Hi there, I’m planning to cross the Atlas M’Goun-Toubkal range at the end of March and I’m looking for info on how to get to Ait Bou Oulli from Marrakech via Demnate. Can anyone tell me if there’s a direct bus to Demnate and then a minibus (once it’s full) to Ait Bou Oulli? Is it doable in a day by bus or even a shared taxi?

Thanks in advance

Hi, we’re a couple looking for a local trek in MOROCCO from January 18–19 to the 29th. We’ll already be in MOROCCO. Thanks for any info and quotes. Sophie Totue Géante

Hi everyone, I’ve given my 18-year-old daughter a week in Morocco in February. I’d like to mix a bit of Marrakech (or elsewhere) with a hotel and pool, plus a trip into the desert with some beautiful dunes. How can I structure this without making the journeys too long? Is it possible to do Marrakech to the south in 2 days, stopping at lovely spots along the way? Just to clarify, I’d prefer not to rent a car, and my daughter isn’t very "adventurous." Thanks in advance for your replies and tips!

Hi there, in mid-January my wife and I are leaving from Marrakech heading to the Atlas (Essaouira ==> Dades ==> Merzouga ==> Draa Valley) before finally making our way to Taghazout near Agadir for 2 or 3 days.

The route ends up looking like this, except for the end where we head toward the ocean. https://www.les-covoyageurs.com/ressources/images-produits/photo-produit-29-carte.jpg?v=6

I’m hesitating about renting a car, and since I don’t know the road conditions, I’d like to know if a Dacia Sandero is enough for this kind of trip?

Another thing making me hesitate is the possibility of rain and roads being less passable.

I’m reaching out to more experienced travelers who can share their advice, of course.

Thanks in advance

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!

I'm planning to go to the Marrakech area in mid-February 2026 and I'd like to spend a few days in the Ouarzazate region, taking the Tizi n'Tichka Pass. I've heard that in winter this road can sometimes be closed due to snow. Is it closed for long periods?

Where can I find information about the road conditions?

I tried downloading the MaRoute app on my smartphone, which was recommended by Dan49ch, but it's no longer available. Has it been replaced by another app?

Thanks and see you soon

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.

Hi there!

With our two teens, we’re heading to Morocco for two weeks at the end of December and beginning of January. It’ll be our first trip that’s more "off the beaten path," even though we’ve visited several countries before. Given the overwhelming amount of info, I’m feeling a bit swamped with the prep this trip requires, and I’ll admit I’m a little lost when it comes to figuring out what’s realistic to visit in two weeks 😕 So, all your tips, personal experiences, and suggestions are more than welcome!

- Which places should we prioritize during this time of year? (I’ve read that some spots are less accessible in winter?) - What’s the best way to get around? (rental car, train, private transport, buses, etc.? — just a heads-up, we’ll have a few suitcases!) - In terms of "safety," are there any areas to avoid? - Any recommendations for reliable local tour companies (beyond the big names like "Get Your Guide") that offer excursions or private transport to help us explore the country? - A doable 2-week itinerary that lets us enjoy the country’s diversity without having to change accommodations every two days?

Thanks so much for your advice!

Hi everyone, We're leaving in early October 2026 and planning to travel from the Aït Bougmez Valley ("Happy Valley") to Skoura/Ouarzazate via Demnate and the R307/N23 route. Has anyone taken this road recently? Is it passable with a regular car (non-4x4), or is a 4x4 absolutely necessary? Are there any ongoing construction projects or degraded sections to be aware of? Thanks in advance for your feedback!

Hi, This autumn, we’re planning to explore the Oriental region and we’re wondering where the best place to land would be. We’ll have three weeks ahead of us and we’ll be renting a car. Any tips would be much appreciated. Thanks.

