skiobx

Hello, I am trying to plan a trip out to Erg Chebbi in mid May and am considering the following companies, 4 X 4 Camel, Sarah Desert Trips and Morocco Active Adventures....I've read the reviews and narrowed done my selection to these three....Does anyone have any experience with these companies, or would you recommend someone else. I've read on this board, that the minimum trip is 4 days 3 nights -- so that's what we are going with. Unless there is an area closer to Marrakech that you would recommend for the desert experience. Traveling with two in our 50s and 2 in their 20s - all in good shape and willing to try anything....Your recommendations are greatly appreciated....Many thanks

skiobx

Oops. Also considering Rough Tours Company. Thanks

DarrenHumphrys

Sallam 'lekum skiobx,
I personally haven't dealt with any of the four companies you mention, so I will just add my two bob's worth by recommending you contact Felicity Greenlaw-Weber of Desert Majesty, who is based in Ouarzazate and specializes in desert experiences. The two desert-fringed areas of central Morocco are the Erg Chebbi dunes and the Erg Chigaga dunes. The Erg Chebbi dunes are the most accessible, with a plethora of accommodations (auberges) lining the very edge of the dunes themselves. The Erg Chigaga dunes are more isolated, requiring a 4x4 journey from the 'end of the tar' at M'hamid. Some travelers prefer the easy access, others prefer the isolation. Both ergs are still a long day's drive from Marrakech, hence the general consensus of a minimum 2-3 night stay out that way.
Happy planning,
Darren Humphrys

indianewbie12

I can also recommend Desert Majesty. I had a great experience with them, and they went with all my requested changes. They put us up at a hotel that was right on the edge of the sand dunes (sorry don't remember the name) -- I got up every morning to watch the sun rise over the desert. I was injured, so unable to make the overnight desert stay under the stars but I highly recommend it, as I do the small town nearby for it's non-touristy/real Moroccan experience.

Be SURE, whoever you go with, that you are guaranteed a 4x4 no more than a couple of years old, with A/C! Some of the vehicles that I saw other groups stuck with were pathetic. One thing that's important to know is that the drivers are not tour guides and don't have that level of sophistication.

Also, most tourists, myself included, find Marrakech something of a let down, tho the night market is great. I much preferred Fez (also the best place to shop, except for rugs). I hope you can make it there!

Finally, please consider buying some soccer balls before you leave for the ride to the desert. You will see many street kids playing using rocks or boxes or tin cans. Give them a ball and tell them it's from America -- and build peace among our countries.

Oh yeah -- FWIW, I fell and discovered that I was in a town completely without ice. And nowhere in Morocco do they have Ace bandages, I'll never travel abroad without one again lol. I was able to make my own first aid kit, with tiny ointments and bug bite stuff, bandaids, etc, in a 4x6 zipper container which came in quite handy. If any of you are female, you will find a longish loose skirt much easier than pants for Moroccan pit-stops (they sell reversible ones!)

Best of luck!

DarrenHumphrys

...further to the insightful suggestions offered by indiannewbie12, Soccer.com in partnership with the U.S. Soccer Foundation and Pack for a Purpose sometimes offer Moroccan-bound travelers up to four free deflated soccer balls to give to one of their designated village projects. See http://www.packforapurpose.org/desti...africa/morocco

Lwhites

Hello fellow traveler. I went to the Erg Chebbi dunes on my Moroccan trip, and I agree that 4 days is a good amount of time to get to and see the desert without being rushed. You will want to savor the experience there. It's so unique and a highlight of the trip for sure. Pack your good walking shoes, hats, and sunblock. Regarding the question of the original poster about who to travel with, I would highly recommend checking with Under Moroccan Sun, which is the company I used. I had a wonderful experience with them. If you want to read a little more about my travels on that tour (with a couple desert photos too), I wrote a blog about it at the following site- http://www.maplebrandy.com/search?q=Morocco

Alex251986

who has flagged my reply?
i saw that you are advertising a company here, please try to use a local tour for more knowledge, safe and more affordable for you.

Alex251986

To anyone who alays seek Desert Travel tips, would highly recommend this link through tripadvisor it's very helpful and has several tips for travellers who intend to make it to the sahara desert.
http://www.tripadvisor.ca/ShowTopic-...uz_Region.html

danal

I just got back from that trip with Camel4x4. It was absolutely awesome. Adil, the company owner, was our guide. He was a great driver through the mountains and always had our safety and comfort in mind. Sleeping in a tent under the stars in the Sahara was an experience I'll never forget. Let me know if you want anymore details.

TravelinFeet

daren thanks so much for that wonderful link! How fabulous!

TravelinFeet

PS OP please update us on your experience!

Losey

Can anyone give me an evaluation of the tour group Adventures-Abroad for a Morocco custom tour? I am trying to plan a 2 week tour for 4 adults and want a good reliable tour group with good guides......preferably local to Morocco!

Thanks