j'envisage de partir en individuel , dans la vallee des ait boughmez (maroc) vers le 21 aout et ne trouve pas d'info recente!!
- comme ce sera encore le ramadan est ce que tout va etre plus compliqué (nourriture a acheter, guides, muletiers, transports...)
- je cherche des adresses de gites simples et pas isolés, d'ou on puisse rayonner pour rando a la journée ou 2 jours, ou chez l'habitant
- je cherche aussi a savoir si on peut louer des vtt et ou moto pou faire les 30km de la vallée
et comme je n'ai pas de voiture, faut il a partir de marrakech , chercher directement pour la vallee, ou s'arreter a beni mellal, ou a azilal???
Salam,
Je connais bien cette vallée, j'y est vécu 4 mois, mais jamais o moment de ramadan.
Des gite tu trouvera, yen a tout plein, moi j'été a Agouti, le premier village de la vallée, meme pendant ramandan ça sera ouvert et tu trouvera des guide et muletier a mon avis, ils laissent rarement passer une occasion de bosser.
Pour la nourriture je pense que ce sera bon meme pendant ramadan, ils doivent moins bosser mais un peu quand meme.
Si tu veu faire le m'goun c'est un bon point de depart agouti et ya des petite rando (gorge, colline...)
Pour louer des vtt et moto ce sera dur, aprés plein de personne ont des vtt tu peut leur demandé qu'il te le loue a la journée mais t'attend pas a avoir le dernier vvt hight teck.
De marrakech faut prendre un grand taxi jusqu'a azilal puis un autre ou un bus jusqu'a la vallée, part tot si tu veu tout faire dans la journée sinon halte a azilal.
Les gens de cette vallée sont super et accueillant tu devrai te régaler, puis pendant ramadan parait que c'est tout les soir la fete o rupture du jeun ca peut etre sympa.
voila, n'hesite pas a me demander si tu veu d'autre info, bon voyage.
un con qui marche va plus loin qu'un intellectuel assis...
je crois que je prefererais trouver au coeur de la vallee, pour mieux rayonner, si bien sur c'est accessible assez facilement par taxi
as tu des adresses? agouti et ailleurs : quelque chose pas isolé, dans un village
connais tu tabant, qui ne figure pas sur la carte routiere que j'ai ; est ce qu'on y trouve des vehicules? est ce que c'a ne serait pas plus central??
je connais le maroc, ai habité dans ds villages berberes, et je sais que si on peut aller a peu pres facilement qqe part, en revenir en fin de journée est tres compliqué!!
si je dois faire un stop a azilal, as tu des noms d'hotel pas cher (mais pas crade!)
chroucran bzzf
Je pense que tu n'auras pas de problème pendant la période du ramadan dans la vallée. Il y a une auberge très sympa à Agouti: l'auberge Flilou. De là tu peux rayonner autour de la vallée. L'auberge pourra te proposer des guides. Je connais très bien cette vallée. Nous allons depuis 6 ans passer une semaine dans la famille de notre ami guide de montagne. la vie dans cette vallée est sereine meme si elle n'est pas toujours facile.
Bon voyage . Je te souhaite de belles rencontres et de belles découvertes.
Nelly
" Parler du désert, ne serait-ce, pas d'abord, se taire, comme lui, et lui rendre hommage non de nos vains bavardages mais de notre silence? "
Théodore Monod
mais n'est ce pas mieux d'etre au milieu de la vallee pour mieux rayonner??
connaissez vous tabant??, ce n'est pas sur ma carte
je souhaite trouver un gite (tres simple)dans un hameau, village et non pas completement isolé comme celui sur le site indiqué par fenouille, que je connais
suis preneuse de tuyaux concrets
merci bcp
Salam,
C'est vrai que tabant est au centre, t'inquiete meme si tu trouve pas sur les carte ça existe bien, par contre rien a voir avec le sud de ouarzazate??? <puis c'est le village principale de la vallée, ya le dispensaire, la poste, des café, tout plein de commerce, , surement des gites et le souk ( a ne pas louper) du dimanche. Aprés je connais pas assez pour te conseillé un gite, je connais que ceux d'agouti, qui n'est pas au centre de la vallée, mais au centre aussi d'autre rando: gorges de jorro, plateau d'ikiss et sa cascade... Apres tout la vallée traverse des village avec gite, mais une fois sur place c'est presque tout a pied, tu peu tenter le stop dans la vallée mais y a pas beaucoup de voiture et sont souvent pleine... Puis ce qui est super dans cette vallée c'est que tu peut faire des petite ballade et des grosse rando d'1, d'2 ou 3 jours, tu est vite a 3000M, et les ballade dans les champs et sur les collines sont super sympa. Si tu me dit quel genre de marcheuse tu est je peut t'en proposer, aprés autant prendre un guide (yen a partout) c'est pas cher et te font prendre contact avec les gens...
Ciao.
un con qui marche va plus loin qu'un intellectuel assis...
A Tabant meme, plus de gite.. ou alors très recemment réouvert (à voir),
Par contre entre Agouti, et Imelghas (fin du goudron et 1500m de Tabant) il y en a bien une dizaine.
Belle randonnées en étoile possibles , et aussi de plusieurs jours.
des guides partout, pas la peine de les chercher, ils s'inviteront chez toi.
