Marrakesh Travel Forum

Hi All,
We are planning to be in Marrakech for late September and wanted to go to Merzouga to visit the sand dunes. We are planning to rent a car to drive there on our own and wanted to know if anyone can recommend what type of car would be required for the drive and roads along the way. Is a subcompact/compact sufficient or do we need a 4x4?

For the roads themselves, any; for the dunes..., I suppose 4x4

Thanks Redang.

Just to clarify, the question is regarding the drive from Marrakech to Merzouga, and specificaly for the route through the Atlas Mountains. We do not plan to do any off roading into the sand dunes (we will go into the sand dunes with camels).

You do not need a 4x4 for what you want to do. I have been to Merzouga with a compact car, no problem, even for the parts of the desert that are not the dunes.

Hi yes its tar seal the whole way from Marrakech to Merzouga the nearest town to the dunes - piste roads turn off the tar seal road along the stretch from Risanni to Merzouga but they are generally fine. Auberges such as Erg Chebbi, Auberge du Sud, Dunes Dor, Timbuktu, are all close to the dunes - you can stay the night there out in the desert with an overnight camel trip or stay in an auberge and do a sunrise or sunset trip or just go to an auberge for lunch, play around/walk up the dunes and then head off again if you wish.

Ive got a few tips in both my Merzouga and Risanni pages.

A smallest cheapest car such as a Uno or Palio is fine but slightly better with say a Clio is better for fuel economy and comfort. how many days do you have?
you dont need a 4x4.

The route from Marrakech to Merzouga is one of my favourites with a variety of stunning sceneries along the way but also a few must-sees - the road up and over TiznTichka, Telouet, Ait BenHaddou, Ouarzazate, Skoura, Kelaa Mgouna, Dades Gorge, todra gorge, Risanni and Merzouga - then drive back via Nkob and Agdz - drive a little way down to Zagora if you have time, then back up the Draa Valley past Agdz to Ouarzazate again and back to Marrakech. or turn right from ouarzazate heading for the Dades Valley again but near Skoura theres a new road up and over a pass that takes you out near Demnate where you could then go to Cascade Douzoud and back down to Marrakech.

have tips and pages on most of these places - get an idea of what not to miss!
all the best.

angiebabe - your pages are great. I relate my experiences at:

http://cybercom.net/~carrig/maroc99/maroc99.htm


Jamal and Hafid are no longer available, but I think that there is still some useful information on my pages.

Yes, no problem at all with the road, it's more than OK, and it's beautiful when you cross the mountains even at a height of more than 2100 meters above sea level. Un fortunately I don't have pics of that road; I went the other way round, Merzouga-Marrakesh.

Hi
there are lot of help among all the replies . and ofcours i'll add what i can ; a smoll car will work out there i have done this rout manytimes and the road will take you til the dunes ( i guess there are just 500m of the poor road) and i guess this won't be any big deal ; as the other reply said ( 4x4 or landrover jeep) will be necessary in case you'll to tour around the desert or cross the dunes .
i don't advise to cross the dunes by 4x4 cos the locals do not agree about...and it desturb the tourist . so just try to do camel ride and camping in the desert
the two locals do arrange for desert trips.
and the hotels too someof them is just great and other hotels have poor services
all the best .
C.C

Thank you all for the replies and information. They have been very helpful. I am now much more confident about the journey.From what I am understanding of your suggestions I should try to take different routes for the outbound and return portions of the drive.

Generally speaking, can you confirm that this would be, for example, the N10 for Ouarzazate to Merzouga and the N12 for the return?

Also, is the pass over TizinTichka done using the N9?

...yes 90% of tours done using the tizi ntichka pass... what you understand is what members said.
stil to wish you a happy travel

Try this website:

http://goafrica.about.com/library/bl.mapfacts.morocco.htm

Yes theres only one road over TiznTichka - would recommend getting a Michelin map on Morocco and have a study to help plan your trip - it will also highlight in green what is considered scenic routes but often more than whats on the map is recommended - also why I recommend a look at my and other VTers tips and pics around Morocco - I have quite a few pictures in there of the places Ive recommended.