the Quechua "pop up" type tents (www.decathlon.co.uk) as they are extremely quick to pitch and unless its windy, they don’t always need pegging down, which can often be difficult in rocky ground and when camping in the dunes.

Q. Are the locals friendly? Is it "safe" in Morocco?

A. In our experience we have had nothing but positive experiences when meeting the local people and have become friends with many as a result of their welcoming and friendly nature.

Q. What about security as far as my vehicle is concerned, do I need any extra security measures?

A. No. As long as we observe sensible security precautions we wouldn’t expect any problems. Also In towns and cities there is a "guardian" system in operation whereby for a few Dirham you can park your vehicle and the "guardian" looks after it until you return, even if it’s overnight!

Q. You’re not the cheapest Moroccan tour operator, what do I get for my money if I book a "Worlds Apart" adventure?
A. Your right we are not the cheapest but look at what we are offering and then compare!

Full adventure support with backup vehicles and staff, ensuring that your holiday will run as smoothly as possible. (See above questions regarding breakdowns).
Most of our team are actually qualified off-road driving instructors with many years experience of driving off-road, and are available at all times to offer advice and help if required.
A Local guide who accompanies us at all times whilst in Morocco, ensuring we have no communication problems along the way i.e. at the border, with the local police once we are in Morocco, medical emergencies, vehicle issues that need the attention of a garage, checking in and out of hotels, paying the bill at a restaurant, and even when shopping for supplies or souvenirs Hamid will be happy to assist if required.
All camping fees are included in the cost of a "Worlds Apart "adventure.
Pre trip support i.e. free vehicle inspection, packing lists etc.
Discount on training courses if required (details available on request).

Q. What’s not included in a "Worlds Apart"adventure?

All ferry costs.
All hotel costs (except for the Fes Riad, which is included in the cost of your "Worlds Apart Adventure")
Any additional activities not in the program for your adventure.

Q. How do we get to Morocco?

A. We always use the Portsmouth Biilbao ferry which takes you to Northern Spain then we take a leisurely days drive to a hotel we use for overnight stopovers south of Madrid and a half day drive down through the rest of Spain arriving at our usual meeting point near Algeciras around about lunch time, giving us chance to catch up on some last minute shopping or even a trip to the beach (you are on holiday after all). The next day we catch an early fast ferry to Africa, which takes about 45 minutes, and then we cross in to Morocco. You are more than welcome to accompany us on the trip down through Spain if you are catching the same Spain ferry as us.

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