Morocco: Tours thru Merzouga, Dades Valley & Todra Gorge ??

Lo All

Going backpacking in Morocco for 11 days (yeah, not enuf, but beggars
can't be choosers). The places I'm really keen to visit are Marrakesh,
Fes, Merzouga, Dades Valley & Todra Gorge.

I've heard tour operators run 3 day Merzouga/Todra Gorge/Dades Valley
trips. Now I usually avoid organised tours like the plague, but given
I'm under the hammer for time this may be my best bet to get everything
in.

Can anyone give me any insight into (1) what these tours are like (2)
what they cost and (3) where's the best spot to pick one up? And if
anyone has any alternative suggestions, I'd be keen to hear them.

Cheers
Greg

Going backpacking in Morocco for 11 days (yeah, not enuf, but
beggars
can't be choosers). The places I'm really keen to visit are
Marrakesh,
Fes, Merzouga, Dades Valley & Todra Gorge.

I've followed more or less the same itinerary by Dic2003/Jan2004.
in about 7 days (just skipped Todra Gorge).
I've rented a car in Marrakesh and drop it off in Fes.

Pictures and itinerary are available here :
www.corradobina.it/marocco/marocco.html


Corrado

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On Tue, 30 Mar 2004 16:08:22 +1000,
(Greg Pankhurst)
wrote:

Lo All

Going backpacking in Morocco for 11 days (yeah, not enuf, but beggars
can't be choosers). The places I'm really keen to visit are Marrakesh,
Fes, Merzouga, Dades Valley & Todra Gorge.

I've heard tour operators run 3 day Merzouga/Todra Gorge/Dades Valley
trips. Now I usually avoid organised tours like the plague, but given
I'm under the hammer for time this may be my best bet to get everything
in.

Can anyone give me any insight into (1) what these tours are like (2)
what they cost and (3) where's the best spot to pick one up? And if
anyone has any alternative suggestions, I'd be keen to hear them.

Cheers
Greg

alternative suggestion:
from Marrakesh take a bus to Ouarzazate, there contact Brahim:
http://www.chez.com/randonneemaroc/
he can arrange Dades and Todra gorge trip(s) .. I would suggest not to
go to Merzouga, but Zagora instead. (shorter trip time, less tourist
trap)
Alternative contact for Brahim is Hotel Amlal in Ouarzazate:
(00 212) 44884030 where he is based.

have a good time,
Theo van den Bogaard

Greg Pankhurst wrote:

Lo All

Going backpacking in Morocco for 11 days (yeah, not enuf, but beggars
can't be choosers). The places I'm really keen to visit are Marrakesh,
Fes, Merzouga, Dades Valley & Todra Gorge.

I've heard tour operators run 3 day Merzouga/Todra Gorge/Dades Valley
trips. Now I usually avoid organised tours like the plague, but given
I'm under the hammer for time this may be my best bet to get everything
in.

Can anyone give me any insight into (1) what these tours are like (2)
what they cost and (3) where's the best spot to pick one up? And if
anyone has any alternative suggestions, I'd be keen to hear them.

Did the Sacred Music Festival a few years back than rented a BRAND NEW
Fiat for $400USD for 8 days w/ insurance and did
Fez/Midelt/Merzouga/Todra/Zagora(2days)/Merrakesh/Essouria/El Jadida/
Casablanca. One way rental that I returned at the curb at the airport.
By far the GREATEST rental experience in my life. Pricey by some
standards I suppose, but the freedom was WAY worth it.
Great roads, great signage. A friend who went on a tour the year before
was extremely envious when we exchanged our tales a year later.

She felt like the camels in Merzouga........lead by leader.


SBJ

--
............'cuse me whyl I kiss tha sky...