Going to Morocco in September. Has anyone heard of a tour operator that uses small privately owned hotels, and also offers overnight dessert excursion and to other cities, within Morocco?Would like to depart the US from NY,NY and arrive in Casablanca and then depart back to the US from Marrakech. Thank you!

I apologize for the previous typos.I meant to say that I am looking for a tour operator in Morocco that leaves Casablanca,uses privately owned hotels, goes to various cities within Morocco and stays at least one night in the desert.I am looking to depart from New York and stay 14 days. I appreciate anyone's help. Thank you!

Molly,
Have you tried doing a Google search for tour operators in Morocco? You'd probably find slews of listings.

We leave next Friday for a trip to Barcelona and Morocco. For the Morocco portion of the trip we are using Blue Men of Morocco (www.bluemenofmorocco.com). All the places we are staying are privately owned riads, which are traditional Moroccan houses with an interior garden. Most people prefer to stay in them over the bigger hotels. We will also be spending one night in the desert in the berber tents.

Elena from Blue Men has been very helpful in planning our trip. They do group tours but also private ones tailored to what you want, which is what we will be doing.

Thank you jgg, I checked out your suggestion of The Blue Men of Morocco and they look great! Just what I was looking for. Have a great trip and I would love to hear how everything went.

I will definitely be writing a trip report, so stay tuned!

Royal Air Maroc flies from JFK to Casablanca and has flights to other cities in Morocco, including Marrakesh.

I flew into Casa (6.5 hours), then returned from Marr. to Casa to JFK.

Luisah,
Where are you planning on staying in between Casablanca and Marrakech? Thanks,
Molly

Hi Molly,

I went last year and flew into Casa then rode to Rabat then to Fez then to the desert then to Quarzazate then to Marrakech and flew from Marrakech to Casa then to NY. Both the drive from Fez to the desert and then to Marrakech are long. I went with a group and it sounds more like you want to go on your own and travel with a local tour operator.

Have you seen Laartista's trip report - A Very Berber Birthday? She and a friend went indepentently and used a Moroccan tour leader for the desert.

Just returned from first trip to Morocco. We used Blue Men of Morocco and found the small riads that were booked to be excellent. Driver was most knowledgable and helpful. Just be aware that local guides in Fes and Marrakesh will want to take you to a high pressure carpet merchant. Our come on in Fes was we'd be going to a 14th century riad for a house tour and it turned out to be a rug sales shop.
Overall we enjoyed the Blue Men experience and local guides were good, except for their steering us to places we quickly said no to.

Fred will you be posting a trip report? I hope so.

We're going in Oct with these people

http://www.saharatrek.com/index.htm