Possible route Morocco

Hi,
Going to Morocco for a couple of weeks.
Staying a few days in Marrakech and then roughly 10-12 days by rental car from Marrakech, flying out of Agadir.
Planning on going inland first (Atlas, Sahara) and ending along the coast somewhere.

Any of you who has some experience in driving around and which specific routes are preferable?
What places shouldn't I miss for sure? Any 'hidden' (i know, probably not) gems?
Are there desert tours in June or is it too hot already?

Cheers!
Michael

you are able to explore the country in 10-12 days; Marrakesh worthwhile couple days ; i would recommend the route from Marrakesh via Tizi-n-tichka then visiting Aitbenhadou site; Ouarzazate could be a good lunch spot; the drive between Marrakesh and the Sahara desert takes 8-9h so you might break at half way (Dades -Todra gorges).
next day; drive to the desert through the 'trail road'. I've experienced this area by a rental too; so it will be OK.
in the desert (camel trek and sunrise/sunset ride )are the must dos (it really worth it); I have used -snip- which guided me from Erfoud (departure point) then went to the desert and everything was arranged in advance.
From desert head to fes then to Marrakesh or retrace your steps and turn left to Essaouira via Troudant -Tizi-n-test and back to Marrakesh to catch your flight.

Dades col : Hotel Les Berber DE la Montaigne
Ouarzazate : hotel Les jardins de Ouarzazate
Marrakesh : Hotel Agdal (new town)
Desert : I spent that night under tents in the middle of the dunes (camp)

[ Edit: Sorry, no promos please. ]

Thanks a lot USAFAN,
What did you mean by the way with the 'trail road'. I is unsurfaced?
Cheers again!
Michael

road from Dades to boumaln city is (NArow); keep your eyes open .!

not tricky; but better to drive slowly ...etc

I would thoroughly recommend Tanger. One of the most incredible cities I have been to. Just watch the carpet traders. Apart from them, it's an easy place.

Hey Michael. Great plan! I enjoyed Marocco a lot. And you explore it best by car. But why don't you drive your own car? From Marakesh you should visit atleast Erg Chebbi (Sahara- east of Marakesh, 40 kilometers south-east of Erfoud near Algerian border), Meknes, Fes, Chefchouen, Tanger, Asilah, Casablanca, Jadida, Essaouira and then further south to Agadir. I think when you take this route you will cover most of the interesting landscapes and cities. Have a lot of fun...

PS. Ofcourse June is hot for safaris but with enough water it will be an experience you won't forget.

[ Edit: Edited on 08-May-2009, at 12:34 by wouterrr ]

Quoting wouterrr

Hey Michael. Great plan! I enjoyed Marocco a lot. And you explore it best by car. But why don't you drive your own car? From Marakesh you should visit atleast Erg Chebbi (Sahara- east of Marakesh, 40 kilometers south-east of Erfoud near Algerian border), Meknes, Fes, Chefchouen, Tanger, Asilah, Casablanca, Jadida, Essaouira and then further south to Agadir. I think when you take this route you will cover most of the interesting landscapes and cities. Have a lot of fun...

PS. Ofcourse June is hot for safaris but with enough water it will be an experience you won't forget.

Thanks Wouter!
I guess it will be pretty hot indeed in some places. Oh well, part of the experience

I had been thinking about driving my own car to Morocco, but with only have two weeks in June, so that would leave me roughly over a week in Morocco or so. But when drivin it to Gambia, I will probably visit the country again

Hi! that would be great too!
I did so too; let me give a hand for this : you better book your car in advance so you get good rate for it!
hiring a car for 1/2 weeks would probably cost you 25€ a day (I call this -good rate -)

about the address i gave above : I made a mistake : www.desertcameltrips.c.la ; you can also find some extra info about the Erg chebbi desert on www.ergchebbi-info.c.la (travel guide).

I heard Tangier is a great city, I'll plan for it next year; and perhaps i'll stuck in asilah and chefchawen for few days.

-Looking forward to hear about your trip-
excitinggg

Yeah - Tanger is good, in fact incredibly amazing (an understatement). A lot of the houses are built out of the sand cliffs and are incredible inside.
However, I'm very fussy with my food (although.... Will travel - will tolerate - no choice) and Morocco was, for me, the country with some of the worst food I've ever experienced. It even made Malawi's offerings look slightly tempting (only slightly, though!!!!).