Hello Raiders,
You want to discover Morocco in a week or two with a small budget? My 100% free route as always is for you I'm sure !!
- A Route to Morocco simple and convenient: One step = = part some pictures.- A printable format (pdf) if you wish and usable on tablets.- An easily scalable route depending on the length of your trip.- You will discover the true culture Moroccan sleeping Homestays (cottages, guest houses, small family hotels ...).- You travel cheaper than going by formulas "all inclusive".- You contribute to the development of young Moroccans villages.- Attention, this route will not replace but complements a paper guide
that will bring you more information about traffic areas (we recommend
the guide book for Morocco).-
By reading our little guides (Where to go in Ireland, Where to go in
Corsica and hopefully soon Where to go in Canada), you give us want to
discover other countries and especially in this way to continue to live the blog.As you can see, we have decided to go on an adventure on land south of Morocco where the landscapes are the most beautiful
Attention
no preparation, no backpacker guide or Lonely planet with us, no
reservations, no defined steps, just a car and an idea of the loop to
achieve in a week (9 days exactly) to make our itinerary . One way to travel cheap as we like."Do not be a tourist, be an adventurer" as I always say.It is a "road trip" that we wanted as well. We
trusted the advice of Moroccan friends inbred and especially games on
the road while avoiding the bad intentions of some people and this is
the most difficult part. Inch'allah !!
Our instinct and especially our experience in this type of trip course we have helped to find good deals in Morocco.
From and is to be totally objective and discover the places and small corners preserved thanks to local inhabitants. No
5 star hotels with swimming pools and hamam but small rooms comfortable
homestay and guaranteed to be greeted like real guests and; for a ridiculous price (10-20 € / person for the dinner + night + bf we loins rates offered by hotels).
Morocco, a country worthy of those landscapes of Utah in the United States (I know of what I speak there lived three months;-)
Morocco, hearty meals at the restaurant for 4 € per person.
Morocco, a very interesting culture to explore where you capitaliserez upon your return you will see.
Morocco, a country that leaves room for risk-free adventure.
Morocco, the country of 1001 nights with oases, palm groves, short of greenery contrasts stuck in secret gorges.
You will understand, Morocco is a paradi at hand at 3 o'clock flight to France.I know you're in a hurry but before you start, please read some
benchmarks that will be useful during your trip (you can take a look
back on the plane)- 10 dh is 1 €.- A dish costs an average 40DH (€ 4) in a Moroccan restaurant.- A room with half board costs 400dh for two (dinner + night + bf).- A classic stainless théillère average costs about 150dh a souk in Morocco.- The cost of living is about half see 2/3 cheaper than in France (€ 4
so expect a flat in Morocco when it would cost 8 or 10 € in France This
will save you a lot of scammers..-
Sample Budget for our 9 day trip: 250 € (car) + € 600 (AR airplane) + €
110 (midday meal) + € 280 (dinner + night + bf) + € 60 refueling = €
1300 for 2- Purchase, a donkey costs between 500 and 1,000 dh dh next season
while a mule costs between 10,000 and 10,500 dh dh (that was for fun,
can be for our next trip)I'll try to give you the prices paid by dh, you can then convert these markers but you still fall roughly the same rates.Start your route in Morocco: MarrakechThe first things needed to be done before starting the itinerary is to
find a bank to have liquid (allow wide as bank charges are generally
fixed so better remove once much as several small time).Then buy some water (one or two bottles max because you will always
Lowering the bottle purchased at the restaurant, and presto first board
!!!) then make sure you have a full tank.
To get out of the city, the directions are not really given in Marrakech. We must therefore rely on your compass to go south if you do not have detailed maps or GPS.
Marrakech, you head towards Ouarzazate via the Atlas mountains. The road is long but beautiful. You will see many children who sell their crop at the roadside and adults offering gems.Recall, if people make you sign to stop because they are down, it is surely of hawkers or touts, do not stop, honk if necessary.
For fuel, there are none on the road to the top is why I advise you to fill in Marrakech. Anyway, know that you will find in Agouin, you can already surround it on your map.
