bonjour a tous,
je rentre d 'egypte et vous livre quelques infos, j ai voyage seule avec mon sac a dos, pas toujours facile pour une femme seule mais dans ce cas j avais TOUJOURS un mari fictif qui m'attendais dans la ville d'à coté.......
j ai atteri a hurgada depuis paris 250 euros avec transavia.
trajet:
hurgada, ismaellia, port said, alexandrie, rachid, oasis de siwa, ste catherine (sinai), le caire, suez, louxor et retour a hurgada.
huragada ismaellia:
* hurgada, nuit à ad dahar, les filles eviter le st georges hotel, meme s il est recommander dans le lonely, les employes sont avares de femmes et tres tres tres entreprennant, j ai du m echapper de l hotel car l un d entre eux a voulu a 2 reprises m embrasser de force!! j ai donc dormi a happy land hotel, dans le souk
* transport 38 LE avec changement a suez, depart 11h arrivee 19 h 30
ismaellia
a voir, la maison de ferdinant de lesseps puis le lac ......c est tout!
hotel, crocodile 100 LE avec petit dej, tres cher!
ismaellia/port said
1 h de transport 5, 5LE
ballade sur la corniche, belles ruelles, plage pas entretenues, coup d oeil sur les bateau qui se dirigent vers le sud.
hotel de la poste, 40 LE avec fentres a l interieur ou 60 LE avec balcon et salle de bain prive, sympa, central;
port said /alexandrie
bus 22 LE
alexandrie
la gare routiere est maintenant au sud de la ville et pas de transport en commun donc taxi pour le centre, compter 10 LE pour la corniche.
hotel:l acropole, 30 LE en solo avec petit dej sans jolie vue...mais position centrale.
bibliotheque:10LE l entrée, possibilite d aller partout, exposition permanente chouette.
musee national:30 LE, decue mais "je suis pas trop musee".
deambulation vers le fort(ouest),
ville que j ai pprecié, quelques restos pas cher, un service internet facile (entre 3 et 5 LE de l'heure)
magasin carrefour au sud accessible en microbus....juste pour comparer les modes de ventes c est rigolo.
tram, ticket a 0.25 LE avec des changements, quartier du chantier naval:pas de touristes.
siwa
alex siwa:depart 14h direct siwa avec de nombreuses poses: 27LE, arrivee siwa 22h30
hotel youssef 10LE pour une ch simple sans petit dej mais en face, bon resto :abdu restaurant, petit dej tres bon et plats varies pour pas cher (10LE)
tour en 4x4 apres midi au bord de la mer de sable :grandes dunes, eaux chaudes..... 80LE plus le permis a 45LE ca fait cher peut etre mais bon c etait la premiere fois que je roulais dans le desert avec un 4x4....
visite de shali, l'ancienne ville, tout est en ruine mais la vue sur le village et les environ est sympa:gratuit.
location de velo 5 à 10 LE pour visiter les sources de cleopatres, temple d 'amon....
siwa/ le caire/ste catherine
bus pour alex a 10 h, 15h ou 22h
bus siwa/alex/la caire :depart 10 h .30LE plus 23 LE arrivee au caire a 22 h
nuit a ismaellia house dans le centre a cote du musee egyptien, 50LE en solo avec petit dej population asiatique seulement!
ste catherine sinai.
bus 40LE, tous les jour de la gare turgoman au caire, depart pour ste catherine direct a 11h.arrivee vers 18h
camp bedoin:fox desert camp.25 LE en solo avec the a volonte toute la journee, joli cadre, 10 minute du village et 15 minutes du monastere.
monastere:visite gratuite possible le matin, musee logiquement payant.
si vous faites l ascension du mont moise, dire que vous aller au monastere seulement sinon il faut un guide.....alors que le chemin est sans soucis, possibilite de louer les services d un chamalier. 2 h d ascension facile a partir du monastere, prevoir de l eau car les boutiques ne sont pas forcement ouvertes.certains dorment en haut, pour ma part il faisait trop froid!
