Tu parle d'une ville que je connais trés bien et puis je peux te rassurer que tu ne va pas regréter ton séjours
C'est une grande ville située dans le centre du pays a 100 KM D'Alger la capitale, donc dés ton atterissage a l'aéroport d'Alger, t'es a 1h00 a tizi ouzou, et puis a part qu'elle soit une ville proche de la capitale, elle est a la différence des autres villes, d'une ambiance assez particulière surtout l'été, côté nature, traditions et vestiges, également il ya beaucoup de choses a voir
Tizi ouzou, c'est la grande KABYLIE en Algérie, la population parle beaucoup plus Français et Kabyle, les femmes circulent plus librement, et puis je te conseil que pour ton séjour, profite l'occasion pour connaître Béjaia, jijel sur le littoral, et Alger, tipaza, chechel sinon si ton séjours est long, beaucoup d'autres belles villes restent a voir.
Pour l'hébergement, Tiziouzou possède plusieurs hôtels de 3* et 4* variant de 25 à 30 £ la nuitée, petit déjeuner compris, cela biensûre si tu comptes séjourner le temps d'une semaine sinon plus que ça je te conseille des appartements qui peuvent aller jusqu'a 200 ou 300 euro le mois selon les quartiers.
Si tu veux plus de renseignements, pose moi des questions....
" Si vous pensez que le désert est vide c'est parceque vous ne savez pas le regarder"
Merci pr tn message, j'avais un peu peur de pas avoir de réponse lolllllll
Oui j'ai plein de questions a te poser, et si tu pe me donner ds adresses pr l hebergement, par contre pr ls hotels, si tu en conne meme si il y a pas d'etoile, en faite, je recherche le moins cher possible, ms de 'correcte'.
car en faîte, c pas k j'ai de gros moyen, ms il fo vmt k je vienne voir mn ami, car lui hélas, il ne pe venir me rendre visite avec ls problèmes de visas
d ailleurs il me fo koi kom papier administratif pr venir, moi ki vient de France, et qui est Française
j attend de ts nvlles, encore merci, car pas facile de trouver ds renseignements.
Tizi ouzou n'est pas une ville vraiment extraordinaire, c'est la kabylie qui est une région interressante à découvrir, dans tous les coins tu trouvera de l'hebergement bon marché.
Sinon, il faut etre plus prudent dans certains coins ( cause insécurité ), ne pas rouler et faire de route de nuit en géneral.
Bonjour, 🙂
Je sais que ce n'est pas évident de trouver des renseignements assez facilement conçernant L'Algérie car plusieurs Hôtels de 3* ne possèdes même pas de site web pour faciliter aux touristes des réservations et les informations nécéssaires mais t'inquiète, tu es entre de bonnes mains pour t'orienter.
Il faut que tu saches d'abord que la vie chez nous n'est pas chèr du tout, et le change de 100 euro est l'équivalent de 10 000 DA ce qui te permets beaucoup de choses ici.
Pour les hôtels, restent moyennement chèr, oublie l'histoire d'hôtels non classés( sans étoiles) sans commodités aucunes et puis mal fréquentés, je te conseils des 3* a Tizi ouzou qui sont trés bien et je trouve pas trop chèr, Belloua ou LLalla khedidja, chambre spacieuse, literie propre, salle de bain, eau chaude, climatisée, tv, telephone et quelques services comme le restaurant, un mini bar, discothèque, le tout dans un décors traditionnel de la région.
Et puis tu parle d'un ami que tu viens voir, alors je pense qu'il sera mieux placer que moi pour t'orienter.
Laisse moi un peu de temps pour te chercher qqs adresses et telephones de ces hôtels .
Conçernant ton entrée au pays, il te faut bien sûre un certificat d'hébergement s'il ya une famille qui t'acceuille ou carrément une réservation d'hotels qui fait foie.patiente le temps que je te donne les numéros de tel des Hôtels, tu pourras les contacter pour des réservations et puis Juin reste encore loin, mais bien de préparer ton séjours a l'avance.
