Transport and Tours

Getting around Morocco is very easy. The roads aren't European standard and driving in the cities is a bit of a challenge but the open roads are fairly straightforward and we often arrange car hire, although it is quite expensive compared to some holiday destinations. The negative about car hire is if you are visiting Fes, Marrakech or Essaouira then you'll hardly use the car as everything can be done on foot or using the incredibly cheap "petit taxis".

Most of our clients don't bother with a car and use the bus or get us to arrange transfers. Transfers are the least hassle and essential if either end of your journey is at the airport or in a rural location. We have a good selection of well maintained cars, people carriers and 4x4's, all available with air-conditioning and English-speaking drivers. Example prices are from £80 for 2 people going from Marrakech centre or airport to Essaouira, or £90 for a day-trip up to Imlil in the Atlas Mountains from Marrakech.

However to save money if you are going from the centre of Essaouira to the centre of Marrakech, there is a great value, reliable bus service. The other public transport option is the train which is an efficient and good value way to go between Marrakech and Fes - although it is almost a day's journey and even in first class the air-con struggles to keep up in mid-summer.  See www.oncf.ma/Index_en.aspx info on bus and train times and cost.

Finally there are the famous "Grand Taxis" the colour coded reincarnation of the 1980's Mercedes. It is a complete mystery where they come from but they ply the highways of Morocco relentlessly stuffed to the gunwales (often 7 or 8 people in them). They are usually a little cheaper than a pre-booked transfer but the quality is very variable (eg no seat belts or air-con) and the driver rarely speak French (never mind English) so giving directions can be a challenge (although language doesn't seem to be a problem when haggling for price)..only for the brave..

Morocco is a great country to explore because it is so varied and much of the country is uninhabited or sparsely populated. This makes exploration all the more exciting as you head off to the mountains, valleys and desert regions. An added bonus is that, for the most part, roads in Morocco are pretty good, so getting around is easy. And everywhere you go you will receive a warm and hospitable welcome. Camel trekking is another exciting way to see the country, staying overnight in Berber tents. If action is your thing, spend a few days trekking on foot or on mules (see Atlas Mountain Treks) in the mountains. This is perhaps the best way to soak up the atmosphere of traditional Berber village life and enjoy the tranquillity of the mountains.

There are many interesting destinations which can be reached from Marrakech or Essaouira. To do them justice,  some require a two or three day trip. With four major roads radiating out from the city centre in all directions, Marrakech is particularly well-located for visiting any number of destinations. Below are a few of our favourites:

Imlil: a small village set amidst fields of walnut and fruit trees, which is the starting point for the eight hour climb up Jbel Toubkal, the highest peak in the Atlas Mountains and from whose summit there are fabulous views of the whole Atlas range.

Oualidia: a small coastal town, north of Essaouira. Although the town itself is uninspiring, its lagoon and beach are stunning. The town is a centre for the oyster industry and you can visit the oyster farms.

Ouarzazate/Ait Ben Haddou: : Once a garrison town of the French Foreign Legion, Ouarzazate is the gateway to the southern Sahara via the Draa Valley. The town itself has wide avenues and municipal gardens and not far away are the Atlas Film Studios, El-Mansour Eddahbi Dam and the Tiffoultoute Kasbah, all of which merit a visit. Just outside Ouarzazate is the world heritage sirte of Ait Ben Haddou, a beautiful Ksar (village) containing a traditional Kasbah and village life. This is just about doable in a day-trip from Marrakech but a 3 hour drive each way and better done as part of an itinerary for the Morocco Desert.

Ouzoud: just over two hours north of Marrakech on the road to Fès, this is the site of the highest waterfall in Morocco. There is a beautiful plunge pool at the bottom and several waterside cafés.

Taroudant: An old fortified town with amazing souks, enclosed within red-ochre walls and surrounded by olive and orange groves.

Merzouga/M'hamid: right at the edge of the Sahara, this is a great base for exploring the desert regions, by camel or four-wheel drive. See our Morocco Desert section.