le caire
hotel :dahab hotel:25 LE la chambre, sanitaire commun, propre, personnels gentils et aidant, acces internet, terrasse avec beaucoup de plantes, tal at harb square, a 2 minutes du musee egyptien.
mosquee touloum:gratuit, belle vue sur la ville en haut du minaret.
j avais pas de train avant 4 jours pour rejoindre louxor j ai donc opte poursuez et descendre le long de la mer rouge pour arriver a louxor!
suez
bus 1h30 de trasport:7LE, bus a partir de turgoman au caire.
suez:taxi de la gare routere au centre 10LE
hotel:sina hotel, personnel serviable.
possibilite de voir les cargos de tres tres pres, sur la corniche.
suez/louxor
depart de suez, gare routiere a 8h, 17h et 20h
depart 17h arrivee a louxor a 3h30 ! 56 LE....j ai fini ma nuit dans un cafe glauque autour de la gare des trains apres avoir pris un taxi collectif a partir de la descente du bus.
nuits a nubian oasis hotel:45 LE avec petit dej, sanitaires prives.bon personnel et terrasse agreable a 5 min de la gare train, quartier populaire
hotel nefertiti:60 LE en solo tres belle terrasse sur le toit, a l entree du souk.
temple de karnak, 50LE
bateau pour traverser le nil 1le par personne si plus de 5 sinon payer 6 Le en etant seul dans le bateau, j ai passer mon velo.
location velo 10 Le la journee.
retour de la vallee des roi, des reines....par le pont au sud, 2 h .
retour louxor hurgada en bus depart 19h arrivee a 00h 30 à ad dahar, 33LE
quelques sentiments:
pas beaucoup de femmes, a siwa elles sont voilees et "grillagees" de noir.
trasport en commun faciles, deplacements en taxi bon marche sur alexandire, suez.
louxor est tres touristique mais il existe aussi des qurtiers populaires colores, sales et vivants comme ailleurs dans le pays.
quelques prix:
1LE:*1 jus de fruits dans la rue
* 1 paquet de chips
* 3 petits pains fourres aux olives
* 1 kg de tomates
* 20 pains achetes a la sortie du fournil
3LE :* canettes de soda en region touristique sinon c est 2
* 1h d internet au caire, alex, suez, (louxor c est 5)
* sandwich, foul,
* 2thes et une chicha
* 150 g de vrai fromage de brebis a la coupe.
5Le:*boite de thon
* chocolat en plaque catbury
* 500 g de bananes
"depart 17h arrivee a louxor a 3h30 ! 56 LE....j ai fini ma nuit dans un cafe glauque autour de la gare des trains apres avoir pris un taxi collectif a partir de la descente du bus.
nuits a nubian oasis hotel:45 LE avec petit dej, sanitaires prives.bon personnel et terrasse agreable a 5 min de la gare train, quartier populaire "
assouan, je sais pas j ai pas eu le temps d y aller .....l hotel nubian oasis, est e 500m de la gare des trains a louxor, mais tous les noms d hotels sont recurents quelques soit les villes non?
leti
quelques sentiments:
pas beaucoup de femmes, a siwa elles sont voilees et "grillagees" de noir.
trasport en commun faciles, deplacements en taxi bon marche sur alexandire, suez.
louxor est tres touristique mais il existe aussi des qurtiers populaires colores, sales et vivants comme ailleurs dans le pays.
Pas très vibrant comme ressenti! Et les rencontres? Quand on voyage seule, on en fait plein, non?
Merci pour votre relevé comptable qui est intéressant mais la description du pays n'est pas terrible. L'Egypte est tellement belle.
J'espère qu'en dehors des gares, des hôtels, des magasins, des cafés et des cars vous avez eu le temps en 18 jours d'apprécier les paysages du Nil et les sites de Louxor et du Caire, entres-autres.
