Getting into Morocco

carlnicholson... · World Chat Champion Joined: 13 Mar 2005 Karma :

I keep having wild thoughts of doing a trip to somewhere totally outrageous. Done Scotland and lots of England, Europe seems fun but doesn't really get the juices going, then it came to me, Africa!

Can't bloody wait to see the look on the wifes face about this one.

So, it really isn't that far, just a jaunt down to southern Spain and then a ferry, but what about the red tape of entering Morocco? Do you need Visas? Carnets? or just a Passport, V5, a bit of 'spare' cash and a cheeky grin?

Any advice is welcome. Thumbs Up

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Spudgun · Nova Slayer Joined: 08 Jul 2006 Karma :

Steer clear of Ethiopia Thumbs Up

Nath · World Chat Champion Joined: 28 Jul 2004 Karma :

Morrocco requires neither a Visa nor a Carnet de Passage. Hence why it is the prime destination for Europeans wanting to visit "Africa" independantly.

You want somewhere a bit unorthadox? I reckoned Bosnia to be a pretty nice country to do some motorcycle touring, and it's likely to raise a few eye brows down the pub when you tell all your mates where you going off on a road trip to. A Serbian stamp in your passport always looks good as well.
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PsychoHippy · Jammy Git Joined: 01 Jul 2002 Karma :

The transfer into Morocco is fairly easy. There are people there who are more than willing to help you out for a few Euros, just don't have any car to car radios visible (or bike to bike I guess) as we had them when we went and they got a little arsey about it.
The transfer itself only takes about 45 mins as long as there aren't long ques for the border crossing. It's also one of the few places I know of where they still stamp your passport Thumbs Up

If you do decide to go give me a shout, I can point you towards some very interesting places.
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Shay HTFC · World Chat Champion Joined: 18 Mar 2007 Karma :

tom75 · Two Stroke Sniffer Joined: 27 Mar 2007 Karma :

I've been thinking about Morocco too! The recent bombings are a little off putting though Confused

, but it stills seems like a great destination.
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Itchy · Super Spammer Joined: 07 Apr 2005 Karma :

when it this planned for? , Ram_doom is sort of playing around with a France-Belgium-Italy-france type tour maybe you could come with us up to Italy then peel off east? , OR go right to the tip of italy and end up somewhere like libya?
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tom75 · Two Stroke Sniffer Joined: 27 Mar 2007 Karma :

I'm thinking of two or three of months time, just in the embryonic stage at the mo. (and the cash amassing stage!)
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tom75 · Two Stroke Sniffer Joined: 27 Mar 2007 Karma :

Sorry, did i just hi-jack this thread Embarassed

New here..does it show!
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So many questions, so little time

natv4 · Brolly Dolly Joined: 31 Dec 2004 Karma :

Well, I'm sitting in an Internet cafe in Morocco, somewhere east of the Todra Gorge. This country is very beautiful and well worth a visit. You can easily cross on one of the ferries from Southern Spain and require no border documents other than those you need for Europe. You will need to get insurance (unless your UK provider will give it to you - do check as it will be cheaper). I will post details of the border to save you having to get help.

The country is amazing, like nothing I have seen in Europe. You would be happiest bringing an Enduro bike as there are some fantastic trails to follow. I used the VFR this trip and did a fair bit of piste riding even with that (though it was hard work). The surroundings will take your breath away, just look for scenic routes (marked in green) on the michellin maps. Also if you have a garmin GPS take the free topo maps, its very useful.

The people are very friendly and you will be bombarded with kids every time you stop for a photo. To avoid seeing disappointed little faces, keep a good stock of sweets to hand out to them. Be warned there will be hundreds of them even if you only go for a few days. On the whole there are few things to worry you here. Be aware that westerners are viewed as naieve and people will try and over charge you for things. To give an idea I have just paid 25DHM (dirhams) for breakfast. An average builder will earn 50DHM for 10hours work.

It is currently 16DHM to the 1GBP. Accomodation is very cheap. Expect to pay between 100 - 200DHM per night. For 200-300DHM expect dinner and breakfast thrown in. Always ask the price first and haggle. They will always start high and knock a bit off.

Arabic and French are the main languages. Most tourist areas and hotels will have people whom speak English. International sign language has not failed me yet.

On balance, with accomodation and living so cheap, I will be back here next year. I will also hire an Enduro to allow me to get further off the beaten track. Come and see this place before tourism gets any worse. I will post my story and some pictures in due course (probably when I return).

Best Regards,
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Travelling around the world...a bit at a time. Where am I now? / Visit my BLOG
Bike: Blue Honda VFR800fi (*NEW*) Mileage: 22k Countries visited: GB/F/D/CZ/PL/E/I/B/A/HR/H/Rus/E/MA
West Europe...2004, East Europe...2005, Russia/France...2006, Morocco...2007

natv4 · Brolly Dolly Joined: 31 Dec 2004 Karma :

P.S. The bombings mean that there is a huge police presence at the moment on the outskirts of every major town. They simply wave tourists through and I am yet to see a problem. I skirted Casablanca but did not have time to stop, there does not appear to be much reason to go there from what I can see. However the beaches do look nice (but they do all along the coast).
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Travelling around the world...a bit at a time. Where am I now? / Visit my BLOG
Bike: Blue Honda VFR800fi (*NEW*) Mileage: 22k Countries visited: GB/F/D/CZ/PL/E/I/B/A/HR/H/Rus/E/MA
West Europe...2004, East Europe...2005, Russia/France...2006, Morocco...2007

PsychoHippy · Jammy Git Joined: 01 Jul 2002 Karma :

natv4 · Brolly Dolly Joined: 31 Dec 2004 Karma :

I stand well and truely corrected. Although that does depend on what you like to look at. To some people a mosque may not be enough of a draw. I did want to stop by just for the sake of seeing the place made famous by the movie.

I think I am going back next year, so I may get a chance then. Have you see the mosque?
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Travelling around the world...a bit at a time. Where am I now? / Visit my BLOG
Bike: Blue Honda VFR800fi (*NEW*) Mileage: 22k Countries visited: GB/F/D/CZ/PL/E/I/B/A/HR/H/Rus/E/MA
West Europe...2004, East Europe...2005, Russia/France...2006, Morocco...2007