Step 1: Ait Ben Haddou (UNESCO heritage in Morocco).
On arrival, look for the guest room of Brahim Bolkaid 00212 671 816312 bolkaid_ebrahim@hotmail.com. To get there, you have to take a lane right in the middle of the village. It is normally indicated. Leave the car there for free, drop your business, ask for information to Brahim if necessary.
First visit on your itinerary, go see the ruins on the other side of the river. It will take 1 hour minimum. Please note the entrance is free despite what you may be asked to the first input. Walk along the walls to the right of the entrance and enter further if necessary.Chez Brahim, count 400dh night for 2 with dinner and small dej included. The view from the terrace is beautiful because it faces the ruins (old village). This is one of the best steps that we have made in Morocco.
Otherwise, here is a list of the best addresses in Ait Ben Haddou. I highly recommend if you want to book Booking before leaving. To each his own definition of adventure, I totally understand
especially when we share with her children or when already has a certain
age.
In
the evening you can go to the village post (about 5km further north) to
admire the sunset as we have done and as you'll see in our video. If you do not want to embark on the banks of the river against the
bottom, you can stay on top of the cliff on the edge of the road ...
Back to Ait Ben Haddou, after the great meal Brahim, enjoy a good night in one of its 5 rooms. Nothing to say, everything was perfect !!Wake up at 7 am the next day for the "big" breakfast on the terrace. It was at this point that you make the most beautiful pictures of the
ruins as the colors are beautiful during the "Golden Hours".
Step 2: Ouarzazate Ouarzazate (impressive film and sook of Morocco)
A city already much more beautiful than Marrakech. I advise you to spend the morning. You
can visit the Museum of Cinema at the entrance (allow 1 hour tour for
50dh / person anyway but it is a classic that will allow you to see the
legendary film scenes like Gladiator or Asterix Mission Cleopatra that
really remained such what) and the Kasbah Taourirt where we can see how the rich lived before. Do not delay and continue to Ouarzazate.
Shortly before Skoura on your route, you will have the Palmeraie on your left, you can go for you to lose a little. We took the last track indicated by "camping Amridil". Then we must continue towards "the gardens of Skoura" and then stop when you want to enjoy these wonderful palm trees ...
Then join the city of Ouarzazate. With a little luck, you will be on Monday and will survey the
impressive souk and will do good business because it is not touristy.Eat "At the Bearded boss - the palm" while against the souk.
I advise you also to shop on this souk which will cost you much less than that of Marrakech !!.
Between Ouarzazate and Dades Boumaine you will spend in the famous Valley of Roses. You can go walk there just because it is a classic on this route. The guide book will give you more information.
Last advice, not least, it is a secret oasis preserved tourists 15km south of Ouarzazate. The
name of this oasis that was recommended to me by a friend who is
currently working in Skoura is Sidi flah (thank you Anne Sophie). It is accessed by a trail that leads to the south. Unfortunately I was not aware of this wonder during our trip to Morocco. So, I share with you one of the pictures of Anne-so.
If you are going to stay a little longer than we in Morocco, you can spend a day or two in Skoura in one of these rooms.
Step 3: Boumaine Dades (the Dades Gorge).
For me, the Dades Gorges is the place I preferred on our itinerary in
Morocco because these gorges are much less crowded than those of Todra.
We stayed at the Hotel Restaurant MIRGUINE in ALI 00212 68763804
hotel_ali@voila.fr KM14 on the Gorges road (the top of a climb just
before switching, you can not miss it).
Lovely view of the rooms:
Even if the meal was not spectacular view on it is superb and Ali made
us discover the Gorges the next through a big hike (passage through
canyons, troglodytes, monkey paws, ...).
If you want to stroll through the palm you can start 100m from the hotel by taking the lane to the outside of the turn. If you want a true hiking in the Gorge and specifically in the canyon
between the monkey finger, ask Ali who will guide you with pleasure.