Lorsque j'en aurais assez d'aller voir au loin j'irai voir d'où je viens.
oui biensurs j ai fait de superbes rencontres d enfants ou d adultes dans la rue, dans les transports....mais comment decrire avec des mots ce que peux exprimer les yeux d un enfant qui te devore par ce qu il ne comprends et qu il est intrigué que tu sois là toute seule avec ton sac et a pieds ou a velo ?
pour ce genre de chose, c est a dire: parler un peu plus du pays, des gens en occultant l organisation, je poserai quelques photos sur mon blog mais j ai pas eu le temps encore!! desolee de ne pouvoir faire tout en meme temps.
j ai jamais essai de voyagé seul... sans organisation et je veu bien essai ... quel conseil vous me donne...il me fau combien d argent en egypte a peu pré .
S il y a une personne qui veu m accompagné pour quoi ps sachant que sa sera soit en mois de mars soit en juillet, meme pour le maroc s il veu... car j ai ps pri ma decision final soit le maroc soit l egypte
bonjour
a mon gout je ne suis pas restee assez longtemps au caire(bienque les grosses villes ne me pationnent pas beaucoup!). Je pense que 5 jours c est pas mal, le temps de flaner, de decouvrir les differents quartiers a pieds....
merci pour ton avis sur mon blog, il faudrait que je prenne le temps de mettre a jour le periple de 5 mois en asie centrale...en photos.!!
leti
salut. je vais en egypte au mois de mars ( voyage organise ) j'aurai une journee libre au caire a la fin de ce voyage. je veux passer cette journee a flaner et je recherche des endroits qui resteront graver dans ma memoire.je me vois assis a un petit cafe avec vue sur les pyramides et l'atmosphere typique du caire.avez-vous des endroits a me conseiller. vos coups de coeur.merci🙂
Je pars passer une semaine a Louxor du 3 au 10 mai avec 3 autres copines.
Nous aimerions découvrir la ville, les sites culturels bien entendu mais également un aspect plus actuel et authentique de la ville : as tu des quartiers a nous conseiller a tout pris? les souk? est ce qu'il y a des trucs sympas a faire en dehors de la ville? louer une voioture pour aller voir des petits villages sympas? des sites baturels intéressants?
As tu des petits restos/ bars a nous conseiller dans la ville?
Nous avons décidé de partir la bas car nous voulons allier repos et farniente (on a un hotel avec piscine!! 😎 ) mais aussi découverte de la vie égyptienne... hors de question pour nous du coup de partir en mer rouge ou en croisière!! et Le caire nous semblait trop grand et urbain pour nous...
Merci pour tes conseils!! je cherchais quelqu'un comme toi pour répondre a toutes ces questions!! 😇
bonjour
a louxor, j ai dormi du cote de la gare des trains, dans un quartier populaire.
il existe a louxor des rues pietonnes propres avec des boutiques de souvenirs.....mais il existe aussi un marche pas tres loin, j y suis tombe par hasard alors je ne peux pas te dire où il se trouve, il faut juste suivre les locaux qui ont des legumes a la main, dans ce marche je n y ai croise que peu d occidentaux.
juste au nord de la ville a 20 min peut etre a pieds tu a karnak, un temple a mes yeus incontournable.
sinon j avais loué un velo pour me rendre sur l autre rive dans la valleede rois et celle des reines.Tu peux mettre le velo dans un bateau et traverser sinon il y a un pont au sud (partir a la journee) c est plat et là tu peux t arreter le long de la route dans les hameaux et villages.il y a de l eau a dispo dans des jarres sous les arbres.
cote resto et bars, il y a ceux "reservés" aux touristes, pour ma part je frequentais plus les etablissements locaux et las bars a chicha locaux aussi.de toute facon louxor est une petite ville mais pour passer 4 ou 5 jours c est facile de ne pas s ennuyer.
Merci Foineleti pour cette description très pratique.
J'envisage de partir 3 semaines ou 1 mois seule avec sac au dos, j'ai 25 ans, je suis habituée à barouder mais pas dans les pays où il semble y avoir une forte sollicitation de la part de la gente masculine.
Aurais-tu des conseils pour faciliter mon voyage (à part toutes le recommandations de bon sens valables partout) ?
De plus, comment voyagez-vous, travellers chèques, CB etc... ?
Merci d'avance à toutes les personnes qui me répondront.
