clcs

Can anyone provide information on these tour operators?

Desert Dream
http://www.sahara-desert-dream.com/en_accueil.htm

Journey Beyond Travel
http://www.journeybeyondtravel.com/

I am looking at taking a small excursion from Marrakesh and have narrowed it down to these 2 companies. If you have used them, I would appreciate any input.

Thanks!

thursdaysd

clcs - when are you planning to travel? I'm also considering a day trip out of Marrakech, probably to the Cascades d'Ouzoud, at the end of November. If you're there first I'd appreciate a report.

markwillenbrock

Whoever you choose, bear in mind the industry has suddenly become MUCH more competitive.

Prices are tumbling, but so are services - I recently met two very upset travelers on the side of the road in the middle of the desert between Merzouga and Rissani, waiting for a tour bus that never came.

They'd paid, from memory, 1,900dhs each for a two day tour by minibus from Marrakech. Put simply, that's too cheap for a 600 mile round trip with camping, camels and your meals.

kch246

Mark:

Curious as to why prices and services are tumbling? That many more tour operators? or has the recent bombing in Marrakesh scared off tourists?

markwillenbrock

It's the bomb. The world recession, the political upheavals of the 'Arab Spring', neither had much effect. But one nutcase and his bag of nails and fertiliser, and everything stops. Just so everyone knows, it wasn't Al Qaeda and those responsible are in police custody.

The positive side of it is that even Marrakech, which had begun to feel a bit like Disneyland, is back to it's old relaxed self.

markwillenbrock

I actually should have added that I do know Journey Beyond Travel, run partly by Fazia who's a friend of a friend and believe they are extremely competent!

stilltravelingat62

used Journey Beyond in May and highly recommend them. Payment was easy. Good advice arranging itinerary. Good guides and the best driver/guide. Everything went as planned. Exceeded my expectations.
We were in Morocco right after cafe bombing in Marrakech and same time Bin Laden was killed. We kept a low profile, but actually everyone was very warm/friendly to us. When told we were Americans, without exception the reply was, "You are welcome to my country". I think people can separate the people from the government.
I must rave about our driver, Naim Souhel. Knowledgable, accommodating -- eager to do anything we were interested in. I have his email if anyone is interested.

carmenchiclanera

Hi there,

I have been to Morocco twice already and have always travelled with a guide called Mustapha. I can't give you any feedback on any of the websites you have posted but what I can say is that Mustapha is a local Berber who runs his small company and has many contacts with hotels and knows the desert very well as he was born there, brought up there and still lives there. So, if you are looking for a package to travel from Marrakech to the desert and spend time with the Berbers, I would say it is worth contacting him. I don't know the prices you have been given so far but as he is a local and he runs his own company prices are competitive for the quality of service you get. His website is not translated into English but he can speak English so do not hesitate to contact him directly [email protected]
I have travelled on my own and with a group of 13 people and have always felt very safe with him. I am not the type of person who likes fixed packages because you miss the adventure feeling. However, Mustapha is very flexible and change the trip whenever it is needed to match your needs or interest.

Carmen

imortaltravels

Fnakly, in Morocco( Marrakech) there is a plenty of Tour operators and it's complicated to pick or know which one is the best, moreover; there are many spammers around. a good tour company does not to be advertised or spamming for.
In this case i suggested to check out the following link, to show you many tour operators as you can read every one's reviews and pick the suitable one for your travels:
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractio...Marrakech.html
have a nice travels.