Morocco Travel Answers

If you contact this company in Paris, he has fellow contacts in Morroco that can help you. The owners name is Aristide, say hi from Griff aristos-limousine.com/tours....

Hi.Your planned itinerary sounds similar to the one I have recently returned from. My trip was organised by a guy who was highly recommended. Everything was arranged – accommodation and dinner (with breakfast) every night, 2 hour camel trip in the Erg Chebbi dunes with overnight in a berber tent under that incredible starry sky; visit to Gwana village where we were entertained by Gnawa musicians; we drove over the magnificent Atlas mountain passes, stayed in the amazing Dades Gorge; visited a number of traditional villages; Kasbahs; looked for fossils in the desert; saw how the beautiful pottery is still being made in the old traditional way; had impromptu ‘jam sessions’ where the guests could join in playing the traditional instruments every night at the hostel in Merzouga; the drive through the Atlas mountains via the Tizi Tichka pass were unmissable; etc etc. Ali Ousso was very informative, spoke good English and answered all our question about the culture, history etc. He has a great sense of humour and we had many laughs with him and Idir our driver. The great thing was that the whole trip was so informal, like being with friends and that our plans/itiniary was flexible. His web site is http://ergchebbi.ifrance.com. I recommend him 100%. He picked us up in Marrakech but will collect and take you wherever you want. I think your itinerary is a bit tight, will mean a lot of travelling (although that is really no hardship considering the amazing countryside you will be travelling through, depends what you want). Have a word with Ali, he will no doubt come up with alternative routes which will be just as interesting (such as the Jbel Toubkai, highest mountain in Morocco). He will definitely reply your email, if it should take a couple of days or so it will be because he is in the mountains and there is no internet access. Hope you get fixed up & enjoy your trip. Contact me if you need any more info. Cheers - Karen

Thanks Karen .I emailed him in french ,thinking that his french is better, 10 days ago after having read your upbeat report about him.I am still waiting.By the way what was the charge per day for the driver/guide. Merci

Hi Pierre, I find it strange that he is taking so long to reply, are you using the following email address [erg_chebbi42@yahoo.fr]? I dont think the problem is picking up in Fez as I know he has picked up guests there before. He charged 4200 dirhams (380 Euros).This was for picking us up in Marrakech and dropping off in Essaouira. It was for 8 days (7 nights) and included all accomodation with breakfast and evening meal and 1 night camel treck and overnight in berber tent. Included hire of land rover, driver and of course Ali.(could have had 4 x 4 but it would have been dearer as it uses more fuel which is expensive over there).The only extra monies needed for the trip is for lunches, coffee etc. Karen

We hired a car and driver, and took a trip to Merzouga, on the edge of the desert. On the way, we stopped at the Kasbah Ait Benhaddou, which has stunning views from the top. Drove through the Ouarzazte valley, and walked around one Berber village, which was cool. From Merzouga, we took a 2 and a half hour camel trek out to a nomadic looking settlement. I would not recommend that camel ride it was much more fun than a 4 wheel drive would have been... Also did a day trip to the Cascades d'Ouzoud. Pretty, but probably more impressive in the spring or summer.

Sorry,i would strongly recommend a camel ride!it was funny.

THank you to Karen and to all those also who took the time to reply. THe cost that karen mentionned i assume is per person.Is this correct? specially if it includes lodging ,trips ,etc.

Yes Pierre, it is per person. Have you had a reply from Ali yet?

Per person, per day or for your entire week? - Your trip sounded amazing!

Hi Adam, yes it was per person per trip, that is 7 nights accomodation with breakfast and evening meal (included 1 night in desert). And yes, it was amazing, a really fantastic, interesting trip. I must say I was glad we had Ali as guide in addition to a driver since it meant Idir the driver could concentrate on the driving - particularly important when going over mountain passes and we could chat with Ali. Please dont hesitate to contact me if you need any further info. I check my email daily whereas VT not as often so you can mail me at karen@tids10.plus.com. Enjoy, and Happy Planning. Karen

Hassan, you are not allowed to advertize on VT