Bénédicte.
1 an en Australie : http//dokoz.blogspirit.com
2 ans et demi en Egypte.
J'ai passé début Février 6 jours magnifique à Louxor. J'ai voyagé seule, avec mon sac à dos et un "vol sec".
J'ai dormi deux nuits sur la rive Est, celle de la "ville moderne" et 4 nuits sur la rive Ouest, plus calme, celle "des vallées" ... J'ai fait presque toutes les visites à pied.
Grâce au "baladi" (ferry utilisé par les égyptiens) j'ai fait beaucoup d'allers/retours entre les deux rives.
Habituée aux voyages, ce séjour est l'un des plus dépaysants et magiques que j'ai pu vivre !
Le Nil est un fleuve superbe (malgré ces inombrables bâteaux de croisière polluants, mais qui assurent également des revenus au pays ...), les sites (tombes et temples) procurent de superbes émotions (même si, comme moi, on ne connait pas les dynasties des pharaons par coeur 😉) et les égyptiens sont toujours prêts à communiquer. Alors en effet pour certains c'est le touriste qui attire, pour d'autres la femme seule, mais dans certains cas, si on prend le temps on se rend compte que la communication peut être sincère et poussée. J'ai ainsi été invitée à passer du temps (et une nuit) dans une famille, qui n'avait pas grand chose mais qui prête à tout partager.
Bref : allez-y !
Khiva
Le mérite d'un homme réside dans sa connaissance et dans ses actes non point dans la couleur de sa peau ou de sa religion - Khalil Gibran
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Hello,
I’m looking for testimonials from Pieds-Noirs who have recently returned to Algeria.
There can’t be many left after 65 years of the country’s independence.
I’m planning to go back myself soon to reconnect with my roots... before I pass away...
I’ve started making a few pre-bookings for hotels and apartments to rent in Algiers. At first, I received friendly and welcoming responses. Then, when I mentioned I wanted to stay for two or three weeks—maybe even a month—explaining that my trip wouldn’t be strictly touristy but more of a pilgrimage to the places of my childhood, and that it would likely be a very emotional journey, I expected a positive and warm reaction to my approach. Instead, I suddenly stopped getting replies from the three or four people I’d contacted. So now I’m wondering about the reception former Pieds-Noirs can expect...
Anyone here who can share their experience of returning? I specified “recently” because it seems that right now, diplomatic relations between the two governments are extremely tense, not to say hostile... even if Macron claims otherwise...
I’m heading to Morocco in September 2026, and part of my trip takes me through Merzouga. I’m looking for a 4x4 driver-guide to explore the area with my partner and me.
Even though I come to Morocco four times a year, it’s been a long time since I’ve made the trip by car. I need to refresh my knowledge! I’ll be traveling in early October. I have a car that’s about 20 years old. The plan is to cross via Algeciras/Ceuta.
A few questions:
1) Does this crossing still exist? If so, do I need to buy the ticket in advance or on the spot? From whom? Any advice is welcome!
2) What documents are required for the car?
3) If anyone is making the trip around the same time, it could be fun to drive together 😊
This autumn’s trip should be in Morocco—barring any geopolitical issues between now and then.
After many trips to the south of Fès, I’m giving the north a try.
My plan is roughly to do a road trip loop from Rabat back to Rabat, passing through Asilah, Tangier, Tétouan, Chefchaouen, Akchour, Fès, Meknès, and Volubilis.
That’s a lot of cities.
Probably a bit too many for our taste—we usually prefer more isolated spots...
So I’m looking for tips on little backroads, secluded beaches, half-day hikes, and offbeat places.
If you’ve also got recommendations for accommodation... (We’re open to splurging over 100 € if it’s a real favorite.)
Feel free to think outside the box—this is an open-ended plan! !😉
Hello,
I’m traveling to Algeria from October 27 to November 16, 2026.
I’d love to hear from anyone who’s been through the process about the accommodation attestation required for the visa application:
- Does it need to cover the entire duration of the trip?
- Is this document mandatory for a hotel to rent a room?
- Is it checked during inspections?