Si tu pense que ton budget et assez sérré, je te reçois chez moi avec plaisir, je t'ai dit que l'hospitalité, ce n'est pas ça qui manque ici et puis je suis pas trés loin de Tizi ouzou, je suis à Bouira à une heure de route de tizi.
Abientôt
" Si vous pensez que le désert est vide c'est parceque vous ne savez pas le regarder"
🙂🙂🙂c vmt gentil de ta part pour ls numeros, j attend cela avec impatience.
L'ami que je viens voir, en faîte, c un jeune etudiant, c un senegalais ki etudi a Tizi.
Donc, je suis pas certaine, qu 'il puisse bien me renseigner a propos ds hotels,
j espère de tt coeur, pouvoir faire ce voyage, als je préfére me renseigner à l'avance, et puis maintenant c tlmt compliqué d aller ds les pays, choses qui me révolte, ms bon hélas, je ne peux pas changer tt ca 🙁🙁
a tres bientot
et encore merciiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii
😉bonjour.
Je suis française, mariée à un algérien et fin juin je me rends pour la 4ème fois ds ma b-famille à 7 kms de tizi.
C'est très intéressant d'aller en Algérie, mais j'aimerais pouvoir te contacter, peut être que je peux te rendre service mon mail c'est manuchabi plus loin yahoo.fr (je te la donne comme ça pour ne pas etre envahie par la pub)
Tizi -ouzou est une très belle ville, il ya des hotels et vous avez une auberge de la jeunesse pas chere du tout.Ne rater pas la chance de visiter tizi, et rendez - moi compte.Amicalement
Bonjour,
Alors pour les adresses, en voici quelques unes:
Hôtel Belloua, H3*en plein centre de tizi ouzou, a 100 m de la gare routière
tel: 00 213 (0)26 22 -74-21
00 213 (0) 26 22 -86-12
Hôtel Lalla Khedija, h3* également au centre ville
tel: 00 213 (0) 22-21-13
00 213 (0) 22-74-00
Et puis je te conseille ce site: www.algeriantourism.com
Tu trouveras plein de renseignement sur le pays.
Bon séjour
" Si vous pensez que le désert est vide c'est parceque vous ne savez pas le regarder"
Salut🙂
Ce n'est pas la peine de te tourmenter la tête avec tous ce que tu peux entendre, L'Algérie va bien et en ce moment elle est plus sûre que d'autres coins du monde, d'ailleurs le chemin que tu va prendre convient mieux pour un étranger, Tu descends d'abors a Alger la capitale qui est une ville ou il ya plus d'ouverture d'esprit, les gens ont tendance de voir les étrangers, ils sont nombreux a avoir la peau blanche, donc une blonde ne va pas être vu a
1000 km😛et comme tout les algériens, on ne fait qu'éviter les forêts ou circuler la nuit dans des endroits éloignés ou en campagne.et puis comme toute femme qui voyage seule, évite toujours de demander de l'aide a un jeune homme, de préférence les vieux et mieux encore les agents de la sûreté(police).Prendre toujours des taxis qui portent l'indication et ils sont de couleur jaune.
sinon, a part ça Tizi ouzou également est une grande ville, fréquentée beaucoup trop par les émigrés pendant l'été.
Conçernant les hôtels, je connais, donc t'inquiète pas et puis avant de réserver, tu peux faire la visite des lieux avant de confirmer la réservation .
😉😉😉😉
" Si vous pensez que le désert est vide c'est parceque vous ne savez pas le regarder"
Moi c'est Salya, française d'origine algérienne (petite kabylie). Je viens de lire ton SOS :-) T'inquiètes pas, tu trouveras un hébergement. Il faudrait que tu demandes également à ton ami s'il peut te venir en aide. Il doit avoir beaucoup d'amis là bas et je suis sûr qu'il y a aura toujours quelqu'un pour se proposer de te venir en aide :-) T'inquiètes pas.