Hi there, We’re a small group planning a road trip loop with a rental car, starting and ending in Marrakech. Two weeks at the end of October. We’d like a mix of nature discoveries, villages, ksars (ideally some photogenic and/or abandoned ones), a few hikes, and if possible, one or two nights sleeping on a rooftop/terrace in a village. What do you think of this itinerary? Thanks for your insights, and have a great evening, everyone! Christophe

10/17 Marrakech airport → Cascades Ourika Ourika Valley, Promenade des 7 Cascades – 65 km

10/18 Cascades Ourika → Telouet Toufliht (km 99) – 163 km

10/19 Telouet → Aïd Benhaddou Walks in the stunning Ounila Valley – 47 km

10/20 Aïd Benhaddou → Gorges Dadès Skoura (Association des femmes) – 168 km

10/21 Gorges Dadès → Départ Saghro Tinghir, Todgha Gorges – 154 km

10/22 Départ Saghro → Départ Saghro Walk in the Saghro (24 km) – 0 km

10/23 Départ Saghro → Tagounite Dunes Tinfou – 192 km

10/24 Tagounite → Tamnougalt Zagora – 156 km

10/25 Tamnougalt → Tamnougalt Draa Valley – 0 km

10/26 Tamnougalt → Taliouine Tazenakht – 178 km

10/27 Taliouine → Imlil Tizi n Test – 202 km

10/28 Imlil → Marrakech – 63 km

Hi everyone. Starting from RN 23 (Demnate to Ouarzazate) near Toufghine, can the Tassaout Valley be driven up by private car as far as Aguerd? Is it possible to continue from Kantola to Allemdoun via P 1502? Finally, are the Amajgag gorges still passable by car? Thanks, Kerdavid

We're planning a 2-week trip in late February/early March for a road trip in the High Atlas with a rental car, and we'd love to avoid booking our accommodations in advance. Is that doable, easily manageable, or risky (are accommodations available, expensive, or not great)? Thanks for your tips! Annie

Hello to all Morocco lovers,

First of all: a big thank you to everyone whose insightful, funny, lively, and exotic posts we’ve enjoyed. It’s a joy to find such lovely writers on this forum, who’ve given me tons of ideas and addresses to prepare our trip.

Our plan: to explore Morocco from November 2nd to December 4th. We’ll have our own vehicle (a 2011 Renault Grand Scenic, in great condition), shipped with us from Sète to Tanger Med. Returning from Nador.

Our profile: 75 and 62 years young, so old but happy to be, in very good health. Seasoned travelers—it’s practically our whole life. Lovers of beautiful landscapes, historic sites, fine craftsmanship, and road trips. This will be my 3rd trip to Morocco, but the first two were 20 and 17 years ago. I’ve never been north of the Essaouira-Marrakech line (though I’ve gone further south). As for my husband, a lifelong expat including in Muslim countries, it’s his first time in Morocco.

He’s the one driving. He’s very experienced, cautious, not necessarily fast, but used to driving in all conditions (and countries, including the most creative on the road). But I don’t want to tire him out, and he no longer drives at night (and we’ll be there in November).

I’ve decided to show him a bit of everything by taking a road trip along beautiful backroads, with daily distances averaging 180-200 km (except on highways, which will be rare), regularly broken up by rest days. I’m counting on a speed of 40-50 km/h, plus stops/visits along the way.

Since I’ve read so many posts, I’ve narrowed it down to some very specific questions.

1) Coming directly from Rabat via the highway, we’d prefer to skip Marrakech*. Still, we’ll need to sleep somewhere nearby. We’ll head toward Skoura the next day. Does anyone have a well-located address for this route, possibly east of Marrakech? Ideally, we’re looking for a small town, easy parking, clean accommodation (minimum) with average comfort (or better if available), a bit heated, and if possible, pretty and/or nice—but above all, a place to sleep well, wash with lukewarm (ideally hot) water, and have a decent dinner.

(*Explanation for the "no-go" in Marrakech: it’s a shame, because there are truly beautiful things in this city, but I think the vibe won’t suit us—it’s an understatement for "it’ll put us off" / "make us flee" / "traumatize us." Not because it’s too crowded and we want to stand out from tourists (we’re part of them), but because of forced henna on your hand, or spending 10 minutes every quarter-hour saying "no thank you" to a "guide" who’s as much a guide as I am a trapeze artist. Knowing us, it’ll wear us down. The country is vast and beautiful, and our time too short to waste our memories just days after arriving. And I don’t want to ruin things for my peaceful husband, or he’ll demand we turn back—and Sète in November isn’t exactly thrilling either.)