- Is a hotel booking (e.g., via Booking.com) sufficient for the visa?
- If so, does it need to be paid in advance?
I plan to visit several cities and do one or more treks with a guide or agency.
If you have any contacts you’d recommend, I’d be grateful!
Also, I’d love to share this trip with a companion who’s already done some traveling.
We’d organize the journey together, of course.
Thanks for your feedback!
Safe travels to all,
Dom, Dijon, 64 years old
Hi there,
I’m looking for some friendly recommendations for places to stay in Marrakech for 3 nights in June 2026.
In the meantime, have a great day, everyone! Thanks so much in advance.
I’m reaching out to gather your thoughts on an itinerary (10 days... or more?) I’d like to do at the beginning of June 🙂.
Just so you know, I’m planning to do this trip solo (25 years old), using only public transport and just a backpack. I’ve already been to Marrakech and climbed Mount Toubkal two years ago...
I’ll be arriving in Tangier.
Day 1-2: Explore the city center, hike around Cap Spartel...
Day 3: Stop in Tetouan
Day 4-5-6: Chefchaouen and a day hike in the Rif Mountains
Day 6-7: Discover the city of Fes (I’ve heard so many great things!!)
Day 8: Stop in Meknes and possibly visit the historic site of Volubilis
Day 9-10: Rabat (I’ve heard mixed things... some good, some bad)
After that, I have the choice of heading back to Tangier for my return flight... or going down to Agadir (also a possible return flight) and extending my trip by 5 days :)
From what I can tell, everything is well connected by bus (CTM) or train (ONCF).
Another question: Is the vibe in Moroccan youth hostels for meeting people the same as what you’d find in Western Europe?
Thanks in advance for your replies and your kindness! 😊
Tickets for entry to Majorelle Garden are only issued online via an official site
(though there are fraudulent sites out there). On the official site, they ask for legitimate info
(name, nationality, etc.). What made me go "hmm" was the request for both an email address
AND a password (with confirmation). Is this normal?
Thanks for your replies.
Hi there, a group of girlfriends and I are heading to Tunisia. We’d love to know how much cash we should bring for 6 days, considering everything’s already paid for at the hotel. Thanks for your tips!
I’m finalizing the loop I’d like to do in May over 13 days, starting and ending in Essaouira.
We’re planning to rent a vehicle and are pretty active—we’re not really into crowds (that’s why I’ve decided to skip Marrakech).
Here’s my proposed itinerary:
Trip Proposal Summary:
From May 13 (morning arrival) to May 26 (morning departure)
Arrival and departure: Essaouira
Day 1 (May 13): Arrival in Essaouira – Settling in / Exploring / Rest
Day 2 (May 14): Essaouira – Water activities
Day 3 (May 15): Essaouira to Tafraoute (~5h30) – route via Agadir – arrival and first exploration; Question: Is a detour to Taroudant worth considering?
Day 4 (May 16): Tafraoute – Hike in the granite rocks – wild bivouac
Day 5 (May 17): Tafraoute – Aït Mansour gorges – oasis – night in a hostel
Day 6 (May 18): Tafraoute → Foum Zguid (~5h) – transition route – simple overnight or bivouac
Day 7 (May 19): Foum Zguid → Zagora (~3h) – Draa Valley – desert prep
Day 8 (May 20): Zagora → M'Hamid El Ghizlane → Erg Chigaga – departure with 4x4 guide – entering the dunes – bivouac
Day 9 (May 21): Erg Chigaga – full desert day – walking, exploring – bivouac
Day 10 (May 22): Desert → Ouarzazate (~5–6h) – leaving the desert – rest
Day 11 (May 23): Aït Benhaddou – early visit – short hike – overnight stay
Day 12 (May 24): Aït Benhaddou → Telouet – route toward the Atlas – start of trek – bivouac
Day 13 (May 25): Atlas → Essaouira (~5–6h) – end of trek – return to Essaouira (overnight)
Day 14 (May 26): Essaouira – free time + return flight
What do you think?