Facile , seul, 8h de marche de Tabant (pour acheter le picnic) , un aller retour au Tizi n'ait Imi 3000m !!
tu me conseilles agouti ou plus loin??? sachant que je me deplace en taxi collectif et que je ne veux pas etre isolée
as tu un nom de gite , dans un village ou je puisse rester
tu habites ou toi???, puisque tu resides plusieurs mois au maroc!
est ce que c'a te parait jouable de faire essaouira, marrakech (ou je recupere bagages) et gite (agouti ou plus avant dans la meme journée)?, c'a m'eviterait une nuit a marrakech
merci de ta reponse
tittrit (tachlhit)
Bonjour,
* *** tu me conseilles agouti ou plus loin??? sachant que je me deplace en taxi collectif et que je ne veux pas etre isolée ***
dans cette vallée , on est jamais isolé, les villages se touchent presque. et les gites sont visibles l'un de l'autre , je n'en ai pas de préféré, j'ai juste par facilité pris mes habitudes à Imelghas, gite Azourki, chez Mohamed ben Ichou, 06 78 36 00 59 , une petite demi heure à pied de Tabant, de son cyber, de son souk , des ses épiceries.
Tu n'y seras pas toute seule , à 200 m , il y a un "écolodge" pour rupins, et groupes de 4x4.
* * tu habites ou toi???, puisque tu resides plusieurs mois au maroc! ***
un peu partout, et au Maroc encore plus , je fouille partout, je soulève les tapis et regarde derrière les moucharabiehs.
* ***, jouable de faire essaouira, marrakech (ou je recupere bagages) et gite ****
Quand tu seras à Marrakech , avant de partir à Essaouira, tu vas vérifier à la gare routière de Bab Doukkala , l'horaire de bus pour Azilal (de mémoire il y en a un à Midi, qui arrive à 16h à Azilal, donc jouable avec un départ tot d'Essaouira) a Azilal en descendant du bus il y a une station de taxi , avec , pratiquement toujours en partance un taxi pour Tabant (via Agouti et Imelghas).
Pour quitter la vallée , attention , il n'y a des taxis que tot le matin , il est prudent de faire réserver par le logeur une place, et on vient te chercher sur place aux aurores.
* ** en arrivant a 16h a azilal , on trouve encore des taxi, ***
absolument, c'est dailleurs le seul moment , le soir , ou les gens de la vallée qui ont été à la ville, tot le matin, pour des soins, des formalités, etc .. reviennent.
Il ne doit pas en etre différemment en aout et pendant le Ramadan , je présume.
et les taxis de Tabant , eux aussi rentrent à la maison.
Dans la journée, c'est très jouable si tu as un bus à Essaouira vers 8h
de Tabant à Imilchil ... il y a du chemin ! Ce n'est pas vraiment dans le même coin !
Il faut ressortir de la vallée de l'Aït Bougmez, puis Azilal, Bin El Ouidane, puis la R306 qui rejoint la route qui vient de El Ksiba, puis prendre à droite vers Imilchil.
L'an dernier on avait mis une journée entière pour faire cette - très belle - route, en voiture particulière.
Alors avec les transports en commun ? Il y aura sûrement plusieurs changements...
" Nous ne saurons jamais tout le bien qu'un simple sourire peut être capable de faire."
Mère Teresa
le gite conseillé a imelghas etait particulierement sale !! j'ai donc du emigrer : certes il y en a beaucoup, mais aussi bcp des fermés,
difficultés pour le ravitaillement en periode de ramadan et j'etais la rare touriste (une famille avec un tour operator a tabant) et 2 individuels a agouti
quant aux 4/4 a l'ecolodge, pas vus
je ne garderai pas un souvenir ebloui de cette vallée, car je ne trouve pas que l'acceuil soit spécifique (je connais bien d'autres vallées et montagnes berberes!!) ; ah c'est sur qu'on n'est pas "harcelé"!!!
je n'ai même pas pu ameliorer mon berbere, alors que j'y allais aussi pour cela!!
par contre acceuil sympa a flilou, y compris pour la partie gite et non pas auberge
voila
* *** le gite conseillé a imelghas etait particulierement sale !! ***
Sans etre super nickel, ce gite ne m'a jamais inquiété , et pourtant je suis assez délicat sur la tenue des sanitaires collectifs.
Mettons cela sous le coup du Ramadan , conjugué avec la très basse saison améliorée par la crise ou ils ne voient personne.
Je me suis contenté de le "citer" et non pas de le "conseiller", car je pense que tous les autres de la vallée (j'en ai visité plusieurs) se valent. pour moi , son plus , c'est seulement sa situation..
En juin, je pars pour deux semaines au Maroc, dans le haut Atlas. Quelqu'un a t'il fait le parcours Demnate Agouti à vélo (distance, difficultés????) Ainsi que…
On ne parle pas souvent de cette vallée qui se situe au dessus d'Azilal ou de Demnate suivant la route que l'on prend pour la rejoindre. Je vous met en ligne…
J'envisage un périple à vélo dans la région de Tabant et d'imilchil, en juin. Quelqu'un aurait il des adresses d'hébergement à conseiller à Zaouïas Ahansall, à…
Je crois me souvenir que dans la vallée des Ait Bougmez, la route goudronnée ne va que d'Agouti à Tabant. Mais ce souvenir date d'il y a 6 ou 7 ans. Sur google…
Dans une semaine, le 28 octobre, j’arrive à Marrakech avec ma famille (mon mari et mes 2 enfants de 6 et 8 ans). Nous louons une voiture et souhaitons aller…
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!
