Itinerary

The following itinerary is typical for our “Classic” and “Extreme” Adventure’s

Day 1.
To Camp	Mountain Scenery
We arrive in North Africa after catching an early ferry from Algeciras to Ceuta, and cross through the Moroccan Border with the assistance of our “Border Fixer” Mohammed who will help us with our paperwork etc and “smooth” our passage in to Morocco. Once across the border we meet our Local fixer Hamid, who will accompany us throughout our adventure, we then start to experience some of the sights and sounds of this amazing country as we commence our drive South towards our first “wilderness camp” on the shore of one of the largest lakes in Morocco. After a few miles of off-road driving on rutted tracks skirting the edge of the lake we will catch first site of our camp, a grassy peninsula jutting out in to the turquoise lake. But we are not there yet as we still have a couple of “small” river crossings to negotiate before we arrive at our camp, usually in the mid to late afternoon (depending on how quickly we clear the border earlier on in the day), therefore giving us plenty of time to enjoy the beautiful surroundings and maybe even take a cooling “dip” in the lake.
Day 2.
Wet Bit!	Scenery
After leaving camp we continue south through the picturesque Rif Mountains, a mid morning “coffee stop” affords us the opportunity of collecting supplies and refuelling vehicles (as will be the case on most days). Today we will drive off-road mostly on easy gravel and dirt tracks giving us chance to settle in to “Moroccan” driving whilst passing through farmland and small towns & villages, our destination today is our second “wilderness camp” where will be able to relax and enjoy a camp fire, close to another lake, Barrage Idris, West of Taza.
Day 3.
Camp Site	Cave Party
Today we go East to Taza where we re-supply & coffee stop, then head in to the beautiful, shaded cork oak forests of the Jbel Tazzeka national park where we visit the impressive Gouffre de Friouato which is believed to be the deepest cave system in North Africa, or if caves are not your thing, you can take the option of a visit to a very pleasant, municipal swimming pool at a nearby village, which was given to the local people by the French military after the French occupation. After re-grouping we continue through the impressive scenery of the National Park and towards our campsite close to Sefrou where you can camp or take the option of a simple yet clean bungalow (a restaurant is also being constructed on the site with completion due “sometime” 2009) this campsite also has a large swimming pool where you can take a relaxing swim at the end of the day or even a refreshing early dip before we leave in the morning.
Day 4.
Ghost Town	High Plains
We turn South again today, our destination Midelt, but before reaching our comfortable Auberge/camping accommodation, we re-supply & coffee stop in the quiet town of Boulemane and make our way across the stunning Middle Atlas, passing through 1950 metres altitude (our record so far on this adventure). We now turn off-road again and drive through a typical rural Moroccan village then find our track leading out across a sprawling high plateau linking the Middle Atlas to the High Atlas, here we will drive across a “dry” lake, along sand tracks, fast gravel tracks, make multiple wadi crossings and cross rock fields. Stopping for a picnic lunch along the way. Also during our plateau crossing we will catch our first enticing glimpse of the awesome High Atlas. After crossing the plateau we begin our descent in to Midelt but this amazing part of the adventure has yet more secrets to reveal as we descend in to a steep sided, red rock gorge to discover an abandoned French mining town lining the bottom and clinging to the side of the gorge. As we pass through this almost ghostly yet spectacular sight with some of the buildings looking like they were abandoned only yesterday we can get a feel for daily life in this almost ghostly town, passing by accommodation and administration buildings, railway bridges and rusting mining machinery. “This is one of our favourite days”
Day 5.
Dusty Desert	Desert Sunset
After breakfast in our Auberge, we leave Midelt and continue our adventure south, crossing the High Atlas whilst enjoying the awe-inspiring scenery this impressive mountain range has to offer. After a mid morning coffee stop we descend to the pre-Saharan plain and start to feel the heat of the desert. Today we will have the option to take lunch at a lovely restaurant in a small village and shop for souvenirs in “probably the best” fossil shop in Morocco, all en-route to our destination, the largest group of sand dunes in Morocco at “Erg Chebbi”. As we approach Chebi along sand tracks, gravel fields, and sand rivers we see its mighty dunes growing on the horizon looking like pink sugar mountains. Upon arriving at our impressive destination, we have the option of excellent hotel accommodation right on the dunes or the adjoining campsite where you will still be able to take advantage of the hotel facilities, i.e. restaurant, small pool and shower’s. If time allows it will be possible to hone your dune driving skills here and you will also have the option of taking an early morning camel ride to view the stunning desert sunrise atop a dune, another once in a lifetime experience we thoroughly recommend.
Day: 6
Serious Sand!	Desert Life
This morning we initially travel west towards the desert staging town of Rissani, where we will collect supplies and visit 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, we will be welcomed by the shops staff, offered refreshing traditional mint tea and the opportunity to purchase everything from fine jewelry, earthenware, ceramics to traditional clothing, silver/leatherwear and antiques. Upon leaving Rissani we continue South-West off-road in to the Sahara Desert through this barren and brutal yet stunningly beautiful landscape. After traveling over wadi’s, and sand & gravel fields we drive in to an area of dunes on the edge of a massive dried lake, this will be the location for our third wilderness camp. Nestled amongst the dunes we will enjoy the beautiful desert sunset, a warming campfire and the eerie quiet of the true Sahara.
Day: 7
Its flat for a while!	Todra Gorge
The desert episode of our adventure continues westerly across the dried lake of Lac Hamada we travel for most of the morning over this flat featureless landscape with just the odd wild camel or lone tree breaking the horizon. Upon crossing the lake we will need to drive along a dried riverbed crossing soft sand & gravel beds and rocky areas. After climbing out of the river we find a gravel road which takes us North, stopping for a picnic coffee stop and later an optional restaurant lunch. Early that afternoon we arrive at our accommodation North of Tinerhir. Again we have the option of camping or comfortable apartment accommodation there is also a very nice swimming pool at this site and a highly recommended restaurant. This will be our base for the next two nights.