I aimed for an excursion to the Chigaga desert from M’Hamid because it seems less touristy and allows for a more compact loop. Is that a good idea? Is the drive to M’Hamid maybe too tedious?
Open to your great tips if there’s room for optimization!
A lot of people find it important to stick to their budget when traveling—not to skimp, but to visit as many places as possible since traveling is their hobby.
In this post, I want to share some tips for those coming to Morocco who want their trip to be budget-friendly.
1. Prebook everything: hotels or riads, car rentals, or tours. If you book these in advance, it’ll make your life easier. You won’t have to deal with hagglers or people trying to overcharge you for services that are available online for free. Use platforms like Booking, Expedia, carsrental.ma, Airbnb, and other booking services to get this done properly.
2. Exchange your money to Moroccan dirhams as soon as you land. 1 € is always a little over 10 dirhams, but many people get charged as if it were exactly 10 dirhams per euro.
3. When visiting an old site or the old medina, avoid talking to vendors and shop owners—they’re really good at getting your attention and making you overpay for things.
4. Ask your tour guide to buy things for you. Yes, they do get a commission, but you’ll probably pay way more if you buy something yourself that they can get cheaply.
5. Walk everywhere. You don’t need a taxi for every little trip. Pick a good location and walk—most Moroccan cities are safe during normal hours.
6. Buy your food, drinks, etc., from supermarkets at normal prices. They can’t overcharge you since they scan every product.
Hi everyone! 😊
We’re traveling as a family to Marrakech from April 19 to 24, and there’ll be 15 of us (all ages), staying in the Targa neighborhood (El Idrissi Street).
I’d love your advice on a few things! 🙏
🚗 Vehicle rental
We’re thinking of renting 3 cars. We’ve seen really low prices online, but often without insurance.
👉 Do you have any reliable contacts or personal experiences to share?
👉 Would you recommend getting specific “tourist” insurance?
🏛️ Visits – Bahia Palace & Saadian Tombs
We’d like to visit the Bahia Palace and the Saadian Tombs, but:
We can’t find single tickets online
We only see guided tours with fixed times (like 9:30 AM / 4-hour tours)
👉 Do you know if it’s possible to book without a guide?
👉 Or do we have to buy tickets on-site? (We’re a little worried about crowds and lines, especially with older folks in the group.)
🍽️ Restaurants / meals
We’ve spotted the Grand Bazaar Marrakech for a meal.
👉 Any thoughts?
👉 Could you recommend other restaurants in the same budget? (We’re a big group, so it needs to stay reasonable.)
For lunch/snacks, we’ve seen:
Snack Toubkal
Goûter Saveur
👉 If anyone’s been, I’d love your feedback! 😊
🛒 Practical info – Targa neighborhood
We’ll be in Targa (El Idrissi Street).
👉 Are there shops nearby for quick groceries (breakfast, water, etc.)?
If you’ve got any great tips, contacts, or little tricks, I’d love to hear them! 😍
Thanks so much for your help! 💖
We’re heading to Morocco as a family from April 22 to May 8. It’s a bit short to explore such a beautiful and vast country, but school and work commitments, you know how it is...
My partner is a musician and absolutely loves Gnawa music.
Unfortunately, we won’t have time to visit Essaouira, as we’re heading south toward the Valley of the Roses...
Do you know of any places around Marrakech, Ouarzazate, or Kelaat M’Gouna where we might have the chance to meet Gnawa musicians?
We’ll also be staying a few days in Aït Benhaddou and Skoura during our trip toward the Dadès Valley.
If you have any good spots to buy a guembri along the way, I’d love to hear about them too! :)
Mid-May: arriving alone (so, a "petit taxi"?) at Marrakech airport around 4:30 PM,
is it advisable to take a taxi at the airport (cost?) or is it wiser to book one through the hotel before departure (which would cost me 20 €)?
I think I’ve seen lower fares elsewhere (12 €?).
Destination: Riad Sijane near Djemaa El Fna square. Thanks!
I’m leaving for Tunisia in five weeks for a full 15-day trip. I’ll be arriving in Monastir and departing from there as well.