If there are other typical small hotels on the road grooves (materialized on the booking card). Although many hotels are Boumaine Dades, the town that marks the
beginning of the road to the throats, I advise you to go to sleep in the
gorge, it's more fun.
To
continue your trip to Morocco and go to Todra Gorge, you need to turn
on the R704 and go through Boumaine Dades, we ate at the restaurant a
piece coffee ALHOURIA at the entrance to the market place on the main
road . You can climb on the terrace inside and enjoy the good chips for not too expensive.
Step 4: Tinerhir / The Todra Gorge.Either you can sleep in this city in some nice hotels. There the inn "return to calm" or the hotel restaurant "Kasbah" for any budget. We have had good feedback from these two addresses that are in front
of one another in the descent just before the intersection with the road
to Todra Gorge.
If not, I urge you to go to sleep on the side of Todra Gorge and you will understand why:
After around 8km after the intersection. Stop
absolutely PANORAMA TODRA "Little Riad" +212 677004972
www.panoramatodra.com / panoramatodra@live.com a guest house that offers
a wonderful view on the palm of the gorge. This is the view from our room we liked during our stay in Morocco. Panorama Todra should be a staple in your road trip. I thought of you, you have a glimpse of this haven of peace in our video. Is going to be patient this not bad, you will be very soon normally;-)
HMED welcome you like royalty. Something to ask you to continue to prepare this route;-)
As always, ask to see the rooms and visit this traditional Berber architecture before you commit. We fell for the first floor overlooking the palm grove. Coming
from Ali Dades Gorges we had this room on half board for 300dh / pers
in a friendly price instead of 600dh / person (it is good adventure). There is nothing wrong, everything was perfect, the view was just heavenly.
The
next day you can go to the Gorge walk in the palm grove along the wadi
(river) and join the "nest tourists" at the foot of cliffs. Like us, made abstraction of all these people came by car and try to enjoy these wonderful Gorges.
Rather than retrace your steps as many do, keep the R703 road heading north towards Goulmina.
.
Step 5: Amellago (secrettes Gorges at the end Morocco background).
Here you will discover the magnificent gorges that I found much more impressive than Todra. The valley is beautiful. You will not find tourists, so I speak here of a region still little known in Morocco.On this road, you will feel alone in the world. You will see even nomads living in caves and holes in the rock. Lovers of authenticity, you're going to thank me for you sharing our roadmap with this step.
Children sometimes clean the road of gravel or concrete rafts that have been overwhelmed by the wadi. They may stop vehicles to ask for a room. Do not worry, this may sound impressive at times.
After our long drive in the middle of the pampas, we stopped at Ksar
Ait Moha youb Ahmed_ousri@hotmail.com and moha2_ousri@yahoo.fr
00212678417810 www.gitechezmoha.c.la
Moha was super nice, he showed us his gardens and the village when we arrived as you can see in the video. This is someone that I really appreciated. At first I'm not the only one because we met a couple who regularly come here. This step therefore deserved a visit to complete our final itinerary for Morocco.
Then continue your journey south Morocco. You will pass Goulmina..
Ar-rachidia
do not necessarily worth the trip on a road trip a week (if you have
more time know that it is also interesting to remember to shop for it is
THE big southernmost city is less visited than Marrakech for example). In addition, the "cross" R702 road between Goulmima and Erfoud is best
to do it is for this reason that we chose on our road trip.
Step 6: Erfoud (via Goulmima) and Rissani - Merzouga (Bivouac in the Moroccan desert).
Above all, attention to the many touts who will do anything for you to follow them. For information but you can imagine, these people earn their living by
touching Hotels and Restaurants commissions in which they get to you
cast off.
For a slightly more reliable choice, there has always booking that
will show you the best places to sleep close to the desert of Merzouga.
Second option you prefer on Fisheries and backpack, the bivouac in the middle of the desert. This tempts you?
For this little adventure, we passed by the inn camping Oasis (allow maximum 300dh / person in a friendly price). It's a family that runs this little inn. It is far from tourist factories clustered around the dunes.