Day: 8.
Hotel	Relax by the Pool
Today is a “rest” day but several independent options are available, you could: Relax by the pool and enjoy a leisurely lunch at the restaurant Visit the nearby market town of Tinerhir to the southExplore the Todra gorge at your leisure (the campsite is at the south end of the Gorge) Or any combination of the above! There will also be the opportunity for an accompanied visit to a nearby carpet shop in the evening to purchase that “iconic” Moroccan souvenir.
Day 9.
Mountain Pass	Village Life
Refreshed and ready to continue our adventure we journey north through the mighty Todra gorge, believed to be the deepest in Morocco. As we reach the top of the gorge we leave the tarmac behind and drive rough mountain tracks up in to the cooler air of the High Atlas passing through many mountain villages, and in doing so we gain further insight to the daily lives of the local people. As we summit the high mountain pass we will stop for a photo opportunity and a picnic coffee stop our altitude will be above 2600 metre’s (that’s over twice as high as the highest mountain in the U.K). We then descend towards the village of Imilchil to collect supplies in readiness for our fourth wilderness camp at Plateau des Lacs, as we approach our camp we will see the austere blue lake set in an arid hollow of the mountain, another true wilderness camp.
Day 10.
Road Wash-out	Forest Camp
Perhaps after an “invigorating” early morning plunge in the lake (it will be cold!) we continue our Northerly route following a fertile river valley passing dozens of small subsistence farms, then climbing, this time over the Middle Atlas with another picturesque picnic coffee stop at the summit. As we began our descent down the North side of the mountain along twisting gravel roads we catch our first glimpse of the occasional lone Cedar tree, then, continuing our descent we see small groups of trees providing just a hint of things to come. We now follow the wooded river valley along a rough gravel road with many washouts and (usually shallow) river crossings, to our fifth wilderness camp underneath the dense canopy of the massive Cedars forest.
Day 11.
Snow Fun!	High Forest Tracks
Waking to the sounds of the forest, perhaps the drumming of a wood pecker or maybe even the distant squabbling of the Barbary Apes which live in the area, its difficult to believe we are actually in Morocco, but this calming environment is just another of the contrasts of this amazing country, and there is yet still more to come! Today sees us meander our way through the forest along gravel tracks or even sometimes snow covered tracks in the winter months, hoping for a glimpse of the Barbary Apes and enjoying the sights and smells of the forest. Our destination is Ifrane, which is in the “ski resort” area of Northern Morocco, here we will again have the option of camping or simple but clean and comfortable accommodation.
Day 12.
Tannery in Fez	Luxury, at least not a camp mat!
Today the ancient Imperial city of Fez beckons and after just a couple of hours of tarmac driving we arrive at our luxury Riad accommodation, usually with a swimming pool depending on Riad availability, (note there is no camping option on this day due to lack of suitable campsites) After your bags are taken to your room, several options will be available to you, you could: Enjoy lunch in the Riad and spend the afternoon with a local official guide visiting the highlights of Fez including the royal palace, the ancient fortress with its panoramic views over the city, a traditional mosaic tile factory, and of course the mind blowing medina where you will have the chance to shop for gifts/souvenirs and experience the sights, sounds & smells of this medieval market place, with its narrow streets, mosques, tanneries and endless “shops” where you can buy literally anything! Remain in the Riad and relax and enjoy the tranquil, surroundings away from the hustle and bustle of the outside world. Explore Fez and the medina independently and take lunch at one of the many cafes or restaurants that line the streets. Or any combination of the above. Upon returning to the Riad you will again have the option of having dinner, perhaps on the rooftop terrace whilst watching the sunset and enjoying a bottle of wine, or dining out at a fine traditional Moroccan restaurant. But whatever you choose, Fez will not disappoint.
Day. 13
Volubilis	Volubilis
Upon After having a traditional Moroccan breakfast in our Riad we set off North for what will be our longest drive, but we will still have chance for some sight seeing on the way at the UNESCO world heritage site at Volubilis. This was the western capital of the Roman Kingdom of Mauritania in 24 AD, and is the best preserved example of a Roman city in Morocco. With its floor mosaics and still standing columns it is easy imagine how the city would have looked in Roman times. After leaving Volubilis we continue North towards our final Moroccan destination, the Mediterranean coast and Martil. Again we will have the option of camping or comfortable accommodation.
Day 14.
Swimming Pool
Our final full day in Morocco is another “rest” day with several independent options, providing you with the opportunity to recharge in preparation for the journey home, and reflect on the amazing adventure holiday you have experienced. You could spend the day on the beach, which is a short rough track drive from our campsite, enjoying a swim in the Mediterranean or sunbathing on its shore. Or relax by the large swimming pool at the campsite. There is also the nearby resort town of Martil to explore
Day 15.

After saying goodbye to our “guide” Hamid we cross the border in to Ceuta and embark our ferry for the short trip back to Spain. If you wish there will be time to visit Gibraltar for site seeing, duty free shopping, maybe a spot of lunch and don’t forget to fill up with “very” cheap fuel before returning to Spain. Again you are welcome to travel North with us if you are catching the same ferry from Bilbao as we are. If so we will drive to the same hotel we stayed in on the way down through spain and leave the following morning for Bilbao and our ferry back to the UK. Please note that conditions will vary depending on the particular adventure, the time of year, and the prevailing weather.

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