I’d like to do a route that’s a bit different from my first stay, which was more focused on cities and culture (Tunis, Sousse, Kairouan, El Jem).
I’ll be getting around by public transport.
I’d like to head south toward Tozeur, and I saw that you can take a *louage* from Monastir to Sbeitla (2h30). I imagine it’s not too complicated to get to Tozeur from there afterward? The issue is the return trip to Monastir and safety in Sbeitla.
If this route seems too complicated, I might opt for Djerba instead, which looks simpler.
I’m planning my next trip outside Europe for next year, but unfortunately, I don’t have a choice with the dates—it’s late June to early July. Last year, I went to Japan for three weeks, and it was constantly 36-37°C with over 90% humidity. It wasn’t easy, but it wasn’t impossible either.
For Egypt, I know it’s a period to avoid if possible, but I’m thinking that by the sea, it might be manageable. Otherwise, I’ll consider another destination.
Day 1: Arrival in Hurghada in the evening
Day 2, 3, 4: Hurghada
Day 5: Hurghada, then drive to Luxor in the early afternoon
Day 6: Luxor
Day 7: Luxor, then drive back to Hurghada in the late afternoon
Day 8, 9, 10, 11: Hurghada
Day 12: Return flight
For the Hurghada trip, either rent a car or—easier—a private car/van.
Is it worth adding an extra day in Luxor?
During the stay, we’re planning activities like camel rides, quad biking, jeep tours, snorkeling, and jet skiing.
Hi there,
We’re planning a trip to Morocco in September-October in our Fiat camper van, which isn’t a 4x4 but has already handled quite a bit of rough travel. While reading up on southern Morocco, we’ve been drawn to the Aguinane oasis but I’m having trouble locating it on the map. Is it possible to get there without a 4x4?
Thanks for your help
Connaissez vous l'adresse d'une distillerie de fleurs de roses ds la vallée des roses / kelaa M Gouna. Une distillerie traditionnelle, pas uniquement la boutique à touristes.
Hi there,
Can anyone tell me if it's possible to travel from the Dades Gorges (Msemrir) to the Todra Gorges (Tamtatouche) on a paved road? Thanks in advance for any answers.
Hello,
We’d like to hire a French-speaking guide (agency, professional, or volunteer) to show us around Cairo over three days.
Trip planned for November 22, 23, and 24, 2026—four veteran French travelers.
We’re open to any leads, contact info, or suggestions.
Best regards,
Jacques
Hi there,
I have a layover in Algeria.
I won’t be leaving the airport.
The two tickets aren’t with the same airline.
Do I need a transit visa?
Thanks for any details and your help!
Hi there,
I live in Casablanca and my parents, who are 80, will be joining me in Marrakech at the beginning of May for a few days.
We’ll be renting a car to get around.
Do you have any suggestions for things to see or visit within a 2-3 hour drive max from Marrakech that aren’t too touristy?
My parents can walk a bit, but at 80, no climbing Mount Toubkal!
Thanks so much in advance for your ideas!
Hi everyone, just back from the 8-day Marrakech-Merzouga loop by car, and I’d love to share my feedback in case it helps some of you. Big thanks to all the forum members who kindly answered my questions!
Trip from Friday the 20th to Saturday the 28th, flying out of Marseille with Ryanair
- Landed late around 8 PM local time, exchanged some currency, and the rental agency (Magdaz Car, which I highly recommend) delivered the car straight to the airport with some great route tips (don’t blindly trust Maps.me). The night drive was a bit intense—lots of people out and about due to Ramadan. Stayed at Riad Midhou (really nice) on the outskirts of the city, which made it easy to hit the road the next morning.
- Day 1: Marrakech to Skoura. The drive was smooth, roads are great, but watch out for roundabout priority—it’s different from France. Beautiful route. Quick stop in Ouarzazate for lunch, Ait Benhaddou for the view (stunning), and the Fint Oasis (meh...). Spent the night at Taloute Ecolodge in Skoura, overlooking the palm grove (super cozy).
- Day 2: Skoura to Todgha Gorges via the Valley of Roses and Dades Gorges.