2) Which route to Skoura (in 2 days)? I see two options: either via the Tichka Pass, with a night in Telouet before reaching Skoura, or via the R307/N23 from Demnate, with a night near Megdaz before descending to Skoura. So: Tichka Pass or R307/N23? I have a slight (big) preference for the second option, even though I know the other route is very beautiful too. Of course, before deciding, we’ll check the weather and the current state of the R307/N23—does anyone know where to get info on the road conditions? But even assuming the road is "passable," is it a bit too tough in itself? In short, is it reasonable? If a kind soul could share their experience, a thousand thanks in advance.

That’s all I’ve written for now. I’ll save the other questions for later posts. Thanks again to those who had the patience to read this and to those who can respond. Happy Sunday to all!

Fran

Hi, the question is actually in the title. I’m heading to Marrakech in July and would like to know where to buy a SIM card when I arrive—at the airport or in the city? Where’s the best quality/price? Thanks in advance for your tips. Didier

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, do you know if this beehive was affected by the earthquake? Is it still possible to visit? Thanks so much

Bonjour J'aimerais savoir si la route entre Msemrir et Tamttatouchte est faisable avec une voiture de tourisme ( Dacia logan ). Merci beaucoup

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!

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, Is the road connecting Imi n’Ifri (near Demnate) to Agouti (Aït Bougmez) paved and therefore in good enough condition for a rental car? Thanks!

Same question for the road descending the Tessaout Valley from Amezri. Thanks!

hi,

I’m planning to take the SETE-TANGER ferry with my car.

No agency in my town sells tickets.

Has anyone done this before and can point me in the right direction?

Thanks in advance.

have a good day

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.

As-salamu alaykum!

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! :)

Thanks in advance for your tips!

Mathieu

Hi fellow travelers, I’m looking for a nice hotel in Agadir, in a lively neighborhood, with a room that has a private bathroom, toilet, and AC (not essential). We’ll be staying for 2 or 3 nights before heading south. We land in the late afternoon—definitely not the best time to go hunting for a place to stay, especially since it’s our first trip to Morocco. Thanks for your tips!

Hi everyone, I posted this topic back in March 2023:

I’m asking a question in preparation for a trip (March 2023): is the road identified by Michelin as P1520 paved between Zagora and Tasla? Thanks for your answers—or insights!

I’m heading back in June (2026!) and would love any new info on this Route 1520. Just to clarify, I’ll be in a rental car, so no off-roading. Thanks so much for your replies, and hello to the longtime forum members I still see active here!

hi, My wife and I want to take our first trip to Marrakech around 12/27 for 7 nights. If you can help us find somewhere to stay that includes breakfast at a minimum. From what I understand, the most authentic option might be a RIAD. Our plan is to explore Marrakech. Thanks for your help

Hi there, We’re planning a one-week trip to Morocco at the beginning of November and would like to book a quad bike or buggy excursion for three days in the desert with a local agency. Could you tell us which is the best desert to explore and recommend a reliable agency? Thanks.

Hi everyone, Last-minute trip to Marrakech for a week—what unusual discoveries can you recommend in the city? Thanks for your quick tips!

Hi there,

I’m planning my next trip outside Europe for next year, but unfortunately, I don’t have a choice with the dates—it’ll be late June to early July. Last year, I went to Japan for three weeks, and it was a constant 36-37°C with over 90% humidity. It wasn’t easy, but it wasn’t impossible either.

For southern Morocco, I know it’s a period to avoid if possible, but for those who’ve been there in early July, did it cause any major issues? Otherwise, I’ll start thinking of another destination.

Here’s the rough itinerary I had in mind, renting a car for the whole trip:

Day 1: Arrival in Marrakech late morning Day 2: Marrakech Day 3: Marrakech -> Aït Ben Haddou -> Ouarzazate Day 4: Ouarzazate -> Vallée des Roses -> Dadès Gorges Day 5: Dadès Gorges -> Tinghir -> Todra Gorges -> Erfoud Day 6: Erfoud -> Merzouga (Erg Chebbi desert) Day 7: Merzouga -> Ouarzazate Day 8: Ouarzazate -> seaside? Agadir or Essaouira Day 9: ?? Day 10: ?? Day 11: Return to Marrakech and flight back late afternoon

Is this schedule too rushed? Does Ouarzazate deserve an extra night? The seaside isn’t a must, as long as we can swim somewhere—pool or lake. We’re planning activities like horseback riding, camel treks, quad biking, and jeep tours.

Thanks for your input