For our trip, we had the chance to be alone with our camel driver, no other tourists. In addition, this hostel bivouac is installed on another dune and not next to all the other bivouacs. You'll
understand if you want to relax in the desert, we must go with the
Oubana Family (which was known from one of our previous hostels, it is
good the "grapevine" ).
Photo taken with my famous polarizing filter HOYA Pro 1D.
If
you want something more tourism and therefore more alive, choose the
Auberge l'Etoile des Dunes at Erg Chebbi 00212661988138
www.letoiledesdunes.com Idir, it was recommended to us by several (Come
from Ali Gorges Dades and you will pay 300dh / person friendly price).
Back to Ouarzazate via N12 to complete the itinerary.
Step 6: Erfoud (via Goulmima) and Rissani - Merzouga (Bivouac in the Moroccan desert).
Above all, attention to the many touts who will do anything for you to follow them. For information but you can imagine, these people earn their living by
touching Hotels and Restaurants commissions in which they get to you
cast off.
For a slightly more reliable choice, there has always booking that
will show you the best places to sleep close to the desert of Merzouga.
Second option you prefer on Fisheries and backpack, the bivouac in the middle of the desert. This tempts you?
For this little adventure, we passed by the inn camping Oasis (allow maximum 300dh / person in a friendly price). It's a family that runs this little inn. It is far from tourist factories clustered around the dunes.
For our trip, we had the chance to be alone with our camel driver, no other tourists. In addition, this hostel bivouac is installed on another dune and not next to all the other bivouacs. You'll
understand if you want to relax in the desert, we must go with the
Oubana Family (which was known from one of our previous hostels, it is
good the "grapevine" ).
Photo taken with my famous polarizing filter HOYA Pro 1D.
or-go-au-Morocco-clergetblog-fishing-and-bag-to-back
If
you want something more tourism and therefore more alive, choose the
Auberge l'Etoile des Dunes at Erg Chebbi 00212661988138
www.letoiledesdunes.com Idir, it was recommended to us by several (Come
from Ali Gorges Dades and you will pay 300dh / person friendly price).
Back to Ouarzazate via N12 to complete the itinerary.
Cards Morocco-4-south
Step 7: Nkob on the way back (the gateway to the valley of the Draa).
While
you are about to begin the return journey to pad your beautiful loop in
southern Morocco, I suggest you do a step at Ahmed on the way back, it
offers B & B "Ait Hmid" http : //www.nkob-tourisme.com/
If you still have time, I recommend staying in the Draa Valley that will allow you to finish your trip in style.
Alternatively, 15km below Ouarzazate via a track in the desert of stone, lies the oasis of Tiguirt in the valley of Fint.
Included in this small corner, the Ouednoujoum ecolodge that will welcome you in Berber tents. Comfort is the primary but is present (small sink, shower, restoration and it is also very well ...). This is a Berber family who developed the concept. Grandparents are the last inhabitants of the "village". They are really very friendly. Before leaving, each tour group is invited to plant an olive tree.And if you / to you / you like the movie "Babel" with Brad Pitt, you
will recognize the sets of the film on the road that will take you to
this little paradise.
Whatever time you have left, turn when you want, head to Ouarzazate and Marrakech.
Back: Marrakech before flying.
As always in our travels, we still enjoyed one of the mythical cities of this beautiful country before flying back to France.
To do this, we splurged with super Riad EL Grably !!
The owner Brittany will welcome you like royalty and will advise you to do your shopping before leaving.
Otherwise, you have a choice on the Internet to sleep in Marrakech.
A day or two in Marrakech lot seems to see the most important points:
Place Djemaa El Fna and its souks, Majorelle gardens, Dar Si Said, the
souk of dyers, etc.
One
board in Marrakech: make your car before walking the city because it is
almost impossible to travel at night in Marrakesh even if you think
like me to be a good driver !! You'll save a day's rental and many frights;-)
Your Moroccan road trip coming to an end. You will be able to get to the airport to board your plane and return to our beautiful country.