Adventure-packed day! We crossed the Valley of Roses (pretty, but not as amazing as I’d hoped) and took a "shortcut" recommended by the *Routard* guide to reach the Dades Gorges without backtracking. After asking locals, they said, "It’s doable." Turns out it was a narrow, rocky cliffside track—no way to turn around! A stressful moment, with a nice scratch on the bumper and a good sweat. Fine in an SUV or 4x4, but not in a Logan... Then the Dades Gorges (nice) and a detour through the north to reach Todgha from above. Gorgeous mountain road and a quick stop on some snow patches—touching African snow! Spent the night at *Les Gorges de Todgha*—great place, except for the bathroom. The Todgha Gorges themselves are stunning!
Day 3: Todgha to Merzouga. Beautiful drive, and the view of the erg (sand dunes) on arrival is breathtaking! Totally worth the trip. Explored the desert and stayed at *Café du Sud* hotel just outside Merzouga—absolutely gorgeous.
Day 4: Merzouga. Desert exploration and chilling by the hotel pool (with a bonus sunburn). Lunch in Merzouga—I recommend *Dakar*—their lemon tajine was amazing. Spent the night in the hotel’s luxury camp, including a camel ride. The camp was beautiful, but I was disappointed we weren’t deeper in the desert given the price (100 € per person, including dinner, breakfast, and camel ride).
Day 5: Merzouga to Tamnougalt. Gorgeous route. First fine (a supposed stop sign...) but the officer was super nice—only 150 MAD. Stayed at *Kasbah Maktob*, right in the middle of ruins—really unique and beautiful!
Day 6: Tamnougalt to Marrakech. Another beautiful drive, and a second fine (minor speeding), same amount. Crossed a windy mountain pass during a big storm—traffic was blocked in the opposite direction (not sure why), causing massive jams for those coming from Marrakech. A few downed cables, but nothing serious. Arriving in Marrakech was tricky—hard to find the rental agency, and the traffic was intense (watch out for GPS trying to send you through the medina). Ask the rental company to meet you somewhere quiet. They didn’t even notice the damaged bumper... Stayed at *Riad Zifamo* in the heart of the medina. Big change of pace—so many people and so much hustle!
Day 7: Marrakech. Lots of wandering through the souk and a quick trip to Gueliz (not essential). A few tips for the medina: watch out for scooters weaving too fast, always negotiate prices (aim for at least 1/3 off what they ask, unless it’s a small amount), don’t buy spices—more expensive than in France! Head to the *Carrefour Market* in Gueliz for better prices. In the end, not many truly unique items—you’ll find more or less the same things everywhere.
Day 8: Early morning flight. We’d booked a car to the airport from the riad, but a taxi would’ve been fine—plenty available even at 7 AM. Security wasn’t an issue (we had lighters and liquids over 100 ml).
A few extra notes: Pleasantly surprised by the road quality—just a few potholes here and there, but overall very drivable. Watch out for the police—they’re everywhere! The car cost me 30 € per day (with the *Routard* discount) and about 90 € in gas. No safety concerns, no harassment, and no stomach issues, despite the ice in Marrakech. Breakfasts at the hotels were usually hearty—take advantage! The timing (end of February) was perfect—pleasant daytime temps and cool nights. Since it was Ramadan, nothing unusual to report, except it was hard to find food outside Marrakech at lunchtime.
If I did it again, Merzouga is a must, but I’d spend a night in a real desert bivouac, deeper in the dunes. My stops (no more than 300 km a day) were well-paced, and with so few cars on the road, it wasn’t tiring—even though I’m not usually a fan of driving...
Happy to answer any questions!
Hi there,
I’m traveling solo to Egypt. Could you give me a rough idea of the budget for:
meals
hotels
taxis including tips
visits...
Just an estimate, of course.
For 15 days, what would the price range be, considering there’s an overnight train and a Nile cruise?
I’d like to compare with a travel agency. Is it more worthwhile to go through an agency despite the downsides of group travel?
Otherwise, if a travel buddy is interested in this country, why not?
Thanks a lot!
