Camel trips in Morocco
 

Has anyone taken a camel trip in Morocco? Any recommendations for companies/guides we could take this trip with? I hear Merzouga is a good departing point, but what is the fastest way to get to that side of the country? Bus or a rented car?
We're independent travellers who like to do things on our own, but I hear there's less harassment if we are accompanied by a guide in Moroccan cities like Fez and Marrakech. Any suggestions on the best way to find guides in each of these cities?

I was just looking through the REI adventures guide and I know they offer this trip. Go to www.rei.com and click on Adventures (I think that's the link..)

I am not being flip - just very curious. What, beyond the obvious, is a camel trip? Is it a several day camping trip or a day-long tour? I am not considering such a trip - the camels we saw in Egypt were nasty and smelly - but you have me intrigued as to what one would involve.

To gail
From the little that I've researched so far, camel trips can be day-long to up to 2 weeks. The one I'm looking for is a 2-day one, with a one night stay in the desert.

Hi Gail:

I tried to post an answer for you yesterday, but I ran into some problems. We are deciding on Morocco or a cruise that has a stop in Morocco. There is a travel agent that I have been in contact with before the cruise entered the picture. If you look at the following site, under the link of deserts and empires, they have an explanation of the camel trek that you would take if you went with them.
http://www.saharatrek.com/