On Thu, 21 Oct 2004 15:50:17 +0200, "Gianandrea Gobbo"
wrote:
>
>"Rod" wrote in message
>news:fjidn0p1uv7gcfchhj8mmqbbatb8gp9qqt@4ax.com...
>
>|
>| Jut got back from Morocco where we spent a couple of nights at Erg Chebbi.
>| Beautiful place, friendly people - highly recommended. In spite of warnings in
>| guide books, hassle in Rissani was minimal, and most people we met were very
>| anxious to help.
>|
>
>Thanks, Merzouga/Erg Chebbi is something im strongly considering. Do you have
>infos and/or hotels to reccomend?
>Thanks in advance,
>G.
If you are travelling by bus you will probably need to rely on touts to get you
out to Merzouga. There are plenty in Erfoud or Rissani. They will find you!! As
I said most of the hassle is good natured - we asked in Erfoud and we got sorted
with a comfortable hotel on the edge of the dunes and a camel trek all in one
hit. The hotel was very cheap for it's quality - Dh400 for two people full
board.
The camel treks can be cheaper depending on what you want to do - we decided on
a night out in a 'berber oasis' for €40.00 each. Everything is set up for
tourists - don't go expecting to see the real thing (although you can go out for
as long as you like where things would probably get a bit more remote). For our
money we got 2.5 hours camel trek each way (just about the right length of time
- any longer and I think I would have needed surgery!), a night out in the
desert under the stars or in a tent (your choice) with blankets and mattresses
and food. We travelled with two French guys so we had a caravan of 4 plus Ahmed
our guide. I was very pleased with what I got for my money (we could perhaps
have haggled it down a bit) although it seemed expensive by Moroccan standards.
If you are travelling in a car you will have more choice over where you stay.
There is plenty of accommodation in Merzouga to suit all budgets. We stayed at
the Auberge (or sometimes Kasbar) Mohayut which was very pleasant if just a
little bit 'tour groupy'. You could probably get straight out by taxi from
Rissani if you can avoid the touts!, but you won't want to be trudging between
hotels with all your gear during the day - it's very hot. All the hotels will
arrange treks for you - I didn't see anyone negotiating directly with the camel
handlers.
I'll try to get round to putting up a few photos on my website - I'll post back
here when they're there.
Rod |