A bientôt.
tu sais mn ami, c un étudiant, et la vie d étudiant c pas simple, et puis je ne lui en ai pas trp parle, car pr l instant je prend ds renseignements, et peut etre k je lui ferai une surprise voila
je veux partir en Algérie pdt 3 semaines au moi de mai. j'suis orginaire de ce pays mais je ne le connais pas, je veux donc le découvrir. je compte y aller en voiture par bateau, je voudrais faire un circuit routard que j'essai demettre point (style marseille-oran puis remonter vers alger + kabilie, puis bouira, bordj, sétif, constantine, annaba marseille).
j'aimerais qques adresses d'hotels ou hébergements et des tuyaux ?
merci.
slt comment ca va ; l'algerie est le plus beaux pays du monde, pour moi je prèfère jijel ou bejaya, pour la beautè natural est les plages, moi je suis de batna est j'aime mon pays, vive l'algerie😛😊😛😉
Pour une femme seule, du moment qu'elle a un comportement compatible avec les moeurs algériens, il n'y a pas de pb ! En plus en Kabylie, les femmes sont assez émancipées du moins dans les rues, en publique !
J'ai un cousin qui habite Makouda (et Alger), près de Tizi (une grande famille), si cela te devrait t'aider ?
Bon voyage !
Lili
Il n'y a personne qui soit née sous une mauvaise étoile, il n'y a que des gens qui ne savent pas lire le ciel. (Dalaï Lama)
mais rien ni personne ne vient à bout de ceux qui défendent une cause juste... (Mano Dayak)
bonjour je ne suis jamais allee en algerie car je n ai pas les moyens mais j ai aussi un ami qui est a akbou et il me ditqu avec un hebergement chez l habitant c est plus facile que les hotels pour un plus longs sejours alors je te souhaite bonne chance et bon sejours et quand tu reviens j espere que tu nous diras comment tu as trouvee ce pays .moi aussi suis francaise et degoutee que les visas soient si difficile a obtenir pour venir en france .
j habite pres de montelimar et toi, je m appelle viviane et je te fais un bisous a bientot j espere
je viens de mon connecter et ton histoire ressemble un peu a la mienne moi je suis francaise originaire des antilles et mon ami est de Tizi Ouzou, On espere pouvoir se rencontre ici dans mon pays mais les difficultes se manifestent deja alors j etudie la solution contraire, c est a dire ke sa soit moi ki face le deplacement jusqu en algerie
cela ne me pose aucun probleme de venir labas vu ke cest un pays ki ma toujours attirer. On espere pouvoir se marier si cest la volonté de dieu et jaimerai beaucoup connaitre un peu plus sa culture son environnement alors je me permets de recolter tous les renseignement qui t ont ete adressé
merci davance si tu a deja fait ton voyage ke peu tu me dire sur la ville de Tizi Ouzou
Je ne connais pas du tout l' Algerie et je voudrais savoir quel est l' aeroport le plus proche de Tizi Ouzou. Et ou est situe Mouhamadia? Merci par avance. J.J.
Je voudrais savoir si de tizi ouzou il y a des bus pour aller dans le sahara? combien de départ par jours? dans quelle ville? Les hotel prore a m'indiquer? les…
Quel est le moyen le plus sur pour aller de Bejaia a Tizi? (Depuis l'aeroport de Bejaia) J'ai entendu dire qu'il ya une route par le littoral et l'autre par…
Souhaite faire un court séjour a Tizi Ouzou d'une semaine... idéalement y touver un appartement a louer plutot qu'un hotel, dans le meme secteur que l'hotel…
Je cherche un hôtel pas trop cher pour passer un après midi avec mon fiancé en solo car on se voit rarement on est a 500 km l'un de l'autre et je me demande si…
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.
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 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 😊
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 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
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!
